By CandH’s top blogger Allen Cummings
The GSB dynasty will come to an end – as it was always going to – at some time!
Nothing is forever in this world – and certainly not in the football world. But when the famous three eventually walk out the door for the last time – whether that be sooner or later – the most important thing for West Ham as a club won’t be about what has been, but about what is to come!
This has too often been labelled a pro site, so maybe us discussing our current ownership termination issue comes as a shock. It shouldn’t because we are nothing of the sort. We are a site that loves this club – end of!
There are ways of doing and discussing things and some of the language used and sentiments echoed elsewhere are frankly abhorrent, embarrassing and do nobody any credit.
The toxicity of the situation now is such that it’s time for change! But change to what? ‘GSB Out’ shouldn’t become ‘Anyone Else In’. We need change with a purpose not change for change sake. It’s a hashtag which has become an argument in itself to some. it’s boring and it’s not!
Those hoping for a cash-rich benefactor who is only too happy to cough up and buy our way to the promised land – the ‘next level’ – a coveted top six place, are actually living in a land of their own.
A local lad hero done good – someone who lives on pie mash, supported the club all their life and now wants to become our saviour. I think we’ve just been down that road haven’t we? So maybe not again.
What about an American billionaire, with more money than mouth. Manchester United have tried that one, and at the moment it’s becoming as toxic at Old Trafford as it is here. Possible Chinese involvement has met with swift disapproval and we certainly don’t want to experience the chill of any aspiring Icelandic owners again thank you.
Anyone who thinks it’s going to be as easy as just changing the name on the door is naive in the extreme. There’s no doubt money needs to be spent – life in the Premier League now requires millions just to stand still.
We need to forget thoughts that it might be good to drop a division to regroup. That could so easily be suicide not a solution. More than anything this club needs to rediscover itself. We need to define a new, up-to-date identity for the modern game. We need a proper plan. A firm direction – and that has to start from the bottom up.
The Academy is once again showing signs of producing genuine future prospects – which has to be a good thing. But it’s impossible to return to the ‘good old days’ of producing virtually an entire team of home-grown talent. It might mean at times we need to sell some of what we produce to provide funds. That’s the law of economics.
When we do buy it will need to be sensibly and constructively. And that will require the introduction of a proper scouting system – not a couple of agents on the end of a telephone. We will need players with the right attitude and the right abilities to fit into the jigsaw we want to create. Not big names with impressive looking stats and even bigger profiles, who turn out to be square pegs in a round holes.
Our re-invention isn’t going to be a quick fix. It won’t happen overnight! It will take time and patience – and it’s a certainty the waiting won’t be to the liking of everyone. The moans and groans we have become so used to will surface – it’s inevitable.
Those expecting to see West Ham eating at the top table simply because Gold, Sullivan and Brady have gone had better think again. That just isn’t going to happen. I firmly believe the majority of us will be prepared to wait if we see that progress is being made, bit by bit, season by season if necessary.
Little steps that are sustainable. But most importantly a professional approach that will offer us all genuine hope for the future.
If Pie and Mash is off the table am up for a Middle Eastern Mezze Plate and some Arabian nights, I would say Chinese but you know how it is you try a bit, it leaves you feeling full up then you want another lot later, as for Hamburger from the US of A, undecided, Liverpool have done better than Man Utd and with significantly less budget but then Utd have been given Billions and spent it badly except for Bruno Fernandes, Would say any improvement on GSB that has deep pockets and long arms would be nice.
I’d rather stick with gsb than get foreign owners in. I realise I couldn’t say that in certain circles these days without getting lynched so it has to remain my private thoughts unfortunately. That’s today’s Social media lynch mob woke cancel culture for you.
Personally I could not support Russian owners given the likes of Ambramovich are associated with Putin who murders his opponents and an innocent British citizen! The Arab States also murder opponents and have major human rights issues. Chinese also human rights problems. This leaves Americans but Man U supporters have something to say about them.
Its a shame that GSB relationship has gone sour as they are Eastenders! In my view they are still preferable to the likely alternatives!!
Yes, being careful what you wish for has never been truer.
To me, the only acceptable alternative would be one fronted by Sir TB.
But, there goes another flying pig………….
Move on Brady & get someone with experience of running a football club & no Sun column would help. Improve the PR side of the office as they seem to have a very lax or no experience. No one coming in from abroad will care as much as the Dave`s (I personally find naming them the dildo brothers quite humorous), & regular top six is a pipe dream that happens once in a generation if we are lucky. 45yrs of following the Hammers & I can`t remember any outstanding owners? Happy to be corrected!
If there is a billionaire out there who supports the club & is willing to buy that would be great, oh hang on that`s what we have?
Not bothered with the flack i`m expecting from posting an opinion, as I said supported the Hammers for 45yrs have had plenty of grief over the years, COYI
Nice piece Allen – and you are right we have to be careful what we wish for – we played Charlton last week and look at what has happened to them.
In the mean time is it too much to hope for GSB to start behaving themselves – support the manager and dont mouth off in the press and dont meddle with the team – no surprise unheard of Brazilian strikers
Maybe I’m the one who is seeing flying pigs!
Wolves are a good example of how to run a club professionally. Can we copy their methods? They seem to have little trouble finding good players and are hard to beat most of the time.
No because their manager is a lifelong pal of top agent who gets them top players on the cheap