The Olympic Stadium: What would Edmund Burke do?

It was only a matter of time. An online petition opposing the proposed move to the Olympic Stadium has been set up. In an age where changing one’s Facebook profile picture to a cartoon character is deemed a substitute for a donation to a children’s charity, it was inevitable that at some point a web-based campaign would emerge.

Mywhufc.com has been established to draw attention to the argument against moving away from the Boleyn Ground. As well as the petition itself, there is an explanation of arguments both for and against the move, as well as details of ways that you can get involved, which seem to solely involve, er, Facebook.

The comments on the petition are worryingly incoherent. The strapline could almost be: ‘You don’t have to be illiterate to sign here, but it helps.’ The main themes seem to be fears over the impact of the running track (a legitimate concern) and nostalgia for the Boleyn Ground (not so legitimate). The other suspicion is that the owners are only interested in lining their pockets, articulated perhaps best by one fan who claims: “let,s stay where we are its just a money making scheme for gold ,sullivan,brady too fleese us of our earned cash and loyalty too thw hammers.”

As joint-owner of Birmingham City David Gold made no secret of his lifelong love of West Ham. He is worth over £500m. I might be sticking my neck out here but at the age of 73 I don’t believe he is motivated by spending his last decade or two on the planet screwing over West Ham fans.

The obsession with being based in Upton Park is beyond me but many clearly feel passionate about being situated a couple of miles east of West Ham rather than a couple of miles north-west. Another fan wrote: “don't agree with the stadium move,because Upton Park means too much to me,but not the stadium itself,what it's all about:the Barking Road,Upton Park Station,the Queen's Market”.

Queen’s Market? Are you serious? In fairness the Barking Road can be very handy if after the game you suddenly remember you need a cheap hardware store, an unfranchised chicken outlet or some tyres. Upton Park tube station I cannot bring myself to even joke about. Queuing outside after a game packed in like sardines is a nightmare. The prospect of Stratford station with access to direct overground trains to and from Essex as well as the Jubilee and Central Lines is one of the most compelling arguments for the move.

Some objectors are less specific in their reservations. Jake quips: “FUCK OFF GOLD AND SULLIVAN! CUNTS!” Another comment reads: “im well not happy with this move”. It’s good to know Danny Dyer is having his tuppence worth. Others go off on a complete tangent and bemoan the appointment of Avram. Not relevant to the subject at hand but I do at least have some sympathy here.

One of the more surprising contributions quotes a saying commonly attributed to the philosopher Edmund Burke: “For evil to prevail, good men must do nothing”. Not wholly inappropriate, but a tad melodramatic ? A bit like those in favour of the move proclaiming it to be one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

Clearly, a few hundred silly comments on the internet do not automatically negate the argument to stay in E13. Football is a passionate game and people are entitled to a bit of sentimentality. Furthermore, concerns over the running track are valid, and Gold and Sullivan would do well to address this issue more vocally.

However, even this hurdle (excuse the pun) is not enough to deter me. The gap between pitch and stand is unlikely to be much bigger than that already existing alongside the East Stand. The Britannia Stadium generates a great atmosphere despite the Rory Delap-friendly voids. Furthermore, pictures of the Olympic Stadium suggest that its enclosed structure would be perfect for keeping noise in.

Tellingly, many of the comments posted on the petition actually acknowledge how underwhelming the atmosphere at Upton Park already is. So what is there to lose? Comparisons to the Emirates are completely misplaced. The lack of atmosphere isn’t a result of modern architecture; it’s a result of the Arsenal fans. Not for nothing was Highbury nicknamed the Library. In fact, visiting the Emirates a few weeks ago reinforced to me how exciting the prospect is of a new stadium with modern facilities. Getting a beer at half time at Arsenal is quick and easy. Getting a beer in the Bobby Moore Stand is a scrum, with fans having to queue just to get from their seats to the bar.

Developing the East Stand, the obvious alternative, won’t give us a stadium a fraction as impressive as the Olympic Stadium. Why do you think Tottenham are prepared to leave north London to relocate there, even after being granted planning permission to redevelop Shite Hart Lane.

And this is before we even get on to the inevitable ticket price reductions that will be needed to attract more than the current 33,000 average attendance. Gold and Sullivan won’t reduce prices out of the goodness of their heart; they’ll do it because of the law of supply and demand. This season’s Carling Cup run has already demonstrated their willingness to experiment with price elasticity.

Of the current top seven Premier League teams, four have changed grounds in the last 13 years, one (Tottenham) is planning to, one (Chelsea) would be mad not to and the other (Man Utd) has had the rare luxury of not needing to.

One of Edmund Burke’s less famous quotes emphasises the need to adapt to survive: “A State without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation.” In a season where the on-field activity is as disappointing as ever, a move to a new stadium should be embraced as a rare opportunity for progress.