West Ham fans enjoy telling everyone how massive they are but Ray Parlour believes one man is stopping them realising their true potential.
In terms of support West Ham are one of the biggest clubs in Europe let alone England.
Last week West Ham were named in a new UEFA report as part of their “1 million crowd club”.
Only 16 clubs feature in the elite group and West Ham are among them.
The group factors in capacity and a percentage filled of capacity for all games from league to domestic cups and European competition.
And West Ham, with an official capacity of 62,549 at the London Stadium, are eighth in the table with a 97 per cent full capacity ratio and a whopping total of over 1.5million.
West Ham truly are massive
The Irons sit behind only Roma, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Manchester United.
And there are plans to increase capacity to 66,000 in the coming seasons.
So as far as fanbases go, West Ham are officially the eighth biggest club in Europe.
Man United top the list with over 1.8 million total attendance. Meanwhile the Hammers are above other Premier League rivals including Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City.
West Ham have been among Europe’s top 18 biggest clubs in terms of income in recent years too.
Earlier today Hammers News revealed that West Ham now officially have the third richest owners in the Premier League.
That’s thanks in the main to the club’s second biggest stakeholder Daniel Kretinsky.
Parlour calls on Sullivan to sell so West Ham can fulfil potential
The Czech billionaire’s net worth has doubled in the last 12 months to around £13bn.
But David Sullivan – whose net worth is around £1.2bn – is West Ham’s majority owner with almost double Kretinsky’s stake.
There have been persistent rumours Sullivan could look to sell the club in recent years.
Particularly following the passing of long-time friend, business partner and former West Ham co-owner David Gold.
Vanessa Gold put a percentage – and potentially all – of the Gold family’s West Ham holding up for sale in October last year.
Back in June Kretinsky said his heart is fully with West Ham in a rare TV interview and declared he would be interested in increasing his stake.
There have also been rumours of US and Middle Eastern interest in taking over the east Londoners.
Despite showing increased ambition in the transfer market, West Ham have made a poor start to the season under new manager Julen Lopetegui.
Nine players arrived to the tune of around £155m. But fans were angry the club did not go out and get the dynamic, pacy, young striker so many feel is needed.
While the team has been struggling off the pitch, the board have also upset fans off it.
‘I promise you now West Ham can be a big top four club’
The scrapping of new concessions and a steep rise in ticket prices has led to black balloon protests this season.
With their fan power, income and the wealth of their owners, there is an argument to say West Ham have every right to dream of being regular challengers for Champions League football.
Especially now the competition has been expanded.
And one boyhood Hammer turned pundit believes one man has the power to push the club to the next level.
Ray Parlour has called on Sullivan to sell up so West Ham can fulfil their true top four potential.
Parlour, who grew up supporting West Ham before enjoying a fine career with Arsenal, says Sullivan simply must sell.
“I think they have got to sell the club,” Parlour said on talkSPORT at 7.57am.
“I would say, David Sullivan, David Gold was a big influence in that, obviously he passed away. I think if they sold the club to a big, big time player and they really invest in it, I think they could be a big, big club. Top four.
“You have got to get the right people in place (in terms of potential new buyers).
“If they sold the club, I think they could go really strength to strength. I promise you now. Because they have got the support.”
Related Topics