West Ham to ban fans who attacked Man Utd at Boleyn farewell
Louts spoil West Ham's leaving party on an evening that sums up their 'thrilling but sometimes ugly' Upton Park home
The West Ham fans who marred the club's farewell match at the Boleyn Ground may not get to watch the Hammers at their new home at the Olympic Stadium after they were threatened with lifetime bans for attacking Manchester United's team bus as it arrived at the ground.
Violent scenes outside the ground, with bottles hurled and coach windows smashed, dominated coverage of the match. There were reports of more incidents inside the ground during the game and afterwards when many fans left with "souvenirs" from the old stadium.
To make matters worse the club's co-owner David Sullivan at first denied that there had been any damage to the United bus and blamed the visitors for arriving late. He was also upset that the incident put back kick off, placing West Ham's post-match farewell to the Boleyn Ground in jeopardy.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He later apologised for the "completely unacceptable" behaviour of some fans and promised to ban them from the Olympic Stadium.
After the pre-match drama the fans were treated to a thrilling match, [a]won 3-2 by the Hammers[a], to boost their European hopes and ruin United's chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
It was a "ragged, wild, oddly furious farewell to Upton Park", says Barney Ronay of The Guardian. "We'll always have the memories of a place that was much like its final night: thrilling, ugly at times, at others a place of noisy grace."
It is a shame that fans of Bobby Moore's club should attack a bus containing his modern equivalents – England's leading centre-back, Chris Smalling, and captain, Wayne Rooney, says Paul Hayward of the Daily Telegraph.
"These scenes were hardly likely to assuage public anger about the huge cost to the taxpayer of granting West Ham a 'sweetheart deal’ to take over the Olympic white elephant," he adds. "All in all it was a PR disaster, which Sullivan exacerbated, and the sensible mass of supporters tried to ameliorate by whipping up a fearful din."
The episode "shamed" the club says Henry Winter of The Times. "West Ham's leaving do will be followed by an FA investigation."
It will also overshadow the other memories. "There were fireworks, a light show and a stirring victory delivered by the team, but the scenes that will linger in the mind are the pre-match disorder in the streets outside and the attack on Manchester United's team bus," says Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail.
It was the end of an era all right, he adds. "When they reconvene a few miles down the road at Stratford in three months it will feel very different. New stadium, new badge, a new atmosphere. Hopefully they can preserve some of the heart and soul, and stop throwing bottles.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
A Taste of Honey: 'wonderful' revival remains 'vital and relevant'
The Week Recommends The 'period-perfect' production features a 'universally excellent cast'
By The Week UK Published
-
Bormio: 'a great Alpine getaway'
The Week Recommends From snowy slopes and hot-spring spas, to high-end food and wine, this Italian town has something to offer everyone
By Asya Likhtman Published
-
Crossword: March 28, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published