The final Fans Forum of the season took place at Upton
Park earlier this week, as another group of Hammers supporters were
given their opportunity to fire questions at Managing Director Paul
Aldridge and Financial Director Nick Igoe.
Around 25 fans attended the latest forum held at 7.00pm on Monday
night. It is an event that has grown in popularity since it was
first devised back in November 2004, and will continue to be held
next season.
Not surprisingly, the burning issue of the evening centred around
the Club's transfer plans for this summer and, following media
speculation this week linking several of our first team stars with
moves away from Upton Park, Paul was quick to rubbish the rumours,
insisting that any major transfer movement in the close season will
involve buying, not selling.
He said: "We are certainly under no pressure to sell anyone
this summer and, indeed, have had no contact from any other clubs
regarding our first team players.
"With a UEFA Cup campaign to look forward to next season, we
are keen to build and strengthen the playing squad - not dismantle
it - and so substantial funds have been made available for the
manager.
"Alan has already identified a number of potential transfer
targets for this summer and we are currently in the process of
preparing bids for those players. As always, once there is any
completed transfer news to confirm, we will announce it first on
the official website."
Nick was on hand to answer questions relating to the Club's
finances, including the current level of debt, revenue generated
from our FA Cup campaign and ninth-place Premiership finish, and
how much the new Sky TV agreement will be worth to the Club should
we retain our top flight status going into the 2007-08 season.
Looking forward to next season, Paul also disclosed plans of the
renovation work that is to be carried out at the Club's
Chadwell Heath training headquarters during the summer.
He revealed: "We have already begun the process of installing
undersoil heating in the main pitch at Chadwell Heath. We've
been lucky with the last couple of winters but if there were to be
a real bad frost then we would face the possibility of the players
not being able to train outside for a period of time, so we have
taken this step to avoid such a problem.
"We are also re-carpeting the artificial pitch at the training
ground and adding a viewing area to the indoor sports hall,
allowing parents to watch their youngsters train in the Academy on
week nights.
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"For the benefit of the players, we are also installing brand
new hi-tech cooling tanks, both at Chadwell Heath and Upton Park,
which they will use for injury prevention and recovery after
training and matches. It's a method that we believe will
provide a noticeable impact.
"At the stadium, we are also purchasing high-quality mobile
lamps, which will be placed on the pitch in the shaded areas
beneath the Dr Martens and Bobby Moore stands, enabling the grass
to grow evenly with the rest of the surface that is subjected to
direct sunlight.
"And as some of our supporters already know, we will also be
installing two brand new LED screens and full electronic digi-board
advertising around the perimeter of the stadium, a matter that has
been explained in more detail by our Legal and Commercial Director
Scott Duxbury on the official website this week."
A number of other subjects were covered during the course of the
evening, including potential redevelopment of the East Stand, the
ongoing negotiations for the TV rights to our UEFA Cup matches next
season, and the ticket selling arrangements for the FA Cup final.
Season ticket information for the 2006-07 campaign was also
discussed, with Nick explaining that season ticket holders have
been promised a special offer of being able to purchase a ticket
for our first home UEFA Cup match at the reduced rate of £10
for adults and £5 for concessions when they order their season
ticket.
Paul also revealed that home reserve matches will definitely not
take place at Dagenham & Redbridge next season, with a new
venue yet to be decided, while discussions about a potential move
from Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium at Straford after the 2012
London games are still some way off.
On the subject of pre-season friendlies, the Club have confirmed
that the squad will play three games during their regular week-long
trip to Sweden in July, while foreign opposition for our final
pre-season friendly, at Upton Park on the weekend of August 12/13,
has yet to be confirmed due to the fact that we could have been
involved in the Charity Shield at that time.
It was almost 10.30pm by the time the forum finally concluded and,
following refreshments in the Ironworks Bar, those attending
hopefully left satisfied and content after another evening of
discussion and lively debate at Upton Park!
The first fans forum of the new 2006-07 campaign is likely to take
place in September, and details of how you can apply to attend will
be announced here on whufc.com as soon as the date is confirmed.