After nearly 18 months of petitioning, West Ham United have finally agreed to sponsor the Hammers Supporters Club - albeit on a short-term basis.
On Friday evening, shortly before the Leicester City fixture and at the end of a week in which there was much talk of anti-Board protests, the club issued a statement confirming that they would be sponsoring the Club's new premises at Stour Space "for the remainder of the 2017/18 season"."We are delighted to be able to offer our support and assistance to the Hammers Supporters Club," read a statement issued on behalf of co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan.
"We hope it will go some way to helping them get back on their feet and re-establish the organisation as an integral part of our local community.
"As we have always said, the heart and soul of West Ham United is its supporters, who have followed the Club for generations in the past and will continue to follow it for generations in the future.
"The Hammers Supporters Club isn’t about a connection to a stadium or a building - it is about a connection to West Ham United Football Club," continued the statement.
"Our football club is now located at Stratford, and we want the Supporters Club here with us, to ensure that our rich and proud history is always recognised and cherished.
"We hope, in time, that a permanent venue near to London Stadium can be secured so that the Hammers Supporters Club can provide a safe and welcome social environment for its members all year round."
The welcome news arrived at the end of a week in which a new protest group - The West Ham Fans Action Group - was formed, in order to challenge the Board's perceived mismanagement of the club.
Other headlines to appear on West Ham's 'official' website since talks of anti-Board protests arose last week include "Hart: Claret and Blue Army inspire us to play differently", "Moyes praises players and fans after London Stadium debut", "Zabaleta hails 'incredible' Claret and Blue Army" and "Lanzini hails 'incredible' West Ham United supporters".
Offering the Supporters Club a new home closer to the Olympic Stadium was one of ten requests made of the club in KUMB.com's ten point plan, which was delivered to Karren Brady back in January.
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