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On Saturday, 10th March, a 66th minute strike from Ashley Barnes put Burnley ahead against a West Ham United side who had suffered back to back 4-1 away defeats. The already tense atmosphere inside the London Stadium quickly became toxic.
In the wake of this, several fans invaded the pitch and hundreds gathered outside the owner’s box to make their feelings known. Two further Burnley goals would only add to the carnage, and by 80 minutes, chants of ‘We’re not West Ham anymore’ rang around a then half empty stadium. The move which promised to thrust West Ham into the spotlight has been a disaster from day one. But what exactly is the reasoning behind the protests?
Go back a little less than two years and the state of the club was very different. The club had just said farewell to their beloved home of over a century, Upton Park, with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Manchester United. West Ham would finish 7th that season, just four points off the Champions League places.
Fans can't be blamed entirely for the atmosphere
It is easy to look at the events of last month and blame the West Ham fans involved in the incidents at the London Stadium. In fact, I’ve heard many saying ‘Same old West Ham’ and ‘Who do West Ham fans think they are? Well if truth be told I don’t think West Ham fans know who they are right now.
Their identity has been taken away, and the results promised have not come with it. The next level was something Gold, Brady and Sullivan repeated so many times when the move was in progress. It was meant to elevate West Ham to the Champions League, but it has had the opposite effect and they are now starring down the barrel of Championship football in a 56,000 seat stadium.
Ask any West Ham fan and they will tell you they are not a successful club. They haven’t won a major trophy since 1980. In the Premier League era, there have been two relegations and only twice have they finished inside the top 7. So, why is there so much discontent now? It is the broken promises of the board that have led to the anger.
The first year at the London Stadium generated £41 million profit for the board. Estimations have valued the club at about £300-400 million in terms of profit. But, why in two years and four transfer windows has there been a net spend of £29 million? This is the question West Ham fans want answered. At the moment in their eyes it is being run as business as opposed to a football club.
So maybe the protests are needed. There will never be justification for fans running on the pitch during a game but the events of last month have certainly made a point. The future of ownership of the club may be out of their hands but one thing the fans must do is be United says in the clubs name and nature.
Could West Ham be heading down the same path of similar sized clubs such as Blackpool, Portsmouth and Sunderland? Could it perhaps be even worse? It is certainly not pretty in the east end of London and until David Sullivan puts his money where his mouth is, it is hard to see an imminent change in fortunes.
