Karren Brady’s Twitter message to fighting fans is misguided based on West Ham attendance

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West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady issued a forthright message to fans following the ugly scenes against Chelsea, but has she got it wrong?

West Ham and Chelsea fans clash after the match

The Hammers‘ move to the 60,000 seater venue has been making the headlines this season but for all the wrong reasons.

Fighting among fans and rival supporters and general safety fears at the ground have been a major issue and reared its ugly head again in the EFL Cup win over rivals Chelsea last week.

The club finds itself at the centre of a new negative story each week with the spotlight firmly fixed over East London following the move into such an iconic ground.

There have been calls for West Ham to be evicted as tenants, reports from a police source claiming it is impossible to police and even a suggestion from an MP that the ground should be demolished.

West Ham United vice chairman Karren Brady

And following the latest ugly scenes, Hammers vice-chairman Brady took to Twitter to claim the club has no fears about banning supporters because there are plenty waiting to take their place.

“Football doesn’t want these people and with over 55,000 supporters on our season ticket waiting list we certainly don’t need them at West Ham,” Brady posted on Twitter.

While the sentiment is noble – after all nobody wants to see violence on the terraces at a football match in 2016 – her claims have to be questioned given the stadium was some 11,500 short of the 57,000-capped capacity for that game.

West Ham and Chelsea fans clash

Yes the club had to impose extra security measures for the match, which included only allowing people with a previous booking history at the London Stadium to purchase tickets.

But with 52,000 season ticket holders and the 55,000-strong waiting list Brady lays claim to, the Hammers surely should have comfortably sold out what was the first ever London derby at their new home, under the lights, in the cup against bitter rivals Chelsea?

General view outside the controversial stadium

Anyone found to be involved in the violent exchanges should fully expect to be punished by the club or the authorities.

But Brady is leaving herself, and the club, open to ridicule over the massaging of figures when it comes to attendances and interest in West Ham tickets.