Much-maligned West Ham United vice-chairman has gone on something of a Twitter marathon, providing a number of updates on the Olympic Stadium.
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.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
The Hammers had picked up of late until harsh back-to-back defeats against Leicester City and Manchester United.
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.
Vice-chairman Brady has bore the brunt of disgruntled fans’ frustrations and was allegedly spat at during this season’s 4-2 home defeat to Watford.
West Ham United vice chairman Karren Brady
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.
The move has been beset by problems but Brady has come out fighting to set the record straight in a series of Twitter posts.
General view of the West Ham emblem on the side of the stadium
Stadium name
The stadium naming rights were out to tender by the E20 company West Ham lease the ground from ahead of the big move and reports suggested Indian technology company Mahindra were set to win the deal.
West Ham only make money on anything agreed over £4 million for naming rights.
That did not materialise, though, and instead the ground was named London Stadium.
It was put to Brady that it was ’embarrassing’ the club still did not have a naming rights partner on Twitter.
“These rights are not ours to sell as they belong to E20 who are in charge of selling them, but the stadium is called London Stadium,” Brady said.
“We have the right to approve the deal but not conclude it.”
Free stadium WiFi for fans
West Ham fans were promised free WiFi in the stadium ahead of the move.
It was not available when the season started and the club said it would be in place by the end of the year but it now appears they will have to wait until next season.
“Yes there has been a delay was linked to naming rights and as you know this has not been concluded E20 and (stadium operators) LS185 promise us will be in next season.”
Match stewards attempt to make West Ham United fans sit down
Stewarding
From ejecting and banning supporters for standing up during games to accusations of ineptitude, the stewarding at the new stadium has been nothing short of farcical.
But Brady has pledged to fix the problem.
“I promise you resolving supporters issues with stewards is our number one priority,” she said.
“We call out to all previous Upton Park stewards to come and work at the London Stadium and are looking to make West Ham United supporters ambassadors in the ground to bridge the gap.”
On suggestions Upton Park stewards were ‘sacked’ ahead of the move.
“Utter rubbish. Every single one was offered a chance to move, and encouraged to do so.”
Access to the stadium
Fans have generally felt unwelcome in their new surroundings with Westfield even erecting walls to keep them out despite supporters spending millions in their shops, bars and restaurants every match day.
Access to the stadium has improved somewhat of late with nearby Westfield re-opening one of the walled off access points for supporters to get to games from the shopping area.
Recently one of the main paths towards the stadium has been closed due to problems with a gas supply in the area.
Conspiracy theorists claim the club is being economical with the truth but Brady has flatly denied such accusations, saying: “Why on earth would we lie about a gas leak!”
West Ham fans have been filling the stadium to the permitted capacity
Capacity
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 Brady – who clarified the club had always been up front over the capacity issue – hopes they will soon be up to the full 60,000 with a meeting planned for next week.
“We are applying for the 60k capacity at the next SAG (meeting) and those supporters on the waiting list will be contacted and given first option to buy,” Brady said.
“What lies have we told about the capacity? We currently have 57k, moving to 60k and we hope to get to 66k for next season?
“It is a safety license and EVERY club in the country – Premier League or otherwise – has to have one by law to operate a stadium.
“We will apply Monday at the SAG If successful our first act will be to invite the supporters moved to block 127 the chance to move back to 114.”
And empty seats…
One major bug bear for the supporters has been the sight of empty seats dotted around at games which have sold out.
Some are season ticket holders who, for whatever reason, have not attended and not sold their ticket on through the club’s ticket trader service.
But Brady says there is a simple explanation for empty seats.
“Yes there are (empty seats) and that is because there are 66,000 seats in the ground and we only have a license to sell 57,000 – all 57k sold out,” she said.
West Ham fans
The 50,000 waiting list
Brady has publicly celebrated the fact the club has a waiting list of 50,000 supporters in addition to the 52,000 season tickets holders.
Some fans are sceptical about the claims, particularly after the EFL Cup home game against Chelsea – the first game of real note against an established rival at the London Stadium – failed to sell out.
But Brady reiterated the waiting list claim and blamed the licence issue with the SAG for the Chelsea match falling some 10,000 below capacity.
“You’re right it (the waiting list) is not 50k, it is 52k,” she said.
“SAG only allowed us to sell tickets for that game (vs Chelsea) to supporters with a purchase history, hence the issue.”
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