WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola was 'very sorry' for those who endured a wasted trip to see
the team at the weekend
20.07.2009
Gianfranco Zola has thanked the West Ham United fans who made the long trip
to Austria to see the team play Werder Bremen only for the game to be
cancelled.
The West Ham United manager and his squad were disappointed the friendly on
Saturday against the German Cup holders was called off because of a
waterlogged pitch. Taking time out from preparations for Wednesday's match
against Turkish side Bursaspor, he wanted to relay a message of thanks to
those that had travelled from England.
"I was very sorry for our supporters," he said. "I know that many came to
see us and it was a shame that we could not play the match for them, as they
had made all that effort to watch us. I would like to thank them still for
coming over and just say sorry that the match could not happen.
"We were also disappointed, because we were going to be up against a good
team, it would have been a good test for us. We wanted to play, they [Werder
Bremen] wanted to play, but the conditions stopped us."
Persistent rain meant the pitch was declared unplayable and the decision was
made just a couple of hours before kick-off to cancel the match, which would
have been West Ham's second of their pre-season tour in the country. The
team had drawn 1-1 against Austrian side SVL Flavia Solva on the previous
Wednesday.
But the manager and players put the extra time to good use and got back
straight on to the training pitch. Instead of taking on Bremen, the squad
due to play, including new signing Luis Jiminez, got stuck into a ten-a-side
practice match. Recently arrived internationals Matthew Upson, Robert Green
and Carlton Cole were also involved.
Zola and first-team coach Kevin Keen also joined them on the pitch, while
Steve Clarke looked on and reserve team manager Alex Dyer, was referee. Zola
stressed that it was important for the players to have a tough session after
the cancellation, and the players responded with a few tackles flying in
exactly four weeks before the start of the new Barclays Premier League
season.
The manager added: "It was vital that we didn't stand still, so once we knew
the match was off, we arranged a session in which we played a match
ourselves. Myself and Kevin got stuck in too, it was a lively game."
The only players not involved in the session were Danny Gabbidon, Kieron
Dyer and Jack Collison, who were rested after playing in last week's 1-1
draw against Flavia Solva. Scott Parker also sat out after only returning to
full training at the start of the week and Valon Behrami was on the
touchline continuing his rehab work.
With the addition of three more players joining up with the squad in Mark
Noble, James Tomkins and Jonathan Spector who flew in on Sunday, Zola is
looking forward to having his whole squad getting more match action.
"We have two more matches, which will be very important for us. We need to
play these - the fitness is good but we want to put this into more matches.
It is great to see Scotty Parker back on the training pitch, alongside Danny
Gabbidon. We are in good shape, so we're very pleased."
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Under-18s open at Everton
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr's side will begin their FA Premier Academy League season at
Everton on 22 August
20.07.2009
West Ham United will begin the 2009/10 FA Premier Academy League season with
a long trip north to take on Everton. Academy Director Tony Carr will enter
the season with high hopes, with the likes of goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet,
defender Sergio Sanchez, midfielder Conor Okus and forward Cristian Montano
all hoping to build on promising 2008/09 campaigns. The Hammers are in Group
A alongside reigning champions Arsenal, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal
Palace, Fulham, Ipswich Town, Norwich City, Portsmouth and Southampton. Some
30 other clubs will compete in Groups B, C and D. Clubs face every side in
their division home and away, while also playing ten other inter-divisional
fixtures against teams from other parts of the country. Carr's side, who
finished fifth in their division 2008/09, will travel to Merseyside for
their opening fixture of the new campaign against the Group C Toffees on
Saturday 22 August. The Hammers' first home fixture will see Group C Stoke
City visit Little Heath on Saturday 29 August before the youngsters face
Group B Tottenham Hotspur at Spurs Lodge on Saturday 5 September. Home games
against Group B sides Birmingham City and Cardiff City follow before West
Ham play host to Ipswich in their first Group A fixture on Saturday 26
September.
The Hammers will take on their Group A rivals home and away between
September and early March, taking a three-week break over Christmas and the
New Year.
Further inter-divisional fixtures will follow against Reading, Leicester
City, Bristol City, MK Dons and Watford in March and April 2010. The
Hammers' FA Youth Cup campaign will start with a third-round tie in
December. West Ham have won the competition three times in their history,
lifting the trophy in 1963, 1981 and 1999.
Before the competitive action begins, West Ham's Under-18s will warm-up with
a series of pre-season friendlies, starting with a trip to Tiptree United on
Wednesday 22 July, kick-off 7pm.
The youngsters will travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday 25 July,
kick-off 11am, and Colchester United on Saturday 1 August, kick-off 11am.
Carr's players will welcome Reading to Little Heath on Wednesday 5 August,
kick-off 2pm, and a journey to Ipswich Town on Saturday 8 August, kick-off
11am. Please note friendly dates can be subject to change.
The U18s will also travel to the Netherlands for an international tournament
in mid-August before getting down to business on 22 August.
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Delight for Daniel
WHUFC.com
Daniel Kearns was wearing a broad smile after signing his first professional
contract with the club
19.07.2009
Daniel Kearns has spoken of his pride at signing his first professional
contract with West Ham United. While the 17-year-old winger had been told he
was being offered a one-year deal at the end of last season, Kearns had to
wait until his return from his native Northern Ireland to put pen to paper.
Having kept tabs on the club's official website as fellow Academy graduates
Matt Fry, Tony Brookes, Oliver Lee and Anthony Edgar formally signed their
own contracts, Kearns was pleased to finally follow suit.
"I'm absolutely delighted," said Kearns, who moved to London from Belfast
two years ago after being spotted by the Hammers. "All the other boys signed
their contracts while I was still away so I'm pleased to have got it done
and dusted. "I actually found out just before the end of last season. I had
a meeting with [Academy Director] Tony Carr and he was saying that he was
going to offer me a professional contact. I saw on the website all the other
boys were coming and signing theirs and I was back at home just eager to get
it done. Now I've got it done I'm happy it's out of the way and I want to
get cracking on with the season."
For Kearns, his new contract is a reward for the sacrifice of leaving home
to follow his footballing dream at the age of 15. The youngster swapped his
friends and family for the West Ham club house, where he was looked after by
Bob and Val Rayson. "It was hard. I came away from home when I was 15,"
explained Kearns. "Leaving my Mum and Dad wasn't particularly easy but once
I got settled in, Bob and Val have been great with helping me in the digs,
it was good from there on in. I'm enjoying it."
Kearns was quick to praise the impact made on his career by Academy Director
Carr, who has overseen his development over the past two seasons. "Everyone
knows about Tony Carr," he said. "He's brilliant. He's been at the club for
years and is great for the young players coming through because his drills
and sessions are really good. He's helped us all come up."
Now fully settled in England, former Northern Ireland Under-17 star Kearns
is looking to cement his place in the Hammers reserve team this year, while
also pushing on at international level. He has not yet figured this summer
because of a muscle injury but will soon be raring to go. "The main aim for
this season is to get another contract at the end of it. I'm hoping to get a
regular spot in the reserves and maybe try to go out on loan during the
season and from there, I hope to push on and get into the first team. You
never know what's going to happen. "Hopefully I'll be involved in the
Under-19s this year and maybe I could push on into the Under-21 squad as
well. We'll see what happens."
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Kearns signs Hammers deal
Youngster progresses from West Ham Academy
Last updated: 19th July 2009
SSN
Teenage winger Daniel Kearns has signed a one-year professional contract
with West Ham United. The 17-year-old was offered the terms at the end of
last season, but has only recently been able to put pen-to-paper after
returning from his native Northern Ireland. Kearns follows Matt Fry, Tony
Brookes, Oliver Lee and Anthony Edgar in recently progressing from the
Hammers Academy to earn professional status with Gianfranco Zola's side. He
is now pleased to have the deal completed, telling West Ham's official
website: "I'm absolutely delighted. "All the other boys signed their
contracts while I was still away so I'm pleased to have got it done and
dusted. "The main aim for the season is to get another contract at the end
of it. I'm hoping to get a regular spot in the reserves and maybe try and go
out on loan during the season. "And from there, I hope to push on and get
into the first team. You never what's going to happen."
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Faubert unsure of future
Winger happy to be back at Upton Park
Last updated: 18th July 2009
SSN
West Ham winger Julien Faubert is pleased to be back at Upton Park, but
admits he is unsure of his future. The France international spent the second
half of last season with Real Madrid, although his tenure proved less than
successful. Faubert has admitted he is now happy to be back in East London,
however, he remains non-committal on his long-term future. He said: "I'm
happy to be back at West Ham. Madrid was a good experience, a big club and
the training was very good like it is here. "But I am happy to come back to
West Ham. It is my third year and maybe I will stay, maybe I won't. "I will
try to do my best and we'll see what happens."
Faubert has admitted he is lacking a little bit on the fitness front,
although he is ready to work to be ready for the start of the new season. "I
am ready to play but I am a little bit tired and we train another two times
on Friday," he said. "But pre-season is like this, we have to work and to
push the level very high to get ready for the Premier League."
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Abdulla earns Cambridge draw
WHUFc.com
Tony Carr's young side were good value for a 1-1 draw at Cambridge United on
Saturday afternoon
18.07.2009
Cambridge United 1-1 West Ham United XI
Ahmed Abdulla was on target as a youthful West Ham United side earned a
creditable draw in the pre-season friendly at Cambridge United.
With the first-team squad in Austria, Academy Director Tony Carr took charge
of the youthful Hammers team although his selection was bolstered by the
experience of Calum Davenport and captain Nigel Quashie. The visitors took
the lead early in the second half with 17-year-old striker Abdulla finishing
off a flowing move before Rory McAuley scrambled in a equaliser with barely
five minutes left on the clock.
The Hammers had 16-year-old midfielder Simone Bezziccheri on trial, with the
former Roma academy player getting a chance to impress at the Abbey Stadium.
It was also a first run-out this pre-season for Peter Loveday, Tony Brookes
and Nick Barrett and Abdulla, with the latter finishing off where he left
last season's Under-18s.
Montano, picking up where he left off last week at Grays Athletic, was
perhaps the pick of the Hammers in the first half with a lively display in
attack. He also combined well with midfielder Conor Okus for a chance in the
second half that would have put the game beyond Cambridge's reach but the
home side stood firm. Carr introduced recent Academy recruit Jack Lampe at
centre-half late in the game during a raft of changes
Cambridge have been installed as 8/1 third favourites for the 2009/10 Blue
Square Premier title and promotion back to the Football League following a
five-year absence. The U's finished second in the table last season,
narrowly behind champions Burton Albion, only to be beaten 2-0 by Torquay
United in the play-off final at Wembley in May.
West Ham United: Peter Loveday (Deniz Mehmet 79), Tony Brookes (Callum
Driver 29), Matty Fry (Jordan Brown 63), Holmar Eyjolfsson (Jack Lampe 72),
Calum Davenport (Callum McNaughton 72), Nick Barrett (Jack Werndly 78),
Nigel Quashie (Eoin Wearen 72), Cristian Montano (Daniel Subuola 78), Simone
Bezziccheri (Robert Hall 72), Conor Okus (George Moncur 83), Ahmed Abdulla.
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MATTHEW UPSON IS CAPTAIN
Hammers pull out all stops to make sure defender stays
18/07/2009
News Of The World
MATTHEW UPSON will be handed the West Ham captaincy in a bid to keep him at
the club. The England centre-back, 30, has emerged as a summer target for
Manchester City and Aston Villa.
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West Ham a takeover target for Asian consortium
The Mirror
Exclusive by Paul Smith 19/07/2009
West Ham are the subject of a projected takeover by an Asian consortium.
Pairoj Piempongsant, the Thai businessman who brokered two takeovers at
Manchester City and was involved in the projected acquisition of Portsmouth,
is playing a pivotal role in negotiations. At the moment the two parties are
miles apart in their valuation with the group offering £75million and West
Ham wanting closer to £125m. The consortium, whose investors are
predominately from Thailand, are bound to raise alarm bells at the Premier
League after claims that Thaksin Shinawatra, the controversial former Thai
prime minister, is looking to invest in another Premier League club.
Piempongsant and close friend Shinawatra worked together during the purchase
of Manchester City. West Ham were only recently taken over by asset
management company CB Holdings. But it seems the company, who acquired the
club by default after reclaiming key assets owned by chairman Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson, are happy to sell if the price is right.
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Matthew Upson set to be named captain to keep him at West Ham
The Mirror
By James Masters 19/07/2009
Gianfranco Zola is set to offer Matthew Upson the West Ham captaincy in a
bid to keep the highly-rated defender at Upton Park. The Hammers boss is
desperate to hang on to the 30-year-old who has just two years left on his
current deal. Upson has spoken of his desire to play Champions League
football and would jump at the chance to join a top four club. Both
Manchester City and Aston Villa are interested, while West Ham are hoping to
open contract negotiations in the next few months. Club chief executive
Scott Duxbury has stated he hopes to agree a new deal with Upson, while the
club are also looking to extend Robert Green's stay in east London. Zola is
now hoping Upson can take over as captain after the departure of Lucas
Neill.
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LUCAS TURKS OFF
The Daily Star
19th July 2009
WEST HAM'S hopes of holding on to Lucas Neill look to have finally been
dashed. The defender is understood to be bound for Turkish giants
Galatasaray where he would link up with fellow Aussie Harry Kewell. Hammers
boss Gianfranco Zola made a last-ditch attempt to persuade free agent Neill,
31, to stay at Upton Park. The Hammers did a U-turn with the offer of a
one-year deal after initially stating Neill was leaving at the end of his
contract. But a source close to Neill said: "The West Ham thing is off. It
looks like he's going to Galatasaray.'' Meanwhile, Norwich midfielder Matty
Pattison could return to his native South Africa with Mamelodi Sundowns.
Pattison, 22, is eyeing a move after the Canaries' relegation to League One,
with Blackpool also linked.
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Reading the Runes
West Ham Till I Die
I thought it was about time we had a look-see at where we are on the
transfer front. Since the signing of Jimenez things have gone a tad quiet.
Scott Duxbury was keen to point out that Jimenez was the first of three,
with Mancini being one of the other targets. Things have cooled in that
direction. Despite fees being agreed between West Ham and Inter, the player
himself has played hard to get. I think it now unlikely this deal will go
any further.
There had also been interest in Barcelona's Bojan, but that interest now
seems to have switched to his club compatriot Eidur Gudjohnsen. The need for
at least one new striker is becoming more urgent as Dean Ashton's injury
seems to have flared up again - either that or he is off to Stoke.
We also are now in desperate need of a right back. Or are we? Lucas Neill
seems destined for Galatasaray but I wonder whether he could not be replaced
by a current squad member. Faubert, Behrami, Spector and Gabbidon have all
played there in the past. We have also been linked with Bryce Moon.
The big name doubt is Matthew Upson, who this week has been linked with
Everton. I cannot imagine he will go there, but there is little doubt that
if one of the big four came in, he'd probably want to go. Today's hot rumour
is that he will be made club captain in place of Lucas Neill. That will come
as a disappointment to Scott Parker, but it is probably the right decision.
But it is the need for two strikers which will be dominating the thoughts of
Zola, Clarke and Nani over the next three weeks. If, as is rumoured, we are
going to be playing 4-3-1-2 with Jimenez playing just behind the front two
Carlton Cole is going to need a proven goalscorer to play alongside him.
As we stand today, we have a starting eleven which looks something like
this…
Green
Upson
Tomkins
Ilunga
Spector
Parker
Behrami
Noble
Jimenez
Ashton
Cole
However, I am told that Noble's place could well be taken by Boa Morte, who
is one of Zola's favourites. No, I can't believe it either, but it is true.
Just you wait and see.
The problem with a lineup like that is that there is little width. And if
you have two tall strikers, you need to get down the flanks and whip in
crosses for them.
Perhaps we'll get a better idea when more of the friendlies have been
played.
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Shrewd move by the Hammers and one I hope has the desired effect
Posted by: GUEST BLOGGER , on Sun 19 Jul 2009
West Ham Football Fancast
Football FanCast guest columnist Lee Ryder has backed Zola's plans to
install Upson as captain.
Gianfranco Zola has been a breath of fresh air at West Ham United and I
really don't think his efforts and contributions have got the plaudits they
deserve away from Upton Park. He gets the odd mention, usual stuff about our
style of play, but very rarely noted is the way that he has galvanised the
lacklustre squad he inherited and the boldness he has shown by showing faith
in the youngsters. Perhaps if he had a bottomless pit of money to spend it
would have been different, but the fact he hadn't has seem to work in our
favour as the immergence of Collison, Tomkins and Stanislas will testify.
It is a good time to be a West Ham fan and news that the Tevezgate is now at
an end means that finally a sorry chapter has been put behind us and we can
only look forward as a football club with the slate clean and allow Zola to
build a side capable of finishing in the top six every given season; all the
ingredients are there, providing he can keep hold of his key players.
I read in the paper this morning that Zola is looking to make Matt Upson
captain in the hope that it will tempt him to ignore the advances of Man
City and Aston Villa. It is a clever ploy and one that will signify to him
his importance at the club and how Zola is determined to build this new
exciting era around him. Upson and Green for that matter are vital to our
hopes of stepping up to the next level in the League and I hope that Zola is
supported by Scott Duxbury, who should really pull out all the stops to
ensure that both remain at the club and tied to new deals before the start
of the season.
With all the court hearings at an end and the club seemingly on a solid
financial footing it is time to look ahead at West Ham and build for the
future. Retaining Upson will prove a key part of that process, so we can
only hoping that handing him the captaincy will go a long way to achieving
that.
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