Mark Conrad

Ghostwriter & Editor. Investigations. Personal stories/history, criminal justice etc. Bit of snooping. #WestHam. #NewYorkJets. DMs open.

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

@meolscop1978 You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. Thank you. We’ll be back. Hopefully under new management!

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

Interestingly, Thomas Tuchel has given the best explanation so far for INCLUDING @HarryMaguire93 in the @England #WorldCup squad. That press interview was basically him tacitly admitting it’s a mistake. He’s all over the place.

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Karren Brady’s promise of “a world-class team in a world-class stadium” rings even more hollow now. West Ham United should never have moved to a soulless public athletics track. Great move for the board but not for the fans. Leaving Upton Park made sense for commercial reasons but not sporting/atmosphere.

Daniel Levy was right. The Olympic Stadium should have been knocked down and a proper football stadium built there. It is a good site. But the Olympic lobby and politicians got all protective and precious about the 2012 legacy. How often does this country need a huge athletics arena anyway?

Yes, West Ham won a European trophy since they’ve left Upton Park. But London Stadium was always a problem, always a passion-killer, fans distant from the ones they love, the players, and limited potential for increased revenue streams.

Other reasons behind club’s demise. Lack of leadership in the boardroom. Recruitment an issue, too. What a mess. Record losses, fears over future of Fernandes, Summerville and Nuno, intensified protests against chairman Sullivan.  

Relegation likely. Two points adrift of safety following 3-1 defeat to Newcastle. Wretched goal difference (-22) compared to Spurs’ (-9). Spurs need only a point from Chelsea away (hard) or David Moyes’ Everton at home to guarantee survival and condemn West Ham. Can Moyes do West Ham a favour? The club who let him go. West Ham need to beat ex-Spur Joe Rodon and Leeds at home anyway.

West Ham look doomed to the drop. They will return but need better ownership. And many of their fans have been warning of this perfect storm for some time. #WHUFC

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

@sturgios @vinnywhufc Great day, that. My friends and I were definitely on the pitch, and made no apologies for it! Brady’s goal was a belter, too.

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

Excellent summation by @henrywinter. A. journalist who generally “gets” what the fans really think.

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Karren Brady delivered for West Ham United’s shareholders but not for the club’s supporters. In 2013, she promised fans “a world-class stadium with a world-class team”. West Ham currently have neither. They have an athletics arena with a team fighting relegation. Brady has done some good things in her 16 years at West Ham, during which they won a European trophy, but ultimately she will be remembered for letting the fans down. Her departure from West Ham, first reported by the Times and now confirmed by the club, is being celebrated by many fans. Sadly, some cross the line with their offensive comments about Brady.

Supporters are quizzical about West Ham joint-chair Daniel Kretinsky’s statement about Brady leaving. “Her contribution to West Ham United’s growth, such as the long-term contract for the London Stadium, shareholders transition and the British record transfer of Declan Rice, has been absolutely essential and not always fully appreciated.” Much to unpick here...

1) how much growth? West Ham reported a £104.2m loss in their most recent financial figures. A club record. Revenue down. Accounts show a substantial loan taken out from Rights and Media Funding Limited.

2) London Stadium. Great deal for board and for Brady but not for fans, manager or the team. Not for anyone who loves football. Crowd distant from the pitch, players detached from energy of the fans, it's a terrible place to watch football. They’ve gone from a much-loved, intimate, often intimidating family home at Upton Park to a soulless bowl. West Ham had to leave Upton Park to expand commercially, and meet ticket demand, but grabbing the Olympic Stadium was all about the deal and not the feel.

3) British transfer record. Yes, Brady got a good deal for Rice but Kretinsky should know that mention of selling your best player, your captain, your home-grown star and England international at a club that cherishes them, seems a strange way of suggesting achievement and ambition.

4) “not always fully appreciated”? not always fully sensible to have a dig at fans. Maybe appreciate their concerns.

Brady deserves some praise. She’s a pioneer, got things done, drove community initiatives (I hosted an event for her once and her knowledge of the issues and engagement were impressive). She also encouraged entrepreneurship (and not just on TV). Kretinsky, in his statement, adds that Brady is “also very highly appreciated in the Premier League leadership community and was an excellent representative of our club there”.

Many West Ham fans didn’t feel she represented them well enough. Ill-advised comments in 2016 about a desire “to rebrand the club” didn’t go down well. Brady tried to clarify the comments but fans remained concerned about anything that could change their heritage. An attempt to limit ticket concessions triggered further anger.

More widely, Brady’s criticism of the incoming Independent Football Regulator came against a backdrop of fans’ growing distrust of some owners and the leagues’ inability to police them properly. Read the room. Understand the concerns.

The growing disconnect between West Ham fans and Brady and chairman David Sullivan has led to protests against the pair. Brady has now left. Will Sullivan follow? “1-0 up,” came the message from a high-profile West Ham fan. “It’s half-time.” #WHUFC

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Karren Brady delivered for West Ham United’s shareholders but not for the club’s supporters. In 2013, she promised fans “a world-class stadium with a world-class team”. West Ham currently have neither. They have an athletics arena with a team fighting relegation. Brady has done some good things in her 16 years at West Ham, during which they won a European trophy, but ultimately she will be remembered for letting the fans down. Her departure from West Ham, first reported by the Times and now confirmed by the club, is being celebrated by many fans. Sadly, some cross the line with their offensive comments about Brady.

Supporters are quizzical about West Ham joint-chair Daniel Kretinsky’s statement about Brady leaving. “Her contribution to West Ham United’s growth, such as the long-term contract for the London Stadium, shareholders transition and the British record transfer of Declan Rice, has been absolutely essential and not always fully appreciated.” Much to unpick here...

1) how much growth? West Ham reported a £104.2m loss in their most recent financial figures. A club record. Revenue down. Accounts show a substantial loan taken out from Rights and Media Funding Limited.

2) London Stadium. Great deal for board and for Brady but not for fans, manager or the team. Not for anyone who loves football. Crowd distant from the pitch, players detached from energy of the fans, it's a terrible place to watch football. They’ve gone from a much-loved, intimate, often intimidating family home at Upton Park to a soulless bowl. West Ham had to leave Upton Park to expand commercially, and meet ticket demand, but grabbing the Olympic Stadium was all about the deal and not the feel.

3) British transfer record. Yes, Brady got a good deal for Rice but Kretinsky should know that mention of selling your best player, your captain, your home-grown star and England international at a club that cherishes them, seems a strange way of suggesting achievement and ambition.

4) “not always fully appreciated”? not always fully sensible to have a dig at fans. Maybe appreciate their concerns.

Brady deserves some praise. She’s a pioneer, got things done, drove community initiatives (I hosted an event for her once and her knowledge of the issues and engagement were impressive). She also encouraged entrepreneurship (and not just on TV). Kretinsky, in his statement, adds that Brady is “also very highly appreciated in the Premier League leadership community and was an excellent representative of our club there”.

Many West Ham fans didn’t feel she represented them well enough. Ill-advised comments in 2016 about a desire “to rebrand the club” didn’t go down well. Brady tried to clarify the comments but fans remained concerned about anything that could change their heritage. An attempt to limit ticket concessions triggered further anger.

More widely, Brady’s criticism of the incoming Independent Football Regulator came against a backdrop of fans’ growing distrust of some owners and the leagues’ inability to police them properly. Read the room. Understand the concerns.

The growing disconnect between West Ham fans and Brady and chairman David Sullivan has led to protests against the pair. Brady has now left. Will Sullivan follow? “1-0 up,” came the message from a high-profile West Ham fan. “It’s half-time.” #WHUFC

[UNISON - UK's largest union @unisontheunion]

Thousands of NHS staff face job cuts across England amid funding crisis.

“Years of underfunding have left many trusts out of pocket and ministers’ financial reset is creating deep uncertainty about services and staff," UNISON head of health, Helga Pile.
https://t.co/Rfv2hG2xho

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

@nicholascecil At 42 acres, it is the largest private (residence) garden in London. Don’t think it’s a huge shock to find an indigenous spider in it, Nick.

[UNISON - UK's largest union @unisontheunion]

At least 21,000 staff at health trusts across England could lose their jobs as employers struggle to balance their books, according to research by UNISON.
https://t.co/88flTuhX7f

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

@meolscop1978 It breaks my heart to see that great pub in that state. It was such a good place for a quiet pint and an informed row about politics, football or music!

[john sturgis @sturgios]

Nice feature about West Ham legend Clyde Best in Sunday Times sport

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

@meolscop1978 I don’t, but needs must! Landing was a challenge!

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

Right, so France have won the 2026 #SixNations. Great to get it all cleared up so quickly. Back to the football…

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

@PaulFiore But it’s not a binary choice. We have multiple first round picks in 2027 that we could use to trade up if necessary. So, yes, try to “win now”. That’s the game.

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

@PaulFiore Jets in danger of alienating fan base to the point where many will walk away. By design & incompetence, they’re choosing to be uncompetitive almost every season. Making a back-up starter in ‘26 - when you have 2 first round picks - just says “write off 2026”. What a waste. Again.

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

@PaulFiore Then if you go with a back-up as starter, like Mariota, it’s pretty much guaranteed Glenn will not be HC in 2027. So, serious question, why give him so many 1st/2nd rounders in 2026? None of this fits. If idea is to take a key QB in ‘27, bring in the HC who will lead that team.

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

@PaulFiore Have to decide if they think Simpson, Chambliss etc are viable long-term QB1s who could learn behind a short-term starter. Or trade for somebody like Burrow etc. Jets must adopt a “win now” attitude - constant rebuilds/projects haven’t worked & don’t keep HCs in jobs

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

@PaulFiore If they start 2026 season with Mariota and win, say, 5 or 6 games, then Glenn won’t be there in 2027. His job is on the line after such a poor first season. He needs a QB who can make them competitive now. Or he needs an exciting rookie favs can rally behind.

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

@PaulFiore Glenn can’t afford to go into next season with a Mariota or Minshew as QB1, unless he/Mougey are sold on a rookie QB2 like Simpson or Chambliss. If AG has no “future” QB then he’ll be out of a job after another blunt season. Gut feeling: Jets will trade big. Burrow, perhaps?

[Mark Conrad @markconradhack]

Bet we lost the fictitious/AI game against Maccabi Tel Aviv to a late goal after a blunder by Max Kilman. That’ll be what led to the (entirely non-existent and made up) crowd trouble that I absolutely was NOT involved in. M’lud. #WestHam

[Central @WestHam_Central]

Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, Craig Guildford, in a letter, has sent a "profound apology" to the committee after a fictional match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and West Ham was created by AI and used as 'Police intelligence' to justify banning fans.