Friday, December 11

Daily WHUFC News - II 11th December 2009

Ashton forced to retire
WHUFC.com
An ankle injury has brought Dean Ashton's career to a premature end at the
age of just 26
11.12.2009

West Ham United regret to announce that Dean Ashton has been forced to
retire from professional football through injury. Following independent
medical advice, the 26-year-old England striker has reluctantly brought an
end to his career due to a long-term ankle problem initially suffered in
training with the national team in August 2006. Despite undergoing surgical
procedures and intensive rehabilitation, Ashton has been left frustrated in
his considerable and sustained efforts to return to full fitness. With
warnings about his long-term mobility, he has been left with no option but
to retire. The club has been meeting with Ashton and his representatives
regularly in recent weeks with the main concern being his long-term future.
West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury said: "This is a sad day and our thoughts
are with Dean. I would like to place on record our thanks to him for all his
efforts and wish him the very best. I would also like to thank the fans for
their patience and understanding during what has been a difficult time."
Prior to arriving at West Ham, the Swindon-born player had come through the
ranks at another famous footballing Academy at Crewe Alexandra, making his
debut as a 17-year-old in October 2000. After scoring 74 goals in 177 games,
Ashton moved to then Premier League side Norwich City in January 2005,
scoring 18 times in 46 matches for the Canaries. Ashton joined the Hammers
from Norwich on 22 January 2006 for a then club-record £7.25m fee. The
forward's first half-season at the Boleyn Ground was hugely promising, with
the 22-year-old bagging six goals in 16 league and cup appearances,
including two in an FA Cup quarter-final win over Manchester City that paved
the Hammers way to the Millennium Stadium. In the final itself, Ashton was
in form again, scoring once in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool before
the Reds triumphed in a penalty shoot-out. After narrowly missing out on a
place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad, Ashton was named
in new England manager Steve McClaren's first squad for a friendly against
Greece at Old Trafford in August 2006.
As Ashton, a former Under-21 international, prepared for his senior England
debut, disaster struck when he suffered a badly broken ankle in training.
The injury caused the striker to miss the whole 2006/07 season and, although
he returned to make 35 appearances and score eleven goals in 2007/08 and
make his England debut in Trinidad and Tobago on 1 June 2008, the pain and
discomfort in Ashton's ankle caused by the injury, never completely went
away.
After beginning 2008/09 with a prolific pre-season and two goals in the
opening-day victory over Wigan Athletic, Ashton was again forced to the
sidelines just four matches into the new Barclays Premier League campaign on
15 September 2008. Again, it was his troublesome ankle that caused his
absence and, finally and unfortunately, his retirement.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parker looking forward
WHUFC.com
Scott Parker is optimistic that West Ham United can leave Birmingham City
with a result
11.12.2009

Scott Parker wants West Ham United to show what they are capable of in
Saturday's game with Birmingham City The Hammers have shown their true
potential only sporadically of late and find themselves on a run of form of
two wins, three draws and two defeats in their last seven matches. Parker is
determined that he and his team-mates now up the ante at St. Andrews and
show that they can reach the heights on a consistent basis. "At the moment
it's hard for us, it's clear to see. We've got key players out, which hasn't
helped, so the sooner we can get players back the better. But that isn't
making excuses, we've got the quality to beat the teams we need to be
beating and that starts this weekend."
Although Parker was frustrated at losing to Manchester United last time out,
the November SBOBET Player of the Month is now only looking ahead to the
trips to Birmingham on Saturday and Bolton Wanderers three days later.
"We've let in some sloppy goals lately but we've just got to look at this
weekend's game now. If you get something out of Man United then it's a bonus
but we've got to look at Birmingham and Bolton away as they're big games
that we've got to win." "This weekend is crucial so we need to prepare
properly and give it a go."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham striker Dean Ashton retires because of injury
BBC.co.uk

Ashton injured his ankle while training with England in August 2006. West
Ham's former England striker Dean Ashton has announced his retirement at the
age of 26 after failing to recover from a long-term ankle injury. Ashton
broke his left ankle while training with England in August 2006, ahead of a
friendly with Greece. He underwent several operations but was unable to
return to full fitness and has followed medical advice to retire. West Ham
chief executive Scott Duxbury told the club's website: "This is a sad day
and our thoughts are with Dean."

ASHTON'S CLUB CAREER
Season, club, league apps, goals
2000-05 Crewe 159 (61)
2005-06 Norwich 44 (17)
2006-09 West Ham 46 (15)

Ashton scored 19 goals in 56 appearances for the Hammers after joining them
from Norwich in a £7.25m move in January 2006. The former Crewe striker
earned an England call-up for the friendly with Greece in August 2006, but
he broke his ankle in training for that game and missed the whole of the
2006-07 season. He returned to play 35 games in 2007-08 and made his England
debut under Fabio Capello in June 2008 when he faced Trinidad & Tobago - his
only appearance for the national side. Ashton signed a new five-year
contract at Upton Park that summer but sprained his ankle in training
September 2008 and did not play competitively again. He made several
attempts to return but concerns that continuing his career would affect his
mobility later in life led him to decide to end his playing career. Duxbury
added: "I would like to place on record our thanks to him for all his
efforts and wish him the very best. "I would also like to thank the fans for
their patience and understanding during what has been a difficult time."
Crewe manager Dario Gradi, who gave Ashton his professional debut at the age
of 16, was not surprised by the announcement. "We'd all seen it coming for a
long time," Gradi said. "He's been injured for a while and I think that Dean
was prepared for it. "It's a shame for Dean but it's a great shame for
England. They are crying out for a big striker and that is what he is. "The
saving grace for Dean is that he has had a bit of a career and will have
made enough money not to have to work again."
Ashton's agent Darren Bossons declined to comment on reports that Ashton may
look to take legal action against Shaun Wright-Phillips, who caused the
striker's initial injury with a challenge during an England training session
in August 2006. And Professional Footballers' Association chief executive
Gordon Taylor hopes Ashton does not go down that route. Taylor said: "I hope
it doesn't come to that because nobody would think that Shaun
Wright-Phillips was a malicious player at all. "At the moment we've been
speaking to his [Ashton's] representatives and the situation is about
looking to get proper compensation without discussing any player-v-player
action."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A career cut short
Ashton was restricted to one appearance for England
By Aimee Lewis
BBC.co.uk

Alan Curbishley, who managed Dean Ashton at West Ham, has described the
striker's retirement as a sad day for the player, his club and football. The
25-year-old decided to end his playing career after failing to recover from
a debilitating ankle injury. Curbishley told BBC Sport: "I saw enough to
show me he was going to be around the England team for some time."
Dario Gradi, his former boss at Crewe, said the West Ham player was "the
best finisher I've worked with". Ashton broke his left ankle while training
with England in August 2006 ahead of a friendly with Greece. The fixture was
meant to be the start of a glorious international career. National coach
Steve McClaren had based part of that Tuesday's training around the then
22-year-old, who was set for his international debut and had already drawn
comparisons with Alan Shearer and been lauded by World Cup winner Sir Geoff
Hurst. But halfway through the session Ashton collided with Shaun
Wright-Phillips and fell to the ground, his agonising screams bringing the
rest of the squad to a standstill. "We all looked round," recalled John
Terry, who had then just been named the new England captain. "He was on the
floor and all of a sudden everybody was rushing over."
The former Crewe and Norwich City striker spent the next 11 months
recuperating, and although he did play again - scoring 13 goals in 40
appearances for West Ham - he broke down once more in September 2008 and did
not play competitively again. In between the injuries, Ashton did manage a
solitary England cap, a 45-minute appearance against Trinidad and Tobago in
June 2008, but the player - and England manager Fabio Capello - would have
yearned for more. Curbishley certainly wished he could have called upon the
services of West Ham's £7.25m signing more frequently. On the former
Charlton manager's first day in charge at Upton Park, back in December 2006,
he was told he would be able to put Ashton's name on the teamsheet within a
month.
"As it turned out he was six months away from full fitness," recalled the
52-year-old, who had Ashton available for 39 of his 62-game tenure. "When I
got him back you could see what a player he was. He was a centre-forward in
the old tradition - big and powerful, someone who could bring players into
the game and his finishing was second to none. "In the few games I had him,
I think he scored one in three for me. It's a sad day for Dean Ashton and
everybody at West Ham. "He showed that the dream could still be there. He
started with Crewe, went to Norwich and ended up in a FA Cup final with West
Ham."
That FA Cup final will forever be remembered as the 'Gerrard Final',
courtesy of the galvanizing effect Steven Gerrard's two goals had on leading
Liverpool to an eventual penalty shootout victory. But West Ham were, in
truth, the superior side, with Ashton bamboozling the Merseysiders for the
hour he was on the pitch (a hamstring injury, which made him a doubt for the
final, ended his participation prematurely). His sublime pass to Lionel
Scaloni played a role in the first goal of the game and his predatory skills
came to the fore when he prodded the ball over the line, after a fumble by
Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina, to put West Ham 2-0 ahead. The stardust he
sprinkled on the few games he played for West Ham - a beautifully-taken goal
against Manchester City in the 2006 FA Cup quarter-final and an overhead
kick against Manchester United spring to mind - certainly justify the high
esteem with which Ashton is held by Curbishley and others. Ashton learnt his
trade under the stewardship of Dario Gradi at Crewe, signing for the Gresty
Road club as a promising 16-year-old.
The striker once said Gradi had to be persuaded of his talents by then scout
Steve Holland, but Crewe's caretaker manager was unequivocal in his praise
of his protege. Gradi, who has nurtured the likes of England internationals
David Platt and Danny Murphy, told BBC Sport: "He's probably the best I've
ever had for goalscoring. He always knew where the net was and picked his
spot."
In 143 appearances for Crewe, Ashton, scored 67 goals and attracted the
interest of a host of clubs, with Norwich City spending a club record £3m on
the striker in January 2005. He scored seven goals in 16 matches for the
Canaries, but could not save the club from Premier League relegation. A
further 11 goals in the Championship prompted West Ham to make a club record
bid for him in January 2006. However, his retirement means that we will
never know the heights the player could have eventually reached. "It's a
shame for him and a shame for England," added Gradi. "He's the best of the
goal-takers of the strikers around."
Indeed, Ashton, capped at every England level from Under-17s up, was marked
out by Capello when the Italian was appointed England manager. Had it not
been for injury he would surely have earned greater international
recognition and be jostling for a place in next year's World Cup in South
Africa. Ashton once said talk of him being injury jinxed was a "myth", but
there is no denying that his early retirement is a cruel end to what could
have been a fairytale story.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton retirement confirmed
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 11th December 2009
By: A Different Staff Writer

The club has, as expected, confirmed the retirement of Dean Ashton.
Speaking on whufc.com, club CEO Scott Duxbury said: "This is a sad day and
our thoughts are with Dean. "I would like to place on record our thanks to
him for all his efforts and wish him the very best. I would also like to
thank the fans for their patience and understanding during what has been a
difficult time."
Ashton originally broke his ankle in a training accident involving Shaun
Wright-Phillips in August 2006, causing him to miss 2006/07. Although he
returned for the 2007/08 season the ankle proved troublesome throughout and,
only four matches into 2008/09, he was forced to seek further treatment.
Sadly he was never to return to first-team action and, at the ludicrously
young age of 26, he has been forced into retirement. kumb.com would like to
wish Deano and his family all the best for the future at this difficult
time.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton forced to retire
Warnings over long-term mobility leave striker with no option
Last updated: 11th December 2009
SSN

West Ham United striker Dean Ashton has been forced to retire from football
due to injury. The 26-year-old has failed to recover from the ankle injury
he sustained while training with the England squad in 2006. Ashton, who was
a target of Stoke City in the summer, has undergone a variety of
rehabilitation procedures but none proved successful. West Ham have now
confirmed that the former Crewe and Norwich man has quit after receiving
warnings regarding his full fitness and long-term mobility. Hammers CEO
Scott Duxbury told the club's official website: "This is a sad day and our
thoughts are with Dean. "I would like to place on record our thanks to him
for all his efforts and wish him the very best. "I would also like to thank
the fans for their patience and understanding during what has been a
difficult time."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moses interest mounts
January move likely for Eagles starlet
Last updated: 11th December 2009
SSN

Victor Moses looks set to depart Crystal Palace in January, his agent has
confirmed to skysports.com. The 18-year-old is emerging as one of the
brightest talents outside the Premier League. The young forward has played a
major part in helping Neil Warnock's side to the brink of the play-offs.
However, Palace's financial problems mean the likes of Moses, Darren
Ambrose and Julian Speroni are being strongly tipped to depart Selhurst
Park in January.
Moses's agent Tony Finnigan would not confirm which clubs were interested
in his client, but admitted that he was in demand. "He is now showing what
he is capable of and what many people have been saying he could do since a
very young age," Finnigan told skysports.com. "We can't deny the interest is
strong in him - he is one of the best 18-year-olds in the country, bar none.
"We are hopeful, that should a deal be struck then it would be a good deal
for all parties concerned. "Simon Jordan and Neil Warnock recognises what
they have got, they know Victor is special. "And as a former Crystal Palace
player myself, I am keen for them to get a satisfactory deal and one they
deserve considering the work they have put into Victor. "But Victor will be
moving to the club which is best suited to him. It is my job to make sure he
goes to the best footballing environment for him."
It is understood that Sunderland are keen to win the race for Moses by
opening talks with the South London club. But a deal for Moses to move to
the Stadium of Light is far from being sealed. Skysports.com understands
that Fulham and Wigan are ready to table rival offers, whileTottenham, West
Ham and Arsenal are all keeping close tabs on the situation.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
PFA hope Ashton avoids legal route
December 11, 2009
ManchesterEveningNews.co.uk

PLAYERS' chief Gordon Taylor is hopeful that Dean Ashton will not need to
resort to taking legal action against former England team-mate Shaun
Wright-Phillips after the West Ham man was forced to announce his
retirement. The 26-year-old suffered an ankle injury in a challenge by
Wright-Phillips, then a Chelsea player, during an England training session
in August 2006 that forced Ashton to miss the entire 2006-07 season. He
recovered to make 31 league appearances in 2007-08 but he made his last
appearance for the Hammers in September 2008 after renewed ankle problems
and has now been forced to quit. Reports in Friday morning's national press
suggested Ashton may look to launch legal action against Wright-Phillips,
but Professional Footballers Association chief executive Taylor hopes
financial recompense can be organised via club or national team insurance to
avoid player-versus-player litigation.
He said: "I hope it doesn't come to that because nobody would think that
Shaun Wright-Phillips was a malicious player at all. "At the moment we've
been speaking to his representatives and the situation is about looking to
get proper compensation without discussing any player-v-player action."

Taylor accepts the issue of compensation is a "complex" one in this case,
with Ashton suffering a season-ending injury while on England duty but then
returned to club action before breaking down again in September 2008. He
added: "He tried to come back but he has not been able to come back to the
situation he was in before, but that's why it's complex because (the initial
injury) happened while he was with England. "When a player plays for
England, the club informs the FA the amount of cover that they would require
for him, and clearly he was a very valuable player."
Taylor was saddened by the news of Ashton's retirement and insisted the PFA
would now do all they could to assist him in the future. "It's extremely
sad. He was a great talent and it is one of the hazards of the profession.
Dean Ashton was quality, and it is even more disappointing that (the initial
injury) happened while on England duty," he added. "We want to have a word
with him about his future, to see if he wants to stay in the game. We will
offer him various courses - coaching, media - there's a whole host of
opportunities really if he wants to stay connected with the game."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DEAN ASHTON FORCED TO RETIRE
News Of The World
By Adam Marshall, 11/12/2009

DEAN ASHTON has admitted defeat in his battle against an ankle injury and
announced his retirement. The West Ham and England striker's future has been
the subject of debate for some time and he has been forced to accept the
inevitable due to concerns over his mobility in later life. The Hammers paid
Norwich a club record £7.25million for the hitman but he suffered the injury
whilst training with England. "I would like to place on record our thanks to
him for all his efforts and wish him the very best," chief executive Scott
Duxbury told the club's official website. "I would also like to thank the
fans for their patience and understanding during what has been a difficult
time."
Dario Gradi, who blooded the youngster at Crewe, admitted the news came as
no real surprise. "We'd all seen it coming for a long time," he said. "He's
been injured for a while and I think that Dean was prepared for it. "The
saving grace for Dean is that he has had a bit of a career and will have
made enough money not to have to work again." Ashton's announcement, at the
age of 26, is a sad blow for the player and West Ham.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton forced to retire
By Soccernet staff
December 11, 2009

West Ham United have announced that striker Dean Ashton has been forced to
retire from professional football at the age of 26. Ashton had not played a
first-team game for 14 months and speculation had mounted in recent weeks
that the Hammers would announce that his career had been curtailed. The
striker could never fully recover from an ankle injury suffered at England
training in August 2006 and West Ham may now seek compensation in the form
of a £7 million insurance claim against the Football Association. West Ham
chief executive Scott Duxbury paid tribute to Ashton, who scored 19 goals in
54 games for the Hammers. "This is a sad day and our thoughts are with
Dean. I would like to place on record our thanks to him for all his efforts
and wish him the very best," Duxbury said. "I would also like to thank the
fans for their patience and understanding during what has been a difficult
time."
Ashton was a product of the famous Crewe Alexandra youth system, which saw
manager Dario Gradi bring through the likes of David Platt, Danny Murphy,
Robbie Savage and Neil Lennon. After playing more then 200 games for the
Railwaymen, he became Norwich City's record signing when he joined the
Canaries for £3 million in 2005. A string of impressive performances and 17
goals in 44 league appearances earned him a move to West Ham in January 2006
for £7.25 million, where he became a first-team regular. The ankle break at
England training ruled him out for the whole 2006-07 campaign and though he
did return, scoring 11 goals in 35 appearances in the 2007-08 season, he
broke down in new manager Gianfranco Zola's first training session in
September 2008. England boss Fabio Capello rated Ashton highly and tipped
him to make a big impact on the international stage, handing him his Three
Lions' debut in a f riendly against Trinidad and Tobago last summer. Zola
had persistently refused to write-off Ashton but the striker was forced to
admit defeat because of chronic degeneration in the ankle.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dean Ashton retires as West Ham striker succumbs to ankle injury
26-year-old suffered injury in 2006 on England duty
Reports suggest legal action against Wright-Phillips
Buzz up!
guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 December 2009 09.33 GMT

West Ham United's Dean Ashton has been forced to retire through injury. The
26-year-old striker has struggled to recover from an injury he first
suffered on England duty in August 2006 following a training-ground tackle
by Shaun Wright-Phillips. West Ham's chief executive, Scott Duxbury, told
the club's website: "This is a sad day and our thoughts are with Dean. I
would like to place on record our thanks to him for all his efforts and wish
him the very best. I would also like to thank the fans for their patience
and understanding during what has been a difficult time."
It was reported last night that Ashton is looking into whether he can take
legal action against Wright-Phillips and Chelsea, for whom the winger – now
with Manchester City – was then playing. Chelsea would challenge any such
case given that the tackle was made while Wright-Phillips was with England.
Ashton returned the following year to play again for West Ham and went on to
win his sole England cap in 2008 but the ankle injury recurred last season
and he has been advised by the surgeon who performed the original operation,
Niek van Dijk, that he risks rendering himself permanently unable to walk
should he continue playing football. West Ham have been examining whether
they are able to launch a compensation claim of around £7m against the
Football Association. Ashton made his name at Crewe Alexandra before joining
Norwich City in January 2005. He scored 18 goals in 46 appearances for the
Canaries, earning him a then club-record £7.25m move to West Ham. He was
named in Steve McClaren's first England squad, for the game against Greece
at Old Trafford, but picked up his injury in training before the game. The
striker missed the whole 2006-07 season but returned to make 35 appearances
in 2007-08. He started the 2008-09 season, but broke down again after just
four games because of the ankle injury.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dean Ashton confirms retirement after losing prolonged injury battle
The Times
Peter Lansley and Ben Smith

Dean Ashton, the West Ham United forward, has announced his retirement at
the age of 26. While other strikers are jostling for a place in Fabio
Capello's squad for the World Cup finals, Ashton, who suffered his first
serious injury on England duty, is resigned to ending his career after
doctors warned him that he risked causing long-term damage if he persisted
in trying to make a comeback. Ashton's problems started when he was first
called up by England, for a friendly against Greece in 2006. He suffered a
broken ankle in a tackle from Shaun Wright-Phillips and was sidelined for
more than a year. Despite persistent problems he recovered sufficiently to
win his only England cap, against Trinidad & Tobago in June last year, but
broke down again three months later. Scott Duxbury, the West Ham chief
executive, confirmed the news and paid tribute to the striker. "This is a
sad day and our thoughts are with Dean," he said. "I would like to place on
record our thanks to him for all his efforts and wish him the very best. I
would also like to thank the fans for their patience and understanding
during what has been a difficult time." West Ham paid Norwich City £7.25
million for Ashton in January 2006, but it seems that his career has ended
four years later, having made only 43 appearances for the club.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 11th December 2009

Carr pleased to progress
WHUFC.com
Tony Carr's Under-18s sealed their place in the FA Youth Cup after a marathon game with Plymouth Argyle
10.12.2009

Tony Carr was a relieved man after watching his West Ham United Under-18s finally secure their place in the FA Youth Cup fourth with an extra-time win at Plymouth Argyle The young Hammers were the better side for much of the match on Wednesday night but found their hosts in resolute mood. It was not until the 104 minute that Danny Purdy scored the only goal of the game via the post to break the deadlock. "It was a tough match - they made it really hard for us," Carr said. "I thought they played for penalties and made it very difficult. I didn't expect anything else, I just thought they might have been a little more adventurous at times. They didn't come out, they just sat there and asked us to try and break them down. "The keeper made some very good saves and we could have won it by two or three if we'd taken our chances. But it wasn't to be and we did it the hard way through extra time and then the sub pops up to score a goal. "He's a good striker of the ball, Danny Purdy, and it was an excellent goal to win the game and I'm pleased we are in the next round."
Although the hosts' tactics did not lead to the most attractive of games, the eventual victory in the war of attrition will have given West Ham's youngsters some valuable experience. "We had loads of possession but at times I felt that that ball that would open them up or find a West Ham player in the final third just failed to reach its target. When you don't score you get frustrated, but we kept plugging away. "We changed the system a bit to try and open the game up a little more bit more, which I think helped us push them back and with them being unadventurous we had to score to bring them out. We did that but very late in the game which meant they had to chase the game and in the end it was just about seeing out the game for the last 15 minutes."

The win books West Ham's place in the fourth round and Carr believed it would have given his youngsters a mental boost to taken into the rest of the season. While having to handle a tough game on the pitch, there was also plenty to contend with off it as well, with the match in doubt before kick-off when one of Home Park's floodlights stopped working on Wednesday afternoon. "Psychologically it was important for the lads to get through the tie and it's been a good experience. There was the question of whether the match was on, then the overnight stay. "There was the long journey and then we arrive and there's floodlight failure so we had to play with three floodlights and not four, so there's all sorts of things going on before the game has even started. Then Danny popped up with the goal and we're in the next round."

With a several hundred people present at Home Park, Carr is now hoping the draw for round four will favour his side by handing them a home tie at the Boleyn Ground. "I'd take anybody in the next round really. I think you'd like to be at home this time as it would be nice for some of these boys to play at Upton Park as they've never played there before."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton announcement expected
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 11th December 2009
By: Staff Writer

Unconfirmed reports are suggesting that Dean Ashton will announce his retirement later today. The former England international has barely played more than a handful of games for the Irons since joining in a £7.2million switch from Norwich three years ago. Having intially broken his ankle during an England training camp Ashton missed an entire season before making two unsuccessful attempts to get back to Premier League action. Late last year rumours regarding the 26-year old striker's possible retirement began to surface on the KUMB.com forum. According to today's Sun, Ashton is finally set to make an announcement on his future later today. Last month the Daily Telegraph reported that Ashton was set to announce his retirement having been told that he could be left unable to walk should he continue his pro career. The Telegraph also reported that West Ham United were set to mount an insurance claim against the F.A for £7m, as well as speculating that Ashton was considering launching a direct claim against Shaun Wright-Phillips, the player responsible for breaking his ankle.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Quashie future in Hammers' hands
Midfielder enjoying being able to play regular first-team football
By Chris Galea Last updated: 10th December 2009
SSN

MK Dons' on-loan midfielder Nigel Quashie insists that his future is out of his hands, but that he is making the most of playing regularly. The West Ham midfielder joined the League One outfit in November to improve his match fitness, but having impressed recently it is uncertain whether the Hammers would prefer to recall him to the first team once he returns in January. The former Scotland international has told skysports.com that everything boils down to what West Ham want to do after his loan has finished with the Dons, but he is more than happy to stay longer at the League One club. "I'm looking to get fit first and enjoy my football because I found it very strange sitting at home whilst the other boys were on the pitch every weekend," said Quashie. "At the end of the day I am employed by West Ham and whatever they decide is what will happen, but I jumped at the chance to come down here and if it means playing regular football then I'm happy to stay longer. "It is a great football club and the stadium is fantastic, so I can't wait to be fully fit and show the fans what I can do."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fry sticks with Gills
Hammers defender to spend third month at Priestfield
Last updated: 10th December 2009
SSN

West Ham United youngster Matt Fry has extended his loan deal at Gillingham for a third month. The centre-back has been ever present since making his league debut for the Gills in October's 2-0 defeat by MK Dons. Fry has made a total of 10 league and cup appearances for the League One outfit and will remain with them until after the Christmas period. Manager Mark Stimson said: "We've taken his deal up for a further month now, so that's good and there is a possibility that at the end of that month it can be extended to the rest of the season. "It's massive for us because a left-footed centre-half is like gold dust and with Josh Gowling missing for two games it's really important that we've been able to keep him."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chelsea face compensation claim from Dean Ashton for Shaun Wright-Phillips challenge
Dean Ashton is considering suing Chelsea and Shaun Wright-Phillips following the challenge in August 2006 which, he will claim, has ended his football career.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Published: 7:00AM GMT 11 Dec 2009

The 26-year-old West Ham United striker is, according to club sources, expected to announce his retirement from football today having failed to recover from the injury sustained during a training session while on England duty. In an apparently ground-breaking case, Ashton is believed to be investigating whether both Wright-Phillips and his employers at the time, Chelsea, can be the subject of legal action. It may be argued that Chelsea face what is termed a vicarious liability even though the winger was on international duty. Such a case would undoubtedly be challenged by Chelsea, who would argue that they cannot be held responsible for something that happened while their former player — who is now at Manchester City – was with England and, therefore, under the care of the Football Association. They will, it can be expected, argue that it did not take place during the course of his employment by Chelsea.
At the same time West Ham are to launch a £7 million compensation claim against the FA, which covers the amount Ashton is understood to have been insured for and equates to the fee they initially paid to sign him from Norwich City in January that year. That, too, will undoubtedly be challenged.
Ashton himself, who is just 26, will also receive a pay-off from West Ham of about a year's salary, thought to be £3 million.
Player-on-player claims are a complex area of the law with some insurers refusing to cover clubs for such eventualities. But all such previous cases appear only to have involved players taking part in matches for their clubs. For example, only last week former Charlton Athletic midfielder Matty Holmes accepted £250,000 in damages following a tackle by Wolves defender Kevin Muscat in 1998. The biggest award so far to cite the vicarious liability argument was the £909,000 received by Bradford City's Gordon Watson, who had a leg broken in two places in a challenge by Huddersfield Town defender Kevin Gray in 1997. The injury to Ashton happened at Manchester United's training ground, Carrington, prior to a friendly against Greece when he was due to start for the first time. Indeed the striker had been earmarked by the then head coach, Steve McClaren, as a key figure in England's plans to try to qualify for euro 2008.
The decision for Ashton to retire had been trailed last month, but marks a personal tragedy for a striker whom England manager Fabio Capello had also hoped to include in his squad. The Italian had watched Ashton carefully, in the hope that he would recover, and he even managed to gain an international cap, featuring in the friendly away to Trinidad and Tobago.
However, it will be argued that although Ashton did make a comeback of sorts and played 35 games for West Ham, scoring 11 goals, he never recovered from the original injury. It ruled him out for 11 months and he has now suffered such degenerative damage that he has no option but to retire from football even though he only signed a five-year contract last year. The key to the success of the expected claims by Ashton — and West Ham — is if they can prove that he never recovered from the ankle problem. Ashton has not played a senior match in 15 months, after breaking down soon after Gianfranco Zola was appointed manager. Although he is physically fit, he cannot twist or turn or take any impact on the left ankle because the injury is chronic. It is believed he has even been warned he may end up not being able to walk properly unless he retires. Discussions between Ashton and West Ham have been going on for some time while both parties have been examining the medical reports of the Dutch surgeon, Niek van Dyke, who originally operated on the player and has been fully involved in his attempts to regain fitness. Final tests have taken place in the last few weeks. An added complication is that the FA beefed up its insurance cover after a dispute with Newcastle United following Michael Owen's injury in the last World Cup but, it is believed, the Ashton claim will be dealt with by the previous company.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Birmingham City v West Ham United: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Birmingham City and West Ham United at St Andrew's on Saturday, December 12 2009, kick-off 15.00 GMT.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley
Published: 6:00AM GMT 11 Dec 2009
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Birmingham City v West Ham United
St Andrews
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT
TV: Highlights, BBC1 MotD.

Birmingham are in impressive form; they are unbeaten in six games, winning four including their last three. The run has seen Alex McLeish's team rise from 17th to eighth in the Premier League. But they are without Stuart Parnaby, Teemu Taino and Martin Taylor while Kevin Phillips is doubtful. West Ham have a good record at St Andrews. In their last five visits in the League they have won four and drawn one. In the last meeting there between these teams, West ham won 1-0 thanks to a Mark Noble penalty, in August 2007. Matthew Upson could be back while Robert Green, replaced early in the 4-0 defeat by Manchester United with a virus, should be available. Carlton Cole and Valon Behrami are out and Luis Jimenez is doubtful and Zavon Hines are doubtful.

Birmingham (4-4-2): Hart; Carr, Dann, Johnson, Ridgewell; Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, McFadden; Benitez, Jerome.

West Ham (Probable, 4-4-2): Green; Spector, Da Costa, Upson, Ilunga; Collison, Parker, Kovac, Stanislas; Franco, Diamanti.

Referee: Lee Mason. Matches: 8. R2 Y16.

Last season: N/A.

Stat of the game: Birmingham have not beaten West Ham since 2002, at Upton Park, and last won at home in 1985.

Betting tip: A 2-0 home win is 7-1.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dean Ashton set to confirm retirement today and 'may sue'
Reports say Ashton may sue Wright-Phillips and Chelsea
West Ham striker warned of risks to ankle if he plays on
Jon Brodkin
guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 December 2009 01.58 GMT

West Ham United's Dean Ashton is expected to confirm today that he is retiring because of an ankle injury. The 26-year-old striker has struggled to recover from an injury he first suffered on England duty in August 2006 following a training-ground tackle with Shaun Wright-Phillips. It was reported last night that Ashton is looking into whether he can take legal action against Wright-Phillips and Chelsea, for whom the winger – now with Manchester City – was then playing.
Chelsea would challenge any such case given that the tackle was made while Wright-Phillips was with England. Ashton returned the following year to play again for West Ham and went on to win his sole England cap in 2008 but the ankle injury recurred last season and he has been advised by the surgeon who performed the original operation, Niek van Dijk, that he risks rendering himself permanently unable to walk should he continue playing football. Ashton moved to Upton Park from Norwich City in January 2006 for £7.25m. West Ham have been examining whether they are able to launch a compensation claim of around £7m against the Football Association.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DAVID SULLIVAN'S £42M 'TO SAVE' WEST HAM
Daily Express
Friday December 11,2009
By John Wragg

DAVID SULLIVAN will save debt-ridden West Ham from going bust, says Birmingham manager Alex McLeish. Sullivan and his friend David Gold – both huge Hammers fans – are on the verge of buying West Ham for £42million. McLeish worked with Sullivan and Gold for two years at Birmingham and was hand-picked by Sullivan to succeed Steve Bruce. Sullivan, Gold and his brother Ralph Gold, sold Birmingham to Carson Yeung for £81.5m two months ago and they immediately targeted West Ham. Ralph Gold, who took a backseat at Birmingham but was financially supportive, will probably not be involved this time. Although there have been rows since about the amount of unpaid bills Yeung found at the club, Birmingham were not allowed to run into debt by Sullivan and Gold. McLeish said the way Sullivan ran the club was different to what he had experienced before but that the financial health of Birmingham was always a priority. Sullivan and Gold, both multi-millionaires, will make their official bid for West Ham today before the Hammers play at Birmingham tomorrow. They will take a substantial shareholding, invest in the team during next transfer window, then complete the purchase from the Icelandic owners.
West Ham have been looking for potential buyers for months but Gold, who used to live opposite the ground and Sullivan have been biding their time, waiting to do a deal. "What West Ham might get is stability for the club," said McLeish of the potential Sullivan and Gold ownership. "David Sullivan knows how to run a business and keep its head above water. He has amassed a tremendous knowledge over the last 16 years when in charge at Birmingham. "That expertise and know-how is difficult to come by and people who have been successful over such a lengthy period of time have to be respected.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zola succumbing to second-season syndrome
By Norman Hubbard
ESPN
December 10, 2009

While some clubs suffer from the mysterious footballing ailment known as 'second-season syndrome', at West Ham it appears to afflict managers. The first year in the top flight brings serene progress, but the next tends to result in a downturn. Glenn Roeder was relegated in his, Alan Pardew dismissed half-way through a second top-flight campaign with demotion appearing to beckon and Alan Curbishley, perhaps aware of the unfortunate precedents, left before he could celebrate a second anniversary at the Boleyn Ground.

Now Gianfranco Zola is the latest to suffer. The Italian's first year at the helm was notable for the delights of West Ham's distribution. A general sense of goodwill towards such a gifted footballer appeared justified as Zola crafted a team in his own image, finally provided Carlton Cole with a route map towards goal and seemed to suggest that, rather than coming last, nice guys are quite capable of laudable mid-table finishes.

The current campaign lends itself to a very different conclusion. Perhaps the Premier League's most pleasant manager's team have been too accommodating. West Ham sit in 17th position having shipped seven goals in their last two home games. They are offering entertainment at Upton Park, where eight games have produced 34 goals, but too much of it has been of the wrong variety: theirs is the most porous defence at home.
Clean sheets have eluded them since August and they have spent the last two months veering in and out of the relegation zone. If the statistics are unenviable, there are signs of an unfortunate naivety.

In Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Manchester United, for instance, Michael Carrick was allowed to play his first senior game at centre back without being tested in an unfamiliar role, prompting one West Ham fan to comment that it allowed their former midfielder to look like Franz Beckenbauer. Meanwhile, Paul Scholes and Darron Gibson, both noted for their long-range shooting, were allowed to unleash several efforts before each duly scored from distance.

West Ham can cite the absence of two vital players from the spine of the side. Matthew Upson is the senior defender and Cole the physical force and premier goalscorer in attack - especially with doubts surrounding the future of Dean Ashton, who has not been fit enough to figure in the last 15 months.
Indeed, circumstances have conspired against Zola. Hefty compensation payments to Sheffield United, resulting from Carlos Tevez's involvement in the controversial end to the 2006-07 season, were compounded by the Icelandic banking crisis which forced the ownership of the club to be transferred from the formerly wealthy Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson to an asset management company, CB Holdings.

Funds have been understandably limited. This year has seen the sale of two players now excelling elsewhere in Craig Bellamy and James Collins, plus the departure of the captain, Lucas Neill, after he rejected a reduced contract. Were each of that trio still available to Zola, it is not unrealistic to suggest West Ham, who finished ninth last year, could be in a similar position.

Instead, the exits have exacerbated the reliance on Robert Green, Upson, Scott Parker and Cole. The latter is out until the end of January, meaning that goals may be in short supply. If much of the squad, including most of Zola's signings, can operate as attacking midfielders, deep-lying strikers or wingers, too few offer the sort of solidity that can reassure.

It is, perhaps, why West Ham threatened to become the first team in Premier League history to squander a five-goal lead when Burnley, who eventually lost 5-3, mounted a comeback. It is no coincidence that it was another of the matches Upson missed.

The alternatives at the heart of defence provide a neat summary of the squad: promising youngsters (James Tomkins, in this case), sadly injury-prone players (Danny Gabbidon), unconvincing but able imports (Manuel da Costa) and the odd utility player (Jonathan Spector).

And in each sector of the squad, January presents a test. Any offers could examine West Ham's need to sell. Any arrivals, it appears, will have to be cheap. Though Guillermo Franco has started to contribute, a goalscorer is one requirement; the club record buy Savio was swiftly returned to Italy while the unpredictable Alessandro Diamanti appears to have cemented the role of specialist substitute, but there is a vacancy in attack.

Zola has conceded that West Ham are in a relegation fight. The question is whether a team configured to pass and move is ideally equipped to battle for survival, with West Brom's relegation last season suggesting the answer is no. And is a manager who garnished teams rather nearer the top of the table as a player - though he was undoubtedly a hard worker - ready for the different pressures of life in and around the bottom three?

West Ham find themselves trapped in an unwanted action replay of the end of the Roeder and Pardew eras. Zola was a classier player than either and a more genial manager, but second-season syndrome may yet claim another victim.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dean Ashton expected to retire after losing prolonged injury battle
Peter Lansley
The Times

Dean Ashton, the West Ham United forward, is expected to announce his retirement today at 26. While other strikers are jostling for a place in Fabio Capello's squad for the World Cup finals, Ashton, who suffered his first serious injury on England duty, is resigned to ending his career after doctors warned him that he risked causing long-term damage if he persisted in trying to make a comeback. Ashton's problems started when he was first called up by England, for a friendly against Greece in 2006. He suffered a broken ankle in a tackle from Shaun Wright-Phillips and was sidelined for more than a year.
Despite persistent problems he recovered sufficiently to win his only England cap, against Trinidad & Tobago in June last year, but broke down again three months later.
West Ham paid Norwich City £7.25 million for Ashton in January 2006, but it seems that his career has ended four years later, having made only 43 appearances for the club. The news is scheduled to be announced on the day that bidding for West Ham is due to close, with David Gold and David Sullivan, the former Birmingham City owners, unlikely to retain their interest should no resolution be forthcoming by Christmas. Gold and Sullivan have tabled a £42 million bid for the ailing Barclays Premier League club after Rothschild, the investment bank, was instructed to bring bidding to a close. The deadline was set because Straumur, the Icelandic bank that runs West Ham, has a bankruptcy hearing in Reykjavik today, although it is highly likely to have its moratorium extended until next summer.
CB Holdings, the company headed by Straumur, wants £50 million for the club, with debts of a similar amount covered. However, Gold and Sullivan, who are thought to be worth an estimated £750 million between them after leading the £81.5 million sale of Birmingham to Carson Yeung in October, would prefer to split their initial investment across short-term debts, running costs and transfers. This, in turn, would allow Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, at least £20 million to acquire new players once the transfer window opens next month. It is thought that Gold and Sullivan are only interested in buying into the club they supported since childhood if they are given sufficient time to purchase players at the next transfer window. They would be likely to pursue a move for Charlton Athletic if Straumur dallies and shows signs of using them as a backstop to induce alternative investors.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham set to land Brazilian superstar on loan
Published 17:57 10/12/09 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror

Gianfranco Zola could be set to land a major coup with Brazillian superstar Adriano mulling over a move to West Ham. The former Inter Milan marksman is a free agent after winning the Brazilian championship with Flamengo last weekend. Now 27-year-old Adriano must decide whether to stay with the club or whether to join either AC Milan, Roma or West Ham. The striker is believed to uncertain whether to go back to Italy after run-ins with Robert Mancini and Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan over his party lifestyle. Adriano also struggled to recover from his grief after his father passed away. As a result Inter first allowed him to join Sao Paolo on loan thencut their losses and let him join Flamenho on a free. Now though, Adriano has regained his form and has a clutch of clubs on his tail.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com