Debate has raged about the sterile atmosphere at the London Stadium and it was on show again during West Ham’s dull clash with Newcastle.
Hammers News exclusive
The drab action on the pitch was matched by the atmosphere in the crowd when West Ham played Newcastle on Monday night.
That can of course, in part, be attributed to a lack of jeopardy left in the Hammers’ season.
But West Ham away for an evening game under the lights used to be one of the most daunting prospects in English football.
Hammers fans came into their own on those occasions.
There have been too many to mention down the years, especially at Upton Park.
But there have been some unforgettable nights at the London Stadium too.
Nights which have proved West Ham fans can drum up a proper atmosphere at the bowl-shaped athletics ground.
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They have become very few and far between in recent times, though.
Many West Ham fans remain deeply unhappy with the London Stadium since the big move to Stratford in 2016.
The major bone of contention has always been the distance from the stands to the pitch and indeed between the upper and lower tiers in places.
Supporters feel those issues and the bowl-shaped natured of the layout are not conducive to fostering a typical Hammers atmosphere.
It would certainly also help if supporters were excited by what they were seeing on the pitch.
Others would counter that argument by saying fans are responsible for creating the atmosphere regardless of where they are and what is going on.
Photo by Federico Maranesi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Federico Maranesi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Debate continues to rage over West Ham’s sterile atmosphere
One example frequently cited is a match between Colombia and Spain at West Ham’s home ground.
That was probably the loudest the stadium has been since Andriy Yarmolenko steered the ball home to give West Ham a 2-1 aggregate comeback win over Sevilla in the Europa League last 16.
To their credit, West Ham have made some changes. The club has squared off the stands behind both goals to try and improve the ground.
Although it is never straightforward to make big changes given West Ham do not own the ground and are merely ‘anchor tenants’.
Now West Ham have responded to a major issue killing the London Stadium atmosphere.
Back in 2022 West Ham installed a new feature at the ground which left supporters of West Ham and visiting clubs baffled.
A “fan wall” was put in which meant home and away fans could no longer see each other.
At the time Hammers News warned the hugely controversial installation risked being the final nail in the coffin for the stadium’s atmosphere.
Fan wall blamed for killing London Stadium atmosphere
Many feel that has been proved correct with the stadium now over-sanitised by the fan barrier.
Football rivalry is at the very heart of everything good about the game. It is why we are all here and why the Premier League has been so popular the world over.
It is that popularity which has also made it the richest league in the world with eye-popping TV deals.
That rivalry and the back and forth between fans – not just West Ham fans – is what the beautiful game is all about.
That has been almost completely killed at the London Stadium and it shows.
Away fans consistently name West Ham’s ground as the worst they visit each season in terms of atmosphere.
So Hammers News put it to West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady to listen to fans and remove the hideous wall, adorned with flags on the right of the image below, in order to save the London Stadium.
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
West Ham respond to major fan barrier issue
After all a more partisan, invested crowd can only help the team.
In a detailed response to Hammer News seen by vice-chair Brady, the club explained they were left little choice due to the behaviour of some supporters.
West Ham also state it wasn’t a decision taken lightly.
The hope is that the club will listen to fans – as they did by performing a well-received U-turn over concessions and freezing season ticket prices – by removing the wall.
The positive news is that West Ham insists they will continue to review the need for the wall.
And the Hammers have confirmed the issue will now be raised at the next Safety Advisory Group meeting.
“We value feedback from our supporters as this helps us to shape our future thinking, particularly on matters relating to matchday experience,” West Ham’s Supporter Services manager told Hammers News.
“We want all our supporters to have a great experience when visiting London Stadium. We must also balance this with the need and requirement to ensure the safety our all our supporters when attending games. While we appreciate the majority of fans will enjoy banter with away supporters, there have been occasions where this has crossed the line from enjoyment, to becoming a significant safety issue which we are duty bound to address.
Hammers insist need for barrier will continued to be reviewed
“It was decided to ensure the safety of all fans that the wall or segregation should be erected due to the proximity of supporters, and the persistent anti-social behaviour in the area. The decision was made on the advice of London Stadium and our Dedicated Football Officer (DFO) a serving Metropolitan police officer.
“This wasn’t a decision that was taken lightly, and we will continue to review the need for the wall, including raising your feedback at the next Safety Advisory Group meeting.
“In terms of atmosphere we are always looking at ways we can help our supporters enjoy their visits to London Stadium, be it the Heineken bar, light and pyro shows or with DJ performances inside to help build the atmosphere!
“In recent history, The Bobby Moore and Sir Trevor Brooking stands were also brought closer to the pitch and squared-off in line with a more traditional football stadium configuration, something fans wanted and the Club has delivered. We have created our Fan Zone outside of the Billy Bonds Stand with a wide range of food and drink available as well as a variety of entertainment, including live bands, DJs and interviews with Hammers Legends on matchday.
“We continue to work with Ironworks Alliance, a group of dedicated West Ham fans working together to create a louder, more vibrant matchday atmosphere and we are in regular dialogue with them.
“If supporters are unhappy or dissatisfied with the area they sit in, they are able to relocate.”