Memo to government: 22k not 2k can attend Irons games

West Ham weren’t alone in making early preparations for a return of the fans before being bitterly disappointed!

Here’s the deal!

The London Stadium is a 66,000 seater stadium and to observe social distancing requirements, fans would have been sat in alternate seats with an empty row behind them.

On that basis – and given the government claim we are safer outside than in –  we could have seen 22,000 inside the ground rather than the 2k which will be allowed under the new tiering system.

We the fans – and the clubs – are probably struggling to make sense of scientific and political pronouncements that we are really safer outside whilst they allow just 2k into our huge stadium!

With the announcement that sporting events would again be allowing the public into stadia, came great hope and ClaretandHugh learned of the plans being hatched by the Hammers.

Within days however decisions to introduce temperature checks and stagger departures from the stadium, among various other ideas,  had been rendered farcical under a tiering situation in which only three areas were in Tier 1 …and not one of them possesses a professional football team!

West Ham and most other clubs had relatively detailed safety plans in place but now wonder how the hell they are supposed to ballot and making special arrangements for a mere 2,000 people or indeed whether it’s worth it.

At a time when vaccines are apparently going to be rolled out during December and infection rates have been falling from the 20k plus even last week, you have to ask whether this has all actually been thought through.

I’d say NO!

We understand the public transport issues by the way but that remains a decision which we as those wishing to attend should be making.

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon