West Ham have put forward a bid to secure the lease of playing fields to potentially develop a new training facility, it has been reported by ExWHUEmployee.

Following a council report which details a ‘serious bid’ from the club to acquire Oakfield Playing Fields in Fairlop, it is understood that the bid could be set to be approved by Redbridge Council’s cabinet with West Ham offering the promise of a regular revenue stream alongside “investment and employment opportunities”, artificial pitches and adapting the current pavilion, it stated on the BBC.

The potential acquiring of the land though has been met with much opposition, with grassroots football club Bealonians FC set to lose their home, should West Ham’s offer be accepted.

ExWHUEmployee, who was speaking on The West Ham Way Podcast, has stated that although an offer for the land has indeed been submitted by the club, it must be noted that there are other plans on the table for the club to significantly upgrade the clubs training facilities.

“West Ham have submitted an offer for Oakfield Playing Fields, which would be used to build a new training complex should the offer be accepted and it all go through successfully.

“However it is worth noting that the club have had interest and registered offers in other areas previously, and have also applied for permission to upgrade Rush Green – so at this stage its too early to know if the Oakfield plan would actually go ahead.”

Ex also sympathised with Bealonians FC, a team he actually played for himself once upon a time, and advised that a petition is available to sign to oppose the potential move.

“Its a proper grass roots club,” added Ex. “So it would be sad for them to lose their home, so its understandable that some people are against it.

“Again though, this is early in the process and I wouldn’t say anything is near definite just yet.”

Ex will keep fans up to date on the situation as it develops further, on The West Ham Way Patreon.