COMING out of Pudding Mill Lane station for the West Ham-Chelsea game, I thought I had walked into a war zone.
Having covered boxing and athletics on every continent, I’m well used to stringent security in and around huge stadiums.
But I have never seen as many riot police at any other sporting event as Wednesday’s EFL Cup clash.
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Such was the show of force I could not resist asking a sergeant: “Are we playing Isis or Chelsea?”
You didn’t have to be an expert on soccer hooliganism to know there was bound to be trouble at this cup tie and I did think twice about going.
Fortunately, my seat in the West Stand was well away from the trouble but I was still sickened watching the battle.
The thugs who support both teams couldn’t resist ruining what was easily the best game at the London Stadium since the Hammers moved in three months ago.
There’s no doubt, but for the overwhelming police presence there would have been a more serious incident with many innocent men, women and children badly hurt as they left at the end of the match.
The boys in blue did a magnificent job in making sure fans got home in one piece.
We were expertly marshalled away from the fighting with a minimum of inconvenience.
The London Stadium, with its wide open spaces, is a difficult arena in which to keep rival supporters segregated. Having watched the Hammers for 77 years at Upton Park, I’m finding it extremely difficult to get used to our new home.
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As far as I’m concerned, it’s an athletics arena where they play football.
Upton Park wasn’t without its crowd trouble — particularly when we played host to Millwall. But in the 21st century, in a state-of-the-art stadium, you don’t expect to be fearful of having your head caved in by a flying seat.
The West Ham management have got to find a solution quickly otherwise diehard fans like me — and others with kids — will be handing in our season tickets and blowing our bubbles sitting in our armchairs in front of the telly.
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