West Ham United co-owner David Gold used Manchester City as an example to appease disgruntled supporters but it backfired.
Match stewards attempt to make West Ham United fans sit down at the Olympic Stadium
West Ham United‘s move to the Olympic Stadium has been controversial and not without problems.
Infighting among supporters marred early matches at the ground as did violent scenes with away fans, problems with segregation and insufficient policing and stewarding.
A perceived lack of the famous intimidating Hammers atmosphere from Upton Park has seen the stadium switch cited by many as a reason for the club’s contrast in fortunes compared to their fantastic campaign last term.
West Ham have won just six of their 17 home games this season and a host of pundits and fans have blamed everything from the size of the pitch, to the gap between the stands and the playing surface to explain why.
There were always going to be teething problems and the general matchday experience has, on the whole, improved for the majority of supporters as the season has progressed.
But many fans still aren’t happy – particularly with the fact the club no longer owns its own ground and the general lack of control with the LLDC in charge.
Fans of all clubs often make their feelings over West Ham’s occupancy of the stadium clear to co-owner David Gold on Twitter.
West Ham co-owner David Gold at the Olympic Stadium
But when Gold attempted to appease supporters by pointing out that Manchester City also do not own their own ground in the traditional sense, it did not go down well as an example.
“The Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City Football Club, is owned by Manchester City Council,” Gold said on Twitter.
It was immediately put to Gold that City’s conversion of the Commonwealth Games stadium cost £42 million compared to the near £300m bill for the Olympic Stadium.
And he responded reminding people once again the club had no control over the original designs, of which he was highly critical.
West Ham United fans
“Because the Olympic Stadium was designed and built on the absolute premise that it would never be converted to a football stadium. Government mistake,” Gold added.
Gold’s words were drowned out by dissenters, though, as his attempt at some positive Hammers PR backfired spectacularly with a range of sarcastic comments coming the pensioner’s way on Twitter.
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