West Ham top Championship after third straight win, but fan unrest over former chairman persists
West Ham moved to the top of the Championship with a 3-2 win at Bolton, their third consecutive league victory. Jarrod Bowen scored twice, but the travelling support directed chants against former chairman David Sullivan, who remains involved despite resigning as chairman in June. The club has sold 50,000 season tickets for their first season outside the top flight since 2011.
The victory at Bolton marked West Ham's best run since a December 2023 sequence that led to a contract offer for David Moyes, which went unsigned and was withdrawn before his departure. Relegation followed last May. The club's supporter base has responded enthusiastically to the new era, with 50,000 season tickets sold and an average home league attendance exceeding 60,000.
Behind the scenes, ownership is shifting. Daniel Kretinsky, the Czech billionaire, has assumed the chairmanship and is expected to become the largest shareholder with 46%, while Sullivan retains 40%. Chief executive Karim Virani has drawn praise for engaging with fans, and recruitment now involves director of football Nils Koppen. Twelve players departed and nine arrived, including a record £22m EFL fee for Celtic's Arne Engels.
This story reflects broader tensions in English football between commercial ownership and supporter sentiment. West Ham's strong start may ease some concerns, but persistent fan protests against Sullivan suggest that off-field governance remains a sensitive issue. The club's record ticket sales could signal renewed optimism, yet the outcome may depend on whether the new leadership structure delivers sustained success and genuine fan engagement.