Hammers in talks over Olympic stadium
West Ham fans on the move
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Friday, 20, Oct 2006 10:13
Officials from West Ham United are in talks with those responsible for delivering London 2012 over the possibility of the Premiership club taking control of the Olympic stadium after the Games' conclusion in six years' time.
Reports have long linked the east London club with a move away from Upton Park, their current ground, and to the new Olympic stadium which is currently being built and is due to hold 80,000 people.
Sports minister Richard Caborn confirmed today that "very serious negotiations" are underway between the two parties "about whether they could do a similar thing to Manchester City when they took over the Commonwealth Games stadium in 2002".
West Ham moved to the 35,647-capacity Upton Park, or the Boleyn Ground as it is also known, in 1904 but speculation has continued to mount in recent weeks that a move away is on the cards.
These reports have also increased on the back of growing uncertainty as to the future ownership of the club with three reported consortiums said to have approached current Hammers chairman Terence Brown.
Media reports have claimed Caborn himself is part of one of these three parties but he took the opportunity today to issue a firm denial as to his interest in the club.
"It is completely untrue and totally without foundation to say that I am either supporting or am in any way involved in a potential bid for West Ham," he stated.
"I've have not had any contact with either of the reported bidders at any point - nor would I if they approached me as this would be totally inappropriate."