The Thames Ironworks  and Shipbuilding Company was a shipbuilding company situated on the river Thames at Leamouth, East  London.  Operating from 1837 to 1912  they were prolific and among the first builders of iron ships on the river including HMS Warrior the first all iron warship.
 
Like many companies at the time the workers formed a  sucessful 'works' football team, Thames Ironworks FC,  which in 1900 was reformed to become West Ham United FC and the rest as they say is history..