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epsom 10:08 Tue Aug 23
Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

http://www.coyi-seatexchange.co.uk/map.php
Posted this originally under the Evening Standard thread, but believe it needs its own title.

Made my first trip on Sunday to the OS and i agree with some aspects of the Evening Standard article, describing the stadium as soulless. To set the record straight I have been a firm believer in the move to the new stadium as it will give us the platform going forward.
For background I had season tickets for many years in the Lower East Stand, front row midway between half way line and Goal at the STB end. Always sat, loads of passion, humour, energy, occasional singing every match and felt I was involved. Been going to West Ham now for nearly 40 years.
This season I am in the 1966 area, block 135 and it feels semi corporate, no singing, did not hear the C word once in the first 45 minutes. (probably the first time in 40 years at West Ham)

Heard a grown man use the word "wally" a number of times when singling out a player who fucked up, and that was the strongest it got. No singing, no passion, no abuse towards the ref, someone on his emails for the majority of the match, to be honest it did not feel like West Ham and when I did stand up and join in a song, I felt totally out of place.
The people around me are nice, they are used to a quieter day out watching the game, not really participating in the way I have been used to. A number of people around me were ex West Stand for many years and they have become used to their day out. I am not criticising them. In the end I left my seats at about the 60 minute mark as I was just not enjoying the surroundings and to be honest there was no atmosphere and a sense of antagonism building up towards some of us that stood up occasionally to sing.

Moved down to block 140 and stood in a disabled bay, where the people in front were singing and generating some atmosphere. Felt so much more better here and started to really enjoy the game and when Antonio scored the place erupted.

Concerned that if the club does not address this migration issue from the old to the new, then the sterile nature of the stadium may remain, which will make us vulnerable on the pitch.

My suggestion is to implement a seat swap scheme which the club administers where we can volunteer to move with a from and to location over a 2 week period and the club try to either administer this or allow the supporters to move with the club facilitating the process and completing the paperwork. Re changes in prices of seats, we agree to pay an admin charge of 10 pounds to change and the cost of the seat as paid at the start of the season remains with the new prices kicking in next season. We could even go in early one saturday and have a good look round at the proposed new seats to get a feel.

In addition the club can define the blocks based on current perceptions such as:
Family
Singing
Non singing
to help manage expectations etc.

They have got a lot right on the move, the facilities are a step up from the Boleyn, but we have lost some atmosphere along the way, I know its early days, however I feel this seat swap change would complete the move and allow all of us to have something to really enjoy.

I will not continue to go to games if I have to sit in block 135, its just not for me. I have nothing against the people there, its just our expectations are different and they are enjoying the game supporting the club in the way they wish to. Its just not for me and I respect that they are enjoying the game in the manner they want and supporting the club in their way.

As an FYI, I could not attend the Westfield Centre to choose my seat and had to do this over the phone. Its my responsibility that I have this seat, not blaming the club at all, however I sense that there are a few supporters that would like to change seats now we have had a chance to try it out for real. I am at the Astra game this week, but will join some friends in one of the more atmospheric parts of the ground rather than sit in block 135 again.

Loved having a beer in the ground before and at half time, love the freedom to move around the stadium and the view overall.

We can turn this stadium into a passionate west ham ified arena and use the extra supporters to give the team an edge.

Have emailed the club via the founders feedback as suggested by Charoo to suggest the above. Would appreciate feedback and views and how else to engage the club if people support this approach.

Thanks for feedback from Lily Hammer, Charoo, Chester Rd, Johnson, WHU(Exeter), Far Cough, Sven Roeder, Hammer and Pickle to original post in Evening Standard thread.

Far Cough 10:13 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

Yes I'm interested, for anyone that wants to know, my seat is very front row by the left hand corner flag in the Bobby Moore

Eggbert Nobacon 10:13 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

is a great idea

El Scorchio 10:17 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

It's a good idea. If the club don't/can't do anything about it (I suppose they can't be seen to 'advocate' standing in any form, which this would be) then perhaps just set up a simple website/forum where people can list where they are and how many tickets they are after swapping?

I think it's in the club's interests. It'll save a lot of hassle and potential bad PR

El Scorchio 10:19 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

but I have to say, I'm not sure now raucous you should have expected the 1966 seats to be when choosing.

It's the other end of the same stick as people who chose seats in the BML without thinking what the atmosphere would be like in there.

Jack_El_Biscuit 10:21 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

I think someone on KUMB has already set up a website for this very purpose.

eastham75 10:33 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

Cracking idea

Charoo 10:36 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

This isn't about standing, sitting, swearing, stairs or anything exclusively, this is about not enjoying your match day experience and wanting the opportunity to at least have the choice of swapping with someone else who is unhappy, so that your match day experience is hopefully somewhat better.

I wrote to club about this yesterday because my parents who are late 60's early 70's were sold tickets that "didn't have many stairs"- just the 120 odd now they are there.

Now they aren't moaning, it is what it is and they are both physically fit - however they have been Mis sold - so it begs the question of how many others have too? Judging by the heart attacks waiting to happen around me in the West upper probably quite a lot.

Where I sit is good with me, my mate brings his 2 boys so it works and the West Upper at Upton Park wasn't the bastion of liveliness so we knew what we were getting. Although I'd love my Bobby Moore Upton Park upper seat back, that just isn't going to happen at the LS so I will adapt to what I now have.

However other parts of the ground aren't as such and people should have the option to swap with other unhappy fans.

The club needs to not be arrogant about this and offer an opportunity to disappointed fans to at least try and make people happy.

Dan M 10:36 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

http://www.westham-seatexchange.co.uk/

Far Cough 10:38 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

Excellent stuff Dan, it even has a color coded stadium plan

Dan M 10:41 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

I had a chat with someone in ticketing over a coffee the other day. As it stands they won't officially be creating a seatswap scheme, but when renewal time comes there will be some sort of system in place (much as there was at The Boleyn).

Good to see a shout out for 140: the home of the ITBS gang of 22.

epsom 10:42 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

Dan M 10:36 Tue Aug 23

Thanks Dan

Dan M 10:43 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

Yr welcome, but I'm not involved with it. Saw it on TWITTER.

Josh 10:44 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

Fantastic effort - I'll share to those moaning on twitter.

Johnson 10:49 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

Let's hope those moaning will have the good grace to move to the upper tier or front rows.

My guess is they won't as "why should they?".

Hope it works though.

Far Cough 10:54 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

Could a mod please add the map into the opening post from the link Dan posted?

penners28 10:57 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

what a brillianty idea. swapping over like for like bands is easy as I did it last year with my daughters seat. just find someone who wants to swap and go ticket office. they just refund each one, then use the credit to rebuy the other one.

dealcanvey 11:01 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

It's a good idea. It is also something the club should of done when people were choosing a seat.

Rossal 11:19 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

Great idea. Two fans going from unhappy to happier, everyone's a winner.

Far Cough 11:20 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

Cheers Mod

11MDE 11:22 Tue Aug 23
Re: Introducing a Seat Swap Scheme for anyone not happy at the OS

Great idea.

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