Steadily down?

In retrospect, 2003 was a peak year at West Ham; not on the playing side (where they were relegated from the Premiership), but for supporter involvement in the management of the club.

Some long-term shareholders had decided to decrease the size of their holdings and these shares became available for purchase by supporters. This trend was not altogether welcomed by the directors who increasingly found themselves having to account for their decisions. As many of the new shareholders only owned a single share and took advantage of their right to attend general meetings, these events became less cosy and predictable. Especially so as some of those present were not always certain of the procedures to be followed. But they were cetainly liveley and interesting gatherings!

The opportunity for the ordinary supporter to be a shareholder disappeared at the end of 2006.

West Ham United Supporters Trust was formed in late 2001 and at its peak in 2003 had some 300 members. As previously mentioned on this site, it had its problems and only really flourished in a crisis. Its last recorded gasp was in January 2005. It must be admitted that there does not at the moment appear to be any great desire to build a long-term body to represent West Ham supporters.

Also at this time, the Hammers Bond Company (an unincorporated association of bondholders of West Ham United plc) was active. In November 1991, the Hammers Bond had been offered for sale in connection with obtaining finance for the development of the Boleyn ground. Although only 808 bonds were sold, the Bond Company became mainly a social organisation which could communicate the views of the bondholders to the football club management. Not perfect, but it certainly seemed to be effective.

Sadly, after the AGM in May 2008, nothing has been heard of the Bond Company. Letters and phone calls to West Ham have so far proved fruitless.

At the end of 2003, 'Whistle' appeared on the scene but after publication of the infamous 180 questions sent to the West Ham chairman, Terence Brown, in April 2004, the writs began to fly which, from the company's point of view, had the desired effect. 'Whistle' was silenced.

In the year ending 31 May 2006, the total emoluments paid to Terence Brown were over £1 million, about twice as much as might have been paid to the Chairman of a FTSE 100 company at the time.

On 21 Novemeber 2006, the sale of West Ham United plc to Eggert Magnusson and Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson for £85m was agreed. On 13 December 2007, Gudmundsson bought out Magnusson's holding. In June 2009, ownership passed to CB Holding, which was controlled by the Icelandic bank, Straumur.

In January 2010, David Gold and David Sullivan bought a 50% interest in the club, with an option to buy the remaining 50% in four years' time. The company was valued at £105 million including debt.

So not a very encouraging decade. But at least Premiership status has been retained, even if ordinary supporter ownership seems further away than ever. Perhaps this is the dark cloud before the silver lining.

Update

The West Ham world has turned on its axis since my last post. The club has new owners and there is a desperate struggle to avoid relegation. The manager is the subject of speculation, the players lack the confidence to show their ability and the directors are accused of making unhelpful comments.

But hang on a moment! All that does sound dreadfully familiar. The fundamentals have not changed. The club is still far away from the ideals of FC Barcelona, both in playing ability and in corporate structure.

So what has happened to WHAM! in the last six months?

Taking the advice given by Supporters Direct, the time has been used to assess the level of interest in, and possible support for, the project.

Using information available on the internet, a list of the names of about a hundred declared celebrity West Ham fans was obtained. Further investigation soon revealed that some celebrities can have a very elastic definition of a football fan! So the list was reduced to 40 names where the attachment to West Ham could be shown to be sufficiently strong. David Gold, then Chairman of Birmingham City FC plc, was included. A letter explaining the nature of the project was sent to each name, with the following results:

• 6 MPs, 6 replies. Very impressive!
• 6 former West Ham shareholders, 1 reply.
• 14 media people, 2 replies.
• 14 others, 2 replies.

A letter inviting their support was also sent to the twenty-nine West Ham United plc shareholders who were on the 2007 register and had addresses in the BR postal area. This provided a representative and convenient sample. One reply.

Letters were sent to the Chairman and to the Secretary of The Hammers Bond Company. There has been no response.

A letter was also sent to Scott Duxbury, then Chief Executive Officer, West Ham United plc. An acknowledgement was received.

Where does this leave WHAM!? Still trying to gain supporters for the cause? Most definitely. Exploring possibilities? Certainly. Talking to West Ham directors? Perhaps. Giving up? Never!