By Sean Whetstone
West Ham has got itself into a perpetual cycle of action and reaction between fan groups and the board!
And it seems to me that at this moment in time the to-ing and fro-ing is getting nobody anywhere at all – nor is it likely to.
Here’s how it goes: One side says something, the other reacts and the waiting press reports it; then one side again says something and the other reacts and then the press writes about it.
Then – just for a change – guess what? One side says something and the other reacts and then the press writes about it… you get the gist.
But listen where is it all going? Fan groups have asked to meet the board, the board invites the fan groups to meet, fan groups decline the invitation because another fan group will be present.
Then one side says something, the other reacts and then the press writes about it…. You know where I’m going with this…
And you know what, no one is winning. In fact, neither side can win.
I believe there’s now a serious danger we’re ALL losing sight of what’s important. The football! Yes, the actual football – the very thing we are all here for.
I guarantee something, whichever side of the current board/fans debate you sit on, (and maybe like most you don’t care about either, you just want our team to climb the table), every single one of us wants to get behind David Moyes and the team.
Every single one of us wants to be that “12th man” behind the men in claret and blue. Every single one of us wants to see success on the pitch.
Arguing about things that won’t change – on both sides – is getting us absolutely nowhere.
If I could speak and actually get through, to everyone engaged in this toxic cycle of grandstanding anger, I’d say this, very loud and very clear… Enough now.
Let’s end this roundabout that’s actually only serving to feed the media beast.
Let’s stop with unnecessary public statements on all sides from board, tweets and backslapping PR exercises. Let’s focus on the football.
The only noises coming from the club should be about football. We all want to hear from David Moyes and we’ll all listen and watch intently to whichever player is picked for the weekly contractual broadcaster interviews.
Let’s unite. Let’s get behind the team.
COYI
That is the most sensible thing about our great club i have read for weeks.
Yes all of us true West Ham fans want the team to put in the same effort we do! We work hard all week and have to watch overpaid players not putting any effort in. There are only about five players in the first team that actually put a shift in! Regarding your point about the board. I disagree that nothing will change I agree with the fans peaceful protest. The board don’t want bad publicity and for the truth to be revealed about the failure of the board in every department. From the recruitment of players and managers and the terrible tweets by David gold and awful sun column by Karen Brady. They have failed on all ten promises they made to get fans to purchase season tickets. The two great players Payet and Arnautovic we recruited.We couldn’t keep hold off because the board wouldn’t improve the team, with further investment. So they left as they knew the club was going nowhere! And they have been proved right!!! Gold,Sullivan and Brady have had ten years to prove their worth and they have failed miserably! West Ham with the support they have should be on a par or above Leicester city and wolves. The problem is those two clubs are run properly .From the scouting of players to the building of first class training facilities not portacabins! To the recruiting of young hungry players with a resale value. And employing a young manager with good tactical knowledge and motivational skills to improve players. I just hope that by some miracle we escape relegation because if we don’t I think we will be there for sometime. I don’t see enough fight or effort when times are tough to dig in.
I disagree Payet left because he wanted to go home and Arnie left because he wanted more money. Simple
“ The two great players Payet and Arnautovic we recruited. The two great players Payet and Arnautovic we recruited.We couldn’t keep hold off because the board wouldn’t improve the team, with further investment”
Seek professional help immediately, mate. You’re off your rocker.
Well said Elliot – I think you represent the views of all true West Ham fans. There’s no reason why we can’t both get behind our team & at the same time criticise the Board for all their broken promises & frankly p*as poor decisions over the years. These are NOT mutually exclusive !!
Here we go again, you miss the point of the article by over reacting. There is some truth in what you say but it is taken to the extreme, the point is that moderation is required otherwise nothing will be achieved. If there were any chance of getting new owners they would be put off immediately by the extreme actions of some supporters. My own view is that our board are no different to the average.
HERE HERE!!!
Hear hear! as in I like what you say, I wish to hear it again…. and not I am here, in this place.
Well said Sean. Enough already, Come on you Irons.
I see fans have actually listened to what said You said same fans who leave 20 minutes before the end get behind the team ⚒⚒⚒
Sean, you are a decent bloke who works hard for Hammers fans, but you don’t get us.
What you’re saying to fans here is equivalent to someone sitting down my wife and saying “I know he slept with your sister, and your mum, and your aunt and your best friend. I know he sold your jewellery and your grandmother’s wedding ring. I know he beats you and puts you in hospital. But arguing about it gets you nowhere, and you are losing sight of what’s important – your marriage”
Incidentally, am thinking of threatening legal action and asking for a public apology, stating that I didn’t sleep with her aunt.
Think you mean “some of us” and that’s questionable
I mean most of us. I was generalising based on the majority of West Ham fans, which in demographics and opinion has no correlation to that of a C&H audience.
This article by Sean Whetstone is absolutely the best thing I’ve ever read on this website or any other West Ham website for a very very long time. Hats off to him. Let’s get behind the team. Come on you irons.
But let’s not wait till the team perform. As the 12th man we have to make noise to get the players in the frame, only then would TLS become a fortress.
Exactly!! All these so-called West Ham fans moaning about the board, saying we’re relegated for sure, turning up to games and leaving 5 minutes before half time ‘cos a beer is more important than supporting the team, leaving before the end, yada yada yada, they want success but as Moyes said in yesterday’s presser, fans making lots of noise can positively influence an awful lot in a game. Those who attend home games regularly need to raise the roof of their own accord, not wait for something exciting to happen.
I wasn’t at the game last week but i watched it live and one thing i noticed was the lack of singing, the lack atmosphere, of trying to ‘gee up’ the players. West Ham have always been fantastic at that; loud chanting, funny songs, getting the place rocking but lately that hasn’t happened and although the football’s been cr*p, if we want to stay up, it stands to reason we need to create a better atmosphere. Referees are undoubtedly influenced by a great atmosphere, decisions might start to go our way, etc.
And before the naysayers mention the ground, i’ve been to some games at the London Stadium in which the atmosphere was the best i’ve ever experienced. After all, 60000 people can be a lot louder than 35000
Great article, Sean
Saul~ You are assumption that fans that leave early are the ones always moaning,which is ridiculous,imo – There are many reasons for leaving early and it’s their choice.
The whole story is an increasing number of fans unhappy with many aspects, but are starting to realise that the ownership is the overriding problem and the fact that they do not want any descension whatsoever.All everyone wants is to watch the football and support the team,now more than ever – So why has the club taken the smallest allocation for Liverpool away I can ever remember??
The fact is the ownership would rather no fans supporting the team,if they suspected said fans were unhappy with their stewardship of the club,or wear an inoffensive tshirt or banner!
This is a “family club” not a “Soviet dictorship”.
I didn’t say that George, the fans leaving early was one in example out of a small list. I understand there are many reasons for it but a 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon kick off shouldn’t see a few thousand empty seats at full time. It’s not like a Monday night 8 p.m kick off
No, lets not – the board deserve every piece of criticism and hate they get, and I hope it continues and gets stronger. It’s their fault we’re in this mess, they’ve created the toxic environment and it’s their job to fix it, not ours.
Well said Sean, at this point in time, supporting our team on the pitch and off it is my priority, the rest for me anyway can wait until the season is over and we are safe from relegation COYI!!!
A good article as was Hugh ‘s yesterday.Some may be surprised by my opinion, being a veteran anti board supporter.BUT ..I agree side shows must be put aside, and our sole focus must be on supporting our team in our relegation battle .Some romantics think “So what if we drop down to The Championship !At least we will get rid of G&S “!Believe you me, they will be the least of our worries!.All our best players will be gone, with no assets ,we could well tumble down the league’s like Coventry and Sunderland .Can we avoid relegation ?YES WE CAN !!With our new signings and players coming back ,we have the potential to pick up results anywhere !I read, The Board’s, invitation to meet with all the fan groups, including WHUISA and Hammers Utd – who both want change . The only way you get every lasting and meaningful change, is sitting down with the enemy and thrashing out issues.The Northern Ireland peace accord, and Nelson Mandela talking to the apartheid government in South Africa: which lead to Democracy in South Africa, is just but two examples of sitting round a table and driving change with the enemy. West Ham’s fan base is a’ broad Church’, with many different opinions regards West Ham United , Time for our supporters to unite ,leaders to emerge and DRIVE CHANGE !There are two things about West Ham that still get me emotional today , and they sum the passion we all have for our great Club.One was in 1996 .Myself and Dad were at The Embassy Club in Manchester, a few tables away, was one of the Club’s legends .Big Malcolm Allison.The Old man goes over to where, Allison, and his group of friends were sitting.Has a chat with Big Mal.My old man beckons me over , the next thing we are talking football with Allison.There were me ,Dad ,a Villa supporter ,Nottingham Forest supporter and three Manchester City Supporters.Allison had been all over the world ,one of the brightest Coaches in his time.He eventually turned to West Ham.Told us how he had battled back from TB but couldn’t get back in the side .His replacement was a young Bobby Moore.He welled up and just said :”Robert was a class act “As we left to go home, Allison suddenly stopped abruptly.Raised both his huge arms into the night sky and belted out .Bubbles. When finished he welled up and said ;”West Ham “It still hurt all those years later.The second great feeling was when we beat Manchester United 4-0 in the snow at The Boleyn Ground.When good old Johnny Spector scored TWICE.I was sitting in the training going home ,quietly reading the programme ,A Arsenal supporter sitting opposite to me says :”What was your score mate ?”4-0 “I replied .About a minute later he feels the need to portray the sympathetic friend ;”Well you were without Scott Parker he says .I kept a straight face and said :”4-0 West Ham “His face was a picture !WTF all over .Those are just two of my memories .I am sure that each and everyone of you, have your own special memories.Gold and Sullivan ‘killed’ the Club ?They can’t even if they wanted too !The foundations of our great Club was built by our family and friends, who now watch The Hammers from Heaven’s window.,We are the present torchbearers ,NO ONE CAN KILL US OR WEST HAM .All we want is for West Ham, is to be successful and play good football .YES we want answers ,we want the truth ??You bet we do !….but we also want solutions to a whole host of problems .I call on the Board, to look at all the people who have been banned , look at the cases individually. I can think of a fair few, who could be overturned .Sullivan ,Paul Colborne of Hammers United was banned for placing a flag in the middle of the pitch ?FFS ! Mario Husillos , cost you a million quid per year, and added 800 000 per month to the wage bill . .By signing: Wilshere ,Sanchez and Roberto .THAT IS SERIOUS! I am confident that change is coming ,and West Ham’s best days lay ahead not a behind.us.I differ hugely with Hugh and Sean regards our Owners.But agree it is all about focusing and lifting our team now.Manchester City tomorrow ?Well I know what Frank Sinatra meant when he said :”Three things help me make it through the night :Prayer ,tranquilizers and Jack Daniels”But all pumped up !Yes i know i am deluded, but I am going 1-1 !We are more than a football Club ,we’re a way of life !COYI!!
I’m not sure any amount of fan groups talking to what you call the “enemy” can be compared with Northern Ireland peace accord talks, and Nelson Mandela talking to the apartheid government in South Africa. However…..
This is football – not politics and how many fans groups are listened to when some won’t attend meetings at which another group or groups are present, all apparently with different agendas. Confusion.com
Hugh, the groups turning down the invitation is because the club are controlling the narrative through an non independent supporters group – The OSB ,that’s representatives have been chosen by the club – other groups will have to put their questions to them beforehand.In the past these independent supporters have asked for certain things to be put in place and if the club except them they accredit it to the OSB, as far as I can ascertain.
Yes I understand that and am opposed to the OSB because it is undemocratic. Brady must call democratic elections. However, if Hammers United refuse to meet the board or become part of that process how does this move forward George. And why shouldn’t all the other supporters group demand the same rights as they have been after. Do we accept that HU are now the organisation to be listened to? or should others be allowed talks with the board. How many different agendas are going to be put forward. How many different demands from how many groups have to be satisfied before we move on or get any measure of agreement. If all this is REALLY about is removing the board they have to be willing to go which they are not and there has to be a buyer which there isn’t. It’s a mess and it will send us down. These aren’t simply comments but questions to which I have no answers. As I understand it they no longer want talks and have morphed into a protest group per se. So be it but I see no winners.
This link is interesting and maybe gives an insight in to why other fan groups do not want the OSB involved – As it appears they are being used by the club to dictate the narrative,imo.
https://twitter.com/MemberOfJSB