West Ham fan group drops “deeply damaging” verdict after Karen Brady confirmed London Stadium exit

Karen Brady’s departure from West Ham United has been met with a fierce reaction from supporters.

And the club’s Fan Advisory Board did not hold back.

West Ham Fan Advisory Board releases statement after Karen Brady exit

Hammers vice-chairman Karren Brady announced she was leaving the club after 16 years on Tuesday.

But rather than thanking her for her time at the club, West Ham’s Fan Advisory Board issued a scathing statement in response.

The FAB claimed Brady’s legacy at the club was “deeply damaging” and accused her of helping create a growing disconnect between the club and its supporters.

Among their complaints were rising ticket prices, the removal of concessions for young, elderly and disabled fans, poor communication and ongoing issues at London Stadium.

The group also hit out at the move from Boleyn Ground to London Stadium, arguing that it had failed to deliver on promises made to supporters.

In their statement, via the Telegraph, the FAB said: “The move to the London Stadium was sold as progress. We were told ‘we had no choice, we had to move in order to compete’.

“For many, it has delivered the opposite – a dilution of identity, atmosphere and belonging.”

The supporters’ board also criticised the club’s finances, pointing to a £104 mullion loss and claiming West Ham are now in a worse financial position than when David Sullivan and David Gold took over in 2010.

They added that Brady’s exit must now become “a turning point – not a rebrand” and called for new leadership to rebuild trust with supporters.

FGG says: West Ham supporters have made their feelings crystal clear

This is one of the most brutal statements a fan group has ever released about a departing club executive.

The Fan Advisory Board clearly believe Brady leaves behind a damaged relationship between West Ham and its supporters, particularly because of the move to London Stadium.

Whether that is entirely fair or not, it shows just how deep the frustration has become among sections of the fanbase.

Brady will point to successes during her time at the club, including European football and the Europa Conference League triumph.

But for many Irons fans, those highs have been outweighed by years of rising prices, poor communication and a feeling that the club has lost part of its identity since leaving Upton Park.