Premier League side West Ham United have had to cancel a charity match involving the women’s team after complaints from fans, reports Sky Sports.
The women’s team were due to take on an all-star side on June 5th in a fundraising event but it has now been called off after a section of Hammers fans weren’t too happy at the prospect of it being the last ever football match to be played at the Boleyn Ground.
West Ham are leaving the club’s home of 112 years to move into the Olympic Stadium for the start of the 2016/17 season and their final match at the Boleyn Ground was a dramatic 3-2 win over Manchester United on May 10th.
It appears some supporters complained that by letting the charity match go ahead then the win over Louis van Gaal’s side would no longer be the last public match to be held at the stadium. Despite a poll conducted by the Hammers which saw results of 52 per cent backing the game to go head, the club decided to cancel the match.
“The proposed game between West Ham Ladies and a West Ham ‘All Stars’ team scheduled for Sunday June 5 has been cancelled,” read a statement from the club.
“The club has taken the decision to call off the match in response to direct comments from supporters, a poll conducted on the official website and fan feedback on social media.
“West Ham Ladies played under the lights at the Boleyn Ground back in March when they faced Tottenham Ladies and dialogue remains open between West Ham Ladies and the club with regards to the hosting of future fixtures.”
Stephen Hunt, the joint-chairman of the West Ham Ladies, is confident another fixture will take place once the Hammers move into the Olympic Stadium,
“Obviously the Ladies are disappointed, but myself and Jack Sullivan (son of joint-chairman David) will get together over the summer to see what else we can do in the future,” said Hunt.
Slaven Bilic guided West Ham to a 7th-place Premier League finish in his first season in charge and they could qualify for the Europa League should Manchester United beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Final on May 21.
