Hi all,
Please see below the ongoing correspondence with the Club on pre-match queues, searches and supporters using disabled queues. You will note we have now also questioned season ticket price rises and made a formal request that Old School Hammers have representation on next season’s Fan Engagement Board.
Email to the Club – April 11:
My name is Phil Stringfellow. I am the democratically elected Secretary of Old School Hammers which has been formed to represent our over 60’s fans in the absence of any such group.
We already have 285 members (with more on Facebook) which is very encouraging. We are also proudly Affiliate members of the FSA.
Our committee have now met on 2 occasions to discuss how we best represent our members and improve things for our over 60’s supporters. To that end my committee have instructed me to write to you seeking a meeting to discuss the pre-match queues at the London Stadium which, in our experience, are far worse then at other Premier League grounds.
We would also like to discuss searches and able supporters using disabled queues.
Looking forward to a positive reply and working with you for the good of West Ham United supporters.
Regards
Phil.
Summary of the Club’s response to our email of April 11th:
The Club stated that their team would always be happy to discuss and support with any queries and concerns relating to searches on match day and that they completely appreciate it is an important part of match days for fans, especially supporters who require the use of the accessibility lanes.
They stated that they have previously been speaking with fans at the back of the queues when they arrive and they have been happy to help with some spot-testing on queue timings. Entry rates have also been part of the discussion with fan groups at previous meetings.
The Club acknowledged that there is a peak period at every ground in the 30 minutes leading to kick-off and encourage fans to arrive early (wherever possible). They went on to state that if anyone has a query, concern or complaint about their experience on match day the team will be happy to look into this further and help wherever they can. Fans can contact the Club at: supporterservices@westhamunited.co.uk for assistance in the first instance should there be any complaints.
The Club said that searches have been a topic of discussion with fan representatives on the Independent Supporters’ Committee (including a well-established group called Any Old Irons who represent supporters aged over 65) but that would not preclude Old School Hammers from sharing their members’ feedback with both the Club and ISC so that it can be considered in any strategic or wider discussions.
Email to the Club – May 16.
Thanks for your reply and all is well, thank you. You were out of office when I first mailed so I suspect the mail may have been missed due to that.
The searches carried out (due to security) are of massive concern to me, my committee and many of our members and indeed other fans I have spoken to.
Firstly, is it absolutely necessary to search every home fan entering? The searches are slow and very inconsistent…some are thorough, being asked to remove your hat, phone, wallet, keys and other just a brief going over with a wand.
Once the queues build (it was very busy 45 minutes pre-kick off v AZ the other night) you have a security issue where anyone with intent could take out hundreds of people massed in the queues.
Then we have the issue for us older people, maybe not disabled but nevertheless very uncomfortable in a queue, especially when it’s cold and wet. This really needs looking at please. The temptation for some to try to beat the queues by using the accessibility lanes is not acceptable. I understand saying get there earlier, however this isn’t always possible and there’s no incentive to do so with overpriced and often awful food and drink on offer.
Just to note please, with ref to Any Old Irons. They are good people I am sure but they are a social group and with all due respect I’ll say they do NOT represent the older fan-base and the reason I say so is that the group is a closed shop and there is no way to join. Indeed it is actually very difficult if not impossible to contact them. This is why Old School Hammers was formed as we want to represent the older fans views and share them with the Club and ISC. At present these fans are not represented in our opinion.
I note your comments ‘that there should be a way for me to share the feedback of my group with the club and the ISC so that it can also be considered in any strategic and ongoing discussion.’
I understand that the Club will be putting a new Fan Engagement Board in place for the new season. Please take this email as a formal request that Old School Hammers be represented on the new construct thus enabling the views of the over 60s West Ham fans to be heard and represented.
We are fully democratic, fully affiliated to the FSA , and are open to all over 60s West Ham United supporters to join. You will note that I have copied in the FSA officer on Fan Engagement.
I’d also like to put on record Old School Hammers’ concerns at the Club’s recent season ticket price increases. We are particularly alarmed at the proposed raising of the qualifying age for concession tickets as this directly affects many of our members. We urge the club to revisit season ticket proposals. We have asked FSA member groups of other PL clubs if they have raised the concession age from 65 to 66. The responses I have had so far confirm that they have not.
I look forward to working with you representing our older fans and look forward to a positive response.
Kind Regards
Phil Stringfellow
(Secretary ) Old School Hammers
