Whispers

Sadiq Khan tells Londoners “Ditch Spurs and Support West Ham”

Image for Sadiq Khan tells Londoners “Ditch Spurs and Support West Ham”

Well, here’s something I never thought I’d write…

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged Londoners to support West Ham United.

That’s right — the former arch-nemesis of Karren Brady, who for years seemed to have it in for the Hammers, has now appealed to his constituents to get behind the club.

Why?

Because they’ll apparently be skint if we go down.

Mayor Makes Remarkable West Ham Appeal

Speaking yesterday, Khan said: “If West Ham are relegated, we, the taxpayers, we City Hall, could lose up to £2.5m each year. So what I say to Londoners who don’t support Spurs is you should probably be cheering on West Ham, because the taxpayer will lose out if West Ham go down.”

Ordinarily, advising people not to support Tottenham Hotspur is already wise and sensible advice. And to be fair, he’s not really telling Spurs to follow West Ham, but I’m sure more than a few in North London won’t take kindly to the advice.

London Stadium Costs Continue To Rise

The London Assembly is reportedly losing somewhere in the region of £20m per season on the London Stadium — and that’s with West Ham paying Premier League-level rent.

However, the stadium agreement is structured so that if the Hammers are relegated, the club would pay significantly less.

For obvious reasons, there’s very little appetite inside the Mayor’s office to pour even more taxpayer money into subsidising West Ham.

Which explains Khan’s very public plea.

Unlikely To See Claret And Blue Tube Trains

Personally, I’m not entirely sure how much good the Mayor’s comments will actually do.

And I somehow doubt we’ll suddenly see TfL buses and Tube trains decked out in claret and blue any time soon.

Still, after years of friction between City Hall and West Ham, it is at least slightly refreshing to see the Mayor on our side for a change.

Share this article

Kris Gonzo (commonly known to the West Ham community as Gonzo) is the co-founder of Hammers Chat (established 2014) and the lead video content creator and columnist for Claret and Hugh.

With over a decade of professional sports media experience, he is a frequent West Ham United analyst and contributor for Sky Sports News, BBC Football Focus, and BBC Radio 5 Live. He previously served as an official video and content creator for West Ham United FC during the club's tenure at Upton Park and featured in the official documentary commemorating the historic final game at the Boleyn Ground.

A lifelong Hammer since the legendary 10-0 victory over Bury, when he isn't providing daily match analysis on the Hammers Chat YouTube Channel or broadcasting on X (@GONZObignose), he can be found walking his dog and restoring classic pinball machines.

3 comments

  • Jeeps says:

    Spurs are seen to be part of the big six under an untouchable umbrella.
    Ever mounting conspiracy with general decisions from refs/VAR.
    Extra 15 mins shows they were desperate for Spurs to beat Leeds.
    It’s unbelievable support whu are getting from whu/Forest/Leeds fans.
    All want Spurs to go down.
    Camaraderie amongst these lower clubs has shone through.
    Khan couldn’t careless what happens to whu (as a club) it’s just a means to his own end.
    Let’s hope they can repay this support and win their last two games.
    As a start Chelsea and Everton (Mr Moyes) need to put survival out of reach.

  • Morty says:

    Of course it was a poor deal for Londoners and Sadiq Khan inherited it from the lunatic Comrade Johnson, if we go down it will turn into an even worse deal.

  • John Ayris says:

    Unfortunately it’s more likely us than Tottenham, we’re the ones playing catch up with only two games remaining although it is feasible that Tottenham could lose to both Chelsea away and Everton at home.

    Still would leave us with not blowing out to do…

Comments are closed.