West Ham's last day at the Boleyn Ground could be marked by a huge party on the pitch, it was revealed tonight.
The Hammers bid farewell to the Boleyn Ground at the end of the 2015/16 season after 112 years on Green Street and tonight co-Chairman David Gold, speaking to season ticket holders at a fans' forum, hinted that the Club could stage a party for thousands to bid farewell to the ground that has witnessed the vast majority of West Ham's triumphs.A number of points were raised throughout the evening with Sam Allardyce, Kevin Nolan and David Gold taking the supporters' questions, the key points of which you may read below courtesy of KUMB member Espio who was in attendance at the Boleyn Ground this evening...
Sam Allardyce
West Ham United FC manager
* Sam sums up the season so far. "A lack of goals, not good performances. Need to get over injuries."
* We're definitely in for a striker this January.
* Six points from next four games is a minimum target. The end-of-season target is still "better than last season". He notes we had a run nearly as bad as this at the end of last season.
* Mo Diame played on the wing against Crystal Palace because Matt Jarvis - who he added didn't cost 11million - had a knock and was on a dip in form.
* The £6million money spent on Stewart Downing's transfer was not enough for a decent striker. He highlighted the difficulty in finding a proven, Premier League forward, specifically highlighting Cisse who was once a prolific goalscorer but now doesn't get a game. He believes Downing has improved the side.
* On summer transfers, Allardyce claimed Demba Ba wouldn't leave Chelsea, Loic Remy chose Newcastle and that Demba Ba decided to stay at Chelsea three hours before the deadline causing Romalu Lukaku to go instead. His Belgium teammate Mirralas persuaded him to go to Everton.
* Asked why he was "wasting his time trying to get Lukaku who is too good for West Ham", Sam retorted that he was playing for West Brom last season who are not better than us historically.
* Most injuries are not related to the training ground otherwise "the current staff wouldn't be there". He admitted that we need to improve facilities along with the stadium.
* He thanked everyone for coming and said he'll do his best to turn things around.
Kevin Nolan
West Ham United FC midfielder and Club captain
* He criticised injuries and refereeing performances, specifically mentioning Mark Noble's sending off and free kick against Everton. He said the team feels they're "constantly getting hit in the nuts".
* Says positive team morale is a sign they're a good side. He has no doubt we will stay up.
* He admitted his finishing has been poor recently and is very apologetic. Says anyone would miss Andy Carroll, just like Liverpool would miss Suarez or Everton Lukaku.
* Nolan apologised for the red card tackle at Liverpool, said he was ashamed and won't be going on holiday - he is in training tomorrow practicing finishing, whilst others are off.
David Gold
West Ham United FC co-owner
* Called our season so far "disappointing" and said he expected us to be mid-table at this stage. He believed we put all our eggs in one basket with Carroll and Downing but admits no one expected the injury/ies. Carroll expected back for the New Year, at best.
* In Gold's opinion our "four best players" are currently injured. "That's bad luck". The Board has adjusted expectations but don't rule our back-to-back wins putting us on track for mid-table. He wants to see Ravel played in Nolan's role.
* Told an anecdote about catching his wife with his best mate in his swimming pool, which led to him eventually meeting the "love of my life" - adding that similarly, Nolan's injury could lead to us "discovering" Ravel in his place. Big applause for that.
* He admitted in hindsight that we should've purchased a forward, not Downing. That said, Gold believes Downing is great player and says turning him down in the hope of finding a last-minute striker would've been a risk.
* In response to Sullivan's quote upon buying the Club, Gold says he believes our squad is still unbalanced - but only by "two players".
* Re: FFP and the forthcoming transfer window, he insisted "budgets change" and pointed out that half-season loans are cheaper. New corporate deals and shop sales have also added to our transfer budget.
* Whilst "we're not talking about getting a 10million player", Allardyce would be eyeing a quality loan with a view to buy in the summer.
* The two co-chairmen will do everything to get the striker required in January and confirmed that work had already begun. The hope is to have someone in during the first week of the window.
* Gold says a bid for one of our fringe players would help funds in January. "Fringe or French?" Asked a fan. "Yeah, French," he responded with a grin.
* Sullivan and Gold now own 87% of the Club between them.
* £15million from the sale of the Boleyn Ground will go to the LLDC and approximately £20million will be left to split between debt and transfers.
* Fans can name two sides of the Olympic Stadium after Club legends. West Ham United are currently trying to negotiate naming rights for the two remaning sides but will also name other parts of the site after greats. Billy Bonds was specifically mentioned as someone Gold believes was mistreated by previous owners.
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