Supporters rally against ownership and the club’s direction amid a difficult start to the season, uniting rivalry fans and demanding change at West Ham United.
West Ham United is facing mounting turbulence both on and off the pitch as supporters stage major protests against the club’s ownership amid a dismal start to the Premier League season. Thousands of fans marched ahead of the recent home fixture against Crystal Palace, demanding the resignation of majority owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady. The demonstrations, led by supporter groups such as Hammers United and Crossed Hammers, highlight long-standing frustrations that extend beyond the team’s current poor results, encompassing broader dissatisfaction with the club’s management and its controversial relocation from Upton Park to the London Stadium in 2016.
This unrest follows a formal letter of no confidence sent to West Ham’s board earlier this month, referencing what protestors describe as an “ageing and uncompetitive squad” and persistent failures by the club’s executive management despite winning the UEFA Conference League in 2023. The club responded with a 1,376-word statement detailing investments in player recruitment and infrastructure improvements, aiming to reassure the fanbase that their feedback is being heard. Nevertheless, this has done little to quell the protest movement, which has pledged to continue marching before every home match this season and called for a boycott of the upcoming match against Brentford on October 20.
West Ham’s on-field difficulties have compounded fan frustration. The team has suffered a particularly poor home record, having not won at the London Stadium since February. Their recent 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace marked the fourth loss in five Premier League games, leaving the club third from bottom in the league table and placing increasing pressure on manager Graham Potter, appointed in January 2025. Potter’s tenure has seen only six league victories in 25 matches, with defensive frailties in particular causing alarm; for instance, West Ham set a new unwanted record by conceding seven goals from corners in just five games this season. During the Palace game, goals by Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell overturned an equaliser from Jarrod Bowen, reigniting boos from home supporters at halftime.
The protests have created a rare moment of unity between rival West Ham and Crystal Palace fans. Following the Palace fans’ chants mocking Sullivan and Brady—singing “You sold your soul for this s—”—West Ham supporters responded with their own version of the chant, directly targeting their club’s leadership. Videos circulating from the day show thousands of West Ham fans outside the stadium demanding the board step down, with banners remembering the club’s former home, the Boleyn Ground, and slogans such as “Sold us a dream, we are living the nightmare.” Additional police presence was reported as fans marched towards the directors’ entrance, vocally expressing demands including “We want our club back” and “It’s all lies, lies, lies.”
Those behind the protests say that the issues are not solely about recent poor results but about decades of mismanagement that have culminated in the club losing its identity and competitive edge. The move in 2016 from Upton Park, where West Ham had played for over a century, remains a highly emotive issue. Many fans feel the relocation to the London Stadium has altered the club’s character, affecting the match-day atmosphere and community ties.
The club’s leadership and management situation remains precarious as the season progresses, with the owners facing relentless fan hostility and calls for change. Another supporter protest is already scheduled for the Brentford game later in October, underscoring a season that threatens to become one of the most turbulent in West Ham’s recent history.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is current, detailing events from September 20, 2025, with no evidence of recycled content. The report includes recent data and quotes, indicating high freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
Direct quotes from banners and chants during the protests are unique to this report, with no prior matches found online, suggesting original content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from reputable sources such as Reuters and ESPN, enhancing its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The events described align with recent reports and are consistent with known facts, including the protests and match outcomes.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current, original, and sourced from reputable outlets, with consistent and plausible claims.
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