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Let's All Laugh At... Let's All Laugh At West Ham

Real_madyidd

The best username, unless you are a fucking idiot.
Oct 25, 2004
18,792
12,448
Why do they need a bigger stadium of they can't sell out Upton Park on a consistent basis? Surely they don't need it for the 5 games a season their demand exceeds their capacity.


That's the point. Why buy a whammers season ticket if you can get in every single game on general sale? How do they then plan for the future?

I can certainly see the upside of them getting the OS, they will be doomed!
 

AngerManagement

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2004
12,518
2,739
If hear one more **** call Scott Parker 'Scotty Parker', im gunna flip.

Robbie Keane is now injuired for up to 6 weeks, and they have a huge game against West Brom on Saturday....they will really need Scotty Parker to step up in this 6 pointer
 

$hoguN

Well-Known Member
Jul 25, 2005
26,626
34,700
That's the point. Why buy a whammers season ticket if you can get in every single game on general sale? How do they then plan for the future?

I can certainly see the upside of them getting the OS, they will be doomed!

If they get the OS, just watch how quickly Gold and Sullivan start trying to find a buyer from the middle-east... That has been their plan all along, take over West Ham, secure the OS and sell for a profit.
 

AngerManagement

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2004
12,518
2,739
If they get the OS, just watch how quickly Gold and Sullivan start trying to find a buyer from the middle-east... That has been their plan all along, take over West Ham, secure the OS and sell for a profit.

Smart move, West Ham with a 60k stadium suddenly become a much more attractive option to such investors (London club now based in up and coming Stratford rather than run down West Ham ) if an investor wanted to step in and buy success that success would lead to a great increase in their already respectable fan base.

I am not so sure this move will be the death of West Ham like many suggest, I think it could well be to their benefit in the long term.

What is the difference between West Ham and Maine road Man City really?

New post athletic event stadium, high profile take over followed by eventual success on the pitch brought by signing the best players (unless of course these new rules eliminate the potential for rich owners to by success without the club generating it's own revenue to spend proportionately)
 

$hoguN

Well-Known Member
Jul 25, 2005
26,626
34,700
Smart move, West Ham with a 60k stadium suddenly become a much more attractive option to such investors (London club now based in up and coming Stratford rather than run down West Ham ) if an investor wanted to step in and buy success that success would lead to a great increase in their already respectable fan base.

I am not so sure this move will be the death of West Ham like many suggest, I think it could well be to their benefit in the long term.

What is the difference between West Ham and Maine road Man City really?

New post athletic event stadium, high profile take over followed by eventual success on the pitch brought by signing the best players (unless of course these new rules eliminate the potential for rich owners to by success without the club generating it's own revenue to spend proportionately)

The OS can do one of two things for West Ham, it can allow Gold and Sullivan to sell them on and probably help them gain longer term success or it could bankrupt them. If they stay up this season I can see it being the first option, however if they get relelgated I can see it being the second option.
 

hans

Active Member
Aug 8, 2005
1,414
71
New post athletic event stadium, high profile take over followed by eventual success on the pitch brought by signing the best players (unless of course these new rules eliminate the potential for rich owners to by success without the club generating it's own revenue to spend proportionately)

Sorry but this part has already happened, and nearly relegated them.
 

AngerManagement

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2004
12,518
2,739
Sorry but this part has already happened, and nearly relegated them.

Ok, regarding the Tevez and Mascherano situation.....

My friend is close friends with Carlton Cole, casting my mind back to that time I remember my friend telling me what Carlton had said to him regarding those two (so bare in mind I did not here it direct from the horses mouth, but from my closest friend since we were in primary school)

At the time, Cole had told him that the rest of the West Ham squad were pissed that these players had been brought in and resented them being in the club, treated as superstars (paid more money) whilst not even being owned by the club, especially after the club had previously been performing well (10seconds or so away from winning the FA cup I believe)

So in this instance, it seems (at first at least) the signing of such world class stars unbalanced the harmony of a squad that relied a lot on it's team spirit and togetherness (they were clearly over achieving at the time)

This may not have been the right timing or perhaps was man manged poorly, but it doesn't mean if it were too happen again in the future the same result would be had.

Say English speaking players were brought in, were able to intergrate with the squad quicker whilst adding to the quality.

The thing is a bigger, nicer stadium does not automatically bring more fans (even if you do drastically reduce costs) they will still need to be successful on the pitch.

What it does do is give them far greater potential for future success than they had before they won the bid imho.

Potentially now they will be able to hold extra fans, cheap seats may attract causal observers unable to afford tickets else where who may aquire a love of the club (near may mostly all the fans of the Harlequins Rugy League club come from the local area who were not fans of the old club but were attracted by cheap and available tickets and became fans as a result)

West Ham in their new stadium do have the potential to dramatically increase their fan base with cheap available tickets, not as much as yesteryear because Televised matches but those who can't afford or can't get a match day experience else where that find West Ham cheap and easy to to get to and get in my well do so on a regular basis just for the sake of watching live PL football.

I myself as a school kid used to go to my local teams matches if Spurs were playing away, QPR, Brentford and Fulham I have been to several times just to watch football as a kid (if I had not been a massive Spurs fan and season ticket holder it's possible I would have fell in love with one of these clubs by association)

All they need is a bit of success on the pitch to get the ball rolling, which thankfully looks quite a long way away right now.
 

Misfit

President of The Niles Crane Fanclub
May 7, 2006
21,014
34,214
Harlequins RL bring in about 3K or 4K most home games at the Stoop and make bigger losses each yr. They'll be gone soon enough I'd imagine. The stadium is hardly huge to begin with. But Harlequins fill out the 11K or 12K every single time.

A lot of HRL fan numbers seem to be largely made up by the obligatory number of Aussies/Kiwis and Saffers that infest SW London.
 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,885
62,554
Harlequins RL bring in about 3K or 4K most home games at the Stoop and make bigger losses each yr. They'll be gone soon enough I'd imagine. The stadium is hardly huge to begin with. But Harlequins fill out the 11K or 12K every single time.

A lot of HRL fan numbers seem to be largely made up by the obligatory number of Aussies/Kiwis and Saffers that infest SW London.
If only Rugby League could disappear with it...

Union's the only watchable Rugby.
 

Misfit

President of The Niles Crane Fanclub
May 7, 2006
21,014
34,214
If only Rugby League could disappear with it...

Union's the only watchable Rugby.
I quite agree with you. I have nothing against it but it has its audience, as does union. Union's is small enough. Just because League's is even tinier, there's no need to sully the environs of Twickenham with it in a laughably desperate attempt to grow into new areas. Talk about setting your sights on the wrong area for a start.
 

TheChosenOne

A dislike or neg rep = fat fingers
Dec 13, 2005
47,870
49,700
The gags are starting fast ..

New in the Spammers club shop ...
spam.jpg
 

soup

On the straightened arrow
May 26, 2004
3,494
3,592
It wouldn't surprise me if after a few years, they say the runnign track doesn't work and manage to get rid of it. Seems like WH have lucked out today.

In the Queen's good name and her solemn promise, I really hope they don't. That would certainly discredit the good name and solemn promise of Karen Brady and co.

If they do, I think UK athletics may have quite a bit more legal clout behind them in the form of us if they choose to fight the track being removed. After all, it's about a lasting athletics legacy for Britain, not just a football stadium.

One thing I'm happy about is that at least we were honest in our bid, not trying to pull the wool over the Queen's and the nation's eyes.
 

AngerManagement

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2004
12,518
2,739
Harlequins RL bring in about 3K or 4K most home games at the Stoop and make bigger losses each yr. They'll be gone soon enough I'd imagine. The stadium is hardly huge to begin with. But Harlequins fill out the 11K or 12K every single time.

A lot of HRL fan numbers seem to be largely made up by the obligatory number of Aussies/Kiwis and Saffers that infest SW London.

I think your missing my point entirely.

The attendance of a club like HRL is irrelevant, I was merely highlighting the potential for West Ham to grow their fan base by turning the heads of the casual fan or perhaps local fans who support teams like Man U but want to watch PL games live also.

You can't compare the pull in London of Rugby league to that of PRemier league football so the volume at which a club with no real roots in the area just trying to jump on the back of the support for the brand name of its Union counterpart in no way reflects the gravity of an established PL football club in London who would have some of the greatest players in the world playing there every week (ok mostly from the away team :razz: )

You get what I am saying, the appeal of PL football is a thousand times greater than rugby league in London so the numbers by which HRL were/are able to attract locals and causal observers to their matches are not really relevant because it's like comparing apples to oranges.... the only factor I used them to illustrate is how a casual fan can adopted a local team if their tickets are cheap and available hence the potential to grow their fan base.

The areas surrounding Stratford are also far more densely populated than the largely suburban areas in and around Twickenham and the stoop. I imagine there are a far greater number of kids and Premier league football fans who either have no attachment to a club or support a club they can not get to in the Stratford catchment area than there are Rugby league fans around twickenham who would have a passing interest in HRL fc.
 

Misfit

President of The Niles Crane Fanclub
May 7, 2006
21,014
34,214
Yeah I do understand what you're saying and agree to an extent, but I think you're possibly overestimating the change it might bring. Maybe in 2 or 3 generations after a sustained period of success (will this happen magically because they're plonked into a big stadium with running track around it?) they can pick up any stragglers (the flies) not attracted to assnal or chelski (the turds) or by ourselves maybe.

It'll allow more Spammers to take their spawn to the matches and so retain younger fans they might have otherwise lost but other than that...I can't see much changing initially.

Frankly, most fans, even the ones who buy shirts and merchandise, have never stepped into a stadium, local or otherwise. No, they contribute a very hefty financial wedge to their chosen clubs by having a beer on the sofa in front of the telly.

You are correct though - it's fertile ground and if done properly they could double their fan base easily. I freely admit I might be wrong but I hope I'm not. If that running track condition is sealed in the deal then I'll rest easy. It will be a huge ball and chain tied around their neck.
 

AngerManagement

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2004
12,518
2,739
Mostly I was saying they will have the potential to grow their fan base, not that I expect them to suddenly attract 60k people week in week out.

A lot will depend on their level of success on field.

They already have a decent fan base, they are seen as a community club and many people from the Eastend feel like the spammers represent them in some way (in a way which North London doesn't seem to for us anymore, if I am on tottenham highroad on a non match day I generally see more Arsenal shirts)

The bulk of new age fans might prefer to watch football on tv or play it on their PS3 now days, but PL football is still a massive draw and there are masses of people that live in the catchment area of the OS even if 10-20% of those football fans with no affliliation to a club or support teams like Man U/Liverpool start going to watch West Ham frequently because it is on their door step and cheap it will have some impact on their fan base and revenue.

The most important factor will be success though, coming from West London I can tell you that in the 90s (when I was at school) most kids supported Arsenal, Man U or Liverpool with an equal spread of people supporting the likes of us and the local teams (Chelsea/QPR/Brentford/Fulham), yet you look around at kids today and the numbers wearing Chelsea strips have quadrupled since the Russian money was pumped in and they started winning things.

So I don't think this stadium will automatically result in them blowing up and becoming a super power, I am just saying I don't think it is likely to be the death of them either as some have suggested.

As for the running track, as I said I have been to the Olympic Stadium in Rome many times and while the view is not as great as at most UK stadiums (not least the Lane) it is by no means the worst thing in the world and you adjust to it fairly quickly when at the games...by far and away the most spectacular atmosphere I have ever been part for was in the LAzio main stand at the Rome derby and this is an 80k post olympic stadium complete with running track

5p1pww.jpg


this is taken from a Lazio Atalanta game (you can see the running track to the right) when I was in Rome with my girlfriend and due to short notice my cousin could only get my tickets on the side of the main stand, what I will say (you can see the ultra support directly behind me, where my cousin and his friends were) the rest of the stadium was mostly empty (less than 40k in an 80k stadium) and there was a marked difference in energy and atmosphere from just being this far removed from the main crowd action (first and only time I have not been in the thick of it) so I dread to think what it is like watching in some of the more empty parts of the stadium.

Also, I find Italian football painfully dull and slow paced (I don't think I can blame that on the running track though)
 

dvdhopeful

SC Supporter
Nov 10, 2006
7,566
5,897
Mostly I was saying they will have the potential to grow their fan base, not that I expect them to suddenly attract 60k people week in week out.

A lot will depend on their level of success on field.

They already have a decent fan base, they are seen as a community club and many people from the Eastend feel like the spammers represent them in some way (in a way which North London doesn't seem to for us anymore, if I am on tottenham highroad on a non match day I generally see more Arsenal shirts)

The bulk of new age fans might prefer to watch football on tv or play it on their PS3 now days, but PL football is still a massive draw and there are masses of people that live in the catchment area of the OS even if 10-20% of those football fans with no affliliation to a club or support teams like Man U/Liverpool start going to watch West Ham frequently because it is on their door step and cheap it will have some impact on their fan base and revenue.

The most important factor will be success though, coming from West London I can tell you that in the 90s (when I was at school) most kids supported Arsenal, Man U or Liverpool with an equal spread of people supporting the likes of us and the local teams (Chelsea/QPR/Brentford/Fulham), yet you look around at kids today and the numbers wearing Chelsea strips have quadrupled since the Russian money was pumped in and they started winning things.

So I don't think this stadium will automatically result in them blowing up and becoming a super power, I am just saying I don't think it is likely to be the death of them either as some have suggested.

As for the running track, as I said I have been to the Olympic Stadium in Rome many times and while the view is not as great as at most UK stadiums (not least the Lane) it is by no means the worst thing in the world and you adjust to it fairly quickly when at the games...by far and away the most spectacular atmosphere I have ever been part for was in the LAzio main stand at the Rome derby and this is an 80k post olympic stadium complete with running track

In fairness mate I doubt it would have mattered where they played the match, it has more to do with the fans in that situation than a stadium, similar to Spurs/Arse etc.

Whilst there might be one off matches which disprove the rule, the numbers of clubs moving out of stadiums with running tracks, has been enough for people to say with some conviction, that it doesn't work. The Olympic stadium might be an exception, but it is also a shared ground which I'm sure has alot to do with it.

I'd be shocked if after 10 yrs of West Ham in the Olympic stadium they still have the track or havn't at least made an attempt to remove it.
 

spurs

Well-Known Member
Mar 20, 2005
766
938
The only good thing about us going for the OS, is that it will hopefully put pressure on WH to keep the running track. If we hadn't, everyone would think WH were doing the nation a big favour and wouldn't mind when the atheltics track became untenable.

West Ham have handled this with so little class. I really dislike them now; G & S, Brady and most of the fans who are idiots rascist and offensive (based on kumb which is hopefully unfair on some of the other fans).

Come on West Brom this w/e
 

AngerManagement

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2004
12,518
2,739
In fairness mate I doubt it would have mattered where they played the match, it has more to do with the fans in that situation than a stadium, similar to Spurs/Arse etc.

Whilst there might be one off matches which disprove the rule, the numbers of clubs moving out of stadiums with running tracks, has been enough for people to say with some conviction, that it doesn't work. The Olympic stadium might be an exception, but it is also a shared ground which I'm sure has alot to do with it.

I'd be shocked if after 10 yrs of West Ham in the Olympic stadium they still have the track or havn't at least made an attempt to remove it.

yes very much so, I said as much in a previous post or perhaps in another thread. The Lazio and Roma fans have a totally different mentality, it seems like life or death when the derby comes around and obviously this passion is reflected at the stadium.

What I was saying is, the running track is not as big an issue as being suggested in as far as it is still very possible to have a passionate match day experience (whether or not West Ham have the number of fans or the fans of such passion to create it is a different matter, but I am saying it doesn't seem to make quite as much of a difference as many people think/suggest)

As I was saying even in games I have been there where the ground is more less than half full against a team who brings next to no fans the noise they create is still quite something (although maybe only if you are in the thick of it) but then I can say from first hand experience that in the West Stand at White Hart Lane if the crowd is not really buzzing it can seem a bit like a library at times also.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the running track and think it has no place in a football stadium. I just think people over over exaggerating the extent to which it ruins the match day experience (although I will say when I have taken my cousin and his friends from Rome to White Hart Lane they love how close you are to the action in comparison to theirs in Rome)
 

riggi

Well-Known Member
Jun 24, 2008
48,486
104,718
Few bubble blowers will be bought back down to earth today, me thinks.
 

Rocksuperstar

Isn't this fun? Isn't fun the best thing to have?
Jun 6, 2005
53,288
66,756
I have a strange feeling that this thread will become extremely popular if they continue to play like they have for the first half against West Brom - it's hilarious. They look like a bunch of clowns out there today.
 
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