A letter received at Hammers United HQ.this morning.
What are our members talking about?
Closed shop?
It has become apparent that the privilege of purchasing away tickets directly from West Ham United is now reserved for those who currently have that access. Breaking into that group is proving ever more difficult, or costly, and even impossible for some. The privilege of buying from the club is not to be confused with the privilege of attending. Attending those games is certainly still open to those with the desire to do so. The only problem being, you can’t attend in your name. Therefore you can’t give yourself the chance of attending future fixtures in your own name or maybe even claiming a more popular ticket in your own name. Demand is high, supply is often limited and so, perhaps naturally, a ‘black’ market evolves. Those with access to directly purchasing tickets don’t want to lose that access and, in many cases, you can argue that they’ve earned that right. But arguing is not what we should be doing. We need to unite. We can’t blame those who have access to tickets for having that access or blame them for utilising the only existing market place to pass those tickets on when the need arises. They are merely operating within the system as it is today. So who do we blame and how do we then level the proverbial playing field to a point where the black market is not the answer for those who wish to follow over land and sea?
1. Gold, Sullivan and Brady. Away fans have often been vocal critics of these three. Anything that sees divisions arise or that muddies the waters for a vocal travelling support, who might tarnish their reputation, would no doubt be very welcome.
2. The move (see above). More season ticket holders and an experience that just doesn’t compare to Upton Park is going to encourage people to travel to look for that experience.
3. Increased corporate season tickets (see above). These guys can ‘jump the queue’ so to speak. But again, this isn’t their fault. GSB wanted to sell more corporate seats.
4. The gentrification of the premier league in general. ‘Away Day’ culture is arguably a growing movement among those who resist popcorn, clappers and half & half scarves.
5. £30 cap. Offering to buy 4 tickets for your mates then sorting out who goes afterwards certainly takes on a different meaning when it’s £120 coming out of your account and not £280.
6. Relocation. I’m sure there was a time when most West Ham fans lived in the East End and jumped on a bus or walked to Upton Park. These days relocation is easy and common. There are hammers everywhere who would love to do their local Away day.
The priority point system, our bond holders, our away season ticket holders, and even the much maligned ballot are not to blame. Changes to these would merely shift the boundaries. Those who are buying the tickets might buy them at a lower point, but the shop door would remain closed. It’s all relative. ‘Blame’ lies with those who took actions that accelerated demand but haven’t catered for that, not with those who are forced to operate within their system to watch their team away from home.
So to the rub. How to level the playing field. How to ensure that the 3,000 people who want to drive up the M1 on a Wednesday night to watch their team can do so by purchasing a ticket from the club and not from a (some might say) less reliable source. Here lies the problem. Any solution. Any solution that anyone suggests to improve this system cannot be tested. We have no idea if it addresses the issue and then if it fixes the issue. Until the club will tell us where the tickets go, game by game, they hold all the cards. Just the way they like it. So, say we go for less ASTHs. We will still have no idea where all the tickets go. Or we get rid of the ballot. Well, where did they go for Bournemouth; no ballot there. Or we remove the point for certain games. We still don’t know who’s buying them. Unless we can get the club to engage in a discussion on this issue and to take action to inform the fan base we are stuck. Endlessly debating, continually frustrated and relying on a black market where, it has become apparent, we cannot trust the fellow ‘West Ham fan’.
Hammers United Committee is debating what proposals to put forward to the club .We thought it a good idea to post this member’s letter to help us guage our members’ views.-Thanks.
Hammers United Committee
www.hammersunited.com
