WEST Ham United's supporters are set to turn on the club's Icelandic-dominated board following the resignation of manager Alan Curbishley.

Curbishley, just the Hammers' 11th full-time manager in their 113-year history, quit on Wednesday citing the loss of control over the club's transfer policy.

The former Charlton boss saw Freddie Ljungberg, Anton Ferdinand and finally George McCartney - the runner-up in last season's Hammer of the Year awards and a fans' favourite - all sold to cut costs and, allegedly, without his endorsement.

That fact, plus his installation as the bookmakers' favourite to be the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season and growing speculation in the national media over his future, made Curbishley's position almost untenable.

However, his departure has come at a time when his stock is on the rise among the Upton Park faithful.

With first-team regulars Craig Bellamy and Dean Ashton back to full fitness, West Ham thrashed Blackburn Rovers 4-1 on Saturday and currently sit fifth in the Premier League table.

And, according to a poll conducted on Tuesday concerning Curbishley's future on supporters' website KUMB.com - the manager was finally starting to win over the often-sceptical Irons' fan-base.

'A poll on KUMB.com had revealed overwhelming support for Alan Curbishley on the day he handed in his resignation,' said a statement posted on KUMB.com on Wednesday afternoon following Curbishley's resignation.

'The poll, started last night and taken before news of Curbishley's resignation had been made public saw 87 per cent of the almost 500 supporters voting to back Curbishley.

'That flies in the face of continuous media reports suggesting that most Hammers fans wanted to see the back of the manager, who resigned this lunchtime in protest at the board's decision to undermine him by selling players without his knowledge.

'An earlier KUMB.com poll taken at the end of last season revealed similarly huge support for Curbishley, who lasted in the job for just 21 months having succeeded Alan Pardew in December 2006.

'Now supporters are set to turn on the board for what has been perceived as disgraceful treatment of the club's 11th full-time manager, who many felt was just turning the corner having, as he did, most of his squad fit and at his disposal.'