Karren Brady confident of major stadium announcement after Crystal Palace game

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West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady is confident of a major improvement to the Olympic Stadium after the Crystal Palace clash this weekend.

A woeful start to life at their new Olympic Stadium has left a large section of Hammers fans despondent.

Fighting among supporters marred early matches as did safety fears for away fans over 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.

But the club’s biggest problems are off the pitch where the stadium issues have driven a wedge between factions of supporters and the club’s owners.

A number of issues continue to irk the Hammers faithful, 52,000 of whom signed up for season tickets at the Olympic Stadium this season – second to only Manchester United.

West Ham United’s fans clash with Chelsea fans

Due to the ugly scenes which marred many of the early matches at the stadium, particularly Watford and Chelsea, West Ham were forced to cap their 60,000 capacity to just 57,000 by Newham Council’s Safety Advisory Group.

That has meant only 2,000 or less tickets were available to non-season ticket holders after away fans’ allocation was taken into account this season.

The club wants to operate a 66,000 capacity from next season but has been desperate to get it back up to 60,000 for the current campaign.

Karren Brady

And now Brady has revealed talks with the SAG on Monday went well and she hopes capacity will be raised to 60,000 after the Crystal Palace game this weekend.

“Very positive SAG meeting with no incidents since October confident that agreement will be finalised soon, plan to apply after Crystal Palace game,” Brady said on Twitter.

That could mean the raised capacity will be in place for the visit of Manchester City on February 1st and the Hammers will want the extra 3,000 supporters roaring them on after a 5-0 home defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side in the FA Cup last time out.

Brady revealed last week that the club’s first act once capacity is back to 60,000 will be to invite the supporters who were moved to block 127 after action was taken to increase segregation between home and away fans the chance to move back to 114.