Refund Offer Ends

Ticket Office Manager Steve Kitcher says the low number of season ticket refunds that have been processed this week will help to provide Glenn Roeder with the kind of support he will need to succeed in the Upton Park hotseat.

The deadline for refunds - offered to renewing holders if they were not happy with the managerial appointment - passed today (June 22), and Steve admits he is pleased that Hammers fans have once again proved themselves among the most loyal in the country.

He revealed: "In the end, we processed around 100 refunds which, in relation to the entire number of season ticket holders, is a tiny amount.

"We made the offer to the supporters who hadn't renewed so that, firstly, they were able to secure their seats before the wave of new applicants could claim them and, secondly, have the opportunity to relinquish their seats if they weren't happy with the managerial appointment.

"It wasn't done as a publicity stunt, it was simply the club's way of making sure that our supporters got the opportunity to make their own choice.

"There was obviously a hasty reaction to the events of last week from some people but, now that things have settled down, everyone realises that it is important to give Glenn and the team as much support as possible.

"I think the fact that so few supporters have decided to take up the offer shows that the vast majority of fans can see that there is a chance for the club to go forward again after the disappointment of last season and everyone needs to pull together if we are going to realise the potential that we have."