Mr Moon has left the building: A message from Jeremy Nicholas
- by Staff Writer
- Friday, 20th September 2013
West Ham's former match day announcer Jeremy Nicholas has thanked the readers of KUMB for their messages of goodwill following his resignation.
Nicholas, who had held the post for 16 years announced yesterday that he was leaving his role at the Club after he was asked to take a 60 per cent wage cut.Here's what he had to say:
"I wanted to pop in and say thanks for all the messages from KUMBers. It means a lot. I know I wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but I'm filling up reading all the lovely comments.
"As a professional speaker, whenever a client tries to cut my fee, I always offer extra services to try and keep the fee the same, but offering more value.
"I would never regard West Ham as a client, but I tried everything I could to keep my job, offering to do extra work on a matchday as a host in the lounges before kick-off, interviews for West Ham TV, write a free column for the programme etc, but the money wasn't there.
"I did some free hosting in the lounges last season for commercial director Barry Webber. He said they had great feedback and would have liked to have used me again this season, but there simply isn't the money.
"I very much admire Karren Brady and David Sullivan for the work they are doing in reducing the debt. I count David Gold as a personal friend, who I will miss chatting to on a match day. I helped him with the updated section on his autobiography and he's a lovely man who we are lucky to have.
"Having worked with the Icelandic administration, I know how close our club came to folding and without the two Davids our club would have gone to the wall by now. It hurts like hell that I've lost my job, but I can see the need to cut costs.
"Cutting through the emotion it's worth pointing out that lots of other good people have lost their jobs recently. The club has to clear a huge debt before we move to the Olympic Stadium. There are bound to be other casualties along the way.
"I've worked for seven West Ham managers; eight if you count Glenn Roeder!
I'll always be available if the club needs me and I wish whoever succeeds me the best of luck.
"Finally, if anyone does need an after-dinner speaker/conference host, please contact me because in the run-up to Christmas I'm suddenly a lot more available than I expected to be!
"Testimonials, videos, showreels, details of keynote talks etc are all on my website at www.JeremyNicholas.co.uk."
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