West Ham United co-owner David Gold has warned fans the grass isn’t always greener on the other side after another tempestuous week of negative headlines.
West Ham United’s Adrian, Dimitri Payet and team mates look dejected
The Hammers brought the curtain down on 112 years of history at their beloved Boleyn Ground at the end of last season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Manchester United.
And all eyes have been on their big move to the 60,000 seater arena down the road in Stratford ever since.
Despite being hailed as the ‘most successful football migration in history’ by vice-chairman Karren Brady back in July, the move has been beset by problems casting the club into limelight further for all the wrong reasons.
A woeful start to life at their new home has left morale on the pitch and in the stands at a new low.
Match stewards attempt to make West Ham United fans sit down
Fighting amongst fans and safety fears at the ground as well as 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.
Five defeats from the first seven Premier League games is the club’s worst ever start to a season and Bilic’s side were also unceremoniously dumped out of Europe in qualifying too.
The stadium issues have driven a wedge between factions of supporters and the club’s owners.
Co-owner David Sullivan’s son Dave recently deleted his Twitter account after growing fed up of abuse he received on the social networking site.
Karren Brady
Brady, who was allegedlly spat at by her own fans during a recent 4-2 home defeat to Watford, has also been villified this week after comments she made to business leaders about rebranding the club were reported out of context.
Now Sullivan’s fellow co-owner David Gold has spoken out after receiving tweets urging him and Sullivan to sell up.
Responding to one Hammers fan who thanked the owners but said it was ‘time to move on’, Gold warned: “Sounds like you’re dumping your wife. Met someone younger have you? Be careful what you wish for.”
West Ham co chairmans David Sullivan and David Gold
Gold’s presence on social media and both owners’ penchant for talking about club matters in the public domain polarises opinion among the club’s support.
After a transfer window which saw the club bring in 13 players – including a series of loans – none of which have so far improved the first team, many fans have become disillusioned with the direction the club is heading.
The bizarre sale of homegrown Hammer James Tomkins to London rivals Crystal Palace for £10 million has also led to a mistrust between board and fans.
But Gold makes a salient point when you look at the likes of Leeds United, Charlton Athletic, Birmingham City and even Aston Villa who show how horribly wrong a change of ownership can go.
On the flip side Leicester City have proved just how successful it can be too.
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