MX23RW : Friday, April 26 12:21:33| >> :600:763193:763193:

West Ham show off claret carpet

West Ham show off claret carpet
© Reuters
The carpet is in West Ham colours complete with the club crest.

West Ham have finally installed their long-awaited claret pitch surround at the London Stadium.

The Hammers lifted the curtain on their new carpet to Press Association Sport on Wednesday ahead of its official unveiling at this weekend's match against Leicester.

The colour of the surround, which covers the athletics track, was at the centre of a lengthy dispute between the club and their landlords, the London Legacy Development Corporation.

LLDC maintained it should remain a neutral colour, green, but West Ham, who moved into the former Olympic Stadium in 2016, said that was at odds with their primary use of the ground and wanted a carpet in Hammers colours complete with club crest.

West Ham have covered their tracks (Andy Sims/PA)

Former manager Slaven Bilic even felt the green was detrimental to their performances, claiming his players could not determine where the pitch ended and the carpet began.

There were also instances of players, notably Manchester United defender Phil Jones, tripping over the old surround.

In November a costly court case between the two parties was avoided with an 11th-hour agreement and a pledge to install the club-branded claret carpet, at an estimated cost of around £250,000, was one part of the deal.

Current boss Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping for an instant impact against Leicester with his side having lost their last three matches.

Captain Mark Noble said: "London Stadium has certainly begun to feel more and more like home this season now that we are fully established.

West Ham United v Huddersfield Town – Premier League – London Stadium
The previous surround was green (John Walton/PA)

"This will only enhance that feeling for both the players and our supporters, that this is the home of West Ham United."

West Ham plan to turn the stadium into a sea of claret and blue on Saturday, with a crowd-surfing banner and pyro display greeting the players.


Click here for more stories about West Ham United

Share this article now:
Declan Rice celebrates scoring for West Ham United against Newcastle United on March 2, 2019
Read Next:
Scott Minto: 'Real Madrid want Declan Rice'
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account