Rugby side London Welsh is "extremely disappointed" by the Rugby Football Union's decision to "expel" the club from the Championship and the professional game. The RFU announced that the team "had not met the governing body's criteria" to be granted a new license. However, Welsh believes it "had satisfied the requirements." The club said that it will "deal with the ramifications" of the announcement before deciding whether to respond (BBC, 1/25).
EPL side West Ham United fans have been "granted their wish to bring flags to the London Stadium." Club chiefs "hope the move will help supporters to feel like the new stadium is their home." The club will, however, "have to approve any flag larger than dimensions currently approved by London Stadium operators." West Ham insists this move is "aimed to ensure all flags and banners meet required safety standards." The club "entered negotiations with the stadium operators to allow fans to bring bigger flags to the ground; current regulations limit the size of any flag to 2m x 2m" (EVENING STANDARD, 1/25).
Hundreds of League One side Bolton Wanderers fans have "begun a petition to get sacked Southend United groundsman Ken Hare reinstated, following the postponed match between the two sides last weekend." Hare, who served the club for 27 years, "was held responsible for the frozen pitch that prompted the game's cancellation." A petition on Change.org said, "Head groundsman for Southend United, Ken Hare, has since been sacked after 27 years in the job for what was probably a simple error of judgement. We Bolton fans are disgusted with this and want to work together to get him his job back" (London TELEGRAPH, 1/25).
League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City's home games in '17 "will be played at Maginn Park in Buncrana" as the Brandywell undergoes a £7M ($8.8M) redevelopment, which includes a new 3G pitch plus a new stand (BBC, 1/24).
