Vinnie Jones is the latest name to give his opinion on West Ham’s treatment of central defender James Collins.
The Hammers reportedly released the 34-year-old Welshman by email, despite having been a servant of the club’s for the past 11 years.
West Ham’s board have been in the firing line from supporters who are unhappy with life under their ownership and the terms through which they left the Boleyn Ground with the promise that better things were ahead.
Fans do not believe they have kept up with their promises and as such the backlash after hearing the news has been in accordance to the resentment that has already built up against David Sullivan, David Gold and Baroness Brady.
Now Jones has weighed in after hearing the news, slating the trio on talkSPORT radio where he said: “If the reports are true, that’s probably the lowest thing I’ve ever heard.
“How can you put so much into the club… it should be testimonial time, the fans should be turning out for him!
“Is that the way we’ve gone? That’s pretty ruthless.”
Opinion:
Jones has never been one to shy away from giving his six-pence and in this instance, he is absolutely spot-up with his summation of the situation. Whatever happened to a testimonial, a meeting, or a phone-call at the very least? It is a disgrace to see a player who has given his all for the club in the 11 years he has served treated in this manner. While Collins may not be the most gifted of players nowadays, he is nonetheless a stalwart of the game and one who has been there through thick and thin for the Hammers. It smacks again of cluelessness from the board – they clearly have no connection with supporters for if they did, they would have known to have handled the release on a more personal level. It is ruthless and it is low but unfortunately, that is the nature of the game and a sign of things to come.