West Ham Online

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑29 May 2025, 21:41 The Bowl is horrific and so against everything we used to be about. Miles away still from the pitch, huge gaps between both the upper and lower tiers for 3 sides of the Stadium. It's a total bodge job held together still on temporary scaffolding as opposed to the 'state of the art' retractable lower tier seating, the lying cunts. They've then filled the concourse with overpriced Americanised Popcorn, Hotdogs, candy floss, Dorito stands etc catered more towards Tourists everywhere you go inside and outside the Meccano Set Stadium.

The whole experience has sucked the life out of a once passionate fanbase that only really gets excited when some obscure DJ for fuck sake tries desperately in vein to whip up a manufactured atmosphere. And just because some others do similar like the copycat DJ shit - although they have purpose built Football Stadiums - it doesn't mean we have to follow suit.

We used to pride ourselves on being different to others but now we have just become a neutered fanbase with many now deciding they've had enough of it. Good luck to anyone who somehow genuinely enjoys going there, however I think it's utter wank the damage they have done since "The worst Stadium migration in history".

As for paying for a new rebuild? That's not my concern, although the vast amounts of money saved/generated since moving with next to no debts last I read, I'm sure a new Billionaire Owner could manage to somehow finance it if they were able to cancel the lease. But again, highly doubtful whilst BS are still there with their noses buried deep in the London Stadium trough..    

 

WHUDeano wrote: ↑29 May 2025, 16:50 What Sullivan’s done to us is a travesty, as bad as what Pete Winkelman did with MK Dons and Wimbledon, only sneakier and more underhanded.

My dad started going to games in the mid-60s, home and away, which was pretty rare back then by all accounts. I had a season ticket from the age of 7. My first game was a Boxing Day 2-1 win over Oldham, the season we should’ve won the league but ended up second after Neil Warnock’s Notts County beat us with a double from Mark Draper (vivid memories!). Oldham then scored a last-minute penalty against Sheffield Wednesday to win 3-2 and win the league - a real sign of what was to come in the years ahead!All of my dad’s mates went too, year after year.

I was brought along, as were a few of the other young lads. Between my dad and me, one of us has been at every important West Ham match since 1964. But now, neither of us go. The last of my dad’s old mates, now in his late 60s, just said he’s packing it in, he can’t face the home games anymore. As for my all my own mates who used to go home and away for years and years? I think maybe one still has a season ticket.

My 9-year-old is obsessed with football, so for the past few years, I’ve been taking him to away games when I can, thanks to a good man on WHO who’s passed on his ticket when he can’t make it to ones near me.Eventually, I gave in and took my son to his first home game. I’d overheard him telling his mates that his dad won’t ever take him because he hates the ground. We went to the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth this season. It was a good day overall, and I’ll admit the stadium felt a bit better than it did four years ago when I last went. But still, it’s not us. It’s not West Ham anymore.

It was my first time in the lower tier. In the past, I’d always been higher up, and I refused to take my little boy along unless it was close to the pitch. A small group of Chicken Run lads were near us - proper throwback. Everyone shaking hands, chatting about holidays, it was great to see that kind of spirit still exists in pockets. But also around us? Overseas tourists, everywhere. I couldn’t believe it - just didn't expect it in the lower tier. At halftime I went to get a drink for my boy, and he spotted a waffle stand. Seven quid a waffle - with 15-20 Americans queuing. It blew my mind.

Surely now is the time to set up a new non-league club, before the older generation are too old, and before the younger hardcore fans become too disillusioned. I’d be up for it, if someone had the time and energy to get it off the ground. Doesn’t matter what level, just 11 players in claret and blue, playing for West Ham, and proper West Ham fans watching.

Aways are the last stand for the real fans, but even that's changing, younger supporters glued to Bet365, losing that deeper connection, everyone singing the same songs. In 6 or 7 years, we’ll have a wave of late-teen fans who’ve never known real West Ham. My son was born the year we left Upton Park, he’s a part of the first generation brought up with the bowl as our home. Until recently, I’d only taken him to old-school grounds, City Ground, Goodison, Villa Park, and even he noticed the difference. He understood despite his young age.

If something’s going to happen, a chance to bring the hardcore back together - now is the moment. Now or never really. Even just a proper space in East London, where old-school fans can meet, have a pint, cheer on a team, and maybe hope that someone comes in who actually respects our history. Even if it’s not the Premier League, at least we’d still be together. And who knows, maybe one day we’d all go back together.But right now? It feels like we have reached the end of West Ham, at least as we knew it. I’ll still support us. My son will too. But he won’t go like I did. And as the generations pass, the passion will fade. Then like my dreams indeed. 

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑29 May 2025, 14:56

Django wrote: ↑29 May 2025, 14:34

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑28 May 2025, 19:51

 

Well done on renewing your Blue Badge. 

I have a Blue Badge. What’s your point of using this as an insult? 

 

What's the point when others use the insult 'spaz' etc on here? Plenty gets said and a lot worse, so dont take it to heart dear.

Django wrote: ↑29 May 2025, 14:34

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑28 May 2025, 19:51

Ladysmith wrote: ↑28 May 2025, 19:50 Renewed!

 

Well done on renewing your Blue Badge. 

I have a Blue Badge. What’s your point of using this as an insult?