Wednesday, August 5

Daily WHUFC News - II 5th August 2009

Bishop's Stortford preview
WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer will lead a West Ham United XI side to Woodside Park for a
pre-season friendly on Wednesday evening
05.08.2009

A West Ham United XI side will travel to Bishop's Stortford on Wednesday
evening on a high after hitting three goals in each of their last two games.
Alex Dyer is expected to name a similar side to that which swept aside
Kingstonian 3-0 on Friday for the short trip to face The Blues, who finished
ninth in the the Blue Square South last season.

Nigel Quashie is expected to captain the side once more, but it is the
inclusion of the youthful attacking options that is set to get supporters'
pulses racing. The striking duo of Frank Nouble, with three goals in his two
games since signing from Chelsea, and Anthony Edgar caused the K's back line
no end of problems last week, and their attacking prowess could be
supplemented by the likes of Zavon Hines and Savio following their return
from the Barclays Asia Trophy in China.

At the back, youngsters Holmar Eyjolfsson and Matt Fry, who handled the size
and experience of former Hammer Ian Pearce so well at Kingsmeadow, could be
joined by Bondz N'Gala and Jordan Spence following their return from the
east. It remains to be seen whether new signing Fabio Daprela has had enough
time to adjust to his new surroundings following his arrival from
Grasshopper Club Zurich to play a part.

Other youngsters that could feature in the game following their Chinese
adventure are goalkeepers Peter Kurucz, Marek Stech and midfielder Josh
Payne, giving Dyer a dearth of options throughout his team.

whufc.com will have live text updates from Woodside Park, where kick-off is
at 7.30pm. Admission is £10 for adults, £5 for concessions. For directions,
click here.

Meanwhile, West Ham United Under-18s continue their preparations for the new
season with game at Reading on Wednesday morning. whufc.com will have
details of the result as soon as it is finished.

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Hammers youngster ready to make an impact
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 5th August 2009
By: Thomas Rooney

With the season a little over two weeks away, it is fair to say that the
majority of West Ham fans will be looking forward to the first game. Every
football fan across the country has had enough of the pre-season shenanigans
and is desperate for the competitive stuff to start, particularly since it
provides a good excuse for placing some football bets!

There is a West Ham youngster who is feeling exactly the same as this. Zavon
Hines – who managed to score for the Hammers in Beijing recently – is eager
for the season to start so that he can force himself into first team action.
The 20-year-old has got a taste for first-team football in Beijing and now
he wants more. Scoring a goal in pre-season has increased his determination
to start scoring Premier League goals. He wants to be part of Gianfranco
Zola's thinking in the early part of the season.

Speaking about the months ahead, Hines said that he wants to 'show the
manager what I can do' and be 'involved as much as I can'. Clearly, he feels
that his time has come to make an impact.

As for the pre-season games in the Barclays Asia Trophy, Hines said that it
has been a 'good tournament to play in' ahead of a tough campaign in the
Premier League. The striker says that the hard work the squad have put in
will 'show well for us' come the first game against Wolves.

In terms of his specific aims for the season ahead, Hines revealed that he
wants to be 'on the bench' from the very first game. Then, when he is given
the nod from Zola to get himself ready to come on, he will do all he can to
make the most of his chance.

A late winner or a crucial assist after coming off the bench late on would
do wonders for Hines' confidence and his place in the Upton Park striker
pecking order. It is one step at a time for him, but by Christmas for
example, who is to say that he won't be starting games for West Ham?

This time last year, he certainly looked like making a huge impact on West
Ham's season. He notched five goals in six games during pre-season and
showed a fantastic scoring ability. However, he suffered a knee problem
before the campaign began and ended up only playing one game all year.

This is why the next couple of months are so important to Hines. He deserves
to stay fit and he deserves to be given his opportunity at first-team level.
Good luck Zavon!

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Choke City?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 5th August 2009
By: Staff Writer

Stoke City are set to sign Hammers striker Dean Ashton, according to local
radio reports. However another source close to Stoke insisted this morning
that the club are set to pull out of the race to sign the permanently
crocked former Norwich striker. Local radio in Stoke carried a report first
thing this morning suggesting that the Potters were about to seal a deal to
sign the 25-year-old, said to be worth around £6m (rising to £10m). However
local paper the Sentinel insist that the opposite is true, claiming that
Tony Pulis is set to turn his attention elsewhere due to concerns over
Ashton's long-term fitness (concerns which apparently failed to materialise
previously). West Ham - who have refrained from commenting on the situation
regarding the once-capped England striker - have refused to confirm that
they would be willing to part with Ashton, who has started just 33 league
games since signing from Norwich for £7million in January 2006. However with
funds tight and Gianfranco Zola looking to expand his attacking options
ahead of the new season the sale of Ashton to facilitate such reinvestment
is not beyond the realms of possibility. Elsewhere Bayern Munich have
released a statement confirming that 32-year-old striker Luca Toni is not
for sale, after recent speculation hinted at possible interest from the
Hammers.

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Summer bargains
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 5th August 2009
By: Matthew Kemp

With the season just around the corner, and little transfer activity from CB
Holdings, there is cause for concern that with any potential injuries,
Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke will be fielding their third string against
some very strong Premier League sides.

Money is clearly tight, and the spin doctors were out in force once the
creditors of Landsbanki and Bjorgolfur Gudmunsson confirmed the ownership of
West Ham United PLC.

With little interest in Calum Davenport and Nigel Quashie, Zola is
struggling to find the funds for a reserve goalkeeper, potential right back
(If Lucas Neill doesn't sign) and at least two proven strikers.

There are also a few noises surrounding Matthew Upson's future, and with two
years left on his contract and a reluctance to commit his long term future
we could be faced with Danny Gabbidon, James Collins and James Tomkins as
our recognised centre halves, plus Davenport (if he apologises for his
previous outbursts).

Many managers have proved in the past they can build a team on pennies
rather than pounds. Look at Ian Holloway when he was at Bristol Rovers -
Barry Hayles; Bobby Zamora; Nathan Ellington; Jason Roberts; Devon White;
Jamie Cureton; Marcus Stewart. Players that in their league regularly
finished as top scorers.

So what bargains are out there? Well Sol Campbell is worth a punt on a free,
maybe for a one year contract, or how about Michael Ball who has been
released from Manchester City? Nicky Weaver as back-up goalkeeper - worth a
trial having been released by Charlton?

There has to be some loan potential as well. It looks like Sunderland have
beaten us to Mendy yet Man Utd, Arsenal and Real Madrid are flooded with
players who wont get a game next season....a season's loan with a Premier
League club has to be tempting?

In terms of strikers, £5m for Eidur Gudjohnson sounds a fair deal - surely
we have that in the kitty?

Savio and Nouble offer potential, yet we already had that in Sears - and it
was sensible to give him a season in the Championship for him to prove that
he has what it takes. I was gobsmacked that we didn't put an offer in for
Leroy Lita - yes he's lost his form, yet he was also a £1m player, and
England under-21 and scoring goals for fun at one point in his career. Zola
could have restored that confidence.

Lastly, with our Italian connections I would have thought that Nani and Zola
would have been quick to sign up a few players who they've worked with in
the past. I know Savio has been one of those players, yet surely there are
more..?

I'm looking forward to the new season, yet on paper we are weaker than we
were at the end of last season. If we want to build on our momentum, we need
to add to the squad before the deadline window closes...

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Bayern cool Toni Hammers talk
German giants reject speculation over front man
By Thomas Zocher Last updated: 5th August 2009
SSN

Bayern Munich have moved to cool talk linking star striker Luca Toni with a
surprise loan move to West Ham United. The Italian has been a key player
for the Bavarian giants since moving to the Allianz Arena in 2007 from
Fiorentina, but the summer captures of Mario Gomez and Ivica Olic have cast
doubt over his future. It has been speculated the World Cup winner could be
set for a spell on the substitutes' bench under new coach Louis van Gaal,
which has reportedly alerted Gianfranco Zola to his compatriot's potential
availability. West Ham are desperately short of firepower as they head into
the new campaign with Carlton Cole currently their only fit senior striker.
Zola has admitted interest in Inter Milan's Mario Balotelli and Eidur
Gudjohnsen of Barcelona but it is the name of Toni that has been mooted in
Germany. Bayern director of sport Christian Nerlinger, though, has denied
his club are in talks with their Premier League counterparts. "There is no
bid regarding Luca Toni," he told Munchener Merkur. "And we are not really
considering his future."

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Neill holds Sunderland talks
Australian meets with Black Cats during pre-season
Last updated: 5th August 2009
SSN

Skysports.com understands Sunderland are in talks with Lucas Neill regarding
a possible move to the Stadium of Light. The Australia international is a
free agent after his contract with West Ham United expired at the end of
last season. Gianfranco Zola is keen to re-sign Neill and it was reported an
agreement could have been struck by Monday, but the Hammers boss may see the
deal hijacked. Neill is understood to have been at Sunderland's hotel in
Peterborough ahead of Tuesday's pre-season friendly with the
freshly-promoted Championship outfit. Discussions are said to have taken
place between the 31-year-old and the Black Cats, who are rebuilding under
new manager Steve Bruce this summer.

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Bayern Munich yet to hear from West Ham over Toni
06.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

Bayern Munich insist no offer from West Ham United has been received for
Luca Toni. The Italy centre-forward has been linked with a loan move to the
Hammers.
"There is no concrete interest in Toni and also he is part of the plans of
coach Louis van Gaal," stressed Bayern director Christian Nerlinger. Bild
says Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is keen to take Toni to London before the
start of the season.

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Stoke go cold over West Ham striker Ashton
06.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

Stoke City have gone cold over the prospect of bringing West Ham striker
Dean Ashton back to the Brit. The Sentinel says despite local radio reports
today claiming a deal has been signed and sealed with West Ham, it is
thought the transfer is very much back on ice. City boss Tony Pulis has
been keenly investigating the possibility of signing the former Crewe
striker for several weeks. But Ashton's well-documented ankle problems,
which have prevented him playing since last September, have remained a
constant concern throughout.

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Hull, Blackburn battle West Ham for Kovac
06.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

Spartak Moscow midfielder Radoslav Kovac is set to return to the
Premiership. Kovac spent the second-half of last season on-loan at West Ham
United. The Daily Mail says Hull City have joined the Hammers and Blackburn
in the race to sign Kovac.

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Contract wrangle paves way for rival as former captain begins talks
Sport.co.uk
Author: Ben Moss
Posted on:05 August 2009 - 13:47

The former Blackburn Rovers and West Ham captain Lucas Neill is reportedly
in talks with Premier League rivals Sunderland according to Sky Sports News.
The Australian international recently left West Ham after failing to
negotiate a new extension at the club, however it was widely reported the
player was in the process of rectifying the situation as talks were still
ongoing. Today's reports suggest Neill has left Upton Park for good, and he
now looks set to join Steve Bruce at the Stadium of Light.

More to Follow.

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Reports: Lucas Neill in Sunderland talks
Sunderland Echo
Published Date: 05 August 2009

Former West Ham defender Lucas Neill is in discussions about a a move to
Sunderland, according to reports. According to Sky Sports the 31-year-old,
who is currently out of contract, could be on his way to the Stadium of
Light. He is said to have been at Sunderland's team hotel before the
Peterborough friendly last night. West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has made no
secret of his desire to re-sign the Australia international.

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Stoke City: Potters cool on Ashton deal
Wednesday, August 05, 2009,
The Sentinal.co.uk
by Martin Spinks

STOKE City are distancing themselves from a move for West Ham striker Dean
Ashton because of on-going concerns over his fitness, The Sentinel
understands. Despite local radio reports today claiming a deal has been
signed and sealed with West Ham, it is thought the transfer is very much
back on ice. City boss Tony Pulis has been keenly investigating the
possibility of signing the former Crewe striker for several weeks. But
Ashton's well-documented ankle problems, which have prevented him playing
since last September, have remained a constant concern throughout.

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Kingstonian 0 West Ham United XI 3
10:53am Wednesday 5th August 2009
Guardian Series
By Phil Windeatt »

Kingstonian's last pre-season home game saw them tackle their biggest test
so far against a powerful West Ham side comprising of reserves, youth and
trialists, skippered by Scottish international Nigel Quashie. Although their
Premiership visitors were not surprisingly in control all game, with a
lovely pacy passing game, a determined Ks did threaten throughout and Ian
Pearce looked particularly dangerous upfront in the first half. The Ks next
friendly encounter is next Tuesday evening August 4th, 7.45pm k.o. when they
travel to Godalming Town. Next Saturday August 8th the K's travel to their
old rivals Leatherhead for another friendly with a kick-off time that has
been brought forward to 2pm. Ks didn't seem too inhibited by their esteemed
visitors and started strongly. Striker Carl Wilson-Denis sent in a high far
post cross from the right that Pearce headed wide. Then Pearce again got on
the end of a cross this time from the left but this time he headed over. On
12 minutes Irons striker Frank Nouble gave some idea of what was to come
when his powerful drive was parried by Luke Garrard. Fellow striker Antony
Edgar made it to the follow-up but again his well-struck drive was blocked
by the K's skipper. On 22 minutes the Hammers took the lead when Edgar sent
in a dangerous curling free-kick from the left into the Ks goalmouth where
centre back MATT FRY swept the ball home first time past a stranded Garrard.
Then Edgar took off on a long penetrating run and unleashed a powerful low
drive that went wide.
The Ks heads didn't drop, Lewis Cook sent in a useful far post cross for
Wilson-Denis but stretching he just failed to connect. Ryan Lake then found
Wilson-Denis in the Irons box where his powerful header was smothered by
keeper Adam Street at full-stretch. A long through ball from Liam Collins
found Pearce who set NJ Lampton free in the away box but he overran the
ball. On 29 minutes a classy individual goal when FRANK NOUBLE took off into
the K's box, he shook off the attentions of Max Hustwick, and fired past the
outcoming Garrard.
On 38 minutes the K's came back with some venegeance with a series of
consecutive corners. The best came from a short corner by Tommy Williams to
Cook who accurately found Pearce deep in the Irons box and his header looked
goalbound until a full-stretch Street pushed the ball out. Back came the
visitors when Olly Lee pushed a ball through to Edgar in the Ks box but
again Garrard saved the effort. Three minutes into the new half the Hammers
put the game to bed. Francis Duku tried to roll the ball back to Garrard but
the dangerous FRANK NOUBLE pounced, whisked the ball away and drove it into
an empty Ks goal. Williams replied with a powerful rising drive from the
edge of the away box that just went over. It was then time for an army of
substitutions and the game petered away as a spectacle. On the hour Quashie,
on the edge of the Ks box, was unlucky when his drive struck a post, with
Garrard looking on. A Cook free-kick from way out on the right saw a diving
Street in a crowded box punch the ball away. On 75 minutes Ks sub Christian
Jolley's edge of the box strike brought off a full-stretch save from Hammers
sub keeper James Plazzi. A free-kick from K's sub Luke Pigden saw Plazzi do
well to hang onto the ball. Plazzi then punched clear another Pigden
set-piece. The visitors possession was impressive and energy sapping for the
home side but the Ks kept chasing. With three minutes to go a run from sub
Scott Simpson saw him hit the buffers in the visitors box, he still set up
Jolley close in but he blasted over.

Ks. Luke Garrard (capt) (sub Josh Willis, 66mins) 2. Jamie Beer (sub Rob
Sheridan, 56mins) 3. Ryan Lake (sub Tom Dilloway, 56mins) 4. Tommy Williams
(sub Jon Coke, 60mins) 5. Francis Duku 6. Max Hustwick 7. NJ Lampton (sub
Scott Simpson, 66mins) 8. Liam Collins (sub Luke Pigden, 60mins) 9. Ian
Pearce (sub Reggie Savage, 66mins) 10. Carl Wilson-Denis (sub Christian
Jolley, 66mins) 11. Lewis Cook.

Subs: 12. Jon Coke 13. Josh Willis (G/k) 14. Luke Pigden 15. Tom Dilloway
16. Rob Sheridan 17. Scott Simpson 18. Christian Jolley 19. Reggie Savage.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 5th August 2009

Deja vu for Fulham five
WHUFC.com
The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK is set to benefit once again
from five fans
04.08.2009

West Ham United supporting brothers Paul and Ian Turner are planning to once
again walk to Fulham next season in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer
Research UK.

The duo did the 13-mile trek before last season's fixture at Craven Cottage
and have earmarked a repeat performance this season but this time by walking
the 13 miles back as well rather than getting the Tube home. The news comes
as the club prepare to stage the Bobby Moore Cup this Saturday against SSC
Napoli. Click here for more information.

Paul and Ian will have plenty of time to prepare as the Fulham fixture is
the final awayday for Gianfranco Zola's men in 2009/10 on Saturday 1 May.
What makes the plan even more impressive though is that they are running the
London Marathon the week before - also for the Bobby Moore Fund.

Also joining Paul and Ian on the Fulham walk will be their friends Matthew,
Scott and Adam, with the original idea being one that had long been mooted -
with ultimately the Bobby Moore Fund being the perfect choice to benefit
given the England legend's links to both clubs. "The idea to walk to Craven
Cottage from the Boleyn Ground was one me and Matthew had been kicking about
for some time," said Paul taking up the story.

"We would be down the pub saying that if the game fell on a Saturday and was
a 3pm kick off then we would do it. A season passed without us being able to
attend the match so we were determined last July to go ahead and actually
walk the 13 or so miles.

"My brother Ian and our friends Scott and Adam wanted to join in and so we
set about organising the event. The overwhelming choice to help raise funds
for was the Bobby Moore Fund, a charity all those who took part in the walk
have raised funds for in the past."

So on 27 September 2008, the quintet arranged to start their walk pitchside
at the Boleyn Ground and finished on the sidelines at Craven Cottage - with
the BBC Match of the Day 2 cameras also getting involved.

"It was quite foggy at the start but this did not dampen spirits as we set
off on our journey around the pitch, passing in front of the empty stands
and our season ticket seats, fittingly in the Bobby Moore Lower," Paul
added. "On the road itself the air was crisp and we got support from people
driving by honking their horns or shouting a few words of encouragement or
banter.

"Kevin Day, Louise Lawler and the rest of the BBC filming crew were very
friendly and supportive throughout our efforts and I have to thank them for
taking the time to help out our cause and highlight. When we made it to
Craven Cottage we were presented with a signed Fulham shirt and were greeted
warmly.

"All that walking made for sore feet but due to the volume of fans and our
tickets being towards the back of the Putney End, we were forced to stand
all match long! The pain was bearable as we won 2-1 and the joy left many
singing and indeed conga lining down Stevenage Road towards the Tube. A
great day out was had by all. West Ham won and money was raised for a worthy
cause, what more could you ask for?"

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Napoli tickets selling well
WHUFC.com
Tickets for the visit of SSC Napoli for the Bobby Moore Cup on Saturday are
proving popular
04.08.2009

Tickets for West Ham United's final pre-season game with SSC Napoli in the
Bobby Moore Cup fixture with are selling well.

The Hammers will take on the Italian Serie A side at the Boleyn Ground on
Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm. It will be the curtain-raiser for the new
Barclays Premier League season, with the big kick-off following a week later
at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The fixture will be the first chance for West Ham supporters to see the
club's summer signings in action at home, with Chile forward Luis Jimenez
among those who could feature alongside Hammer of the Year winner Scott
Parker and the fit-again Danny Gabbidon.

Napoli also possess a wealth of exciting players, including Slovakia
playmaker Marek Hamsik and their own new arrival, Italy striker Fabio
Quagliarella.

Fans requiring their tickets to be posted should be aware that Wednesday is
the final day for tickets to sent out. Prices are greatly reduced with
tickets available for as little as £10 to season ticket holders, £12 to club
members and £15 to non-members. All Under-16 tickets will be priced at £5,
with concessions also available for Young Adult members and the Over-65s.

Like last year's inaugural Bobby Moore Cup, £1 from the sale of every match
ticket will go to the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK (Registered
Charity No. 1089464) to help tackle bowel cancer. In addition, West Ham
United will match each £1 raised to double the total amount donated to the
charity.

This initiative follows on from a number of events last season, which was
the first year of the formal three-year partnership agreement signed with
the Fund.

Tickets can be purchased either in-person from the West Stand Ticket Office
or by telephone by calling 0871 222 2700 and selecting Option One.

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Hammers still on the hunt
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 4th August 2009
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United are still hoping to tie up one or two transfers ahead of the
start of 2009/10 Premier League campaign - despite kick-off being just 11
days away.

The Hammers have been left frustrated by their failure to land some of
Gianfranco Zola's main targets, meaning that the Italian boss could go into
the new season with just one new addition to his first team - Inter's
on-loan midfielder Luis Jimenez.

CEO Scott Duxbury revealed earlier in the summer that he had been hoping to
secure three new additions to boost Zola's first team options as early as
possible - yet bar last month's arrival of Jimenez, those are yet to
materialise.

One of those initial targets - Jimenez's former team mate Mancini - remains
on the radar, however the player is understood to be considering his options
still having been told recently that he is not part of Jose Mourinho's
future plans.

Whilst Gianfranco Zola recently expressed an interest in signing Barcelona
striker Eidur Gudjohnsen rumours linking the Hammers with a fresh move for
teenage striker Mario Balotelli are thought to be wide of the mark.

The search for a striker has become more urgent with Dean Ashton's failure
to appear in a single pre-season fixture, leaving Carlton Cole as the
squad's only fit, experienced striker.

Meanwhile talks with last season's club captain Lucas Neill over an extended
one-year contract continue; the Australian full-back, currently a free agent
is unhappy with the deal being offered by West Ham but hopes to thrash out
an agreement in time to see him start the new campaign at Wolves next
weekend.

Should the 31-year-old right-back reject United's offer, Julien Faubert -
who spend the latter part of last season on the bench at Real Madrid - is
expected to get the nod over Jonathan Spector for the vacant right-back
spot.

Matthew Upson - who led the team out against Tottenham in China last week -
is favourite to be named as Neill's potential successor as club captain.

Ins and outs - our summer business so far

IN: Herita Ilunga (Toulouse, £2.4m); Luis Jimenez (Inter, season-long loan
with option to buy); Fabio Daprela (Grasshoppers, nominal undisclosed fee);
Frank Nouble (Chelsea, undisclosed fee); Jack Lampe (Harlow Town,
undisclosed fee); Eoin Wearen (undisclosed fee).

OUT: Freddie Sears (Crystal Palace, season-long loan); Lee Bowyer (released,
end of contract); Jan Lastuvka (Shaktar, end of loan); Radoslav Kovac
(Spartak, end of loan); Diego Tristan (released, end of contract); David Di
Michele (Torino, end of loan); Walter Lopez (released, end of contract);
Kyel Reid (released, end of contract); Tony Stokes (released, end of
contract); Jimmy Walker (released, end of contract).

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West Ham in loan move for Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni/ Transfer gossip
05/08/2009
IMScouting.com

According to reports in the German press this morning, West Ham have
approached Bayern Munich to take Italian striker Luca Toni on loan. Toni is
not expected to receive much playing time under new coach Louis van Gaal,
with Mario Gomez now first choice at the Allianz Arena following his big
money move from Stuttgart. West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is reportedly a
big fan of Luca Toni and is eager for him to spearhead the Hammers attack.
Luca Toni's wages of 5.5 million euros a year may be a stumbling block to
any deal, but if a loan move is agreed, Bayern would likely continue to pay
some part of his salary. The 32-year-old striker came to prominence at
Palermo and then Fiorentina, relatively late in his professional career. He
led the line for Italy as they won the World Cup in 2006 and then moved to
Bayern Munich. His first season at Bayern saw him score 24 goals in 31
games, his second campaign was less successful with 17 goals in 33
appearances as the Bavarian giants failed to reclaim their Bundesliga title.

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Zola, Lee and Sheringham back in starting line-up
The teamsheets at Woodside Park, the modest home of Bishop's Stortford
Football Club, will have a distinctly nostalgic feel.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jeremy Wilson
Published: 7:00PM BST 04 Aug 2009

West Ham United are the visitors and the names Zola and Lee are expected to
be among the starting line-up while a certain Sheringham is likely to be
leading the attack for Bishop's Stortford. Yet this is not some veterans'
match for ex-players trying to rediscover their lost youth but rather a full
pre-season friendly that just happens to involve the offspring of some of
the most illustrious Premier League footballers of the 1990s. Sport on
television Andrea Zola, the 18-year-old son of Gianfranco, will attract most
interest, largely because his father is now West Ham manager and remains
arguably the finest overseas 'import' in the history of English football.
Zola Jnr has already featured in pre-season friendlies against Thurrock and
Kingstonian and, while his involvement at the club is limited to a trial
with Alex Dyer's reserve team, he has made a positive initial impression.
The physical resemblance is immediately striking. At a little over 5ft 5in
tall and with a low and powerful centre of gravity, Andrea could almost
double for his father from a distance.
So might we see another Zola captivating the Premier League? "He has an eye
for a pass," said a club insider, "but at the moment he's just training and
playing a few games. We don't know where it might lead."
Andrea has certainly arrived at West Ham with a point to prove after leaving
Cagliari Calcio, the Zola family's home club in Sardinia and the final
destination in his father's long and illustrious playing career. Those in
England who have seen him this summer are cautiously impressed, though he
was not sufficiently integral to his father's plans for next season to
travel to China as part of a 23-man squad for the Premier League Asia
Trophy. He plays generally on the left and started alongside Nigel Quashie
as part of a three-man midfield in the 3-2 win against Thurrock. "He looked
a good player with potential but it would be a grave, grave mistake to
compare him to his father, who was very special," said Hakan Hayrettin, the
Thurrock manager. "If anyone could be half the player that Gianfranco Zola
was you would have a great chance of making it. Like any young player he has
to listen and learn. "He is fortunate who his father is but how far he
progresses is down to himself and the staff at West Ham."
There should be little problem in adapting to the culture of English
football. Andrea was only five when the Zola family moved to London in 1996.
Gianfranco spent seven years at Stamford Bridge and the experience clearly
left an impression. According to Andrea's Facebook page, he is a particular
fan of Chelsea and England captain John Terry. Following in the footsteps of
an illustrious sporting father, however, is never easy. Liam Botham tells
the story of arriving for his first cricket match at the age of 10 and being
greeted by a group of journalists who disappeared the moment he scored his
first run.
West Ham are keen to keep the spotlight off Andrea for now and will be
mindful that football history is littered with examples of sons following in
their father's footsteps with varying success.
Nigel Clough, Darren Ferguson, Gavin Strachan, Jamie Redknapp, Alex Bruce
and Paul Dalglish have all played at clubs managed by their father, while
Eidur Gudjohnsen replaced his dad Arnor, a fellow striker, during an
international game for Iceland in 1996. The Summerbees – George, Mike and
Nicky – could even boast three generations of professional footballers.
As well as Zola Jnr at West Ham, George Moncur, son of John, is with the
under-18 team, while Oliver and Elliot Lee, sons of Rob, are in the academy.
Oliver and Andrea should play together on Wednesday night in midfield
against a Bishop's Stortford team whose star striker is the 21-year-old
Charlie Sheringham. Charlie, son of Teddy, finished top scorer for Welling
United in the Conference South last season. Like father, like son

Cesare and Paolo Maldini Cesare won four Serie A titles and one European Cup
as a player while Paolo won the Champions League five times at AC Milan.
Frank Lampard snr and jnr Lampard Snr won two FA Cups at West Ham. Frank Jnr
is an England regular and has won every domestic trophy at Chelsea. Brian
and Nigel Clough Both played for England and have managed Derby. Brian's
achievements are unique though. He scored 251 goals in 274 games, then
managed Nottingham Forest to two European Cups. Harry and Jamie Redknapp
Harry played for West Ham and Bournemouth, then managed both as well as
Portsmouth, Southampton and Tottenham. Son Jamie won 17 England caps and
spent more than a decade at Liverpool.

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Walking for Bobby Moore
West Ham Till I Die

Two friends, brought together by their passion for football, have decided to
spend their Summer holiday joining a team of 38 people on Project Brazil, on
behalf of the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK

From the 27th September to the 9th October, David Deane, (a Cambridge United
fan) and Lloyd Hardwick (a West Ham fan) plan to travel to Forte in Brazil,
to help the village renovate and rebuild their dilapidated school and
football pitch.

WALK FOR MOORE
To be part of this opportunity of a lifetime, our challenge is to raise
£8,000 which will stay in the UK to fund bowel cancer research, the disease
which claimed Bobby's life. Bowel cancer is the second highest killing
cancer in the UK claiming 44 lives every day.

To reach our goal, we have decided to WALK FOR MOORE on Saturday 5th
September 2009. This route traces the career of Bobby Moore, starting from
his birthplace in Barking, via West Ham United and Upton Park, finishing at
the Bobby Moore Statue at Wembley in time for kick off of the England Vs
Slovenia International (KO:15:00hrs).

The route we are taking is a total of 26 miles. Along the way, we will be
taking photos and blogging/ uploading to Twitter/ reading responses - to
help raise further awareness and interact with our sponsors, friends and
other football fans.

YOU CAN PLAY YOUR PART
Our aim to generate a considerable buzz around this event in the media. To
play your part in helping us reach our target, please either:
1) Sponsor us direct by visiting www.justgiving.com/lloydhardwick
2) Help publicise WALK FOR MOORE (in your blog/ shop along the route/
football programme/ on the radio etc)

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West Ham striker Hines targets first team role
05.08.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United striker Zavon Hines was delighted with his form during their
Asian Trophy campaign. "It has been a good tournament to play in," Hines,
who scored five goals in six games in pre-season last year before suffering
a knee problem, told whufc.com. "The conditions were hard, but you just have
to work harder to get through it all and I am sure this will show well for
us come the new season. "Last year, I had a good pre-season and then got the
injury, but hopefully I can carry on this year and get through the season
with no injuries and be involved as much as I can with the first team. I
want to show the manager what I can do." Hines added: "My aim is at to be on
the bench for the first team for the start if I can, but just to do my best
in any game I play for West Ham United and go upwards from there."

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