Angry West Ham fans defy owners to stage protest in nervy Burton Albion win
West Ham fans staged a protest against the club’s ownership before and during the extra-time win over Burton Albion.
Just ahead of kick-off, a plane circled the Pirelli Stadium, dragging a banner that read ’Sullivan & Brady out - no more BS’. And after 15 minutes, most of the travelling supporters held up red cards that had ‘NO MORE BS’ printed on them, along with images of David Sullivan and Karren Brady.
According to the fans’ website HammersUnited.com, the timing represented ’15 years of Brady and Sullivan mismanaging our club’.
On BBC Radio 5 Live, former West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green said: “The 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. The fans have been innovative.”
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Brady is planning to meet supporters to discuss their concerns towards the end of the month.
On the field, a goal from Crysencio Summerville - who only came on towards the end of normal time - put Nuno Espirito Santo’s side into the FA Cup fifth round. It was Summerville’s sixth goal in seven games and finally saw off a spirited challenge from the League One strugglers, whose manager Gary Bowyer was disappointed his players could not find the finishing quality to match their efforts.
He said: “We ran a Premier League team very, very close but we didn’t quite capitalise in key moments.
“Overall, it was a brilliant occasion but we are just a little bit disappointed we couldn’t take it a little bit further.
“We had shown the boys what Crysencio Summerville could do with the ball … and he did just that. He is a talented footballer.”
Nuno Espírito Santo was pleased with the fringe players he fielded and defended Freddie Potts, who was given a straight red card for a foul on Julian Larsson in extra-time.
He said: “I didn’t see the images but what I can share with you is that Freddie is not a violent player, not at all. It’s not the way he plays football.”
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