West Ham United is delighted to announce that Scotty Burkhardt Jr has been elected by fans as the Club’s Fan Advisory Representative for International Supporters' Clubs.
As one of the Chairpersons of the Baltimore Hammers Supporters' Club, Burkhardt Jr has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep passion for West Ham United. With a strong commitment to enhancing the experience of international supporters, he brings valuable insights into the needs and aspirations of fans worldwide.
As the Club’s Fan Advisory Representative for International Supporters' Clubs, Burkhardt Jr will ensure fans are consulted, kept informed, and their views are considered during Club decision-making, covering a wide range of off-field topics, such as the Club’s strategic vision and objectives, priorities and plans, off-pitch performance updates, the Club’s community strategy, equality, diversity and inclusion commitments, and plans for broader supporter engagement worldwide.
Burkhardt Jr has been a Hammers fan for over a decade and is the founder and current Chair of the Baltimore Hammers in the US city in Maryland. The Club has a long-standing history with the city that goes back as far as 1969, when West Ham masqueraded as the Baltimore Bays for the summer North American Soccer League (NASL) tournament. That has not been forgotten in Charm City, and their support for the Irons has been handed down the generations through the ensuing 55 years. Throughout his time at the Baltimore Hammers, Burkhardt Jr has organised regular meetups to ensure that his fellow Hammers in Baltimore can live a similar experience that they’ve had during these visits at London Stadium.
“It’s humbling to be given this role,” said Burkhardt Jr. “In my other line of work, I’ve been able to go across different states in Canada, but to celebrate West Ham United across the United States in states and cities such as Texas, Colorado, Boston, and New York, and all over the world, is a really proud feeling.
“When I moved to Baltimore, I was looking to be a part of a new community. When you move to a new city and move hundreds or thousands of miles away from home, you try to find a community and way of meeting people. My wife and I went to The Abbey pub, which is the only West Ham-dedicated pub in the state, and it soon turned into a natural progression of being a fan of West Ham United. A decade on, and I’ve been here three times this year and am a diehard fan.
“It’s a challenge, and I like challenges. There is so much we can do, being the bridge between international fans and the Club. It’s critically important that we remember where this Club comes from, and being able to network, build friendships, and build a family here and take it back to wherever in the world is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m hoping to bridge those gaps, as everyone deserves that.
“I envision improving communication and engagement between the Club by delivering frank, open, and honest communication. That’s what we need. We need the Club to provide clear, concise and accurate engagement to the fans, and the fans need to provide accurate information back to the Club such as the things that are affecting and bothering them. It’s about being realistic and wanting to work together in order to accomplish what matters, which is the West Ham family in the east of London or across the world.
“My long-term goals are to build a solid foundation so that the next generation of international supporters are going to have a springboard to elevate our club to the next level. It’s about building a strong foundation.”
