Why is the team called WEST Ham if they're in EAST London?

Question

Sorry about the ALL CAPS, but I couldn't find an Italics mechanism.

Answer 1

Because they used to be in West Ham then moved to East Ham.  When West Ham was founded their name was Thames Iron Works.

Answer 2

LOL

Answer 3

Well there is East Ham as well, and their ground is west of East ham?? Why is it called Southend when it's in the East?

Answer 4

The club was originally founded as Thames Ironworks F.C. in 1895 and later reformed, in 1900, as West Ham United. They initially competed in the Southern League and Western League before joining the full Football League in 1919 and enjoyed their first top flight season in 1923, also featuring in the first FA Cup Final to be held at Wembley that year against Bolton Wanderers.

Answer 5

Because West Ham is a place, not a description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_ham

You may as well ask why New York is called that when it's actually quite old now.