Yet another match for us that we are not playing at 3:00pm on a Saturday.
This time it’s not because we’ve just had a Europa match on Thursday - or have been chosen for TV broadcast in the UK. No - it’s because the FA has sold the international broadcasting rights for every single Cup match from the 3rd round onwards for live broadcast.
After last night’s win against Arsenal, WHUST Interim Chair Terry Reynolds was interviewed by BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Radio Scotland.
It was an early start for Terry when he was interviewed by Eleanor Oldroyd and Gordon Smart on the 5 Live Breakfast Show.
David Curry of BBC Radio Scotland was interested in Terry’s opinion about David Moyes. David remembered when English football had a healthy smattering of Scottish managers and these days there’s only one - David Moyes.
WHUST announces that for personal reasons Sue Watson has resigned from the Board and Chair of the Trust.
Terry Reynolds has been appointed as Interim Chair until the AGM in February. Terry has been involved as part of the steering committee that established the Trust and was subsequently appointed as a board member once the Trust was formally established.
AISA (Arsenal Independent Supporters' Association) has provided us with their tips to share with you when visiting the Emirates on Thursday evening, on getting there and around and inside the stadium
Read MoreHot on the heels of WHUST publishing an article about the club’s poor communication over ticketing, the club did it again. Season ticket holders who had joined the home cup scheme received a text message after 6pm on Monday 11 December 2023, warning:
”Your priority Home Cup Scheme window for our upcoming FA Cup third round fixture against Bristol City on Sunday 7 January will open tomorrow at 10am. Secure your seat here.”
We know there have been too many mistakes on the field recently, but the club surpasses that when it comes to communication with fans. What’s the worst cock-up you’ve seen from the club recently?
On 1 December it sent out an email giving the date of the Freiburg match a November date. “Now, it all comes down to our final group match against SC Freiburg on Thursday 14 November,” the club said.
Inclusiveness, participation and visibility, that is what WHUST believes following West Ham United is about.
WHUST Chair Sue Watson was proud to be able to represent WHUST at the Pride of Irons Rainbow Laces event held on the 28th November 2023.
West Ham fanzine Blowing Bubbles has been shortlisted for a top award at the 2023 Football Supporters’ Association Awards.
Blowing Bubbles broke the mould of club fanzines and asked West Ham’s supporters' trust, WHUST, to contribute articles about its work on behalf of Hammers fans.
“Legislation will be brought forward to safeguard the future of football clubs for the benefit of communities and fans.”
An Independent Football Regulator will put fans back at the heart of football and help to deliver a sustainable future for all clubs. It follows on from the 2019 manifesto commitment to conduct a fan-led review of football, which highlighted a number of systemic issues in football that this legislation addresses.
The clocks go back - but our match is brought forward.
Our home match against Everton on Sunday 29th October kicks off an hour early at 1:00pm - due to Greater Manchester Police.
WHUST is against any football match being played on Christmas Eve. Apart from the potentially significant difficulties with travel, it's a time for families to be together. Additionally all the arrangements that are part of a football match will lead to staff that will be needed missing time with their families.
It is disappointing that the decision to hold a match on Christmas Eve has been made and fully support the FSA in their response to this.
WHUST had an online conference call with representatives from Football Supporters Europe (FSE) to discuss arrangements for our Europa League match at Olympiakos next week.
The main concern raised by supporters is the mandatory coach travel to and from the stadium and the cost of this travel that was only announced when the tickets actually went on sale.
Sunday 8th October was not only our game against Newcastle United, but one of the matches designated for saying “No Room for Racism”.
WHUST was invited to speak on the pitch in the buildup to the match about this important issue alongside Sanil from Inclusive Irons and Jo from Pride of Irons.
WHUST has now seen the decisions of UEFAs Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body regarding what happened during and particularly after the final whistle at our match against AZ Alkmaar on 18th May 2023.
Key points include the UEFA Match Delegate’s report: “despite a good sense of cooperation leading to the match, the way a major issue at the end of the match has handled was inadequate”
Despite AZ Alkmaar requesting police support, there was a delay in response by the police due to police deployment and knowledge of the ground.
West Ham will be playing away to Lincoln City in the 3rd round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday 27th October.
Here’s what you need to know about getting there and the facilities available.
WHUST notes the Governments response to consultation on the Football Governance White Paper. The response reflects contributions made by WHUST.
The Governments recommitment to an independent Statutory regulator is welcome. WHUST also welcomes the Governments intent to make Fan Engagement a legally based requirement, assessed by the independent regulator as a condition of West Ham being granted a licence to operate.
WHUST will continue to work with FSA and Government colleagues to further clarify detailed arrangements. WHUST will press for the Parliamentary introduction of the Bill to enact the regulator as soon as possible in the new Parliamentary Session.
Independent Advisory Groups (IAGS) are set up to allow groups of people to act as that “critical friend” to the Police, in our case the Metropolitan Police. At IAG meetings questions are asked, police actions and initiatives explained/questioned and information shared.
The minutes of the last meeting held on 26th July 2023 are here:
Hammers fans please share this list of commemorative bricks saved from the demolition of Upton Park. The owners probably don’t even know these precious keepsakes were saved.
Read MoreWe’re away at Brighton on 26th August and here’s all you need to know about getting there and the facilities available.
There is a nationwide strike by the RMT union affecting train services on Saturday 26 August. Southern Railway which serves Brighton and Falmer will be operating a limited service across its network, with a later start up and earlier finish and some routes not served at all.
WHUST has been asked to pass on this invitation from a student documentary maker who wishes to speak to West Ham fans. If you are keen to be involved, please get in touch direct with the student.
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