Whu's view - The campaign for a ballot on the club's future

[paulhs1]

As was mentioned on this website last week, a meeting took place on Thursday 20th October at Hamilton Hall, Liverpool Street, London, to discuss the proposed move of West Ham United Football Club to the Olympic Stadium.

The outcome of this meeting is that on Monday 24th October, the letter replicated below was sent, by recorded delivery, to Mr David Gold, Mr David Sullivan and Straumur.

Below is a brief PRESS RELEASE to accompany the letter:

Email: campaign@whusview.com
Website: http://www.whusview.com

A GROUP OF WEST HAM FANS MAKE A FORMAL REQUEST TO THE OWNERS OF THE CLUB TO CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENTLY AUDITED CONSULTATION WITH SEASON TICKET HOLDERS AND MEMBERS ON THE CLUB'S POSSIBLE MOVE TO STRATFORD

A group of West Ham United football fans, both for and against the move away from Upton Park, have made a formal written request to the owners of the club for a full independently audited ballot of season ticket holders and members before putting forward a new bid to move from their current home in Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

Whu’s view was set up in the wake of the announcement by the OPLC on the 11th of October 2011 that West Ham United and Newham Council’s joint bid to move to the new stadium had been unsuccessful and that a new bidding process was to take place.

When Mr Gold and Mr Sullivan took over our club, a key pledge made was to consult with the fans. We appreciate that the club remains in financial difficulties, we respect the fact that they have invested their own money and that any financial decision rests with them. However, we ask that the pledge to consult is honoured by way of polling before bidding.

We await a positive response from the club.


Below is a copy of the OPEN LETTER which was sent, by recorded delivery, yesterday:

Email:campaign@whusview.com
Website: http://www.whusview.com

Monday 24th October 2011

An Open Letter to the Owners of West Ham United FC

WHU’s VIEW? is an independent group of West Ham supporters that ask the club
to make a commitment to a full poll of all existing season ticket holders and members
before bidding for the tenancy of the Olympic Stadium.

This issue has divided fans and this is the biggest step the club will take in its history.

We are not a group campaigning against a move. We appreciate that there is a range of opinions amongst supporters and all we seek is a full, fair, independently audited poll. We believe that any such poll should not be a simple yes or no, but should reflect the various issues involved and allow fans to express their priorities.

When Mr Gold and Mr Sullivan took over our club, a key pledge made was to consult with the fans. We appreciate that the club remains in financial difficulties, we respect the fact that they have invested their own money and that any final decision rests with them. However, we ask that the pledge to consult is honoured by way of polling before bidding as to date there has been no real consultation on this subject and any discussion afterwards would be inconsequent.
We would ask the club to inform us prior to the 1st November 2011 as to whether or not it is willing to undertake such a ballot.

Yours Sincerely

WHU’s VIEW Committee

[AMC1964]

Very well done folks, really mean that. I very much hope you get a response from the club.

[Doc H Ball]

There should have been a proper consultation long before now. Had there been, then the future of the O.S. and our tenancy there might not be the uncertain mess it is now.

It would be good if there could now be a debate about the type of polling questions that should be asked.

[hammers1954]

Well done folks. A well reasoned and sensible request. As some who supports the move good that the campaign for a ballot comes on behalf of supporters of all views

[DD]

Good work from those involved at the sharp end.

I can't really see any argument against a ballot, whether you be for or against the move.

Puts the club in an interesting position. If they decline to ballot, I wonder how they will "spin/bs" their way out of this one.

Still think the Club have should have done this without havving to be pushed mind

[Persil Tickets]

Hats off to the people that organised this compared to the lazy buggers like myself.
The cynic in me feels that they will totally ignore it and come up with some claim that the confidentiaity of the bid prohibits them from discussing any possible move.
Stated on here before. I am not against leaving the Boleyn but only to go to a properly designed football stadium. If the board are that confident that we will all be so happy with it then I cannot see any reason why they cannot put the plans in front of us to discuss.
Once again well done to the organisers.

[RyanWHUFC]

Well done to everyone that done this

[Denbighammer]

Well done to those involved. Hope the club listen to the views of real supporters on both sides of the argument.

[hadleighhammer]

Good work.

[Pop Robson]

Fair enough idea, not sure how the ballot should or could be worded !

Hopefully the club will make the effort to engage with the humble punters, either way.

Has the supporters advisory group ever had any luck??

David Gold is on twitter as I post this, maybe he'll make a comment

[Doc H Ball]

not sure how the ballot should or could be worded :

By people suggesting the questions Pop. Suggest away...

[Pop Robson]

By people suggesting the questions Pop. Suggest away...

Do you want to watch your club play in a rented athletics stadium, where you'll be 'miles' from the pitch ?

[Francoisvander or else]

[quote="Pop Robson"][quote="Doc H Ball"]
By people suggesting the questions Pop. Suggest away...
Do you want to watch your club play in a rented athletics stadium, where you'll be 'miles' from the pitch ?

...............are the only facts people have to vote on, anything else is just hearsay or wishfull thinking

[taffhammer]

Do you want to watch your club play in a rented athletics stadium, where you'll be 'miles' from the pitch ?

As someone pro the move but who admires you all for sticking up for what you beleive in, i would suggest you really word your questions carefully. The question above would only have one answer from the way it was asked and therefore would be a loaded question. The 'pros' could use that against you. Word your questions right and lets get a real opinion of West Ham fans. If the majority don't want to go then we shouldn't.
On another note can anyone tell me how many went to the meeting ? and why do you seem to be keeping this quiet.

[paulhs1]

As someone pro the move but who admires you all for sticking up for what you beleive in, i would suggest you really word your questions carefully. The question above would only have one answer from the way it was asked and therefore would be a loaded question. The 'pros' could use that against you. Word your questions right and lets get a real opinion of West Ham fans. If the majority don't want to go then we shouldn't.
On another note can anyone tell me how many went to the meeting ? and why do you seem to be keeping this quiet.

The questions in the ballot are going to be very important and that's why we would like as much input as possible from the fans be they pro or anti. I agree that the questions should not be loaded and and should be worded correctly to obtain a real opinion of West Ham fans.

The meeting went well. We had 10 people that came along all with the same goal of trying to find a way for the fans to be consulted on the move.
We came up with some good ideas, many of which have already been implemented whist others are to be discussed further at our next meeting set for the 1st of November just prior to Bristol City game.
We also had a few that wanted to come along but could not make the meeting due to other commitements. We expect at least double the amount on the 1st November and have encouraged more supporters that are 'pro' the move to come along to offer their input.

[Francoisvander or else]

Do you want to watch your club play in a rented athletics stadium, where you'll be 'miles' from the pitch ?[/quote]

As someone pro the move but who admires you all for sticking up for what you beleive in, i would suggest you really word your questions carefully. The question above would only have one answer from the way it was asked and therefore would be a loaded question. The 'pros' could use that against you. Word your questions right and lets get a real opinion of West Ham fans. If the majority don't want to go then we shouldn't.
On another note can anyone tell me how many went to the meeting ? and why do you seem to be keeping this quiet.[/quote]

Don't really see why this is bothering people. I and 5 of my friends all fellow season ticket holders couldn't go due to family commitments and I guess that's the same for a fair few others, whatever the number it's more than the number of people that have attended an open public meeting held by the club regarding the move.

[taffhammer]

Don't really see why this is bothering people. I and 5 of my friends all fellow season ticket holders couldn't go due to family commitments and I guess that's the same for a fair few others, whatever the number it's more than the number of people that have attended an open public meeting held by the club regarding the move.

Sorry Francoisvander or else but it is important for me to know what sort of attendence this attracted. I am pro move but could definately be swayed by a show of support that really proves the majority are against it. I want a stadium that is big enough to compete in the future, great for transport and still near enough to our roots.This is a chance for that but if a meeting of ten grows and grows then fair enough but i wanted to know how many you had there at the start.It's a important point.

[taffhammer]

The questions in the ballot are going to be very important and that's why we would like as much input as possible from the fans be they pro or anti.

Thanks for the answer paulhs1.

[paulhs1]

Sorry Francoisvander or else but it is important for me to know what sort of attendence this attracted. I am pro move but could definately be swayed by a show of support that really proves the majority are against it. I want a stadium that is big enough to compete in the future, great for transport and still near enough to our roots.This is a chance for that but if a meeting of ten grows and grows then fair enough but i wanted to know how many you had there at the start.It's a important point.

Just to explain that the 10 people that came along last Thursday are people that have all been active in the campaign and are not just people that support the cause.
But to give you an idea with regards to numbers, we have had almost 200 people sign up in the last 24 hours.

[stubbsy07]

Well done all those involved