West Ham ‘making a mockery’ of their own fans as £41m plot emerges

West Ham risk invoking the wrath of their own supporters with their latest financial decision.

The relationship between the fans and the board at the London Stadium has often been fractious.

But things have arguably cooled somewhat after a few years of relative success on the pitch under David Moyes.

However, one issue of contention that has remained throughout has been the London Stadium, with many supporters still not feeling like the 68,000-seater arena is the club’s true home

And the latest news from East London has further upset a section of fans who say they are becoming increasingly disenfranchised.

Supporters rage against season ticket price hike

A new policy fromWest Ham dictates that concession season ticket holders (i.e. children or older supporters) must move to what detractors see as less accessible areas of the stadium.

The alternative is to pay full price to remain in their current seats.

In a lengthy statement, the supporter group Hammers United said: “We believe the Club’s policies are unfair and make a mockery of its regular, self congratulatory boastings of being the home of affordable football.”

The group has also proposed a boycott of club merchandise and sponsors, as well as launching a petition against the new initiative.

New West Ham scheme is part of £41m cash grab

It appears that the latest move is part of West Ham’s plan to increase their matchday revenue.

The Hammers banked £41m through the turnstiles in 2022-23, which was a club record.

Any upswing in ticketing revenue achieved by the latest pricing structure would only be minimal, however.

And there are a number of other ways that West Ham could increase their income in this department.

A naming rights has long been mooted at the London Stadium, although they would only be entitled to around half of the proceeds because they do not own the arena.

But they could even use the recent departure of a number of key figures from LLDC, the company responsible for running the stadium, to buy the ground outright.

Improving the matchday and hospitality experience is another route that many clubs are now making a priority to raise their earning potential.