The Story Of West Ham And Social Media

In recent years, the make-up of British football has changed. Sky TV has not only injected much more cash into the game, but with more matches readily available, we’re seeing and learning lots more about our clubs and players. Alongside this, and a more recent introduction, is social media. Many players, clubs and fanatics have official and unofficial accounts within this medium that can be both beneficial and to the detriment of the football club.

The performance of Carlton Cole against Chelsea was a reminder of how good a player, on his day, he can be. His strength and hold up play, combined with his goal, may have got a lot of his detractors off his back. Whilst nowadays it’s a lot easier to contact our heroes, it also means it’s easier to vent your spleen at those who don’t delight you and in recent months Cole has had more than most. Whilst going through a lean patch, Carlton Cole was getting abuse on Twitter. Though many of us have shouted insults to a number of players at various different times, these have been generally heat of the moment incidents that don’t bring colour or nationality into it. Cole received racist abuse that can’t ever be tolerated. In a day and age where all aspects of the professional footballer’s behaviour are under scrutiny, Carlton had to show class and decency when subjected to such offensive tweets. As the famous person in the spotlight and situation, Cole must have been wary as to how he reacted. The fact it made the national press shows that this wasn’t something to take lightly. Whilst the ‘fan’ who subjected Cole to such abuse used the anonymity of being behind a keyboard, the effects it could have had on Cole, and possibly the side, shouldn’t be ignored.

Jack Sullivan, son of joint-chairman David, is also a regular tweeter. On the eve of the Andy Carroll swoop, Sullivan reported that West Ham were on the verge of the biggest signing in the club’s history. Whilst this was exciting reading for all fans, it could have backfired in a spectacular manner. For example, West Ham released a tweet (I believe through David Gold but may be wrong) in 2010 to alert us fans that they were putting the finishing touches to the signing of a ‘World Cup star.’ We all know that the signing of Winston Reid was later met with indifference from the fans, meaning the announcement to be slightly embarrassing. Granted, Reid has grown over the past seasons and become one of the best centre-backs in the Premiership, but to have the anticipation of a world star signing and getting a New Zealand defender was, at the time deflating. Had we have not received this message through social media, maybe we’d have found ourselves more at ease with Reid’s signing.

Furthermore Facebook is also a breeding ground for fans’ pages. Whilst I find it useful to be able to pick up West Ham news on the go from these pages, I also find some of the slightly distasteful. Though the passion of our fans can’t be doubted, reading some of the comments, from some of the fans, can leave a bad taste in my mouth. Some were bragging about the fights outside the Tottenham game, others were hoping for Millwall in the FA Cup so there would be more trouble. I support West Ham, they’ve always been my club, but to see people happily broadcasting on Facebook that they’re ‘Up for a fight’ is not what either football, nor social media, should be about. If you want to take positives from Facebook, it’s best to not take it seriously but to stay within boundaries of decency. That said I am amused that I had friend requests from both Ruud Boffin and Radoslav Kovac!

All in all, I think social media can have a place in football if used correctly. I use both Twitter and Facebook accounts to keep in touch with all things West Ham, and I believe that David Gold is excellent with the fans on Twitter (he even tweeted me a happy birthday!) If used wisely it can benefit the fans. If you get morons, the like of who slag off our own players, then it’s going to create more problems than solutions.

Those are my thoughts, though you may think differently, tweet me and let me know!
Smudgy
@TheRobTaylor32