FAB vote of “ No Confidence” in West Ham United Board

[BigFatSam]

Starting to think we need a relegation now.

[DenziMart]

I don't see any buyer on the horizon, so the only tenable solution is that Brady is shown the door and Sullivan steps back completely and hires a proper CEO with experience of running a top flight football club. CEO hires a proper Commercial Director and Director of Football and Sullivan slinks off in the background and stays quiet counting his wad of cash. Short of Sullivan selling up or ending up in a wooden box 6 feet under, this is the best we can hope for.

[1895Hammer]

This is the document presented to the club by the FAB at the recent meeting. The questions have been summarised on various posts, this provides the full detail of what we presented and are expecting the club to respond to at the next FAB meeting in late October as promised in their recent comments.


Supporters concerns presented to the club

22nd September 2025

At the request of the Club, the West Ham United Fan Advisory Board met with Karren Brady and Tara Warren on Thursday 11th September 2025 to discuss the letter of no confidence that the FAB had issued to the Club. At that meeting, the following document was read out in full by a number of the FAB members.

----------------------------------------------



FAB Opening Statement to Karren Brady/Tara Warren

“Thank you for meeting with us today.

As you know, the Fan Advisory Board recently issued a letter of no confidence in the Chair and Vice-Chair. This was not done lightly. It reflects the depth of concern among supporters about the way West Ham United is being run.

We want to be clear: we are not here to score points. We are here because we care deeply about this Club, its future, and its supporters. But the current leadership has overseen repeated failures — in financial planning, football strategy, governance, and fan relations. These failures are holding West Ham back at a time when we should be moving forward.

Other clubs have shown what can be achieved with clear strategy, modern governance, and genuine supporter engagement. We believe West Ham deserves the same.

Today, we will raise specific areas of mismanagement and ask direct questions about how the Club intends to address them. Our goal is simple: to see West Ham United governed competently, transparently, and in the best interests of its supporters and its future.

This is a pivotal moment. The Club can either continue down a path of short-term fixes and eroded trust, or it can embrace change and build something lasting. Supporters will back the latter every time.”

Leadership & Governance
The Chairman and Vice-Chair retain disproportionate power with no evidence of modern governance standards.
Any organisation of this size and importance would have a full time CEO.
No apparent succession plan in place; senior football decisions concentrated in too few hands.
FAB and supporter consultation often treated as a tick-box exercise rather than genuine engagement.
Question: When will the Club move to a professional governance model (CEO + Director of Football with autonomy)?


Financial Strategy & PSR Failures
Club cites Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) as blocking transfers, yet revenues are at record levels and three-year rolling profits/losses indicating significant financial headroom to comply with PSR.
Poor allocation of funds on wages, agents, and short-term fixes instead of sustainable squad building short-term fixes instead of sustainable squad investment.
Lack of forward planning has forced reactive sales and late transfer business. A pattern of fire-sale player trading and last-minute recruitment reflects poor long-term financial stewardship.
Question: What credible financial strategy will prevent further PSR breaches and enable consistent squad investment?


Commercial & Stadium Strategy
The “Deal of the Century” on the London Stadium has saddled fans with a soulless environment and a poor matchday experience.
The stadium concession deal; catering, stewarding and inability to make changes because of athletics
The women’s team excluded from the stadium deal – a contradiction of the Club’s stated commitment to equality.
Ticketing changes (concessions, ID checks, away schemes) undermine loyalty.
Question: How will the Club balance revenue generation with fan experience, inclusion, and equality?


Heritage & Culture
West Ham United was deeply rooted in the East End of London yet we now have ‘London’ on our crest much to the disappointment of so many of our supporters.
In the letter of 21.2.2018 from the Vice Chair on behalf of the board the Club ‘committed to finding a location for a permanent museum style display that enables the Club to showcase its incredible collection of over 1000 items of memorabilia currently in storage’. This has not been delivered.
The Club committed to display the entire Bobby Moore collection as well as those of Hurst and Peters.
Question: Where is our heritage and why has it not been displayed seven years since the written commitment by the board was made?


Strategic Vision
West Ham has had record revenues and European success in recent years but failed to build a sustainable long-term project.
Other comparable clubs (e.g., Aston Villa, Brighton, Spurs) have overtaken us through clear strategies, modern infrastructure, and reinvestment.
Current leadership relies on short-termism and PR spin, leaving no clear identity or long-term football vision or identity.
Question: What is the five-year vision for West Ham United on and off the pitch?


Fan Relations & Trust
Major decisions consistently made without meaningful supporter consultation (e.g., concessions, ticketing systems, safe standing).
U-turns only after fan campaigns and pressure – showing reactive rather than proactive leadership.
Lack of transparency and credibility in communications, with supporters often hearing excuses rather than strategic clarity.
Growing disconnect between leadership and supporter base.
Question: What structural changes will ensure genuine, timely and meaningful supporter engagement in future decision-making?


Squad Matters
Failure to appoint a proper Director of Football with autonomy; constant interference from ownership.
Transfers consistently delayed until late in windows, weakening the manager and leaving the playing squad short.
Weak academy pathway despite West Ham’s tradition.
No consistent sporting strategy; reliance on fire-fighting.
Question: What is the long-term footballing vision for recruitment, youth development, and European competitiveness?


FAB Closing Statement to Karren Brady/Tara Warren

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with us today.

We’ve been clear about the areas of mismanagement that concern supporters most — financial planning, governance, football strategy, our heritage, the stadium deal, ticketing, and the way fans are treated. These issues are not minor; they go to the heart of how this Club is being run.

Our position remains unchanged: the current leadership has lost the confidence of supporters. That confidence will only be rebuilt through real change — not words, not PR, but action.

We expect to see concrete steps where clear goals are set on governance reform, financial strategy, football operations, and fan engagement. Supporters will judge by transparent outcomes, not by promises. West Ham has a unique opportunity to grow and thrive, but it will only happen with modern leadership and genuine accountability. The FAB will continue to hold the Club to that standard on behalf of every supporter.

We want West Ham United to succeed, and that means changes at the top and a new way of running this football club. The time for short-term fixes has passed. It’s time for a clear, long-term vision that supporters can believe in.”



----------------------------------------------

The FAB is now awaiting answers to our questions and observations as to how the Club has and is being run from the very top. We expect that to be at the next FAB meeting that is being brought forward and is expected to be on the 23rd October 2025.

[Markeetee]

A comprehensive, balanced and powerful statement. Well done 1895 and all involved

Let's see what happens next (probably an attempted to paper over cracks with generic statements by the board, but who knows).

What does the next step after this look like? How do we dial up the pressure for change in an effective way... does that look like hitting shareholders in the pocket?

[The Old Mile End]

That is a very well balanced statement with pertinent questions. I notice that at no stage in their response did they refer to the letter as a “Vote of No confidence”! They are in denial.

I’m just another man in the street – but based on what happened before, I’d like to offer a little advice if I may.

IMHO I think it is paramount for all the groups involved to stay together on this. You must continue to meet amongst yourselves and establish relationships with all key personnel. You must speak as one.

Based on previous, the Baroness will try to divide the supporter groups and create doubt and mistrust amongst you. It is imperative to avoid any one group meeting on an individual basis with the club.

They will possibly employ all sorts of tactics to create a division. Requests to meet with one group alone due to such things as “legal”, or “health and safety requirements” or the like, must be resisted and made known to all other groups. Agree this amongst yourselves beforehand.

Don’t believe any info coming from the board about other groups being unable to attend a meeting for any reason. Check out each and every piece of info coming from the board and consult amongst all parties before proceeding. Avoid acting upon "urgent" requests.

So far all action has been measured and effective. This is a great start, it really is. BS must be made to feel uncomfortable for the action to succeed. This is gaining momentum but has a long way to go.

For many of us, this might be the last chance to bring about change. For the supporter groups concerned, it must be all for one – and one for all.

[Cornelius Beal]

[Albie Beck]

to further the link posted previously.....

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba ... 48637.html

“West Ham United recognises the views expressed in recent correspondence from supporter representatives on the Fan Advisory Board and wishes to reassure all supporters that we continue to listen to fan feedback and advise them on the steps we are taking for the future well-being of the football club*,” the statement read.

“We accept that results and performances on the pitch over the past two seasons have not met the standards we set for ourselves.

“Nobody at the club is satisfied with that, and the Board of Directors have spent a great deal of time looking at the decisions that have been made across the football operation, in order to inform an improved strategy going forward.

“Our focus now is firmly on the future and building a team that can once again compete consistently*** in domestic competitions and in Europe.**”

* and what would they be Mr. Sullivan and Ms. Brady ?
** so it's "now" and it wasn't "before" then ??
*** under your ownership when have we EVER competed consistently for anything ??? except maybe flirt with relegation time and time again.

shysters.

___
But once again they try and turn it back to "on the pitch" when in reality all that just flows from the overall debacle that B & S preside over.

[IABATAC]

This is the document presented to the club by the FAB at the recent meeting.

Excellent stuff 1895. The only thing missing was, "The prosecution rests, m'lud."

[Wembley1966]

That is a very well balanced statement with pertinent questions. I notice that at no stage in their response did they refer to the letter as a “Vote of No confidence”! They are in denial.

I’m just another man in the street – but based on what happened before, I’d like to offer a little advice if I may.

IMHO I think it is paramount for all the groups involved to stay together on this. You must continue to meet amongst yourselves and establish relationships with all key personnel. You must speak as one.

We are very united on this. There's virtually hourly communication between all the FAB members day and night and also liaison with other groups, podcasts, forums - even TikTokers.

[Roofhammer]

We are very united on this. There's virtually hourly communication between all the FAB members day and night and also liaison with other groups, podcasts, forums - even TikTokers.

Good posts from both you and Old Mile End, keep updating everyone and don’t let anyone or anything drive a wedge between us.

As one we’ll be at our strongest and our voice will become louder and we’ll gain more support.

[the pink palermo]

This is the document presented to the club by the FAB at the recent meeting. The questions have been summarised on various posts, this provides the full detail of what we presented and are expecting the club to respond to at the next FAB meeting in late October as promised in their recent comments.


Supporters concerns presented to the club

22nd September 2025

At the request of the Club, the West Ham United Fan Advisory Board met with Karren Brady and Tara Warren on Thursday 11th September 2025 to discuss the letter of no confidence that the FAB had issued to the Club. At that meeting, the following document was read out in full by a number of the FAB members.

----------------------------------------------



FAB Opening Statement to Karren Brady/Tara Warren

“Thank you for meeting with us today.

As you know, the Fan Advisory Board recently issued a letter of no confidence in the Chair and Vice-Chair. This was not done lightly. It reflects the depth of concern among supporters about the way West Ham United is being run.

We want to be clear: we are not here to score points. We are here because we care deeply about this Club, its future, and its supporters. But the current leadership has overseen repeated failures — in financial planning, football strategy, governance, and fan relations. These failures are holding West Ham back at a time when we should be moving forward.

Other clubs have shown what can be achieved with clear strategy, modern governance, and genuine supporter engagement. We believe West Ham deserves the same.

Today, we will raise specific areas of mismanagement and ask direct questions about how the Club intends to address them. Our goal is simple: to see West Ham United governed competently, transparently, and in the best interests of its supporters and its future.

This is a pivotal moment. The Club can either continue down a path of short-term fixes and eroded trust, or it can embrace change and build something lasting. Supporters will back the latter every time.”

Leadership & Governance
The Chairman and Vice-Chair retain disproportionate power with no evidence of modern governance standards.
Any organisation of this size and importance would have a full time CEO.
No apparent succession plan in place; senior football decisions concentrated in too few hands.
FAB and supporter consultation often treated as a tick-box exercise rather than genuine engagement.
Question: When will the Club move to a professional governance model (CEO + Director of Football with autonomy)?


Financial Strategy & PSR Failures
Club cites Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) as blocking transfers, yet revenues are at record levels and three-year rolling profits/losses indicating significant financial headroom to comply with PSR.
Poor allocation of funds on wages, agents, and short-term fixes instead of sustainable squad building short-term fixes instead of sustainable squad investment.
Lack of forward planning has forced reactive sales and late transfer business. A pattern of fire-sale player trading and last-minute recruitment reflects poor long-term financial stewardship.
Question: What credible financial strategy will prevent further PSR breaches and enable consistent squad investment?


Commercial & Stadium Strategy
The “Deal of the Century” on the London Stadium has saddled fans with a soulless environment and a poor matchday experience.
The stadium concession deal; catering, stewarding and inability to make changes because of athletics
The women’s team excluded from the stadium deal – a contradiction of the Club’s stated commitment to equality.
Ticketing changes (concessions, ID checks, away schemes) undermine loyalty.
Question: How will the Club balance revenue generation with fan experience, inclusion, and equality?


Heritage & Culture
West Ham United was deeply rooted in the East End of London yet we now have ‘London’ on our crest much to the disappointment of so many of our supporters.
In the letter of 21.2.2018 from the Vice Chair on behalf of the board the Club ‘committed to finding a location for a permanent museum style display that enables the Club to showcase its incredible collection of over 1000 items of memorabilia currently in storage’. This has not been delivered.
The Club committed to display the entire Bobby Moore collection as well as those of Hurst and Peters.
Question: Where is our heritage and why has it not been displayed seven years since the written commitment by the board was made?


Strategic Vision
West Ham has had record revenues and European success in recent years but failed to build a sustainable long-term project.
Other comparable clubs (e.g., Aston Villa, Brighton, Spurs) have overtaken us through clear strategies, modern infrastructure, and reinvestment.
Current leadership relies on short-termism and PR spin, leaving no clear identity or long-term football vision or identity.
Question: What is the five-year vision for West Ham United on and off the pitch?


Fan Relations & Trust
Major decisions consistently made without meaningful supporter consultation (e.g., concessions, ticketing systems, safe standing).
U-turns only after fan campaigns and pressure – showing reactive rather than proactive leadership.
Lack of transparency and credibility in communications, with supporters often hearing excuses rather than strategic clarity.
Growing disconnect between leadership and supporter base.
Question: What structural changes will ensure genuine, timely and meaningful supporter engagement in future decision-making?


Squad Matters
Failure to appoint a proper Director of Football with autonomy; constant interference from ownership.
Transfers consistently delayed until late in windows, weakening the manager and leaving the playing squad short.
Weak academy pathway despite West Ham’s tradition.
No consistent sporting strategy; reliance on fire-fighting.
Question: What is the long-term footballing vision for recruitment, youth development, and European competitiveness?


FAB Closing Statement to Karren Brady/Tara Warren

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with us today.

We’ve been clear about the areas of mismanagement that concern supporters most — financial planning, governance, football strategy, our heritage, the stadium deal, ticketing, and the way fans are treated. These issues are not minor; they go to the heart of how this Club is being run.

Our position remains unchanged: the current leadership has lost the confidence of supporters. That confidence will only be rebuilt through real change — not words, not PR, but action.

We expect to see concrete steps where clear goals are set on governance reform, financial strategy, football operations, and fan engagement. Supporters will judge by transparent outcomes, not by promises. West Ham has a unique opportunity to grow and thrive, but it will only happen with modern leadership and genuine accountability. The FAB will continue to hold the Club to that standard on behalf of every supporter.

We want West Ham United to succeed, and that means changes at the top and a new way of running this football club. The time for short-term fixes has passed. It’s time for a clear, long-term vision that supporters can believe in.”



----------------------------------------------

The FAB is now awaiting answers to our questions and observations as to how the Club has and is being run from the very top. We expect that to be at the next FAB meeting that is being brought forward and is expected to be on the 23rd October 2025.

Normally, for ease of reading, I would truncate a post like this when quoting, but in this case that would not be appropriate.

These 7 key areas, with a specific question asked by the F.A.B. to be answered by the club get right to the heart of the issues the club has.

I note there is a F.A.B. meeting due on 23/10, three days after the Brentford game.The club will be aware there is a boycott being called for that fixture, which, if nothing else should focus the club on the seriousness of the situation.

None of the comments, nor the questions presented by the F.A.B. are in any way unreasonable. They are exactly the sort of questions senior business leaders should expect to be asked at any kind of feedback session.

They're serious, thoughtful questions, they deserve serious thoughtful answers.

A reminder to all : the F.A.B. is the clubs recognised channel for supporter dialogue and consultation. It was established in a process overseen by the club.

The F.A.B. have illustrated they are capable of communicating in a professional way, let us hope the club reads the room and reciprocates.

[Albie Beck]

...
The F.A.B. have illustrated they are capable of communicating in a professional way, let us hope the club reads the room and reciprocates.

It's a bit of a litmus test for the club, pinky.

[aboogers]

As a visual message, I think it'd be great to reclaim the old badge somehow. Maybe to only use that one on banners, flags etc. Increasingly I am only wearing west ham tops etc with the old crest. The new badge with the 'London' on it is very symbolic of everything I hate about what the club has become. The castle symbolises the Boleyn, and our spiritual home. As well, although there's nothing I like about the Manchester 'United', I do think using the green/yellow colour scheme as an anti-Glazer protest is a very visible and effective thing that TV cameras pick up on, I wonder if there's an alternative colour scheme could use, though I know people have talked about the black balloons and such.

[westhamdub2]

As a visual message, I think it'd be great to reclaim the old badge somehow.

I'll leave it those who know better about organising these campaigns but I do think there would be something symbolic about reclaiming the old badge.

However I could also see the club being happy to change the badge back as a cheap solution to avoid the many other issues!

[aboogers]

Absolutely, I'm sure they know what they're doing, I'm fully on board and really impressed with everything they've done so far. I was just thinking out loud really. Amazing work so far.

[The Old Mile End]

We are very united on this. There's virtually hourly communication between all the FAB members day and night and also liaison with other groups, podcasts, forums - even TikTokers.

That really is comforting to hear. Well done to you all and Keep up the good work.

[The Old Mile End]

Question: Where is our heritage and why has it not been displayed seven years since the written commitment by the board was made?

The older I get, the more this type of thing really rankles with me. I have never worn the "London" badge, and never will. The auction of items from the Boleyn was disgusting in my view. They sold things they didn't even own. I wasn't previously aware of the "commitment" above. Their failure to secure a suitable location to display the collection after seven years speaks volumes for their true commitment - they have none. They are never pro-active and truly do not care about our history and heritage. KB has been quoted as saying we had no culture until they came along. She also told us when history would begin.

If they really wanted to display the collection, they would have found a way by now. They will have their excuses and as always, everything will be in the too hard basket. The reality is, these things mean nothing to them.

[Believer]

However I could also see the club being happy to change the badge back as a cheap solution to avoid the many other issues!

Yep me too cos it would cost very little money to change a few stickers at the dome and Rush Green.

Ironically, it would cost them nothing to replace Brady. In fact, I’d wager, they’d save money. A DoF and a CEO surely wouldn’t cost as much between them as she costs ?

[Up the Junction]

Seven key questions: strategy and PSR (by The Pink Palermo)
https://www.kumb.com/article.php?id=45201

[1895Hammer]

Seven key questions: strategy and PSR (by The Pink Palermo)
https://www.kumb.com/article.php?id=45201

Excellent as usual Pinky, let’s hope all is revealed on 23rd October at the next FAB meeting.