WHUFC.com
He may still have a way to go before his playing return but Valon Behrami is
in optimistic mood
09.07.2009
Valon Behrami is itching to return to action in front of the West Ham United
supporters.
The Hammers star is happy to be back at the club's Chadwell Heath training
ground and is working hard to regain full fitness following cruciate knee
ligament surgery in March. He took time out from his rehab schedule to give
an extended interview to WHUTV.
The 25-year-old has taken a "big step forward" by running again as part of
his intensive training programme, which included one-on-one work with a club
physiotherapist while away on holiday.
Injured since twisting his knee in the 1-0 victory against Manchester City
on Sunday 1 March, Behrami has high hopes of being back sooner rather than
later.
He is eager to repay the club's faith in him. The hugely popular Switzerland
midfielder joined a year ago this month from Serie A giants Lazio and said
the last 12 months had made a significant impact on his professional and
personal life.
"I am settled here, it happened very quickly," he said in an exclusive
extended interview with WHUTV. "Apart from the injury, this last year was
very positive for me and for my life in general. It has been fantastic. It
is strange because one year ago was so different. When you don't know the
people it is not so easy.
"Now I feel better. Also, apart from the football, outside I know the city
and there is a fantastic atmosphere. It is very nice to meet the supporters.
For me it is a great incentive for me to work hard, every time I meet them I
feel that [support]. Being injured, it is great to feel important to the
supporters."
Behrami, who is hoping for a third major finals appearance at the end of
next season after the 2010 FIFA World Cup, following his involvement at the
2006 edition and UEFA Euro 2008, added: "It is good to be back. When you
feel part of a team, every time you return it is a pleasure. It is very
important for a football player. If you go to work and you are not very
comfortable it is not easy, but here everybody is happy."
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Hammers sign Lampe
WHUFC.com
Central defender Jack Lampe is the sixth teenager to sign professional terms
this summer
08.07.2009
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of central defender
Jack Lampe.
The 17-year-old has joined the Hammers on a one-year professional contract
after impressing Academy Director Tony Carr during a trial.
The teenager becomes the sixth player to sign their first professional deal
this summer, following Academy graduates Matt Fry, Tony Brookes, Oliver Lee,
Daniel Kearns and Anthony Edgar.
Lampe has moved to the Boleyn Ground from Ryman League club Harlow Town,
where he was a regular in the reserve and youth teams last season. He also
made four first-team appearances in 2008/09 and was an unused substitute in
the club's FA Cup first-round defeat by League Two outfit Macclesfield Town.
"Joining West Ham is massive for me," said Lampe, who admires former Hammers
defender Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. "It's just a dream come true. I've
always wanted to be in an Academy playing with good players and to a good
standard.
Born and raised in Cheshunt, Lampe spent a short period on trial at Little
Heath last season after being recommended to Carr by Harlow coach Colin
Williams.
The teenager trained with the club's Under-18s and appeared in the 2-0 FA
Premier Academy League victory over Fulham in April. After being introduced
as a 56t- minute substitute, Lampe set up a goal for Cristian Montano before
coming close to scoring himself with a fierce volley.
"I thought I did really well against Fulham," said Lampe. "I nearly scored
with a volley and I got an assist when I set up Cristian, so I was pleased.
"Now, I hope to become a regular in the reserves this season and earn
another contract. I can't wait to start working at West Ham now. The move
has come about quite quickly and I can't wait to get going."
The 6'2 teenager is also hoping to follow in the footsteps of his
grandfather and fellow central defender Derek Lampe, an England youth
international who played nearly 100 First Division matches for Fulham in the
1950s and 1960s.
"My granddad was a central defender just like me so I'd love to emulate
him," said Lampe. "He came and watched me against in the trial game against
Fulham and he said I did well. He would just like to see me do well and
succeed.
"Having a grandfather who played at the highest level is definitely an
inspiration to me and it has really spurred me on. I'd love to be able to
achieve what he did."
Academy Director Carr said he had been excited by Lampe's composure and
potential.
"Jack impressed during a trial period during the end of last season and we
decided to offer him a contract," said Carr. "We hope to develop him further
to see how far his talent could take him. He looked composed and as if he
had played at that level before and we felt it was worth giving him a season
to see what he can do."
Meanwhile, Carr confirmed that Hungarian forward Balint Bajner had returned
to his club Liberty Oradea after a year in the Under-18 set-up. "Balint's
loan period ended at the end of last season and we decided not to take that
further," he said. "We wish him well in the future."
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Hall gets another call
WHUFC.com
Academy prospect Robert Hall has been called up by England for an U17
international tournament
08.07.2009
Robert Hall has been named in the England Under-17 squad for the
international Nordic Tournament in Norway later this month.
The striker, who does not turn 16 until October, is part of Kenny Swain's
18-man selection for the pre-season competition to be played in Trondheim
between 28 July and 2 August. Hall has stepped up from U16 level, where he
helped England to win the Victory Shiefd and the Montaigu Tournament last
season.
The Young Lions are due to take on Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Norway in
their first three games before a final match, which will be against either
Sweden, Iceland, Scotland or Finland
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Saints' Davis set to join Hammers
BBC.co.uk
Southampton captain and goalkeeper Kelvin Davis is set to join West Ham, BBC
Radio Solent understands. The 32-year-old, who was player of the year for
the south-coast outfit last season, had a medical on Friday. Davis leaves
the Saints as they are on the verge of a takeover by the Swiss Markus
Liebherr after months of uncertainty over the club's future. Former England
Under-21 international Davis is expected to provide cover at Upton Park for
Robert Green. The ex-Ipswich and Sunderland star was keen to stay with the
League One club even though his contract at Saints had expired. But it seems
the uncertainty over Southampton's future, after the failed takeover by the
Matt Le Tissier-led Pinnacle group, may have forced him to seek work
elsewhere.
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Teenager joins Hammers
Young defender Lampe signs deal at West Ham
By James Dall Last updated: 8th July 2009
SSN
West Ham United have announced the signing of defender Jack Lampe from
non-league side Harlow Town. The 17-year-old impressed coaches at Upton Park
after spending time with the Premier League club on trial. Lampe has now put
pen-to-paper on a one-year deal with Gianfranco Zola's team and is eagerly
anticipating the next chapter of his fledgling career. "Joining West Ham is
massive for me," he told West Ham's official website. "It's just a dream
come true. I've always wanted to be in an Academy playing with good players
and to a good standard. "Now, I hope to become a regular in the reserves
this season and earn another contract. I can't wait to start working at West
Ham now. "The move has come about quite quickly and I can't wait to get
going."
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Bowyer completes Blues move
Midfielder signs two-year deal from West Ham
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 8th July 2009
SSN
Birmingham have confirmed that they have signed Lee Bowyer from West Ham on
a two-year deal. Blues manager Alex McLeish was keen to tie the deal up by
the time the players reported back for pre-season on Wednesday and that has
proved to have been the case. The 32-year-old spent the second half of last
season on loan at St Andrews and was instrumental in the club securing
automatic promotion from the Championship. McLeish has already strengthened
considerably in his defence and strike-force, to the tune of more than
£15million, and has now set his sights on improving the midfield department.
Bowyer is the Blues' seventh signing of the summer.
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Lee Bowyer completes move to Birmingham City
Times Online
Birmingham City have completed the signing of Lee Bowyer, the West Ham
United midfielder, on a two-year contract. Bowyer became out of contract at
Upton Park on July 1 and has made the switch to St Andrews after an
impressive loan spell during the second half of last season. He has put pen
to paper on a deal which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2011.
Bowyer has experienced a fair share of controversy throughout his career but
played a major role in helping City regain their Premier League status at
the first attempt. The former England international made 17 appearances for
manager Alex McLeish's side, scoring his only goal on his debut against
Cardiff City in January. The 32-year-old began his career at Charlton
Athletic before moving to Leeds United in 1996 for a fee of £2.8million - a
then record transfer for a British teenager. He joined West Ham in 2003 but
moved to Newcastle United after six months, only to return to Upton Park
three years later. Bowyer is Birmingham's seventh signing of the summer
after Stephen Carr, Scott Dann, Roger Johnson, on-loan Joe Hart, Giovanny
Espinoza and record capture Christian Benitez.
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Collison & Tomkins Want To Break Through At West Ham United
The blossoming Hammers want to push on next term...
8 Jul 2009 11:56:09
Burgeoning duo Jack Collison and James Tomkins want to play their way into
contention for regular first team football under Gianfranco Zola at West Ham
United next season. "Everything the manager has said since he has been here
he has lived up to and more," Wales international Collison, 20, and
highly-rated, told the club's official website. "We have been playing some
really nice stuff, but we want to carry that on and improve individually and
as a team in the new season."
Tomkins, who played a squad role in England's Under-21 Championship campaign
in Sweden, added, "I really enjoyed my run in the team. "Now, I have got to
push on and keep improving and see where it goes from there."West Ham
returned to first-team training earlier in the week.
Alan Dawson, Goal.com
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Bowyer joins Blues on free
ViewLondon.co.uk
Former England international midfielder Lee Bowyer has joined Premier League
newcomers Birmingham City on a free transfer from West Ham United. The
32-year-old, who has one senior cap and made 13 appearances for England
under-21s, has signed a two-year contract at St Andrew's following his
impressive spell on loan last season.
Bowyer made 17 appearances for Alex McLeish's side - including scoring on
his debut - after joining on a six-month loan in January. And his excellent
form helped Blues win automatic promotion from the Championship behind
Football League title-winners Wolves. Bowyer is the club's seventh signing
of the summer - joining Stephen Carr, Scott Dann, Roger Johnson, Joe Hart,
Giovanny Espinoza and Christian Benitez ahead of the Midlands side's return
to the top flight.
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Ex-Everton & West Ham Winger Mark Ward Reflects On Prison Sentence
Mark Ward hopes that young players today can learn from his past mistakes...
8 Jul 2009 21:17:35
Having spent four years in prison, former Premier League favourite Mark Ward
has looked back on his time behind bars. Ward, who spent most of his
footballing career in the English top-flight with teams such as Everton and
West Ham United, was found guilty of possessing cocaine with intent to
supply. Living life as a free man, the retired winger is adamant now that
has changed for the better. "I know that what I was involved in was evil,"
Ward told Sportsmail. "It is something I have to live with for the rest of
my life. "I'm not proud of the fact I was involved in the distribution of
drugs. I've seen the devastation it does to people. People have lost family
and close ones to drugs."
Now 46 years old, Ward spoke of his refusal to name names at his trial,
which would have resulted in a reduced sentence on the inside. "As a Huyton
boy, I was brought up not to grass on others. I held my hands up," he went
on. "To go further would have been to put my daughter and grandchildren and
others close to me in trouble. I was never going to do that. These people
can be very nasty."
Some of Ward's former team-mates chipped in to buy him a car, but Ward is
unsure of the colour. "It's bloody red," the Everton blue joked. "And the
MOT is due!" Ward concluded with his statement of intent for the future. "I
have to make sure that something positive comes out of the past four years,"
he said. "I have direction now that I never had before. I plan to do some
charity work and maybe something through the PFA. I doubt if there is anyone
more qualified than me to go round young footballers and make sure they
don't repeat my mistakes. "Of course, I have regrets. Many. But I'm not
going to lie down and die."
Stephen Crawford, Goal.com
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Non-league starlet Jack Lampe wins dream West Ham deal
09.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United have swooped for defender Jack Lampe from non-league side
Harlow Town. The 17-year-old impressed coaches at Upton Park after spending
time with the Premier League club on trial. Lampe has now put pen to paper
on a one-year deal with Gianfranco Zola's team and is eagerly anticipating
the next chapter of his fledgling career. "Joining West Ham is massive for
me," he told West Ham's official website. "It's just a dream come true. I've
always wanted to be in an Academy playing with good players and to a good
standard. "Now, I hope to become a regular in the reserves this season and
earn another contract. I can't wait to start working at West Ham now. "The
move has come about quite quickly and I can't wait to get going."
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Cole backing West Ham youngsters to make big impact
09.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United striker Carlton Cole is backing the club's youngsters to
make a big impact next season. "We've got a lot of youth players coming
through," Cole told whufc.com. "James Tomkins, Junior Stanislas and Freddie
Sears broke through last year, while Zavon Hines and Bondz N'Gala also broke
through [into the first-team squad] . So you've got good, young players
trying to break through to the first team that will push the players that
are already there and established to kick on more or else the kids are going
to take their places. "This is the confidence that the manager has bought to
the young players as well, to get them to believe in themselves to get to
the right level of playing."
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Balint Bajner leaves West Ham
09.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
Hungarian forward Balint Bajner has left West Ham United. Hammers academy
chief Tony Carr confirmed that Hungarian forward Bajner had returned to his
club Liberty Oradea after a year in the Under-18 set-up. "Balint's loan
period ended at the end of last season and we decided not to take that
further," he said. "We wish him well in the future."
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West Ham striker Cole credits success to Zola, Clarke arrival
09.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
Carlton Cole admits the arrival of manager Gianfranco Zola and No2 Steve
Clarke at West Ham United has been a massive personal boost. "They've
brought a lot of confidence to the team," Cole told whufc.com. "It's
brilliant. It reminds me of playing in the youth club under Steve at
Chelsea, where I used to score week-in, week-out. I think I scored 38 or 39
goals in all and I think I've got the record there still. "It was just a
great year for me that year and I'd like to think those years are coming
back now. I'm getting used to scoring and keeping my performance at a high
level consistently. You have to be consistent about your football and not
have a good game one week and then a bad one the next. You need to get out
there and get that form and consistency regularly."
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