As West Ham mop away their tears following defeat in the much-hyped “last FA Cup game at Upton Park”, they can at least look forward to what promises to be an exciting new chapter in the club’s history.
As we already knew, the Hammers will move into the Olympic Stadium from the start of next season, bidding farewell to the stadium that they’ve called home since 1904.
However, the day after their Cup quarter final replay defeat to Manchester United, it was announced that West Ham will have to stump up £2.5m a year to rent their new 60,000 seater stadium, with the details being made public following a legal battle.
Within minutes of the announcement, much was being made of how little the club would have to fork out for their brand-spanking new ground.
Many pointed out that they felt it was unfair; some went as far as saying it was a government conspiracy…
Here’s a sample of what Twitter had to say…
https://twitter.com/BluesForever16/status/713163582918275073
https://twitter.com/DrCMiller/status/720588394871578625
https://twitter.com/TheChief_/status/720570352385073152
https://twitter.com/cpd32/status/720576962473934848
Why am I so annoyed about west ham's new stadium? Jealousy maybe,but probably cos they've got it for peanuts.Meanwhile other clubs struggle!
— Nads (@NadsShad) March 23, 2016
West Ham wont even have to pay for corner flags and goal posts at the Olympic Stadium. pic.twitter.com/a7JK3GGxh3
— Uber West Ham (@UberWestHam) April 14, 2016
West Ham getting the Olympic stadium for £2.5m a year is massively massively unfair.
— Fields of Anfield Road 🇵🇸 (@FOAnfieldRoad) April 14, 2016
As far as West Ham are concerned, the BBC report that they have nothing to hide and are delighted with the deal, believing it suits them and the taxpayer.
“Someone renting the stadium for 25 days a year cannot be responsible for 365 days’ running costs,” the club added.
