earle left the dog to join the professional ranks at west ham united in august 1924. after 18 appearances and 6 goals in his first season, his second saw 38 appearances and 9 goals, including his first appearance for the club in the fa cup, a 5–0 thrashing at the hands of tottenham hotspur. he was an ever-present in 1926–27, playing in all 45 league and cup games – an achievement matched only by jim barrett, jimmy collins and vic watson.