WHUFC.com
Ashley Miller scored the only goal of the game to settle a fine away win for
Alex Dyer's reserves
09.03.2009
Arsenal reserves 0-1 West Ham United reserves
Alex Dyer's youthful side earned a tremendous victory away at Arsenal on
Monday night courtesy of Ashley Miller's solitary strike in the 72nd minute
- but the win owed much to Marek Stech.
The 19-year-old right-back Miller converted from close range after bright
play involving Georg Grasser and substitute Christian Montano, seconds after
he entered the game. Grasser picked out Montano superbly and he forced
Arsenal keeper James Shea to parry his chipped effort into the path of
Miller who was able to hook the ball into the net. The outstanding Stech
then proved an unbeatable barrier and West Ham United hung on to claim the
win.
With captain Bondz N'Gala leading by example in front of him, the
18-year-old Stech was in imperious form at the Underhill home of Barnet,
repelling the lively Arsenal attackers who had begun the brighter in a
lively Barclays Premier Reserve League South contest. That said, the closest
either side came to scoring in the first half was when Daniel Kearns crashed
an effort on to the bar for the visitors just before half-time.
Dyer had named a youthful selection with six of the starting eleven having
played when the two clubs met for an Under-18 fixture last month - namely
Matthew Fry, Oliver Lee, Daniel Kearns, Anthony Edgar, Balint Bajner and
Ahmed Abdulla. Arsenal boasted the likes of 17-year-old midfield prodigy
Jack Wilshere in their ranks and he always looked the most likely - however,
he could not find the finishing touch.
The game sparked into life on 70 minutes when Fry, filling in at full-back,
surged down the left past three men before crossing deep to the back post.
Kearns squared the ball for former Arsenal forward Abdulla but he could not
keep the effort on target. It was Abdulla's last contribution as he made way
for Montano. Moments later, the replacement forced that opportunity for
Miller and Dyer's men were in front.
It could have been two on 73 minutes when the outstanding Kearns tried his
luck with a chipped effort that Shea just about clawed to safety. Wilshere
and Emmanuel Frimpong had their moments before, on 82 minutes, Stech did
well to save a lofted effort by Rhys Murphy. The three points lift the
Hammers to third in the standings and mean a memorable double over the
Gunners after a 1-0 home win in October.
Arsenal: James Shea, Craig Eastmond (Rhys Murphy 66, Sanchez Watts 84), Jay
Emmanuel-Thomas, Francis Coquelin, Kyle Bartley, Luke Ayling, Mark Randall
(captain), Emmanuel Frimpong, Gilles Sunu, Amaury Bischoff, Jack Wilshere
Sub not used: Cedric Evina
West Ham United: Marek Stech, Ashley Miller, Matthew Fry, Oliver Lee, Holmar
Orn Eyjolfsson, Bondz N'Gala (captain), Daniel Kearns, Georg Grasser, Balint
Bajner (Conor Okus 83), Ahmed Abdulla (Christian Montano 70), Anthony Edgar
Subs not used: Peter Loveday, Sergio Sanchez, Callum McNaughton
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Arsenal 0-1 Reserves
WHUFC.com
All the action as it happened as West Ham United beat Arsenal in the
Barclays Premier Reserve League
09.03.2009
Barclays Premier Reserve League South
Arsenal v West Ham United
Monday 9 March 2009
Kick-off: 7pm
Referee: A Sainsbury
Final score - Arsenal 0-1 West Ham United
Full time - A fantastic away win for Dyer's young reserve side. They fought
hard at the back and created plenty of chances at the other end against an
Arsenal side boasting five players with first-team experience. In contrast,
only N'Gala and Stech have come close to first-team action with the Hammers,
having been named on the bench by Gianfranco Zola this season. 881 fans saw
this match and the claret and blue contingent will no doubt be going home
delighted at seeing the next generation of potential stars make a big leap
forward in their development.
90 min - Two minutes of added time to be played. The ball is in the Arsenal
half and the Hammers need to make sure it stays there.
89 min - We are in the last few minutes at Underhill and the Hammers just
need to see the game out for a superb away win.
86 min - Corner to the Hammers after some good pressing from Montano.
83 min - Stech makes a great fingertip save and then gets up quickly to
gather the rebound. Dyer then makes his second change by bringing on Conor
Okus for Bajner. Arsenal are forced into another change as the substitute
Murphy has picked up a knock and has to leave the field. He is replaced by
Sanchez Watts.
80 min - N'Gala mops up another Gunners attack. Tonight's captain and his
fellow defenders have had a superb evening. Just ten more minutes to go...
78 min - Arsenal are pushing forward in search of an equaliser but the
Hammers are remaining strong. Can Dyer's side hold on for the last 12
minutes to record a double over their north London rivals?
74 min - The lead is nearly doubled as Kearns tries a superb chip over Shea,
but the Arsenal stopper gets back to just push the ball away.
72 min - GOAL! The pressure finally tells as Miller gives the Hammers the
lead. After Grasser's ball forward, a cross-shot from Montano is only
parried by Shea and the rebound falls to the on-rushing right-back. He makes
no mistake with a firm finish low into the goal. Great moment for the young
West Ham side.
70 min - But the Hammers hit back and good work from Matt Fry on the left
leads to the Hammers nearly taking the lead. Dyer makes his first change by
bringing on Christian Montano for Abdulla.
68 min - Good goalkeeping from Stech as he comes out to smother a
through-ball as Arsenal threaten once more. Moments later Francis Coquelin
drives a shot just wide.
66 min - The Gunners make the first change as Craig Eastwood leaves the
field to be replaced by Rhys Murphy.
64 min - Abdulla goes down under a strong tackle and looks to be limping.
Hopefully he will be able to shrug the knock off.
59 min - A fantastic tackle from Eyjolfsson prevents Sunu from shooting
inside the area. Great play from the Icelandic central defender.
55 min - The Hammers nearly take the lead again as Grasser's corner is
palmed away by Shea from underneath his own crossbar. That is twice Dyer's
side have been inches away from the lead.
53 min - It is a surprisingly mild evening here, although some fans have
opted for a hat and glove combination.
52 min - The first chance of the half goes Arsenal's way as Sunu blasts high
and wide.
48 min - The fans here at Underhill are still making their way back to their
seats with the food and drink bought at half-time. Luckily for them they
have not missed too much action so far.
46 min - The second half has begun and both teams look unchanged.
Half-time - It proves to be the last bit of action of the half as the
referee blows his whistle to draw it to a close. Both teams have had chances
in an entertaining contest thus far, but the Hammers will feel hard done by
that they are not leading after Kearns' great run at the end of the half.
44 min - So close! A mazy run from Kearns sees him beat three men. Then with
the goal at this mercy he fires a left-footed shot in the smashes against
the underside of the Arsenal crossbar. Great play from the 17 year old.
40 min - The Hammers fans are making themselves heard and are outsinging
their counterparts supporting the home side, despite being outnumbered. Can
their team respond with a goal?
38 min - Bischoff fires another shot in that Stech does well to parry as the
home side threaten again.
35 min - More pressure from Arsenal as Miller makes a last-ditch sliding
tackle to block Emmanuel-Thomas' shot. The Gunners play the resulting corner
short and Wilshere fires inches wide.
32 min - One such break threatens as Wilshere evades Miller's tackle and
feeds Amaury Bischoff, forcing N'Gala to come across and clear the danger.
Good play from the Hammers No6.
29 min - More good play involving Lee and Bajner sees the midfielder
narrowly overhit a through-ball on the edge of the area. The Hammers seem to
be on top, although Arsenal have looked dangerous on the break.
25 min - A superb run and cross from Kearns forces Luke Ayling to head
behind for a corner, which Arsenal scramble clear.
23 min - Lee floats a free-kick in from the halfway line and N'Gala rises
highest to power a header at goal, which Shea holds. Referee Mr Sainsbury
blows up for a foul from the United captain anyway.
20 min - Good play from Lee leads to Edgar being fouled on the edge of the
area. Kearns tries a shot from the free-kick but if flies well over. Moments
later, a tight offside call just denies Abdulla a run on goal. Much better
from the Hammers.
17 min - Stech's kick then sets Anthony Edgar into some space on the left.
He tricks his way past his man, but his cross is deflected off an Arsenal
head to safety.
16 min - And the Czech stopper is called into action again as he uses his
feet to divert a shot around the post.
14 min - Another good claim from Stech from a looping Arsenal cross. The No1
has shown some safe hands thus far.
11 min - Arsenal are seeing a lot of the ball in the first eleven minutes
but, so far, Dyer's side have defended well. The West Ham manager is out in
his technical area to shout out some more instructions to his side.
8 min - Another free-kick to the home side on the right touchline. It is
driven in by Wilshere but Stech comes out to claim it. Good goalkeeping from
the 18-year-old.
6 min - Free-kick to the Gunners 25 yards out after N'Gala trips Gilles
Sunu. The set piece is driven straight into the West Ham wall. Bright start
from both teams.
3 min - Early pressure from the visitors. A corner is only half cleared and
when the ball is played back into the box, Matthew Fry finds himself in some
space, but his left-footed shot is easily gathered by James Shea.
1 min - We're underway at Underhill
6.55pm - Arsenal have also named a youthful side with their first team in
action on Wednesday in Rome. Gunners' manager Neil Banfield has included
nine of Arsenal's FA Youth Cup side that beat Tottenham Hotspur in the
quarter final last Thursday in his starting XI.
6.35pm - Kick-off is fast approaching and both teams are warming up out on
the pitch. The West Ham outfield players, in the light blue away kit, are
playing a bit of keep-ball while Jerome John warms up the goalkeepers.
6pm - Welcome to the Underhill home of Barnet FC, where Alex Dyer's reserves
have travelled to take on Arsenal in their third London derby in a row. It
is a new-look attack with Hungary Under-19 striker Balint Bajner linking up
with youth-team partner Ahmed Abdulla, a former Arsenal prospect. Dyer is
without the services of Zavon Hines, with a slight knee problem, and Jack
Jeffery, who has been loaned to Eastbourne Borough while the match is also
too soon for Terry Dixon, as he is still working on his fitness at Chadwell
Heath.
Also absent from the 3-1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur a fortnight ago is the
versatile Josh Payne, 18, and 19-year-old winger Junior Stanislas with both
very much in Gianfranco Zola's first-team plans. Stanislas had scored the
only goal of the game in the reverse fixture back in October. The
17-year-old midfielders Daniel Kearns and Oliver Lee are the youngest
Hammers on view in a very youthful selection, while 15-year-old Spanish
prospect Sergio Sanchez, a defender signed from Barcelona, has made the
bench.
Hammers captain Bondz N'Gala and Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson will provide
much-needed experience at centre-back in front of the 18-year-old goalkeeper
Marek Stech. N'Gala and Stech have both figured in Zola's matchday 18 this
season while the former will want to pay close to attention to Jay
Emmanuel-Thomas, who like N'Gala hails from Forest Gate. It was
Emmanuel-Thomas' solitary strike that settled the recent Under-18 meeting
between the clubs back on 21 February. Matthew Fry, Kearns, Lee, Anthony
Edgar, Bajner and Abdulla all started that game.
Arsenal: James Shea, Craig Eastmond, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Francis Coquelin,
Kyle Bartley, Luke Ayling, Mark Randall (captain), Emmanuel Frimpong, Gilles
Sunu, Amaury Bischoff, Jack Wilshere
Subs: Rhys Murphy, Cedric Evina, Sanchez Watts
West Ham United: Marek Stech, Ashley Miller, Matthew Fry, Oliver Lee, Holmar
Orn Eyjolfsson, Bondz N'Gala (captain), Daniel Kearns, Georg Grasser, Balint
Bajner, Ahmed Abdulla, Anthony Edgar
Subs: Peter Loveday, Sergio Sanchez, Callum McNaughton, Conor Okus,
Christian Montano
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Good times for Tomkins
WHUFC.com
The improving James Tomkins was happy to play a key role in two vital wins
for West Ham United
09.03.2009
The first-team squad are back in training after their first free weekend
since early December with James Tomkins summing up the prevailing positive
mood in the camp.
After defeating Mark Hughes' Manchester City 1-0 at the Boleyn Ground on 1
March, West Ham United travelled to Wigan three days later and won a lively
encounter by the same scoreline. Tomkins played a key role in both games.
The 19-year-old defender said the manner of the wins against rivals for
seventh spot had left everyone on a high.
"We played two games in the space of a few days and to pick up another three
points was brilliant, particularly against a team like Wigan who are doing
well themselves. We come out with the win and I think we deserved it. It was
a very physical game but we've come out with another result and that is very
important for our position in the league. We coped very well and picked up
another three points," Tomkins said.
Tomkins has been a big success since coming into the Hammers' starting XI in
place of the injured James Collins and has grown in stature. The central
defender is enjoying the experience of playing alongside international
defenders Matthew Upson. Lucas Neill and Herita Ilunga.
"Against Wigan I think the back-four were brilliant and we defended really
well all over the park. Obviously we were down to ten men early on so we had
our work cut out. Until they had a man sent-off we were outnumbered and we
had to defend well and we did as a unit.
"Everybody put their effort in and the subs came on and did brilliantly for
us - Specs [Jonathan Spector] winning headers and Savio too. There is good
competition for places and that's obviously good because everybody is
playing well, working as a team and there is a good team spirit."
The six points gained in those two games has left the Hammers sitting
seventh, with a four-point cushion above eighth-placed Manchester City with
ten games to go. If Zola's side can maintain their position then a UEFA
Europa League place could be in the offing for next season, although Tomkins
is keen to not get too carried away.
"It's a good position we're in in the league but we've obviously got to keep
it up. There's still a long way to go so we need to keep this up and
hopefully we can finish at least seventh."
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West Ham wants settlement with Sheffield United
10 Mar, 09 | England | Legal
Eufootball.biz
In an attempt to resolve a seemingly endless battle, it has been suggested
that English West Ham is due to meet with Sheffield United to discuss the
Carlos Tevez matter. The discussions, which are expected to take place
within the next week or so, will explore the claims put forth by Sheffield
United. As a result, West Ham hopes to secure an out-of-court settlement, as
reported by The Telegraph.
Sources have stated that Sheffield United has submitted a new claim of GBP
45 million to the Football Association's independent arbitration panel. In
2008, the panel determined that the club would be entitled to financial
compensation from West Ham as a result of their 2007 Premier League
relegation. Consequently, West Ham insists that the penalty should not be
more than GBP 5 million, on account of related savings.
The tribunal had previously ruled that Tevez played an instrumental role in
Sheffield's relegation, due to a breach of Premier League ownership rules,
with West Ham held responsible for the violation. An investigation is
currently taking place between the Premier League and the Football
Association that is expected to last throughout the entire season.
Sheffield United was originally seeking about GBP 30 million from West Ham,
but may have upped their claim after spending a second season outside of the
top-tier league. West Ham hopes to counteract a portion of the total by
arguing that relegation-induced player contract clauses and salary
reductions should have great bearing on the damages owing to Sheffield
United.
Source: euFootball.BIZ C Copyright 2006 - 2009 All rights reserved.
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Arsenal 0-1 West Ham United
Barclays Premier Reserve League, Barnet FC
Monday, March 09, 2009, 19:00
Arsenal.com
A young Arsenal Reserves side slipped to a narrow defeat at the hands of an
equally youthful West Ham outfit at Underhill on Monday night. Despite
enjoying large periods of possession in both halves, Neil Banfield's boys
were unable to penetrate an organised and efficient Hammers backline. They
paid the price for their profligacy 18 minutes from time when right-back
Ashley Miller slotted home after James Shea had diverted Christian Montano's
effort. Rhys Murphy was introduced in the second half but was withdrawn
after only 18 minutes with a hamstring injury. A worrying sight for the
Reserves who are now without a goal in their last three matches. Last
Thursday's FA Youth Cup success was reflected in Banfield's squad with 12 of
the 14-man squad having featured in some capacity at White Hart Lane. Mark
Randall skippered the side from central midfield just behind Amaury Bischoff
playing in his now-regular No 10 berth. They were the only players over the
age of 18 in Arsenal's starting XI. But the young Gunners were among peers.
In fact, 10 of the Hammers' squad had faced the Arsenal Under-18s in a
league fixture during February. Unsurprisingly the opening stages lacked the
intensity of that Youth Cup tie but both sides were well-organised and moved
the ball quickly. The visitors threatened fleetingly down the right-hand
side, mainly through the industrious Daniel Kearns. However, Shea always
comfortably dealt with the winger's whipped crosses. Arsenal, for the most
part, bossed proceedings but were confronted by two incredibly resolute
banks of four. Because of that, a lot of the home side's joy came from
set-pieces. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Randall both saw direct free-kicks
diverted by the wall while Kyle Bartley almost connected with a swirling
Wilshere cross. It was from another dead-ball situation, this time a corner,
that Arsenal had their first real sight of goal in the 34th minute. Wilshere
collected a short corner on the left-hand side before jinking into the box
and firing right-footed towards goal. Marek Stech was beaten all ends up but
unfortunately so was the keeper's left-hand post.
Stech was forced into action by one of his own players four minutes later
when captain Bondz N'Gala almost flicked Bischoff's teasing delivery inside
the far post. Once again the keeper looked well beaten but he produced a
fine one-handed save to keep the scores level. However, for all of Arsenal's
first-half dominance, it was the Hammers who went closest to taking an
advantage into the interval. Kearns again was the main protagonist, bursting
in off the right before arrowing an effort against the crossbar from just
inside the area. Balint Bajner looked certain to nod in the rebound but the
bounce just evaded his six-foot-four frame. Normal service was resumed after
the break with the game being played almost exclusively in the Hammers'
half. Perhaps it was the help of Underhill's famous slope but there was a
renewed urgency in Arsenal's football and although clear-cut chances were
scarce, goals didn't seem too far away. Banfield certainly thought so too,
replacing right-back Craig Eastmond with fit-again striker Murphy after 65
minutes. However, it was a different substitute who would make the
difference. West Ham's Christian Montano, who was introduced on 70 minutes,
saw a prodded effort saved well by Shea but the rebound fell only as far as
the onrushing Miller who coolly stroked the ball into the unguarded net from
10 yards.
It could've have been two 60 seconds later but Kearns saw his attempted lob
from the edge of the area brilliantly clawed to safety by Shea.
Murphy almost had the desired effect after 82 minutes when he latched onto
Bischoff's through-ball before attempting to delicately lift an effort over
the advancing Stech.
Unfortunately, the keeper diverted the strike away from goal, but more
unfortunate was a further injury to Murphy in the aftermath of the effort.
He was duly replaced by Sanchez Watt. Arsenal continued to probe but in the
end the Hammers looked in little danger of relinquishing their first away
victory this term.
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Di Michele Content To Remain At West Ham
The on-loan Italian striker wouldn't mind a more permanent stay in east
London, but insists nothing has yet been decided.
9 Mar 2009 20:46:35
Goal.com
West Ham United striker David Di Michele has stated today that he is
perfectly happy at Upton Park, and would be delighted if his season-long
loan deal from Italian outfit Torino were to be rendered permanent in the
summer. The Hammers have the option of signing the player on a permanent
basis at the end the season, but the striker, who has netted four Premier
League goals in 24 appearances, has also not ruled out a potential return to
Italy. "Now I'm at West Ham and it is right not to speak of the market," the
33-year-old told Melito Online. "I am doing well and it is certainly the
will for me to stay here at the end of the season." As for whether he would
contemplate returning to one of his former clubs, Palermo, Di Michele
thought it would be unlikely but accepted that surprising things often
happened in football. He concluded, "Never say never, we will see in the
future, but I'm good here."
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
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Curbishley has his say on Cole, Ashton and West Ham's defence
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 9th March 2009
By: Thomas Rooney
When it became apparent that former Hammers boss Alan Curbishley was to
appear as a guest on Goals on Sunday, it was obvious what they were going to
ask him about most - West Ham United's season.
Since Gianfranco Zola replaced Curbishley earlier in the campaign, the team
have excelled in the Premier League. As things stand, the football odds are
expecting a place in Europe for West Ham next season with the team currently
in 7th position.
Speaking about the Hammers' season since he left, Curbishley admitted that
he has been impressed with their form. In terms of the main reason for their
success, well he believes that Carlton Cole has played a huge part. In fact,
Curbishley has heaped the praise on the former Chelsea striker.
He says that Cole - who has operated as a lone striker for much of the
season - is always 'bringing people into the game' as a result of his 'great
movement'. Curbishley also believes that West Ham's passing game is mainly
down to the way Cole operates for them in attack.
The former Charlton boss finished his appraisal of Cole by saying that he
has always known the striker to 'have everything'. One criticism of Cole in
the past is that he hasn't scored enough goals, but he has turned that
around this year and Curbishley believes this has given a significant boost
to his confidence.
If everyone is being honest though, Cole was probably only given a run in
the team because of Dean Ashton's injury situation. Last season, Curbishley
paired Ashton and Cole together on a number of occasions, something he
describes as 'difficult'. Overall, it seems as though he believes Cole is
benefiting from Ashton's absence.
What about when the former Norwich man returns to action though? Curbishley
describes Ashton as a 'terrific player', after all. Well, according to his
predecessor, West Ham boss Zola is going to have a 'little bit of a problem'
when this happens. Until then though, Cole is excelling in his current role
and the team are benefiting greatly.
As for the other factors which have assisted in West Ham's form under Zola,
Curbishley has highlighted the role played by the 'back five' who have been
keeping plenty of clean sheets of late. This always make it easier to pick
up victories, much like the Hammers did at Wigan over the weekend.
Finally, Curbishley described the spine of the team - which includes Matthew
Upson, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole - as 'strong' and extremely
'instrumental'. All things considered, Curbs seems very impressed by the
whole West Ham team doesn't he?
Part of me wonders whether he is jealous of the much improved injury
situation with players such as Parker actually having a consistent run in
the team. This has played a huge part in the recent success and Curbs might
be wondering whether he would still be in a job if this was the case when he
was at the club.
These things happen though and sometimes in football you create your own
luck. Zola has done a fantastic job so far and if this means he has the rub
of the green when it comes to injuries - so be it.
Next up for Zola's men is a home match against West Brom next Monday.
Football betting suggests that this should be an easy win for the Hammers
and if they play like they have been recently, it really should be.
Whatever happens, I'm sure Mr Curbishley will be casting his eye over
proceedings!
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The Day I Met . Bobby Moore
By Gerry McCarthy
West Ham Till I Die
I am not sure what my exact age was but I think I must have been 11 or 12
when I and a couple of friends ventured over to Upton Park one Sunday
morning in the hope of collecting autographs. All of us lived within 15
minutes walk of Upon Park in those days, like so many other supporters of
that generation and off we trotted with all of our scrapbooks in great
anticipation of getting some of our heros' signatures. We knew that there
would not be that many first team players turning up at the ground but we
did expect one or two would be there because they may need some treatment or
something. After hanging around outside the ground for what seemed many
hours we were eventually approached by 'Paddy the Groundsman'. He was the
one who always used to retrieve the ball whenever it went over the Old
Chicken Run Stand and he used to walk along to the touchline to great cheers
from the crowd whenever it happened. He listened to our reason for being
there, but sympathetically told us that there was not much chance of any
first team players being there as it was a Sunday, but there might one or
two from the youth squad as they had to sweep the terraces and generally
clear up.
That was not much use to us even if it may have included a budding Sir
Trevor Brooking in the squad at the time. So we eventually we went over
across the road to the 'Bobby Moore Sports shop' in Green Street to gaze
into the window and eye up the things which we or our parents just couldn't
afford. I particularly longed for a pair of football boots under the label
Chasseur's OURS which I believe were a Hungarian brand and had always wanted
since I saw them in Charles Buchan's Football Monthly. Anyway there I was
with my nose pressed up against the window when to our amazement we saw a
Jaguar Mark 2 in the British Racing Green colours pull up outside the shop.
My jaw dropped to my knees as out stepped Bobby Moore with his wife Tina. We
immediately surrounded him pleading for his autograph but he only wanted to
make his way into the shop and said he might sign for us later. He then
obviously realised how disappointed we all were and invited all three of us
into the shop where he promised us he would sign as many autographs as we
wanted provided we helped him sort out some of the shelves. Well, of course,
we did not need to be asked twice. In those days the shops were not allowed
to open on Sundays so we knew we would not de disturbed.
I think we spent about an hour helping him doing things which I can't really
remember because I really was so star struck, and he then sat down and
signed every autograph we required and chatted to us about our individual
aspirations. He even gave us some glossy photos which he signed for us
individually. Tina then ushered us out of the shop because I think she was a
bit more interested in him doing some other type of work! So off home went
three very happy boys to tell their stories which of course nobody believed
until we showed them all the evidence.
Many years later, I was propping up a bar in Liverpool Street one evening
when a bloke whom I vaguely knew came in with tears in his eyes and informed
us that Bobby has just died. There was a strange hush in the place but
people then started to remember the good times and stories about Bobby and
by the end of the evening the whole pub which included many non West Ham
supporters gave a full chorus of 'Bubbles'.
The following day I just felt I had to go over to Upton Park and pay my
respects and spent the whole day there just people watching and looking at
all the flowers and momentos that people were bringing and laying. It really
was an eye welling experience. I also remember that somebody overnight had
already placed a plaque up on the old gatepost in tribute to him. I went
back the following Sunday with my brothers to show them and just could not
believe the scene it was just a mass of tributes from all over the world.
We eventually made our way on to the main forecourt when somebody tapped my
on the shoulder. I turned around to see who it was it was - Alan Sealey whom
I had become friends with over the years through his connection with
Greyhound Racing. He of course played with Bobby in the final of the ECWC in
1965 in which he scored the two goals that lead us to that great triumph. He
just stood there shaking his head in sorrow. Alan also tragically died a
relatively young man of a heart attack at the age of 53.
A few years later I was helping my parents move house from East Ham to
Hornchurch when I noticed one of the last items to be loaded into the van
was an old black sack. When I asked what was inside my dad replied it was
those old programs that somebody had given me when I was a kid. As they were
mainly Arsenal & Chelsea ones I did not really have much use for them, but I
do remember the driver asking me if they were going in but I said to him
that he could have them if he wanted, as he was an Arsenal supporter. To my
horror many months later I discovered that not only were those old programs
in there but also all of the West Ham programs and my old autographed
scrapbooks & photographs which included the ones signed by Bobby and one
which was signed by all three of our world cup winning team. I contacted the
removal company but not surprisingly they were unable to trace them. I can't
bring myself to look on eBay to see if they ever made it there.
I have been a supporter of West Ham for nearly fifty years now, and a season
ticket holder for at least 30 of them, and to me Bobby Moore was the
greatest player ever to represent this club and maybe even this country. In
an a society where words are over emphasized these days the term "Legend" is
a fitting and true description of a man who will always be close to the
hearts of people from West Ham. It's a shame that the club did not ever
recognise this in the past and they certainly missed out in not employing
him an ambassadorial role. Just think of the kind of esteem and respect
throughout the world he would have brought to the club.
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Croat hints at Premier League move
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 09 March 2009 - 11:15
The agent of Croatian international Danijel Pranjic has given his clearest
indication yet that the Heerenveen midfielder will leave Holland in the
summer with the Premier League a possible destination. West Ham United,
Newcastle United and Sunderland are all thought to be monitoring the
player's situation. The 27-year-old has been plying his trade in the
Eredivisie since 2005, bagging an impressive 31 goals in 121 appearances for
the Dutch outfit. This season the left-footer has gone from strength to
strength scoring 15 goals in 22 appearances and thus alerting several clubs
from arounf Europe to his capabilities. Speaking at the weekend,Kaj Lerby, a
representative of the winger hinted at a change of scenery fro his client,
"Danijel has not decided anything yet but it may be time for him to move to
a league of higher quality."
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West Brom defender targets second comeback against West Ham
10.03.09 | Ian Ferris
Jonas Olsson has been sidelined since January with a knee complaint but has
since returned to full training. The Swedish defender, who West Brom signed
from NEC Nijmegen, is now eyeing a repeat of his Baggies bow - a 3-2 win
over the Hammers last September - when they head to Upton Park next Monday.
He told the club's official website: "I did my first full session last
Monday. I've carried on from there and my knee feels good. "Up until now
I've been pretty lucky with injuries throughout my career and hopefully that
remains the case after this. "I should be fit for the West Ham game.
Hopefully it will be another win as well. "West Ham was my first game for
West Brom and in some ways playing against them again after so long out will
feel like another debut."
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Di Michele happy to remain at West Ham
10.03.09 | Andrew Slevison
West Ham striker David Di Michele is keen to stay at the club after the
current season ends. The Italian is on loan from Torino but is keen to
remain a Hammer although he is uncertain about his future. "Now I'm at West
Ham and it is right not to speak of the market," Di Michele told Melito
Online. "I am doing well and it is certainly the will for me to stay here at
the end of the season."
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