West Ham, Tottenham and Arsenal are three of London’s top football clubs, and their timeline outlines how they have evolved over the years.

London’s football landscape is defined by rivalries steeped in pride, passion, and history — none more intense than those shared among West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal.

These three clubs have shaped the story of English football through fierce derbies, shifting loyalties, and decades of triumphs and heartbreaks.

Here’s a look at the intertwined timeline of their histories, tracing how each London giant came to occupy its place in the city’s footballing hierarchy.

The Foundations: 19th Century West Ham vs Tottenham vs Arsenal Timeline

Arsenal were the first of the trio to be founded, established in 1886 by workers at the Royal Arsenal munitions factory in Woolwich, south-east London.

Initially named Dial Square, they quickly changed to Royal Arsenal, and later Woolwich Arsenal before eventually becoming Arsenal Football Club.

They joined the Football League in 1893, becoming the first southern club to do so, and set the tone for professional football’s expansion beyond the industrial north.

Tottenham Hotspur followed just a few years later, founded in 1882 by schoolboys from the Hotspur Cricket Club and their Bible class teacher.

Their name paid homage to Sir Henry Percy, known as “Hotspur,” a medieval figure linked to the local area.

By the 1890s, Tottenham had grown into a prominent amateur side, turning professional in 1895 and later joining the Football League in 1908 after early success in the Southern League.

West Ham United’s origins came slightly later, in 1895, when workers from the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company formed Thames Ironworks FC.

The club was reformed as West Ham United in 1900, marking the beginning of its independent identity.

The Hammers soon became known for their tough, working-class character — a trait that would define their culture for generations.

Early 20th Century: Moving, Growing, and Rivalries Emerging

In the early 1900s, Arsenal’s bold relocation changed London football forever.

In 1913, the club moved from Woolwich to Highbury in north London — a decision that brought them into direct competition with Tottenham.

This move sparked one of football’s most enduring rivalries, as Spurs viewed Arsenal’s move into their territory as an act of invasion.

The following decade added fuel to the fire.

In 1919, Arsenal controversially won promotion to the First Division despite finishing fifth in the Second Division the previous season, replacing Tottenham, who were relegated.

The decision — influenced by Football League chairman Sir Henry Norris, who also owned Arsenal — deepened animosity between the clubs and laid the foundation for the modern North London Derby.

Meanwhile, West Ham United were carving out their own identity in East London.

The club moved to the Boleyn Ground in Upton Park in 1904, and by 1919, they were members of the Football League Second Division.

They reached the 1923 FA Cup Final — famously known as the “White Horse Final” — the first to be held at Wembley Stadium, losing 2–0 to Bolton Wanderers.

Their promotion that same year marked the beginning of West Ham’s sustained presence in the top tiers of English football.

Post-War Period: Shifting Fortunes Across London

After World War II, the balance of power among London clubs began to evolve.

Arsenal dominated English football in the 1930s, winning five league titles between 1930 and 1938 under legendary managers Herbert Chapman and George Allison.

Tottenham, however, would rise in the post-war years, famously winning the 1950–51 First Division title under Arthur Rowe’s “push and run” style.

Their golden era arrived in the early 1960s, when Bill Nicholson guided Spurs to the league and FA Cup double in 1960–61 — the first team to achieve the feat in the 20th century.

They added European glory soon after, lifting the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963.

West Ham also enjoyed a defining decade.

Under Ron Greenwood, they won the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965.

The club became synonymous with the trio of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, and Martin Peters — who were pivotal in England’s 1966 World Cup triumph.

The Hammers’ “Academy of Football” reputation grew, nurturing technical, intelligent players that embodied English football’s evolving identity.

Modern Eras: Success, Struggles, and the London Hierarchy

Arsenal entered a new era of dominance under Arsène Wenger after his arrival in 1996.

Wenger revolutionised English football’s tactics, diet, and professionalism, leading Arsenal to three Premier League titles and four FA Cups between 1998 and 2005.

The 2003–04 “Invincibles” season, when Arsenal went unbeaten in the league, remains one of football’s greatest achievements.

Tottenham, after a long period of inconsistency, began re-establishing themselves as top-four contenders in the 2010s under Mauricio Pochettino.

They reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2019 — their first in history — and established a reputation for progressive, attacking football.

West Ham, meanwhile, experienced fluctuating fortunes but began to rise again in the 2020s under David Moyes.

Their 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League triumph ended a 43-year trophy drought, reaffirming their status as one of London’s proudest clubs.

The club’s move from Upton Park to the London Stadium in 2016 symbolised both ambition and change — a step into the modern era that divided fans but elevated West Ham’s profile on the European stage.

Present Day Timeline: A City Divided by Three Shades of London Pride

In 2025, Arsenal, Tottenham, and West Ham all compete in the Premier League, each representing distinct corners of London’s footballing identity.

Arsenal stand as the historically dominant force, boasting 13 league titles and a legacy of modern football innovation.

Tottenham carry a proud heritage of style and flair, with their rebuilt Tottenham Hotspur Stadium embodying ambition for sustained success.

West Ham remain rooted in their East End heritage — resilient, passionate, and proud of their working-class foundations and commitment to developing homegrown talent.

Together, these three clubs illustrate the complex, colourful history of London football — a story of rivalries, ambition, and evolution spanning nearly a century and a half.

From Woolwich to White Hart Lane to Upton Park, their intertwined journeys have made London the beating heart of the global game.

The post West Ham vs Tottenham vs Arsenal Timeline appeared first on Gooner Daily.