52,000 Season Ticket Sell Out-What About The Other 3000?

West Ham United have been delighted to announce via the club's official website that all 52,000 Season Tickets available for the forthcoming Premier League campaign have once again sold out! Or have they? A record number of Season Ticket renewals for Manuel Pellegrini’s first campaign at the helm was announced last month, with 92% of supporters signing up to back the new-look Hammers in 2018/19, which will include at least seven new faces – Club record signing Felipe Anderson, Jack Wilshere, Andriy Yarmolenko, Lukasz Fabianski Ryan Fredericks, Lukasz Fabianski and Fabian Balbuena.

Co Chairman and majority share holder David Sullivan paid tribute to the devotion shown by the Claret and Blue Army.“Yet again, our magnificent supporters have shown they are the best in the country,” said Mr Sullivan. “To have completely sold out available Season Tickets weeks before the new season kicks-off is testament to their unrivalled backing of the Club. “For the third season in a row, we will have 52,000 Season Ticket Holders backing us at every home game. “There is a huge amount of excitement surrounding the Club at present following the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini as manager and this has been reflected in the demand for Season Tickets."

Put on the spot by Hammers TV, manager Manuel Pellegrini was delighted but far from surprised to hear the news ahead of his first season in east London.“I already knew West Ham was a huge Club with an incredible fan base and supporters all over the world” said Pellegrini. “I am told we have more Season Ticket Holders than any other club in London and that is something we can all be proud of. “I know very well that the West Ham fans are always behind their team. I want to thank all those who have shown their faith in the team, my staff and I to entertain them with the kind of football and results that their incredible support deserves.”

There then follows a quick reminder that to see the mighty Hammers might take a bit of waiting, in addition to a bit of cash! 'Due to the record number of renewals, some supporters on the Waiting List have not secured a Season Ticket for 2018/19, but they remain in pole position to secure a seat at a future date. For non-Season Ticket Holders, Claret Membership is the next best way to watch West Ham’s home Premier League matches at London Stadium. Membership is priced at just £40 for Adults and £25 for U16s, and entitles you to priority on home tickets with a £5 discount on Premier League fixtures, a £5 discount on official away coach travel, access to exclusive events, retail offers throughout the season and a limited edition gift pack'.

Well the hierarchy have got to try and claw some cash back haven't they? So what is happening with regards to the 'empty' seats that are in place but are unable to be used due to the 'impasse' between West Ham and the borough of Newham's health and safety operative? The club are sticking to their guns and want the original very attractive arrangement initially negotiated to be fully implemented, whereas Newham Council under the leadership of a new Mayor are quite rightly trying to get a return on their massive £40 Million that they have sunk in to the London Stadium redevelopment. The matter has now 'gone to Law' which means the only outright benefactor will be a bunch of suits charging eye watering amounts of money to 'administer' the frailed process.

There are many West Ham fans who feel distinctly uncomfortable over the club's stance on these matters, the general concencus being that the original deal negotiated was a tad too good and that the club could at least pay for the toilet rolls! Any financial benefit the club gain through playing hard ball will eventually prove to be costly due to the negative publicity but equally as importantly there are up to an additional 10,000 seats that could be made available, they are there in place already 3000 of which were originally earmaked as potential season tickets.

It would be hypocritical of the club not to fairly renegotiate certain sections of the original agreement, it's a win win situation, council gets more cash, suppporters get more seats, simples! - Ed