Frank McAvennie: ‘Horrible’ West Ham stadium needs huge upgrade
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie is desperate to see the London Stadium given a makeover if West Ham are sold to new owners.
According to the Daily Mail last month, PAI Capital made a £400million bid to buy the east London club, an offer which was rejected by majority shareholder David Sullivan.
A host of famous faces have since come forward to support the British-based consortium’s bid, including Rio and Anton Ferdinand.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, ex-Irons attacker McAvennie believes funds needs to be invested into the London Stadium to eradicate its corporate-like status.
“It’s not going to go away,” McAvennie said on potential takeover approaches.
“Hopefully, someone is going to come in and spend some money to turn the stadium around.
“The current owners have spent money but they’re not going to spend money on the stadium.
“I think somebody should come in, buy the stadium and make it into a football stadium first and foremost.
“When you walk in it’s like a hotel with the elevators and elevator music, it’s terrible, it’s a horrible place to walk into. It would be wonderful if it was a football stadium, it would be such a good place.”
West Ham Zone View
The Irons moved from Upton Park to the London Stadium in 2016, playing their first game at the 2012 Olympic stadium against NK Domzale [04/08/2016].
However, there has been persistent criticism of the stadium as a football ground, with supporters at the start complaining that they were too far away from the action, and it was difficult to create a rousing atmosphere.
As alluded to by McAvennie, the London Stadium has a hotel, almost corporate vibe to it, and that only adds to the disharmony.
If someone does wrestle control from GSB, let’s hope they can plough some money into improving the stadium, as well as the playing team.
In other West Ham news, the Irons want to sign this ‘Brilliant’ young attacker who shone on Sky Sports last weekend.
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