Fellow Hammers,
Our beloved West Ham United, deep rooted in the heart of the East End working class, is at risk of losing its identity.
The withdrawal of affordable ticket concessions threatens to alienate the very fans who have supported this club through thick and thin.
It is a betrayal of the promises made to us, promises of affordable family football that have been cast aside in the shameless pursuit of profit.
The upcoming Betway Cup is a stark reminder of this. Despite the club’s relentless marketing efforts, only around 8,000 tickets have been distributed in a 60,000 capacity stadium, with many of those given away to local businesses rather than sold to true fans.
Last year’s attendance was over 27,000, a clear indication of our collective resistance.
West Ham’s desperate tactics to sell tickets
The club has inundated us with social media ads, emails, phone calls, and offers to use club cash balances, but their efforts have fallen flat because we, the loyal supporters, stand united against these unjust price rises.
As pointed out by 1895 Hammer on the KUMB forum, no influx of new signings or temporary on-field success can compensate for this betrayal.
This attempt to further sanitise our identity is a step too far.
The tourists might fill seats temporarily, but it’s the families with children, the pensioners on limited incomes, and the loyal Hammers who have been attending matches for decades that are being pushed and priced out.
Enough is enough.
This protest isn’t about transfers, wins, or losses
This protest isn’t about transfers, wins, or losses. It’s about preserving the heart and soul of our fanbase, who we are, and the legacy that we must defend.
Our campaign is a stand against the continued erosion of our identity as a club.
Be under no illusion my fellow hammers.The Betway Cup is not just another match, it’s a symbol of our fight to keep football accessible for all.
Today I urge you all, Hammers new and old, to join us in this cause.
Boycott the Betway Cup.
Stand firm in our conviction.
Our identity as a club is not for sale. . . at any price.
Owners come and go.
Our heroes who play in the claret and blue do the same.
It’s us my fellow hammers who are the lifeblood of this great club, our parents before us, there’s before them, your children today and their children tomorrow.
Operational mismanagement and utter failures
The club’s inability to better manage operational expenditure, from crazy contracts to agents’ fees, should not be burdens our children have to carry.
The income’raised’ by their attack on concessions is less than Baroness Brady’s salary increase over 9 years from we believe £636k in 2014 to £1.36 million in 2023.
At the same time West Ham United’s commercial income has risen by £28 million over the last 10 years when Tottenham’s commercial income has increased by £172 million over the same period! It would seem that to cover their incompetence and greed West Ham want to exploit the fans loyalty.
For West Ham United to thrive, it must do so with its loyal supporters at its core.
This is more than just about watching a game; it’s about the community, the tradition, and the generations of fans who have made this club what it is. We must not allow this to happen.
Preserve the family values and identity of OUR club
We are West Ham United and on this issue, of preserving the identity of OUR great football club, it is UNITED WE STAND.
The time has come to hold the club accountable and demand the restoration of our concessions.
If we will not protect our old and our young fans. . . then who will?
Support the team,not the regime.
Stand strong, Hammers.
Boycott the Betway Cup and #SaveOurConcessions #unitedwestand
Paul (Bubbles)
Chair, Hammers United
