Friday, July 11

Web Digest [ West Ham United ] - II 11th July 2008

Statement on Terry Brown - WHUFC
The club can confirm a settlement with Terry Brown that ends all outstanding
disputes
11.07.2008

West Ham United and former chairman Terry Brown have agreed an out of court
settlement in relation to their respective legal claims. The settlement
brings to an end all outstanding disputes between the two parties.

Commenting on the settlement, West Ham United Chairman and owner Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson, said: "It is time to move on from old disputes and legal
battles. My focus, and that of the whole Board, is on the future. To do that
we need to draw a line under past issues and also recognise that what
matters is building a successful football club.

"Terry Brown has a long history with West Ham United as former Chairman and
leading shareholder and there is no reason for the club and Terry to be at
odds with each other. We have settled our differences and Terry will be a
welcome guest at the club as we move forward into the new season."

Terry Brown, former Chairman, said: "I am pleased that we have brought these
matters to a sensible conclusion. Mr Gudmundsson has made clear his focus is
on the future not the past and I totally support that vision. West Ham
United has always been a special part of my life and I am delighted that I
will again have an opportunity to show my support for the club.

"The new Chairman and Board genuinely believe in this great club and I wish
them every success in the years ahead."

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Sky live fixtures confirmed - WHUFC
The trip to the City of Manchester Stadium to face Manchester City has been
moved to 24 August
11.07.2008

Sky Sports have confirmed their live fixtures for the first four months of
the 2008/09 season with the first away game of the season among the club's
games to be televised.

The trip to face Manchester City in the second game of the campaign has been
moved to a 4pm kick-off on Sunday 24 August. Also being screened live are
the home match against Bolton Wanderers at 1.30pm on Sunday 5 October and
the 4pm visit of Arsenal on Sunday 26 October. Alan Curbishley's side will
then be live on TV when they go to Sunderland at 4pm on Sunday 23 November.

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Tomkins and Sears fly flag - WHUFC
Tony Carr is looking forward to James Tomkins and Freddie Sears representing
club and country
11.07.2008

Tony Carr has spoken of his pride as James Tomkins and Freddie Sears prepare
to help England's quest for glory at next week's European Under-19
Championship in the Czech Republic.

The duo's inclusion in the prestigious UEFA tournament for the continent's
most talented teenagers is just reward for the progress they have made from
the West Ham United academy through to the first team. "They are playing in
a terrific tournament and they will only come back better players for it,"
Academy director Carr said. "This is only going to be good for their
education and they will come back better players for it."

Central defender Tomkins, 19, and 18-year-old striker Sears have both been
training with the Young Lions at the National Football Centre in
Burton-on-Trent before flying out to the Czech Republic and look set to be
involved in the opening fixture of the tournament on Monday afternoon.
England will take on the host nation in Liberec - match to be shown live on
Eurosport - before following that up with further Group B games against
Italy and Greece on 17 and 20 July respectively.

The call-up means Tomkins and Sears will not be able to travel with West Ham
United on the high-profile North American tour. Carr said they have mixed
feelings about missing out on the trip but the benefits were there for all
to see. "After representing the first team last season, they would have
wanted to stay and be part of Alan Curbishley's plans for the early part of
pre-season and have an opportunity to shine but you can't turn down
representing your country."

Carr added that the experience would be particularly beneficial as Tomkins
and Sears look to make an impact next season and in the future. "Club
football and international football even at U19 level does present different
problems. It tends to be more tactical and there tends to be more
opportunities for individuals to shine and be matchwinners. It is different
from the cut and thrust of club league football really and it will be
terrific for their development."

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Collect every game on DVD - WHUFC
Never miss a kick with every single one of the club's Barclays Premier
League games sent straight to you
11.07.2008

West Ham United fans will be able to build a stunning visual collection to
treasure for years to come with a new DVD collection for the 2008/09 season.

Every four games, supporters who sign up will be automatically sent a
double-sided DVD featuring all the action from every minute of every match.
The final two fixtures of the 38 to be played - which may prove pivotal -
will make up the last disc.

These will all be housed in a deluxe DVD album sent out with the first disc
that will provide the perfect home for your permanent reminder of what
promises to be an exciting campaign. Each DVD also includes full graphics,
statistics and commentary from the Sky Sports team - including Martin Tyler
and Andy Gray - while each one will be introduced by West Ham United great
Tony Gale.

The deluxe DVD album and first DVD will be sent out no later than 29
September 2008 and the subsequent discs in the collection will be sent out
within 14 days of every fourth match. Once you have paid, just sit back and
let the games come direct to your door safe in the knowledge that you will
not miss a single save or goal.

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Brown in - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 11th July 2008
By: Staff Writer

Former Chairman Terry Brown will return to West Ham United next season after
the club agreed an out-of-court settlement. Brown had announced plans to sue
the club's Icelandic owners for lost earnings and privileges after he was
told last year that he was no longer welcome at the club as a result of the
Tevez/Mascherano affair. However in a statement on whufc.com this morning,
the club revealed that the two parties had reached an out of court
settlement that will allow Brown to return - although the full extent of
what that means remains undisclosed. On purchasing the club in 2006 the new
Icelandic owners agreed that Brown would be paid his full £592,000 salary
for two further years whilst retaining certain other privileges such as
executive seats in the directors box, eight hospitality seats in the
Chairman's suite and a lifetime honoury Vice-Presidency. However he was
kicked out in February 2007 after the now-departed Eggert Magnusson revealed
that the club would be taking legal action against Brown and former MD Paul
Aldridge for damages incurred as a result of the Tevez/Mascherano fiasco.
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's statement read: "It is time to move on from old
disputes and legal battles. My focus, and that of the whole Board, is on the
future. "To do that we need to draw a line under past issues and also
recognise that what matters is building a successful football club.
Whilst Brown was quoted as saying: "I am pleased that we have brought these
matters to a sensible conclusion. Mr Gudmundsson has made clear his focus is
on the future not the past and I totally support that vision. "West Ham
United has always been a special part of my life and I am delighted that I
will again have an opportunity to show my support for the club. "The new
Chairman and Board genuinely believe in this great club and I wish them
every success in the years ahead."

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Sky/Setanta schedules announced -0 KUMB
Filed: Friday, 11th July 2008
By: Staff Writer

The TV schedules for the 2008/09 season have been released by Sky and
Setanta. The Hammers are set to feature five times this side of Christmas,
with four appearances on Sky and just one on Setanta. United go in front of
the TV cameras for the first time on the second weekend of the season when
they visit Manchester City. Further away games feature the trips to
Sunderland and Liverpool, whilst the home games being shown live are the
matches against Bolton and Arsenal.

2008/09 pre-Christmas TV Schedules

Sky Sports

Sunday, 24th August: Man City (a) 4:00pm
Sunday, 5th October: Bolton (h) 1:30pm
Sunday, 26th October: Arsenal (h) 4:00pm
Sunday, 23rd November: Sunderland (a) 4:00pm

Setanta

1st December: Liverpool (a) 8:00pm

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West Ham agree Brown settlement - The Independent
Friday, 11 July 2008

West Ham have agreed an out-of-court settlement to their legal dispute with
former chairman Terry Brown. Brown sold his majority holding in the Hammers
to an Icelandic consortium as part of an £85million takeover in November
2006, remaining as a director. But following the fall-out from the Carlos
Tevez and Javier Mascherano transfer saga - which eventually saw the
Barclays Premier League club fined £5.5million - certain contractual
agreements with Brown, such as a £1.2million salary and seats in the
directors' box at Upton Park, were withdrawn. All parties have, however, now
come to an agreement to signal an end to all outstanding disputes between
the two parties. West Ham chairman and owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson said in
a statement on the club's official website, www.whufc.com: "It is time to
move on from old disputes and legal battles. My focus, and that of the whole
board, is on the future. "To do that we need to draw a line under past
issues and also recognise that what matters is building a successful
football club. "Terry Brown has a long history with West Ham United as
former chairman and leading shareholder and there is no reason for the club
and Terry to be at odds with each other. "We have settled our differences
and Terry will be a welcome guest at the club as we move forward into the
new season." Brown was also glad to see the matter resolved. He said: "I am
pleased that we have brought these matters to a sensible conclusion. "Mr
Gudmundsson has made clear his focus is on the future, not the past, and I
totally support that vision. "West Ham United has always been a special part
of my life and I am delighted that I will again have an opportunity to show
my support for the club. "The new chairman and board genuinely believe in
this great club and I wish them every success in the years ahead."
Manager Alan Curbishley takes his squad to America for a short tour at the
end of the month, which will include a match against the Major League Soccer
All-Stars led by David Beckham in Toronto. However, it remains to be seen
just who will be in the Hammers squad for the start of the new campaign.
Premier League rivals Fulham have been given permission to speak to both
Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil, while Sunderland have targeted their former
defender George McCartney. Curbishley could move for Leicester full-back Joe
Mattock after England's Under-19 European Championship campaign in the Czech
Republic, which will also feature young Hammers James Tomkins and Freddie
Sears.

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Sheffield United's compensation fight over Tevez to reach its conclusion in
September - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:46 PM on 11th July 2008

Sheffield United expect to learn the outcome of their claim against West Ham
for compensation over the Carlos Tevez affair in September. West Ham were
fined £5.5million but not docked points by the Premier League when found
guilty of fielding the ineligible Tevez and fellow Argentina international
Javier Mascherano during the 2006/7 season. The Blades felt they were
relegated unfairly on the final day of that season - West Ham survived
following Tevez's winner at Manchester United - but lost their legal fight
to be reinstated at the Hammers' expense. The South Yorkshire club have
since launched a legal fight to be compensated by the London club and Blades
plc chairman Kevin McCabe told BBC Radio Sheffield: "It's down to the panel
to make their award which should be in September. "The formal arbitration
hearing was concluded last month, but there'll be one more day at the end of
July for further oral submissions." The Blades' legal battle for a financial
settlement is being heard by a Football Association tribunal.

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Dealing With The Devil - Just Like My Dreams
The one sure way to conciliate a tiger is to allow oneself to be devoured...

The club has released a statement on the official site confirming an out of
court settlement with Terry Brown in relation to their respective legal
claims. The settlement brings to an end all outstanding disputes between the
two parties.

Former Chairman Brown had previously announced plans to sue the club's
Icelandic owners for lost earnings and privileges after he was perfunctorily
expelled from Upton Park by Eggert Magnusson as a result of the
Tevez/Mascherano affair. A condition of the sale of the club in December
2006 was that Brown would continue to be paid his full £592,000 salary for
two further years whilst retaining certain other privileges such as
executive seats in the directors box, eight hospitality seats in the
Chairman's suite and a lifetime honoury Vice-Presidency.

However he was kicked out in February 2007 after the now-departed Magnusson
revealed that the club would be taking legal action against Brown and former
MD Paul Aldridge for damages incurred as a result of the Tevez/Mascherano
fiasco. Shortly afterwards, he received a letter terminating the contract he
signed when he sold the club which guaranteed earnings of £1.5million until
31 May 2009. Magnusson, who was increasingly keen to distance himself from
the previous regime, held the former chairman largely responsible for the
problems with the deals. He made the decision to withhold the payments as a
means of seeking some redress for the £5.5 million fine levied by the
Premier League.

Brown's former managing director Paul Aldridge had also threatened legal
action, saying his reputation has been "besmirched" by the inquiry into the
transfers of Tevez and Mascherano. Aldridge said at the time: "Naturally, my
sympathies lie with the club I was chief executive of for 10 years in
respect of what seems a very harsh sanction. However, my own personal and
professional reputations have been besmirched. The findings accuse me of
acting dishonestly and lying. This is hardly natural justice in my view.
Until the publication of these findings, my integrity has never been
questioned during my career. Accordingly, I have placed the matter in the
hands of my lawyer who will be taking the matter further on my behalf."

Commenting on the agreement, West Ham United Chairman and owner Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson, said: "It is time to move on from old disputes and legal
battles. My focus, and that of the whole Board, is on the future. To do that
we need to draw a line under past issues and also recognise that what
matters is building a successful football club. Terry Brown has a long
history with West Ham United as former Chairman and leading shareholder and
there is no reason for the club and Terry to be at odds with each other. We
have settled our differences and Terry will be a welcome guest at the club
as we move forward into the new season."
Terry Brown said: "I am pleased that we have brought these matters to a
sensible conclusion. Mr Gudmundsson has made clear his focus is on the
future not the past and I totally support that vision. West Ham United has
always been a special part of my life and I am delighted that I will again
have an opportunity to show my support for the club. The new Chairman and
Board genuinely believe in this great club and I wish them every success in
the years ahead."

While one dispute draws to a discreet close, the club will now have to wait
until September before finding out whether or not they will be forced to pay
'compensation' to Sheffield United as a result of the Tevezgate case.
Chairman Kevin McCabe said he remains hopeful about the upcoming verdict.
"It's down to the panel to make their award which should be September," he
told BBC Radio Sheffield. "The formal arbitration hearing was concluded last
month but there'll be one more day at the end of July for further oral
submissions."

The Blades said they were unfairly demoted from the top flight after West
Ham were found guilty of breaching Premier League regulations in the signing
of Argentine Tevez and his compatriot Javier Mascherano. Rather than being
docked points by the three-man arbitration panel, the Hammers were fined
£5.5m and went on to survive the drop on the final day, while United were
relegated. In July 2007 the High Court refused United leave to appeal the
panel's decision over the affair. But McCabe has continued the club's fight
for a financial settlement and it is being heard by a Football Association
tribunal.

Posted by Trilby at 10:22

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Blades Hammer out Tevez deal - metro.co.uk
Friday, July 11, 2008

Tevez's goal sent the Blades down Sheffield United expect to learn the
outcome of their claim against West Ham for compensation over the Carlos
Tevez affair in September. West Ham were fined £5.5million but not docked
points by the Premier League when found guilty of fielding the ineligible
Tevez and fellow Argentina international Javier Mascherano during the 2006/7
season. The Blades felt they were relegated unfairly on the final day of
that season - West Ham survived following Tevez's winner at Manchester
United - but lost their legal fight to be reinstated at the Hammers'
expense. The Yorkshire club have since launched a legal fight to be
compensated by the London club and Blades plc chairman Kevin McCabe said:
'It's down to the panel to make their award which should be in September.
'The formal arbitration hearing was concluded last month, but there'll be
one more day at the end of July for further oral submissions.' The Blades'
legal battle for a financial settlement is being heard by a Football
Association tribunal.

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