West Ham owners respond to fan unrest in lengthy statement

West Ham’s owners have responded to growing fan unrest by acknowledging in a statement that the club has fallen below expected standards.

West Ham’s official fan advisory board, which represents more than 25,000 supporters, issued a vote of no confidence in the club’s board a fortnight ago and further protests against the club hierarchy are planned at the London Stadium before this weekend’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace.

With the club languishing in the relegation zone after three defeats in four league outings, pressure is mounting not only on club chairman David Sullivan and executive vice-chair Baroness Brady. 

‘Results and performances on the pitch have not met the standards we set’

Graham Potter’s position as manager is under growing scrutiny, while fans also plan to boycott next month’s home meeting with Brentford amid accusations that the club has been brought to its knees by an overcautious approach.

“We accept that results and performances on the pitch over the past two seasons have not met the standards we set for ourselves,” West Ham’s owners said in a statement. 

“Nobody at the club is satisfied with that and the board of directors have spent a great deal of time looking at the decisions that have been made across the football operation, in order to inform an improved strategy going forward. 

‘The club is stable and sustainable’

“We have also listened to supporters’ individual and collective views around their perception of our London Stadium home and the club’s facilities and infrastructure. 

“We continue to do everything we can, working with supporters, to improve the matchday experience on behalf of the 62,500 supporters we welcome to every home fixture. 

“In terms of our current financial outlook, the club is stable and sustainable. Like all Premier League clubs, we must balance the desire to compete at the highest level with the responsibility to run the club sensibly and prudently. 

“That means being cautious at times, but it does not point to a lack of ambition. Over £450m has been spent on new player signings in the last three years, including an average net spend of £100m per season in that period, and we have always managed to stay within the PSR rules.”

It remains to be seen how far that will go towards a fanbase that has grown increasingly disenchanted since the Conference League triumph of two years ago.