Frank McAvennie has slammed Karren Brady over her alleged treatment of West Ham legend Tony Carr after what he told fans.
There are perhaps not many clubs in the country where the director of the academy holds legendary status.
But at West Ham – the self-styled Academy of Football – that is certainly the case when it comes to Tony Carr.
Carr became one of the most revered youth coaches in football as he served West Ham for 43 years.
He helped produce a plethora of players for club and country during his four decades of service to the Hammers.
Former Academy of Football director Carr served West Ham for 43 years but left under a cloud
The former West Ham academy director is a rarity in football.
For Carr is a West Ham legend without having ever having kicked a ball for his boyhood club.
Instead Carr saved and made the Hammers millions of pounds over the years as he oversaw the recruitment, coaching and development of a string of stars and internationals.
The 68-year-old brought through a golden generation for West Ham and also set the likes of John Terry on their way to careers at the very top.
His prized talents were Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe. But there were scores of others who forged successful careers for themselves elsewhere too.
He was granted a testimonial at Upton Park in 2010 which was attended by a host of his former charges.
Frank McAvennie slams Karren Brady over alleged treatment of West Ham legend Tony Carr after what he told fans
Carr then left West Ham under something of a cloud in 2016 after 43 years.
He opened up on that departure in a revealing interview last year ahead of the launch of his book. And the details infuriated West Ham fans.
Carr attended an E13 fan event at the weekend which was labelled a testimonial was to raise money towards West Ham season tickets for Carr – who only received tickets for one season after being made redundant.
It was reported on by Hammers board confidant Sean Whetstone.
Supporters were angry when he told the story of that fateful day and meeting with vice-chair Karren Brady.
‘Horrible way to end’
Carr claims Brady told him: “Don’t sit down. This won’t take long. I’m replacing you in your position – you don’t bring enough youngsters through into the first team.”
Carr said he responded: “There’s a reason for that Ms Brady…”
To which Brady allegedly said: “I don’t want to hear it. I’ve already made my mind up.”
He added: “They offered me a day a week or redundancy, but they were effectively sacking me.”
It’s not only supporters who are upset by Carr’s claims about his treatment, though.
Frank McAvennie has slammed Brady over her alleged treatment of West Ham legend Carr after what he told fans.
One of West Ham’s greatest ever goalscorers took to X to vent his feelings on the matter.
“What a good coach and proper gentleman,” McAvennie said.
“Horrible way to end 43 years of your life with the club but everyone knows what you’ve done for West Ham Tony.”
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