I remember addressing the 130 West Ham supporters who came to our first Hammers United meeting at the Plaistow club. I shouted ‘failure is not an option’ and I continually reiterate that sentiment.
In the time that has passed we have not failed but neither have we succeeded. While we have certainly made progress there is still much work to do and we must redouble our efforts on behalf of our members and all West Ham supporters.
When we formed some said that the fan base was broken, that West Ham United was dead.
Perhaps the fan base was damaged to some extent but broken? No. When 8500 West Ham fans came together as one it was, among other things, a clear demonstration that when it really matters West Ham fans step up for what is right.
Yes, there are still opposing points of view among fans but to nowhere near the degree previously and I am confident that as time goes by we will come to recognise more of that which unites us than divides us - that will be a great achievement.
The minutes of our last AGM can be found here:
http://hammersunited.com/agm-minutes/
There have been twelve committee meetings since the last AGM. Minutes can be found here:
http://hammersunited.com/category/meetings/
PROTESTS
During Covid restrictions Hammers United had organised a token legal protest at every first team match home and away. Members felt it necessary to stage these demonstrations while the team was playing well to send a clear message that our frustrations were with the owners alone
At the last AGM our members accepted that the turnout for a restriction-free protest would not be comparable to a demonstration held when results were poor but felt it important nonetheless to understand the strength of feeling around key issues away from the football.
Hammers United protest. Our verdict.:
http://hammersunited.com/hammers-united-protest-our-verdict/
BOAT PARTY
Working to try and get improvements for West Ham fans is never easy and those who put themselves forward to help out knew that they had a long, hard road ahead of them.
Occasionally we feel the need to lighten the mood among our members and recognise the hard work put in by our dedicated committee. To this end we wanted to organise a boat party on the canal before the home match against Genk. Courtesy of two benefactors who each paid £600 towards the cost, we were able to have a great evening and I would like to thank those who made it possible and those who took the time to attend.
CAMPAIGN FOR TAXI RANK/PICK-UP/DROP-OFF POINT AT THE LS
For something so simple and overwhelmingly necessary, this was one of the hardest and most frustrating campaigns we embarked upon. After months of trying we finally got to make a presentation to the Newham Safety Advisory group:
http://hammersunited.com/presentation-from-hammers-united-to-safety-advisory-group/
We felt we made a good case but unfortunately we received no support from anybody at the meeting including, most disappointingly of all, the other West Ham fans groups.
UKRAINE
When it came to our attention that Gary Firmager of OLAS fame was making a huge personal effort and giving up great deal of his time driving from the UK to deliver aid to Ukraine, we were able to reach out to our members and the wider fan base seeking financial support for Gary’s endeavour.
On behalf of Hammers United and all those who contributed I would like to pay tribute to Gary for a fantastic effort.
http://hammersunited.com/ukraine-collection/
I would also like to recognise the magnificent efforts of Matt Westfall, Benny Ellis and Andrew Fuller who drove their taxi cabs to Ukraine delivering humanitarian aid and transporting refugees.
On a separate note a huge shout goes out to big Leo Bowers who trekked Mount Everest raising money for the Isla Caton charity.
Well done to all of you and everyone who contributed - this is what is meant by the West Ham Family.
LONDON STADIUM SEAT RELOCATIONS
Sadly many supporters were moved away from friends and relations. Groups that had attended matches together for many years were split up. There were even instances of husbands and wives being split up.
Hammers United spent a great deal of time helping fans get relocated back to their friends and relations. We place on record our thanks to club staff for their assistance.
http://hammersunited.com/supporters-moved-without-consultation-again/
CHAMPIONS PLACE STONES
Further to complaints received from a number of members we made approaches to the club. We believe that not only are the stones poorly maintained but the waiting time from payment to laying of the stones is completely unacceptable.
http://hammersunited.com/champions-place-stones-update/
The latest news we have is that a specialist from the factory which produces the stones is coming to speak to the club. The club have been given the green light to do routine maintenance themselves and are awaiting the special grout from the contractor which will enable some spot repairs to be carried out. Cleaning occurs pre and post match, with a deeper clean upon inspection but generally once every quarter.
Hopefully our representations and those of the ISC have borne fruit. Only time will tell and we will continue to monitor the situation.
HAMMERS UNITED TRAVEL GROUP FACEBOOK PAGE
This was suggested to us by a number of members and we set up late July.
http://hammersunited.com/hammers-united-travel-group/
The group now has 654 members and has proved useful to many.
WEST HAM UNITED’S LACK OF CONSULTATION WITH FAN GROUPS & THE ISC
http://hammersunited.com/west-ham-uniteds-lack-of-consultation-with-supporters-groups-update/
The ISC rejected the club’s proposal out of hand. The ISC Interim Chair withdrew her preliminary document towards revising the communications and consultation. The status quo remains and we look forward to receiving the club’s proposals for a new fan engagement model to be in place by the start of the new season.
SEASON TICKET CARDS
In April (before season ticket renewals opened) the club had committed to offering season cards to those without smartphones. Published on the club website on 6 April 2022 (two days before season ticket renewals opened):
“Those Season Ticket Holders who do not have access to a smartphone will be able to request a physical Stadium access card with their photograph on ahead of the 2022/23 season.”
When the renewal window had closed, the Club appeared to have reneged on this commitment. Hammers United felt that as a minimum we had to ensure the club stood by its word.
Huge credit goes to Andy Byrne for seizing the initiative and launching Hammers United’s petition which, despite receiving no support whatsoever from most fan groups, was a huge success and led to the club backtracking and honouring its promise.
Many supporters however still had difficulty obtaining ST cards and contacted Hammers United for help. Andy McConnell worked tirelessly to ensure that ST cards were issued to those fans whose applications were either denied or ignored.
http://hammersunited.com/st-cards-update/
CATERING PRICES AT THE LONDON STADIUM
Following our opening game of the season at London Stadium, Hammers United received an unprecedented number of complaints from our members with regard to the prices OF food and drink both inside and outside the stadium at the outlets controlled by Delaware North. These complaints also gathered pace across multiple social media sites related to West Ham United.
We wrote to both Delaware North and the club expressing concerns and Hammers United and the ISC campaigned for a boycott
http://hammersunited.com/catering-prices-appealed/
We note the minutes of the Club/ISC meeting held Feb 21st 2023:
8.0 Catering TW commented that significant inroads had been made on catering pricing since the beginning of the season although there remains an ongoing review versus the contractual agreement. PhC added that catering pricing and product offerings for next season will be advised by Delaware North in June of this year.
It is our understanding that the Club is still considering its legal response to Delaware North. We believe that catering prices remain too high and await the announcement of next season’s prices and offerings with interest.
We will ensure catering prices remain on the agenda and must consider another campaign/boycott towards achieving more reasonable prices for our supporters.
THE WALL
http://hammersunited.com/the-wall-an-open-letter-to-the-club/
This was also taken up by the ISC leading to opposition to the lower West Stand wall being made at the ISC/SAG pre meeting to Newham Safety Advisory group. The ISC requested that its objection be put on the Agenda for the next meeting of the Newham Safety Advisory Group. Unfortunately the SAG Chair confirmed the retention of the wall.
The ISC has now made its position clear that it is incomprehensible there is no representative of the 62,500 fans that attend games at the London Stadiums on the Newham SAG. This is a meeting held with thirty attendees from a variety of authorities and the Club.
The ISC will no longer participate in the pre-meeting process, which has proved both inefficient and ineffective. However should the Newham SAG committee feel that a fan representative is appropriate, the ISC would be more than willing to attend and contribute on behalf of fellow West Ham United supporters.
CLUB COACH TRAVEL TO AWAY GAMES
Hammers United is aware that most supporters do not want to travel on club organised transport and that Hornchurch Coaches and Ironworks Travel both offer a first rate service to supporters. Nevertheless situations arise when a subsidised service could benefit some of our fans. Evening kick offs at the other end of the country sometimes mean a limited or non-existent train service with last trains ‘home’ leaving before the match ends.
This was the case with this season’s FA Cup match at Manchester United and we note that on the same evening Spurs ran a fleet of coaches to Sheffield United at a heavily subsidised price of £10.
http://hammersunited.com/man-united-free-coach-travel/
The away supporters representative on the ISC also made representations to the club.
Unfortunately our appeals fell on deaf ears. The Club’s response was that it did run subsidised coaches to Old Trafford. We believe there were 3 and that the ‘subsidised’ price was £35!
One notes the minute from the Club/ISC meeting of Feb 21st 2023:
9.0 Coaches for Away Fans NK advised that the Club are supplying three coaches for the Manchester United FA Cup tie and continues to supply heavily subsidised coaches in line with the anticipated demand on a match by match basis.
This issue must be revisited and Hammers United will make sure that proposals for some form of assistance for our loyal away fans goes back on the agenda.
UNDER 16s UNACCOMPANIED AT THE LONDON STADIUM
We received a number of complaints that young supporters had been ‘detained’ in the refreshment areas when unaccompanied by an adult. Others complained that they had been refused entry to the stadium.
We noted that WHUFC’s own match ticket terms and conditions only stated, “all children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a full paying adult.” There is no mention of anything which suggested this means “at all times” and there is nothing which explicitly excluded a “child” from buying a soft drink or going to the toilet unless there is an adult in attendance.
We accepted the terms and conditions which stated that under 16s could be refused entry if not accompanied by an adult but this had never before been enforced.
Clear guidelines needed to be circulated to supporters and stewards made aware and trained accordingly.
A full report can be found here:
http://hammersunited.com/under-16s-progress-report/
One notes the joint statement released by the Club and the ISC.
Hammers United did its best and we are pleased to say that no problems relating to unaccompanied U16s have been brought to our attention for some time. We place on record our thanks to the ISC for their support and to the Club, L.S. and the FSA.
LARNACA HOME TICKETS
These ticket prices were initially announced to the ISC’s Ticketing Subcommittee (TSC) at a meeting which took place on 22 December. The meeting was called with less than 24 hours notice by the club. Nevertheless the meeting went ahead. Hammers United was not present at this meeting.
The consensus among those ISC members in attendance was that the prices were reasonable and no challenge to the pricing was forthcoming at the meeting.
The Chair of the TSC did not report back to the full ISC and it wasn’t until 29 December during a ISC WhatsApp exchange that it became apparent to the full committee that the meeting had actually taken place. Therefore the ISC had not been given the opportunity to meet, consider and reach a consensus of opinion which could be put to the club.
The Supporters Club and Hammers United reps immediately raised their concerns but by this time the Club had already published the ticket prices (effectively endorsed by the TSC) to the fan base.
The Hammers United Committee believed that the prices were too high. It also believed it was unreasonable that season ticket holders had to pay for their seats by Feb 7th with the draw not even made until Feb 24. Furthermore it was alarmed that due process had not been followed.
After a great deal of debate with the ISC Hammers United proposed that the ISC address the club on this issue seeking clarification on prices and times. This was seconded by the Supporters club, the motion was carried by the ISC (9 votes for, non against), subsequently taken to the club and rejected.
Hammers United were then surprised that the club reduced the prices for band 5 and 6 seats and offered the option to downgrade seats.
http://hammersunited.com/euro-conference-league-home-ticket-pricing/
We didn’t achieve all we hoped for but this was a step in the right direction. I must place on record the incredible effort and dedication shown by Andy Payne who worked tirelessly on this, giving up many many hours on behalf of our members and West Ham United supporters.
GIANT CREST FROM THE BOLEYN GROUND
http://hammersunited.com/crest/
We had arranged to have an unveiling ceremony before the home match with Leeds but unfortunately, although we had planning permission in writing from Newham Council, we hit a snag whereby the hanging of the crest would contravene fire regulations as it would encroach 4 inches on the fire escape stairs.
This was a huge blow but the Supporters Club and UK Fitness (who currently lease from SC) have now agreed we can position the crest on the front (entrance) wall.
We submitted a new planning application immediately and whilst it is disappointing that the ceremony will be delayed the crest will ultimately be in a better place.
This will be a fitting memorial to our spiritual home for many years which holds cherished memories for so many West Ham supporters. It will be testament not just to the work of Hammers United but to the whole West Ham family who came together to rescue this iconic piece of our great club’s history.
LARNACA AWAY TICKETS - POSSIBLE GDPR BREACH
http://hammersunited.com/aek-larnaca-away-tickets-possible-gdpr-breach-further-update/
We were contacted by many members who were concerned about the potential data breach on the part of the club following the supply of tickets for the Larnaca away match. Both Hammers United and the ISC have taken this up.
We believe the club has still not given a full explanation as to what went wrong nor provided adequate reassurance that steps have been taken to prevent a repeat.
Hammers United will continue to pursue the club for the answers we believe our members and the wider fan base deserve.
In the meantime some members have now forwarded complaints to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
SEASON TICKET PRICES
Unfortunately The ISC were not properly consulted as per the MOU.
Hammers United received many complaints from members that the proposed prices were too high. We are in the midst of the worst economic crisis in 50 years, we have double digit inflation, record energy and food prices and for most people the cost of living is outrunning their income yet the Club announced it will increase Season Ticket prices by 4% for bands 5 & 6 and by 8% for bands 1-4 and 1966 STs.
The club also announced that it proposed to increase the qualifying age for concession tickets from 65 to 66.
We subsequently launched a petition asking the club to revisit these proposals which to date has been signed by over 5200 supporters.
http://hammersunited.com/season-ticket-prices-sign-the-petition/
The ISC tweeted that they were extremely disappointed with this apparent arbitrary increase. They also requested the club explore any opportunity to mitigate the adverse financial impact on those 65 year old ST holders who had expected to qualify for concession tickets.
Hammers United reported the live petition response to the ISC. The Supporters Club reported the result of its member survey, indicating the majority felt the prices were too high and were against the raising of the qualifying age for concessions. This was mirrored by a survey conducted by the Bondholders committee.
The ISC subsequently issued a statement asking the Club to revisit these decisions and respond back to their loyal Hammers supporters, specifically:
Why is an 8% increase justified?
Why was it necessary to change the qualifying age for a senior concession?
Why implement the over 66 change with only 24 hours notice?
As we go to press we await a response from the club.
To summarise, there has been a lot of hard work, much frustration, a few setbacks, some successes and a whole lot more ongoing.
Under the new Premier League Fan Engagement Standard, issued in anticipation of the UK government’s Fan Led Review White Paper, the Club is bound to have a new Fan Engagement Board in place for the new season.
We believe that the ISC is in a strong position to insist the club genuinely commits to meaningful engagement with the fan groups for the benefit of West Ham United supporters. This means there will need to be a new agreement setting out the terms of engagement between Club and the ISC.
Hammers United will also be lobbying for more transparency as supporters need to be kept up to date on developments.
Should the club not make such a commitment ,or not honour its commitments, then Hammers United will consult with you, our membership on how we will proceed with formal Club engagement
