By David Gold
November 16 – A group of West Ham United fans organised under the name WHU’s VIEW? have written to the club for a second time to request an independent ballot of members and season ticket holders before going forward with any attempt to move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
West Ham had originally won the race with Tottenham Hotspur to move into the Olympic Stadium at the conclusion of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games next year.
The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) last month ended negotiations over West Ham’s move after Tottenham’s ongoing legal action against the decision to award their rivals the stadium.
Tottenham appealed to the high court for a judicial review, which they subsequently withdrew after the OPLC decision last month, but West Ham may still move into the stadium by leasing it for £2 million a year.
WHU’s VIEW?, who wrote a letter to the club on October 24, have decided to send a second request after West Ham responded by putting a release on their website saying that they still intend to bid for the tenancy of the Olympic Stadium, insisting that consultation with fans had already taken place.
“We are not against a move to the Olympic Stadium,” read the letter.
“We are campaigning on the single issue of balloting the fans prior to bidding in what remains the biggest question facing our club in its history.
“Since our formation we have received significant support and there is clearly a desire amongst fans to have their say.
“We again ask that the club honour its pledge to consult with fans by way of a fair, full and independently audited ballot. If the club does not intend to arrange one, then WHUs VIEW? will do so.”
The group also acknowledges the financial difficulties the club faces, exacerbated by their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.
They say that if no formal ballot is forthcoming, they will carry out their own poll, and are planning to leaflet supporters prior to the game with Derby County on November 26 on the issue.
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