Ray Winstone criticises West Ham United over season ticket policy

Hammers United (HU) lashed out at the club they support after West Ham stopped new concessionary season ticket prices for under 18s, 21s and over 66s for the 2024/25 Premier League season in "all but a tiny number of seats".

These seats are found in bands five and six of the London Stadium - right at the top of the ground.

West Ham has since rowed back and allowed over-66s who are new or relocating season ticket holders to purchase at concessionary rates in blocks three or four.

But the club is continuing to come under fire for the concessionary changes and now a famous name has joined the opposition.

Fans' group Knees up Mother Brown is reporting that Winstone told coinpoker.com that the policy is "a f***** liberty" and called on the club to roll it back.

"That thing of community is gone, it’s gone," he said. "I think you’re just dealing with a different beast today and it falls on deaf ears.

"I’m a lucky boy, I can afford to go to a football match if I choose to go but that wasn’t always the case.

"There are people today, real football fans, who can’t do it anymore."

Hammers legends Tony Cottee and Frank McAvennie have backed HU's petition - signed 14,673 times - which includes a call for the club to scrap season ticket price rises and to scrap the new concession terms and conditions.

RELATED NEWS: West Ham United criticised by Hammers United over ticket policy

Terry Messenger of HU has been very critical of West Ham United (Image: Terry Messenger)

Cottee, who said he started watching West Ham as a child with his father in the 1970s, said: "For me it’s very worrying, and does nothing to build bridges between supporters and the club they’ve loved for generations. 

"The club would never have dreamed of charging us the same price to watch our team, and my old man wouldn’t have taken it," he added.

West Ham released a statement on its website on July 13 to "reassure" season ticket holders that it was "absolutely committed" to providing affordable family football at the London Stadium.

"All existing season ticket holders who renewed their seat for the 2024/25 season in bands one to six have retained any qualifying concessionary discount.

"This includes all juniors to under 21 and over 66 season ticket holders," the club added.

But HU reiterated that West Ham has ended new concessionary tickets for under 21s in bands one to four of the stadium, and new concessionary tickets for over 66s in bands one to two.

"Non season ticket holders seeking to acquire under 21 concessionary season tickets will be able to do so only for seats in bands five to six – right at the top of the stadium with the most distant views," HU stated.

Hammers legend McAvennie was another who spoke out against the policy.

"I was blessed to play for the club and some of the best and most passionate supporters in the land.

"They don’t deserve this – we’re living through a cost of living crisis," he said. "It’s not the West Ham way as I remember it."

Last month, this paper spoke to HU member Terry Messenger who questioned how elderly fans and those with mobility problems would access their seats.

"It's just plain mean," Terry said. "Many elderly people suffer from mobility difficulties - how are they supposed to climb all those steps?"

Cottee questioned how children today would be able to get into watching football.

"How can it be right that a five-year-old will now have to pay the same as his or her mum or dad?" he asked.

The HU petition also has support from numerous east London and Essex MPs.

West Ham did not respond to a request for comment.