What Our Opponents' Fans Are Saying About Us 20/21

[BringBack_leGin]

I was being facetious !

Would probably be more accurate to say West Ham had a bigger and more loyal fan base than Chelsea at the time Abramovich took over. In the 7/8 years before that they had some success due to Matthew Harding then Ken Bates overspent to such an extent they were on the brink of bankruptcy when Abramovich rescued them.

Throughout the 80s and 90s I regarded them as a nothing club, and pretty much how most of us now see West Ham.

Just anecdotally and to illustrate, in the 2008 carling cup final after the final whistle with all the celebrations and with the chelsea fans having left, 2/3 of the crowd remained to celebrate - for every chelsea fan in the ground that day we had approx 2.

I just don’t think the bold part is accurate to say. I was only just in uni at the time Abramovich took over so didn’t experience the 80s Chelsea but have heard such stories from my dad and other people your age, but growing up in the 90s while I didn’t meet many Chelsea fans compared to ours, and more so Utd Arsenal and Liverpool, I did meet a decent number. By the age of 18 I’d meeta grand total of one West Ham fan.

 

[Dov67]

I just don’t think the bold part is accurate to say. I was only just in uni at the time Abramovich took over so didn’t experience the 80s Chelsea but have heard such stories from my dad and other people your age, but growing up in the 90s while I didn’t meet many Chelsea fans compared to ours, and more so Utd Arsenal and Liverpool, I did meet a decent number. By the age of 18 I’d meeta grand total of one West Ham fan.

we may have to respectfully agree to disagree then........my perception throughout that time, particularly the 80s was that West Hame had the much bigger fan base and it wasn't even close. In my whole life I've only had one Chelsea mate, and he's Canadian

 

[olliec]

anyway Chelsea still have nearly 20 years of success which is more than we have which makes them relevant. Like I said if we want to start talking we need to win trophies simple as that.

 

[SecretLemonadeDrinker]

Chelsea were most certainly not in the shadow of West Ham. They may not have been serial title winners, but Chelsea won as much in the four seasons from 96/97 to 99/00 as West Ham had in their entire history, and actually had won a league once upon a time to which West Ham have never achieved.

The roubles clearly transformed Chelsea, but they were a significant club with some achievement in most post ww2 decades apart from the 80s before Abramovich, who won every domestic competition and a couple of cup winners cups in Europe.

Chelsea did have a few good years of winning some cups before Abramovich took over.

But they only did so by spending far beyond their means. Which is why they were £150m in debt and mere hours from going into administration before Abramovich stepped in. In other words, they didn't win those trophies in the late 90's / early 00's by being a big or well run club. Quite the opposite. And it was nothing more than sheer good luck that saved them from financial armageddon and plummeting down the divisions.

As to their crowds, they were indeed historically very big. But save for 5-6 glamour games every season, they hadn't been well supported in decades. Most fair weather fan base in the country.

 

[rez9000]

Chelsea did have a few good years of winning some cups before Abramovich took over.

But they only did so by spending far beyond their means. Which is why they were £150m in debt and mere hours from going into administration before Abramovich stepped in. In other words, they didn't win those trophies in the late 90's / early 00's by being a big or well run club. Quite the opposite. And it was nothing more than sheer good luck that saved them from financial armageddon and plummeting down the divisions.

As to their crowds, they were indeed historically very big. But save for 5-6 glamour games every season, they hadn't been well supported in decades. Most fair weather fan base in the country.

You speak to any long-term Chelsea fan and one of their biggest gripes is the sheer number of plastics they have.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Chelsea did have a few good years of winning some cups before Abramovich took over.

But they only did so by spending far beyond their means. Which is why they were £150m in debt and mere hours from going into administration before Abramovich stepped in. In other words, they didn't win those trophies in the late 90's / early 00's by being a big or well run club. Quite the opposite. And it was nothing more than sheer good luck that saved them from financial armageddon and plummeting down the divisions.

As to their crowds, they were indeed historically very big. But save for 5-6 glamour games every season, they hadn't been well supported in decades. Most fair weather fan base in the country.

I don’t dispute any of that. What o dispute is that West Ham were in any way, shape or form their equal, never mind superior. West Ham at their very best were a plucky club who produced good players who then moved to bigger clubs, or who acted as a retirement home for ex greats. While in the 80s Chelsea definitely suffered, a quick look at the level of players that’s represented them throughout the second half of the last century as compared to West Ham suggests that is revisionist to compare them negatively.

 

[SecretLemonadeDrinker]

I don’t dispute any of that. What o dispute is that West Ham were in any way, shape or form their equal, never mind superior. West Ham at their very best were a plucky club who produced good players who then moved to bigger clubs, or who acted as a retirement home for ex greats. While in the 80s Chelsea definitely suffered, a quick look at the level of players that’s represented them throughout the second half of the last century as compared to West Ham suggests that is revisionist to compare them negatively.

Sure, West Ham have only won 4 trophies in their entire history. But the same was true of Chelsea before they started massively spending beyond their means in the immediate years before Abramovich.

And I think you underestimate West Ham's fan base. Their all time average home league attendance is 10th highest in England at 25K. Chelsea's is 31K. And I'd argue that the 6K difference in average attendances is mostly (if not entirely) attributable to stadium size given that Stamford Bridge's peak capacity was 82K, while the old Boleyn Ground's was only 42K.

So while I do agree that West Ham were indeed a smaller club than Chelsea even prior to the late 90's, the gap between them really wasn't so very big. Certainly nothing like as big as you imply.

 

[Lilbaz]

Tbf yes they were massively in debt and going into admin. But that's because their original sugar daddy wrapped himself around a telephone line.

 

[Jgplk1]

Still nothing on KUMB, but found this on Westhamonline

I don't get the Kane has been eating all the pies thing. Had a Utd supporting mate say Kane was looking fatter too, but that was before the last game ?

 

[Marty]

I don't get the Kane has been eating all the pies thing. Had a Utd supporting mate say Kane was looking fatter too, but that was before the last game ?

I bet the person who wrote that weighs at least 18 stone. Kane has definitely put on some muscle but fat? Having a laugh.

 

[rez9000]

I bet the person who wrote that weighs at least 18 stone. Kane has definitely put on som muscle but fat? Having a laugh.

Exactly. He's actually looking remarkably ripped this season - really lean.

 

[Gb160]

From Kumb:

They are the most deluded bunch of fans I’ve ever met.

Apparently Bale will make an appearance but Dier is out, more worried about Son than Bale to be honest.

A harsh lesson in reality coming. Bale is going to get a hat trick.

I’m going to have to hide from my Spurs neighbour for the rest of the week.

Can see us winning 4-1. Equally, I can see us losing 5-0.

Don't think we'll win this one chaps. They have been pony at home so are due a good win. Add Bale into the mix they arguably have the best front three in the league.

I'd be happy with a draw , 1-1 but........the Voices are calling it 2-0 to Tottenham .

I'm actually not dreading their cup final........

Some positive, mostly negative, but it wouldn't be West Ham without some good old fashioned anti-semitism thrown in...

I hate these greasy ****s.
That’s all I want to say.

 

[rez9000]

From Kumb:

Can see us winning 4-1. Equally, I can see us losing 5-0.

OK, your therapist will have explained the difference between dreams and reality. The first score is the former, the second score more likely the reality.

I'm actually not dreading their cup final........

I'm sorry, our cup final? I think you meant your cup final sweetness. We reserve our best efforts for real rivals - you know the ones that haven't been relegated four times in 20 years.

Some positive, mostly negative, but it wouldn't be West Ham without some good old fashioned anti-semitism thrown in...

I hate these greasy ****s.
That’s all I want to say.

The feeling’s entirely mutual, sugartits.

 

[Nine while nine]

One fan on the Swansea Independent Forum was able to see the bigger picture and wish their former player (and future club) all the best:

Let's just hope Spurs win the league this season and the Champions League next, with Joe playing every game.

Which was nice.

Another Swansea fan, however, was struggling to keep his cynicism in check

If those 3 things happen, we might qualify for £1m of the potential add-ons...

He's probably not wrong though...

 

[Gareth88]

Don't ever get to the point where you celebrate your rivals losing more than your actual team winning, don't be an utter twat like Rory.

The guy is a troll,100% nobody can be that pathetic

 

[worcestersauce]

Chelsea were most certainly not in the shadow of West Ham. They may not have been serial title winners, but Chelsea won as much in the four seasons from 96/97 to 99/00 as West Ham had in their entire history, and actually had won a league once upon a time to which West Ham have never achieved.

The roubles clearly transformed Chelsea, but they were a significant club with some achievement in most post ww2 decades apart from the 80s before Abramovich, who won every domestic competition and a couple of cup winners cups in Europe.

And because they were a small club they had to overspend and so went bankrupt which is why they had to start selling their players, Zola went and Lampard was 48 hours from being sold, they were finished and weeks from no longer existing.
But the devil looks after his own and a Russian mafia criminal with blood on his hands and a sack full of dirty dosh came and bought them for a fiver.
That's when I realised there was no God and good things happen to bad people.

 

[ClintEastwould]

Chelsea were most certainly not in the shadow of West Ham. They may not have been serial title winners, but Chelsea won as much in the four seasons from 96/97 to 99/00 as West Ham had in their entire history, and actually had won a league once upon a time to which West Ham have never achieved.

The roubles clearly transformed Chelsea, but they were a significant club with some achievement in most post ww2 decades apart from the 80s before Abramovich, who won every domestic competition and a couple of cup winners cups in Europe.

Facts

 

[McFlash]

And because they were a small club they had to overspend and so went bankrupt which is why they had to start selling their players, Zola went and Lampard was 48 hours from being sold, they were finished and weeks from no longer existing.
But the devil looks after his own and a Russian mafia criminal with blood on his hands and a sack full of dirty dosh came and bought them for a fiver.
That's when I realised there was no God and good things happen to bad people.

God, I used to absolutely hate Ken Bates, a classless little shite that summed up everything I now feel about that club, when I really didn't mind them back in the day.
Harding however, was apparently a really nice bloke. He lived down my way and I know a few people that met him and spoke very highly of him.

 

[JCRD]

Spammer fans always have this odd appearance - what gives? They have this look about them like a ****ish odd look... You can spot a Spammer a mile away

 

[McFlash]

Spammer fans always have this odd appearance - what gives? They have this look about them like a ****ish odd look... You can spot a Spammer a mile away

Oi, my ex-wife is a West Ham fan!...






I make you about right. ?