As protests mount against the West Ham United board, the club finds itself at a crossroads, caught between fan fury and looming PSR issues.
West Ham are facing what many are calling a civil war between supporters and the hierarchy. The Fan Advisory Board (FAB), representing over 25,000 fans, recently issued a scathing letter of no confidence in the club’s leadership, citing “sustained failure” and “financial distress” just two years after the Hammers lifted a European trophy.
Renowned journalist Henry Winter commented on X that this “shows the depth of feeling.”
Not the first time West Ham fans have protested against the board
Protests are planned before key fixtures against Crystal Palace and Brentford, with groups such as Hammers United calling for boycotts and demonstrations. The grievances are numerous: an ageing, uncompetitive squad, sub-standard training facilities, and a soulless matchday experience at the London Stadium.
While much of the spotlight falls on co-chair David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady, another figure looms in the background—Daniel Kretinsky, dubbed the “Czech Sphinx.”
West Ham’s silent partner
Kretinsky, who bought a 27% stake in West Ham in 2021 for around £200m, has remained a passive investor, rarely seen at matches and never publicly involved in football decisions. His heart reportedly lies with Sparta Prague, his “first love,” leaving oversight to his trusted lieutenant Jiri Svarc, who joined the Board in 2022.
There were reports of s rift between Sullivan and Kretinsky which have been denied by West Ham
Despite Vanessa Gold making her 25.1% stake available for sale via Rothschild nearly two years ago, neither Kretinsky nor other shareholders have shown interest in buying more. Sullivan remains the largest shareholder at 38.8%, with Albert “Tripp” Smith holding 8%.
Away from football, Kretinsky has focused on Royal Mail, completing a £3.6bn takeover in April 2025. Under his leadership, Royal Mail posted a £12m profit—the first in three years—despite redundancy costs and a challenging market. It’s a turnaround in stark contrast to West Ham’s stagnation.
Known to enjoy Pink Floyd and U2, Kretinsky remains a mystery to fans and pundits alike. How many West Ham games he’s attended since 2021 is unclear, and his presence is felt more in boardrooms than at the London Stadium.
With protests intensifying and leadership under siege, West Ham faces a reckoning. Supporters are calling for full-time executives with football and commercial expertise. Whether the Czech Sphinx steps forward—or continues to watch from the shadows—remains to be seen.
One thing is clear: West Ham fans are no longer content with silence.
These protesters are once again being whipped up and driven by Paul Colbourne, author of the infamous pitch invasion at the London Stadium versus Burnley. An absolutely disgraceful act by the still Hammers United el supremo who after his pitch invasion ( remember the corner flag in the centre spot ?) claimed it was a spontaneous reaction ( I don’t know what came over me m’lud) He is taking you all for mugs again. I really hope he was banned for life, but If not he should have been. If you love West Ham United FC then steer well clear of this guy. He would rather see the club relegated to get his own way.
Think you’re getting carried away Comrade Matt. Put away your guns and bombs.
Angela and Jeremy have spent all of your money.
PSR line is absolute nonsense, Sean’s article showed a PSR paper profit of around £50million in this window alone.
Previously we were nowhere near limit as reported by Kieran Maguire earlier this year. Add £20+million per year savings on wages again Sean’s article (imo under estimated as average wages are overblown by the wages that the likes of Chelski, Manchesters etc pay)
On top of that we pay a peppercorn rent for the athletics stadium saving huge amounts on upkeep etc which are then funded by LLC (through taxes, creating a dislike for the club by London residents who are not fans)
The reason we are permanently skint is mismanagement of assets by the owners, the coach’s they hire and the money they take out of the club.
Imagine the returns possible if they spent just Brady’s wages on developing the training infrastructure!
A couple of bad losses at the start of the season and this is what happens. Anyone remember West Ham in the championship ? 1992–93 season when home games dipped to under 10,000 fans? one of the lowest being around 8,500 against Barnsley. I remember standing on the terraces in the old chicken run in the pouring rain thinking it has to get better than this surely. I swear fans these days don’t realise how good they’ve got it.
Get a grip, the 8,500 are the ones you should be thinking of, many of whom feel the club has not delivered on their support over the years, instead pandering to the board, the tourists and the corporate set.
Regularly using the club as a cash machine while still claiming financial constraints are stopping them from developing training facilities, investment in the team and improving the match day experience for ALL fans not just those withmoney
Understand the disquiet, but not sure how boycotting games helps team morale on the pitch.
Levy has gone – guess who’s next Sully 😬 And we mean your WHOLE family stepping down.
Sullivan been lying ever since he been at the club
Kretinsky is simply an investor and has no emotional attachment to the club so I wouldn’t expect him to Mount a takeover
Levy has smelt the coffee time for Sullivan to join him.
Get on the golf course and enjoy their old age.
Unfortunately Sullivan is the owner, Levy despite shares was removed by the Lewis family. Like the Glazers, younger Lewis family members are now in control of Spurs with just a new Enic replacing Levy.
My biggest concern is Sullivan will eventually pass his shares to Jack to keep it in the family. The Lewis and Glazer strategy could be what happens at West Ham.
The coverage this is getting is brilliant. It seems like the media are on the fans side . Enough is a enough