Hammers Unite! Lessons on Fan Involvement from East London

The Assistant Professor of Football: Soccer, Culture, History.

Since moving from its century-long home to the former London Olympic Stadium just 3 miles away in 2016, West Ham United have undergone a severe identity crisis that can not be papered over even by success on the pitch. Though not owned by global billionaires, the former Ironworkers’ club has seen large scale fan protests over the stadium move, the club’s identity, the owners’ approach to fans and the matchday experience. With Andy Payne from Hammers United, an 18,00-member strong fan advocacy group, we roll up this recent history - from toxic gamedays and pitch invasions to present-day challenges and the future of fan involvement in soccer.

HELPFUL LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE

Hammers United

Hammers United Protest March, Media Coverage

Hammers United on why they are protesting in 2020, amidst sporting success

The infamous home game vs. Burnley, 2018

Cockney Rejects, Goodbye Upton Park (Music Video)

Cockney Rejects, Bubbles (live performance at Top of Pops, 1980)

“Is the London Stadium Beginning to Feel Like Home for West ham Fans?” (by The Guardian, 2022)

“Farewell Boleyn: The End of an Era,” documentary (by The Guardian, 2016)

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Artwork for The Assistant Professor of Football is by Saige Lind
Instrumental music for this podcast, including the introduction track, is by the artist Ketsa and used under a Creative Commons license through Free Music Archive: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/