West Ham United refused to give non league Kidderminster Harriers extra FA Cup cash claims the club’s angry owner.
When West Ham played National League North side Kidderminster in the FA Cup a few weeks ago it became the story of the round.
The high-flying Premier League Hammers were separated by six divisions and 113 league places when they met at Kiddy’s Aggborough ground.
The difference in class didn’t show on the pitch as the hosts were the better side and just seconds away from one of the biggest FA Cup shocks of all time before West Ham talisman Declan Rice saved the day.
With replays scrapped – and with it the potential for a lucrative second game at the London Stadium for Kiddy – the match went into extra-time where Jarrod Bowen’s last gasp winner killed Kidderminster’s dreams.
West Ham’s players and management staff were praised for their conduct in the build-up to, during and after the match.
Rice showered with the non-league side’s players, boss David Moyes and assistant Paul Nevin shared a post-match beer with the Kiddy management and the two clubs wished each other well.
But Kidderminster owner Richard Lane has been left with a bitter taste in his mouth after the dream tie.
Speaking to LBC radio, angry Lane claims West Ham have refused to honour the tradition of giving non league sides their share of the TV or ticket money – with local charities getting the cash instead.
West Ham refused to give non league Kidderminster Harriers extra FA Cup cash claims angry owner
“We had to put so much effort in to put that game on – people do not understand what we went through,” Lane told LBC radio.
“We hired so many staff, it was just incredible what we did but it cost the club money. It’s about what we get at the end of it and it’s just frustrating that everybody out there thinks this club is now financially sound for the next four or five years – and that is not the case, unfortunately.
“The news isn’t good (on the money front). Unfortunately we had the news that they (West Ham) would prefer to invest in local charities and not share the ticket money with us.
“So yes, we are continually being unlucky – with the result and with the FA denying us a replay (at West Ham) which is deriving us again from some well-earned money to help the regeneration and growth of this club.
“We need new floodlights and the academy needs new investment. All the investment we were hoping to get and put back into the club we haven’t had that – what with escalating costs for extra staff, security, police etc.”
West Ham have not responded to Lane’s comments.
No cash for the Kiddy
But while the Hammers hierarchy can hardly be castigated for donating money to local charities, if tradition has been not been honoured then it is hugely disappointing.
West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady has a hands on role in the day-to-day running of the club.
But with Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky and co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold worth over £5bn combined, it’s not a good look.
Given the bad PR surrounding West Ham at the moment, goodness knows it’s unwelcome.
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