West Ham Fans Plan Protest Against Club Ownership Amid Discontent

West Ham United fans are preparing to hold another protest against the club’s ownership on Saturday, coinciding with their home match against Burnley. The supporters have expressed their discontent towards club chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady, demanding their resignation.

Sullivan and Brady have overseen West Ham since 2010, but they sold a 27% stake in the club to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky in 2021. Many fans feel that the club has not progressed sufficiently following their 2023 UEFA Conference League victory, which marked their first major trophy in 43 years. Additionally, there is ongoing frustration regarding the club’s current stadium situation.

In 2016, West Ham left Upton Park to relocate to the 62,500-seater London Stadium, originally constructed for the London 2012 Olympics. Brady promised fans in 2013 that it would become a “world-class” football venue.

West Ham finished 14th in the Premier League last season, and protests have intensified following their poor performance. Two organized demonstrations occurred before West Ham’s 2-1 home loss to Crystal Palace on September 20, with around 3,000 fans marching in protest. In October, many fans boycotted Nuno Espirito Santo’s first home game, leading to empty seats as the team suffered a 2-0 defeat to Brentford, marking their fifth consecutive home league loss for the first time since 1931.

On November 2, after a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United, some supporters staged a sit-in protest to voice their dissent.

As of Saturday’s match, West Ham is positioned 18th in the Premier League, having earned only seven points from their first ten games. If they remain in this position, they risk relegation to the Championship for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

Holly Turbutt from the West Ham Network attributes the protests to a “multitude of issues” affecting the club, including poor performances. Financially, West Ham ranks in the middle of the table in terms of expenditure for the 2024-25 season, spending £124 million gross, resulting in a net spend of £69 million after player sales.

James Jones from the We Are West Ham podcast described the club as a “shell of its former self,” citing the stadium move and a redesign of the club crest as actions that have alienated fans. He criticized the club’s financial management, suggesting it has led to the team’s struggles.

Organizers anticipate that at least 9,000 supporters will participate in Saturday’s demonstration. A petition calling for Sullivan and Brady’s resignation has garnered over 16,000 signatures, and the West Ham Fan Advisory Board has expressed a vote of no confidence in the current board.

While the club acknowledged the protests on September 20, stating they “listen to fan feedback” and have made “significant investments into the football operation,” they have not commented publicly on the upcoming protests.