West Ham appoint new SLO
West Ham have appointed a new Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO) called Sophie Lawson.
Sophie returns to the Club having been at West Ham at the Boleyn Ground and in our first two seasons at London Stadium, taking on an important role as the Club’s official Supporter Liaison Officer.
After a three-year hiatus, Sophie is excited to get started “It’s really great to be back, even though I haven’t properly been away! I have a season ticket with my grandad in the Billy Bonds Stand, so I have still been coming to every home game.”
Not to be confused with the Club’s 50-strong Matchday Supporter Liaison Officers, the official SLO role is a staple for all clubs under UEFA licensing, playing a key role in the liaison between supporters, senior management and the Board of Directors.
Sophie will be looking after the Club’s contact with fans across all of our channels, as well as working closely with West Ham United supporters’ groups, including the recently formed Independent Supporters’ Committee, the Disabled Supporters’ Board, Junior Supporters’ Board, West Ham United women Supporters’ Board and our UK and International Supporters Clubs.
“It was tough not being at the games during the pandemic for all supporters, but the Club and fans together have done a great job during that time. My grandad was actually one of the supporters who received a call from the Supporter Services team to check on how he was keeping and to offer support!” Sophie added.
“West Ham is a proper family club, so it was amazing to see fans returning after such a long time. It was nice to see the Season Ticket policies in place helping fans as well over the past two seasons and the new Bobby Moore and Sir Trevor Brooking Stands look great.”
As a lifelong West Ham United fan, Sophie is looking forward to coming back to the Club and continuing the relationships she built with fellow fans during her first spell in the Ticketing and Supporter Services teams.
Since Sophie was last at the Club, there are now six members of the Supporter Services team who are on hand to assist supporters with all feedback and enquiries and to liaise with all departments across the Club, stadium partners, and key stakeholders including the Premier League, Kick It Out, the local authority and the Police.
The team also lead on the model for consultation between the Club and supporters, being the key point of contact for all West Ham United supporters groups. “Being brought up a West Ham fan, I think it’s a really exciting time for the Club on and off the pitch at the moment, with European football and the unveiling of the West Ham United’s European Champions statue, it’s great to see the Club honouring our history and progressing forwards as well. We’ve seen further growth in the Supporter Services team and the approach to supporter engagement, which I know is a priority for the Club. I can’t wait to get started again!” Sophie said.
Jake Heath remains in his role as Head of Supporter Services.