The Fan Advisory Board (FAB) is West Ham United’s primary mechanism for formal consultation and engagement, with representatives sharing their views on issues which impact the Club’s fanbase, including the Club strategic vision and objectives, London Stadium plans, operational matchday processes and any proposals relating to Club heritage items.
The FAB will also be consulted on the Club’s short, medium and long-term strategy, equality, diversity and inclusion commitments, the communities’ strategy and West Ham United’s plans for broader supporter engagement.
Andy Payne OBE
General Position
Hammers United
I was born in Walthamstow and my first West Ham game was against West Bromwich Albion in 1971 which we lost. I am a Season Ticket Holder and have been going ever since. I stood in the North Bank, the South Bank and the West Side at Upton Park and loved every single minute of it.
I have worked in the computer and videogames industry since 1985 and am an active founder and investor in games companies globally.
I joined Hammers United in 2021 when I heard they were trying to restore the old West Ham United club crest from the new South Bank stand to the old Supporters' Club and was impressed by the passion and commitment of the team and the will to make things happen.
With over 19,000 members, Hammers United are the biggest independent West Ham fan group and we had a place on the Independent Supporters Committee (ISC). In January 2024 I was elected as chair and have played a major role over 12 months in negotiating the terms of the Fan Advisory Board (FAB). I am looking forward to playing my part on the FAB representing the needs and wishes of as many West Ham fans as possible.
Kevin Hind
General Position
West Ham United Supporters Trust
I was really only ever going to support West Ham: three generations of my family have held West Ham Season Tickets. I currently hold a Season Ticket with my family in the Billy Bonds Lower Stand. I've been a Board Member of WHUST and its forerunner, WHUISA, for over five years. I believe that football is nothing without the supporters and the communities from which it draws that support. Away from football, I work in the publishing industry and have served as a councillor and school governor.
Paul Christmas
General Position
Official Supporters' Club
Like Bobby and Trevor I was born in Barking and my Dad first bought me a Season Ticket for the East Stand Upper in 1982. I graduated to the North and South Banks, settling into the BML from 1994.
Best day Prague 2023. Worst day FA Cup Final 2006.
I volunteer on the committee of the West Ham United Supporters Club constantly striving to keep it and its traditions alive.
I currently represent the Supporters' Club, also on a voluntary basis, on the FAB hopefully trying to champion and achieve the best interests for our membership.
Josh Dodd
LGBTQIA+ Supporters' Group
Pride of Irons
I am a dedicated Committee Member for Pride of Irons, the official LGBTQ+ supporters' group for West Ham United. A lifelong fan, I have been a Season Ticket Holder for 20 consecutive years, currently sitting in the Bobby Moore Stand, and was formerly a member of the Junior Hammers Club. I have also served as the youth supporter representative on the former Supporter Advisory Board.
As the Pride of Irons representative on the Fans’ Advisory Board (FAB), I am committed to promoting inclusivity and ensuring football is a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. My key goals include improving social engagement within the group through organising social events, matchday events and assisting in the management of social media platforms. Joshua is passionate about ensuring that Pride of Irons has a strong voice on the FAB and that the thoughts and ideas of LGBTQ+ supporters are well-represented.
I also focus on tackling homophobic and transphobic abuse at matches, working to educate others and make football an inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone. Through the FAB, I collaborate with other supporters' groups and the Club to foster positive change within the football community.
Cathy Bayford
Disability Supporters' Group
Disabled Supporters' Board
I am Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Disabled Supporters Board which was created in 2016 to concentrate on accessibility matters outside of the main fan supporter group meetings with the Club. The Disabled Supporters Association was established to ensure the DSB represents the views of all accessibility fans at West Ham United.
My Husband and I have been Season Ticket Holders for over 15 years, attending games regularly at the Boleyn, London Stadium and various away matches through the seasons. I now use a wheelchair and face the challenges of full stadium accessibility. I am fiercely proud of my Forces background having served 21 years in the RAF before an injury forced an early retirement. I went on to work in a management position in a Further Education College. Both career paths thrived through a mindset of teamwork, an ethos I believe I have carried forward when working with the Club.
I have represented the DSB through the various fan engagement groups, playing an integral part in the preparation of the new format. With my place on the FAB I aim to be a voice for our accessibility supporters, to continue to improve the matchday experience for all our disabled fans, expanding on the all the DSA has already achieved and ensure our views and unique requirements are taken into consideration when working with the Club.
Austin Gigg
Junior Supporters Board
I am aged 16, and my favourite player is Jarrod Bowen. I have put myself forward for the Fan Advisory Board to give myself a direct opportunity to speak for myself and the community of fellow supporters and for the Club to listen to what we think is going well, in hope of making the West Ham experience the best as possible.
Apu Vyas
Ethnic Diversity Supporters Group
Inclusive Irons
Growing up in east London in the 70s, there didn’t seem to be any choice but to support West Ham and it is an integral part of my identity. I’ve always had a deep interest in equality and justice as well as a passion for sport which has led me to be involved on podcasts, TV and radio, the committee for South Asian Heritage Month and eventually into Inclusive Irons shortly after they formed as BAME Hammers in 2020.
Inclusive Irons look at all aspects of inclusion and diversity and our main aims is for West Ham and the local communities to engage with each other and create the strong bonds that previous generations have had in all aspects from playing to working and to supporting and representing east London and Essex. Since our launch we have liaised in many initiatives with the Club and our own such as our 50th anniversary celebration (including a rousing rendition of Bubbles led by Ade Coker) of West Ham becoming the first English club to field three black players in the 2-0 win over Spurs in 1972!
Martine Dodwell-Bennett
Bondholders
In the wake of the Hillsborough disaster in April 1989, the Lord Justice Taylor Report paved the way to all-seater stadia in the top division. With the aim of funding the necessary ground redevelopment, starting with what came to be the Bobby Moore Stand, the Club launched the Bond Scheme in November 1991.
Following the formation of the Bondholder Committee and working with the Club, the scheme has been developed and enhanced over time.
The Bondholder committee represent the 808 supporters who took up the Club's offer and seek to discuss issues that are of concern and interest to Bondholders and to many other lifelong West Ham supporters. The Bond Scheme itself closed in 1997 - since when no new Bonds have been issued and the number of Bonds held will henceforth remain fixed at 808.
Martine was born in East Ham and has been a Bondholder since 1997. She currently sits in the Bobby Moore Lower in a group of 15 friends and family.
Peter Tyler
Women's Supporters' Board
My name is Peter Tyler and I am 62 years old. I have been a West Ham supporter all my life, being born just up the road from the old Boleyn Ground stadium. I have recently taken early retirement from my job as a retail manager and can now enjoy more time playing golf and watching sport.
I have four children and five grandchildren, who all combine to ensure I am kept very busy and never have time to be bored. I am currently the Co-Chair on the West Ham United Women’s Supporters board and have been for the last three years. Within this role I have helped provide a platform for meaningful engagement between the West Ham women’s team supporters and senior management.
I am really looking forward to having an active role on the new Fan Advisory Board. I am really passionate about improving the experience of fans in their match day experience. I feel this is a really exciting time to be a West Ham United supporter. I am sure my role as a FAB member will be hard work but I am convinced that supporters working with Club representatives is the best way for the Club to achieve even more success.
James Brown
Claret Members
My name is James Brown (I don’t sing…unless it involves blowing bubbles) and I’m delighted to represent the Claret Members on the West Ham Fan Advisory Board. The Club has evolved since I visited the Club Shop at Upton Park many moons ago to buy my West Ham wallpaper and I still haven’t got over Tony Cottee and Iain Dowie rattling the bar when kicking the same ball at my first game against Manchester United.
By profession I’m a solicitor and work as the General Counsel for a global digital services company. In 2023 I had sepsis which resulted in a below knee amputation, which has enabled me to see life from a different perspective and in that sense, I also hope to support the Club’s Disability Supporters Association. I am committed to using my professional skills to ensure the fans' concerns are voiced constructively, information is shared with context and the Club is empowered to make positive decisions. We’ve seen a mighty summer transfer window on the pitch, so let’s work together to further the success off it. Come on you Irons!!
Scotty Burkhardt Jr
International Supporters' Clubs
Baltimore Hammers
My name is Scott “Scotty” Burkhardt Jr. I am currently one of the Chairpersons of the Baltimore Hammers Supporters Club in Baltimore City USA.
I was born and raised in Chicago, USA, before relocating to the US East Coast approximately 20 years ago. I am a lifelong trade-unionist with the exception of my six years active-duty in the US Military. I am a career Captain (Station Commander) for a Fire Department in Maryland USA. Prior to my appointment to the FAB, I have represented career firefighters in both the US and Canada as part of the International Association of Fire Fighters, serving on several advisory boards and committees.
I hope to help build and strengthen friendships between UK and international West Ham fans. I would like to liaise between West Ham Supporters' Clubs in order to build a worldwide network of support for all fans, no matter where they may be. As West Ham United and English Football as a whole becomes more accessible and followed throughout the world; I want to see our international supporters’ clubs fully embrace the culture of east London in a manner respectful and conducive to the people that call it home. I am married to my wife Julie; we reside in Baltimore City USA with our two cats. I have followed West Ham United for ten years. I am a Season Ticket Holder for the Baltimore Orioles Baseball Club. I am a fan of the Washington Capitals (Ice Hockey) and St. Louis Cardinals (Baseball).
Mike Field
Over-60s Supporters' Group
Old School Hammers
Old School Hammers are an independent, democratic Supporters' Group who would like to represent the interests and wishes of West Ham fans over the age of 60 and seek to improve the matchday experience for this demographic.
My Hammers journey started 60 odd years ago listening to the Hillsborough semi-final with my grandad, a veteran of the 1923 'White Horse', first-ever Wembley final. Countless games since then, thick and thin,
Prague was my second Euro final, these days travel is a bit easier than the first Lacey’s Coaches trip to Frankfurt! Now retired I am honoured to be representing our older fans on the FAB through Old School Hammers.
Our membership includes so many familiar faces from all the years of supporting our great club and I look forward to working with the club and other fan groups to ensure everyone succeeds in their aims, and the experience of watching our beloved Hammers is as enjoyable and rewarding as possible.