The 1896–97 season was Thames Ironworks' second season after the club's formation in 1895. "With reference to the forthcoming season, it has been decided to enter for the English Cup, London Senior Cup, West Ham Charity Cup, South Essex League senior and junior and if possible, one or two others. There will be very few dates left open for "friendly" matches, so it ought to be a good thing for the club financially." – Thames Iron Works Gazette However, the most significant competition that Thames Ironworks would enter that season would be the London League, even though the West Ham area was still officially part of Essex at the time. It was a seamless transition for the club to make as Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd owner Arnold Hills was also president of the London League, and along with Thames Ironworks F.C. committee chairman Francis Payne, helped to draft the competition's rules. New signings for the season included Reading players Edward Hatton, Peter Davie and Frank Dandridge. H. Rossiter and Holmes, would also join from the Berkshire club, as well as many more Thames Iron Works employees that still provided the core of the team. In their first ever competitive league fixture in the London League, staged at the Hermit Road ground, on 19 September 1896 Thames Ironworks beat the Vampires 3–0. The following month, "The Irons" went out in the FA Cup first qualifying round for the second year running, losing 0–8 away to Kent Southern League team Sheppey United on 10 October 1897. Shortly after their exit from the FA Cup they were handed an eviction notice from the Hermit Road ground. The club had violated their tenancy agreement by charging admission fees and building a perimeter fence and pavilion. Thames Ironworks had to play their next four fixtures at the grounds of their opponents, until a new home could be found. The first of these games was against eventual champions 3rd Grenadier Guards F.C. on 22 October 1896, which The Irons lost 1–4. The gloom continued on 5 December 1896, when Thames Ironworks lost in the first round of the Essex Senior Cup 2–3, in a narrowly fought game away to Leyton F.C. At the turn of 1897 Arnold Hills had managed to lease a temporary piece of land for the team, located in Browning Road, East Ham. However, the new situation was not ideal, as