WHUFC.com
West Ham United will come up against a familiar face when they visit Grays
Athletic next month
30.06.2009
West Ham United favourite John Moncur is hoping to kick-off his reign as
chairman of Blue Square Premier Grays Athletic by scoring a pre-season
victory over his old club.
The midfielder, who made 203 appearances for the Hammers between August 1994
and January 2003, took charge of the Essex club on 25 June. By a quirk of
fate, Moncur's first match as Grays chairman will see Gianfranco Zola take a
full-strength first-team squad to the New Rec on Sunday 12 July at 3pm. The
fixture could enable fans to catch a glimpse of their respective summer
signings, including West Ham's new arrival from Internazionale Chile
international Luis Jimenez. Stepney-born Moncur is excited about the
prospect of welcoming his former employers, as well as a host of West Ham
heroes including Tony Cottee, Alan Devonshire, Tony Gale, Don Hutchison and
Steve Lomas, who will be introduced to the crowd during the half-time
interval. "A lot of Grays supporters are also Hammers and there are a lot of
West Ham fans living in the Thurrock area, so I'm hoping we get a good crowd
in for the game," said Moncur. "If our fixtures don't clash this season, I'm
hoping a lot of West Ham fans will come down to watch our games, because it
is a good standard of football. "West Ham have told me that Gianfranco will
be bringing down a strong first-team squad, so it'll be the first chance for
the fans of both teams to see their new players. "From our point of view,
it's a big game for us and will be a good test for our players. I remember
playing down at Grays a few times under Harry Redknapp and hopefully we can
now turn this into an annual event. "As well as the match, I've also got a
load of the old West Ham boys coming down and they'll all be introduced to
the crowd too."
Moncur also revealed how he came to take on his new role at Grays. "I had
been speaking to Grays' former chairman Mick Woodward for a year or so after
we met through the work I do at the Football Academy in Loughton," said the
42-year-old, whose son George is part of West Ham's own Academy set-up.
"Mick told me that he was getting a bit stale at Grays and wanted someone to
come in and freshen things up. I decided when I finished playing that I
didn't want to manage, and this seemed a little bit more of a hands-off
role. "I decided that I was interested and I think myself and the club can
help each other in the future. If I can help Grays in terms of attracting
sponsorship and also on the playing side, then that would be great."
West Ham's allocation of 2,000 terrace tickets for the Grays match, priced
at £20 for adults and £10 for concessions, are available by phoning the
ticket office on 0871 222 2700 and selecting Option Three, writing to The
Ticket Office, PO Box 6731, London, E13 9RA or by calling personally at the
West Stand ticket office between 9am and 5pm weekdays or between 9am and 1pm
on Saturdays. Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to West Ham
United FC plc. All telephone and postal bookings are subject to a £1.50
booking fee per ticket.
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Calling all supporters
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are looking to set up a network of fans' groups from around
the world
29.06.2009
West Ham United want supporters' organisations from around the world to get
in touch. With the information received, the club is aiming to set up a
comprehensive list of every West Ham-related group on the planet. So whether
you represent a Hammers' bar in Barbados or a supporters' club in Singapore,
get in touch and tell us how you support Gianfranco Zola and his players. To
register, simply email hammersworldwide@westhamunited.co.uk with details of
who you are, where your club or organisation is based, your contact
information and, if possible, a photograph of you showing your support for
West Ham United.
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Mark's rallying call
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble has backed James Tomkins to help England's U21s to European glory
in 2011
30.06.2009
Mark Noble has urged West Ham United team-mate James Tomkins to turn despair
to delight by winning the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2011. Both
Noble and Tomkins were part of the England squad beaten 4-0 by Germany in
the final of this year's tournament on Monday evening. Two years after
suffering a semi-final defeat on penalties to the Netherlands, Noble was
again left disappointed as goals from Gonzalo Castro, Mesut Ozil and a late
brace from Sandro Wagner handed the Germans their first European U21 title
in Malmo, Sweden. While Noble, 22, has played his last game for the U21s,
20-year-old Tomkins is expected to be a central figure when Stuart Pearce's
side go for glory again in two years' time. "It is worse than 2007," Noble
admitted. "As much as we lost in 2007, it was on a high because we were a
little bit unlucky with the penalties, but this time we thought we could
play as well as we could and win the game. Obviously that didn't happen so
we're all gutted, terribly gutted, and I'm just crossing my fingers for the
younger lads in the squad that they can go one step further than us and go
and win it."
Despite being left in tears following England's shoot-out defeat in
Heerenveen, Noble admitted the sight of the German squad receiving their
winner's medals and lifting the trophy had left him feeling even lower.
"It's one of the worst things I've ever had to do, to be honest," he said.
"I didn't really watch half of it. I couldn't. It was too much to watch. I
wanted that to be us up there and not them, but at the end of the day, we
lost the game and they picked up the trophy."
England had gone into Monday's final as favourites, having drawn 1-1 with
the Germans in the group stage with a shadow team containing West Ham
defender Tomkins.
However, the absence of key forwards Gabriel Agbonlahor and Fraizer Campbell
and goalkeeper Joe Hart through suspension rendered Pearce's side unable to
pierce a German defence that conceded just one goal in the entire
tournament. Afterwards Noble pointed to Castro's 23rd minute opening goal as
the defining moment in the game.
"I don't know why it didn't work for us," said the skipper. "We started so
well. We started sharp but obviously we had a setback with their first goal
and that was terrible for us. You could hear them [celebrating in their
dressing room] afterwards so obviously it was gutting for us and our
families as well. We thought we'd be bringing home a trophy but we're not."
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Kelv-in?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 30th June 2009
By: A Different Staff Writer
Reports suggest that Kelvin Davis is on the verge of signing for United. The
Southampton 'keeper is available on a free transfer and had been linked with
a move to Leeds United. However Sky Sports News has reported this evening
that the 32 year-old custodian is undergoing a medical in advance of a move
to the Boleyn. The move will add an experienced keeper to the squad
following the departure of Jimmy Walker and Jan Lastuvka from the club,
which has left the squad with youngsters Peter Kurucz and Marek Stech as
back-up to England 'keeper Robert Green.
More on this as it arrives....
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Hammers medical for keeper
Davis poised to secure West Ham switch
Last updated: 30th June 2009
SSN
Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis is undergoing a medical with West Ham,
Sky Sports News understands. As revealed by skysports.com earlier on
Tuesday, the 32-year-old has emerged as a transfer target for the Hammers.
Gianfranco Zola's side have moved ahead of League One side Leeds United in
the race to secure Davis' signature. The former Sunderland and Ipswich
goalkeeper is out of contract this summer and is almost certain to leave the
financially-crippled Saints. Zola needs to bring in experienced back-up for
established No.1 Robert Green with Jan Lastuvka heading back to Shakhtar
Donetsk following his season-long loan deal.
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Hammers hunt Davis
Zola eager to secure goalkeeping reinforcements
Last updated: 30th June 2009
SSN
West Ham United are leading the race for Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin
Davis, skysports.com understands. The 32-year-old is out of contract this
summer and has been linked with a move to League One rivals Leeds United.
But West Ham are now thought to be in pole position for Davis' signature as
boss Gianfranco Zola searches for back-up to England international Robert
Green. Jan Lastuvka is to return to Shakhtar Donetsk following a year-long
loan to leave the Hammers short of shot-stopping options.
Zola is, therefore, in the market for strength in depth and Davis has been
highlighted as the No.1 goalkeeping target.
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Prem trio in for Gudjohnsen
Villa, Fulham and Everton tracking Barca stars, says agent
By Lucas Brown Last updated: 30th June 2009
SSN
Eidur Gudjohnsen's father and agent believes the forward will leave
Barcelona this summer. The former Chelsea star's father, Arnor, claims his
son's days at Camp Nou are over, and he is weighing up his options. It is
suggested three Premier League clubs have made their intentions known,
although they face competition from other European sides. "I think that
Eidur will leave Barcelona, but I am not sure where he will end up playing
next," Arnor Gudjohnsen is quoted as saying by Sport. "There are many
possibilities open to him and apart from Aston Villa, Fulham and Everton,
there are also clubs in other European countries that want him." The
30-year-old has previously hinted at an interest in joining former Chelsea
team-mate Gianfranco Zola at West Ham, but an official approach has not yet
been made by the Hammers.
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England Under-21s prove they have much to learn
Telegraph
Peter Lansley, Copenhagen
Sir Trevor Brooking acknowledges that England are still learning when it
comes to tournament football and put the failure to live with Germany in
Monday night's European Under-21 Championship final down to the technical
deficiencies that Fabio Capello is still having to address at senior level.
Stuart Pearce's team reached the last four of Euro 2007 and went one better
this time only to be soundly beaten 4-0 in Malmö at the start of a summer
during which Brooking, the FA's director of football development, will be
juggling England's needs at three age-group tournaments.
Brooking praised the emergence of Kieran Gibbs and Jack Rodwell into the
under-21s this past month, indicating that they will be excused duty from
the European Under-19 Championship in Ukraine this month, and singled out
the contributions of Lee Cattermole and Micah Richards in Sweden. But the
manner in which Mesut Özil, the Germany No 10, unlocked England in Monday's
final after Pearce's team had been the better side for the opening quarter
only underlined the need Brooking had highlighted before the tournament for
players who can excel in the hole behind the forwards.
"You've got to encourage the gift and nurture it," Brooking said. "One of
the areas is their decision-making. In our coaching we are trying to get
youngsters to make decisions from a very young age. "You have got to be able
to play right out from the back and Fabio has made that clear with the
seniors. You have to have ten really good technical outfield players. "You
have got to be much quicker possession-wise from the back. Against Germany
we had 62 per cent of possession during the first half, but 50-odd of it was
in our half. "Fabio would tell you we play too slow. We get it at the back
and we play it across and the better sides play it much quicker and they are
always asking, 'Can we play it between people?' I was taught that at West
Ham United, 'Can you hurt the opposition?'
"We struggled in two afternoon games, in the Finland game [which they won
2-1] and the second half against Sweden [when England let slip a three-goal
lead before progressing to the final on penalties]. In the warmer climate,
that's when you have got to keep the ball better. There are lots of things
you are learning and you do it in the tournaments."
The transition between the under-21s and the senior team remains the biggest
leap and Ian Watmore, the FA chief executive, came to the defence of Pearce,
whose unorthodox behaviour this past fortnight has served as a reminder that
the head coach has as much to learn as his players. It is thought that Uefa
was less than enamoured with Pearce's touchline antics in Malmö. One source
even suggested that his recalcitrant attitude throughout the tournament
could affect England's chances of hosting the 2018 World Cup. "When you
appoint people you know what they are like and we ask him to do the job his
way and back him," Watmore said. "I would never interfere. His job is to
convey passion to his players. We all know Stuart cares. "Stuart will
reflect on what he has done in this tournament. What they teach well on the
Uefa Pro Licence course is the ability to step back and reflect and learn
and that is what we are trying to do here: give people practical experience
of tournaments, doing our best, learning and coming back and doing better
next time."
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Report: Kelvin Davis To Undergo West Ham United Medical
The Hammers have almost got their man, with just a medical pending...
1 Jul 2009 02:54:41
Goal.com
Kelvin Davis has moved a step closer to West Ham United, as he prepares to
undergo a medical. The Hammers have been chasing the Southampton 'keeper for
a while, and Sky Sports claims that a medical has been scheduled for today.
Davis is now officially out of contract, making him a free agent. Leeds
United were also in the race to sign Davis, but the prospect of Premier
League football, albeit as a back-up, proved too good to resist. West Ham
are in desperate need of a back-up to Robert Green, with Jan Lastuvka having
returned to Shakhtar Donetsk following his loan spell. Davis has experienced
top-flight football before, having played for Sunderland during their
2005-06 campaign, which ended in relegation.
Arjun Miglani, Goal.com
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Latest West Ham Academy product keen for loan move
The latest product from the West Ham Academy conveyor belt is hoping to go
out on loan and follow in the footsteps of Mark Noble, James Tomkins, Josh
Payne and Junior Stanislas.
Telegraph
By John Ley
Published: 8:58AM BST 30 Jun 2009
Ollie Lee, the son of former West Ham midfielder Robert Lee, became the
fourth Academy graduate this summer to sign a professional contract and
wants to gain experience in the lower leagues. Lee, 18 on July 18, has
followed youth team captain Matt Fry, Tony Brookes and Anthony Edgar in
making the next step towards a footballing career. West Ham move for Inter
pair Manager Gianfranco Zola has inherited a string of impressive youngsters
and is basing the club's future around such an impressive crop. But Lee
accepts he will have to wait for his chance at Upton Park. He said: "It will
be nice coming together with a group of lads you know, rather than
strangers," he told the club's website. "I would like to go out on loan at
some point this year and then hopefully come back at the end of the season
and make an appearance. "We've seen some of the lads last year do it and I'd
like to be one of them this year," added the midfielder, who can speak
fluent Spanish. "I think that by going out on loan you grow up a lot and get
good experience and hopefully then I can push on to the first team."
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Scott Duxbury Interview Part 4: I Won't Sell to Tottenham
West Ham Till I Die
Copyright West Ham Till I Die. No part of this interview may be reproduced
without crediting West Ham Till I Die Blog
ID: Was there ever any prospect of getting Tevez back?
SD: With any player you never say never. He's a player who made a huge
contribution to us and a player I would love to see back at West Ham United
but I think at the moment his aspirations are at a Champions League level,
so when we're in the Champions League, who knows.
So, no conversations have been had?
No, no, not at the moment.
But a new striker is absolutely crucial, isn't it?
It's not crucial, but Gianfranco has identified who he wants. He wants a
creative, attacking midfielder, which we have got now in Jiminez and we'd
like another striker to complement Cole, Ashton and Savio. At the moment we
are in dialogue to sign Mancini and I am due over to Milan this weekend. The
deal with Inter Milan is all but done so it is just down to the player. That
will come down to his conversations with Gianfranco and whether he sees West
Ham as a club he'd want to play for. The beauty about the way Gianfranco
operates is that with previous managers the discussion would start with how
much money do I have, and from that he determines which players he wants. We
never talk about money with Gianfranco. He just identifies various players
in various positions that he wants and then me and Gianuca will go off and
try to secure them. On certain targets money will be the stumbling point but
if you work hard and are creative there are ways to get around that. But it
is a refreshing approach that Gianfranco has. He will identify players –
Mancini, Jiminez, X,Y and Z. Mancini is the one we are getting close on but
we are working on 3 or 4 other players in the same position that if we can't
move forward on Mancini we will move forward on.
Is there a worry that they always seem to be looking at foreign players?
We're more used to home grown talent or English players.
Gianfranco understands the heartbeat of the club has to be English because
we are in the Premier League and if you look at our players – Collison,
Noble, Tomkins, the spine – Green, Upson, Parker, Cole it's English. He's
happy with his squad and he would go into battle with it again but what he
wants to do is get three players with a much higher standard than perhaps
what we've got, which will raise everybody. We are in dialogue, and we have
been to be fair, with English players, who fit that bill, but for a variety
of reasons, mostly economic, we've not been able to secure them.
When you say economic, you mean because of wage demands?
Yes but transfer fees too. Transfer inflation is massive. There are a lot of
talented young English players in the Championship, or even the Premiership,
we could get, but we're looking for the finished article. We are looking for
three players who will come in and give us more than what we have got at the
moment.
So you are still looking for three players in total and want to offload some
fringe players to get the squad down to 21?
Yes
Faubert and Davenport have come back. Presumably they might be ones you're
looking to ship out?
Absolutely, yes.
I see Tottenham might like Faubert. That would test your resolve not to deal
with them again, wouldn't it?
[laughs] I'm sure that's not true! I think Faubert has higher standards as
he was at Real Madrid. I think he will look for a slightly bigger club than
Tottenham. We'll see [smiles wickedly].
I know you said you'd never deal with Tottenham again, are you deadly
serious about that?
The essence of the project is fans' expectations. Fans do not want to see
their club selling their best players to their most bitter local rivals.
It's nothing to do with Tottenham, it's to do with our fans. There could be
nothing more sickening than to see one of our top players playing for
Tottenham. And there's been a history of it unfortunately. That has to stop.
One of the most powerful aspects of our current resurgence, which we must
maintain, is that the fans are on board. It would sickening, an absolutely
awful, awful thing if our best players left and went there. It's why Craig
Bellamy couldn't go. And in the future, the same philosophy will apply.
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Tigers losing patience with Fortune
TeamTalk
Hull manager Phil Brown admits he may have to pursue other targets if a deal
cannot be concluded for Marc-Antoine Fortune in the next two days. The Nancy
striker has agreed terms with the Tigers and the clubs have settled on a fee
but the player is yet to commit. Fortune, who impressed on loan at West Brom
last season, was thought to be edging towards Hull after also receiving
interest from Celtic, but West Ham are now thought to be in the reckoning.
Brown said: "It hasn't moved forward in the last 48 hours. "He has an offer
from us and an offer from Celtic and someone has said something about West
Ham. "That is news to us but if so, so be it. We are now in a three-horse
race as opposed to a two-horse race. "We are confident we are still in the
pole position but these things are always a concern when they are not done
and dusted.
"If there is not a decision in the next 24 or 48 hours we are going to have
to move on to other players."
Hull are also hoping to secure a club-record deal for Manchester United
forward Fraizer Campbell following his return from the European Under-21
Championships in Sweden. Campbell, a favourite at all Hull after a
successful loan in 2007-08, has also been linked with Sunderland. Brown
added: "We have been in constant contact with Manchester United, Fraizer and
his father, and hopefully we can now sit down and draft a deal before he
goes on his family holiday." Hull have also expressed their interest in
signing England striker Michael Owen, who is out of contract at Newcastle on
Wednesday. Brown has had no contact with the 29-year-old or his
representatives but is now keen to initiate talks. He said: "It would be
remiss of me to say we have spoken to anyone with regard to Michael, he has
had a contract to honour. "But once July 1 comes along hopefully that will
change."
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LEE SIGNS FOR WEST HAM
Daily Express
Ollie Lee has signed for Zola's side
Tuesday June 30,2009
WEST HAM youngster Ollie Lee has signed a professional contract with the
club. Lee, 17, the son of former West Ham and England midfielder Robert Lee,
said: "I'm delighted and just can't wait to get started now. It's going to
be a really exciting season. "I'd like to go on loan and come back at the
end of the season and make an appearance."
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West Ham's Neill to consider outside offers
01.07.09 | Andrew Slevison
West Ham captain Lucas Neill will consider offers from other clubs according
to his agent, Paddy Dominguez. The Socceroos defender has been closely
linked with a move to team up with Harry Kewell at Galatasaray and although
that move has not yet come to fruition, a likely shift from Upton Park still
seems likely. "We will wait one week for West Ham to get back to us and if
we hear nothing we will have to open dialogue with the interested parties
from Britain and the continent," Dominguez said. "Lucas would love to stay
with the club and his young family is settled in London. "But he has
perhaps two top-class seasons left in his career and he certainly wants to
know where he will be playing next season. "Pre-season training will start
soon and that is why we want an answer from West Ham as soon as possible.
This is a big factor.
"Galatasaray are interested and they have been since last January,"
Dominguez added. "But this is not about money. Lucas is open minded about
the whole thing. If he eventually leaves the Hammers he would want to sign
for a club that will challenge for silverware and be in a position to play
in the Champions League. "Lucas has been in the game for a long time and he
would like to finish with a trophy or two."
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