West Ham United cult hero Carlton Cole was involved in a Twitter controversy with the club’s fans over the weekend.
Cole, a colourful and much-loved figure among Hammers fans, criticised supporters for protesting before Saturday’s crucial game against Southampton.
He also posted a story involving a friend of Bobby Moore which fans believe was pumped out by the club’s under fire owners David Sullivan and David Gold in an attempt to shame them into halting the protest.
Cole criticised for comments on protesting West Ham fans
The protest, led by disaffected West Ham fan group Hammers United, went ahead, though, and attracted around 7,000 people.
Cole came in for fierce criticism from some West Ham fans for his comments.
And he was also heavily criticised for posting out the story about Terry Creasey, who said Moore would be ‘turning in his grave at the protests’ (Sky Sports and The Daily Mail).
The article even contains a passage in which Creasey praises Sullivan and Gold saying he ‘feels sorry for the owners who gave Bobby a job at Birmingham (City) when he was blanked by West Ham’.
But West Ham fans know their history and Moore had sadly passed away before the duo took over Birmingham.
Fans believe inaccurate article was to shame them into halting protests
While Sullivan did give Moore a job as a columnist on his Daily Sport newspaper, fans believe the inaccurate article was piggybacking on the 27th anniversary of the West Ham legend’s death to try and publicly discredit them – even describing protesting supporters as a ‘minority’.
Once again fans showed they can protest peacefully AND support the team. And one of the best atmospheres for some time greeted the players as they ran out 3-1 winners over Southampton.
But Cole’s reputation among supporters might be tainted after he got involved, later offering an explanation for his criticism of supporters on Twitter.
“West Ham fans should put their frustrations on hold and get behind the team, says close friend of the late Sir Bobby Moore and lifelong Hammers supporter Terry Creasey,” Cole said in a Twitter post with a link to the Sky Sports story.
Cole embroiled in Twitter row over protests
“I solely care about the team getting results. And we can only do that with positive energy. I just feel when we are safe then everybody can state their concerns. But if you feel it’s the right time to do it is now then who am I to judge. I just want unity for now until we are safe.
“To be honest when I pulled up to the car park today. I was disappointed to see the protest. Obviously the fans are disgruntled. When I left for the game today all I had in my head was a win for West Ham. All my positive vibes was towards was for a West Ham win.
“But when I saw the protest it put me off track. And I didn’t like it. But I tried to stay positive and focused on getting the points that we needed.
“Just an insight on how I felt seeing it, not sure how the players took to it, maybe it speared them on a bit more. Obviously it’s not directed at the players.
“The reason i was disappointed was because I didn’t know there was such a division with fans and the board.”
West Ham fans should put their frustrations on hold and get behind the team, says close friend of the late Sir Bobby Moore and lifelong Hammers supporter Terry Creasey. https://t.co/bbkwsNbw8c
— Carlton Cole (@CarltonCole1) February 29, 2020
I solely care about the team getting results. And we can only do that with positive energy. I just feel when we are safe then everybody can state their concerns.But if you feel it’s the right time to do it is now then who am I to judge.I just want unity for now until we are safe.
— Carlton Cole (@CarltonCole1) February 29, 2020
To be honest when I pulled up to the car park today. I was disappointed to see the protest. Obviously the fans are disgruntled. When I left for the game today all I had in my head was a win for West Ham. All my positive vibes was towards was for a West Ham win.
— Carlton Cole (@CarltonCole1) February 29, 2020
But when I saw the protest it put me off track. And I didn’t like it. But I tried to stay positive and focused on getting the points that we needed.
— Carlton Cole (@CarltonCole1) February 29, 2020
Just an insight on how I felt seeing it, not sure how the players took to it, maybe it speared them on a bit more. Obviously it’s not directed at the players.
— Carlton Cole (@CarltonCole1) February 29, 2020
The reason i was disappointed was because I didn’t know there was such a division with fans and the board.
— Carlton Cole (@CarltonCole1) February 29, 2020
Cole also responded to several fans who criticised him for his comments.
He insisted his comments were not out of any allegiance to West Ham owners Sullivan and Gold.
Cole also clarified that his knowledge of the situation is not what it perhaps should be for someone with his status at the club and considering he is a West Ham employee.