The stadium didn’t bother me a bit – decent seat , good view and comfortable.
Despite all the stuff I’d heard about this soul-less bowl there was a very decent atmosphere and such words are more a reflection on the fans inside the the stadium anyway .
If something is soul-less it means the people inside are bringing nothing to it as I’m not entirely sure how bricks and mortar can do it on its own!
Hammers fans are Hammers fans and bring plenty of personality and colour to wherever the team is playing. Soul-less is entirely the wrong word to what I experienced in the Bobby Moore!
However, it isn’t all good news following my first visit to the London Stadium because as I approached the place there was little to suggest this was Saturday afternoon just ahead of a PL game.
No beefburgers, no dogs, no programmes that I could find in an area which truly does leave one hell of a lot to be desired.
I didn’t have time to look around but apart from Westfields there didn’t seem much to hold any interest for longer than a milli second.
It all seemed sanitized and unlike a typical afternoon at football and for that we can blame E20 – the stadium owners who are responsible for everything that happens inside and outside their gaff.
The truth? They have got it wrong in a big way and if they have any pride at all in their little project they need to start making the changes required and sooner rather than later.
These things are not hard to organise and given West Ham are their only regular source of revenue they need to start maximising…anything else is rank bad business practice.
As for the sound and fury over the pitch surround, it’s not until you get there that you realise how insiginficant the matter is in real terms.
Yes, it would be better if it was claret but not to the point where the club should be held to ransom over what in reality seems a pretty insignificant issue but from which E20 are trying to make a big deal.
In fact if I were in charge of WHUFC I’d be tempted to tell them to clear off and sell their little green carpet to whoever wants to sponsor it.
So overall, mixed feelings but I’ll happily be going back and hoping that the owners can eventually start making some sensible and helpful business decisions rather than act like a bunch of spoilt brats.
As for the stop/go boards – all the best with that, we’ll take the motor!
COYI
I have always felt wining matches is all the Stadium needs to make it feel like home Hugh, the same as all Stadiums in that respect, I really like it, the only downside for me is why it takes so long to get served at a bar, those drinks should be stocked up well in advance, they should also have portable drink sellers with those backpacks like most venues have, a trip to twickenham would demonstrate the value of that fast enough. The food outside the stadium and inside is average quality but there are lots of places you can book in advance or turn up to within walking distance if you want better variety.
I read that with a lot of interest Hugh. Great to get the view of an informed fan experiencing the LS for the first time. Any way that could be circulated directly to the Sport sections of all the daily newspapers? I don’t expect most of them really want to read a viewpoint that would make them think twice about trotting out their tedious descriptions of West Ham fans hating their new home,the ‘soulless surroundings’ plus the usual stuff about ‘boos ringing round the stadium’ as soon as there is a bit of frustration being expressed. And they don’t want to spoil their ‘narrative’ by admitting that a lot of fans are settling in just fine. How boring would that be?
So thanks for an informative & well balanced article.
Hi 32
I know its your first season at the LS but getting a drink hear is easier than any ground i have ever been too and i have been to most there are mobile drink stands and trollys on the edge of the concourse and a bigger choice of food than allmost every were
and a tip dont stop at the first bar you come too every body else might have
I am talking about the east stand and the north stand i know it is not as good in the west stand but the posh seats on that side have there own bars
Pity we did not win so you could have had really memorable day
Thanks Matty 😄 it’s my first time as an ST but I have been many times already 👍 great advice though will shop about a bit more next time 😄