West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady has always been a divisive figure among fans and now she has sparked an angry reaction with her response to Aaron Cresswell.
It sums up what many Hammers fans think of Karren Brady that there was excitement when speculation emerged last month she could be leaving West Ham after more than 15 years.
It would take a hard-nosed West Ham fan to deny Brady has done a good job turning around the club’s financial situation since she arrived as part of the David Sullivan and David Gold takeover in 2010.
But it is fair to say Brady has never been the most universally popular figure among the Hammers faithful.
West Ham laughed off the claims Brady could be set to leave.
It has since been reported Brady is in the strongest position she has ever been at West Ham having played a major role in the appointment of Graham Potter – who is a close friend of her husband.
Brady responds to Cresswell’s emotional West Ham farewell
Whether it is her often controversial comments in a tabloid newspaper column, infamously calling West Ham fans customers, broken promises over the switch from Upton Park to the London Stadium or claiming that move to be the most successful stadium migration ever, the Baroness is like Marmite among Hammers fans.
Now she’s upset them again.
It was announced last week that West Ham have decided to release veteran trio Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski and Vladimir Coufal – as well as striker flop Danny Ings.
Cresswell has been at West Ham for 11 years and goes down as one of the club’s best value signings of the Premier League era having arrived for just £3.5m from Ipswich in 2014.
It had been claimed Cresswell would be handed a new one-year contract.
Especially as he had arguably been the team’s best performing centre-back since Potter’s arrival in east London.
As a result, many were shocked when the Hammers confirmed Cresswell was going to be let go next month.
Ahead of his last home game as a West Ham player, Cresswell has recorded a goodbye message to supporters.
Now Brady has responded to the emotional Cresswell farewell and West Ham fans have erupted.
West Ham fans erupt at Brady over her response to star
In a lengthy and highly emotive message to supporters, Cresswell fought back tears when saying goodbye to the Hammers.
“Never in a million years did I think I’d be at this fantastic club for 11 years,” Cresswell said.
“So much has happened over those 11 years, and they’ve gone so fast. Moving to London with my wife Jess, and with my two kids Sonny and Sadie both being born down here and growing up loving West Ham – it’s been a third of my life.
“This is a moment of reflection. The people who I’ve met and the bonds and connections I’ve made, not just with players but with all the staff and the fans, I’ve got a great relationship with everyone at the club…
“I really don’t know the right words to end on, but I think the one that stands out is ‘grateful’. To have been on this journey for 11 years, I’d like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone who has helped me get this far, and helped me along the way. I am so grateful and appreciative.
“But I’m not closing the book. I’ll never walk away. Once you’re in the West Ham family, you’re in for life, and I’m sure I’ll be back.
“All the best to you all and good luck for the future.”
Brady sent a three-word response to Cresswell’s video on social media.
And while she is stuck between a rock and a hard place, she probably wishes she didn’t.
“Thank you Aaron,” Brady said alongside a crossed Hammers emoji.
West Ham fans have pounced on Brady’s message, slamming her and the club for their treatment of Cresswell.
Most Hammers fans are saying the same thing, the club should have shown him more respect and granted the left-back a testimonial – traditionally given to players who give 10 years of service to a club.
“Why can’t we give these long serving players the testimonial they deserve for all they’ve given our great club. It’s so wrong and disrespectful,” one West Ham fan told Brady.
Another Hammers fan mocked Brady’s show of gratitude, saying: “11 years of service and he gets a thank you in a quote tweet instead of a testimonial.”
A third West Ham supporter suggested the club didn’t give Cresswell a testimonial because they rent their home ground.
‘Not enough to give him a testimonial’
“Not enough to give him a testimonial in our rented accommodation though. If they charged to tweet, you wouldn’t bother putting this on,” the Hammers fan said.
Another Hammer said there is only one appropriate way to thank Cresswell – and Brady’s post wasn’t it.
“Thank him by giving him a testimonial,” the supporter said.
Another felt Brady’s post lacked any feeling.
“If you’re not going to give him a testimonial the least you can do is actually put some emotion in the tweet,” he said.
A West Ham fan couldn’t believe Brady’s message, to the point he thought it was a spoof.
The Hammers supporter feels Brady’s message shows how out of touch she is with the club and the way supporters think.
“Surely a parody account? Do a testimonial, Betway Cup or whatever, that’s showing gratitude not a gaslighting tweet and a c—– watch. You don’t get us, never have.”
And dozens of supporters simply demanded a rethink on the situation, saying: “Give him a testimonial.”
One of the reasons testimonials are an increasing rarity among Premier League clubs – besides the fact few players remain with the same team for 10 years – is due to the money players earn nowadays.
Testimonials were often seen as a way to give players a retirement fund in the days before TV money inflated wages to astronomical levels.
But fans don’t care about the money side of things. It could be made into a charity event or to benefit the Academy.
They just want to have a day set aside to go and thank Cresswell for his long service.
Whether Brady and co will perform a U-turn remains to be seen – although seems highly unlikely.
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