he joined fellow southern league first division club west ham united in december 1904. taking over centre forward duties from billy bridgeman, he scored on his debut, against portsmouth on 26 december, but his four-match run in the team coincided with one of the club's worst ever losing streaks. he played the last of his games for west ham on 7 january 1905, against his old club qpr, after which bridgeman was recalled to the team. after leaving the irons, he returned to scotland, joining royal albert on 2 september 1905.