West Ham United

[redmike65]

The stadium was a sunk cost, the only issue was not letting go to ruin by neglect (see Althens etc) but they didn't have to convert it into a football stadium - that was only a convenience really. They could have tweaked it to become a dedicated music venue and before anyone wonders about that - the stadium circuit is massive these days such a venue would have no bother selling out 40-45k shows be it mainstream touring acts or occasional special events like dance, opera or Secret Cinema events, they'd easily fill the place 20 times a year and they wouldn't have the security issues either.

[shanks69]

The stadium was a sunk cost, the only issue was not letting go to ruin by neglect (see Althens etc) but they didn't have to convert it into a football stadium - that was only a convenience really. They could have tweaked it to become a dedicated music venue and before anyone wonders about that - the stadium circuit is massive these days such a venue would have no bother selling out 40-45k shows be it mainstream touring acts or occasional special events like dance, opera or Secret Cinema events, they'd easily fill the place 20 times a year and they wouldn't have the security issues either.

To be honest I would say Wembley and the o2 have it sown up in London as big concert venues,I don't think London would get the backing for a 3rd.

[gratziani]

I actually went to a gig in the Olympic park few years ago and they didn't even use the stadium for it,

Deffo sell stuff out there if they had events on I would think.

[Slinky Skills]

I think the copyright on the bottom just clinches it.

[EwarWoo]

There is no segregation on the internal concourse,

I don't get why English fans (or even European football fans in general) need this. It's ****ing ridiculous.

It shouldn't need a police presence and barriers to stop people acting like cunts.

It's just utterly bizarre that people still act like this.

[Leyton388]

I don't get why English fans (or even European football fans in general) need this. It's ****ing ridiculous.

It shouldn't need a police presence and barriers to stop people acting like cunts.

It's just utterly bizarre that people still act like this.

Over here in the UK we call these people dickheads.

[Exiled_red]

If it is true that ground owners (Greater London Authority) are responsible for stewarding and segregation etc it will be intersting to see what plays out, because surely at some point the FA have to charge West Ham if this behaviour continues (IMO it should have already done so). West Ham are responsible to the FA/League for providing a suitable safe ground for hosting matches while they don't seem to have the power to change the ground or how it is policed/stewarded. GLA presumably would have to pay to make those changes / meet the extra costs which I can't imagine will go down particularly well with the public (who will ultimtely be funding it), as presumably they view the situation as being caused by a bunch of drunken hooligans.

[Fosterbloke]

Surely they can afford it with the increased revenue?

[paulg]

Why is it only football where this happens, too? Any other sport has people mixing and drinking alcohol without trouble.

It can't be the old other sports are for posh people cobblers either.

[Alex]

I don't get why English fans (or even European football fans in general) need this. It's ****ing ridiculous.

It shouldn't need a police presence and barriers to stop people acting like cunts.

It's just utterly bizarre that people still act like this.

Its no where near the problem it used to be. I remember my Dad about 20 years ago telling me he didn't want to take me to a football game as it was too dangerous for me.

Its now probably 500 total idiots (1% of the stadium population) who are ****ing it up for the rest of the normal fans.

Its embarrassing, but it doesnt really represent football anymore thankfully.

[red g]

Why is it only football where this happens, too? Any other sport has people mixing and drinking alcohol without trouble.

It can't be the old other sports are for posh people cobblers either.

boxing has its fair bit of crowd trouble, seen a scrap or 2 at darts too

[Bender]

[ame]https://twitter.com/TelegraphSport/status/795627650886799364[/ame]

[Leyton388]

Be a good addition with Mane going the African cup in Jan.

[Fivex]

Part of me wouldn't want to pay £30m+ for a player with 2-3 good seasons in him. Then the other part of me remembers our shrewd transfer dealings of late and thinks '**** it'. Don't think he'd necessarily be a Klopp type signing though since he prefers to mould the players himself.

[Kenneth]

Makes no odds, we aren't going to be buying Payet.