West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady has revealed her major focus for the club.
The Hammers have only made one signing so far this summer with ageing defender Pablo Zabaleta arriving on a free transfer from Manchester City.
Slaven Bilic publicly stated he wanted to make four “game-changer” signings this summer with two strikers his main priority.
But despite being linked with a plethora of players from Joe Hart to Olivier Giroud and Kelechi Iheanacho the club are yet to part with any money.
A lack of action has been perceived as a lack of ambition by furious fans who are losing patience with co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold over broken promises with regards to transfers.
West Ham United owners David Gold and David Sullivan
Many feel links and grand statements were a ploy to sell season tickets – and if it was it certainly helped with 52,000 signing up for a second consecutive season, second only to Manchester United.
But no sooner had it been announced that the club had sold out it’s 52,000 season ticket allocation, than Karren Brady – who polarises opinion between supporters – lifted the lid on what her next focus will be… increasing the capacity at the London Stadium.
“London Stadium sold out, 52000 season ticket holders,” Brady posted on Twitter.
“Now to focus on getting capacity increased.
“Thank you to all our fantastic supporters.”
Due to the ugly scenes which marred many of the early matches at the club’s new Olympic Stadium home, 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 last season.
The club wants to eventually operate a 66,000 capacity but Brady is fighting to have it restored to the full 60,000 initially after Gold admitted recently the 66,000 is proving more difficult to push through with the authorities than first thought.
Karren Brady is focusing on increasing West Ham’s capacity
In the last update on the situation back in January, Brady said: “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.
“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.”
Brady did not make it clear whether the club is pushing for the 60k or 66k increase and whether she was doing so for the forthcoming season or the season after.
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