Following the statement released by the ISC, Hammers United is pleased to note the spirit of positivity and co-operation among fans’ groups. We hope this will be reflected across the fan base in general when the time comes for all West Ham United fans to unite in opposition to the Club’s introduction of punitive season ticket price rises and reductions in concessions.
Both Hammers United and the West Ham United Supporters Trust submitted detailed alternative proposals to the Club via the ISC, in order to mitigate some of the changes the club have decided to implement and the ISC requested an urgent meeting to discuss these.
Predictably no such meeting was ever granted, the proposals were not discussed and on the 4th of June 2024 the Club confirmed to the ISC that its position would not change.
The ISC has supported other Premier League clubs’ fans’ groups and Fan Advisory Boards (FABs), many of whom are facing similar issues around season tickets and concessions for loyal fans. We are aware that a few clubs, most notably Wolves, have made some compromises to their proposed changes as a direct result of fan pressure and FAB negotiation.
This may be good news up to a point, but it does further highlight West Ham’s intransigence and complete lack of willingness to engage with its’ supporters’ representatives on such a despicable policy, upon which the ISC was never consulted.
We believe the Club’s policies are unfair and make a mockery of its regular, self congratulatory boastings of being the home of affordable football.
While Hammers United is deeply disappointed by the Club’s actions, we cannot say we are surprised - this is yet another example of the Club deliberately ignoring its obligations to meaningfully engage with the ISC under the terms of the MOU, an agreement to which it signed up more than 3 years ago.
We hope that all West Ham United fans fully take on board the implications of the Club’s changes to season ticket prices and concessions and the hugely negative effect these will have for all supporters both now and in the future.
Hammers United is working with the ISC, other West Ham fan groups and fans’ groups across the Premier League on a coordinated campaign aimed at achieving a better outcome for all fans.
At the same time we will be supporting all legal campaigns by which West Ham fans can show their disapproval of the Club’s contemptuous behaviour and the reprehensible treatment of its loyal supporters, all of whom deserve so much better from the owners of the Club that we love.
These campaigns will be multifaceted and not restricted to matchday protests, the planning for which is already underway.
To get the ball rolling we respectfully ask all fans, young and old, to come together in support of the following:
1: A boycott of all Club merchandise including the new home, away and 3rd kits which are due to be launched soon.
2: A Boycott of all Club sponsors.
3: Signing a petition which will be launched on Thursday.
No one should be under any illusions. Our older fans are under attack. Our younger fans are under attack. Our disabled fans are under attack. Friends and families are under attack. Affordable football is under attack. All in the name of greed, all of which could be avoided.
We hope that all West Ham fans will appreciate the truly awful position we find ourselves in as a direct result of the Club’s actions and we hope we can rely on your support.
#STOPEXPLOITINGLOYALTY
If you are a current Hammers United member, then thank you. If not, we would love it if you’d consider joining us using the link below:Thank You.
https://hammersunited.com/join/
