Len Cearns

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Len Cearns (1 March 1914 – 28 October 1993) was an English businessman and long-time chairman of West Ham United. He was born in Romford and came from a West Ham family involved with the club since it began in 1900. His father, W.J. Cearns, was chairman from 1935 to 1950, and Len was known as "Mr. Len" and "the father of West Ham." He ran a construction company and joined West Ham’s board in 1948, becoming chairman in 1979 after Reg Pratt.

In the 1980s, investors David Sullivan and David Gold bought shares hoping to gain control, but Cearns resisted. They later left for Birmingham City. Cearns remained West Ham chairman until 1990, when he handed the role to his son Martin Cearns. Toward the end of his chairmanship, he dismissed long-time manager John Lyall in 1989 and appointed Lou Macari, followed by Billy Bonds in 1990.

He stayed on as a director after stepping down and remained in that role until his death. Cearns served on the Football League, the Football Association, and the Football Combination, and was life vice-president of the Football League. He died on 28 October 1993 at the age of 79, after 45 years as a West Ham director.