Jimmy Reid originally came from Scotland. He joined the Thames Iron Works and played his first game in September 1897. That season the team won the London League, losing only one game, against Brentford in April, 1898. Reid played in the team that won the the Southern League Division 2 title in 1898-99. Reid scored 9 goals in 13 games. The following season saw Reid playing in only 2 games. Thames Iron Works struggled without Reid and finished second from bottom that season.