Multi-talented ‘In The Know’ @ExWHUemployee has attracted a big following since he started tweeting four-and-a-half years ago. He spoke to Jack Sullivan about tweeting, websites and more...

In the modern world of social media and with supporters as eager as ever for the inside track on their beloved football club, ‘ITKs’ have become an essential source of information for many fans.

ITKs – In The Knows – are posters or bloggers whose ‘news’ updates and opinions, most often surrounding transfer news, gain respect for their accuracy. Almost all use pseudonyms, adding to their attraction and, most likely, so as not to divulge their sources of information.

One ITK who has attracted a substantial following in recent years is the tweeter @ExWHUemployee, who promises to ‘bring exclusive news and opinion’ to his 34,000-plus followers.

His identity may remain a mystery, but ‘Ex’ has certainly not been shy in involving himself in the West Ham world, launching a website, hosting a radio show, organising matchday social events and being a finalist at the 2015 and 2016 Football Blogging Awards.

So, just who is @ExWHUemployee?

“I am aged between 30 and 35, work in education and used to coach a football team!” he revealed, deliberately retaining his air of mystique. “I am also married with two daughters who I love almost as much as West Ham!

“I was born in Leytonstone into a West Ham family and my Dad has had been a Season Ticket Holder for 40 years, although my Granddad did play for Leyton Orient. He went into insurance and ended up insuring Bobby Moore’s cars!

“My own earliest memories of West Ham are of watching VHS tapes of Trevor Brooking in action and my Dad looking at me, pointing at the screen fiercely and saying ‘Son, this is the best player West Ham have ever had!’

“I attended my first game in 1990, we drew 1-1 against Portsmouth in 1990 and Frank McAvennie scored. I sat in the East Stand at the Boleyn Ground and do likewise at London Stadium.

“I enjoyed the two Play-Off final wins in 2005 and 2012 and the wins over Spurs, but my favourite game of all-time has to be the FA Cup sixth-round win over Everton in 1991, when the atmosphere at Upton Park was electric.”

“Player-wise, it has to be Paolo Di Canio. He was the most entertaining, with his footballing ability and flamboyant personality. His scissor kick against Wimbledon and penalty against Bradford in a 5-4 win after sitting down on the pitch really did sum him up. He’s my and a lot of other West Ham fans’ hero!”

The story of ‘Ex’ came about in a pub, I was with my friend and we were talking about all the ITKs on Twitter and I knew I could do a better job, with my links at West Ham ExWHUemployee

Back in December 2012, decided to take his fandom onto Twitter by launching the @ExWHUemployee account. Having worked for the Club ‘at one point’, ‘Ex’ said the pseudonym gave his account ‘instant credibility’ backed up by his reliable list of contacts.

“The story of ‘Ex’ came about in a pub, I was with my friend and we were talking about all the ITKs on Twitter and I knew I could do a better job, with my links at West Ham,” he explained. “So my friend dared me to start it, and the next day I did!

“It is funny looking back on it as I remember my first tweet was to tell the fans that Joe Cole would be returning and, of course, he did!

“I have been lucky enough to always know people connected to the club and being a Season Ticket Holder for years, going to West Ham events and socialising in similar circles as some players, I've had the chance to meet some really interesting people and build a network of trusted sources and trust.”

In the space of just a few years ‘Ex’ has become a go-to source of information during every transfer window, while he also tweets about team selection, injury news and other subjects of interest to the fan base.

Occasionally, his posts are even picked up by the mainstream media, appearing on Sky Sports News or in national newspapers.

“It's surreal when I'm mentioned,” he admitted. “I sometimes write for newspapers, which is great as well! It's a strange feeling that my news can be heard by a large audience. I never thought it would become this big, so now I set myself new challenges.”

Of course the flip side of being an ‘ITK’ is that, when your ‘news’ does not come true, your followers can turn on you.

“With what I do, that's expected,” he admitted. “As an ITK I can only do my best. I'm pretty accurate but no-one is 100% right all the time as things change very quickly in football.

“Sometimes the negative tweets do get me down, but the positive messages I get far outweigh the negatives, and to see so many people enjoy what I do makes me continue with it.”

'Ex' has also struck up a friendship with Jack and Dave Sullivan, the sons of Joint-Chairman David Sullivan – but how did their relationship come about?

“Dave commented on one of my tweets, saying ‘This guy knows more then me about what's happening at the club’, then we got talking over direct message,” ‘Ex’ recalled. “Then Jack followed me and we got to talking as well. They were interested with my story and now we are good mates!

“We don't really talk about West Ham much these days unless I want them to write a piece for our fan website. We do a monthly meet up where I, Dave Walker from another fan website and a few others go out.

“I never ask them for news, despite what many people think, as firstly they never tell me and secondly I don't want it to affect our friendship. They are two top lads.”

So, to conclude, with so many activities already up and running, what does ‘Ex’ have planned next?

“At the moment, I'm very happy with everything I do!” he confirmed. “The people I've meet has been the greatest thing about it all, I love the radio, articles and events as they give me a chance to express my real opinion and I have met many top people.

“I will see what happens but, at the moment, I love everything I do and have a massive passion for it all!”