Horror day the bubbles burst
West Ham skipper Noble insists it’s going to get worse
police and adequate stewarding, the club captain was left to tackle one of the intruders.
Of course it is diabolical that Sullivan could have been blinded by a coin that struck his glasses as hundreds of Hammers militants picketed the directors’ box, hurling missiles and insults, forcing the Two Daves and La Brady indoors for their own protection.
But while the FA decide whether a fine, ground closure or points deduction is the appropriate sanction, one thing is certain.
Gold, Sullivan and Brady can no longer hide behind their landlords and squeal their hands are tied by a tenants’ rental agreement. This is their mess, their fan base in revolt – and their club going down to the Championship unless the fans’ insurrection turns to unity for the last eight games.
Noble said: “It’s hard for me because I’m a West Ham fan myself and results affect me more than anyone. I love the club, it has been my home since I was 10.
“But this has been bubbling over with the fans for the past two seasons. Today they reached boiling point and it just exploded.
“When the first guy ran on my emotions were running high as we had just conceded a goal.
“I’m not even going to blame the fella – his emotions were high, the same as mine – and although I wouldn’t say I felt threatened, if someone approaches me like that I’m going to look after myself.”
The insults included “Stratford’s a s***hole, we want to go home” but they can’t return to Upton Park as it has been demolished. Noble said: “This is our stadium now. There’s nothing we can do about it.”
He fears the unrest could get worse as the next home game is a relegation shoot-out against Southampton. He said: “If we go 1-0 down again what will happen?
“It seems to me there is so much anger out there that it is not going to go away. I don’t think it is.”
But Hammers co-chairman Gold issued a statement which said: “I will never be driven away by the behaviour I saw. It won’t happen because of all the decent fans out there.”
Club legend Sir Trevor Brooking added: “Whoever is looking after the crowd against Southampton must have the experience to make sure nothing escalates.”