West Ham fans believe their club is healing as the new regime is showered in praise following a series of positive announcements.
Daniel Kretinsky may not turn out to be quite the knight in shining armour many Hammers fans have painted him out to be given the uncertainty over whether he actually wants full ownership of the club.
But he is certainly riding around on a white horse right now as far as supporters of West Ham are concerned.
It would take some going not to be seen in a better light than Karren Brady and David Sullivan in the eyes of most fans following years of protests calling for their removal.
West Ham fans say their club is healing after big announcement
Kretinsky very specifically bought an additional 16 per cent of West Ham from the Gold family in the wake of Sullivan’s resignation.
At £5.6m per share that amounted to the exact £90m the Hammers needed to plug a financial hole by the end of June and avoid sanctions – as confirmed by Kretinsky himself in the statement announcing he had become the new majority owner.
West Ham have announced that they will consult fans on what their club crest will be going forward. What would you like it to look like? ⚒️
Is the first step towards repairing a broken relationship with the supporters? 🤔
That got Kretinsky’s tenure as the main man off to a very positive start as far as West Ham fans are concerned.
Then came his rare and brief interview with The Times in which Kretinsky made it clear the Hammers want to keep as many of their top players as possible and are not under any pressure to sell them for financial reasons.
Simply put, if they want to stay with West Ham in the Championship then there is nothing forcing the club to sell.
Another big green tick in the box for Kretinsky and the new-look board, for whom interim CEO Karim Virani has been a breath of fresh air thus far.
In the same interview the Czech billionaire also pledged to personally back Nuno Espirito Santo in the transfer window to make the signings needed to get West Ham back in the big time at the first time of asking.
Unverified rumours have abounded that Kretinsky – possibly alongside Amanda Staveley’s PCP group if they invest in the club – is looking to buy and redevelop the London Stadium.
There has even been talk of a long overdue new training ground befitting a club of West Ham’s size and stature.
West Ham’s new regime showered in praise after badge change decision
The positive vibes around east London kept flowing this week too when West Ham announced they will be changing the club’s unpopular badge.
West Ham’s crest was changed and emblazoned with the word ‘London’ to coincide with the move to the London Stadium 10 years ago.
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But it became a symbol of Sullivan and Brady’s tenure and a botched stadium move which still sits at the very heart of fan discontent.
It is fair to say the announcement about a supporter consultation to change the design of the badge has gone down well with the Hammers faithful.
And West Ham fans say their club is healing as the new regime is showered in praise.
The admin for West Ham’s social media has had a thankless task for much of the last two years.
Given the rapid decline at the club and relegation, disenchanted fans have – understandably – been quick to jump on posts venting fierce criticism.
When West Ham’s new board announced their intention to change the badge, though, it was quite the opposite.
“We are pleased to inform supporters of the launch of a new fan consultation on the future direction of the Club’s official crest,” West Ham said on X alongside a video montage of the different badges through the years.
The response was overwhelmingly positive with supporters saying they feel their club is finally healing.
One fan said: “Whoa! That’s big news and an early crowd pleaser for the new regime. First thing you’ll hear is get “London” off the badge, or add “East”.”
X account West Ham Central added: “Kretinsky, Virani and team doing everything right so far, keep it up.”
West Ham Transfers said: “We’re actually getting our club back.”
Another supporter added: “I’m loving the direction of travel of our club.”
Artist and West Ham fan Canning Town Len said the announcement shows up Brady.
He said: “Nothing says “Brady was in the wrong” quite like this. Well done.”
“A step in the right direction”, “We are so back”, “Incredible first steps” and “Hugely positive news” were other responses from delighted supporters.
Babbling Irons said: “This is fantastic news It was always an easy win to announce that there would be changes to the crest that is a symbol of the failed corporate rebranding KB tried. Great to hear that there is going to be detailed and comprehensive consultation as well, giving fans a voice.”
“Back, we are so back, give Kretinsky a knighthood,” was another response.
Last word to Hammers fan Ricky Forrest who said: “Great way to get the fans on board, early easy win for DK and I’m very happy the way things are going, feels like we’re finally getting our club back.”
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