The FAB met the new Interim CEO, Karim Virani, at the stadium last night, with all constituent groups represented either in person or via video link.
Years of experience have unfortunately given the FAB a fairly cynical view of dealings with our club, and of course actions speak louder than words, but it’s fair to say last night suggested a new approach, a realisation the club is nothing without supporters, an acceptance bridges need to be built, and an apparent willingness to treat the FAB, and its many thousands of constituent members, as valued partners. We stated that the club should not only need the supporters, but want them. That was met with complete agreement.
Karim is keen the days of stiff formal meetings being the only form of interaction become history, he talks about more frequent, often informal discussion, and clearly sees the value of collaboration, and an acceptance the club doesn’t have all the answers. We pointed out that because of the lack of trust, meeting minutes needed to be comprehensive so that supporters could see that the FAB were asking the right questions and demanding clear and unequivocal answers.
We have to be realistic, the club is a business, and currently a business under severe pressure, and that’s restricted some projects. As ever last night’s meeting was subject to the usual confidentiality agreement but despite the clouds on the horizon the club gave us an indication of some potential positive news around ticketing that will be appreciated by our supporters, not finalised yet but certainly positive. And that, relatively unprompted, although consistently requested and negotiated, is very much a first in recent relations.
We were also pleased to hear the club has listened to supporters’ comment on the impending Arsenal fixture and Karim confirmed Ray Parlour will not be hosting any hospitality event.
Karim Virani is actually a West Ham United supporter, his family are fans, he seems to get us. He has one hell of a job on his hands, but is starting with a sense of realism, understanding and determination far more aligned to our supporter culture than ever seen from his immediate predecessors.
The next couple of weeks are of course critical to our club’s immediate future, league status and ultimate ownership are the subject of daily speculation, let’s see what transpires. But last night hinted at words not often heard after these meetings “ hope and optimism ”, plus a desire to return much of the proud family sense of belonging and identity that made us pretty unique until recent years.
Welcome home Karim, treat us with honesty and respect and you’ll be repaid a thousand times over. We might even get our club back, the real West Ham, and that’s worth any amount of effort, from all of us.