Henry Winter@henrywinter
Karren Brady delivered for West Ham United’s shareholders but not for the club’s supporters. In 2013, she promised fans “a world-class stadium with a world-class team”. West Ham currently have neither. They have an athletics arena with a team fighting relegation. Brady has done some good things in her 16 years at West Ham, during which they won a European trophy, but ultimately she will be remembered for letting the fans down. Her departure from West Ham, first reported by the Times and now confirmed by the club, is being celebrated by many fans. Sadly, some cross the line with their offensive comments about Brady.
Supporters are quizzical about West Ham joint-chair Daniel Kretinsky’s statement about Brady leaving. “Her contribution to West Ham United’s growth, such as the long-term contract for the London Stadium, shareholders transition and the British record transfer of Declan Rice, has been absolutely essential and not always fully appreciated.” Much to unpick here...
1) how much growth? West Ham reported a £104.2m loss in their most recent financial figures. A club record. Revenue down. Accounts show a substantial loan taken out from Rights and Media Funding Limited.
2) London Stadium. Great deal for board and for Brady but not for fans, manager or the team. Not for anyone who loves football. Crowd distant from the pitch, players detached from energy of the fans, it's a terrible place to watch football. They’ve gone from a much-loved, intimate, often intimidating family home at Upton Park to a soulless bowl. West Ham had to leave Upton Park to expand commercially, and meet ticket demand, but grabbing the Olympic Stadium was all about the deal and not the feel.
3) British transfer record. Yes, Brady got a good deal for Rice but Kretinsky should know that mention of selling your best player, your captain, your home-grown star and England international at a club that cherishes them, seems a strange way of suggesting achievement and ambition.
4) “not always fully appreciated”? not always fully sensible to have a dig at fans. Maybe appreciate their concerns.
Brady deserves some praise. She’s a pioneer, got things done, drove community initiatives (I hosted an event for her once and her knowledge of the issues and engagement were impressive). She also encouraged entrepreneurship (and not just on TV). Kretinsky, in his statement, adds that Brady is “also very highly appreciated in the Premier League leadership community and was an excellent representative of our club there”.
Many West Ham fans didn’t feel she represented them well enough. Ill-advised comments in 2016 about a desire “to rebrand the club” didn’t go down well. Brady tried to clarify the comments but fans remained concerned about anything that could change their heritage. An attempt to limit ticket concessions triggered further anger.
More widely, Brady’s criticism of the incoming Independent Football Regulator came against a backdrop of fans’ growing distrust of some owners and the leagues’ inability to police them properly. Read the room. Understand the concerns.
The growing disconnect between West Ham fans and Brady and chairman David Sullivan has led to protests against the pair. Brady has now left. Will Sullivan follow? “1-0 up,” came the message from a high-profile West Ham fan. “It’s half-time.” #WHUFC
