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Adrian Durham: neutrals will dilute OS atmosphere

Eaststand2Radio presenter and Hammers fan, Adrian Durham, has been penning his thoughts in The Daily Mail today about West Ham’s move to the Olympic Stadium.

While Durham, who can be heard telling the world what he thinks on talkSPORT,  says the move to the Olympic Stadium will herald a new era of competitiveness for the Irons and admits the sky could the limit for the Hammers – he also believes the matchday atmosphere will be diluted by casual supporters wanting to watch Premier League games on the cheap.

OSHe said: “I’m a traditionalist, and I am going to miss Upton Park. But the days of football grounds sitting in the middle of residential areas are dying out, arnold-hills-lounge_okwhether we like it or not.For West Ham, the move will herald a new era, and if the club is managed correctly should elevate them to a new level of competitiveness in the Premier League, and maybe even Europe.”

“Valid questions have been raised about how the Hammers will no longer own their own home, so the people who made that decision need to get everything right about this gb2-lounge2okmove.They will lose their home, and there is one more sacrifice West Ham will have to make. two friends of mine who also went to the Olympic Stadium for rugby last week, decided after that visit to buy family season tickets for West Ham for 2016-17. One is a Leeds fan, the other doesn’t support a particular club. Both live in the south east.

“They were so impressed with the stadium, and their kids love football so much, they decided it would be a cheap way to watch Premier League football in a top class venue. There will be a significant number of non-Hammers at games next season and that will dilute the atmosphere.’

‘Long term, the ‘new’ families attending will give birth to a whole generation of new West Ham fans. eaststandseats726Getting close to the old atmosphere which can sometimes be created at Upton Park, will depend on the players of course, but it will also depend on how well the club is run at the top, at Board level.

“If they can run a club fit for such a special stadium, and if a team is produced that deserves to play in such a sporting cathedral, then the sky really is the limit for West Ham.”

 

3 comments on “Adrian Durham: neutrals will dilute OS atmosphere

  1. Disagree. I think so called neutrals will become home supporters. Not difficult to become infected. One of the teams has to be “my team” otherwise there’s not much point going.

  2. I agree Goa, most or at least some of the neutrals should slowly become WHUFC fans especially the ones who are locals getting the tickets put aside as part of the deal.

    I dont see how many supporters of other clubs will be able to get tickets.. its going to be totally sold out so the only way is to get in via the ‘bring 2 friends’ option & I dont think thats going to be happening in more than a handful of circumstances.

    Just scaremongering by the media again. Its going to be a huge success and I think the capacity will be raised within 2 seasons, I know several supporters who have given up season tickets due to work, cost or family reasons and are now hinting to me about going again more often.

  3. He’s right, but it’s hardly rocket science. The atmosphere at the Boleyn has gradually been diluted over the last decade or so, so it’s clearly going to happen at the OS, especially with all the “tourists” who will buy up spare capacity. The only saving grace may be cheaper tickets which might just help attract back our “traditional” support that’s been priced away from football over the years.

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