West Ham United have moved to the London Stadium, and Tony Gale has had his say on the switch.
Sky Sports pundit Tony Gale (L) with Clive Allen (R)
West Ham United hero and Sky Sports pundit Tony Gale has told The Sun that he doesn’t envy the Hammers board as they look to deal with a number of problems.
The Hammers have been one of the major disappointments of the Premier League season so far, as they’ve won just one of of their first five Premier League games – a huge disappointment having finished in seventh place last season.
West Ham co chairmans David Sullivan and David Gold
Today, Slaven Bilic – a man under pressure after consecutive 4-2 defeats to Watford and West Bromwich Albion – will watch his side take on Southampton, and it’s another home game as the Hammers look to settle in to the London Stadium.
After 112 years at the iconic Upton Park, West Ham moved homes this past summer as they took over the Olympic Stadium, but the transition has been far from smooth so far.
Fans have been left disgruntled by the move, with a number of factors – from stewarding and segregation to how far the stands are from the pitch – leading to ugly scenes at West Ham’s last home Premier League game against Watford.
General view outside the London Stadium
Some issues were ironed out for the midweek EFL Cup tie against Accrington Stanley, but a 1-0 win over the League Two side showed that it’s not just the fans struggling to settle at the London Stadium, but also the players.
As West Ham gear up to face Southampton today, the club’s board will be hoping for a much smoother ride this afternoon, and former defender Tony Gale has discussed their current predicament.
Gale has told The Sun that he doesn’t envy the West Ham board right now given the mounting problems they must deal with, and admitted that he wanted to stay at Upton Park rather than make the move.
West Ham United co chairman David Gold (L), co chairman David Sullivan (R) and Vice Chairman Karren Brady
Gale added that the London Stadium just doesn’t feel like a football ground, and compared the situation to when London rivals Arsenal left Highbury for the Emirates Stadium back in 2006.
“I don’t envy the board with the problems they have,” said Gale. “I must admit I was one of those who wanted to stay at Upton Park. But when the Olympic Stadium was made available they had to take it. They did a great job securing it and it can’t be the easiest of jobs catering for 20,000 extra fans every home match.”
“Now we are there the work is only just starting. We have to get on with it and make the best of a great structure. It has a ‘wow’ factor internally and externally but in my mind it’s not a football stadium. We have to learn from the past. Ten years down the line, the Emirates Stadium still does not feel like Highbury,” he added.
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