West Ham’s move to what is now called the London Stadium, showpiece venue of the 2012 London Olympics, has drawn all sorts of controversy over money, over the redevelopment of the Boleyn ground they left behind and, most recently, over the suitability of what was originally a bespoke athletics arena adapted for hosting football and its fans. Most of the early season stories have been about problems with organisation and supporter behaviour. Some of the club’s devoted regulars have been feeling far from their former Green Street home. It didn’t help that the team’s early season form was poor. On the other hand, club vice-chair Karren Brady has insisted that the move will strengthen the club financially and take it forward as a brand.
How are West Ham fans feeling now that the Premier League season is approaching its halfway stage and the team is picking up a few more points? To find out, I went to the London Stadium with footie-mad student filmmaker Max Curwen-Bingley before Saturday’s home match against Hull City. I asked the questions, Max pointed the camera. We gathered a revealing range of views.
The Hammers’ next home game is against Manchester United on 2 January, 2017.
