Whilst events have focussed on the on-pitch travails of West Ham United, there’s still much going on behind the scenes as the boardroom battle for control of the club moves inexorably forward, if frustratingly taking place behind closed doors.
With Kretinsky, Staveley and Sullivan all involved in the tussle for the Gold family shares and the very future of the club, it is testimony to acting CEO Karim Virani and his team that the public- facing side of the club sails onward.
And the club have received praise from a very surprising source: One of their Championship competitors, no less, owing to the pricing policy West Ham have applied to their visitor ticketing for this season.
Rare praise indeed for ticket prices – from the opposition!
The up and coming West Ham vs Derby County fixture at London Stadium has been covered extensively by local news outlet derby telegraph.co.uk, who have been hugely complimentary over the ticket pricing for the fixture on September 5th:
“West Ham United have been praised for their ticket pricing for their impending clash with Derby County at the London Stadium.
The two clubs are due to meet on September 5, with Derby having been allocated 3,000 tickets for the Championship clash. Ticket details have been confirmed ahead of the much-anticipated meeting with the Hammers, with adult tickets priced at just £25 in the away end.
Derby will be expected to sell their allocation, although it remains to be seen whether they will be issued more, given the significant demand.
But the pricing has won praise from Derby fans, as it is among the cheapest away tickets in the division.
Taking to social media, one fan said: “£25?! Fair play.” And another added: “Banging pricing.”
Fans celebrating cheap tickets at West Ham United. Whatever next. Credit to the board and to West Ham United’s Fan Advisory Board who, if memory serves me right were heavily involved with the board over consulting before ticket prices were announced earlier this summer.
We are quick to criticise and moan when our club gets it wrong: So when something goes right and receives praise, we’re duty bound to highlight that too.
Lets just hope that the Derby fans arrive ecstatic – just hope they bring their binoculars – and head home gloomy after a resounding thrashing on the pitch.