Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

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clawhammer
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by clawhammer »

Seeing as you ask...
Not anything about travel. Travel was fine. Lift to Shenfield and back. Better when Greater Anglia get their act together but Upton Park was not better.
Nothing about the surround of the ground and heritage. I miss the old walk to the ground. Not a real problem now unless you leave early or straight away. We let the crowds die down while having another pint.
Nothing about the stewards. Never been a problem to me. Not as friendly as at UP which I miss.
Nothing about the memorial gardens which 3 years on is still not tended to properly. A separate subject but I am unaffected although I understand the concern of those who are.
Nothing about the expensive champions place stones that were expensive to buy but clearly not fit for purpose as they're worn out already. I haven't looked lately at ours.
Nothing about the closed off grass area yesterday which is an inconvenience "West Ham will always come first at the London stadium according to the baroness. That bothers you. Really?
Nothing about the grass line - so you can be reported by someone with absolutely no chance you can defend yourself and get a ban. Ditto.
Nothing about someone renewing a ST and finding their band has changed. Happened last season but I had to suck it up to move to a seat where nobody is standing in front of me...or my disabled mate.
Nothing about posh seat fans who want to downgrade and find they're not allowed to and just told "join the back of the queue. Doesn't affect my matchday experience.

I was happy at UP. I think that now we have sorted out the seating so the standers can stand and the sitters can sit the main problems for many are gone. I have a great view. The team has had their best season at this home.
I don't apologise for making the best of the move and still watching my team. Continually running everything down and making up reasons to moan has never been my way. I am not alone as the stadium is pretty full most of the time.
Hammer.CA
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by Hammer.CA »

'Why can’t we have local traders in and around the stadium. Surely all supporters would welcome reasonably priced scarves badges and food en route to the ground. Let’s be honest it’s a fairly dire trudge to the ground at the moment.' MV

I'm about to apply for a licence to trade in the area. Other councils in London that have football clubs operating in their boroughs issue licences and yet Newham Council, who lost £40 million on their OS investment don't issue any and supposedly don't have anything to do with the OS any more so it would seem that they should welcome any money that goes in to their coffers as opposed to losing millions with their investment.
I know what I think will happen but I will post to let you know how I get on. Headbanger
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Mega Ron
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by Mega Ron »

clawhammer wrote: And your opinion is worth what?
More than yours.

Much, much more.
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hadleighhammer
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by hadleighhammer »

clawhammer wrote:I think that now we have sorted out the seating so the standers can stand and the sitters can sit the main problems for many are gone.
You mean you moved to the correct area after buying a ST in the wrong area and moaning when those around you wouldn't do what you wanted them to and sit down, despite being explained it was you who ****ed up not them?
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WebmasterFF
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by WebmasterFF »

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48145695" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
London Stadium bosses criticised for spending by TaxPayers' Alliance

The body responsible for running London Stadium spent £100,000 developing a communications strategy for the stadium despite having three senior communications staff paid more than £260,000 combined.

London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), which lost more than £20m last year, has been criticised for the way it spends taxpayers' cash.

But LLDC says the £100,000 helped to avoid higher costs down the line.

"This was a one-off project," it added.

The figure, from July 2018, is contained in detailed expenditure published by the LLDC. As a taxpayer-funded organisation, it has to publish details of all contracts in excess of £5,000.

LLDC also spent £4m on legal costs in an acrimonious dispute with the core tenant, Premier League side West Ham United.

That dispute was brought to an end minutes before a lengthy court case was due to begin on 12 December, when a deal was brokered between the club's managing director Karren Brady and LLDC chief executive Lyn Garner.

James Roberts, political director of lobby group the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "You would have thought the LLDC would have been doing everything they could to keep costs to a minimum.

"Instead, their accounts show they've splashed taxpayers cash on expensive PR strategies and pointless wheezes like award ceremonies. Before kicking off again at West Ham about their costs, the LLDC really need to get their own house in order."

LLDC also spent £32,000 on "media planning and buying services" for its 2018 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park summer campaign, while using the London Stadium and its catering and security facilities for last year's East Works Awards cost another £19,650.

An LLDC spokesman said: "The LLDC has a wide remit and responsibility and in line with similar organisations will buy in specialist services as required. All contracts over £5,000 are published and there is an audit and procurement process. The LLDC operates within its agreed annual budgets."

And on the £100,000 spent on an outside agency developing a communications strategy, it added: "Specialist research, stakeholder and communication advice was procured when the director of communication post was vacant during a time when multiple legal actions were under way against the London Stadium.

"This was a one-off project involving research and development and was part of the strategy which avoided a prolonged and expensive court case and provided information to inform the commercial strategy. There is no ongoing outside communication support."

London Stadium's owners E20, a wholly owned subsidiary of LLDC, reported losses of £22.7m in the year to 31 March 2018.

In a critical review of the stadium's finances in December 2017, London mayor Sadiq Khan said he would be taking control of the situation in a bid to reduce the losses.

London Stadium was built for the 2012 Olympics and has been dogged by controversy over its finances. Converting it into a football ground cost £323m when the original estimate was £190m
Looks like the mismanagement of the stadium is still going strong....
goa127
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by goa127 »

Nothing will ever convince many people they can enjoy a game at Stratford. The things they enjoyed about football at Upton Park aren't at the OS and never will be. However, lots of fans do enjoy the game at Stratford because they're looking for different things from football. Neither is right or wrong. I enjoy going to the OS, but I wouldn't have liked it 40 years ago when I used to stand in the Chicken run every week.I like the spacious comfortable seat in the Billy Bonds upper. 40 years ago I'd rather have died than watched the game from a seat. I really enjoy having a quick couple of pints in the ground with two friends who I've known since the 70s after the game. Forty years ago I'd be leaving just before the final whistle to rush over the iron bridge to where I'd parked my car to get home ASAP. I'm trying to show how my personal experience reflects the change in football culture. When I first went to Upton Park in 1968 (I was 17) most of the crowd was under 25, paying loose change to get in. Now most of the crowd are over 25 paying about £60 a game. The change is dramatic, and has been deliberately engineered by the authorities post Hilsborough. Badge sellers would probably struggle to survive nowdays, people would use ebay instead!
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AlfieG
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by AlfieG »

Its a real shame, that thanks to our owners moving us to an athletics stadium in a wasteland, we are now losing these loyal, hard core supporters who have been going to games for decades.

Sure there has been a change in society and peoples expectations of what they want out of a PL game, but I dispair with those that trot out the old, 'we had to do it'... We really didnt and we certainly didnt need to do it like our three stooges did it.... Look at German football as an example, They have moved to modern football grounds where the supporters feel part of their club and arent fleeced for their tickets. Great atmosphere and football is the winner every week. It really can be done well.

Truth is, GSB wanted to milk the PL revenues and are only interested in staying in the PL for that reason. To keep their noses in the trough.

As long as they can claim to fill the bowl every week they will claim moving has been a massive success.

Now the ST prices are creeping up towards Boleyn levels and they dont give a **** if people drop out as long as they get a bum on a seat.

I can well imagine the baroness swanning around in her circles spouting how 'if you want to make an omlette you have got to break some eggs'....... :asleep:

Next level?? Dont make me laugh....
Kentish Hammer
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by Kentish Hammer »

Clawhammer,

While it's great that you have a good view, do you have any thoughts for the 50% of people (at least) who have a shocking view due to the games being played in an athletics stadium?
NorthBankAlliance
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by NorthBankAlliance »

Kentish Hammer wrote:Clawhammer,

While it's great that you have a good view, do you have any thoughts for the 50% of people (at least) who have a shocking view due to the games being played in an athletics stadium?
He’ll refuse to believe there is a shocking view...

Been a plater of the place since day one...
goa127
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by goa127 »

I can understand why some people hate the place (I don't) but don't think people should be slaughtered for holding the opposite view. My youngest son (32) says he likes the OS much better. He was never that keen on Upton Park , but then he never new it in the old days.
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DaveWHU1964
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by DaveWHU1964 »

Doc H Ball wrote:Last season for me and my dad (120 years between us).
As much as I'd like it if not one single West Ham fan stepped foot inside that place until G+S leave I still find it awfully sad that that's it for you now Doc (although I did see your later post about trying to bring your dad around to going next year). I guess I just assumed that you'd always always stick it out but there again I always thought that I would too.

I hope that you manage to make all the aways that you want to go to. All the best bud. :thup:
Marlow Vaderman
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by Marlow Vaderman »

Nothing about the expensive champions place stones that were expensive to buy but clearly not fit for purpose as they're worn out already. I haven't looked lately at ours.

Just a thought.. perhaps you should..


Nothing about the closed off grass area yesterday which is an inconvenience "West Ham will always come first at the London stadium according to the baroness. That bothers you. Really?

Of all your replies the one that finishes Really? Is the one that.. ahem.. Really Bothers Me.. We were promised that as anchor tenants West Ham would be top of the heap.. not last in line behind athletics, sale shoppers and Uncle Tom Cobley and all.... That’s promised by the way.. so yes.. Blatant lying to achieve the stadium move bothers me...

Nothing about the grass line - so you can be reported by someone with absolutely no chance you can defend yourself and get a ban. Ditto.

But this system sits well with you? Someone who has never been to the ground or met you could, at random, pick your seat number and text from their sofa in Scunthorpe for a laugh and you would be marched from the ground without recourse. How can this be right..

Nothing about someone renewing a ST and finding their band has changed. Happened last season but I had to suck it up to move to a seat where nobody is standing in front of me...or my disabled mate.

So your choice to move bands.. it wasn’t forced upon you..

Nothing about posh seat fans who want to downgrade and find they're not allowed to and just told "join the back of the queue. Doesn't affect my matchday experience.

Do you feel no affinity to fellow supporters, indeed these people have spent many thousands of pounds and deserve better.

Of course you are entitled to your opinion. That’s how life works. But I think it’s sad to answer almost all these points with I’m alright. I have a great view of the pitch since moving seats but know all too well how poor the view is from the top tier. There are massive issues in and around the stadium (in my opinion) and I for one would like to see change for the better.. but here’s the kicker.. I don’t want this change to be for me.. I want things to be better for everyone.. even you..
that’s for me what being West Ham is all about.
Standing United..
MV ⚒⚒
sirwalter
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by sirwalter »

Kentish Hammer wrote:Clawhammer,

While it's great that you have a good view, do you have any thoughts for the 50% of people (at least) who have a shocking view due to the games being played in an athletics stadium?
If you have to carry on moaning about "The Bowl" at least quote facts that you can substantiate. Some of the comments on this thread are verging on the ridiculous.
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S-H
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by S-H »

clawhammer wrote: And your opinion is worth what?
I like Ron's opinion, especially when he rams it down ones throat*









*I may not actually be talking about his opinion..
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Westbourne Bill
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by Westbourne Bill »

Just stop going. I did having been a ST holder off and on for over 30 years and a paying supporter since 1965.
Get a decent stream and/or watch yr local non-league side. Its cheaper and far less frustrating than being reminded every 2 weeks why it is often rated the worst stadium in the Prem.

Once you stop going, honestly, its probably far less painful than you imagine. More should try it.
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by goa127 »

Westbourne Bill wrote:Just stop going. I did having been a ST holder off and on for over 30 years and a paying supporter since 1965.
Get a decent stream and/or watch yr local non-league side. Its cheaper and far less frustrating than being reminded every 2 weeks why it is often rated the worst stadium in the Prem.

Once you stop going, honestly, its probably far less painful than you imagine. More should try it.

It's your choice obviously but the logic evades me. It's like stopping going to your favourite pub because they've stopped selling guiness or whatever you like. You may have to drink an inferior drink but it's still the same pub. Someone will now say it's more like they've demolished your pub and everyone you know now drinks at the hotel bar down the road. Fair enough, but I'd still go there
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Tenbury
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by Tenbury »

Just because it's got the same name?
costa75
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by costa75 »

S-H wrote:
I like Ron's opinion, especially when he rams it down ones throat*









*I may not actually be talking about his opinion..





Is this your coming out of the closet post?
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S-H
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by S-H »

Yeah, don't tell anyone.
Kentish Hammer
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Re: Olympic Stadium Discussion and Questions

Post by Kentish Hammer »

Nothing ridiculous about my question Dave, sorry Walter.

I'm a member rather than a season ticket holder and have therefore sat in a number of different parts of the ground. With the exception of the lower parts of the East Upper, I would say the entire upper tiers have shocking views. Personally I also find the lower tiers behind the goals pretty dodgy, was sat in the back row for one of the cup games and you have to wait for the replays on the screens to have a clue what has happened at the other end

And I'm not someone who slates the stadium for everything Never had a problem with the stewards, always thought the atmosphere has been fine on the occasions when we have played well and the walk to the ground can still be earthy if you go certain routes.

But it's just not a football ground and that is not acceptable for our great club.
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