West Ham United co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold have launched a charm offensive in a bid to repair relations with disgruntled fans.
West Ham United’s Adrian, Dimitri Payet and team mates look dejected
A terrible start to the season, infighting amongst fans, resentment towards owners and concerns over safety have soured the Hammers’ season so far.
Slaven Bilic‘s side have lost four of their opening five Premier League matches and scraped past Bournemouth in their solitary victory.
The Hammers were also embarrassingly dumped out of the Europa League by Romanian minnows Astra Giurgiu for the second season running.
Match stewards attempt to make West Ham United fans sit down
Fans are at each other’s throats over standing at their new 60,000 seater Olympic Stadium home while Karren Brady – who spearheaded the club’s move to Stratford – was allegedly spat at by her own supporters as things turned sour in a 4-2 home defeat to Watford recently.
Matters haven’t been helped by a repeat score last time out against West Bromwich Albion and a toxic atmosphere is starting to fester at West Ham with supporters beginning to question some of Bilic’s team selections and tactics.
A last gasp 1-0 victory in the League Cup against League Two side Accrdington Stanley has done little to convince fans their fortunes are about to come out of hiding.
West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet scores the winner against Accrington Stanley
Just shy of 40,000 Hammers were at London Stadium to see Dimitri Payet’s 96th minute free-kick put the East Londoners into the next round where they will entertain Chelsea next.
And the attendance beat the next highest elsewhere in the League Cup this season over at Stamford Bridge while simultaneously setting West Ham’s highest attendance in the competition for 45 years.
Now Sullivan and Gold have offered disgruntled supporters an olive branch by praising them for their loyal support in a joint message on the club’s official website.
West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold
“Wednesday night was what West Ham United and football are all about,” Sullivan and Gold told whufc.com.
“We had a big crowd in for a traditional cup tie between a big Premier League club and brave lower-division opposition which went right down to the wire.
“Now, we want to take the momentum of our win onto Sunday, with two sets of fans determined to both entertain and be entertained, when we host Southampton in the Premier League in front of another full house at our new home, when we all sincerely hope to be celebrating another win and a welcome three points.”
The club’s owners are still battling with some supporters to ensure they do not persistently stand during games at their new home in order to get the licence to operate at full 60,000 – and from next season 66,000 – capacity.
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