Independent supporters’ groups continue to campaign

Two independent West Ham supporters group continue to campaign for independent access to the club despite a recent study which suggested West Ham have the third-best fan engagement in the Premier League.

The West Ham United Independent Supporters Association (WHUISA) who once boasted of a paid membership of 5,000 asked candidates for members of parliament to agree to a pledge for West Ham to have meaningful dialogue with supporters. Twenty-one MP candidates signed the pledge before the general election last week.

The chair of WHUISA Sue Watson met with West Ham’s Supporter Liason Officer (SLO) Jake Health before kick-off the Hammers game against Arsenal.  Club insiders played down the meeting describing it as a ten minute one to one chat over coffee in which the club insisted they repeated that WHUISA must engage through the West Ham Official Supporters Board (OSB) which they are welcome to make an application to join.

Another independent supporters group, Hammers United have also continued to campaign for separate access, their campaign has seen them write letters to the Premier League, UEFA, the Minister for Sport as well as local MP’s.  Their facebook page has close to 5,900 supporters which they regard as members of their group.

Hammers United themselves will meet with Jake Heath on Monday in an informal chat similar to WHUISA and it is likely they will also be told that they must engage though the West Ham Official Supporters’ Board if they want meaningful dialogue with the club.