I have always been open to the possibility of a future move to the Olympic Stadium. However, the new regime at the club need to recognise that many fans have genuine concerns about the atmosphere, the running track and security of tenure at the Stadium. Moving in to a 55,000-60,000 capacity ground could radically transform West Ham’s prospects, guaranteeing the additional revenue to take the club forward. Also, as David Gold has said, the move to the City of Manchester Stadium worked for Man City, so why cannot a move to the Olympic Stadium work for the Hammers?
However, the fact remains that many supporters are not sold on a potential move across the borough. I recently took time to speak informally to a few fans, of my acquaintance, to ascertain their views. Some were uncompromising in their belief that Upton Park was the spiritual home of the club and it should remain there. Some were nervous at the prospect of selling Upton Park and becoming a tenant at the Olympic Stadium. Others doubted our ability to fill a 55-60,ooo capacity seater and had reservations about it’s implications for the match day atmosphere.
If the move materialises, the new owners will need to sell the business case to the fans. That way, fans can scrutinise their proposals and debate its merits in Hammers sites and forums. It is important that they take the fans with them by showing how the move will contribute to the creation of a stronger, more successful West Ham Utd FC.
In the meantime there is a lot of negotiation to be done before the move becomes a realistic proposition. But it is possible that hard economic realities and common sense could convince the government that an accommodation with West Ham is not only mutually beneficial, but the only viable option for the long-term use of the stadium.
The central barriers to be overcome are the Olympic authority’s inflexible interpretation of an ‘atheltics legacy’ and the collateral issue of the running track. There is also the issue of the financial contribution that club will have to make to the post-2012 adaption of the stadium. Apparently there is an government budget allocated to fund this work. But how much will the club be required contribute to expensive adaptations such as the possible installation of retractable seating over the running track?
The fans need to be convinced that this move could open up an exciting new chapter in Hammers history. At the moment many of them just see it in terms of a loss of the club’s heritage. Yet, Stratford is actually in the old County Borough of West Ham, unlike Upton Park which is officially in East Ham. So, it could actually be argued that the club would be moving back to its roots. Yes, the club has been located there a very long time, but is it really the Upton Park of old? Atmosphere wise, the current stadium is certainly not the ground that I remember from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Nothing like it. The Taylor Report put paid to that! Upton Park is pivotal to the club’s history, but perhaps we may have to accept that it will eventually pass in to historical record to facilitate a new chapter opening up in Stratford, post-2012.
One fan said that he felt that a move would be a ‘betrayal of the legacy of Bobby Moore.’ I can understand that feeling, but we should remember that Bobby’s relationship with the club after 1965 was not always unproblematic. From what I have read it would appear that after the ECWC win he grew increasingly frustrated at the club’s lack of ambition and failure to mount a serious championship challenge. Maybe, just maybe, Bobby would have seen this move as evidence of some belated ambition by the club?
We obviously need to know what would happen to the proceeds from the sale/development of Upton Park. I think that most fans would expect to see those monies reinvested in the infrastructure of the club. Also, the club have to secure a lease at the Olympic Stadium that guarantees long-term security of tenure. Realistically, I do not think that this is a problem. Afterall, there are not likely to be many other options in terms of tenants!
Anyway, that is a potential issue for the future. More immediately, it will interesting to see if all the discourse about the club’s alleged levels of debt is a prelude to a hike in the price of season ticket/match tickets next season? If I recall correctly, season ticket holders were told that renewal for 2009-10 would guarantee a freeze and slight reduction over the following two PL seasons. Assuming that we will retain our PL status (which I think will be the case) will those commitments now be honoured? Or will they be dropped and a price hike justified by the state of the club’s finances, the need to invest in the squad in the summer transfer window, etc? Time will tell?
SJ. Chandos.
Lofty, I think you may have the advantage over me in years! As I recall I stood there and broke my heart. Still it got me Sir Geoffs autograph on his autobiography years later, but that is another story. I have to confess I had my brief spell of unruly behaviour some years later (the cockney reject years). Not proud but it was a right of passage at the time. Remeber the 5 goal battering of Sheff Utd and the 2-1 win over mighty Liverpool in the rounds leading up to the Stoke saga. We SOOOOOOOOO deserved to win that trophy that year. I had to wait another couple of years to get to Wembley but by then Bobby God was playing for the opposition!
Lofty / Devo / Pop / Rome – I think all the youngsters that post on here have gone out leaving us old fogies to relive our memories. Thanks for the great posts guys but I am off upstairs with my cocoa now!
Yep, it is time for bed, and I am an hour ahead of you; I have to be up at 6.15 tomorrow. Good night.
I have no problem with moving to a different stadium. Arsenal moved from Highbury and if they can move so can we.
I do agree that its important for us to keep our identity and it is possible to still allow access for other events, because other clubs like Man City, Leeds, Coventry hold concerts so why couldn't we. As for the running track…..they do have the technology to rotate the lower tier seats with a running track so this may solve the issue. The stadium could therefore be used between June and July for athletics and concerts…….making the business opportunity enormous.
I believe that people should not be fooled by Upton Park…..lets be honest most of us fans don't live by the ground anymore….I for one travel down from Lichfield and I have to say that Upton Park is one of the most difficult grounds to get to by car or by train. The olympic stadium would I believe offer greater access for most fans who live in the outskirts and therefore it makes absolute common sense to move.
I am sure most of us will miss Upton Park but its a small price to pay when you consider the long term benefits for our club…..Could you imagine 55,000 hammers fans cheering the team on every week…..it would be awesome…..
Good Morning Everyone.
In a way our season starts now.We have been playing half the season without a full strike force and I think it is fair to say we now have proper options up front.
I can't wait to see Benni starting with Cole. I think they will dovetail perfectly together. Sometimes a partnership just clicks, think Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, sutton and Shearer, McAvennie and Cottee. I don't claim that Benni is as good as these players but he is a very good striker nonetheless and I think we can have some fun before the end of the season.
Interested to see who comes on in the second half. Will Ilan get a game today, will Mido get a game before him? Will we play 442 or 451? Will we in fact play 433 to incorporate all our strikers?
Where does Diamanti fit in now we have so many options up front?
Green
Faubert
Tomkins
Upson
Ilunga
Behrami
Parker
Collison
Diamanti
Cole
McCarthy
This is more of a 4 3 1 2. A Very attacking lineup. This allows us to create opportunities for Cole and McCarthy and this lineup allows Diamanti to play a more free-role behind the front two.
What this would mean is that Collison, Parker and Behrami would have to run their socks off, put in lots of miles and get around the pitch. I think they are the perfect players to do it.
Do I think they will go for this formation? No. I think Zola might stick to his preferred 451 formation. If we are going to play Benni, I think this formation is ill-advised as Cole would lead to link up the team from behind McCarthy- with benni ahead of him- Cole would have to link from deep.
Anyway. I'm really looking forward to this today. Cole and McCarthy, Ilan, Mido, the formation. I'm very hopeful of a win today
Hi Andy. Like your style but like you I think GFZ may take a more cautious approach. He could still do a 442 but at the expense of Diamanti for Kovac to stiffen up the midfield. Diamanti would then a sub to break down a stubborn defence. I also hope we are good enough to give Burnley a roasting with Mido added at some point…..433 in my dreams lol!
let's hope so. I understand we need to be solid but I hope we don't neglect the attacking side which we tend to do lately
I have been looking at the latest olympic stadium images, it looks brilliant. The top tier which is temporary holds 55,000 with the lower tier holding 25,000. I for one would like to hear the thoughts of architects on how easy it would be to transform the stadium for suitable use for West Ham and our specific needs. You would imagine G&S would already have a rough idea if this is possible. The roof will cover two thirds of the spectators so to create a better atmosphere you would think more roof coverage would be needed.
Latest report on stadium…includes brief word from mr Gold
http://video.news.sky.com/skynews/video?videoSour...
For me….Green
Faubert Tommo upson Deprela
…………..parker…Behrami……….
Collison…………………………diamanti
cole…..Mcarthy
Chris agree on Behrami in the middle but I think Diamanti is a liability on the left and won't help defend with young Deprela and we would get caught out there. I would only play Diamanti in the hole behind strikers so you could probably same team but with 3 in the middle and Diamanti just behind the 2 strikers. . . .however i think GFZ will go with
Green, Faubert, Spector, Upson, Tompkins, Collison, Kovac, Parker, Noble, Behrami, Cole.