“Be careful what you wish for” - David Sullivan's Fiancée fires back at West Ham fans via social media

David Sullivan has deservedly come under renewed fire from supporters in recent weeks, but his fiancée Ampika Pickston has jumped to his defence in a strongly worded response online.

In a heated exchange with fans, Pickston has warned the fanbase to “be careful what you wish for,” insisting Sullivan has invested heavily in the club and remains “just as devastated” by recent results as the supporters themselves.

The "be careful what you wish for" has been the lazy rhetoric response from large parts of the media and pundits after the dismissal of David Moyes and it seems it has now trickled through to the West Ham boardroom itself.

Sullivan Fiancée Fires Back

Ampicka Pickston's comments came during an Instagram discussion after a supporter bluntly called for Sullivan to sell up. “Tell David to leave West Ham we are ruined,” wrote one fan.

Pickston, a reality TV personality known from The Real Housewives of Cheshire, responded directly:

“He works his arse off and gives a s** about the club. Spent a fortune on players and managers. There is no exact science to guarantee results.”*

She went further, pointing to Sullivan’s history at Birmingham City alongside the late David Gold as a cautionary tale for West Ham fans.

“When David Sullivan and David Gold left Birmingham the fans were thrilled. Within 18 months the new Chinese owners ruined the club. Be careful of what you wish for.”

The exchange didn’t stop there. Another fan replied that West Ham had been promised the “next level” when the club controversially left Upton Park for the London Stadium, only to see money wasted on failed managers and players.

Pickston acknowledged the frustration but stood firm in her backing of Sullivan:

“I see your point of view. Watch this space as things will change. Don’t lose faith.”

Board Under Increasing Pressure

The timing of Pickston’s comments is significant. West Ham are in a period of deep uncertainty under Graham Potter, with the manager under huge pressure following defeats to Chelsea, Tottenham and Crystal Palace. Reports this week suggest the board may allow Potter to oversee the upcoming away games at Everton and Arsenal before making a decision on his future — a stance that has already angered many fans.

For much of the fanbase, the frustration runs deeper than the manager. The move from Upton Park to Stratford remains a sore point, with many believing the promises made at the time — of Champions League football and competing with Europe’s elite — have not been delivered. While West Ham did enjoy the highs of Europa Conference League glory in 2023, that success feels like a distant memory with the club once again battling inconsistency and unrest.

The incompetence to build on those successes with the two manager hires since Moyes also highlights that the board got lucky with that successful period in Europe thanks to David Moyes' brilliance, rather than successful long-term planning and strategic running of the club.

Pickston’s remarks show that Sullivan’s camp are acutely aware of the growing criticism. By reminding fans of the instability at Birmingham after Sullivan’s exit, she attempted to highlight the dangers of a change in ownership. Her message was clear: there are no guarantees that new owners would be better.

What Next?

Whether her words carry weight with supporters remains doubtful. For many, patience with Sullivan and the board ran out long ago, and Pickston’s defence is unlikely to shift opinions. Still, the comments offer a rare insight into how those closest to the co-owner view the current turmoil.

As West Ham prepare for a daunting run of fixtures, the pressure on both Potter and Sullivan shows no sign of easing. If results continue to slide, the conversation around ownership and leadership at the club will only intensify — no matter how passionately those within Sullivan’s inner circle argue his case.