West Ham United unite with West Ham Ladies

West Ham United unite with West Ham Ladies

West Ham United have taken over the ladies' club, stating  they are "delighted" to bring the ladies team into "the West Ham family".

The Hammers were last week accused of sex discrimination by Stephen Hunt, chairman of the ladies' club.

West Ham said they will now work in unison with the ladies' team to ensure improvements are made.

Vice-chairman, Karren Brady, said the Premier League club are "passionately committed to equality".

She added women's football was a "high priority on our agenda".

Hunt had told BBC Sport that  West Ham need to  "start to act like a 21st century club" and also claimed they had stopped his team from finding sponsors, adding the ladies were short on funds because they had to buy their own kit.

In response, West Ham claimed Hunt had "refused to align" with their principles.

The ladies' team, who this season celebrate their 25th anniversary, play in the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division.

Brady added: "The addition of the ladies into the West Ham family is the solution my board and I have long sought.

SB