To Eggert Magnusson

Hello. Congratulations on taking over West Ham United Football Club. Note the last two words of the previous sentence, football club. I am in no doubt that you have purchased this East London club with the intention of improving on field fortunes but obviously you have to make some money out of it all. However I do hope that your wage from the club will not be as high as Terrance Brown’s (don’t forget he deferred payments after relegation and then paid himself in full while being one of the highest paid chairmen in the topflight) was but that’s most likely wishful thinking from me.

I have read that in you’re statement on taking control of the club you said that you want to preserve the tradition and style of West Ham play. Good. Keep to this and you will not go wrong with a lot of the fans. I am however unsettled by talk of the Olympic stadium. The heart and soul of the club is at the Bolyen Ground. It is the ground I want to take my children to (if I do have them) so that they can continue the legacy of supporting West Ham. I do not want to go to a new ground that will for the most part be devoid of an atmosphere and its own history. Also retractable seats that will go over the running track and then be moved back afterwards to me does not sit well. I hope the £100 million that was quoted by a government minister about changing plans to the Olympic stadium is true. No malicious intentions however towards the new regime.

I would also like to be assured of transfer funds for the future. The quote I have been reading is that Alan Pardew will have money to spend but how much? I would like to know the rough ballpark figure but that’s a long shot as you would not want rival clubs knowing your business.

Speaking of Alan Pardew, I am pleased to know that his services are being retained and that as you have said you have full confidence in him. I do hope that this proves to be true.

In conclusion, welcome to East London but make sure the club is run in a way in keeping with our tradition. Do not hike ticket prices and do not turn us into another Chelsea.

Thank You.

Paul

(P.S – Please sack the Public Announcer)