• West Ham Ladies appeal for help with kit and pitch hire costs • Club says ‘core support’ of women’s team has been met

West Ham United have defended themselves against accusations that the club’s women’s team are not being provided adequate financial support after a fundraising web page was set up to help pay for expenditure including kit and pitch hire.

The page, set up by captain Stacey Little, describes the club as “self-funded” and appeals for “donations to help the Ladies this season as the girls currently have to pay £100 per player. Any money raised will help go towards: playing kit and training kit costs; coach hire for away games; match-day costs including pitch hire.”

However, a West Ham spokesman has explained that while they are unable to provide a suitable playing surface for their home matches at present, this is something that will be looked at in coming years and insisted that the team also have access to club and community partners.

“Women and girls’ equality is at the heart of our inclusive approach to youth and sport development, a programme for which we have set aside well in excess of £500,000 this season alone,” said the spokesman.

“Whilst they are a separate body to West Ham United, the Club is also a proud supporter of the West Ham United Ladies team.

“The Ladies’ manager and captain held a constructive meeting with three senior members of club staff earlier in the summer, at which the Ladies’ representatives outlined their ambitious and impressive plans to make the Ladies team more professional and attract external sponsorship.

“They presented a proposal outlining how the club could provide core support and all of the requests have been met. This included the use of the first-team training facilities, home and away kit and trainingwear for the first team and the additional provision of youth kits.

“Whilst the initial requests were fulfilled, discussions are continuing on other ways the club can support them further.”

The sports presenter Jacqui Oatley, the first female commentator on Match of the Day, had earlier tweeted co-chairman David Gold with a link to the appeal for financial support, writing: “Bit odd that @WestHamLadies have to set up fundraising page to afford basics.”