Baroness Karren Brady has finally stepped down as vice-chair of West Ham United and the fans are delighted. Never mind blowing bubbles, they’re cracking open the bubbly.

Her role as deputy to diminutive porn baron David Sullivan over the past 16 years has seen this odd couple steer West Ham through relegation, promotion and, a couple of seasons ago, their first trophy since 1980 – and a European one at that.

Brady is not the first club director to face the wrath of fans that can turn particularly nasty

Brady is not the first club director to face the wrath of fans that can turn particularly nasty

It also marked a period in which they left the Boleyn Ground for the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, swapping one of the most charismatic, atmospheric and, for away teams, most intimidating grounds in the country for a soulless bowl which has never been properly adapted for watching football.

But the club is failing. It is hovering just above the relegation zone – though one place above Spurs, which is about the only thing keeping the fans happy at the moment.

Supporters have never been comfortable with........

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