Big thumbs down from Hammers for Christmas Eve football

A Claret and Hugh poll on whether football should be played on Christmas Eve has received massive thumbs down with nearly 87% of supporters saying football should not be played the day before Christmas.

With 1,274 voting, 1,108 (86.97%) said No football should not be scheduled on that day and only 166 (13.03%) said Yes they had no problems with it.

The debate on whether games should be rescheduled has united fans across the UK in condemning the proposal. One Liverpool fans group released a statement which has been backed by the West Ham United Independent Supporters’ Association.  The Football Supporters Federation have also released a statement to voice their disappointment for the plans.

Former West Ham United Chaplin and now Archdeacon for the West Ham area The Ven Elwin Cockett said on social media:

“Both Sky Sports and the Premier League should consider the staff and police families losing Christmas Eve before their profit.It’s as much the staff and police and their families that I’m concerned about. Families matter, especially at Christmas” 

An extra complication for West Ham is that Christmas Eve will be the last shopping day for nearby Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford. The Hammers have already agreed not to play at home on Boxing day on a season by season basis and the retailer could be equally concerned and object to an extra Christmas fixture with shoppers competing for public transport and car parking spaces on Christmas Eve.