Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Sat 14 February 2026 13:21, UK

Former England goalkeeper Rob Green has praised West Ham fans’ innovation with their protests against the club’s board.

For years now, West Ham fans have called for owner David Sullivan and vice-chairman Karren Brady to step down due to worsening results and poor recruitment.

Those complaints became more vociferous this season as the London Stadium outfit have been mired in a Premier League relegation battle.

Before their FA Cup fourth round clash with Burton Albion at Pirelli Stadium, Hammers fans planned an anti-board protest, even though Brady is set to attend a fan advisory board meeting on 26 February to hear supporters’ concerns.

Now, their former keeper Green has given his seal of approval to their “innovative” approach prior to kick-off.

• Read more: Henry Winter details new West Ham fan protests, plus update on what Karren Brady has planned

Plane flies ‘David Sullivan and Karren Brady out’ banner before West Ham game

While West Ham have improved in recent weeks, with Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side picking up 10 points from a possible 15 in the Premier League, there is still a lot of discontent amongst fans.

They are still 18th in the Premier League and sit three points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest with 12 games of the season to go.

And prior to their lunchtime kick-off with Burton on Saturday, a plane was seen flying over the home team’s stadium.

On closer inspection, it read, “Sullivan and Brady OUT – No more BS”. And in the ground, West Ham fans – who can’t bring anti-board sings into London Stadium – chanted for the removal of the duo.

Former Leeds United stopper Green, who played 241 times for West Ham between 2006-12, was all for the Hammers fans making their voices heard.

He said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “The [West Ham] owners have banned banners inside the London Stadium so you are not allowed to voice your protests in terms of signage or anything like that at the ground. The fans have been innovative.

“Their concerns are still going on but what they can do is support the team on the pitch and they have good reason at the minute because they have good momentum.”

• Read more: West Ham co-chair Karren Brady can’t help brutal Lord Sugar and Tottenham dig on Apprentice

Will West Ham stay in the Premier League?

A few weeks ago, West Ham looked down and out and Nuno’s job appeared to be on the line.

Fast forward to the present, and West Ham have noticeably improved, securing wins over Tottenham, Sunderland, and Burnley over the past month.

Had it not been for a dramatic late comeback from Chelsea and a last-gasp equaliser from Manchester United, West ham would have been out of the bottom three.

But they do have a tough run of games coming up. First up, they host in-form Bournemouth at London Stadium, followed by a trip to sixth-placed Liverpool.

Games against second-placed Manchester City and third-positioned Aston Villa are to come in March, with mid-table Fulham also on the horizon.

If they are to stay up, they probably need to win a couple of these upcoming fixtures. If they do, those anti-board protests may ease somewhat.

For more of the latest West Ham news, head over to Football Insider.