WHUFC.com
Tony Carr's youth team beat the D.C. United Academy on Tuesday to reach the
Tiffany Cup final
30.03.2010
West Ham United's youngsters held off the challenge of the United States'
best Academy side - D.C. United - to reach the final of the International
Amateur Soccer Tournament - The Challenge for the Tiffany Trophy Cup with a
match to spare. Dylan Tombides and Dominic Vose were both on target as a
combined Under-16/17 side overcame the Americans 2-0 on home turf in
Washington D.C. on Tuesday. Having beaten the Georgian U17 national team 2-1
in their opening fixture, Tony Carr's Hammers are through to the final
before taking on Northern Capital Soccer League outfit Annandale United in
their final group-stage match. West Ham have been made welcome in the
American capital, attending a special reception at the British Embassy on
Monday afternoon. "The reception was a nice touch," said Carr. "The
ambassador made us all very welcome and the boys thoroughly enjoyed
themselves. I also had the opportunity to attend a reception at the South
African Embassy in honour of the country hosting the FIFA World Cup this
summer.
"The boys were also able to enjoy a sightseeing trip around Washington D.C.,
during which they visited the White House, the Capitol and the Lincoln
Memorial. "As much as these trips are about the boys' football development,
they are also educational. Some of them are young and had never flown
before, let alone visited the United States, so it has been a great
experience for them. "Soccer in the United States is really buzzing, with
youngsters participating in their tens of thousands across the country. The
challenge here is to bridge the gap between youth soccer and the
professional game."
All the club's expenses for the trip have been paid for by the tournament's
organisers. Last year's competition was won by Real Madrid.
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Four perfect 10s
WHUFC.com
Two unique shirts signed by four great West Ham United No10s are to go up
for auction
29.03.2010
Two very special West Ham United shirts signed by four of the greatest
players ever to wear the club's coveted No10 shirt have gone up for auction.
The 2009/10 home shirt has been personally signed by Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir
Trevor Brooking, Tony Cottee and Paolo Di Canio, before being mounted and
framed alongside a unique montage featuring the quartet of Hammers legends.
All proceeds will go towards the club's Academy. The following text is
printed underneath the shirt and images, marking the amazing impression the
four featured players have left on the club. "Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Trevor
Brooking, Tony Cottee and Paolo Di Canio are four of the finest players ever
to have worn the No10 shirt for West Ham United. The quartet made more than
1,500 appearances between them, scoring nearly 550 goals."
FIFA 1966 World Cup hat-trick hero Hurst made 502 appearances between 1960
and 1972, scoring 249 goals - second only to the late, great Vic Watson in
the club's history. Hurst was also voted Hammer of the Year three times.
Brooking, whose header won the 1980 FA Cup for the Hammers, netted 102 goals
in 635 games between 1965 and 1984, winning the Hammer of the Year award on
an unrivalled five occasions. Cottee plundered 146 goals in 336 appearances
in two spells at the Boleyn Ground, starring for West Ham between 1983 and
1988 and 1994 and 1997. He was also voted Hammer of the Year in 1986.
Italian Di Canio won the hearts of Hammers fans between 1998 and 2003,
scoring 51 times in 141 appearances and being named Hammer of the Year in
2000. The framed shirts will be available exclusively through West Ham
United's official eBay store, with each on an individual seven-day auction.
Payment is via Paypal. Please note that if payment is not received within
seven days, then the shirt will be relisted.
Shirt 1 :
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220578670638&ssPageName
=STRK:MESELX:IT
Shirt 2 :
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220578678826&ssPageName
=STRK:MESELX:IT
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Cole committed to cause
WHUFC.com
After the disappointment of the weekend, Carlton Cole is looking to put
things right
30.03.2010
Carlton Cole has spoken of the togetherness in the West Ham United camp
after returning to work at Chadwell Heath. The England striker was one of
several first-teamers at the training ground on Tuesday, with the squad
having already switched their focus to Sunday afternoon's tricky trip to
Everton. He said he had been fired up by the manager's determination to turn
things around. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "It's what you want to hear
your manager say. He is a committed man and I fully back him. He is such a
nice person, a good manager, and he knows what he is doing. "Every time I go
on to the field I never want to let him down, and no other player in the
squad wants to do that either. Everyone loves him and wants to do well under
him. "Everyone at West Ham wants what is best for West Ham. I can't see the
manager and the chairman wanting different things. We all want the same
thing. "Everton is a game where we can get something. I am guy who likes to
win his games and it has not been good so far, but we are looking to change
that this Sunday."
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Dyer proud of youngsters
WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer was pleased with the display of his reserve team in Tuesday's 1-0
home defeat by Aston Villa
30.03.2010
His West Ham United side may have been edged out 1-0 by Barclays Premier
Reserve League South leaders Aston Villa, but manager Alex Dyer had plenty
of reasons to be pleased with his players. For various reasons, Dyer's young
Hammers could be proud of their display on a wild, wet and windy night at
Bishop's Stortford FC's Woodside Park.
Andreas Weimann scored the only goal of the game, racing on to James
Collins' flick-on before firing past Marek Stech at the second attempt
shortly after the half-hour mark.
At the other end, Junior Stanislas hit the post with a free-kick, while
Ahmed Abdulla, Davide Ferrari and Stanislas himself were all denied by Villa
goalkeeper David Marshall and half-time replacement David Bevan. "It was a
good game," said Dyer. "Villa are top of the league and have been winning
most of their games this season. It was nice. The boys worked hard and put
in a good shift. I felt bad because we lost the game but, individually and
collectively, there were some good performances. "Conditions were hard, but
I felt that we coped with them quite well. We've been doing well lately and
had a couple of good wins against the better sides in the league. We had a
young team out against the best team in the league, an experienced team, and
we matched them. "I was disappointed with the goal we conceded because it
was avoidable. One of the centre-halves didn't cover around the other one
when he lost the ball in the air, but apart from that, we dug in well."
While Dyer was pleased with his side's overall display in difficult
conditions, the manager singled out a number of his young performers for
special praise. Academy right-back Callum Driver, 17, impressed on his first
start at reserve-team level, while Stanislas looked highly motivated to do
well on the right wing. Eight days after rival and close friend Peter Kurucz
was a star in the 2-0 win at Arsenal, Marek Stech staked his own claim to be
Robert Green's regular back-up with a strong evening's work between the
sticks.
Josh Payne, who looks set to be released at the end of the season, was also
in good form in front of more than 30 scouts from clubs from all over
Europe. "Callum was very good in his first game in the reserves. He worked
hard up and down the line and looked like he'd played there before at this
level. "Junior put in a good performance and got another 90 minutes under
his belt at this level. He got up and down, too, and was motivated. He
wanted to play in this game, and that will bode well at first-team level.
"It was good to see Anthony Edgar back. He has been out injured for a few
weeks, so it was good to see him playing again. "I thought Josh Payne did
well. He's one of the boys who is looking for another club and there were a
lot of scouts there, so hopefully he'll have impressed them because he put
in a good, disciplined performance. "Marek was very good. He made some good
saves and commanded his box well, so I was happy. To be fair, I was happy
with all eleven players and the three subs that came on."
* Bondz N'Gala played his third game for Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night as
the Championship strugglers picked up a precious point in a goalless draw at
home to Barnsley.
The Green Army are five points from safety with six matches to play but
N'Gala, 20, has played his part in their survival fight by helping the club
to their second clean sheet in the last three matches. N'Gala joined
Plymouth earlier this month on loan until the end of the season, and looks
set to move on to pastures new this summer.
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Reserves 0-1 Aston Villa FT
WHUFC.com
All the action as it happened as West Ham United reserves were edged out by
Aston Villa at Woodside Park
30.03.2010
West Ham United reserves v Aston Villa reserves
Barclays Premier Reserve League South
Woodside Park, Bishop's Stortford FC
Tuesday 30 March 2010
Kick-off: 7pm
Final score - West Ham United reserves 0-1 Aston Villa reserves
92 mins - Hogg brings down Edgar again and is booked this time. Brown lofts
it in but it is headed clear. Edgar picks the ball up and finds Driver, who
is tackled and the final whistle is blown. Unfortunate defeat for the
Hammers, who gave everything in absolutely horrible conditions. The reserves
will return to action a week tonight at Stoke City. Don't forget to visit
WHUTV for exclusive highlights and post-match reaction.
91 mins - I have never seen football played in weather worse than this! It's
like a monsoon, with the rain bucketing down and the wind swirling it around
Woodside Park.
90 mins - Stanislas whips in a wicked ball and Bevan can only flap it behind
for a corner. Stanislas crosses again and it is headed clear. We're going to
have at least two more minutes...
89 mins - A loose ball allows Edgar to get the better of Hogg. The winger
gets away from the right-back, who fouls him. A late chance for Stanislas to
deliver.
88 mins - The ball is thrown in and headed clear by Osbourne. It falls to
Payne, but his first-time shot fizzes inches wide of the far post. Unlucky.
87 mins - The rain is falling even harder here, but West Ham still have a
chance of nicking a draw. If they could, it would be a superb result against
the leaders.
85 mins - Great saving challenge from Spence to knock the ball over his own
crossbar after Albrighton had escaped the attentions of Brown down the
right. The resulting corner falls to Salifou, but the Togoese fires
powerfully wide from about 12 yards.
84 mins - Good stuff again from Stech, who claims Albrighton's volleyed
cross well above the head of Collins.
83 mins - West Ham are still right in this as Stanislas runs at O'Halloran,
only for the cross to bounce back off the winger and out for a goal kick.
81 mins - Another sight of goal for West Ham. Driver latches on to Dixon's
pass and sends over a cross. Clark heads clear to Payne, who drags his shot
wide from 25 yards. Maybe he should have taken a touch?
80 mins - It is real end-to-end stuff here as both sets of players tire on
the heavy surface. First, Dixon is just too short when trying to play in
Edgar, then Albrighton sees his shot deflected wide by Brown. The corner is
half-cleared by Stech, who then recovers to save Osbourne's follow-up shot.
Good work from the goalkeeper.
78 mins - After an age of messing about, Albrighton hits his free-kick low
and it deflects just wide of the target off the wall. Close call. West Ham
clear the corner and Stanislas romps forward before feeding Edgar, whose
cross is hacked out for a throw.
77 mins - Payne slides in and plays Collins in by accident. The forward is
brought down just outside the box. Danger for the Hammers.
76 mins - Salifou picks out Albrighton with a nice cross-field pass. The
right winger crosses left-footed, but it is too high for Hofbauer and flies
out for a goal kick.
73 mins - West Ham win a free-kick wide on the right. Stanislas whips in a
superb ball and Wearen should score at the far post, but the unmarked
Irishman can only divert his header wide of the post.
72 mins - The change nearly has an immediate effect as Montano and Dixon
threaten to break through, only for Davies to make a fine challenge. West
Ham threaten come foward again seconds later and Bevan does well to save
with his legs.
71 mins - A third and final change for the Hammers, with Edgar on for
Ferrari. West Ham are now playing 4-4-2, by the way, with Montano partnering
Dixon up front. Edgar is wide on the left.
70 mins - Spence brings down Collins wide on the left. Albrighton curls it
in and Stech punches clear to Clark. He tries to chip the goalkeeper, but
the Czech holds on.
68 mins - West Ham have not created too much this half, save for Stanislas'
free-kick. They will need to make more of their possession if they are to
get back on level terms. Payne tries to do so with a left-foot cross, but it
is easily cleared by Clark in front of Montano.
65 mins - Villa are well on top and Dyer makes a second change, bringing on
Eoin Wearen for Lee for the final 25 minutes or so.
62 mins - Sanchez plays Stech into a bit of trouble, and the goalkeeper
makes a hash of his clearance. The ball is worked to Hofbauer, but he curls
his shot wide of the angle of post and bar.
61 mins - Weimann this time, but his curves his shot wide of the target from
20 yards.
60 mins - Brilliant play from Villa. Hogg gets forward well before Collins
works it wide to Albrighton. The winger curls a super cross to the far post,
where Hofbauer catches the ball flush on the volley, only for Stech to block
it with his legs.
59 mins - It's absolutely sheeting it down with rain as Stech runs out of
his goal to clear well at the feet of Collins. The goalkeeper gets there
first and slides the ball out of the stadium.
58 mins - Stanislas rattles the post with his free-kick. He takes a long run
up and curls the ball into the near post, where it bounces back to Dixon,
who can only stab the ball wide of the target. Montano is on, but in place
of Abdulla rather than Dixon.
57 mins - Montano is about to come on, I would suspect for Dixon. Meanwhile,
West Ham win a free-kick deep inside the Villa half. Stanislas comes across
to take it.
55 mins - Close. Osbourne flights a cross to the back post, where Albrighton
has lost Brown. The winger tries to hit a controlled volley into the bottom
corner, but misjudges his effort by about a yard.
54 mins - West Ham have started fairly well after the break, with Payne
again looking to take control of the midfield. There are plenty of scouts
here, and they will surely have been impressed by the midfielder's
performance so far.
50 mins - Good football from the Hammers. Lee and Payne work well in
midfield before the latter sprays it wide into the path of Driver. The
right-back reaches the byline and crosses dangerously. The ball hits
O'Halloran, spins across the goalmouth and is hacked clear by Hogg. Villa
break immediately, but Hofbauer's header is weak and easily held by Stech.
49 mins - It's raining. Again.
47 mins - Albrighton is fouled by Payne. Hofbauer crosses and Stech rises
above Davies to punch the ball clear with both fists.
46 mins - Aston Villa get us underway, with David Bevan replacing Marshall
between the sticks. I don't think Marshall was injured, so I'm assuming it's
just a case of giving the Irish youngster a run out.
Half-time score - West Ham United reserves 0-1 Aston Villa reserves
46 mins - We're going to have at least one added minute. About a second
short, the half-time whistle is blown.
44 mins - West Ham's best chance of the half goes begging. Stanislas curls a
superb ball around the Villa defence to Abdulla, but his shot is blocked by
Marshall. It rolls clear to Ferrari, but the Italian hits the goalkeeper
with a follow-up effort with his weaker right foot.
42 mins - West Ham lose possession inside the Villa half and Albrighton
streaks away again, beating Payne before seeing his shot hit Spence and spin
wide for another corner. The same player takes, but his cross is well
blocked by Driver.
39 mins - O'Halloran forces a corner off Driver at the near post. Albrighton
to take... He takes it short and receives the ball back, hitting it
first-time into the box, but it floats just over the head of Davies at the
back stick.
38 mins - Davies hooks the ball clear to Weimann, who turns smartly and runs
away from Lee, who tugs him back. A booking is the result for the West Ham
midfielder.
37 mins - It's hard work out there in the mud. Dixon comes short for a pass
and is fouled by Clark.
36 mins - Villa are on top here, and Spence has to be alert to smash Hogg's
right-wing cross out for a throw.
33 mins - GOAL! Weimann scores, but it really should have been avoided. The
Austrian runs on to a flick on and beats two West Ham defenders to the ball.
Stech saves his first effort well, but is powerless to prevent Weimann from
clipping the rebound in off the far post.
31 mins - Albrighton hits the frame of the goal again! Villa force a
free-kick about 30 yards out and the winger curls a dipping effort that
bounces back off the crossbar before Weimann volleys the rebound into the
car park.
30 mins - Another corner for Villa as Albrighton's cross flicks off Spence's
head and over the stand and into the car park. Albrighton himself takes and
it curls low into the base of the near post. That would have been a bit
embarrassing for Driver, who was stationed on the post, but thankfully West
Ham were able to scramble the ball clear.
28 mins - Albrighton gets forward again down the right and forces Spence
into conceding a corner.
27 mins - Stanislas clips the ball in and it falls to Dixon, whose shot is
blocked. Stanislas regains possession and finds Ferrari, whose cross falls
to Payne, but the midfielder's ambitious effort flies over the stand.
26 mins - Payne is back on... Abdulla holds the ball up well and wins a
free-kick about 35 yards out. Stanislas still looks like he fancies a shot
on goal.
24 mins - Good work from Payne and Stanislas to win the ball back before the
former is felled by Osbourne. Payne is left in a heap and needs the physio
on.
23 mins - Albrighton crosses to the near post, where O'Halloran runs into
the space but can only flick his header wide of the far post.
22 mins - Midway through the opening period and Payne is having an
impressive game so far. He's been at the centre of much of the Hammers' best
moments, while Stanislas has also done well so far. As I type, Spence
concedes a corner.
20 mins - Good challenge from Spence to deny Salifou after the African had
broken into the box on to Weimann's pass. If he hadn't made the challenge,
then Salifou may well have been in on Stech's goal.
18 mins - An opportunity at the other end straight away. Weimann uses skill
and pace to get away from Driver and get into the box, but he can only drag
his shot across the face of goal.
17 mins - A first chance for the Hammers. Payne finds Abdulla with the
outside of his right boot. The Saudi Arabian feeds Stanislas, who makes ten
yards before forcing a smart save from Marshall. West Ham work the corner
short to Lee, whose shot is blocked.
16 mins - Albrighton and Hogg combine down the right before the former
crosses deep, where Payne does well to head clear when surrounded by two
Villa attackers.
14 mins - Payne loses possession before sliding in hard on Hofbauer and
clearing the ball for a throw. Not much in the way of goalmouth action at
either end so far, to be honest. Albrighton tries to change that, but
Sanchez is there to clear.
13 mins - Spence clears and Stanislas volleys the ball out of the stadium.
11 mins - Hofbauer's cross holds up on the wind and threatens to dip under
the crossbar. Stech takes no chances and pushes it out for a corner, which
comes to nothing.
9 mins - Good work from Abdulla to win a free-kick inside the centre circle,
but West Ham play backwards and concede possession. Salifou crosses and
Spence slides in to clear. West Ham are struggling to keep the ball, but the
surface isn't helping too much.
7 mins - Another effort from Villa. O'Halloran and Hofbauer combine down the
left before Weimann shoots from 20 yards, but again the effort is wayward
and flies past the far post.
6 mins - Payne brings down left-back O'Halloran five yards outside the
penalty area on the left. Albrighton curls the ball miles too long and it
flies out for a goal kick.
4 mins - The powerfully-built Salifou picks the ball up 25 yards out, takes
a touch and slices his shot well wide of Stech's goal. Villa are on top in
the early stages.
3 mins - Villa's side looks considerably bigger than West Ham's. That makes
sense, considering the experienced Curtis Davies, Osbourne and Togo
international Moustapha Salifou are all involved from the start.
2 mins - West Ham have lined up in a 4-5-1 formation, with Dixon up front
and Abdulla forming part of a five-man midfield. Ferrari is on the left,
with Stanislas wide on the right.
1 min - Isaiah Osbourne ploughs forward through the mud before being halted
by right-back Callum Driver. First-team coach Kevin Keen is here to watch
the action.
7pm - West Ham get us underway...
6.59pm - As if conditions could get any worse! It's now windy as well, which
makes it feel even colder. Lovely. The two captains are called forward by
the referee, a Mr Cooper, for the pre-match handshakes and coin toss. The
two teams switch ends, with Villa kicking towards Stansted Airport and the
M11...
6,57pm - West Ham are out first, with Spence leading his troops on to the
sodden playing suurface. Villa soon follow, led by captain Ciaran Clark.
6.55pm - We have some young Aston Villa fans in the stand here! The little
girls are making themselves heard with a song or two, as well. Very
impressive. Without being over-dramatic, it is freezing here.
6.50pm - I must confess that the crowd is not the biggest here this evening.
The poor weather, plus the attraction of UEFA Champions League football on
the TV, looks to have kept even the regulars away from Woodside Park. On the
flip side, there are dozens of scouts here this evening.
West Ham United will look to make it three Barclays Premier Reserve League
South wins in succession when they host leaders Aston Villa at Woodside Park
this evening.
The relentless rain is still falling here on the Essex/Herts border, and the
playing surface does look a tad wet in places, but we have the OK to go
ahead from the referee. This is the 70th match played on this pitch this
season.
West Ham have a young side out, with Junior Stanislas and Josh Payne
providing the first-team experience in the starting XI. Jordan Spence will
captain Alex Dyer's team, with Marek Stech in goal. Davide Ferrari and Terry
Dixon, who scored in the 2-0 win at Arsenal eight days ago, are also in the
lineup.
Reigning champions Aston Villa are unbeaten in all eleven matches they have
played this season, and sit two points clear at the top of the table again
this term. Kevin MacDonald's side won 2-0 in the reverse fixture at Villa
Park in September, when the weather was rather different.
West Ham United reserves: Stech, Driver, Sanchez, Spence, Brown, Stanislas,
Payne, Lee (Wearen 65), Ferrari, Abdulla (Montano 58), Dixon
Subs: Mehmet, McNaughton, Edgar
Aston Villa reserves: Marshall (Bevan 46), Hogg, Clark, Davies, O'Halloran,
Albrighton, Osbourne, Salifou, Hofbauer, Weimann, Collins
Subs: Forrester, Carruthers, Deeney
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Cole - Players behind Zola
Hammers striker lifted by manager's decision to fight on
By Rob Parrish Last updated: 30th March 2010
SSN
LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
Everton v West Ham
3.30pm, Sun, Sky Sports HD1, Sky Sports 1 and online with Sky Player
Carlton Cole believes Gianfranco Zola's decision to stay with West Ham will
lift the club as they battle against relegation from the Premier League.
Zola admitted after Saturday's home defeat by Stoke - their sixth top-flight
reverse in succession - that he was considering his future with the Upton
Park club. Several days of soul-searching in Sardinia persuaded the former
Italy international to remain for the final six games of the campaign. The
Hammers are only out of the relegation zone on goal difference and could be
in the bottom three by the time they kick off Sunday's clash with in-form
Everton at Goodison Park. Striker Cole revealed that the squad had been
lifted by Zola's announcement and insisted they would be giving their all to
ensure the East London outfit remain in England's top flight. The England
international told Sky Sports News: "It's what you want to hear your manager
say. "He is a committed man and I fully back him. He is such a nice person,
a good manager, and he knows what he is doing. "I know the results haven't
gone our way lately but we are still working hard and hopefully we can stay
away from the relegation zone. "We have not had the rub of the green. The
boys always try 100 per cent, all of us are really motivated to beat the
drop. "It is not an issue of us not being 100 per cent committed. "We want
to do it for him. He has got so much charisma and everyone knows what type
of person he is. "Every time I go onto the field I never want to let him
down, and no other player in the squad wants to do that either. Everyone
loves him and wants to do well under him."
Co-owner David Sullivan sparked a row with Zola by describing the team's
performance in the recent home defeat by Wolves as 'shambolic', but Cole
feels the duo are now pulling in the same direction. He added: "Everyone at
West Ham wants what is best for West Ham. I can't see the manager and the
chairman wanting different things. We all want the same thing. "It is so
tight down there at the moment. One game can make a whole world of
difference. We are working hard to get that first win. We have not had a
good run and we want to work hard and change that. "Everton is a game where
we can get something. I am guy who likes to win his games and it has not
been good so far, but we are looking to change that this Sunday."
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Hammers eye Emirates deal
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
WEST HAM are dabbling in a bit of Dubai and selling - as they turn to Arab
investors to ease their cash crisis. Joint-chairman David Sullivan and
vice-chair Karren Brady are in the United Arab Emirates tapping up wealthy
businessmen while the team battles to save its Premier League status. The
Hammers want minority shareholders to take up the remaining 50 per cent of
the club - for around £50million. Sullivan said: "I have good horse racing
connections over here. We only want people to take up the Straumur
percentage of investment. "English people are proving reluctant right now
because of the team's league place but we're working hard. "Some people here
are billionaires and we want them on board." Troubled Hammers boss
Gianfranco Zola returns to work today with his players' support. Defeat to
Everton on Sunday will be their seventh loss in a row.
But striker Carlton Cole said: "The gaffer is a committed man and I back him
fully."
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Premier hits TV jackpot again
The Sun
By CARL LONG
Published: Today
PREMIER League clubs have been told they will each collect an extra
£7.5million per season from overseas TV deals. Top-flight outfits already
receive about £12m from foreign television, sponsorship and licensing money.
That will push the minimum each club can earn a year in TV cash and prize
money alone to £40m. Whoever are champions next season can expect to rake in
more than £60m. That does not include income from gate receipts, club
sponsorship deals or from merchandise sales. As overseas TV cash is split
equally between the clubs, the Premier League boss Richard Scudamore hopes
the increase will appease chairmen who want a more even share of domestic TV
money. But the influx of extra cash will also widen the financial gulf
between the top flight and the Championship. The league are still to
finalise two outstanding overseas TV deals, but the contracts agreed so far
are nearly double the £625m total for the current period.
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Hammers owners seek Dubai investment
Published 23:00 30/03/10 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan was in Dubai yesterday seeking new
investment at Upton Park. Sullivan and David Gold bought 50 per cent of the
club for around £50m in January but the other half remains with Icelandic
company Straumur. And the new owners are seeking fresh money to buyout
Straumur while keeping their share. Sullivan said: "I have good horse-racing
connections over here. We only want people to take up the Straumur
percentage of the investment. English people are a bit reluctant because of
the team's position in the league but we're working hard." The value of club
will be sharply reduced if West Ham are relegated. Zola's side have lost six
straight matches to remain out of the bottom three only on goal difference.
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David Sullivan flies to Dubai in search of new investors for West Ham
West Ham's co-owner seeks funds for remaining 50% of club
Vice-chairman Karren Brady helps boost Sullivan's sales pitch
Stuart James guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 30 March 2010 21.01 BST
David Sullivan, West Ham United's co-owner, and Karren Brady, the
vice-chairman at Upton Park, have travelled to Dubai to hold talks with
potential investors in the Premier League club which they hope will lead to
an offer for Straumur's 50% shareholding. When Sullivan and David Gold paid
£44m for a 50% stake in West Ham in January they signed an agreement that
would give them the option over the next four years to acquire the remaining
50%. Sullivan, however, made it clear at the time that he would welcome
other investors, including Tony Fernandes, the head of the Lotus Formula One
team and a lifelong West Ham supporter, who had also hoped to take control
of the club at the turn of the year.
With no sign of any progress on that front, the latest development has seen
Sullivan and Brady make a trip to the Middle East this week to hold meetings
with a number of prospective buyers. The pair arrived in Dubai with a
prospectus to support their long-term plans for West Ham, which include
moving to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford after the 2012 London Games, and
remained in discussions with interested parties tonight. How easy it will be
to generate genuine interest in a club that has lost its last six matches
and faces the prospect of revenue streams being slashed in the event of
relegation to the Championship remains to be seen but Sullivan and Brady
will not lightly be discouraged.
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