London's Olympic Stadium - Photo: Getty Images
West Ham United has joined forces with Newham Council to work on a plan to submit a joint bid to use the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games.
Two weeks ago The Hackney Post exclusively reported on West Ham’s desire to move into the stadium, and now it seems the potential move is gaining momentum.
Acquisition of the stadium would, however, involve keeping the athletics track. Vice-chairman Karren Brady said: “We acknowledge the need for the stadium to host world-class athletics and so it should. But it can accommodate football too and a whole lot more. There has to be a way of achieving that.”
Concern that the running track will affect the atmosphere in the stadium is being taken seriously. Ian Tompkins, director of corporate affairs at West Ham, said: “We’ve been to the stadium and if you stand at the back of the stadium facing the sideline, the distance from your seat to the corner flag on the other side of the pitch is smaller than the distance at Wembley.
“We’re going to continue looking into the issue in more detail to find a solution. If it doesn’t work out then it doesn’t but we’re confident a solution can be found.”
Mr. Tompkins also confirmed that the club would be looking to reduce the capacity of the stadium from 80,000 to around 60,000. West Ham and the council have also been considering the potential for redeveloping Upton Park, the club’s current ground, and the surrounding area, if their bid is successful.
Education will play a major part in the bid.
“The stadium is about more than just sport, it will be an education centre with a school or college and we’re talking to universities. The stadium would be open day and night all year round not just for football matches and athletics meetings,” said Mr. Tompkins.
Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, added his support to the joint bid. He said: “The last thing anyone wants is for the Olympic Stadium to become a ghost of Olympics past.
“The only realistic solution is to make the stadium work for a Premier League football team and that should be West Ham United. We have never understood why that wasn’t obvious.
“Look at what Manchester did after the Commonwealth Games. Why can’t we do that here? West Ham understands the community. It will mean there is a tenant that will look after the place, rather than let it go to ruin.”
West Ham suffered a crushing 3-1 defeat to Wolves on Tuesday night. Despite the possibility of a shiny new stadium the prospect of an exit from the Premier League could become reality with the Hammers hovering just four points above the relegation zone.
