Liverpool supporters are set to show solidarity with West Ham fans protesting over soaring ticket prices and the restriction of concessions imposed by the London club.
Supporters of both clubs will be meeting outside the Kop before their teams clash in a Carabao Cup tie tomorrow night (Wednesday).
Members of fan groups Hammers United, Old School Hammers and Spirit of Shankly plan to stand together bonded by a banner emblazoned with the message “Stop Exploiting Loyalty.”
West Ham shocked their fans in the close season by the withdrawal of junior and Over 66 concessionary seats for new season ticket holders in most of the ground. Without concessionary discounts, the cost of becoming a season ticket holder for juniors and seniors rocketed for the vast majority of seats at the London Stadium.
There were no one off tickets at all on general sale at concessionary prices for West Ham’s first two games in the 24/5 campaign against Aston Villa and Manchester City, with disabled supporters also charged full cost. West Ham fans fear restriction of concessions is the first step to complete abolition.
Prices for existing season ticket holders were hiked by between 6 and 11 per cent – with inflation at just 2.2 per cent.
Spirit of Shankly chair Paul Khan said, “There’s a troubling trend in Premier League clubs - an apparent dismantling of concessions and rising ticket prices, disregarding the loyalty of fans, particularly senior, youth and disabled supporters.
“It’s vital that fans from all clubs come together to resist this direction and ensure loyalty is not further exploited. Football belongs to the people and supporters deserve fairness and respect. We stand in solidarity with Hammers United and Old School Hammers in the fight for fair ticket prices.”
Paul Colborne, chair of Hammers United said: “We’re really grateful to the Liverpool fans.
As supporters, we’ve always been the heartbeat of the game, yet our loyalty is being disregarded in favour of profit.
“We stand united with Liverpool supporters and all football supporters across the country to demand respect and fairness for every fan who helps make football what it is’
“Fans—especially seniors, youths, and those with disabilities—are being priced out of the stadiums they’ve called home for years. This is more than a fight for fair ticket prices; it’s about preserving the soul of football.”
West Ham originally confined junior and elderly concessionary prices for new season ticket holders to Bands 5 and 6 at the back of the stadium up 120 steps. But the idea of sending old people and small children up so many steps was greeted with ridicule and uproar.
The club relented slightly and promised to make some new concessionary season tickets for the elderly available lower down in Bands 3 and 4.
Meanwhile two more MPs have backed the West Ham fans’ “Save Our Concessions” campaign bringing the total to ten - from across the political spectrum.
South Basildon and East Thurrock Reform member James McMurdock said: “I commend your efforts to address this issue and advocate for fair access to affordable seating.”
He and Calvin Bailey, Labour member for Leyton and Wanstead have both recently written to the club to express concern.
To date six Labour MPs, two Conservatives, one independent and one Reform MP from East London and Essex have offered encouragement to Save Our Concessions.
And Age UK has promised to incorporate the issue into a campaign to establish a commissioner for the elderly in England.
To display their discontent, West Ham fans have been releasing masses of black balloons around the stands at home and away games as the players emerge from the tunnel in a “Black Bubble Protest.”
Also backing the cause is have a go hero Chris Knoll – famous for defending West Ham players’ families against Dutch hooligans attempting to invade their enclosure at the Europa Conference League semi final against AZ Alkmaar in Holland in 2023.
‘Knollsy’ declared: “I back the Black Bubble Protest!”
He is pictured with black balloon, his daughter Chloe Knoll and Hammers United activist Terry Messenger.
