West Ham put new boy forward to quell fan protests as group sends letter to team

West Ham are leaving no stone unturned in a bid to try and dissuade supporters from attending a protest against the owners – but it isn’t working.

Hammers fans will take their discontent to the streets ahead of the game against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

West Ham majority owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady have actually achieved something rather remarkable in east London.

Because between the unpopular duo and the rest of the West Ham board, they have managed to unite a fanbase that has quite literally been split down the middle on almost any and every subject over the last 15 years.

Whether it has been the board, managers, players, recruitment, the stadium move and even the subject of protests, there have almost always been distinct factions of differing opinion.

Not anymore, though.

Hammers News was the first to reveal West Ham fans were planning new protests against the owners last month.

Then came a vote of no confidence in the ownership from West Ham’s Fan Advisory Board.

Since then majority owner Sullivan has cut off West Ham-related media outlets, citing a lack of support amid the growing unrest.

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West Ham board add to protest desire with statement own goal

At the same time the glare of the national media has landed on the Hammers, ramping up the pressure further still.

West Ham vice-chair Brady was sent to meet with disgruntled fans who put their questions, demands and expectations to the Baroness in a frank and professional manner.

What really happened in the meeting with Brady was revealed by a West Ham group this week.

Minutes of the meeting had to be signed off by both parties in order to be published to the rest of the fanbase.

But the Hammers shot themselves in the foot by releasing their own mammoth 1,382-word statement on the same evening minutes were released.

The statement has proved to be a complete own goal by the board.

Instead of promising changes, answers and action, it was filled with self-praise for the job they have done in east London.

The statement merely served to unite the club’s fanbase further still and – judging by the reaction on social media – add thousands to the numbers now adamant they are joining Hammers United’s ‘No more BS’ campaign.

Supporters will line the streets on the entrance to the director’s box at the London Stadium ahead of what is being billed a must-win game for struggling Graham Potter.

Hammers United have called for fans to carry out a peaceful protest so they are not labelled thugs by the club or national press.

Now West Ham have put a new boy forward to try and quell protests as the fan group behind them sends a letter to team.

El Hadji Malick Diouf has been one of the few bright spots of West Ham’s dismal season so far.

Potter’s side have lost four of their five games, shipping 14 goals and crashing out of the Carabao Cup in the process.

Diouf, who arrived in a £19m deal from Slavia Prague, has been a breath of fresh air at left-back.

In fact after the game at Spurs, Hammers News stated West Ham would be fine if more players showed the same level of passion, effort and energy as the 20-year-old Senegal star.

Ahead of the crucial game against Palace, Diouf has been put on centre stage to speak to supporters.

West Ham put new boy Diouf forward to quell fan protests

And the youngster spent most of the interview pleading with fans to stay united with the team and the club.

Diouf feels a win over Palace can ‘change everything’ and says West Ham can only push up the table with the fans on board.

“We know they are not happy,” Diouf said on West Ham’s official website.

“We have to try to win this game. I think it’s difficult, but it won’t continue like this, and of course it will change one day, so we hope this week can change everything.

“We accept that (results haven’t been good enough), but in this game we need everyone and the fans also. Every player needs the fans because they give them the power to go and fight.

“We need them in this kind of moment because I think they can help and push us, and with their support, I think it will be easier for us to get a good result.

“I think if we are together, it will be really easier to push up the table.”

Bless Diouf, he’s brand new to the club and will not fully appreciate the depth of feeling among fans about the club’s owners or how Hammers supporters operate.

But Diouf need not worry.

Fan group sends letter to West Ham team ahead of protests

Because Hammers fans have no intention whatsoever of turning on him and his teammates.

Now Hammers United have released an open letter to Potter and his side which, for the avoidance of doubt, makes it perfectly clear who the targets of their protests are.

“No doubt you will all be aware that Hammers United recently launched the No More BS campaign, and we would like to take this opportunity to make it absolutely clear that Graham Potter, along with his coaching staff and all the players, have our full support,” Hammers United state.

“The ‘No More BS’ campaign is not aimed at you.

“Our reasons for launching the No More BS campaign relate specifically to Karren Brady and David Sullivan who, through a toxic combination of arrogance, self-interest, and incompetence, along with a complete disregard for our Club’s history, heritage and fan base, have shown that they are unfit to have any further executive role at West Ham United.

“We have called on Brady and Sullivan to resign, and for the board of directors to appoint competent and professional replacements. Until this happens, the No More BS campaign will go on.

“A demonstration before the match against Crystal Palace will take place at the main gates, and we are expecting a significant number of like-minded West Ham fans to attend. Should the team bus arrive while this demonstration is in progress, you can be certain that you will receive a fantastic reception from the fans, the overwhelming majority of whom will later be inside the stadium cheering you on to what we hope will be our first home win of the season.

“We are sure you are also aware that we have called on fans to take part in a boycott of the match against Brentford on Monday 20 October. This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe that given the serious nature of the damage that will continue to be inflicted on our Club while Brady and Sullivan remain in place, it is a necessary and justifiable step that must be taken.

“We want you to know that every single fan who takes part in this boycott has the best interests of the Club at heart, and among their number will be fans who have supported West Ham United since the early 1960s. It is notable, despite all the ups and downs they have endured over the decades, where many of them have rarely missed a game, that it has taken Brady and Sullivan’s stewardship to bring them to the point where joining a boycott is a price worth paying if it hastens their departure and sets our Club back on the road to recovery.

“West Ham fans of all ages will be boycotting this game, but while we may not be there in the flesh, we will all be there in spirit cheering you on to another three points.

“We hope that you will all appreciate what we, as fans of West Ham United, reluctantly find ourselves having to do, and share our hopes that this Club will soon be able to live up to its full potential. We desperately want all of you to be a part of a thriving football club, and to share in the success we all deserve.

“Thank you for your understanding. Come On You Irons.”

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