Will Cearns
| William James Cearns |
|---|
| Born |
1882 |
|---|
| Died |
19 February 1950 |
|---|
| Occupation |
Chairman, West Ham United |
|---|
William "Will" James Cearns (1882 - 19 February, 1950)[1] [2] was a chairman of English football club West Ham United.
Cearns was a member of a family which had been associated with West Ham since its 1900 foundation. His father, James "Jimmy" William Y. Cearns, worked for the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company and was on the first committee when a works team was formed in 1895. He was then one of the inaugural directors when the team went professional and became West Ham United in 1900. He remained a director until he died in 1934. Will was chairman from 1935 until his death in 1950.[3][4][5] Known as "the Cockney millionaire", Cearns was involved in the construction industry and was responsible for the first underground car park in the country. He was also prominent in funding the construction of West Ham's, The Boleyn Ground and a swimming pool in Wanstead High School.[6]
References