West Ham ‘hit panic button’ as they address issue causing discontent within the fan base

West Ham United are said to have ‘hit the panic button’ as they address an issue causing discontent within the fan base.

The board have partially back tracked their decision to eliminate concessions for new season ticket holders under 21 and over 66.

Previously, they had stated that there would be no concessions in Bands 1-4 for these age groups, but in response to backlash, anger and pleas for change from fans, they have slightly adjusted their stance.

Vice chair Karren Brady described the changes as a “small price uplift” in a recent open letter.

The initial policy would’ve meant no concession seating in Bands 1-4 of the stadium for new season ticket holders, forcing those wanting to sit with children or elderly family members to pay full price or relocate to the highest seats furthest from the pitch.

A petition was launched, getting over 11,000 signatures, with fans now planning to boycott matches.

In response, the club has announced that they will now offer some seating to over 66s in Bands 3 and 4 at a reduced 25% discount, but there are no plans to extend this to under 21s.

@WestHam and @Karren_Brady starting to get worried. It’s a very simple fix for them. Commit to all concessions for kids and OAP’s in all areas and for new season ticket holders.

“Affordable football for ALL” #BradyOut#BoycottBetway#BoycottBetwayCuphttps://t.co/tuQpcB5bji

— ⚒️🏰⚒️ 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 ⚒🏰⚒ (@Chris_Mills_) July 13, 2024

Emotional new video launched as West Ham fans protest season ticket and concession changes

CLUB STATEMENT:

West Ham United would like to reassure our loyal Season Ticket Holders that the Club remains absolutely committed to our policy of providing affordable family football at London Stadium.

We would like to clarify the following points in relation to the Club’s Season Ticket concession policies:

– All existing Season Ticket Holders who renewed their seat for the 2024/25 season in Bands 1-6 have retained any qualifying concessionary discount.

– This includes all juniors to Under-21 and Over-66 Season Ticket holders.

– The Club have honoured the concessionary discount in Bands 1-6 for any existing Adult Season Ticket Holders who turned 66 during the 2023/24 season. 

– All existing Season Ticket holders under the age of 21 in Bands 1-6 who continuously renew will continue to receive the concessionary discount provided they do not lapse until they are eligible to pay the full Adult price.

Our concessionary discount policies have been designed to ensure that our longest-standing Season Ticket holders are rewarded for their loyalty and commitment, and that our young supporters – the future of the Club – and their families are always provided with an affordable matchday experience.

Furthermore, following discussions with fan groups and having listened to supporter feedback, we are pleased to confirm that we have committed to delivering the following initiatives for the benefit of new and relocating Season Ticket Holders:

We understand the need for our Over-66 supporters to have access to concessionary seating within the lower stadium bowl and are therefore making concessionary tickets available for Over-66 supporters in Bands 3 and 4. These tickets can be purchased with a 25% concessionary discount, making them some of the cheapest lower-bowl tickets across the Premier League. If you are an Over-66 supporter and would like to find out more about these tickets, please contact the Ticket Office directly.

In addition to this, we have also made additional ambulant seating available in the lower stadium bowl specifically for Over-66 supporters with reduced mobility. These seats are available by contacting the Club’s Accessibility Team.

Moving forward, we will engage with the new Fan Advisory Board on our future ticketing strategies

As we welcome more new Season Ticket holders qualifying for a concessionary discount into Bands 5 and 6, we will continue to work on delivering a dedicated family-friendly experience in these areas of the stadium.

We are proud of the fact that West Ham United continues to offer our supporters some of the cheapest Season Ticket prices in London and the Premier League.

‪For the 2024/25 season, Under-18 Season Tickets are available from just £109, still currently one of the cheapest junior Season Tickets in the Premier League. This means a family of four (two Adults and two Under-18s) could attend all Premier League home fixtures for just £47.78 per match. The pricing of Band 1 to 6 Season Tickets also provides generous concessions for supporters who renewed their seats aged Under-21 and Over-66.

‪Even without a discount, West Ham United’s Season Tickets are some of the cheapest within the Premier League. For the 2024/25 season there is a cost-per-game increase of just £1.84 for Adults in Band 6, and £5.26 in our premium 1966 seats.

‪The Club also runs its ever-popular ‘Kids for a Quid’ initiative, with Under-18 tickets available for just £1, and Adult tickets from just £10. This was delivered for two fixtures across the 2023/24 season which meant a family of four could attend a match from just £22. 

Finally, we would like to remind our loyal and valued Season Ticket Holders that multiple lines of communication to the Club are always open, and that the best way to solve any query you may have is to contact the Club personally.

We recognise that each Season Ticket Holder’s circumstances and needs are individual to them, and that your status as a Season Ticket Holder is about far more than simply attending matchdays.

Our Ticket Office and Supporter Services staff are always available to answer your calls, emails and messages, and committed to ensuring that every Season Ticket Holder can rely on a dedicated and personal response as quickly as possible.

For details on the various ways to contact the Club, please click HERE.

To read the 2023/24 Fan Engagement Report, please click here.

This is how fans reacted, some saying West Ham ‘hit panic button’ as they address the issue causing discontent within the fan base…

@HammerStu76: “Our loyal and ‘valued’ season ticket holders.” Funniest thing I’ve read all day.

@Chris_Mills_: 😂😂😂 They’d be best off just saying fuck all. Brady has already confirmed the extra £600k we’ll get from this is the only way we can get new signings. If she done her job properly we’d have sponsors queueing up and the “world class stadium” making tens of millions more 🙄

@mywhufc: The back track has started. But still not good enough. all members of the ⁦@WHU_ISC⁩ must refuse to talk to the club ⁦@HammersUnited2 @InclusiveIrons @whust_whufc @PrideOfIrons Including ⁦@IWA1895

@browser1983: Still nothing on new u18 ST holders, the next generation of fans are been priced out

@DanNumbersWHU: When the club actually addresses an issue causing discontent within the fan base you know they have hit the panic button. Get this reversed then drive that witch out of the club!

@mywhufc:
The groups need to publicly distance themselves from the club until concession scrapping is abandoned totally
Time to turn up the pressure
Don’t stand up for yourselves
Stand up for those affected
The elderly & the young

@AngryBilic: Not tweeting it themselves though? Posting it on the website but not tweeting it as they know what the reaction will be underneath the tweet.

@dan_coker: Been a STH since 2005. These changes offer nothing for my 4 year old son who I would still have to pay full adult price for if I wanted to get him a first season ticket. If the club do not reinstate concessions for kids & Over65s in full, they will lose long standing STHs like me

@CanningTownLen: Why would the club suggest I’m a more loyal and committed fan than someone 15 years younger than me about to start taking their young kid? They don’t deserve anybody’s loyalty.

@imramblingon: It’s not enough. The petition and boycotts continue.

@TheRikMoran: Giving a fraction of what you took away is NOT good enough. West Ham need to restore full concessions for kids, young adults and over 65s not 66s.

@gantshillhammer:
the discount for o66 is reduced to 25% in bands 3 &4 but unclear if this is existing STH who keep up their ST until they become eligible
Does it apply to new ST?
Seems like still no concession for new U21 concessions in bands 1-4
Really poorly worded & currently seems inadequate

@joseyjo79: Sucks for my son who has been on the waiting list for three years and still hasn’t been offered a seat 😢

@fdkin1: I’ll never be able to get a decent season ticket now unless it pay full price. 😕

@GaryAPrince: So a kid that takes a year out of having a season ticket, perhaps due to ill health, gap year travel, or can’t afford it are fucked when they come back? How many lower tier concession tickets are available for over 66s, enough to cover every current over 66?

@BillyBigBollocs: Sullivan, Brady & Stooges OUT.

But it’s not enough. They need to do more! pic.twitter.com/likcPEAD8w

— AI Sean (@AISean66) July 13, 2024

Reverse the decision in full and an apology from the baroness for the damage she has caused is the only way of moving forward with this.

Disgusting behaviour from West Ham. pic.twitter.com/N6sbEGordx

— ⚒️🏰⚒️ 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 ⚒🏰⚒ (@Chris_Mills_) July 14, 2024