Long-suffering season-ticket holders have expressed outrage at West Ham United's attempts to evade the granting of a substantial discount on tickets for the 2012/13 season.
The club promised the 20 per cent discount back in a series of communications back in 2009, including statements in the 2009/10 season ticket renewal pack, direct emails to supporters and a confirmation of the offer on the club’s website (see below), the archive copy of which has been removed.However, supporters were today contacted by email in which the Club appears to have backtracked on the offer.
The club’s email referred to the offer as a "'statement' made by the people whose irresponsible actions have caused our current financial predicament" and predicts that the granting of the discount would have "a grave effect on the Club’s financial health" were it to go ahead.
The email goes on to make an alternative offer of a five per cent discount each year over the next four years, an offer that would be legally binding on the club if accepted.
However, a legal expert KUMB.com spoke to this evening was not impressed by the latest communication and told us: "The existence of a new offer from the club of this nature does not absolve them from their responsibilities in relation to the old deal.
"The fact that the original offer was made at a time when the club had different shareholders is totally irrelevant as season ticket holders contract with the club not individuals.
"Anyone who has renewed season tickets since 2009 on the understanding that the full 20 per cent discount would be granted for 2012/13 should still be legally entitled to that discount.
"It is notable that the latest communication does not inform customers of this fact, but anyone who believes that they are entitled to the original discount should be entitled to reject the new offer in favour of the old, or there may be a case for action under civil law for breach of contract.
"There may also be breaches of consumer protection regulations to consider."
The club's original pledge that was recently removed from whufc.com
We’ll have more on this story as it develops. To see how season ticket holders have reacted to the news, visit the KUMB.com forum.
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