The CEO has clarified the situation regarding Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's
ownership of West Ham United
07.10.2008
West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury has issued the following statement
following the news that Iceland bank Landsbanki has been placed into
receivership.
Scott Duxbury said: "The position of Landsbanki has absolutely no effect on
West Ham United and Mr Gudmundsson's ownership of the club. "Mr Gudmundsson
is an investor with a large portfolio, of which Landsbanki was just part. He
remains as committed as ever to West Ham United and is not looking to sell
the club." "As has previously been stated, Mr Gudmundsson has invested £40m
net in the playing squad to create a squad capable of challenging in the top
half of the Premier League.
"Since his appointment, Gianfranco Zola has made it quite clear that his
first-team squad is too large and needs to be reduced so he can effectively
coach the team. Once this has happened and if the manager requires further
players, then the club will acquire them. "Mr Gudmundsson remains fully
committed to the success of this football club and building on the excellent
start made by Gianfranco Zola."
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Reserves lose out at Fulham - WHUFC
All the action as it happened as the reserves lost 4-1 at Fulham on Tuesday
evening
07.10.2008
Barclays Premier Reserve League South
Motspur Park
Kick off: 7pm
Final score: Fulham 4-1 West Ham United
90 mins: It is all over at Motspur Park as Fulham win 4-1. United's youthful
team played some good football but the hosts' extra experience eventually
told. Alex Dyer will have drawn positives from several of his side's
performances.
89 mins: There will be three minutes of added time. Can United get one more
back?
86 mins: The visitors are probably playing some of their best football of
the match and are knocking the ball around well
82 mins: United's youngsters are still battling hard in search of a second
goal and N'Gala is continuing to will the side forward
79 mins: Stech comes out quickly to get to a through-ball before Smith. It
has been an encouraging display from the stopper, who could do nothing about
the Fulham goals
76 mins: Fulham make two changes as Lewis Smith comes on for Nevland and
Danny Hoesen is introduced in place of Seol. The United defenders will be
pleased to see the back of the departing internationals who posed a constant
threat
75 mins: Fulham think they have a fifth but Chris Smalling's header is ruled
out for a push on N'Gala
72 mins: Dyer makes his final changes of the night as Anthony Edgar makes
way for Daniel Kearns and Grasser is replaced by Christian Montano
69 mins: To give an idea of the youthfulness of the visiting side tonight,
Stokes is the only player in claret and blue over 20
67 mins: Goal! The hosts restore their three-goal lead with a great shot
from Wayne Brown. The No7 picked the ball up 30 yards out and beat Stech
with a sublime strike
64 mins: A great cross from Anthony Edgar on the left touchline is just too
high for the on-rushing Balint Bajner
62 mins: After a crazy opening period to the second half the game seems to
have settled down a bit, although chances are still being created at both
ends
58 mins: The visitors seem to have been given a lift by the goal. Stokes is
fouled 30 yards out and from the resulting free-kick Stanislas' dangerous
ball into the area is claimed by Zuberbuhler
54 mins: Goal! United get one back as Eyjolfsson heads in an O' Neill cross
following Stanislas' quickly taken corner
54 mins: Dyer makes his first change by bringing Matthew Fry on for Miller
52 mins: From the resulting corner Stech makes another great save - tipping
a header over the bar
52 mins: Stech has to dive to his left to turn the ball round the post as
Fulham try to force a fourth
47 mins: Goal! And it is three soon after as Julian Gray forces the ball
over the line after good work from Seol
46 mins: Goal! Fulham double their lead within the first minute of the
second half of Seol fires in with his left foot from the edge of the area
45 mins: Half-time at Motspur Park and it is the hosts that go in ahead
45 mins: As we approach half-time. Miller is forced to head behind under
pressure. Stech comes out well to punch it clear
44 mins: Nevland is proving to be quite a threat and Stech reacts quickly to
smother another cross from the Fulham No9
42 mins: Ashley Miller goes into the book for a late tackle
39 mins: GOAL! But this time it does count as Nevland slides in to convert a
Seol cross on the six yard line
38 mins: The home side are starting to create chances. A Milsom shot is
saved by Stech before the home support think their side have taken the lead,
but Nevland punched the ball into the net and is booked
35 mins: Eyjolfsson is strong to shrug Seol Ki-Hyeon off the ball
33 mins: N' Gala is being his usual vocal self as organises the back four
32 mins: Balint Bajner has shown some nice touches so far and plays another
deft ball into the path of Stanislas on the left
27 mins: Alex Dyer, who is in charge of the team again tonight, shouts
instructions to his side from the dugout as they press forward
26 mins: Tony Stokes is captaining the side and starts in centre midfield
after playing up front against West Brom
21 mins: Robert Milsom fouls Georg Grasser 25 yards out. Stanislas tries his
luck from almost the same place as before and he again forces the Fulham No1
into another great save
20 mins: Andranik cannot continue so Matthew Saunders comes on to replace
him
18 mins: Good defensive work from Holmar Eyjolfsson as he shepherds the ball
out of play
16 mins: Stanislas wins a corner with some neat footwork. The game is
paused while Andranik receives treatment but when it resumes Stanislas'
corner is headed just over by Bondz N' Gala
13 mins: The rain that has been falling on west London for most of the day
seems to have stopped for the time being but the playing surface is still
showing the effects of the wet weather
10 mins: Stokes is tripped 25 yards from goal. Junior Stanislas steps up and
curls in a fantastic free-kick which Pascal Zuberbuhler has to turn behind
8 mins: Vital tackle from Ryan O Neill as he throws himself in front of a
Fulham shot
6 mins: The visitors again line up in the 4-3-1-2 formation used against
West Bromwich Albion last week
4 mins: First shot on goal is a fierce drive from Erik Nevland that goes
inches wide of Marek Stech's right-hand post
2 mins: Two very contrasting teams on show tonight. Fulham name five
internationals in their side while United have a very youthful look about
them
1 min: And we are under way
18:59 The West Ham players huddle round as we approach kick-off
West Ham United: Stech, O' Neill, Miller, N'Gala, Eyjolfsson, Stokes, Lee,
Grasser, Bajner, Stanislas, Edgar
Subs: Street, Montano, Kearns, Brown, Fry, Abdulla
Fulham: Zuberbuhler, Cumber, Anderson, Leijer, Smalling, Milsom, Brown,
Andranik, Nevland, Seol, Gray
Subs: Foderingham, Laribi, Saunders, Smith, Hoesen
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bank crisis hits Hammers spending - BBC
West Ham admit they have no money for new players after Iceland's second
biggest bank, Landsbanki, collapsed. Club chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is
a major shareholder in both West Ham and Landsbanki and was chairman of the
bank until he was sacked on Tuesday. Vice-chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson told
BBC Sport: "It is very unlikely he will be willing to put in more money to
buy players this January window." He also insisted the club was not for
sale, despite interest from agents.
Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola had been promised funds when he took over on
11 September. "If we need to improve certain things I'm sure the board will
back me," said Zola in September. Later in the same month, Zola added that
West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury had told him changes in January would
"not be a problem".
In a statement to the club's official website on Tuesday, Duxbury insisted
funds would be available - but only if the current squad was trimmed. "Since
his appointment, Gianfranco Zola has made it quite clear that his first-team
squad is too large and needs to be reduced so he can effectively coach the
team," read the statement. "Once this has happened and if the manager
requires further players, then the club will acquire them. "Mr Gudmundsson
remains fully committed to the success of this football club and building on
the excellent start made by Gianfranco Zola."
Duxbury and Fridgeirsson have both reaffirmed that Gudmundsson has no
intention of selling the club at the moment. "It will not have a direct
impact, there is no need for him to sell West Ham," said Fridgeirsson. A
weekend newspaper report claimed Indian billionaire Anil Ambani was
interested in buying West Ham and had been told the Premier League club was
available for £150m. But Fridgeirsson dismissed the suggestion the club was
for sale, adding: "We have not been accepting any offers. Agents have been
contacting us and we have told them we are not interested." The Icelandic
government took control of Landsbanki on Tuesday to prevent it collapsing
and sacked the bank's board. There are now fears the bank could become
insolvent, although it released a statement saying: "Landsbanki would like
to stress that the bank has not been put into liquidation but is in
receivership, which gives it a temporary protection from payment of debts
and obligations as they fall due."
Gudmundsson had experienced a testing few months even before the news that
Landsbanki was being placed into receivership. West Ham's shirt sponsor XL
went bust in September, leaving the club with a potential shortfall of £5m.
It has since emerged that Gudmundsson was the guarantor of a 207 million
Euros (£163m) bank loan given to the tour operator. Two weeks ago, an
independent tribunal ruled against West Ham in the Carlos Tevez affair,
leaving them liable to a £30m compensation claim from Sheffield United. The
Blades claim Tevez was not eligible to play at the end of the 2006/07
season, when he had a key role in West Ham's top-flight survival at the
Yorkshire club's expense.
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Fridge: we're not selling (yet) - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 7th October 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's vice-chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson has said that the
current board are not actively seeking to sell the club. Speculation
concerning United's future arose today after it was revealed that Icelandic
bank Landsbanki has been placed in receivership - with all directors,
including Hammers Chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson fired as a result. But
Gudmundsson's number two has told The Sun that the chairman is not on the
verge of selling up - despite speculation in the weekend's press concerning
a purported £150million bid, which KUMB.com understands to have been from
UK-based investors. "It's an important investment but it's not his
[Gudmundsson's] only one," Fridgeirsson said on Landsbanki's demise. "He has
numerous other investments doing quite well. "There is no reason to fear
that he will not honour his commitment with West Ham. There's no reason for
the fans to worry in any way. Mr Gudmundsson has already put £30million into
the club.
"It might be a comfort to the fans of West Ham to say there is enormous
interest in the club. But we are not actively in the process of selling."
Fridgeirsson also confirmed that the current board - should they still be
here come January 2009 - are unlikely to invest in the playing squad in the
next transfer window, adding: "With a squad of 35 players, the money for
further transfers would come from player sales. The club is standing strong,
generating revenues and through transfer activity there is the chance for
the club to develop further. "He [Gudmundsson] is not going to take money
out of the club - but this event has stopped his option of further
investment this year."
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Duxbury dismisses concerns - SSN
Duxbury insists business will continue as normal
Last updated: 7th October 2008
West Ham have insisted that the position of Landsbanki bank has 'absolutely
no effect' on the club. Concerns have been raised over Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson's ownership of the club due to his involvement with Icelandic
bank Landsbanki. Landsbanki has now been placed into receivership but West
Ham chief executive officer Scott Duxbury has played down worries over the
club's financial security. "The position of Landsbanki has absolutely no
effect on West Ham United and Mr Gudmundsson's ownership of the club,"
Duxbury said in a statement on the club's official website. "Mr Gudmundsson
is an investor with a large portfolio, of which Landsbanki was just part. He
remains as committed as ever to West Ham United and is not looking to sell
the club. "As has previously been stated, Mr Gudmundsson has invested
£40million net in the playing squad to create a squad capable of challenging
in the top half of the Premier League."
West Ham vice-chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson announced earlier on Tuesday that
no more funding will be made available to manager Gianfranco Zola for the
foreseeable future. And Duxbury has claimed that Zola is looking to trim his
squad anyway to make it a more sensible size. He explained: "Since his
appointment, Gianfranco Zola has made it quite clear that his first-team
squad is too large and needs to be reduced so he can effectively coach the
team. "Once this has happened and if the manager requires further players,
then the club will acquire them. "Mr Gudmundsson remains fully committed to
the success of this football club and building on the excellent start made
by Gianfranco Zola."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers crunched by crisis: Zola told there's no West Ham cash to spend
after Icelandic freeze - Daily Mail
By Simon Cass and NEIL ASHTON
Last updated at 8:32 AM on 08th October 2008
West Ham fear a financial black hole of more than £100million after the
club's owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, was forced to resign from Landsbanki
by the Icelandic government yesterday. Sportsmail can reveal that
Gudmundsson, who was chairman and largest shareholder of Iceland's second
biggest bank , is coming under government pressure to 'repatriate' his
overseas assets to help save his country's crippled economy. The Icelandic
government admitted last night they are on the verge of 'national
bankruptcy' and Gudmundsson, who bought West Ham for £85m in November 2006,
may listen to offers for the club. New manager Gianfranco Zola has been told
that he will have to sell players to generate the cash needed for any team
rebuilding in January.
Hammers vice-chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson warned: 'There is not an intention
by him (Gudmundsson) to invest further in the club at the moment. Mr
Gudmundsson has already put £30m into the club. We have a very big squad and
our manager feels it is not necessary for it to be of that size, of nearly
35 players. The money for further transfers would need to be generated by
sales.'
Although West Ham insist that Gudmundsson will be able to cover the club's
spiralling debts from his personal fortune, they are expected to post huge
losses in their next set of accounts, currently being prepared by Deloitte &
Touche, which are due in December. Through a series of complicated loans,
West Ham owed more than £60m on May 31, 2007 and have a wage bill of £41m a
year. That was before the arrival of Kieron Dyer (£60,000 a week), Craig
Bellamy (£65,000) and Freddie Ljungberg (£85,000), the Swede having since
been paid £6m to leave. Dean Ashton was given a new contract last summer
worth £50,000 a week, and Lucas Neill (£65,000), Scott Parker (£60,000) and
Lee Bowyer (£40,000) are also high earners. West Ham sold around £19m worth
of players in the summer, including Anton Ferdinand (£8m), Bobby Zamora
(£4.8m) and George McCartney (£4.8m) in order to free up cash as they began
to realise the scale of their financial situation. The club's turnover is
£57m, but they made a loss of £19m last year and must consider the potential
award of damages to Sheffield United, who are demanding £30m over the Carlos
Tevez affair. If the Court of Arbitration for Sport reject their appeal
against the independent tribunal's recent findings, it will have a huge
financial impact.
Players of the calibre of Bellamy and England goalkeeper Robert Green would
certainly interest rival clubs and there would be no shortage of takers for
Ashton should he recover from ankle surgery in time for January.
One option for Gudmundsson is to find a buyer. Indian billionaire Anil
Ambani has been linked with a takeover at Upton Park and Fridgeirsson added:
'All I can say, which might be a comfort to the fans, is that there is an
enormous interest in the club. But we are not actively in the process of
selling and as it stands today there is not a need to do so.' That stance
may be up for review given the enormous blow to Gudmundsson's investment
portfolio yesterday. Fridgeirsson was at pains to point out that
Gudmundsson's investment in Landsbanki was carried out through a separate
investment company and that there is no pressing need to sell the club.
He added: 'Mr Gudmundsson is an international investor; this was an
important investment but not the only one. He has others in shipping
companies, seafood companies and telephone companies all over Europe that
are unaffected by the events of today. 'There is no reason to fear he will
not honour his commitments to West Ham United. Nor is there any reason to be
pessimistic. West Ham is a well run club and is servicing its debt. 'Mr
Gudmundsson is not going to take money out of the club if that is your fear,
but these events have limited his options for further investment this year.'
This is not the only problem Gudmundsson is facing. Prior to the collapse of
West Ham's former sponsors, XL Leisure Group, last month, he took
responsibility, along with his son Bjorgolfur Thor Bjorgolfsson, for a £163m
loan which was granted by Landsbanki to fund a management buy-out of the
travel firm. He did so amid fears that the original guarantor of the loan,
transport company Eimskip in whom he is also a major investor, could go to
the wall if forced to honour the debt in the wake of XL's collapse. West Ham
have yet to find a replacement sponsor.
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Important News At Midday For West Ham - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 8 October, 2008 - 06:28
West Ham United are due to make an important announcement about the future
of the club this lunchtime. Despite previous staements to the contrary it is
understood that that the club are in actual take over negotiations with a
consortium believed to be from the middle east, and yes, you guessed it the
broker is none other than Kia Joorabchian! More news as soon as....-Ed
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Will He or Won't He? - Cmon Yu Irons
8 October 2008
With Landsbanski collapsing, we have been reassured that us fans should not
be worried, and that although others have took an interest in buying our
club, it is not up for sale…or is it?
Of course the board are not going to come right out on sky and give the
answers they want to hear. And even though a member of the board has stated
that this will not affect West Ham, I beg to differ.
It has been stated that we have a large squad, and that some players will
have to go in order to bring in others. That's all fine on the surface, but
what players would we have to sell in January in order to steady the ship?
Maybe I'm just imaging this, but listening to the interview on sky, I wasn't
convinced by the words of assurance. In my opinion it is only a matter of
time before BG sells us, and especially with others interested, including
the 6th richest man in the world, Anil Ambani, if these reports are to be
believed.
Regardless of the words spoken of all is ok, at the end of the day, the
question is, will BG sell up or not. Money talks
This post was submitted by Dave Hall.
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Bellamy vows to boost Wales and West Ham - Sportsman
Published Date: 08 October 2008
By Paul Walker
CRAIG Bellamy is desperate for a long run of matches now to prove his
commitment to Wales and West Ham. The 29-year-old former Celtic and
Liverpool striker is finally back in the Wales squad for their World Cup
qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Germany on Saturday and next Wednesday
respectively, and is also keen to give the Hammers a boost with his return.
He has had three short spells as a substitute this season for the east
Londoners after a year of groin, stomach and hamstring problems. Now he
believes he is ready for action, starting against Liechtenstein in Cardiff.
He said: "At the moment my recovery is going well. Speed is an important
part of my game, so I have to be careful in many ways. Explosiveness off the
mark is where you feel it, so that's why it has taken longer than usual to
come back. "I am looking for a good run of games now. This last year is the
hardest I have ever worked. I have really dedicated myself to putting the
injury behind me. I have put so much hard work into trying to improve myself
and look after myself. "My lifestyle is as professional as it can be to be
honest. I have a wife and kids now.
I have just signed a deal last year at West Ham and want to give as much as
I can back to the club. To miss a whole year has been really difficult for
me but hopefully I can make up for lost time. "I'm very close to being ready
to play 90 minutes. I could have been ready for Bolton but the team have
been playing so well that I just couldn't get in, but I'll bide my time and
wait for my opportunity. "We don't know what the team will be on Saturday
but I'm ready to start if given the chance. "It's essential that we win on
Saturday. Then getting a point against Germany would be a bonus point. This
time last year the boys went there and got a good result so hopefully we can
cause another upset. They are an outstanding side and we'll be trying our
best."
Wales have lost Joe Ledley, Freddy Eastwood, Brian Stock and Robert Earnshaw
to injury, and have added Wrexham defender Steve Evans to the squad.
Meanwhile, Celtic winger Aiden McGeady is included in the Republic of
Ireland squad for the World Cup Group 8 qualifier at home to Cyprus next
Wednesday.
Squad: Given (Newcastle), Kiely (West Brom), Murphy (Scunthorpe), Bruce
(Ipswich), Delaney (QPR), Dunne (Manchester City), Kilbane (Wigan), O'Brien
(Bolton), O'Shea (Manchester United), McShane (Sunderland), S Hunt
(Reading), McGeady (Celtic), Duff (Newcastle), Miller (Sunderland), Reid
(Sunderland), Whelan (Stoke), Doyle (Reading), Keane (Liverpool), Keogh
(Wolves), Long (Reading), Murphy (Sunderland).
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Hammers' Iceland fears eased
By Jason Burt
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Independent.co.uk Web
West Ham United's owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, yesterday acted to reassure
executives at the club that the financial meltdown in the Icelandic banking
industry will not force him to sell up.
Landsbanki, Iceland's second-largest bank, which is chaired by the
billionaire, who is also a significant shareholder, has been taken over by
the country's government to prevent it from collapse. There are fears it
could become insolvent.
This immediately led to concerns that Gudmundsson may have to try to recoup
some of his losses by selling West Ham. He has complete control of the club,
acquiring it for £85m in November 2006 – plus taking on the club's debts –
and then pumping in a further £30m in December last year.
"He has told us there is no implication, no impact. It's business as usual,"
one board member said yesterday. "He remains fully committed. He has taken a
big hit, but this has not impacted on his personal wealth."
Gudmundsson's right-hand man, and West Ham's vice-chairman, Asgeir
Fridgeirsson, admitted that the bank's plight was a "blow" for the
67-year-old, but he added: "Landsbanki has not gone into administration. The
government has claimed the shares in the company, but the company is still
in operation. It is, of course, a blow for him and his financial strength,
but he has numerous other investments which are doing well at the moment, so
there is no reason to fear that he will not fulfil his commitments to West
Ham United."
The club have been fretting with the latest financial blow following on from
the collapse of West Ham's shirt sponsor, XL. The club hope to announce a
new sponsor soon, but are unlikely to recoup any of the money owed to them
from the tour operator, which is thought to be around £5m.
In addition, there will not be any significant transfer funds made available
to West Ham's new manager Gianfranco Zola in the January window, although
the Italian was aware of this state of affairs when he took the job.
West Ham expect any signings to be financed by players leaving, with the
board still arguing – an argument not accepted by Zola's predecessor, Alan
Curbishley – that the club have a bigger than average squad in need of
trimming.
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West Ham United feel blast from world's financial turmoil as Icelandic bank
fails - Telegraph
Fresh doubt was cast on West Ham's financial future when Landsbanki,
Iceland's second largest bank, was nationalised.
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 11:20PM BST 07 Oct 2008
The club's owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, is a major shareholder in the
bank, but has been sacked as Landsbanki chairman after it was taken into
government hands amid mounting fears over the entire Iceland economy.
However, while West Ham vice-chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson argued that the
development would not have a direct impact on the club, he did say that new
manager Gianfranco Zola would have to sell players before he could reinvest
in the squad.
West Ham's decision to sell certain first-team players during the summer led
to tensions with the board and previous manager Alan Curbishley, who
resigned following the departures of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney.
But, according to Fridgeirsson, Zola now wants to further streamline the
squad following a strong start to the season.
"We have a very big squad," said Fridgeirsson. "Our manager feels it is not
necessary to be that size, so if further transfers are needed money would
need to be generated from sales."
Although the Gudmundsson family was understood to have a 41 per cent stake
in Landsbanki, they also have significant business interests abroad. "The
government has claimed shares in the [Landsbanki] company which means that
the government has claimed control," Fridgeirsson said. "That means,
basically, that we have lost it. Landsbanki has not gone into
administration, the government has claimed the shares in the company but the
company is still in operation. It is, of course, a blow for him and his
financial strength but he has numerous other investments which are doing
well at the moment, so there is no reason to fear that he will not fulfil
his commitments to West Ham United.
"There is no intention to invest further in the club at the moment, but the
club is standing strong. Mr Gudmundsson will not take money out of the club.
Mr Gudmundsson has already put £30 million into the club, the money is still
there. One thing he is sure of is that this will have no implications on the
other investments of him and his family."
Fridgeirsson also admitted that West Ham had fended off interest from
potential buyers, but said that there were no plans to sell the club. "There
is enormous interest in the club, but at the moment we are not actively in
the process of selling the club – there is not a need. There have been
agents all around the club trying to get our attention but we have turned
them away.
"I don't think there is any reason to be too pessimistic. West Ham is a well
run company. It is run in an efficient manner and the company itself is
servicing its debts and, in doing so, it has been able to progress in
developing the infrastructure. There is no reason for the fans to worry in
any way about things on the pitch."
Gudmundsson, whose fortune was estimated at £600 million earlier this year,
bought West Ham with compatriot Eggert Magnusson in 2006 for £85 million. He
has since bought out Magnusson's stake and is now the club's sole owner.
However, West Ham have been hit by an extraordinary sequence of off-field
setbacks since Gudmundsson's arrival. Last month they were left with a
potential £5 million shortfall after the club's shirt sponsor, XL, went
bust. Then, two weeks ago, an independent tribunal ruled against them in the
Carlos Tevez transfer affair, leaving them facing a £30 million compensation
claim from Sheffield United. The club have since submitted a statement of
appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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Quashie to Birmingham in loan deal
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 11:01 PM on 07th October 2008
West Ham midfielder Nigel Quashie is set to join Birmingham on loan after
playing for their reserves yesterday. Quashie, 30, has been training with
the Midlands club for the past month and boss Alex McLeish plans to work out
a deal for him after the international break.
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Bellamy Sleeps In Altitude Tent To Regain Fitness - Goal.com
Injury-plagued Wales captain Craig Bellamy has been sleeping in an altitude
tent in an attempt to boost his fitness and help extend his career. West Ham
striker Craig Bellamy is hoping to make his first international start for a
year when Wales take on Liechtenstein on Saturday in a World Cup qualifier.
"I have got my own altitude tent and I sleep in it every night because it
speeds up recovery and improves overall fitness," Bellamy told BBC Sport.
"This is a critical stage of my career and if I cut corners it would have
been tough for me to come back."
Bellamy, now 29, last started a game for Wales in October 2007 - the 2-1
victory over San Marino - after suffering from abdominal, groin and
hamstring injuries.
The altitude tent he's using to sleep in simulates conditions at high
altitude by maintaining a lower concentration of oxygen, which among other
benefits boosts red blood cells and enzymes to speed recovery. Bellamy has
managed just 73 minutes of first-team action this season for the Hammers
while recovering from a hamstring tear that he suffered in pre-season.
However, the former Norwich, Coventry, Newcastle, Celtic, Blackburn and
Liverpool striker has been selected in John Toshack's squad for the
Liechtenstein game at the weekend at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. "My
rehabilitation has been quite extraordinary," Bellamy told BBC Sport. "And
I want to really attack the last years of my career in a positive manner.
"The altitude tent improves endurance, helps speed and makes you a fitter
athlete. "I'm ready to play 90 minutes and play two games in five days
because I feel good and I've done all of the groundwork. "I'm glad to be
back with Wales as it has been a while," said Bellamy. "I missed the
September qualifiers with Azerbaijan and Russia because I knew my hamstring
was a problem, it was very sore. "The last thing I wanted to do is come back
too soon and pull up, that wouldn't have been fair to Wales or West Ham.
"And I know my body well because I pulled up in training with West Ham a few
days later. "I have moved heaven and earth to play for Wales in the past and
booked flights myself to make it happen because I'm proud to be Welsh and
international games mean a lot to me. "The biggest problem I have had in the
past was with my clubs, I have picked up injuries in my career and it is a
little different playing for Wales. "With England I've seen boys get told:
'off you go and do the club proud' but with Wales it's like 'do you really
need to go? We could really do with [you] staying here to continue your
rehab.' "I have really had to fight my corner for Wales over the years."
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Fulham Reserves 4 West Ham United Reserves 1 - Echo
9:36pm Tuesday 7th October 2008
By Rob Pritchard »
A YOUNG West Ham United second-string suffered a 4-1 Barclays Premier
Reserve League South defeat at a gloomy, chilly Fulham last night. After
matching a Cottagers' side containing five full internationals for much of
an eventful first half, Alex Dyer's side — containing just one player out of
his teens in 21-year-old Canvey Islander Tony Stokes — conceded three goals
in seven minutes either side of half-time. With regulars Freddie Sears — a
four-goal hero against West Brom a week ago — and Jack Collison absent and
the returning James Collins and Lee Bowyer not risked, the inexperienced
Hammers found the going tough against Billy McKinlay's side at Motspur Park.
Norway international Erik Nevland opened the scoring on 40 minutes, sliding
home Seol Ki-Hyeon's cross just moments after he had been booked for
punching the South Korean's deflected centre past Marek Stech. Having gone
in front, the hosts put themselves out of sight within 108 seconds of the
restart. First, just 50 seconds after the break, Seol curled a left-foot
shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
A minute later it was 3-0 as former Birmingham City winger Julian Gray
slotted home the same player's low cross from close range. The scoreline was
harsh on Dyer's team and, in particular Junior Stanislas, who forced Swiss
international goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler into three smart saves with
long-range efforts. And the visitors' hard work was rewarded with a
consolation goal on 55 minutes when Eyjolfsson headed home Ryan O'Neill's
deep cross. Fulham were to restore their three-goal lead, however, with
Wayne Brown lashing home from 30 yards midway through the second period.
West Ham United Reserves (4-3-2-1): Stech, O'Neill, Miller (Fry 53),
Eyjolfsson, N'Gala, Stokes, Lee, Grasser (Montano 72), Edgar (Kearns 72),
Stanislas, Bajner.
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Fridgeirsson reveals big interest in West Ham ownership
08.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United vice-chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson admits there is growing
takeover interest in the club. Indian billionaire Anil Ambani has been
linked with a takeover at Upton Park and Fridgeirsson said: "All I can say,
which might be a comfort to the fans, is that there is an enormous interest
in the club. But we are not actively in the process of selling and as it
stands today there is not a need to do so."
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Birmingham wrapping up deal for West Ham's Quashie
08.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United midfielder Nigel Quashie is set to join Birmingham on loan
after playing for their reserves yesterday. Quashie, 30, has been training
with the Midlands club for the past month and boss Alex McLeish plans to
work out a deal for him after the international break.
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West Ham's Gabbidon unsure of return
08.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham defender Danny Gabbidon admits he's unsure how long he will be out
with his abdominal problem. "I am taking it day by day, week by week.
Obviously I won't be happy until I am back playing but I am pleased with how
things are going for me," Gabbidon told the South Wales Echo. "But I am not
giving any specific targets as to when I will be back. "It has been tough
and I still have a bit to go, but I am certainly 100 per cent confident of
getting back sooner rather than later. "I am not that far away and the work
I am doing has stepped up to where I can do some running now. "So it's nice
for me to have new challenges like this and see the progress being made."
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Behrami: West Ham one happy family
08.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
Valon Behrami is happy with his start at West Ham United. The Swiss
international said: "It is like a family here. We work very hard in the same
way, that is important for me. "Every day I wake up I am happy to go into
training."
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Bellamy desperate to get back for West Ham
08.10.08 | tribalfootball.com
Craig Bellamy is desperate to get back for West Ham United. The Wales
striker said: "I have just signed a deal last year at West Ham and want to
give as much as I can back to the club. To miss a whole year has been really
difficult for me but hopefully I can make up for lost time. "I'm very close
to being ready to play 90 minutes. I could have been ready for Bolton but
the team have been playing so well that I just couldn't get in, but I'll
bide my time and wait for my opportunity. "We don't know what the team will
be on Saturday but I'm ready to start if given the chance. "I'm sure in
training I've shown what I can do and what I can offer. Training is
important for me. It's all about showing people I'm back to the level I can
be and people expect me to be."
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