West Ham’s stadium DJ has been left ‘absolutely devastated’ after the club axed him as part of its cost-cutting efforts.
“So, got the call that I’m no longer going to be the club’s ‘button monkey,'” Russ Budden, also known as DJ RussyB, wrote on X.
“After 25 years working at the club, my services are no longer needed as they are cutting costs following the club’s relegation.
“I’m absolutely devastated. For over 50 per cent of my life I’ve been working at West Ham, a position I’ve never taken for granted and was extremely proud to have done.
“Absolutely gutted, maybe the club will change their mind – especially with 50k season ticket holders, would have loved to be pressing that button!”
Hammers fans reacted with disbelief to Budden’s announcement and have since launched a petition to reinstate him.
In the petition, Budden is described as ‘synonymous with the matchday experience’ and ‘part of the fabric and identity of West Ham United’.
Hammers’ summer of change
The Hammer’s cost-cutting measures at the London Stadium comes amid a string of major outgoings ahead of the upcoming Championship season.
Matheus Fernandes was sold to Tottenham for £85million, making him the north London outfit’s record signing until it was broken shortly after by Sandro Tonali who joined for £100m.
Crysencio Summerville was another to depart West Ham as he moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in a £68m deal.
But it hasn’t been a total fire sale, as the Hammers rejected Brentford’s offer for left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf.
In another boost for West Ham ahead of the upcoming season, Jarrod Bowen committed his future by inking a revised deal until 2030.
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However, talkSPORT understands the new deal includes a clause which would allow Bowen to leave next summer if the club don’t secure an instant return to the Premier League.
Bowen had been linked with moves to Liverpool, who were in the market for a Mohamed Salah replacement, as well as Aston Villa.
West Ham’s next DJ in waiting?
It remains to be seen if West Ham will find a replacement for DJ RussyB, but they might not have to look terribly far for one if they do decide to take such action.
Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola knows his way around a DJ deck and was captured playing a set hours after the club drew with Bournemouth in February.
Areola headed to The Star of Bethnal Green where, according to pub manager and Hammers fan Archie Balloo, he more than held his own.
“He was a very good DJ, actually,” Balloo told talkSPORT’s Rushden and Jacobs.
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“I don’t want to say surprisingly, but I’ve seen professional DJs who’ve been worse than him. He was good.
“I think he read the room. That’s kind of the point of the DJ, it’s less so about putting physical records anymore. It’s about looking out at the crowd, seeing what they respond to. And he managed to get people dancing and people singing along.
“I mean, he’s doing what we want from a DJ. He’s selecting the right tunes – something you can cut shapes to instead of bailing out.”
