Hammers stadium plans are up in the air

By Rob Virtue on September 11, 2007 12:00 AM |

MYSTERY surrounds where West Ham United will be playing in the future after the club refused to comment on claims made by its Icelandic owner.
Speaking in a national Sunday broadsheet, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson was quoted as saying that a proposed move to a new stadium - probably next to West Ham Tube station - had met with a "good response from the local council".
Owner Gudmundsson, who works alongside the club's chairman Eggert Magnusson, controls 95 per cent of the club and should be in a good position to comment on any future move.

But after being pressed by The Wharf for an update on the planned move, a spokeswoman for the club could not shed any light on the situation.
"These are his personal comments," she said. "We have nothing to say on that. We will put something out when there is an update."
The club are not keen to add fuel to the fire of one of east London's worst-kept secrets, but Newham Council was slightly more open.
A spokeswoman for the council said while there is no record of formal talks taking place with the club, it was probable that enquiries had been made by West Ham to Newham's planning department on how a move will be received.
"It's likely that the club have sought advice," said the spokeswoman. "In much the same way as people would call up for advice on building a conservatory."
The majority of West Ham fans are believed to favour a move away from the Boleyn Ground, as the club looks to step up a level and seek regular European competition.
The idea was first mooted when the club looked into taking over the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games, but nothing came of the talks. The site of the old Parcelforce warehouse, next to West Ham station, was then thought to be the club's target.
In February this year, following newspaper reports that Newham Council was looking to obstruct a move by the club to the brownfield site, Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales released a statement saying this was not the case.
Since then the debate has been quiet. But if the West Ham owner's comments are anything to go by, it is just a matter of time before full plans are revealed. rob.virtue@wharf.co.uk
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