A major UEFA finals and West Ham United hopes are not the only things
occupying James Tomkins' thoughts
06.06.2008
James Tomkins may finally be putting his feet up this summer but the young
defender is still savouring the memories of his breakthrough season.
After emerging into the West Ham United first team, the 19-year-old defender
was instrumental last week in England qualifying for the European Under-19
Championship this July in the Czech Republic, playing all three games in the
successful qualification mini-tournament. The Young Lions beat Poland 2-0,
Serbia 1-0 and then made sure of their progress to the eight-team finals
with a goalless draw against the week's hosts Belarus. He was joined in the
team by prolific club-mate Freddie Sears, who scored twice in the opening
game.
Tomkins said: "The experience of playing in Belarus and against different
countries I have never played against was brilliant but to get through was
the main thing. We kept three clean sheets which was also great and overall
the experience of seeing a different style of football. They were a lot
bigger than our team, physically but we managed to get the ball on the floor
which helped us. We didn't really get into a physical battle. We played
really well in the first two games and then in the last game I think we
tired a bit. But the main thing is we got through."
Of his good friend Sears, Tomkins revealed with a smile that he was perhaps
fortunate to get his second from the penalty spot against Poland on the
opening day. It came about after a Tomkins' goalbound effort had been
handled. "Freddie carried on his form from the season. He scored two in the
first game and they were vital for us to get off to a good start. I had a
header and it was going in but their player handballed it on the line. It
was untrue and he got a straight red for it as it was going in. Obviously
Freddie took the penalty and I wasn't going to fight it for him. It was just
good to get the two goals, we played really well in that game."
The Serbia contest followed and Tomkins revealed the team thought that "was
the biggest game" until results turned the final match into a do-or-die game
when a defeat would have eliminated England. "The last game was even bigger
because if Belarus had won they would have ended up going through. It was
nerve-wracking towards the end. We were under a lot of pressure and to be
fair to Belarus they played really well. We were working really hard and
that was tough with the heat. I had played 90 minutes in the first two games
and I was feeling it towards the end, like the other boys.
"To come through that game was vital, especially with the crowd behind them.
At the time, it was like we had won the final. It was such a relief to get a
0-0 out of what could have been a loss when we look back it. We were all
really pleased and whatever the team is for Czech Republic we have done
ourselves proud. Fingers crossed me and Freddie will stay in the team.
Obviously we can go on holiday now but I have got to start back running as
soon as I am back and I have got to prepare properly for it. If I am in the
team, I have got to be ready."
Tomkins has also got to be ready to fight for his place at West Ham United
having made his first six appearances. There may be more competition for
places next season but he is determined to stay in Alan Curbishley's plans.
He will also have to compose himself for upcoming best-man duties at his
brother's wedding. For now, it is his speech - and not how to deal with
world-class strikers - that is most occupying his mind. "I have got to sort
that out. I have just started it now. It is a massive day for my brother. It
will be a great occasion. Hopefully it will flow. I get nervous but I am
looking forward to it."
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Ashton's England aim - SSN
Striker out to prove his worth
Last updated: 6th June 2008
West Ham striker Dean Ashton is determined to establish himself as a regular
in the England team. Ashton made his debut for England in last weekend's
friendly win over Trinidad and Tobago, but the 24-year-old failed to impress
and was substituted at half-time. The former Norwich and Crewe hit-man
admits he still has a lot to prove and he has targeted a good campaign next
season to keep him in Fabio Capello's plans. "I waited a long time to play
for England, considering I should have got my chance two years ago. Now it
is a case of knuckling down. I haven't proved anything yet," Ashton told The
Mirror. I have got to play well for West Ham next season to earn my place in
the next squad and then go from there really. "You only realise when you go
away with England what a huge deal it is. It really struck me that you are a
part of something unbelievable."
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Eidur on his way - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 6th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Eidur Gudjohnsen is set to return to England this summer - and the Hammers
are hot favourites to land the Barca striker. Gudjohnsen, 29, has been told
he is surplus to requirements by the Spanish giants and is set to leave the
club this summer two years after moving from Chelsea. And his father
revealed this morning that he is looking to seal a move back to England,
with the Hammers and Newcastle United touted as his most likely destination.
Alan Curbishley, with the help of Eggert Magnusson tried to bring Gudjohnsen
to East London last summer but the move fell through after the Icelandic
striker opted to remain in Spain. He is likely to be available for around
the £4 million mark.
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Bobby on the move - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 6th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Bobby Zamora has been linked with a move to Fulham by today's Times.
According to the paper, the United striker has been informed that he can
leave the club this summer four years after joining the Hammers from
Tottenham. Zamora has been linked with a string of clubs in the last 12
months including Reading and QPR. The 27-year-old striker, who was valued at
£1 million in the deal which saw Jermain Defoe move to North London is
likely to be available for around £3 million. * Nobby Solano, 33, is also on
his way out after just 10 months at the club. West Ham have decided not to
take up the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.
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If the cap fits ... - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 6th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Dean Ashton is being allowed to keep his first England cap after FIFA
declared that England's 3-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago last weekend would be
allowed to stand. The status of the game as a full international friendly
had been under threat after it was revealed that England had not been given
special dispensation by the game's ruling body to field seven substitutes.
The FA had claimed that they were told by FIFA's Jack Warner, the man behind
the game that they could field seven as opposed to the
internationally-sanctioned six. But FIFA rejected this excuse, claiming that
only they could ratify rule amendments. However in a brief statement
yesterday, they accepted that the FA were not at fault, blaming instead the
referee. "The referee of this match confirmed to FIFA that he received no
instruction to allow for such a special dispensation, but that it had been a
mistake by the referee," read the statement. "As FIFA has received no
official protest regarding this match, it shall be considered as an official
match."
Ashton - who signed a new five-year deal with the Hammers earlier this week
- played the first half of the 3-0 win before being substituted at the
break. Talking to whufc.com yesterday, he spoke of his international
ambitions - plus his hopes for the domestic season ahead. "I should have got
my chance two years ago so to get back in contention and then start for my
country is something no one can ever take away from me," he said. "Obviously
I am really pleased. "But I haven't proved anything yet. I have got to play
well for West Ham next season to earn my place in the next squad and then go
from there really. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to be in every
squad which is my aim. "You are playing with the top players in the country
and it is only going to help you. You only realise when you go away with
England what a huge deal it is. "But I can't be complacent as there is
strong competition for places [at West Ham] and that can only be good for
the squad. If everyone can stay fit, the fans should be excited. With the
forwards we have got it is going to be difficult to cement my place [in the
team] but it is really nice that I have ended the season that way and
hopefully put any doubters behind me now."
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Gudjohnsen to leave Barcelona, with Newcastle and West Ham set to make move
- Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:09 AM on 06th June 2008
Newcastle and West Ham are set to make a move for Eidur Gudjohnsen after the
Iceland ace was told he can leave Barcelona. Gudjohnsen, who is known to
fancy a move back to the Premier League, is up for grabs at around
£4million. West Ham tried in vain to sign the 29-year-old last year, and
boss Alan Curbishley may well have the spare funds to make a fresh bid this
time round. Meanwhile Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan wants a replacement for
Obafemi Martins, who is surplus to requirements. Gudjohnsen played for six
years at Chelsea, during which time the Blues clinched two successive league
titles under Jose Mourinho.
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Hammers reach Kia agreement - Echo News
WEST Ham have reached an "amicable" out-of-court settlement with Kia
Joorabchian. The Iranian businessman has withdrawn a High Court claim for
£7.1million in fees he claimed he was owed regarding the transfers of Carlos
Tevez and Javier Mascherano to Upton Park in August 2006. As part of the
agreement, Joorabchian will act as a consultant for the club on future
transfers, according to The Times. Joorabchian first came to the attention
of Hammers supporters in August 2005, when he launched a failed bid to buy
the club. A year later, he re-appeared as Tevez and Mascherano surprisingly
joined the Irons, acting as the pair's representative and claiming to own
their economic rights. Later, the illegal "third party" transfers resulted
in the club being fined a total of £5.5million for breaking two Premier
League rules - a punishment the Hammers accepted in April 2007. While the
Joorabchian dispute is over, West Ham still have two other issues to resolve
during the coming months. First, on Monday, an FA arbitration hearing into
Sheffied United's claim for £30million in compensation for their relegation
from the Premier League in 2006/07 will start. The Blades allege they were
relegated as a direct result of West Ham's use of Tevez and Mascherano in
breach of league rules. Second, the Irons will fight a claim for £5million
from former chairman Terence Brown. Brown, who sold his shares to the club's
new Icelandic in November 2006, claims he was sacked without notice and has
sued for the loss of his £492,000 annual wages, his chauffeur, pensions
contributions, hospitality and other tickets and car parking at the Boleyn
Ground. The Barking-born businessman, who became an honorary life president
when he sold the club, claimed the club broke that agreement when he was
sacked in May. West Ham are expected to contest Brown's claim and could
launch a countersuit for the £5.5million they were fined over the Tevez and
Mascherano signings made while the former chairman was still at the club.
>THE Irons have confirmed their pre-season schedule for 2008/09: July 17 -
Hampton and Richmond Borough (a), 7.30pm July 20 - Columbus Crew (a), 5pm
July 24 - MLS All-Stars (in Toronto), 7.20pm July 29 - Peterborough United
(a), 7.45pm July 30 - Cambridge United (a), 7.45pm August 1 - Southampton
(a), 7.45pm August 4 - Ipswich Town (a), 7.45pm A prestige home friendly
will take place at Upton Park on August 9 against opposition who have yet to
be confirmed.
>WEST Ham Ladies will hold trials for prospective new players at Flanders
Field recreation ground in East Ham on Sunday, June 22. The team finished
fifth in the Premier League Southern Division last season under the guidance
of manager Tony Marshall. To take part, players must apply for a place by
emailing Liam.whulfc@-fsmail.net The club is also seeking new young talent
for its girls' youth teams.
Under-16s should email jimmaycock@hotmail.com, while over-16s should email
andreawoodley-@sky.com
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Premier League: Ashton determine to repay Hammers fans - Northampton
Chronicle!
Dean Ashton is determined to show West Ham fans exactly what he can do next
season. The England forward this week signed a new five-year contract to
keep him at Upton Park until 2013. And Ashton, who spent much of last season
recovering from injury, insisted that he wants to repay the people who stood
by him through his injury nightmare. "I feel I have still got a lot to show
the football club and the fans," he said. "I didn't play as many games as I
wish I could and obviously I missed the season before. "I am really excited
about next season. I feel I can only get better so I am really glad that I
have signed and can look forward to the future." Hammers chief executive
Scott Duxbury said: "Dean is an important part of our plans for the for the
new season and beyond."
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Dad reveals Premiership talks for Newcastle, West Ham target Gudjohnsen
tribalfootball.com - June 06, 2008
Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is in talks with a Premiership club, says
Dad Arnor. "One Premier League club has shown a lot of interest in Eidur,"
father and agent Arnor Gudjohnsen told BBC Sport. "He would certainly be
interested in a move back to England, but he is not going to rush into
making a decision." He added: "Eidur and his family are settled in Barcelona
and he has two years left on his contract, but his chances were limited last
season."
Reports in England suggested that West Ham and Newcastle were interested in
the player.
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Eidur Gudjohnsen, Star Player of the Mourinho era at Chelsea - Cmon Yu Iorns
Eidur Gudjohnsen spoke on Catalunya Radio and said if he was to leave
Barcelona and went to the Premier League, then it would be to West Ham and
not Newcastle. His main reasons were because of his close friends, who live
in London and his relationship with West Ham's Icelandic owner Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson, who has spoken to Gudjohnsen about his ambitions for West Ham
and how he would love for him to be a part of the Hammers future.
He said that Barcelona have given him permission to leave and that his
agents are soon to start talks with a premier league club in regards to his
future.
West Ham's Manager Alan Curbishley has tried to persuade Gudjohnsen to come
to the Hammers since last year and also with the aid of BG talking to the
player. It may all depend on what West Ham have to offer Gudjohnsen. and if
it is anything like what they gave to Ashton, i am sure he will be at Upton
Park by end of June, and like Ashton, he would not give the Toons a second
glance.
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