Battle stations at West Ham

The battle between West Ham and a shareholders' pressure group escalated today when the club's lawyers and manager Alan Pardew were dragged into the row.

Chairman Terry Brown this morning vowed to take legal action against campaigners Whistle over 'untrue allegations' about the club's financial situation.

But Whistle spokesman Mike Hanna hit back immediately by sending a letter to Pardew explaining the reasons behind their campaign to oust Brown and replace key directors with a new management team.

Amid claims of financial incompetence and a disturbing rise in the club's debt, Whistle this week sent a list of 180 questions to Brown concerning how West Ham is run.

But Brown attacked the timing of the dossier - with the team on the verge of the play-offs - and confirmed the legal offensive.

Brown said: "We do not have a financial crisis at West Ham and have not had one at any time since our relegation. It is unacceptable that, at such a crucial time in our season, someone should seek to undermine all the hard work of Alan, the players and our staff by issuing information that contains so many lies simply to mislead and demoralise our fans who have given West Ham such fantastic support throughout the season.