Hammers fans demand Olympic Stadium ballot

Posted on 15th November 2011

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A group of West Ham United fans have demanded the club’s hierarchy conduct a ballot of season ticket holders and members to determine whether the Hammers should move to the Olympic Stadium. WHU’s View is open to fans who back or oppose the move and its sole purpose is to secure the right for fans to vote on the move. Hammers fans can register their support here.

The group was set up following the announcement by the Olympic Park Legacy Committee on 11th October that West Ham’s bid to move had been unsuccessful and that a new bidding process was to take place. WHU’s View want to see the club hold an independently audited ballot of season ticket holders and members before it submits a new proposal to move in January.

WHU’s View wrote an open letter to the club back on 24th October arguing that when Gold and Sullivan took over the club they made a pledge to consult with fans. The Hammers responded that “as the process moves on there will never be a better time for consultation to help inform our decisions going forward”. But WHU’s View say that there has been no real consultation with supporters to date.

“We wish to repeat that we are not against a move to the Olympic Stadium. We are campaigning on the single issue of balloting fans prior to bidding, in what remains the biggest decision facing our club in its history. Since our formation we have received significant support and there is clearly a desire amongst fans to have their say,” say WHU’s View.

“We respect the fact that the owners have invested their own money and that any financial decision rests with them. However, we ask that their pledge to consult is honoured by way of polling before bidding. If the club cannot commit to a full, independently audited ballot of season ticket holders and members WHU’s View will carry out its own poll prior to the bid with the support and backing of many fans.”

The Football Supporters’ Federation believes that any club’s stadium move should only take place with the backing of its fans. As West Ham United acknowledge, supporters are the heartbeat of the club and deserve a say in its future. Talk of “consultation” by the Hammers is meaningless if the club plan on moving to the Olympic Stadium without holding a full, free, and fair ballot of supporters.