In this age of multi-million pound transfer fees, billionaire owners and £120m play off finals, it's easy to forget about the fans in the money-making industry that is football in the 21st century. However, Exeter-based West Ham fan Nathan Boult has stuck his claret and blue flag in the ground and made a stand that he hopes will have the effect of bringing football back to the fans that little bit more.
"I live in Exeter where the local football team [League Two side Exeter City] is run by the local community. They're fan owned and even some of the players are paid by the supporters," the 22 year old said on his campaign page.
"It made me think, 'what could a club like West Ham achieve if all the fans pulled together and raised some money for the playing budget?!' West Ham are such a well supported club with supporters all over the country. If we all showed our support, we could see something amazing happen. Would be great to attract better players and pay their wages by showing how ambitious we are!"
A cynical view is that £1m doesn't get you anywhere in the Premier League these days, and there's some truth in that. Carlton Cole's reported wages, for example, are believed to be in the annual region of £1.2m. However, this would be more than a token gesture from West Ham fans; the campaign by Boult would be a clear statement of intent to the club that Hammers fans want more of a say in how their club is run, and we at Blowing Bubbles absolutely think it is a worthwhile project and fully support it.
Nathan's page, where fans can donate to the project, can be found here.
By Alex Shilling, News Editor
@alexshilling
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