West Ham fans reveal opposition to key part of new London Stadium plan | OneFootball

Hammers United have their say on five-point plan to turn around the venue’s fortunes

West Ham supporters’ group Hammers United say they would oppose plans to play more away matches early in the season in order to facilitate concerts at the London Stadium.

Lyn Garner, chair of the London Stadium LLP, this week put forward a five-point plan to City Hall outlining ways to improve the financial capabilities of the venue.

Within that, she suggested that West Ham, who signed a 99-year lease in 2016 to rent the London Stadium following their departure from the Boleyn Ground (Upton Park), could play more away matches in September in future to allow for more concerts.

The London Stadium LLP currently only has a licence to host 10 concerts a year, whereas West Ham’s London rivals Tottenham host 30 major non-football events a year.

The London Stadium LLP are in talks with Newham Council about expanding that licence, and they are also speaking with West Ham about the possibility of playing more away matches in September in future seasons to facilitate their expansion plans.

Such a move, though, would likely prove deeply unpopular with West Ham supporters, and Hammers United say they would reject any plans to play away throughout September.

“No football fan is going to like that and my members and myself, we are no exception,” a spokesperson for Hammers United, who have more than 19,000 members, told Standard Sport.

“People do not want only one home game in six weeks, where they do not see their mates for six weeks. Then the next month, they have got five home games.

“Of course, they (season-ticket holders) have already paid for their ticket. But there is the trip to the cafe or, for most people, to the pub, which doesn't come cheap. The train fares. It would all come at once. So, football fans would not welcome that.”

Hammers United admit there is room for negotiation, but say West Ham’s ownership, which is changing following the departure of joint-chair and co-owner David Sullivan, would need to act in the club’s best interests to secure a deal that suits supporters.

West Ham fans had grown increasingly disillusioned with Sullivan’s ownership, and repeated fan protests last season, calling for Sullivan and former vice-chair Karren Brady to step down, came amid a campaign that saw the Hammers relegated to the Championship for the first time in 14 years.

Following the departure of Sullivan in June, West Ham supporters have bought season tickets in record numbers, with more than 50,000 fans already signed up ahead of the new campaign.

Hammers United say they are optimistic about the club’s future, and in principle support the other points laid out by Ms Garner, including selling the naming rights for the stadium, making cosmetic changes to the look of the ground, and identifying ways to improve the atmosphere.