An open letter to the West Ham board of directors

  • by Staff Writer
  • Wednesday, 21st December 2016

Two lifelong West Ham fans have produced a video short calling for everyone associated with the club to reunite and "move forward together".

In a piece that will resonate with many West Ham supporters, Rob WIlliams and Jonny Madderson ask why many feel fans disenfranchised by the move to Stratford - before issuing a stark warning to the Board regarding their attempts to re-brand the club.

"The move hasn't been 'the most successful stadium migration in history' as the board say. Fans are unhappy," Williams (who attended his first match in 1962) and Madderson (a follower for some 25 years) told KUMB. "There is a bad atmosphere around the club.

"But rather than moaning or being negative, we felt it was time to issue a rallying cry to everyone associated with West Ham. Let's become united once more and move forward together, but not forget the things that make West Ham special.

"That's what the film is about."





During the video, which you may see above, the Board are warned against "turning the fans into consumers" - before being told "West Ham isn't a brand - it's about the things you CAN'T buy".

But Williams and Madderson also call upon David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady to enlist the help of the entire fan base - and not specifically those supporters who generally share their vision of a 'brand' new West Ham Utd FC - to make the Olympic Stadium a success.

"We believe it can be successful - and will be, if handled better than it has been," the pair continued.

"The stadium does create an atmosphere, but the big problem is the match day experience. It feels like a trip to the Excel centre right now - we need to work hard to make it feel like a trip to West Ham.

"The solution will be bringing the fans along the journey, and having our input along the way. The board need the fans' help so that it doesn't end up being a marketing department's vision of what a West Ham match day experience is."

* Let us know what you think of the film in the Comments section below or via the KUMB Forum.

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