It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that West Ham United’s relationship with its fan base is now at an all-time low — and I write this with a heavy heart.
What prompted this piece was a TikTok video — a platform I usually steer well clear of. It was brought to my attention on social media after being filmed by a Manchester United supporter who somehow managed to get tickets in the home end at the London Stadium for Tuesday night’s Premier League clash.
The clip begins innocently enough. The fan hides his Man United shirt beneath a winter coat, explaining how he secured the tickets and intends to keep his head down — exactly what you’d expect from someone sitting in opposition territory.
But as the video unfolds, it becomes clear he isn’t alone.
To his left and right sit fellow Manchester United supporters, some bold enough to openly display their colours. As the footage progresses, they grow increasingly confident — even bragging at one stage that they’ve secured an entire row. The video concludes with Carrick’s teams injury-time equaliser, followed by open celebrations inside the West Ham section.
Manchester United fans openly celebrate from the home end of the London Stadium
Which begs the obvious question: why wasn’t stewarding dealing with supporters who, under Premier League rules, should not be in opposition stands for clear health and safety reasons?
West Ham regularly state this behaviour is not permitted. It’s printed on the club website every week, alongside reminders that half-and-half scarves are banned. Yet the reality is that away fans find it far too easy to access home areas. And as we all know, what isn’t stopped is effectively encouraged.
This isn’t new.
Ever since the move to Stratford, we’ve witnessed a steady increase in away supporters brazenly occupying West Ham sections, often making little effort to disguise their allegiance. And as any regular attendee will know, the London Stadium stewards are peppered with Man U and Arsenal fans so is it any surprise they turn a blind eye?
Real Fans Removed While Opposition Roam Free
What makes this situation even more troubling is the contrast.
Genuine West Ham supporters are being banned for holding banners calling on the board to resign. Meanwhile, recent footage showed West Ham Fan TV — the club’s largest independent fan channel — being moved on from outside the stadium, despite filming and interviewing supporters there for over a decade.
At the same time, a Manchester United TikToker was seemingly free to roam around the perimeter of the London Stadium holding a placard suggesting West Ham were . . .erm . . to put it politely, not very good. As she walked around in full Man U kit, the influencer was recorded shouting “you’re going down” and “I earn more money than you” at Hammers fans. How is this allowed? I’d love to hear from Karren Brady about this two tier system.
Asking for trouble? West Ham banned Hammers fans for displaying banners whilst Man U fans brazenly mock without interference.
West Ham Turn a Blind Eye to Takeover
It’s an astonishing scenario: Manchester United supporters celebrating inside West Ham sections, while West Ham fans themselves face exclusion. Independent fan media are ushered away, yet opposition content creators are allowed to circulate fan zones with what many would regard as deliberately provocative signage.
West Ham need to get a grip on this — and quickly.
Right now, it feels as though there’s a creeping purge of genuine Hammers support at the London Stadium, replaced instead by tourists, day-trippers and, increasingly, opposition fans.
None of this would ever have happened at Upton Park. Back then, we employed our own stewards — many of them West Ham supporters themselves — which, in my view, should still be a prerequisite for the role.
For too long now, stewarding at the London Stadium has ranked among the worst I’ve experienced at any ground in the country, regardless of division.
And this is just one of several ongoing issues.
If the club do not act decisively to prevent away supporters mixing so openly with home fans, there is the potential for serious consequences.
Let’s hope it never comes to that.
But if it does, West Ham can hardly claim they weren’t warned.
It is easy enough to buy tickets for any Premier League game, no matter who you support. I have done this myself for WHU away games. Third party & official resale sites do not ask for proof of entitlement to sit in home areas. Just look at P3 Travel, WHU’s ticket partner. There is a proviso that you do not wear away colours in the home end but nothing else.
Gonzo, you should pass this story to your ‘contacts’ at the club for comment. Also, maybe pass to other media like Sky Sports/ BBC to try and get more coverage then maybe the club will take some action!
As Irons57 states regarding the possibility of Millwall next season, place is wide open, so many ways in from different area’s and ticketing system is a joke. Will be absolute carnage over there
We had 2 Man Utd fans sat behind us, very conspicuous as were another three of em 2 rows down. Atmosphere amongst more us season ticket holders was edgy throughout as a result. When they scored they openly laughed can you believe. then headed for the exit stairs laughing still. What do the steards actually do? All I ever see em do is vaguely wave a hand towards an area of seating when a tourist asks them where their seat is. Mind you they tend to be 20 odd year old 10 stone lads so should we expect them to wade in and turf out opposition fans? The club shoukd be employing proper West Ham fans with security experience not locals fresh out of school. It was never like this at Upton Park, ever.
Tbf that girl did get a pint chucked over her head, unbelievably she seemed shocked!
Very sad. It’s all supposed to be a bit of fun.
Cure the problem by putting the offended in a cage of their own.
Perhaps we should stewards searching people who come through the turnstiles in the home supporters end and anyone not showing a digital pass will be ejected
Gonzo you’re right if this isn’t nipped in the bud there could be a riot ! And the away supporters will walk away after causing the problems and the west ham fans involved will all get banned.Its a disgrace if man utd ,arsenal and god knows who else can get tickets then what happens when millwall next season walk into the home supporters areas?
Gonzo have contacted the club with this or the fella who runs this site with his contacts . Seems scandalous this is happening when fans being given bans and the YouTube lot being thrown out of the stadium concourse area . Something really wrong going on.
Such a shame.
I bet that the Chicken Run is turning in its grave.
I was a steward at Upton Park. Away fans in the North Stand behaved most of the time, but when it was needed, it was dealt with swiftly. If anyone remembers Liverpool at home on Sky Sports. Oh my god, there’s a steward having to do with away fans. That was me, I was protecting two young girls (also Scoucers). I more or less took the North Stand visitors by myself! The good news is that the girls were safe in the end. Bad news for me is that I nearly broke my back. At that time, I was rushed to Newham General, thanks to the volunteers at St. John’s Ambulance, RESPECT! The journey seemed to last forever. However, I still suffer today. But I would do it all over again. Maybe stupid, the fans were going mental. If I didn’t intervene, the poor girls could have been seriously injured or worse. Sometimes the heart rules your head. Love to all. C.O.Y.I.
I fear it will need to take something serious to happen to one of these supporters for it to change and us fans will be vilified for it! I do think a case of FAFO is needed
If they did a survey of all the season ticket holders who transitioned from Upton Park to the new stadium, I would be interested in how many are still season ticket holders today? I’m wagering there aren’t many. If we get relegated the stadium will be empty and it’s all down to the owner’s greed and issues like this, which have been there since day one.
Definitely a serous concern in current times but I’ve been around long enough to remember when fans of both sides could happily mix without fear. Unfortunately that is no longer the case. It’s a sad world.
When was that?!? In 1911?
It’s a disgrace, an utter diabolical liberty.
It’s been the same since matchday 1 at LS.
When away fans sing ” your not West Ham anymore”.
It infers, that they can come onto our manor and take liberties that were never afforded them in and around the Upton Manor area and Boleyn Ground specifically.
……fuming at seeing those pics.
The videos are worse DJ but I didn’t want to link them and give them more views which is ultimately what they’d want.
In the event that we should be relegated, that would raise the prospect of a visit by Millwall. The loose ticketing and stewardship would lead to a full blown riot, and who would bet against- at the very least – some very serious injuries? It would inevitably lead to a ground closure. Who would be responsible then? The club, the fans or the stadium owners?
Mate, that is a great point. I’m going to write a blog about that tomorrow
Never been to the London cricket ground and never will. West ham died when we left Upton park.
Good article.
My only question is why do the new breed of iron hoofs allow away fans in their section ?
If I was there and many many of me old mates who also don’t go no more were there they would have got a slap and f**k the consequences.
I honestly hope West ham dis-united get relegated and go bankrupt.
Then maybe us 10,000 lot can have our club back.
Brilliant and well said. I have seen security and stewards telling people to put half and half scarves under their coats, and when they did, the people were wearing other teams colours. They ENCOURAGE away fans not stop them. Ms Brady should hold her head in shame. It’s disgraceful.
the issue is i dont think the club actually care about away fans in the home end. as long as they can profit off of it. was genuinely shocking near me. i had more man u fans than west ham supporters around me
Well said Gonzo.
Cheers mate