West Ham Refute Olympic Ground-Share Reports

West Ham United have quashed reports of a ground-share with Leyton Orient.

Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn has been a fierce critic of West Ham’s bid to become stadium tenants after the Olympics but said recently he would consider a ground-share arrangement for his League One club.

The Hammers insist there have been no talks about such a possibility – nor will there be.

A West Ham statement said: “West Ham United has not held talks with Leyton Orient in respect of ground sharing and nor is it our intention to do so.

“We do not wish to comment on recent statements made by Barry Hearn not least because we can’t keep up with his ever-changing position. They continue, however, to provide us with a constant source of amusement.”

The Hammers said the demand from fans for tickets for the recent Championship play-off final at Wembley showed the Olympic Stadium will not be too big for their supporter base.

The statement added: ‘We are the only football option able to fill the stadium to capacity on a regular basis.

“Our recent Wembley play-off final win, which secured our promotion back to the Premier League, saw a level of demand from our supporters that could have sold out Wembley Stadium to West Ham fans alone.

“The noise and atmosphere created by our fans on May 19 gave a mouthwatering taste of what the Olympic Stadium could offer to supporters week in, week out.

‘We also bring the opportunity for the regeneration of the Olympic Park – people, prosperity, opportunity, exposure, economy and expertise from our very first match in 2014. This provides far wider benefits for the local community and the nation as a whole.”