A WEST Ham United fans’ group have vowed to ‘never give up’ in their campaign against changes to concessionary tickets at the London Stadium.

The Hammers United group have criticised the Premier League club for their ticketing structure, which has seen the removal of many concessionary season tickets for supporters aged under-21 and over-66, for the current campaign.

Concession season tickets in bands one to four have been withdrawn, while there has been an average 7.5 per cent rise in tickets for the under-21 and over-66 categories, potentially affected the club's Essex-based fans.

The controversial subject is due to be discussed at a West Ham fan advisory board meeting today but a petition has already amassed nearly 20,000 signatures and a black balloon protest is set to take place at the Hammers’ trip to Fulham, on Saturday.

Hammers United media liaison Terry Messenger, who has been watching West Ham since he was 11 and saw the likes of Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore and Martin Peters play at Upton Park, says concessionary tickets are hugely important.

He said: “They’re a tradition in English football and bolster the family ties, with the allegiance passed down from generation to generation.

“Kids need to be initiated into the West Ham tradition as early as possible and then they’re fans for life.

“Likewise, older people deserve a concessionary ticket after decades of supporting West Ham.

“There’s something about East End culture which is we look after each other.

“A West Ham game is more than a football game – it’s a street party and everyone’s welcome.

“We don’t say to the kids or the old people ‘you’re not welcome’ – that’s not the East End way – we say ‘you’re all welcome’ and that’s why we have concessions.

“West Ham is a principle institution that unites all of those people that come back from Essex to the East End.

“East End culture is Essex culture and Essex people have got an attachment to West Ham and the East End.”

West Ham released a statement on its website in July, informing season ticket holders that it was ‘absolutely committed’ to providing affordable family football, at the London Stadium.

It read: "All existing season ticket holders who renewed their seat for the 2024/25 season in bands one to six have retained any qualifying concessionary discount.

"This includes all juniors to under 21 and over 66 season ticket holders.”

The Gazette has contacted West Ham United for further comment.