Exclusive – Hearn: ‘West Ham could destroy Leyton Orient’

Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn has hit out at West Ham – claiming the Hammers could ‘destroy’ his club if they win their bid to move into the Olympic Stadium.

West Ham are determined to take control of the venue after the 2012 games and adapt the 80,000-seater site in Stratford, while Tottenham have also declared an interest.

But Hearn, who has been in charge of the League One outfit since 1995, fears it could put the O's out of business if the Hammers move in round the corner from their Brisbane Round ground.

He told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: "I am concerned, particularly with the size West Ham are.

"I'm concerned with what marketing initiatives they are going to do because if you’ve got a spare 50,000 seats, presumably there are going go out and [offer] kids [entry] for a pound and try and fill the place up. That will destroy my football club.

"I’ve been chairman for 15 years, I'm trying to run a proper business. It's hard already - that makes it impossible.

He added: “It’s a little bit like Tesco’s moving next door to the little shop on the corner. Everyone forgets the little shop on the corner and they forget what it adds to the community and how long it’s been there.

“And the implications of a massive club like West Ham or Tottenham moving there in a stadium which has got more than double the capacity they’re used to, and the fact that we are in their shadows, it's potentially really bad news for Orient.

“But, as you’d expect, we’re not going to just lay down and take it so we’re going to cause some problems.”