The game has been arranged in order to support the endangered National League side financially. West Ham have agreed for all of the proceeds from the match to go towards their East London neighbours.
Premier League Break
The Hammers won’t play a competitive game between the 10th and 31st March due to the last international break of the season and their postponed visit of Manchester United, after the Red Devils reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Daggers Damaged
In a club statement at the start of February, Dagenham announced that the club’s takeover by Glyn Hopkin, who had recently purchased 74% of the club, had taken a hit, with Hopkin resigning as a Director of the company.
Speaking on BBC Radio London, managing director Stephen Thompson said: “We have a deficit of £250,000 to £300,000 which we need to plug between now and the end of June. The game against a strong West Ham XI will go a long way towards that.
“We are doing everything we can, and a number of players have been released or sold on to other National League clubs and we have reduced the wage bill,” Thompson added.
Generous Hammers
West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan told the West Ham website: ““As soon as we heard that Dagenham & Redbridge were in need of financial assistance, David Moyes and I didn’t hesitate to offer our help by sending down a team for a fundraising friendly with our neighbours.
“We’ve always enjoyed a close relationship with the Daggers and are looking forward to this match, not only as a means of raising important funds, but also because it will be an enjoyable evening of football.”
Dagenham & Redbridge Chairman Paul Gwinn said: “A massive thank you goes to West Ham United for agreeing to the match on 21 March. The support we’ve received from David Sullivan and David Moyes is hugely appreciated. It really will help save our club and I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Excitement Builds
Daggers assistant manager Darren Currie, speaking to Rising East, said: “From a footballing point of view it’ll be nice for the players to pitch themselves against Premier League stars. West Ham have suggested they’ll bring down a strong team which is great for our players, and it will be a great occasion for the fans as well. It’ll be a good atmosphere, and hopefully it’ll be a good game, and ultimately it can hopefully earn the club some money which is certainly much-needed at the minute.”
There are 1,200 tickets available to Hammers fans for the friendly at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, which plays host to the Hammers’ Premier League 2 matches, and the Daggers will hope to see as much home support in attendance as possible.