West Ham United
Independent Supporters' Committee
West Ham United Supporters Representatives Fan Advisory Board Statement
20th February 2025
The supporters representatives on the West Ham United Fan Advisory Board (FAB) are deeply committed to representing the views and interests of the supporters who are the heart and soul of our football club.
Recent comments from Karren Brady, Vice Chair of West Ham United, made on the Sky Sports News interview/podcast regarding fans’ reluctance to embrace change have sparked concern among the supporters we represent.
While we fully acknowledge and appreciate the Club’s progress on and off the pitch, and the continued annual London tax payer subsidy for the stadium that the Club enjoys, it is essential to recognise that change, particularly in football, must be a two-way process built on trust, dialogue, and a shared vision between the Club and its supporters. It is a matter of continued disappointment to supporters that the London Stadium continues to be voted the worst in the Premier League season after season by away supporters. The Club may feel the move is progression, we feel that true fans of football will disagree.
The most recent removal of price concessions is a change that appears to be the antithesis of what our Vice Chair seemed to be inferring in that interview. Concessions for the elderly, for the disabled and for children have existed for literally generations of West Ham United supporters and the regularly-quoted marketing strap line of ‘cheapest adult season ticket in the premiership’, does not address this when those season tickets are undesirable and inaccessible in both availability and location. We do not see this change as positive for our loyal fan base in any way, nor should they accept them as the inevitability of progress as inferred by Lady Brady.
West Ham fans have a deep connection to our history, identity, and traditions. When changes impact the entire matchday experience, ticketing pricing and age and disability concessions, the stadium atmosphere, or the long-term direction of the Club, it is natural for supporters to seek reassurance that these changes align with the best interests of the supporters and our community. Embracing change does not and cannot mean unquestioning acceptance, it means engaging in meaningful consultation where supporters feel heard, valued, and respected.
The supporters representatives on the FAB remain committed to working constructively with the Club to ensure that supporter concerns are taken seriously, and that the relationship between West Ham United and its supporters can be one of mutual respect and understanding.
We look forward to the forthcoming Football Governance Bill and the continued engagement with the Club’s leadership that it demands, ensuring all decisions, whether about the stadium, ticketing, or the wider future and vision for West Ham United are made with the voices of the fans at their core.
West Ham United Supporters Representatives on the Fan Advisory Board
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