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'We were promised a dream, we were given a nightmare'

The controversy over events at the London Stadium rages on with parts of the British public seized by 'one of its periodical fits of morality' of which the original quote said 'We know no spectacle more ridiculous'. Fans shouldn't invade the pitch, but they have to be very angry to do so and it is worth trying to understand what lies behind that anger.

Mark Walker of the West Ham United Independent Supporters' Association writes in The Times this morning. I appreciate that there is no generally accepted spokesman for West Ham fans, indeed this is part of the problem. They are the only London team, so I am told, not to have a supporters' trust.

He says: 'West Ham are the only Premier League club that won't engage meaningfully with their fans. One of the key frustrations of supporters is that their voices are not being heard. What does the club fear?' [As a Charlton fan, I can sympathise with a situation where the owners won't engage in meaningful dialogue with the fans].

'What our supporters have always enjoyed is being a bit different: playing the game a certain way, despite modest resources, being a little bit better in so many ways - and that included having one of the best football grounds in the country. [I remember going there on Boxing Day to see Charlton lose 5-0.] By moving the club, they have turned us into a Trotters Independent Trading version of Arsenal.'

'[The] directors raised expectations beyond a point where they had the competence or willingness to deliver. The lack of investment on and off the pitch has caused the ill-feeling to spread far beyond the thousands who know the stadium is not fit for purpose. What happened on Saturday was pent-up rage and, whatever your issue with the club, the cause is to be found in the directors' box, next to Sir Trevor Brooking.' [This is an edited down version of what he says].

West Ham have requested taking control of the stewards, who are employed by the stadium operator. However, that is unlikely as the operator would be owed millions of pounds to cancel their lengthy contract with the stadium owner.

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