From the Boardroom - David Sullivan



What a fantastic week this has been for the football Club and I was so proud of how the team came away with a memorable 2-0 victory over Arsenal last weekend.


We have not enjoyed the best of records at Emirates Stadium over the last few years so it was extra pleasing to get the victory against one of the best teams in the Premier League.


I was delighted with how the team performed and everything came together on the day.


The players were magnificent and you could see straight away the great team spirit and how everyone was working hard for each other throughout the ninety minutes.


What more can I say about our magnificent away support. I know the players have been saying it felt like a home game at Arsenal because you were so loud and your support helped the team claim a memorable win.


I have to pay special tribute to Slaven Bilic and the way he got his tactics spot on against one of the best managers in the game.


We restricted the number of chances they created on goal and it was great to see people like James Tomkins, who was playing out of position at right back produce such a fantastic display.


Slaven must have enjoyed his first game back in the Premier League and we hope he can maintain that winning feeling as we prepare to play two consecutive home games at the Boleyn Ground.


I know it is going to be a special final season as we prepare to leave our famous old stadium and we are planning to have a number of themed matches over the coming months.


Saturday is 'Claret and Blue Day' and I hope you will get to the game early and enjoy all the festivities around the Stadium.





I saw that David Gold changed the colour of his car this week and I also got into the spirit wearing my claret and blue hat. I hope all the fans will make it a colourful afternoon in east London.


We will have face painters, DJ's and number of events taking place and I would urge all the supporters to dress up in claret and blue and together we can make this season one to remember.


I am expecting another tough game against Leicester and they showed the quality they have when they beat Sunderland 4-2 in the first game.


The bookies give us a 50 per cent chance of winning, but if you really get behind the team I hope we can shorten those odds !


Like everyone, I am really looking forward to seeing Reece Oxford in action once again and it was amazing to see how well he performed on his Premier League debut last weekend.


Reece doesn't seem fazed by anything and looked so comfortable playing against some of the best players in the top flight. It is hard to believe he is only 16, but I know that Slaven will manage him well and will continue to get the best out of him.


Reece will be picking up the Doris Bell award for the Young Academy Player of the Year before kick-off and that is testament to how far he has come.


Credit must go to Terry Westley and our Academy staff for the way they have nurtured Reece’s development so well over the past few years.


We have been busy in the transfer market this summer and it was great to see two of our big arrivals Angelo Ogbonna and Dimitri Payet have such an immediate impact in the first-team.


Ogbonna forged an impressive partnership with Winston Reid and produced a commanding display at the heart of the defence.


I said when Payet came into the Club that he is a world class player and he showed straight away the quality that he is going to bring to the first-team this season.


It was a fantastic free-kick that picked out Cheikhou Kouyate for the first goal and I'm sure that all the forwards will be relishing playing alongside him.


We are still working hard behind the scenes to bring in another forward but we want to ensure we get the best possible deal for West Ham United.


I want to assure you all I will be doing everything I can to bring in the right players to make the squad stronger.


I hope you enjoy the game on Saturday and we can maintain our impressive start to the campaign.


Come on you Irons.