STATEMENTS AND NOMINATION DETAILS

SARTHAK KUMAR Nominated by Richard Elliott and Rachael McFetridge

Football clubs, in their most ideal form, are supposed to be mirrors of their surrounding community and the fanbase. How far are we from that ideal? Between the greed of club owners, the Premier League and TV broadcasters, it is fans who have taken the largest hit in terms of the football fan experience both on and off the pitch. As fans I believe it is our duty to reclaim this ideal by influencing the powers that be - and with the government getting involved we are at a critical point where the relationship between fans and their club will be written for the next generation and possibly beyond.

The initial fragments of change usually comes from the bottom-up - we have a Fan-Led Review because we as fans demanded it. But actual, deliverable change usually happens from the top-down - in rooms far away filled with people with actual authority. We in the WHUST sit somewhere in the middle, and have the power to influence both those aspects - and I firmly believe that our role is crucial going forward in ensuring that football is truly for the fans.

As a co-opted member of the WHUST board, I've been working to help improve the match-day atmosphere, in conjunction with the Ironworks Alliance. The efforts to coordinate ticket buying in order to pack the BML are already seeing results - the electric atmosphere at the Freiburg game last year, as well as the fan-funded tifo display against Arsenal being cases in point! I would like to continue this work and my areas of interest are around tackling some long-term goals such as delivering safe standing for the home fans.

Personally speaking - I have experience of being on committees that serve thousands of members with varying interests - for example, I’m currently on the National Executive Committee at my union and, through the slow boring of hard boards, am affecting actual change in union policy. These experiences mean that I am fully aware of the difficulties and the patience required in making a change - but with constant and active engagement it is possible to get things done. I believe that the long-term goal of fans being truly valued requires similar skills, which is why I would be honoured to be a member of the WHUST board!

KEVIN HIND Nominated by Chris Wheal and Rachael McFetridge

I have been a member of the WHUST Board since the Trust was founded. 

My main responsibility as a Trustee for the past year has been representing the Trust on the Independent Supporters’ Committee and subsequently the Fan Advisory Board.  In this role I have been successful in promoting consensus, transparency and unity among the groups that make up the ISC and the FAB.  This has helped us to present a united front when dealing with the Club so that we speak with one voice on the issues that matter most to fans including ticketing and concessions. 

I bring a professional and positive approach to my role on the Trust, whether it is helping to write content for the website or representing the Trust on external bodies.

NICK DRANE Nominated by Chris Wheal and Sarthak Kumar

I’ve been a West Ham season ticket holder for over 30 years.  Supporting the Hammers is a family thing.  My late father was born fairly near the old ground -  and he, my brother and I spend many, noisy Saturday’s in E13.  The quality on the pitch has, truth to say, varied a bit over the years.  But the quality of conversation and insight in the pubs, clubs, on the terraces and in the stands has been consistently high.  Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of meeting 100s of fellow supporters.  The experience connected my family to a wider one.  The people I’ve met represent, in person after person, the human heritage, the living tradition and the actual reality of the culture of our football club. History, hope, players and fans are the combustible mixture which together create the “football experience” which has proved so attractive to commercial TV.  The point is that without the passion created by match-day fans; without the connection between players and supporters the media would merely have “entertainment” – some insipid footballing form of ‘gladiators’   The truth is that passionate, engaged fans make the atmosphere which drives the media attention.

Fans come from a variant of backgrounds and can bring a wide range of experience to help our club become an even better expression of their support. And while not everyone will want to get involved in working with the club, everyone should have that choice.  Everyone should be heard.   Technology means it’s no longer difficult to listen.  Everyone should be regularly asked for their views about their match-day experience; about the range and price of stadium-based food and drink; about the price of attending matches; about the scheduling of games outside  traditional times and days; and about whether they feel safe at games.  Club owners and media money will of course continue to dominate decision-making, but not always.  Like the teams we have supported fans won’t win many times.  But we can win sometimes.  And we can influence for the better.  And in doing that we can pass to the next generation of supporters another of the traditions which make up the ‘West Ham Way’

RICHARD ELLIOTT Nominated by Nick Drane and Sarthak Kumar

I am 58 and a Season Ticket holder for the last 11 seasons (and either a Season Ticket holder or member since the mid 1990’s), sitting in the West Stand. I’ve supported West Ham through thin and thin all my life, with my first match attended in 1974. I’m married, with 2 adult sons (also season ticket holders) and live in Essex. I have been on the Board of WHUST for the last 2 years & recently took over as the Treasurer.

By profession, I am a qualified senior banker and lending consultant, with experience as a Director and Board Member. I believe that my professional experience gives me a strong understanding of any commercial or financial aspect that impacts both WHUST and West Ham United itself – I strongly believe that in acting as a “critical friend” to the club (whether collaborating or holding to account), WHUST needs to properly understand the club’s own position and motivations, and I can help with that understanding.

RACHEL MCFETRIDGE Nominated by Sarthak Kumar and Kevin Hind

Since 1996 I have actively supported West Ham United. I have a season ticket in the Billy Bonds Stand and can be regularly seen at away games. I endorse the importance of retaining some of the cultural history of our club as we continue to evolve and develop the game.

I am one of the founding committee members of WHUST. I am one of two members of the WHUST committee who represent our club at the Metropolitan Police Independent Advisory Group for football in Greater London. As a fan who regularly attends games, I have encountered a number of women with a similar passion for both the club and the game. This has led me to join a FSA subcommittee for Women’s Voice in the Men’s Game. My aim as a member of WHUST is to ensure both existing and potential fans - especially women and girls - have the same positive experiences I have had along the way. Further to this, I have been liaising with the Met Police to raise the profile of the VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) campaign at the game. Throughout the season I have regularly joined the FSA banner protest for clubs to stop exploiting loyalty by removing concessions for children and OAPs at matches. I firmly believe that football should be financially accessible to all.

My professional work in education has developed my skills and knowledge in working partnerships with several sectors within the community, as well as finance management and strategic planning.

ROBINA AHMED Nominated by Rachael McFetridge and Dean Matthews

Despite being a lifelong West Ham fan, my first foray into fan representation was in January 2022 when I was elected as Claret Membership Representative for the WHUISC. It gave me a valuable insight into the often fragile relationship between fan representative bodies and a premier league club and its board. I stayed in this position for over two years and helped to develop the basis and foundational framework of the newly appointed Fan Advisory Board. I maintain good relationships with the members of the FAB and have been active in helping out in the Stop Exploiting Loyalty and Save Our Concessions campaign, whenever possible.

I am also a Town Councillor, with experience of committees and boards and have great negotiation skills. I am Chair of a Diversity and Inclusion Working Group and am a trustee of a charitable venture which provided free meals to those in need. I regularly partake in fundraising activities for local charities. To me representation and equality matters. What does not matter is your background, class, colour, gender, sexuality or belief system. Every fan is an equal and integral part of the West Ham family. We are a community who should stand together to fight the corporate greed and corruption which has become the blight of the premier league and its clubs.

It would be an honour and a privilege for me to represent their interests through WHUST.

DEAN MATTHEWS Nominated by Richard Elliott and Rachel McFetridge

As a lifelong West Ham United supporter, I am proud to stand for election to the West Ham United Supporters’ Trust (WHUST) Board. Born and raised in East Ham, I come from a family of three generations of season ticket holders. My passion for the club has shaped my life, and I have been fortunate to witness historic moments, from the play-off finals to our unforgettable Europa Conference League victory.

I have always believed that supporters are the heart and soul of football. Our voices matter, and the WHUST plays a crucial role in ensuring that West Ham fans are represented, respected, and heard. My commitment to fan engagement led me to become actively involved in supporters’ trusts, and I currently work for the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust, helping to strengthen fan influence within their club. Through this experience, I have developed a deep understanding of governance, transparency, and the importance of meaningful communication between clubs and their supporters.

Since being co-opted onto the WHUST Board in July 2024, I have worked to enhance social media output which in the long term will hopefully increase membership. If elected, I will continue pushing for greater supporter representation in club decision-making, ensuring that the Trust remains a strong and independent voice.

West Ham United means everything to us as fans, and I believe the Supporters’ Trust is essential in safeguarding our interests. With my experience, dedication, and understanding of how trusts can influence football clubs, I am ready to continue representing you and ensuring that our voices are never ignored.

I would be honoured to receive your support.