West Ham United supporters staged major protests against the club’s board on Saturday ahead of their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at the London Stadium.
The demonstrations were organised by fans’ groups Hammers United and Crossed Hammers, who gathered in large numbers before the London derby to voice frustrations over the club’s ownership.
Hammers United led a march from the Carpenter’s Arms pub to the directors’ entrance at the London Stadium, while Crossed Hammers organised a separate splinter protest from Stratford station. Both groups converged outside the ground with banners reading “Sold our soul – 15 years of destroying West Ham United” as chants of “we want our club back” rang out.
An increased police presence was in place as supporters lined the streets, greeting the arrival of the team bus with chants of “it’s all lies, lies, lies.”
Why Are West Ham Fans Protesting?
The protests follow the Fan Advisory Board’s (FAB) vote of no confidence in West Ham’s current board earlier this month. The FAB cited the club’s failure to build on their 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League victory, as well as ongoing issues with the matchday experience at the London Stadium.
Fan groups are demanding sweeping changes at boardroom level, urging chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady to step aside from executive positions.
Speaking ahead of the protests, Hammers United spokesperson Colborne insisted the demonstrations would not stop until change is delivered:
“We will get Sullivan and Brady out. Sooner rather than later. We’re not asking Sullivan to sell up – we’re asking him to step down and bring in proper executives to run the club.”
Colborne also pointed to Tottenham Hotspur’s boardroom restructure, where Daniel Levy stepped down from his executive chairman role, with Vinai Venkatesham appointed as CEO, as a model West Ham should follow.
Fans Plan Season-Long Campaign
The protests mark the beginning of what organisers describe as a “sustained, season-long campaign”. Plans include boycotts, further marches – including one against Burnley – and the use of black balloons and flags at away matches to maintain visibility throughout the campaign.
Colborne stressed that the unrest is not solely linked to on-field form, despite West Ham’s poor start to the season under Graham Potter, who has managed just one win from the club’s opening four league games.
“The fans have had enough. We’ve got to drive them out,” he added.
West Ham are still searching for their first home victory of the season, making the London derby against Crystal Palace a tense backdrop for fans’ growing discontent.
