Hammers to crack down on away fans

WEST HAM are ready to clamp down on their away fans next season following the latest trouble involving the club.

Plans to set up an away-day members club are being discussed to track travelling supporters in a bid to weed out the yobs.

Two Hammers fans were arrested and bailed yesterday for alleged racially-aggravated public order offences in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Chelsea.

But cops and the FA have begun their own investigations to try to identify thugs who pelted Chelsea stars John Terry and Frank Lampard with coins during the match.

A Hammers insider said: “An away day club would log names and addresses of those who buy tickets to travel and match them to their seats.

“If only members were allowed to buy tickets for away games then it could make it a lot easier to find the idiots who misbehave.

“West Ham fans are generally among the best in the country but this kind of thing lets them down.”

The FA have already contacted both clubs for their observations on the coin-throwing incidents during the first half which was triggered when Blues defender warmed up in front of the away end at Stamford Bridge.

Match referee Mike Oliver’s report was due in at FA HQ yesterday and the football authorities will draw on his comments before deciding what to do next.

Chelsea have also been counting the cost of broken seats in the away section at Stamford Bridge and CCTV footage is being used to find the troublemakers.

There is still an ongoing investigation by the police and FA into alleged racist gestures made by West Ham fans at Tottenham last November.

Chelsea matches against West Ham have a history of disorder with widespread fighting and coin throwing when the teams met at Stamford Bridge in 2004 when Blues striker Mateja Kezman was struck in the eye by an object.