A selection of your responses to the news that KUMB.com will no longer be allowed access to first team post match press conferences ...
"This is a disgrace, I'm sure I'm not alone in relishing reading the manager's comments in full after the game on this website. Now where are we supposed to turn? Heavily edited versions from media outlets such as the official club site?Ridiculous, I will be looking to address my disgust with the club that have stooped to favouring tabloid journalists over the fans."
- Jim
"Unbelievable! I'm stuck out in Hong Kong, knowing that the best place to find out what’s really happening back at Upton Park is KUMB and now they've silenced you! Outrageous, you guys are the true voice of the fans.
I check out your website all the time for accurate updates, which in my opinion are never available in the press. That press officer has no clue what fans overseas want! Keep trying fellas, I’m sure they’ll change their mind if you set up an online petition proving how many people rely on your straight-talking updates."
- Bill
"This is very disappointing but why am I not surprised. I have worked on hospital radio in the past and WHU were the worst for allowing press passes etc.
I heard from a close source that Phil Parkes, once one of the hosts in the hospitality area at UP for some seasons came along for the first game of the season only to be told his services are no longer required … they didn’t have the decency to let him know before making the journey from Berkshire.
The story also goes that he asked to see the match and was asked did he have a ticket? If they can treat one of our true heroes in such a manner guess what they really think of us!"
- Celtic Hammer
"Sorry to hear that. I've had to deal with Ms. Nagalingham before and actually thought she was alright, but this is just ridiculous. Why wouldn't you want to support a website that spreads reliable team news (often before anywhere else) and probably gets more hits than whufc.com!?
Seems like WHU will never be the same as it used to be..."
- Jack (Centenary Stand Lower)
"Time to start mailing yourcomments@westhamunited.co.uk and let them know what we think of that decision!"
- Chris
"I think this is just another nail in the coffin for the ordinary fan. Don't you think the real reason West Ham baned KUMB from the press conference is because it conflicts with Pravda's (whufc.com) 'Manager on Monday' column?
It's getting to the stage now where the ordinary fans view on things doesn't mean nothing at all. It's like you've never played the game so your opinion is worthless regardless. I think many who view KUMB come to this site to get an unbiased view on matters unlike on Pravda where everything is always cheerful & rosy (the sun never sets). Come on Eggert, get KUMB reinstated."
- Tell it how it is Charley!
"Absolutely disgusting! How are you NOT a recognised media source? Are they actually DOING any media evaluation? On a pounds per column inch basis they're getting a great deal from KUMB and most of it is positive. Truly, they don't know what they're doing!"
- Joy Baker
"You would think the club would be grateful that during the 'Tevez Saga' there was one reliable independent source of the truth, and it wasn't the 'accredited' media. This borders on contempt for the Hammers fans who keep the club in business.
Keep up the good work KUMB, the best source of Hammers news I have read."
- Phil
"I'm very upset about KUMB's ban from the press conferences. The reasons you were given are a shame for the club. The official website can't compete with KUMB, e.g. you cannot find the Player's Profiles of Solano and Camara on the WHUFC site!"
- Rapidhammer
"Eggy,
Sort this out. Get KUMB back in now."
- Mark Day
"This is so stupid. Considering that we dont get any information from the club at all about injuries it seems silly to me that the club is stopping this website getting any sort of information.
It's the same with OLAS as well. I see that they've been banned from the press box. Why can't we, the fans, know after a game what our players thought of the match? Interesting about Phil Parkes; I was in the same suite as him and I wondered why he hadn't been this season."
- Mark Speller
"Not a great fan of petitions... but how about a petition?"
- Steve Ward
"Brilliant. I read your post after every match, as I feel your view is a little more homely and with more detail than all the other reports, including WHUFC official pages. Its a crime not to let you in and a let down to all the supporters."
- Michael Conway
"What a great shame. We get very little information from the official club website and depend upon yourselves and Neville on the other website to keep us informed. What a strange way to treat your friends ..."
- David Lee
"Money matters. Seems the Icelanders want to tighten their grip in subtle ways to make more money. The only reason they would do this is to try to deflect a few more fans from this site to the official site, which incidentally has a online shop and advertising? It's a sad day for football when the people in charge only care about money, not the club."
- Owen
"An utter disgrace and if there's some way of raising a petition to protest about this it should be done. Whatever reasons the club have this is another great way of alienating the fans."
- Big Chris
"I'm a fan from Switzerland and this site is an important way to get any useful information about the stats and facts from the club. I'm really disappointed that the offical site don't allow any insider information for the essential fan-groups of the club! The club needs the fans, so don't destroy the relationship."
- Patrick Weber
"You do a great job and this seems petty and small minded on the part of the club. Very disappointing."
- Simon Kelly
"Of all the stupid decisions from the club in recent years, this one has got to be up there with them. Come on Eggy, get a grip, and get KUMB back in, I for one want to read the inside story without the newspapers bias."
- Mark Nunnery
"Disgrace! That's what it is ... big business taking over and controlling all output to ensure the club is shown in a great light. We cannot have bad press or comments as it will affect the status of the club; only good news will do. The nail in the coffin was the article on the club's charges for various money grabbing exercises (train with the stars, stadium tours etc). Come on Eggy get a grip."
- Julio Cocknio
"Maybe it's Eggy on our face as the Politburo take command ..."
- Paul Daley
"I work as a freelance cameraman for various tv companies including ITV and have experienced first hand the stand-offishness of our beloved club's press officer. There is an abuse of power going on here (it's similar at Chelsea and Arsenal btw) and while I understand the need to protect secrecy of tactics and plans, the press department at West Ham has lost touch with what's important... information to the fans via the press (KUMB being one of the most important and respected sources).
I think that for some people a little power goes to their heads and before you know it they wield it against the very people they are supposed to be there to facilitate. You have to walk on egg shells and kow tow to get any kind of access at West Ham (unless it suits them to get some exposure about something) and often access is withdrawn without warning for no apparent reason as seems to have happened to KUMB. It's unhelpful, pointless and not what a football club should be about!"
- Jim Clarke
"I, for one, will be sending an email to WHUFC to show my disgust at how you have been treated.
I have my own Weblog (C'Mon Yu Irons) and always look to KUMB for inspiration and help in managing my site."
- Rooster
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