Dear Supporters,
Firstly, we would like to thank you for supporting the team this season, wherever they have played. From Austria, Germany and Portugal in pre-season through to our home and away games in the Barclays Premier League, you have always been there, cheering the players on.
Saturday's match with Chelsea promises to be thrilling affair and we know we can count on all of you to provide the customary passionate backing for the team that we have witnessed in every game since we arrived at the club.
That is why we were disappointed to read about the actions of the small section of fans that let the club down during last Sunday's game at Tottenham Hotspur. We were not only disappointed because they reflected badly on our club, but they misrepresented the tens of thousands of outstanding supporters who follow the team home and away throughout the season.
We have both been sent hundreds of emails and have personally spoken to a number of fans, who have all told us that they share our sentiments and are angry that the reputation of their club has been besmirched by the actions of a few mindless individuals.
We have said to them what we will say to you now - it is up to us all to not tolerate anything that we deem to be unacceptable when supporting West Ham United. In the rare case that you do see or hear anything inappropriate, there are a number of ways you can report the matter.
Two of the easiest ways are to speak to your nearest steward at the stadium or use the Boleyn Ground's anonymous fan phone number - 07860 404 069 - where all calls will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
We have made it very clear over the past week that we will not tolerate any form of discriminatory behaviour and one by one we will root out those fans that do not deserve to represent this great club of ours.
Everyone at West Ham United is looking forward to Saturday's visit of the champions of Europe, Chelsea, and given the news reports of this week, it is inevitable that much focus will be on our club this weekend. This fixture will hopefully provide us with the perfect opportunity to show the world what being a West Ham fan is all about - supporting with pride, passion and respect.
Enjoy the game.
Come on you Irons!
David Sullivan David Gold
Joint Chairman Joint Chairman