Arnold Hills
Arnold Frank Hills entered the world on the 12th of March 1857 in Denmark Hill, Surrey. His father worked as a manufacturing chemist and shaped the early environment of the boy who would later build empires. The family home provided a foundation for a life that would span industry, sport, and social reform. Hills attended Harrow School where he played football and cricket for his school team. He captained the first eleven cricket team during his time there. After leaving Harrow, he traveled to University College, Oxford to pursue higher education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1880 while playing football for the university.
The British mile champion title arrived for Arnold Hills in 1878 at the AAC Championships. He secured another major victory by winning the three-mile championship in 1879. These athletic feats established him as a formidable competitor among amateur athletes of the era. Hills continued to play football for Old Harrovians after his university days ended. He won a Corinthian's Cap for his service to the club. On the 5th of April 1879, he appeared for England against Scotland at the Kennington Oval. England defeated Scotland with a score of five goals to four. Hills also played as a forward for Oxford University when they finished runners-up in the 1877 FA Cup Final against Wanderers.
Thames Iron Works operated as a large shipbuilding business in London since 1846. Arnold Hills took charge as Managing Director and chose to live among his workers for five years. He resided in a small house on East India Dock Road in Canning Town during this period. The businessman organized recreational centers specifically for the labor force employed there. However, bitterness arose within the workforce when a strike occurred over poor pay and working conditions. Hills responded to the dispute by employing black labour to keep operations running. This decision caused significant tension between management and the staff despite his earlier efforts to improve their lives.
The summer of 1895 marked the founding of Thames Ironworks F.C. alongside Dave Taylor. Hills believed that his own local community deserved its own football team. He financially supported the club until April 1900 when disagreements emerged regarding professionalism. He broke formal ties with both the club and the Thames Ironworks company at that time. Hills proposed making West Ham a limited company and became the major shareholder. He encouraged business associates, family members, and workmen to invest in the venture. He promised to buy one share for every single share sold to the public. He rented the Memorial Grounds to the club at very favourable terms yet never attended an AGM or presented demands.
Hills served as the first President of the London Vegetarian Society starting in 1888. He worked alongside the young Mahatma Gandhi on the Executive Committee during this tenure. The activist also founded The Vegetarian magazine and established the Vegetarian Federal Union in 1889. He held the presidency of the Vegetarian Cycling and Athletic Club and led a London Vegetarian Rambling Club. His close ties extended to the Temperance League which advocated for abstinence from alcohol. Hills founded the Oriolet Fruitarian Hospital at Loughton under the medical direction of Josiah Oldfield. He authored Vital Food in 1892 arguing for a plant-based raw food diet.
The failing fortunes of the ironworks pushed the football club into the background of his life. Hills developed arthritis that made him a virtual invalid before he died. He passed away at Hammerfield, Penshurst, Kent, on the 7th of March 1927. He was buried at St Luke's Church in Penshurst after reaching the age of 69. His shareholding in West Ham consisted of 1100 out of 4000 shares available. A total of 1142 shares remained unsold until 1961 when they were finally distributed. In 2014 West Ham announced one corporate entertainment area would be named the Arnold Hills suite as part of their move to the Olympic Stadium.
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Common questions
When was Arnold Hills born and where did he grow up?
Arnold Frank Hills entered the world on the 12th of March 1857 in Denmark Hill, Surrey. His father worked as a manufacturing chemist and shaped the early environment of the boy who would later build empires.
What athletic achievements did Arnold Hills accomplish during his youth?
The British mile champion title arrived for Arnold Hills in 1878 at the AAC Championships. He secured another major victory by winning the three-mile championship in 1879 and appeared for England against Scotland at the Kennington Oval on the 5th of April 1879.
How did Arnold Hills manage Thames Iron Works and handle labor disputes?
Thames Iron Works operated as a large shipbuilding business in London since 1846 and Arnold Hills took charge as Managing Director to live among his workers for five years. The businessman organized recreational centers specifically for the labor force employed there but responded to a strike over poor pay by employing black labour to keep operations running.
Why did Arnold Hills establish West Ham United and how did he support it financially?
Hills believed that his own local community deserved its own football team when he founded Thames Ironworks F.C. alongside Dave Taylor in the summer of 1895. He promised to buy one share for every single share sold to the public and rented the Memorial Grounds to the club at very favourable terms yet never attended an AGM or presented demands.
What vegetarian organizations did Arnold Hills lead and what publications did he author?
Hills served as the first President of the London Vegetarian Society starting in 1888 and worked alongside the young Mahatma Gandhi on the Executive Committee during this tenure. The activist also founded The Vegetarian magazine and established the Vegetarian Federal Union in 1889 while he authored Vital Food in 1892 arguing for a plant-based raw food diet.
When did Arnold Hills die and what happened to his shares in West Ham after his death?
He passed away at Hammerfield, Penshurst, Kent, on the 7th of March 1927 after developing arthritis that made him a virtual invalid before he died. His shareholding in West Ham consisted of 1100 out of 4000 shares available and a total of 1142 shares remained unsold until 1961 when they were finally distributed.