Give The Olympic Stadium To West Ham - Allardyce

Last updated : 13 August 2012 By Covsupport News Service/AO

Former Coventry City defender Sam Allardyce has warned that the Olympic Stadium could become a white elephant if the club he manages are not allowed to use it.

Speaking to The Times, the West Ham United boss said: 'If they keep it for athletics, the only time it will ever get a big crowd again after the Olympics is when they hold the World Championships there in five years' time.

"You only have to look around the world at some of the Olympic Stadiums that have been built. They're white elephants now. There are weeds growing there. Look at the 'Bird's Nest' in Beijing. Look at Athens.

"The Olympic Park is a fantastic place, but it can't be left to rack and ruin. If a club with the history and fanbase and potential of West Ham don't go there, the concern would be that the park is left empty the vast majority of the time.

'I can understand some West Ham fans feeling that they don't want to leave the history and tradition of Upton Park, but it's an incredible opportunity for the club to move forward."