West Ham United fans may not want co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, but the duo certainly want them.
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A growing number of West Ham fans have been campaigning for co-owners Sullivan, Gold and their vice-chairman Karren Brady to leave.
The campaign GSBOUT (Gold, Sullivan, Brady Out) has often trended on social media.
Right now, on the pitch West Ham are looking as good as they have done for five years.
But that does not appear to have changed attitudes towards the West Ham hierarchy.
Fans want GSBOUT, but GSB are desperate for fans IN
Indeed one of the mottos of the GSBOUT movement is ‘Support the team, not the regime’.
The list of grievances is long. And it appears the relationship is beyond repair.
Much of the deep-seated resentment stems from the club’s decision to leave West Ham’s beloved Upton Park for the London Stadium and a host of broken promises along the way.
Well Sullivan and Gold may not be wanted by a large section of the Hammers fanbase. But the owners are increasingly desperate to have a large section of them back at the London Stadium.
That’s after they released an update to supporters which contained a desperate plea to the government to allow West Ham to make use of their 66,000 seats by welcoming fans back after lockdown (whufc.com).
‘We believe we are in a strong position’
“Following the Government announcement that England will go back into a national lockdown this week, the club would like to reassure you that we remain fully focused on preparing for the safe return of fans to matches, along with continuing to support and care for those in our community most in need during this difficult time,” the Hammers hierarchy said in a statement on the club’s official website.
“It is now more than eight months since the club last played a first team match with our supporters present. During this period, we have seen that football simply isn’t the same without fans, and also been reminded of just how important the game is to so many people across the world.
“Work continues behind the scenes to ensure we will be ready to welcome back first and foremost our Season Ticket Holders followed by other match-attending fans as soon as the Government give the green light. With 66,000 physical seats inside London Stadium, we believe we are in a strong position to ensure that a substantial number of our supporters can attend matches while following safe social distancing measures.
“London Stadium has some of the most accessible transport links and significant exterior space around the stadium to ensure a safe and socially-distanced ingress and egress, both of which highlight why we are as well placed as any other Premier League club to welcome our fans back, once the time is safe to do so.
Premier League looks likely to go an entire year without supporters present
“We have put rigorous plans and processes in place – in strict compliance with Government guidelines – to make London Stadium as safe as it can possibly be for all spectators, and we can’t wait for the day the Claret and Blue faithful are back in their seats cheering the team on.”
When that might be is anyone’s guess. But the return of fans is perhaps not realistic until the spring time at least – which will mark an entire year with no supporters at matches.
On the pitch, though, things are going well for David Moyes’s side.
Should West Ham beat Fulham at the London Stadium on Saturday night, they could move up to 10th place and within touching distance of the European spots in the fledgling table.
That’s despite being handed one of the most difficult opening set of fixtures in Premier League history.
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