The Premier League announced yesterday that all fixtures from Saturday November 21, throughout Christmas and the New Year period will be made available for fans to watch live in the UK. The agreement will be reviewed early in 2021.
This came about as a direct result of fan pressure on the broadcasters, the Premier League, the DCMS and our respective clubs. The Hammers United statement published on October 27 can be viewed here.
Well done to all the fans groups and the Football Supporters Association for ‘mobilising the troops’ and lobbying the Premier League. Well done to Hammers United members - and West Ham United supporters - across the fanbase, for standing strong. We played our part.
A bonus of this saga was that over £400,000 was raised for foodbanks nationwide by fans contributing the £14.95 the Premier League had sought for Pay Per View to charity instead. Irons Supporting Foodbanks reached their #CharityNotPPV target of £10,000. Our members - and West Ham supporters across the fanbase - also contributed to other charities including the Bobby Moore Cancer Fund and Isla Caton’s treatment. Well done all, the West Ham family lives on. Proudly.
These are especially difficult and financially uncertain times, but those of us that are able will continue to support these charities as best as we can.
The Premier League had lost sight of what is important and who is important. Football is nothing without fans.
Football fans have won a victory. Many more battles, no doubt, lie ahead and not least for West Ham supporters. However, from this victory we take great encouragement and hope for the future.
Well done all.
UNITED WE STAND.
Paul Colborne (Chairman).
