Only Manchester United (55,000) can attest to having sold more

Hammers will move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford next term

West Ham supporters on the melting Underground heading to the final Saturday game at the Boleyn Ground were discussing pathways to their new Stratford home while excitedly gazing at the Premier League table.

'If Man City lose. If Man United lose. When we beat Swansea. Top four, Champions League . . .'

Then the automated tube announcer declared: 'Next stop is Upton Park.' Not for much longer, it isn't.

West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has outlined an ambitious vision, targeting regular top six finishes

West Ham will leave the Boleyn Ground, their home stadium since 1904, at the end of the current season

West Ham confirmed 52,000 season tickets have been sold for their first campaign at the Olympic Stadium

Karren Brady was away from East London on Saturday with a pre-arranged filming commitment for The Apprentice (she will be back in her seat when Manchester United visit on Tuesday night), but the Baroness who has overseen the transfer to the Olympic Stadium was impressed to learn of the buzz.

'I understand the emotion of leaving Upton Park,' she said. 'I know generations of families have been loyally part of the history of our club and that these final matches are about memories.

'But I don't look back. I only look to the future. We are at the start of something here.

'I see West Ham challenging for the top six consistently, becoming one of the top 10 most successful clubs in Europe — and short term (I see) breaking our transfer record this summer, selling nobody we want to keep, filling our new stadium . . .'

And announcing season ticket sales for next season of 52,000. 'Yes, only Manchester United sell more,' she added.

'Getting the stadium is one thing, selling it out is another. Our attendances next season will include 10,000 children because of our affordable seating (£99 for U16 season tickets) and we have 30,000 supporters on our waiting list. So the demand and desire to see West Ham at our new stadium is there.'

The club will announce on Monday morning that they have sold out all season tickets and hospitality packages, despite only increasing the capacity to 60,000 a little more than a month ago.

'I take great pride in what we have done,' Brady adds. 'On and off the field. I want to praise the manager. I always think the manager is the most important person at any club and Slaven Bilic has done an excellent job in his first season.

There is a connection with the fans, who remember him as a player, and he understands the values of West Ham. Some people have asked 'what is the West Ham way?'

'The way Slaven plays is the answer — that's the West Ham way.'

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has proved a popular appointment since taking over the role last summer

West Ham left back Aaron Cresswell (right) vies for the ball alongside Swansea City's Leroy Fer

Never one to stand still, Brady confirms: 'The new target now is to raise the capacity from 60,000 to 66,000.'

Not everyone wants to join in the celebration of 'saving the Olympic Stadium' but she has done a remarkable job. If you want to criticise her, then saying 'she got a good deal for West Ham' is not likely to receive complaints among the majority of locals.

'West Ham fans share the desire to make progress and that is reflected with the sale of the tickets for the new stadium. Their support is essential for this transition,' she said.

'People on the outside will always be negative and say we have been opportunistic. The opportunity was there and we have taken it through a fair and transparent process which was open to everyone, but we were the only ones with the vision, the foresight to achieve this.

'Yes, it's a good deal for West Ham. Should I have to apologise for that?

'The timing is right, the club is moving in the right direction and now we have to push on. We cannot stand still.

West Ham attacking midfielder Dimitri Payet (left) tussles for possession with Swansea's Stephen Kingsley

Irons striker Andy Carroll (right) directs a header towards goal during the 4-1 defeat by Swansea at home

'The co-chairman, David Sullivan, has recruited well and has been working on new players for months. We want a goalscorer, someone who can score 20 goals in the Premier League. Easier said than done, but David loves hunting for players on behalf of the manager and the team.

'We are all about looking up. In that list of Europe's top 20 most valuable clubs, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Barcelona were at the top. West Ham were 19th. I want to get into the top 10. This is a perfect storm.'

Not quite perfect, as Swansea proved on Saturday. Losing 4-1 at home is not how this was meant to go; draining the optimism of what the remaining games of this season may hold.

Don't tell Karren Brady that; she's looking towards a very different future.