West Ham fans are crowdfunding to unfurl giant Tifo against Man United. West Ham welcome Manchester United to the London Stadium next month and there will be plenty of sub-plots to the game. Man United and West Ham have two of the biggest grounds in the UK in Old Trafford and the London Stadium.
The Hammers will soon have officially the second biggest club football stadium in the country behind the Theatre of Dreams with plans to raise capacity from 62,500 to 66,000.
West Ham may have a relatively new stadium in the grand scheme of things but Manchester United’s is now one of the oldest around. That has been clear for all to see with the leaking roof at Old Trafford and various Man United legends calling for it to be overhauled.
West Ham may have a new and more modern arena, but it’s not been without its own problems.
A major bone of contention for Hammers fans is the distance between the upper and lower tiers in places and from the terraces to the pitch.
Going from Upton Park, where supporters were almost on top of the players on the pitch, to the bowl-shaped London Stadium has taken years of adjustment. There has been in-fighting, pitch invasions and protests with the stadium the issue at the heart of the grievances.
But the biggest shift has been the atmosphere.
West Ham fans crowdfund for giant Tifo against Man United. There have been some electric, memorable games and nights for West Ham at the London Stadium.
Noise levels and atmosphere have suffered, though. Over the summer two big Red Devils fans told Man United’s official website the away ground they miss the most is Upton Park.
That, West Ham fans would concur, says it all.
West Ham’s latest game at the Stratford arena was against Man United’s fierce rivals Man City.
The atmosphere was sorely lacking – not helped by difficulties getting into the ground on time – which has become an all to recurrent occurrence in east London due – in the main – to lengthy queues for security checks.
Despite Man United’s struggles in recent years they are still regarded as the biggest club in the country and one of the largest on the planet too.
It’s always a big day for the Hammers when Manchester United come to town. The two clubs have shared many classic matches down the years.
Erik ten Hag’s side – presuming the Dutchman is still in charge by then – come to east London in the Premier League next month. And West Ham fans are crowdfunding to unfurl a giant Tifo against Man United.
Giant display design revealed by West Ham fan group
Hammers fan group The Ironworks Alliance is desperate to try and improve the matchday atmosphere at the London Stadium.
West Ham fans are not usually ones for gimmicks, flags or drums and the like. But Ironworks Alliance has come up with a plan for a huge Tifo fan display when Man United come to the London Stadium.The impressive claret and blue display design has the year West Ham were founded – 1895 – either side of a crossed Hammers.
Underneath are the words ‘The hotter the furnace, the stronger the Iron’.
The group has set a fundraising target of £3,000 to pay for materials in order to get the Tifo ready for the Man United clash. And they have revealed how it will look while appealing for donations.
“The journey to building a stronger atmosphere starts now,” Ironworks Alliance states. “Our first fan-led display has been designed, and we need your help to bring it to life!
“On the 27th Oct vs Manchester United. Bobby Moore Lower. By the fans. For the fans.”
CALLING WEST HAM FANS 📢
The journey to building a stronger atmosphere starts now. Our first fan-led display has been designed, and we need your help to bring it to life!
27th Oct vs Manchester United. Bobby Moore Lower.
By the fans. For the fans. ⚒️https://t.co/glTa1Dk0hZ pic.twitter.com/LKA3bTXtaj
— Ironworks Alliance (@IWA1895) September 6, 2024
View Tweet
Ironworks Alliance has also produced a video on its YouTube channel about the initiative. ‘Reignite our passion and identity within the London Stadium’
On its dedicated fundraising page the group revealed West Ham have granted them permission for the fan funded crowd display.
But now it is up to fan power to make it happen.
“We can’t do displays without your help!” the page reads.
