The West Ham Process » olympic stadium

Meeting with Ian Tomkins, Olympic Stadium bid director

Sam H — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:21:38 +0000

As some of you know, I was kindly invited by MyWHUFC.com to attend a meeting with Ian Tomkins, our Olympic Stadium bid director.

MyWHUFC are running petitions against the move to the Olympic Stadium and you can find the guys with a large banner and clip boards by the John Lyall gates before and after home games. If you’re against the move, or feel fans should have so far been consulted more, then please visit MyWHUFC.com and do what you can to help the guys out.

It was an interesting meeting and we’re hugely grateful to Ian for giving us the time to speak with him. The notes below were written up by Nigel of MyWHUFC:

—————

Ian Tompkins is a PR man who previous to working for West Ham was with Newham Council and before that British Rail. He seems to be a nice bloke (I’d say that even if I didn’t know he’d read this!) and is a West Ham fan.

I’ll cover what I think are the most important discussed:

Finance

Ian said that our debt is reducing and the plan regardless of whether we move to Stratford is that it will be to normal overdraft level by 2013.
He confirmed that the move is not to pay off debt.
He said that the move is to enable to club to grow.
He said that they don’t expect to fill the OS for every game.
He said that both Spurs & West Ham have had to submit bids based on Premier League, Championship & ‘yoyo’ status.
He said that the owners believe this is the best way forward to the club, although accepts that there is some risk.

Timescale

The preferred bidder will be announced by the end of January.
Contracts should be signed March / April, although Ian thought it may go beyond this.
If the move goes ahead we will play at the OS from 2014.

Running Track

Retention of the track is part of our bid so it will stay.
Ian agrees that it is not ideal, but says that the club are exploring a number of options, especially behind the goals, but cannot say more at present.
He also said that they are not spending a lot of money exploring it at the moment.
Ian is arranging to show some of us the stadium so we can see for ourselves that it is ‘not what you think’.
Questioned as to how the ground could be modified he said that digging down is not impossible – nothing can be ruled out – but later said ‘you can’t dig down’.

Consultation

The club intend to start some sort of fans forum soon.
Ian said that the owners had been busy sorting out problems on the pitch and with running of the club, so this hadn’t happened sooner.
Ian is aware that many fans oppose the move, especially with the running track and that surveys show this is a majority.
He has received many emails for & against.
He says that the club do intend to consult with fans, but not until they have firm information as they want people to be able to make informed decisions.
When I pointed out that the time from preferred bidder announcement to contract signing was 2 – 3 months, so didn’t allow much time for consultation, he said that consultation will start sooner than January.
He said that the Board will make the final decision but will listen to fans.

Boleyn Ground

Ian said that redeveloping the East Stand would take capacity to 42,000, but planning commission has run out and may not be gained if we applied again.
The club are not looking at this as an option at present.
Nor are they looking at a new purpose built ground as we don’t have the money for this.
He did not accept that any existing businesses (pubs, cafes & shops) would close if we moved.
He said that some may be able to move with us.

In summary & of most interest

The move to the OS is not needed to pay off our debt.
The club say they will consult but seem to have left little time for this. Whether any consultation will be meaningful & objective and whether they will take notice of it remains to be seen.
The track will stay and the club were unable to give any information on stadium modification to minimise its effect (strangely first he said it was confidential, then that they weren’t spending much money on exploring options – but that doesn’t leave much time to do so if contracts are to be signed by April).

Oh yes, Ian said that David Gold would join the meeting, or if he didn’t he’d go & find him – however Mr Gold did not grace us with his presence.

The meeting has not given me any confidence that this is the right move for the club & the majority of its fans. Some of the things he said did not seem to add up. We will look at the OS hopefully next week, and I hope will have the opportunity to further question the club.

———————

Thank you to Nigel for providing those notes.

My worries

Personally two comments particularly worried me.

1) Ian mentioned that “season tickets are going out of fashion“. My particular concern with this comment is that it does compound my fears that the move is not being made with loyal supporters and season ticket holders in mind. It’s a move that will most certainly favour one-time visitors and tourists. If this is to be the case then do what they do at Camp Nou and stick the tourists at the back, in the heavens.

2) Ian also mentioned that the club want to hold a fan consultation. Which of course is brilliant and what we want. Worryingly however the preferred bidder will be known in January and the final proposal and deal signed in March/April. This essentially gives the club February and if we’re lucky, March, to put together a proposal that deals with the running track issue and also to consult the fans. Somehow, I don’t see it happening.

And if season ticket holders really are going out of fashion then fully expect the club to invite people who’ve never been to Upton Park, never seen West Ham play and are in favour of watching West Ham in an empty & soulless stadium, to the meeting.

To be fair to Ian

To be fair to Ian he did explain that the whole process is essentially an exploratory negotiation and that nothing, as of yet, is set in stone. Once the preferred bidder is known then, assuming it’s us, the club will invest even more time and money on putting together thorough proposals that deal with issues such as how to deal with the running track. However as I’ve mentioned before, I don’t believe the timeframe can possibly allow for a thorough fan consultation.

I’ll keep you all posted

COYI

I’ll cover what I think are the most important discussed:

Finance

Ian said that our debt is reducing and the plan regardless of whether we move to Stratford is that it will be to normal overdraft level by 2013.

He confirmed that the move is not to pay off debt.

He said that the move is to enable to club to grow.

He said that they don’t expect to fill the OS for every game.

He said that both Spurs & West Ham have had to submit bids based on Premier League, Championship & ‘yoyo’ status.

He said that the owners believe this is the best way forward to the club, although accepts that there is some risk.

Timescale

The preferred bidder will be announced by the end of January.

Contracts should be signed March / April, although Ian thought it may go beyond this.

If the move goes ahead we will play at the OS from 2014.

Running Track

Retention of the track is part of our bid so it will stay.

Ian agrees that it is not ideal, but says that the club are exploring a number of options, especially behind the goals, but cannot say more at present.

He also said that they are not spending a lot of money exploring it at the moment.

Ian is arranging to show some of us the stadium so we can see for ourselves that it is ‘not what you think’.

Questioned as to how the ground could be modified he said that digging down is not impossible – nothing can be ruled out – but later said ‘you can’t dig down’.

Consultation

The club intend to start some sort of fans forum soon.

Ian said that the owners had been busy sorting out problems on the pitch and with running of the club, so this hadn’t happened sooner.

Ian is aware that many fans oppose the move, especially with the running track and that surveys show this is a majority.

He has received many emails for & against.

He says that the club do intend to consult with fans, but not until they have firm information as they want people to be able to make informed decisions.

When I pointed out that the time from preferred bidder announcement to contract signing was 2 – 3 months, so didn’t allow much time for consultation, he said that consultation will start sooner than January.

He said that the Board will make the final decision but will listen to fans.

Boleyn Ground

Ian said that redeveloping the East Stand would take capacity to 42,000, but planning commission has run out and may not be gained if we applied again.

The club are not looking at this as an option at present.

Nor are they looking at a new purpose built ground as we don’t have the money for this.

He did not accept that any existing businesses (pubs, cafes & shops) would close if we moved.

He said that some may be able to move with us.

In summary & of most interest-

The move to the OS is not needed to pay off our debt.

The club say they will consult but seem to have left little time for this. Whether any consultation will be meaningful & objective and whether they will take notice of it remains to be seen.

The track will stay and the club were unable to give any information on stadium modification to minimise its effect (strangely first he said it was confidential, then that they weren’t spending much money on exploring options – but that doesn’t leave much time to do so if contracts are to be signed by April).

Oh yes, Ian said that David Gold would join the meeting, or if he didn’t he’d go & find him – however Mr Gold did not grace us with his presence.

The campaign to stop the move to Stratford Athletics Stadium continues.

SuGo start property developer search for Upton Park

Sam H — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:46:05 +0000

Here we go then.

According to this article, as spotted by someone on Twitter, West Ham have begun the search for a property developer to ruin Upton Park assuming we win the Olympic Stadium bid.

Makes me feel sick.

——-

Don’t forget you can play along live to the West Ham v Liverpool game tomorrow night – WestHamProcess readers get a few free rounds chucked in. IRONS

Olympic Stadium Survey – 101 Comments

Sam H — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:17:14 +0000

The final option to the survey was to leave a comment for Sullivan and Gold – and in some respects I’ve found the 508 of them to be the most interesting part of the results. The proposed move affects real people and real businesses, here is a large sample of the responses:

(You can of course still view Parts One and Two)

101 Comments:

If you can secure the Olympic Stadium without a running track and insert seating closer to the pitch, I would support the move. If not, please, listen to the fans a re=develop the East stand. Thank you

Stratford is much easier for me to get to and if a larger capacity means cheaper tickets I would probably buy my first season ticket in 8 years.

Use the money to build a stadium which the fans want, as "genuine supporters" Sullivan and Gold aren't taking into consideration the fans match day experience. The atmosphere will be at an all time low if we move to the Olympic Stadium. Please try and redevelop Upton Park (Boleyn Ground)or build a new purpose stadium.

The Olympic Stadium move is, nothwithstanding the problems, a key part of making West Hame a top Premuier league club. But a ground where the pitch is seperated from the fans by a running track is not, in my opinion, a football ground fit for purpose. It makes me sad to think how the experience of watching matches and the atmosphere will be negatively affected. But, as a lifelong West Ham fan and a season ticket holder, I will always support my team

expand the east stand and keep west ham the club we all love. i absolutely hate the large souless stadiums with all that corporate hospitality taking over.

SuGo want more money to ease West Ham's debts but it will be a u turn as I know many fans do not want to go to Olympic Stadium so therefore less fans = Less revenue. The West Stand at boleyn was built less than 10 years ago. Another example of money going to waste if we move on. 120 million would see a new development of the east stand. Once again the fans voices are not heard. West Ham Fans are the most loyal supporters in football but we can only take so much and this will be another stab in the back. Fans will give up goi ng to watch West Ham.

If there is a running track I will only attend away games from now on. If other sports taker place on the pitch, it would be a joke (look at Wigan's pitch surface because of rugby - a joke). We are a premier league club, who deserve a committed, 100% football, stadium. I'm disgusted the owners would consider a running track.

I think they have to do what's best for everyone involved. Personally I don't think The Boleyn is the same since they built the 3 new stands anyway, so it doesn't bother me in the slightest moving away from there

We dont want a stadium with a running track around it, theres no mitigation for the negative efffect this will have on the spectator experience, if i have to watch the game on a big screen then i'll just watch on a tv elsewhere.

My main concerns are: 1) The running track creating poor viewing for fans and a lack of atmosphere. I would definitely consider not coming to live games anymore if the running track stays in place as the atmosphere may be poorer and better views might be available on TV. 2) The pitch surface being poor due to multi use with other sports and events (e.g. concerts). My preference would be to buy some of the Olympic site (OS) land after the games and develop our own purpose built ground. That way we could develop a ground solely aimed at meeting the clubs needs (without compromise) and still benefit from the improved transport links. In addition, the government could still recoup some of their investment in the site/games. I appreciate that we need a new stadium and that the OS is an opportunity but I feel that too many key needs of the club and, in particular, the fans would need to be compromised to accommodate such a move. Paul C - Season Ticket Holder, East Stand Upper.

I believe that a first choice would always be to re-develop the boleyn ground thus keeping the history that West Ham have strived so hard to gain. I am fearful that we wouldn't be able to sell out a 60k seater stadium even on category A matches despite reduced ticket prices. However, I know this is possibly a once in a liftime opporunity and if the finances are as bad as reported maybe an option that we need to seriously consider. I'm sure that the two of you as West Ham fans share these views and also appreciate the concerns that many fans are currently having. This is something that could make or break your era at West Ham and I do believe you have the clubs best interests at heart but we as fans so desperatley need something to cheer about so we can't afford to get this wrong. Stuart H - season ticket holder Bobby Moore Lower

I think that moving to a ground that can seat 60K can only be good for us fans no matter how many at the moment we can fill it with, and I don't think that the distance between the pitch and the terraces will make that much difference...surely it is up to the supporters be it a 20K 0r 60K seater to be heard

Well done, they have the long term future of the club in mind. People must accept that we cannot develop Upton park any furhter and its time to move onto bigger and hopefully better things.

I say go for it. Its time West Ham to make themselves a bigger club and compete the fan base is there but the club needs finances and the way would be to move to a larger andmore high profile location

spend the 150 mill in conjunction with the borough of newham and biuld purpose built 55000 stadium real close to the pitch and build a huge west ham boys club attached to it.boxing etc

I understand absolutely the significant benefits for the club in moving to the Olympic Stadium - and I give it my qualified support as a fan and a boxholder. However, the fans' concerns must be heard, acted upon and allayed, there needs to be a concerted effort to win hearts and minds. The jury is still our on the new owners for many, and forcing this move through without widespread support could make the short and medium term difficult if not impossible. Just because we can doesn't mean we should... I'm pro, but I don't want to be there on my own...

I think the move would be a good one.The problem I see is the current squad is no where near good enough.We must be a premiership club,to be able to fill the stadium and attract quality players. This will give the club the stability it needs to develop into a world class club.

they are asset stripping our club

I'd happily move to the Olympic stadium if it wasn't to have a running track (a redevelopment in the style of Man City would be perfect). As it stands I'm concerned about poor views, a lack of atmosphere and a half empty stadium. Personally I would love to see the Boleyn redeveloped with a new chicken run and increased capacity, however I understand that this might not be in the interests of the club in the long run. That said, if we end up playing at a ground with an athletics track, we'll be a laughing stock (I can already imagine sarcastic away fans turning up to the game with binoculars. To be fair, who could blame them, they'd be in the region of 100m away from the centre circle).

Just wish they would stop implying that 'everyone is on board' with this whole Olympic Stadium deal, and everyone is looking forward to the move... In fact, that's far from the truth!

When i think of Upton Park i think of an intense atmosphere engulfed in history, with the fans almost on the pitch creating an intimidating and lifting experience. If the fans were half a mile away from the pitch in a plastic bowl of a stadium i feel this would be lost and we would lose our reputation as one, if not the best fans in the league.

I don't think S&G have done anything wrong to date regarding the ground as they have to establish whether there is an opportunity to explore first. However, they must listen regarding the view of the pitch and atmosphere. They keep saying sightlines are better then Wembley, but Wembley is terrible with a poor atmosphere. Not being a good team, we rely on a strong atmosphere (hence struggling ever since the new West Stand was developed too far from the pitch). West Ham at the Olympic Stadium will have no atmosphere (I know as I have watched Espanyol at their Olympic Stadium which was terrible), and ultimately with no atmosphere and a mediocre team, West Ham will find a level outside of the Premiership, which cannot be a great ROI for S&G.

I think its a terrible idea, we dont want a running track around the pitch, the stands are going to be too far away from the pitch and it will be an emotionless bowl, i hate the idea and will NOT be renewing my season ticket if we move to the olympic stadium

If there is no running track and therefore the stadium is to be a FOOTBALL stadium then its a no brainer. But for the cost of the alterations we could develop Upton Park (which is getting improved rail network) into a 45,000 stadium and still have a FOOTBALL stadium. A move to a running stadium is NOT in our best interests, even with the travel plusses of Stratford. And the "cheapest seats in the prem" statement must be explained NOW. I fear a revised "THAT section only is the cheapest in the prem" whereas the average seat will still be extortionate. Am far from convinced that this move is being sought for the club's best interests rather than the owners'.

Nothing seems to change new owners same promises and no action, say fans matter but I doubt if this is true. Should involve us fans as were the ones who suffer the most at the hands of owners who promise much and deliver little

moving to the Olympic stadium just isnt cost effective. 100Mil+ to redevelope it it silly unless they put retractable seating over the running track, that is the only way it would work a football stadium. us the money to build up the Boleyn and invest in the Squad.

If we don't stay in the Premier League, we're not even going to fill the Boleyn, let alone the Olympic stadium. Also, I think the distance from the pitch will have a detrimental effect on the atmosphere, and will not be as intimidating for away teams as Upton Park.

My family are solid West Ham and have worked in and around the club since the 60s. I think the move to Stratford to an Olympic Stadium is a must. For me, lower prices and family tickets might actually mean I can take my children and see more than the usual handful of games. However, it must also be done hand in hand with a return to core values - the Academy (must be revived and not rely on Tony Carr), promoting from within, a visionary manager, and local British players. The 'family' part of the club must return. In their attempts to run the club as a PL 'business' they seem to be cutting some of the ties, and Grant is a stop gap - he ain't gonna be leaving behind a dynasty. It seems too short sighted to me - football in this country is heading for a watershed. The PL and the money chasers will soon be gone.

The reality is that they own the club and I trust thenm to make the best decisions in the interest of the club. I am glad they havent opened this up to the fans too much - "if a committee had designed the horse it would have become a camel" - the great ideas of a few are worth more than the vague ideas of the many on a project like this.

Consult, listen and heed. Stand by your pledge.

I'm all for the move but the key thing for me is that the distance between the pitch and the first row of supporters is as short as possible. Fans being able to reach out and touch the players is unique to English football, let's never give that up.

if we move with a running track it will be the begining of the end for us

The Olympic park is a fantastic venue but a running track will spoil the atmosphere (which is already getting worse every season) I would however support a standing area on the running track on matchdays I'm still not convinced that West Ham was not bought solely to move to the Olympic stadium and cash in on the Boleyn's real estate value

Initilly happy with the take over but it soon became apparent that they only care about how much money they can make for themselves at the expense of the history & tradition of a once great football club.

Without question a move to the Olympic statium overall is a good idea. We hear the sight lines are as good as Wembley etc however I really fear that the atmosphere will die. You want to be as close as you can to the pitch to feel part of the action.

They are a pair of charlatans, and with the Brady women, the worst thing to have happened to West Ham since Terrence (oh,m look he's back!), Brown!

They've not been very upfront about things especially as they have said they want everything in the fans interest. There may be some very sound financial reasons for the club to do it which should come first, but unless they explain the options clearly then I feel as a fan that I am not of a concern to them. We all want what's best for the club, but how do we know what that is with this secrecy?

West Ham United is a football club, the Olympic stadium is not and never will be a football stadium. We don't need a stadium that holds more than 42000 people and what would we do with one that did seeing as we now have one that holds 35333 and yet we hardly ever get more than 32500 turn up. The future of West Ham United is not dependant on a move to the Olympic stadium, only a decent return on Gold and Sullivan's investment would come of it. The future of West Ham United is solely dependant on the team, its performance and the investment in it. Premier League survival is key to our survival (I seem to remember someone saying something like "relegation would catastrophic for the club") and any future success, not the stadium. There are teams out there who have had no stadium yet survived (Brighton, Charlton, to name but two) and there are teams out there with modest stadiums yet have had great success (Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Arsenal whilst at Highbury, mainly through careful, prudent investment, although that can't be said in Chelsea and Blackburn's case who just went overboard on recruiting players and I doubt very much whether we'll see that kind of thing from Gold and Sullivan, not that I'd want success via that route anyway. We are a club who are privileged to have stadium that still has a soul, a heartbeat and an atmosphere that can put the fear of god in to the opposition. All that would be instantly lost the second we depart Upton Park and will sadly never return. That would be an absolute disaster and I would want no part in it. Half the reason we go to West Ham is the football, the other half in the experience. I get a buzz every time I see the stadium as I approach it on a match day, very much like the 1st time I ever saw it for real, yet I have passed the Olympic stadium a few times and I fail to see that I would ever get that feeling about it. Many bad things have happened to our club over the past few years and yet I fear the worst is still to come with a move to the Olympic stadium. On your heads be it!

I would ultimately prefer to stay at upton park but wherever we are I want the fans as close to the pitch as possible. It's the west ham way

They are facing up to the commercial realities of 21st century football. I think if West Ham remain as they are, they will keep losing ground on their competitors and upgrading the Boleyn will on;y mitigate that slightly. Whilst I am not against a move to the OS per se, I would want to see much more detailed, concrete proposals in cluding simulations and models, before giving it 200% support. I DO like the idea of West Ham become a community hub, in the way that Barcelona are, and seeing the amount of Arsenal and Chelsea shirts there are in Newham, I think it's necessary to ensure continued support.

When they took over they said 'the club is in the hands of he fans'. I think real fans would have more respect for the club's history and the fans experience and be less interested in lining their pockets

West Ham have played at the Boleyn since 1904, Sullivan and Gold come in and decide that its not big enough for us which I agree with we should have a bigger ground. However didn't we have the plans to expand the East Stand given the all clear to go ahead? I think SuGo are more worried about their reputation than the fan's and club's happiness at the Boleyn.

If the running track has to remain in the stadium I am opposed to the move to the Olympic stadium. In that case I would prefer to develop the Boleyn Ground or build a new football ground. If the Olympic Stadium can only be afforded by the club in case of a multi purpose use I fear that the pitch could be very bad as it is e.g. at Wigan. As a fan I would love to have the opportunity to get a larger crowd into the ground and to lower the ticket prices, but if that's only possible WITH a running track and a bad pitch I would prefer staying at the Boleyn.

The atmosphere is crucial for the sucess of the team, Stoke has proved that with there recent home record. Our home record has suffered since moving the fans further away from the pitch to contruct the West Stand and I feel a 3/4 full stadium away from the pitch will delight opposition teams.

I think a move would be good for the club, it could potentially take us forward to another level but we have to consider at what expense to the club as well. The atmosphere would suffer greatly, the matchday experience would be reduced dramatically for many fans. It is a difficult situation in many ways but whilst i would support a move and the Olympic Stadium move makes sense in many ways but the running track reduces the appeal of this move. It would be great to be in a new stadium and possibly be a "bigger club" but what would be the point if noone can see the game and enjoy it properly?

Do it. The club has been small-time for too long, and how well has this worked out for us for the last 30-years or so?

The move to the olympic stadium with running track will stop me from going to watch west ham at home. Away games are then the only option.

Gold and Sullivan are business men but also West Ham fans. As having stood in the terraces themselves they should know the importance of atmosphere, both for the matchday experience and forhe effect it has on the team. I would have no qualms moving to the Olmpic Stadium if the running track were to be removed and the seating was to be extended to the touchline. West Ham always seem to do thing by halves, lets get this right !

I think we need to get real and realise that if we are to move forward we have to move. UP is dated and transport and infrastructure a joke. The OS will also add prestige to the club and help attract better players.

West Ham United for me needs to remian at the Boleyn. It is our home and should always remain so. Redevelop the east stand and stay where we are. The only reason G old and Sullivan want to move is so they can try and sell us on for a quick profit. Nethier actually care about the club at all or what the fans think. They simply only care about the pound note.

I support them in every aspect apart form this issue afterall,their dosh saved our skins and im gratefull but here,there's a hidden agenda.Something is certainly"rotten in denmark"!

After G & S have left the club, they will be known as the owners that took us away from The Boleyn Ground. I will only go to away games IF we move.

As I have been living in Newport, South Wales since 1996, I have been a member of West Ham United since 2006. I have supported the club since 1975, going to games every season until my move to Wales. I now go with my teenage son and my father (who lives in London) at least twice a year every season. With this background, I support the move to the Olympic stadium if the stadium could be rebuilt as a proper football ground, even with a running track but with close, steep stands, similar to German stadia. I think this move is very important for the clubs long term future and would attract many new supporters to the club. It would leave a legacy with the east end of London regenerated fully.

Take a look at the Stade de France, they have proved its possible to host athletics and give football spectators a good view/decent atmosphere by using retractable seating. If we end up with a soulless bowl like the Reebok it'll be the end of my days going down to West Ham.

I agree that if WHU want to be seen as big club then we need to move out of The Boleyn Ground

a move to the olympic stadium is quite clearly about one thing and one thing only . MONEY . that said ... i would back the move if we ditched the track and didn't have to bend over for all the greasy bureaucrats ! most supporters would love a new stadium , with great transport links , a decent concourse with decent amenities AND SEATING THAT WAS CLOSE TO THE PITCH . unfortunately this will never happen with the OS as there are too many busy body politicians and twats like Sebastian Co who insist on sticking their oars in. this is a massive test of G&S ... lets see if they really are bonafide supporters or just business men out to make a buck . west ham FC is in my blood - if you lose the true supporters you lose the club . ignore us at your peril !

Basically more input from the fans. It's our club spiritually and as supporters they should understand what Upton Park has been - an intimidating place to play because of us, the support. The Olympic would kill that forever

Redevelop Boleyn ground where possible. Do not want to watch my West Ham in a half empty, lifeless bowl where i can hardly see the pitch. Dan

I feel this could benefit west ham as a business astronomically. However, as a fan the atmosphere will be destroyed by the distance from the pitch and could negatively affect attendances and turn West Ham into more of a tourist club, rather than a real fans club

keep up the good work,west ham fans trying to move our club forward.although need to spend more on the squad so we don't get relegated.

Businessmen and they don't really care what we think. It'll be what suits them rather than us, in their minds that's rightly so because they're multi-millionaires for a reason. However the amounts we pay for seaosn tickets should surely entitle us to some say in their plans for the future.

my fear is that they are a couple of tastless chavs who will end up turning the club into a souless, plastic franchise.

Bring football to the fans, lose the running track or forget the whole idea.

I understand they feel the need to move the olympic stadium to gain more revenue from ticket sales, however i feel we won't fill the stadium affecting the atmosphere and therefore some of the enjoyment of going to watch west ham. The olympic stadium would encourage me to go to less home games and go to even more away games. I feel the redevelopment of the east stand and improvements to the upton park station would be ideal and realistic for us.

As spectators we have to be 'on top' of the pitch to create an atmosphere. Under no circumstances will I watch West Ham live with a running track. I don't want to watch West Ham using opera glasses!

If the club get the Olympic Stadium and the running track stays, I'd be surprised if more than 20,000 people go per week. On the otherhand, I believe the Olympic Stadium would be a success if an agreement was made with the government to change the law and people could stand on the running track like the old terraces.

G&S came in talking in a brave fashion about how the running track must go...now what has happened? Selling ou

We need to move to keep up with other Prem sides. Our Stadium is behind on so many factors of of most Prem clubs some Champ and also Lg 1 sides. Very important we move for the best of the club. To move forward we need to move stadium!

I believe that Sullivan and Gold believe they are doing the right thing, that they have the best interests of the club at heart and they believe they know best. ... I just think it's the wrong decision. We were at our best when intimidating and close to the pitch, i've personally spoken to the great Roy Keane who said even he was intimidated by the closeness of the fans at UP. I have no issue with moving, I think we should increase capacity as a minimum to progress ... I just think it should be the right move. One purpose built for us.

The Olympic stadium looks absolutely fantastic, i would love us to move there

I can fully understand the new owners preference for exploring and pushing forward the idea to move to the OS. But and its a big BUT, the experience for the fans MUST be right. I have been to football grounds with running tracks and the spectacle is awful, this for me is the only key thing that needs to be sorted out. I dont care if the ground is not West Ham branded, or has nice toilets inside, or is in Stratford instead of East Ham. The experience of watching games with a running track inbetween is such a major issue i cant stress it enough. Its a crying shame the UK Olympics body or whoever designed it did not have this discussion before building it, having a stadium like the Stade De France in Paris where athletics and football can co exist would make this move perfect for West Ham. But you have to consider how many fans will hate the experience with a track. Plus one last thing to consider is the key item of capacity, WHU have between 30-35k fans turn up each week, unless the new ticket prices are around 15 pounds i cannot see an increase that would fill anywhere near the rumoured 50-60-80k, we simply would not fill it and make the profits that you'd first think of.

We need to progress and a 50k+ stadium is a necessity. Go for it, but don't lose sight of the history, the fans and the youth philosophy of the club. I would be very interested in following other sports (such as basketball, cricket or boxing)if they are affiliated to West Ham. Please put your shoes, heart and mind into the true sense of being a West Ham fan and you can make the club great. Believe in Tony Carr. One Love x

Well done for taking the initiative and trying to move us on. This survey is completely loaded which is disappointing as an impartial one would have been more valid. I completed it anyway because if people who agree with the move didn't complete this survey, it looks like a disproportionate number of fans are against the move.

SuGo if you truely want to listen to fans regarding the proposed move why not e-mail existing/former members and season ticket holders and ask them what their thoughts are?

If the running track were to be removed and the seating close to the pitch - great! if not, a purpose built stadium would be the way forward. People need to realise that staying in Green Street will result in stagnation and eventually potential demise.

Genuinely want the best, but need to take off their rose-tinted specs and realise we aren't Manchester City or Tottenham, and one of the things West Ham fans savour is the matchday atmosphere. Moving to this ground could certainly desert this.

there seems to be a lack of real communication, i.e. fans forums, with season ticket holders, just e-mails begging us to buy stuff

The running track is the clincher. If it goes, then it would be a great stadium. If it stays then we should definatley stay put. Simples.

I do feel it's the chance to move to an iconic stadium and put us more on the map. It's too good to turn down and it's not like we'd be moving somwehere with less connection to the club, it's actually close to the clubs initial roots. Excellent transport links and good to have the Westfield Shopping Centre on doorstep. Upton Park area and the stadium looking tired.Plenty of bars etc in E15 in what will be a transformed area. Just a pity the club could not have been involved from day 1 and been part of the planning of the stadium. Need convincing by the owners that the obstacles like the running track and conversion can be overcome.

Th Boleyn is quiet enough as it is, especially since the pitch was moved further away fromt he stands as a result of the Rio Stand. A 60,000 seater half filled with casual, uncomitted 'glory' supporters 31 meters away from the track will destroy it further. We hardly ever fill our 35,000 seater - yes the tickets are very expensive but surely it's much cheaper to rebuild/develop the East Stand, fill in the corners and for gods sake make the pitch bigger so the crowd are back on top of it again.

After 17 years as a STH, i have given it up this year. I am extremely unhappy at the proposed move to the OS and I would not purchase a ST being so far away from the pitch. I have therefore decided to give up my season ticket and begin the transition to an armchair fan. I do not believe the OS will benefit any fan, the match experience will only worsen, it has already declined at Upton Park over the last 10 years, and the OS is only being used for commercial possibilties. I would have rather gone into administration and be relegated than put up with G & S. My feelings for the club have changed amd the owners do not have my support. For what it is worth.

I understand the pros of moving and the idea is good but in reality if the fans won't renew then you are left with an empty bowl. I have to admit my choice is to redevelop the Boleyn Ground East stand. Like many I have fond memories of first football match and love the character and tradition of the place. However I can be realistic and see that the area struggles to cope on match days with transport in the area being very poor. Therefore would not oppose a move elsewhere to a purpose built stadium. But the Olympic Stadium just isn't a football stadium and that is the flaw. If original plans for it were a conversion to a football stadium like the Manchester City stadium then it would have been ideal but this is not the case.

No true hammers would have spent 17 years supporting a club in the midlands .To me they are 'fake'.How dare they rape OUR clubs history by destroying the boleyn for a crap plastic souless bowl.I've had a season ticket for 30 years but i won't be going to stratford. Nnever thought i'd ever say this as west hham has been my life since i was 5 (now 41.Sad sad days ahead if the birmingham boys get their way

did a survey amongst northern supporters club members when first mooted under eggy...very much in favour still are norman collins whunsc

we need to move for the sake of the club as we need to look at the future. you need to make sure that the ticket prices are realistic not just for the corporate punter. Ideally there should be a section where you can turn up and pay on the day as that would mean you'd pick up the casual fan along with teenagers who decide they want to go and watch with their mates(as we all did as kids, cheaply) this will guarantee the future and atmosphere as teenager like a sing song

I first started watching the Irons in the 1959/60 season. One of the things that attracted me was the very special atmosphere because of how close the supporters were to the pitch. As Trevor Brooking once said "supporters can smell the grass". I can clearly remember that very special atmosphere when we beat Eintract Frankfurt in the semi-final of the European Cup Winners' Cup back in the 70s. How special were those European nights at Upton Park? When the stadium was receveloped in the early 90s the stands were moved further away from the pitch and some of that special atmosphere was lost. Now, it seems that retaining a running track around our proposed new venue is a fait accompli even before we, the true owners, are even consulted. Although the question of ticket prices is important, especially as many of the poorer sections of East End support have already been squeezed out (0% of the Bangladeshi community attend games at Upton Park - I wonder why?) the most important issue about moving to the Olympic Stadium is that the very special atmosphere that West Ham supporters create will finally be totally lost.

I have attended alsmot every home and about half of our away games for the last 32 years. If the club moves to Stratford I will not be renewing my season ticket. I want to watch West Ham in a ground with atmosphere where supporters are close to the pitch. We cannot fill the Boyleyn Ground so how are we going to fill a 60,000 capacity stadium with a running track. Other clubs who have sold their grounds and rented elsewhere have been in major financial problems having lost their safest asset. THere seems to be an assumption that if we move to a larger ground we will be able to compete with the top clubs. This is not the case. Look at Newcastle & Sunderland. Only with very wealthy backers does a club have a chance of winning the league. There is noi need to move - stay at Upton Park & redevlop the East Stand. TRansport can be helped by improving access to Upton Park station - this will be far cheaper than moving.

if this improves westham as a club with european intentions then yes but on the start of this season i have my doubt im a northern hammer from west yorks and any cheaper way of commuting and season tickets would be fab but to meupton park is home man citys old ground was still home so old for new im stuck in the middle

From Icelandic Bankers to Pornographers, I continue to be embarrassed by the various owners of our club... but then again does any club have an owner to be proud of? As for the Olympic Stadium, it is not ideal but I fear it might be essential to prevent us settling down as mid-table regulars in Premier League 2.

In order for West Ham to grow as a club; we need to move to the Olympic Stadium (OS). Unfortunately, we cannot afford a purpose-built stadium - but the OS is a fantastic alternative at a fraction of the cost. The OS may include a running-track but so do various other stadiums across the globe and the atmosphere, in most cases, is still of a high standard. If we don't move to the OS then we will gradually be left-behind with the Fulhams and the Charltons as Arsenal already have a 60k-seater ground; and so will Spurs and Chelsea in the coming years.

I completely understand why they are going down this route. It is the best solution to develop the club, I just regret that we can't try and recreate the formerly intimidating atmosphere of Upton Park. Spurs' design seems to go for this- again they will be gloating over us.

I dont think we should move to the olympic stadium. It's a bodge job - the running track will be absolutely awfud and sharing the ground with cricket, athletics, concerts etc would be awful for the pitch. If we did it like Man City did then fine, if we buit a new stadium then fine. Most people want to stay at Upton Park because it's our home, If we upgraded to 42k then that is the most we will be able to fill it by. We got 32k against Bolton and that was kids for a quid. West ham don't have the fanbase for 50-60k stadia no matter what the ticket price anyway. Stay where are or make sure we get a new ground on our terms. Don't bodge up a dodgy stadium with a running track and share with the whole world and call it our ground because it's a low cost opportunity. It could be an absolute disaster and most fans that I have spoken to are totally against it.

Everything about the move makes sense except for the running track. I've been a season ticket holder for 25 years and love the Boleyn Ground but I don't love Upton Park as an area so a move away would be good. From a public transport perspective (especially personally!), I believe it would be a big improvement in journey quality for the majority of supporters. Increased capacity bringing the opportunity to lower ticket prices would be great but will this really happen to any great extent if the plan is to increase revenue in order to invest in the team? The key is to deal with the issue of the running track by stadium design with retractable seating but I guess that the construction is already too far advanced to be able to change this now. Surely the answer is to dig deeper once the Olympics have passed and then install retractable seating over a lower running track area. However, whether this is possible due to the water table, soil contamination etc is something that would need to be looked into by the experts but it would answer the concerns of most supporters who are currently opposed to the move. In time, the new stadium would become our "home" and hopefully we would have new memories of "special nights under the lights" etc. Just sort the running track issue out please!

On the one hand we have an offer which is to invest >£100m on the Olympic Stadium, including questionable atmosphere, running track, excessive distance from pitch, too big a capacity for regular full houses. On the other hand we have a collective desire for a return to the better atmosphere engendered by the fans being closer to the pitch, expanding the Boleyn to a larger - but realistically attainable - capacity (e.g 45,000). Personally my instinct tells me that though most Hammers would be sad to leave the old home, we understand that for the sake of progress a bigger financial potential is imperative via a larger capacity. That said, most Hammers are also very concerned that the Olympic Stadium would not be right for our club for too many valid reasons. A purpose-built new stadium in the West Ham catchment area could hopefully meet the necessary criteria all are hoping for without alienating the many who don't wish to see our club playing in a half-empty soulless stadium with no atmosphere and poor views of the pitch. Thank you for reading. Paul - West Ham fan since 1977.

I work at WHUFC and I would like to stay at upton park as the area is a massive part of the club too eg the pubs, the market and more important the statue!!It would ruin the atmosphere if moved and I would prefer if they extended the east stand!!

The infrastructure at the Boleyn is at breaking point and an extra 7000 on a matchday would push it over the edge.That is main reason I feel a move is essential.

im 54 years ive been going to the boleyn ground since being a child in my dads arms , we dont want to be anywhere but at the home we know. theres memorial sites out the front of the stadium we cant leave them or move them anywhere else it just wouldnt be the same. we love the boleyn ground and we want to stay

The Club needs to move forward, it really needs to be more Self sufficient. I would like to see terraces brought back, which I believe would bring back a good atmosphere that would be especially needed if West Ham were to move to the Olympic Stadium. Perhaps this could be introduced around the running track behind the goals.

I think people should wait and see what offer is on the table before making a postive situation look bad ~ as for involving the fans they have had to move very fast to get this going so let them get one with it ~ they have West Ham's long term interest at heart and will let us know what the benefits are when they can ~ to busy at the moment trying to bring in some much needed re-enforecements on the playing side.

The alterations to the Olympic stadium have to include moveable seating across the running track so fans are close to the pitch. Getting in and out of Upton Park is a nightmare I love the history but we moved from Silvertown to East Ham so why not Stratford and enjoy the facilities on offer so long as the stadium can be made to generate the atmosphere and the long term future of the club is secured in some way it's probably time to move.

As far as I can see they have already made their decision. They are now on a propaganda drive to make us all believe that we should go for it. If the Olympic stadium bid goes ahead I will be supporting someone else who doesn't sell the club out. Been West Ham for 20+ years and it hurts to say it. Know other West Ham fans who will not be renewing their tickets if this goes ahead.

The Olympic Stadium Survey – RESULTS PART II

Sam H — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:55:06 +0000

Here is the second instalment of the results from the 1000+ strong survey of West Ham fans regarding our proposed move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

You can see the first set of results HERE

Please share the results with your Twitter followers and Facebook friends – you can also download the RAW DATA HERE and a PDF of the infographic below (PDF of part one)

The Olympic Stadium Survey – RESULTS

Sam H — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:55:32 +0000

Here are the first set of results from the Olympic Stadium Survey. The second batch of data will be published in the next few days

The next post will include your thoughts on the running track, the atmosphere and ground-sharing. It will also include a selection of your comments.

Thank you again to everyone who took part.

Please share the results with your Twitter followers and Facebook friends – you can also download the RAW DATA HERE and a PDF of the infographic below

Huge thank you to FootballUnited.com, for allowing me the time to crunch these numbers.

If it’s a free football blog you’re looking to start, then FootballUnited.com are the people to talk to

Olympic Stadium – Results on Thursday

Sam H — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:29:13 +0000

As a quick update, I’ll be publishing the results from the Olympic Stadium survey on Thursday, 23rd September.

Over 1000 people responded to the survey and there’s a great range of data – the results are very interesting. Thank you very much to everyone who took part – even if the results are not looked at by the club at all, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed trawling through the vast amounts of data.

It was going to be Wednesday, but I’ll be recovering from my trip to Sunderland for the Carling Cup tie tomorrow night. On that note, I was asked by Colin of SalutSunderland.com for my thoughts on our season so far and our chances in the Carling Cup. You can see my responses here

IRONS

Last weekend for Olympic Stadium survey (errors fixed)

Sam H — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:54:33 +0000

The survey is now closed. Thank you for your responses!

The response to the Olympic Stadium fans’ survey has been fantastic thank you. The results are very interesting to read through – over 300 of you have left comments which is great

Please accept my apologies to the few of you who were experiencing server errors being delivered whilst you were filling it out. I’m now assured that the server errors have been fixed – so if you still want to have your say, you’ll be able to HERE

The survey will close on Monday 6th September and I’ll collate and analyse the responses. Hopefully publishing them within the week.

If you’d like email notification when the results are live, then enter your email in the box below

COYI

Olympic Stadium Survey – Some opinions so far

Sam H — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:08:04 +0000

The response to the Olympic Stadium survey, for the fans, has been fantastic so far – thank you.

The survey is still open for another week so if you’ve not done so yet, then add your opinion here The Survey is now CLOSED. Thank you for your responses

I’ll be publishing the full results in a week’s time, but over half of you added your opinion in the free-text box at the end of the survey. The responses, I found, were particularly interesting so I thought I’d share some with you now.

——————————

Use the money to build a stadium which the fans want, as “genuine supporters” Sullivan and Gold aren’t taking into consideration the fans match day experience. The atmosphere will be at an all time low if we move to the Olympic Stadium. Please try and redevelop Upton Park (Boleyn Ground)or build a new purpose stadium.

engage with the fans Or lose them

expand the east stand and keep west ham the club we all love. i absolutely hate the large souless stadiums with all that corporate hospitality taking over.

I think they have to do what’s best for everyone involved. Personally I don’t think The Boleyn is the same since they built the 3 new stands anyway, so it doesn’t bother me in the slightest moving away from there

If there is a running track I will only attend away games from now on. If other sports taker place on the pitch, it would be a joke (look at Wigan’s pitch surface because of rugby – a joke). We are a premier league club, who deserve a committed, 100% football, stadium. I’m disgusted the owners would consider a running track.

engage with the fans Or lose them

I believe that a first choice would always be to re-develop the boleyn ground thus keeping the history that West Ham have strived so hard to gain. I am fearful that we wouldn’t be able to sell out a 60k seater stadium even on category A matches despite reduced ticket prices. However, I know this is possibly a once in a liftime opporunity and if the finances are as bad as reported maybe an option that we need to seriously consider. I’m sure that the two of you as West Ham fans share these views and also appreciate the concerns that many fans are currently having. This is something that could make or break your era at West Ham and I do believe you have the clubs best interests at heart but we as fans so desperatley need something to cheer about so we can’t afford to get this wrong. Stuart Heard – season ticket holder Bobby Moore Lower

I think that moving to a ground that can seat 60K can only be good for us fans no matter how many at the moment we can fill it with, and I don’t think that the distance between the pitch and the terraces will make that much difference…surely it is up to the supporters be it a 20K 0r 60K seater to be heard

I say go for it. Its time West Ham to make themselves a bigger club and compete the fan base is there but the club needs finances and the way would be to move to a larger andmore high profile location

I understand absolutely the significant benefits for the club in moving to the Olympic Stadium – and I give it my qualified support as a fan and a boxholder. However, the fans’ concerns must be heard, acted upon and allayed, there needs to be a concerted effort to win hearts and minds. The jury is still our on the new owners for many, and forcing this move through without widespread support could make the short and medium term difficult if not impossible. Just because we can doesn’t mean we should… I’m pro, but I don’t want to be there on my own…

they are asset stripping our club

I’d happily move to the Olympic stadium if it wasn’t to have a running track (a redevelopment in the style of Man City would be perfect). As it stands I’m concerned about poor views, a lack of atmosphere and a half empty stadium. Personally I would love to see the Boleyn redeveloped with a new chicken run and increased capacity, however I understand that this might not be in the interests of the club in the long run. That said, if we end up playing at a ground with an athletics track, we’ll be a laughing stock (I can already imagine sarcastic away fans turning up to the game with binoculars. To be fair, who could blame them, they’d be in the region of 100m away from the centre circle).

If there is no running track and therefore the stadium is to be a FOOTBALL stadium then its a no brainer. But for the cost of the alterations we could develop Upton Park (which is getting improved rail network) into a 45,000 stadium and still have a FOOTBALL stadium. A move to a running stadium is NOT in our best interests, even with the travel plusses of Stratford. And the “cheapest seats in the prem” statement must be explained NOW. I fear a revised “THAT section only is the cheapest in the prem” whereas the average seat will still be extortionate. Am far from convinced that this move is being sought for the club’s best interests rather than the owners’.

Unless my S/T puts me in the dug-out I will stop going.

The reality is that they own the club and I trust thenm to make the best decisions in the interest of the club. I am glad they havent opened this up to the fans too much – “if a committee had designed the horse it would have become a camel” – the great ideas of a few are worth more than the vague ideas of the many on a project like this.

Consult, listen and heed. Stand by your pledge.

The Olympic park is a fantastic venue but a running track will spoil the atmosphere (which is already getting worse every season) I would however support a standing area on the running track on matchdays I’m still not convinced that West Ham was not bought solely to move to the Olympic stadium and cash in on the Boleyn’s real estate value

If there is no running track and therefore the stadium is to be a FOOTBALL stadium then its a no brainer

If the players can’t be motivated to produce 3 points when the fans are 9 meters away what hope do they have when they’re 31 meters away?.

People love West Ham United because they’ve roots… We’re not like any other club!

If the running track has to remain in the stadium I am opposed to the move to the Olympic stadium. In that case I would prefer to develop the Boleyn Ground or build a new football ground. If the Olympic Stadium can only be afforded by the club in case of a multi purpose use I fear that the pitch could be very bad as it is e.g. at Wigan. As a fan I would love to have the opportunity to get a larger crowd into the ground and to lower the ticket prices, but if that’s only possible WITH a running track and a bad pitch I would prefer staying at the Boleyn.

Admire their want for lower ticket prices. However Not 100% on the idea of a running track. Atmosphere however could remain unaffected (going by Lazio/Roma’s stadium) and would put up with it for a few years so we can sort out the finances and develop our own stadium.

Do it. The club has been small-time for too long, and how well has this worked out for us for the last 30-years or so?

I go to every home game and many away games and sit in the trevor brooking lower. On our day we are one of the loudest sets fans in the country. I love Upton Park, and last season the atmosphere was the best it has been in my life. If possible, it’d be nice to redevelop the chicken run, but that’s not a big concern for me, I am 100% happy the way things are. There aren’t many things that I care more about than West Ham, like everybody who’s there week in week out, and like them, I think that a move to the olympic stadium would be a terrible one. The atmosphere would almost definitely be badly affected because of the distance from the pitcht. As good as you have been so far with being open and honest and keeping Scott Parker (fingers crossed), a move to the olympic stadium would damage you in the fans’ eyes greatly. You are the exact type of owners we want, and if you can keep us at Upton Park, please do. If not, please build another stadium specifically designed for football, just please do anything to keep us out of the olympic stadium. And getting Tevez back wouldn’t be too bad either

Saved us from financial ruin but I wonder if they would have bought us, if there wasn’t an Olympic Stadium involved.

Last two, promise:

West Ham United is a football club, the Olympic stadium is not and never will be a football stadium. We don’t need a stadium that holds more than 42000 people and what would we do with one that did seeing as we now have one that holds 35333 and yet we hardly ever get more than 32500 turn up. The future of West Ham United is not dependant on a move to the Olympic stadium, only a decent return on Gold and Sullivan’s investment would come of it. The future of West Ham United is solely dependant on the team, its performance and the investment in it. Premier League survival is key to our survival (I seem to remember someone saying something like “relegation would catastrophic for the club”) and any future success, not the stadium. There are teams out there who have had no stadium yet survived (Brighton, Charlton, to name but two) and there are teams out there with modest stadiums yet have had great success (Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Arsenal whilst at Highbury, mainly through careful, prudent investment, although that can’t be said in Chelsea and Blackburn’s case who just went overboard on recruiting players and I doubt very much whether we’ll see that kind of thing from Gold and Sullivan, not that I’d want success via that route anyway. We are a club who are privileged to have stadium that still has a soul, a heartbeat and an atmosphere that can put the fear of god in to the opposition. All that would be instantly lost the second we depart Upton Park and will sadly never return. That would be an absolute disaster and I would want no part in it. Half the reason we go to West Ham is the football, the other half in the experience. I get a buzz every time I see the stadium as I approach it on a match day, very much like the 1st time I ever saw it for real, yet I have passed the Olympic stadium a few times and I fail to see that I would ever get that feeling about it. Many bad things have happened to our club over the past few years and yet I fear the worst is still to come with a move to the Olympic stadium. On your heads be it!

&….

My family are solid West Ham and have worked in and around the club since the 60s. I think the move to Stratford to an Olympic Stadium is a must. For me, lower prices and family tickets might actually mean I can take my children and see more than the usual handful of games. However, it must also be done hand in hand with a return to core values – the Academy (must be revived and not rely on Tony Carr), promoting from within, a visionary manager, and local British players. The ‘family’ part of the club must return. In their attempts to run the club as a PL ‘business’ they seem to be cutting some of the ties, and Grant is a stop gap – he ain’t gonna be leaving behind a dynasty. It seems too short sighted to me – football in this country is heading for a watershed. The PL and the money chasers will soon be gone.

Olympic Stadium Move – THE Fans’ Survey

Sam H — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:26:02 +0000

[RE-POST] I’ve had to repost this because I heard that some server issues prevented some people from voting. The results so far are fascinating and the comments to boot are even better – thank you all for your time. This is important.

———————————–

Almost 3 months to this day, Sullivan and Gold gave us their 10-point pledge. The last of these stated:

“Arguably the most important is our commitment to listen to what you have to say. We know we are just the custodians of this club. You who follow us every week whether near or far, are the true owners“

In a statement just last week from our club, SuGo state that they will now be “engagin with West Ham’s loyal supporters” over the Olympic Stadium plans. With just 6 weeks to the closing date for formal bids to adop the stadium post Olympics, havn’t SuGo left it too late? After all, they have yet to discuss the plans with the true owners (that’s us, the supporters, remember?)

Fear not, apparently they have already discussed the move with key sporting and political figures; rugby, cricket and athletic clubs, plus other sporting institutions, Newham Council and the Mayor of London. It transpires that West Ham even have an Olympics Projects Director (Ian Tompkins) and Karren Brady, who has worked on this project from day one of SuGo’s ownership, has said “the club has invested time and money to make sure the Olympic Stadium is the right choice for us….”

I fear that the “true owners” (that’s still the supporters, remember) will never have any effective input or say over the stadium plans. But for the record, I as a supporter (or is that owner?) am interested to know who is for and who is against the Olympic Project as it stands.

Personally I never like sharing my possessions – they always seem to come back worn out, damaged or broken. The thought of a multi-sports ground share, plus the pitch being so distant from the seats that is is easier to watch the game (in between advertising) on “huge video screens” leaves me cold. And for that reason (plus quite a few more)……I’m out.

Vote Now

The survey is now closed. Thank you for your responses!

Here’s our chance to express our thoughts, the club said they’d listen. For it to be effective, as many people need to fill it out as possible if you’re a blogger it would be great if you could let your readers know – I’ve already contacted KUMB, Iain Dale, WestHamOnline and Game’s Gone Crazy. For the rest of you, here are some handy links to let your mates know:

Share:

[Open survey in FULL WINDOW] IF YOU GET AN ERROR SAYING ‘TOO MANY CONNECTIONS’, PRESS THE BACK BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER. (sorry for this problem, server is being a nasty bit of work – I’m trying to fix it)

If you’d like to be first to know the results, then you can also enter your email address below to subscribe to my West Ham news feed:

Olympic Stadium: How Far Away Will We Sit?

Sam H — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:59:32 +0000

Regular readers will know I have concerns about our proposed move to the Olympic Stadium. One of my really nagging frustrations is how far away from the pitch we will be.

Kindly provided by a user on Twitter, @simonjcole, here is a table outlining the distance from the pitch at the Olympic Stadium compared to other large football grounds in the country.

What are people’s thoughts now? My boss quite rightly pointed out that it won’t matter about the seats at the back because it will only be 2/3rds full anyway.

This again worries me

In other news: Check out the Global Football Monitor. It’s the world’s biggest football survey and it’s running for the world cup – get your votes in now!