Thursday 8 March 2018 17:49, UK
West Ham have defended the decision to meet with multiple fan groups "in good faith" after a report questioned why the club was meeting with 'hooligans'.
The Independent reported a fans group called Real West Ham Fans (Real WHF) - previously called Real West Ham Fans Action Group and said to be founded by 1970s Inter-City Firm members - threatened another supporters' group with violence.
The Real WHF had reportedly instigated plans for a protest march against the way West Ham has been run ahead of the home game against Burnley on Saturday, only to call it off after several fan groups met with the club and its vice-chairman, Karren Brady.
The report claims another fan group, the West Ham United Independent Supporters' Association, tried to re-instigate plans for the protest before some of its members were threatened with abuse.
A West Ham spokesperson said: "West Ham United met with representatives of 15 fans' groups to try to work together to give our supporters a better match-day experience at the London Stadium.
"In our talks we agreed a number of action points and we are working to deliver them.
"All the groups chose their own representatives which we accepted in good faith.
"All of those who attended expressed a desire to achieve the same ambition. The meetings were cordial and constructive. Many of them had travelled long distances to meet with us.
"We will in future be working with the long-standing Supporters Advisory Board to achieve those common aims on behalf of all supporters."
