WHUFC.com
The Queen has made Tony Carr a Member of the British Empire in her birthday
honours list
12.06.2010
Tony Carr has spoken of the "humbling" experience of being made an MBE in
the Queen's birthday honours list. The Academy Director has been honoured
for his services to football - a fitting reward for four decades of work for
the club he loves. The Royal recognition was confirmed on the day that six
of the greatest products through the club's youth system prepare to
represent England at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Carr, 59, said the news was
the continuation of a "special year" that saw him rewarded by the club with
a testimonial last month. In fact, the letter telling him came through the
morning after Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Co had turned out to honour
him in an all-star game at the Boleyn Ground. "The letter dropped through my
door the day after the testimonial," he told whufc.com. "The morning
afterwards, there it was. It just said 'you have been nominated for an MBE,
having been recommended by the Prime Minister's office for the Queen to
consider'. "I had no idea what it was at all. I thought it was a parking
fine at first, or a speeding fine or something. It was a brown envelope with
Her Majesty's Service written on it. I didn't expect it to be what it was at
all. "I didn't take it in. I had to read the letter three or four times
before I could believe it. I was with my wife Brenda and we were just
looking at each other and saying 'wow'. "Who would have thought of it?
Growing up on a council estate in Bow to someone who ends up with an MBE. I
would never have dreamed something like this would happen to me. It just
completes a special year, with my testimonial and now this. It doesn't get
any better."
With some difficulty, Carr managed to keep the news secret from everyone at
the club and even his two sons and daughter, before breaking the news at a
special family celebration on Friday night. "Funny enough I went to London
the other day and my wife and I were in a shop. They wanted our details for
a mailing list and my wife joked I should put down Tony Carr MBE. I said
'not until next week!'. "Seriously, though, it is very humbling to think
that you have been recognised by the establishment. It won't change me but I
am so grateful. I also have to thank a lot of people for their part in my
career. Certainly if it wasn't for John Lyall, I might never have been
interested in coaching. "I have a lot to be thankful for to John and many
other people over the years. It is certainly a great honour."
Carr is expecting his former Academy charges to all have a "wry smile and a
good laugh" when they hear the news while preparing with England for
tonight's World Cup encounter with the United States. He had wished all well
- including injured captain Ferdinand - at last month's testimonial and will
watch at home a happy man. "I will have a lot of pride when I see them. They
all turned out a month ago and now on the day I will watch them all for
England, this is announced. I am very fortunate and, like I say, humbled by
the whole experience. I am proud to be English. I am London born and bred
and I am also pleased that the club's work is recognised."
After the World Cup and dreams of Three Lions glory, Carr will get ready to
visit Buckingham Palace and perhaps a meeting with the Queen. "I have been
in close company before when she opened the new stand a few years ago but I
have never met her personally. That will be a very special day for the whole
family. I can't wait."
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Tony Carr MBE
WHUFC.com
whufc.com looks at just why Tony Carr has been rightly recognised in the
latest honours' list
12.06.2010
Tony Carr MBE is one of the most influential figures in English football. It
is not just that seven of the England squad that travelled to the 2010 FIFA
World Cup have come under his guidance - Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio
Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe - but
because he is committed to the grassroots of the game. For four decades he
has given back to the sport after seeing his own playing dreams dashed by
injury and he has created an outstanding legacy.
In March 2009, Premier League club West Ham United confirmed the Academy
Director would be rewarded for his 36 years of long and outstanding service
with a testimonial year in 2009/10. That match on 5 May 2010 saw the likes
of Ferdinand and Lampard return to the Boleyn Ground for an all-star match
in Carr's honour.
It is not just his work for the club though that deserves special mention.
He is a tireless worker for charity - not least for youngsters with
diabetes. Three years ago, Carr was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. After
learning to live with the condition and proving it should be no barrier to a
healthy and active life, Carr has been involved with a number of awareness
events.
It is at West Ham United though where Carr's impact has been most keenly
felt. Having played a major role over three decades and more, the club
believed the time was right to recognise and pay tribute to the achievements
of a man who began as an apprentice at the club in the 1960s cleaning Bobby
Moore and Geoff Hurst's boots.
He started coaching youngsters in 1973, after injury had forced him to give
up on his own playing dreams, and by 1980 he was full-time and well on the
way to relishing the opportunity to putting his own stamp on the famous
Academy.
From Ron Greenwood to Avram Grant, manager after manager at the Boleyn
Ground has felt the benefit of Carr's unstinting commitment to excellence
and developing the stars of tomorrow. The aim is to produce well-rounded
individuals that understand all aspects of the 'West Ham way'. While Carr
always acknowledges the support and expertise of the valued team he has
built up around him, his individual efforts deserve recognition.
The production line never stops and Carr can point to several players in the
current West Ham United first-team picture that have come under his charge,
led by England Under-21 midfielder Mark Noble. Behind him have followed the
recently-emerged quartet of James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Junior Stanislas
and Zavon Hines - who all had key roles last season.
The Bow-born Carr, who now lives with his family in Essex, knows only too
well how precious a life in football can be and his wisdom and emphasis on
producing players who enjoy the game first and foremost is appreciated by
all. As more and more global attention has focused on the Academy as a
renowned centre of excellence for youth development, he has never changed
his outlook or principles.
While this commitment to nurturing local prospects is as strong as ever,
Carr is just as likely to be found now putting some of the continent's
brightest players through their paces, jetting off to the US on a major
coaching seminar or leading a delegation to world-renowned clubs to share
information. The point is that, like the production line he oversees, the
Academy director has no intention of slowing down.
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High praise for Tony
WHUFC.com
David Sullivan and David Gold have spoken of West Ham United's pride in Tony
Carr MBE
12.06.2010
West Ham United chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold have led the tributes
to Tony Carr on the achievement of being made an MBE. The Academy Director
has been recognised in the Queen's birthday honours list published on
Saturday morning. It is fitting reward for 37 years of service, not just to
West Ham United but also to English football in general with consideration
of the vast number of players who have come through the Academy to represent
the country. Mr Sullivan said: "My congratulations go to Tony. If there is a
person who really deserves to be honoured like this, it is him. He has given
his life to football and to West Ham United. "It is nice to see football
being rewarded. It is so often overlooked with so many awards going to civil
servants or pop stars. Tony has given so much to this club and I know our
fans will be delighted with this news."
Mr Gold said: "I can't tell you how thrilled I am. It is so rare that people
working quietly in the background get honoured in football. Here is a proper
gentleman of football who has done an amazing job over nearly 40 years and
rightly he has been honoured. "It is richly deserved. The mere fact that we
could win the World Cup with a third of the squad having come through the
Academy under him says everything about the work he has done for football in
this country."
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Family affair for Edgar
WHUFC.com
Jermain Defoe will be cheered on by his cousin Anthony Edgar should he play
against the US
11.06.2010
One West Ham United player will have particular interest in whether Academy
graduate Jermain Defoe lines up for England on Saturday evening - his cousin
Anthony Edgar. The Hammers youngster has just signed a new deal with the
club to cap a memorable month for his family that had Defoe's inclusion in
Fabio Capello's FIFA World Cup squad as the stand-out event. Flying winger
Edgar, 19, revealed he could not wait to see if his relative plays against
the United States. "I spoke to Jermain the other day," he said. "We went
round to his Mum's house [before he left for South Africa] and had a
celebration. It was great. He made a speech and everyone was buzzing for
him. Hopefully he can go out there and play some games and score some
important goals. "It's looking like Emile Heskey is going to start in front
of him, but all Jermain needs to do is to keep his head down and, if he gets
some minutes on the pitch, to make an impact by scoring or creating a goal.
He just needs to do what he does best. He's a great player and I look up to
him."
Edgar travelled with Alex Dyer's squad to the recent HKFC IP Global
International Soccer Sevens in Hong Kong, only to be ruled out of the
tournament after suffering a calf injury in training. Now back to full
fitness, the teenager has been working out with former Academy team-mate
Bondz N'Gala - who has agreed to join Plymouth Argyle next month - at a
local health club. Like his 27-year-old cousin, the young Hammer has spent a
period on loan at AFC Bournemouth and is now fully focused on following him
into West Ham's starting XI on a regular basis. Edgar is the third youngster
to agree a new professional contract in the past fortnight, following
defenders Jordan Spence and Matt Fry.
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American idol
WHUFC.com
Former Hammer John Harkes will be a keen observer when England meet the
United States on Saturday
11.06.2010
For more than a decade, John Harkes was the face of soccer in the United
States, starring for his country at the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cups. One
of the first American players to move across the Atlantic to ply his trade
in England, the midfielder spent five years with Sheffield Wednesday and
Derby County before joining West Ham United on loan from the US Soccer
Federation in October 1995. Harkes would spend six months at the Boleyn
Ground, making 13 appearances before returning to his homeland to play for
DC United in the newly-created MLS. More than a decade later, the
43-year-old is working for American broadcaster ESPN and coaching
youngsters, but he still harbours fond memories of his short stay in east
London. whufc.com caught up with Harkes, who is working in South Africa for
the duration of the 2010 World Cup, ahead of Saturday's mouth-watering Group
C fixture between England and the United States.
John, you are out in South Africa, so you will obviously be following the
World Cup closely?
"I am working full-time with ESPN calling matches and I will be covering the
games live during the World Cup. I've been working from the studio ahead of
the tournament kicking-off on Friday and have been doing a lot of shows from
South Africa. "I was at England's final tune-up match against the Platinum
Stars on Monday with Martin Tyler, who I will be calling the match with on
Saturday. "It was interesting to see the game. I was surprised that England
wanted to play a friendly so close to the start of the tournament with so
many injuries floating around.
How did England shape up, in your opinion?
"They didn't look too good, to be honest. Fabio Capello went with a near
first-choice lineup before half-time, with Joe Hart in goal, a back four of
Glen Johnson, John Terry, Ledley King and Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard and
Steven Gerrard in the centre of midfield and Joe Cole on the left. "Up
front, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch started and they were so stranded.
They were putting pressure on the back four, but they were doing it on their
own. They were up against four defenders and a keeper and it made it easy
for the other team to keep the ball. "England looked a bit disconnected, but
after half-time they improved when Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey came on up
front and Joe Cole found a lot more space in the midfield."
Did what you saw give you encouragement as an American?
"I have to be objective while I'm working, but if I'm talking as a fan, I
don't think you can really read too much into a tune-up game like that. They
don't have the intensity of competitive World Cup matches. "On Saturday, it
will all be about who wants it more and who has got the desire to play to
their best. "England are the favourites, but we all know that on any given
day, there are opportunities for certain teams to surprise and walk away
with a draw or even a victory."
Is there a danger of England under-estimating the US team?
"I think the US has got some good players. Our strengths are out
organisation, our never-say-die attitude and our team's intention to go to a
World Cup and achieve exciting things. "Being realistic, England should walk
away with a win, but we have all seen teams pick up surprising results. "At
a World Cup, it is important to think about it as a three-match tournament
to start with, rather than focusing all your efforts on the first game.
Sometimes the media can build up expectations so far that the pressure can
get to the players. The pressure is on England on Saturday, while the US
players can just go out and enjoy it."
John Harkes
You played at two FIFA World Cup finals in Italy in 1990 and in your home
country in 1994. It must be the pinnacle of any professional footballer's
career? "You cannot beat it. It's the ultimate achievement for any player to
appear at a World Cup. You play with the passion and desire that you only
experience when you are playing for your country.
"You have to seize the opportunity and enjoy every second of it, because the
games go by so quickly. "I remember as a player at USA 94 that the
atmosphere was incredible and it can inspire you to achieve great things. In
our second match we played Colombia, who everybody including Pele was
tipping as the dark horses to win the tournament, and we beat them 2-1."
West Ham United have four representatives at South Africa 2010, three of
whom could be involved in Saturday's match. Do you see Robert Green, Matthew
Upson and Jonathan Spector being involved?
"Jonathan Spector has a chance to play for the US. He did well in the
Confederations Cup here last year and is a good, versatile player. "Bob
Bradley has to choose between Jon and Steve Cherundolo for the right-back
position and I think Steve's experience may see him handed the start.
However, Jon can also play at left-back and he could see some playing time
there. "People sometimes forget he is still young at 24. He had an
inconsistent season not helped by injuries, but he has some pace and is
determined to do well.
"Robert Green is a good goalkeeper and he showed that in the warm-up game
against Mexico. He did what he had to do, and also made the big saves he
needed to make against Carlos Vela when he was left one-on-one. "The
competition for the goalkeeping position for England is strong. David James
has had an injury since he got to South Africa and I'm not sure Joe Hart's
distribution is good enough, so I think Robert Green will get the start."
Do you think England and the US will be the two teams to progress from Group
C?
"I think so, yes, but the other two teams are capable too. "Slovenia showed
in qualifying that they can pull off some great results. They went to
Bratislava and beat Slovakia in the group and then knocked Russia out in the
play-off, securing a result in Moscow and then finishing the job at home.
"They don't have great individual stars, but they are an organised team and
work hard for each other. "Algeria are very inconsistent and don't have a
lot of discipline, but they can be a difficult team to break down."
Back here at West Ham, we have a new manager in Avram Grant. Have you been
keeping a close eye on the Hammers?
"Yes, I always have a strong interest in how West Ham are doing. Obviously I
have a link there with Jonathan Spector, but I also have a lot of fond
memories of my time there.
"It was a bit unfortunate because at the time, the MLS was just starting and
a lot of American players went back to the States to help the league to get
off the ground and I was one of them. We had a responsibility to help the
game grow at home. "I had a lot of injuries and I wasn't able to make myself
available to Harry Redknapp and Frank Lampard every week, which was a shame.
I was also travelling back to the States a lot to play for the US and it
meant I wasn't always to be at my best. "That said, West Ham is a wonderful
club with great supporters and I'll never forget my time there."
Finally, aside from your media work, what else keeps you busy?
"I was working as an assistant to former US head coach Bruce Arena at the
New York Red Bulls and the original long-term plan was for me to be groomed
to take over from him. Unfortunately he left the club and I followed him out
so that didn't happen. "I'm now coaching young kids in Virginia and it is
great to teach them good habits when they are young, because it is so
important, I'm coaching U12s, U15s and U17s just outside Washington DC and I
love it. "West Ham has a partnership with a club near us, the North Virginia
Royals, and it is good to see the club forging links in the US as that can
only be good for the future."
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Spector has American dream
WHUFC.com
Saturday could be the biggest night of proud Hammer Jonathan Spector's
football life
11.06.2010
Jonathan Spector will be out to make a global impression this Saturday night
when the United States take on England at the FIFA World Cup finals. Having
starred at right-back in South Africa last summer when the US beat Spain and
Brazil en route to becoming FIFA Confederations Cup runners-up, Spector is
looking to go one better with a defeat of England in Rustenberg. Still only
24, he is an integral part of Bob Bradley's squad and a shining example for
American youngsters. "The Confederations Cup was a fantastic experience and
will put us in good stead for the World Cup," he told whufc.com. "We don't
want to rest on our laurels and dwell on the success we had before in South
Africa but it will certainly give us confidence. "I certainly hope Rob Green
and Matt Upson will be selected and be playing. It will be good for them and
West Ham. It will be a very difficult match for us but one that as a country
as a whole we are looking forward to."
Spector is especially hoping to play as injury cost him a place at the 2006
finals. He has already amassed 25 caps, however, and would love to add at
least three more in South Africa. "It has been a long and winding road into
the US set-up. I had some injuries that have set me back for my country.
Recently it has been steadier because I have been able to keep myself fit.
It is such an honour to represent my country and a club with the tradition
that West Ham has."
His love for life at the Boleyn has led him to suggest it as the ideal
destination for any aspiring youngsters back home looking to make the grade.
"America is an untapped market and there are some great professionals here
at West Ham that some of the kids can look up to and try and emulate. There
has been an influx of Americans coming over and playing in England.
"Hopefully West Ham will be able to capitalise on that in future. It is
fantastic. I grew up playing just as the majority of Americans do. A lot
play soccer as well as a number of other sports. It is something I loved and
I stuck with it. "I was 16 when I first came over on trial at Manchester
United and then eventually moved over when I was 17 after the [FIFA] U17
World Championship. I played for a local team Schwaben AC, which with my
strong German heritage was a natural choice. "I then played for the Chicago
Sockers because they are constantly involved in competing for the national
championships. I went on to the IMG academy in Florida with the U17 US
national team, which was a residency programme in Bradenton and was there a
year and a half before moving over to England. "I had a wonderful
opportunity in front of me that I wanted to make the most of it and it was
more excitement than nerves that I felt. Initially it was a bit difficult
but I had also been living away from home in Florida which isn't too far
from Chicago but it is a good two-hour flight. "When I came over here, I was
used to being away from home. I didn't get homesick especially because I was
doing something I loved."
He has gone from strength to strength, with his versatility earning him 93
appearances so far for the Hammers in all competitions. A cosmopolitan
character, he loves life in the English capital but is focused fully on his
day job. "London is a fantastic city but I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for
the football and West Ham United. I feel very fortunate to be in a great
city but more importantly to be able to play and make a career in playing
for a fantastic club. I would say to Americans looking to come over there
wouldn't be many better places to learn your trade."
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World Cup Hammers - 90s
WHUFC.com
whufc.com continues its daily look over the decades of the club's history
with the World Cup
11.06.2010
The three FIFA World Cups of the 1990s began in low key fashion in terms of
the Hammers with England's failure to qualify for the 1994 edition in the
United States and no representation among the semi-final stars of Italia 90.
However, by 1998, the club could actually lay claim to a fourth World
Cup-winner as France goalkeeper Bernard Lama began the finals on home soil
as a Hammers player.
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Languishing in the second tier of English football, it was little surprise
that West Ham United had only one representative at Italia 90. But there was
some astonishment at the Boleyn Ground when goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko headed
off home to meet up with the Czechoslovakian squad driving a sponsored
Nissan Bluebird every mile of the way in aid of Barnardo's! Ludo neither
sought nor got any charity in the World Cup finals, though, as Jan Stejskal
stood between the sticks to help the Czechs advance to the quarter-finals,
before losing to eventual winners, West Germany. The Germans also put paid
to the chances of a fourth-placed England squad containing future Hammers
Peter Shilton and Stuart Pearce with an infamous semi-final victory on
penalties. A Republic of Ireland side fielding ex-Hammer Ray Houghton saw
off a Romanian squad boasting future Upton Park signings Ilie Dumitrescu and
Florin Raducioiu in a second round penalty shoot-out, only to lose to hosts,
Italy, in a Rome quarter-final, while John Harkes soon scurried home to the
United States following a hat-trick of Group A defeats in the opening round.
Harkes, however, enjoyed better fortune in the 1994 tournament as Team USA
played hosts to the world. But having come so close to reaching the final
four years earlier, England had, disappointingly, even failed to qualify
after being nudged out by Norway and the Netherlands Playing in their own
back yard, the Americans made it to the second round where they lost to
champions-elect Brazil. Houghton and former striker David Kelly also made it
to the last 16 with the Republic of Ireland before losing to the Dutch.
Elsewhere, the goal-scoring exploits of Raducioiu (4) and Dumitrescu (2)
helped the Romanians to the quarter-finals before losing to Sweden. The USA
94 challenge of future Hammers Rigobert Song and Marc Vivien-Foe soon fell
by the wayside Stateside, and they were quickly heading back to Africa after
Cameroon finished bottom of Group B in the first round. The 17-year-old Song
also bagged the unwanted record of becoming the youngest player ever to be
sent off at the finals. "It was only a good, strong tackle," he later
protested after baulking Brazil's Bebeto. Sadly, a broken leg forced the
ill-fated Foe out of France 98 at the eleventh-hour and that scuppered a
move to Manchester United before Harry Redknapp swooped to sign the
midfielder - who tragically died while playing for his country in 2003, aged
just 28 - for West Ham United.
But team-mate Song again found himself on an early plane home after
Cameroon's Indomitable Lions failed to roar and found themselves finishing
bottom of Group B, behind Italy and a Chilean side fielding future Hammer
Javier Margas, with barely a whimper. Scotland's Christian Dailly - another
future Upton Park signing was also eliminated at the first round stage but
former defender Marc Rieper helped Denmark into the quarter-finals before
losing to beaten finalists, Brazil, who had also knocked out Chile. West Ham
United's only England representative was 19-year-old Rio Ferdinand who
sensationally makes it into Glenn Hoddle's squad ahead of Paul Gascoigne,
Dion Dublin and Phil Neville. "This is the greatest thing that has ever
happened to me," beamed the Hammers' defender. "There are so many who have
never made it to the finals and I'm so lucky to have the chance. I know I
won't be first choice for a starting place but whatever happens it's going
to be a great experience for me just being there and I am to make the most
of it." In fact, Rio would have to wait another four years for his World Cup
chance. Meanwhile, ex-Hammer Paul Ince and future Upton Park signings, Teddy
Sheringham and Rob Lee helped England to finish second in Group G behind
Dumitrescu's Romania, who were eliminated in the second round by a Croatian
side which included Slaven Bilic, Igor Stimac and six-goal Golden Boot
winner, Davor Suker. The Three Lions went out on penalties to Argentina,
after David Beckham's dismissal during normal time. Ex-Hammer Bilic was to
be involved in the red card that led to Laurent Blanc being sent-off in a
semi-final defeat and that dismissal sadly cost the veteran French skipper
the chance to lift the trophy following the hosts' 3-0 victory over Brazil.
The French squad also boasted Bernard Lama, who had made 12 appearances for
the Hammers in the second half of the 1997/98 season on a short-term
contract.
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MBE for Tony Carr
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 11th June 2010
By: Staff Writer
Tony Carr has been awarded the MBE in the Queens' Birthday Honours List. The
West Ham Academy Director - who has worked with the club's youths since 1973
- receives the honour in recognition for his work with not only West Ham,
but also England. With Fabio Capello's side set to take the field for their
first World Cup outing against the United States in South Africa on Saturday
evening, a string of players nurtured by Carr and his team at Chadwell Heath
are hoping to be involved. Glenn Johnson, John Terry, Jermain Defoe, Frank
Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick are all hoping to be included in the
side - whilst another former Academy product, Rio Ferdinand, will sadly miss
out through injury. Carr - who spoke exclusively to KUMB recently ahead of
his testimonial match - receives the MBE along with Hope Powell (England
women's manager), a trio of Coronation Street actresses and Fenchurch Street
station announcer Susan Gibbs.
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Hammers eye double swoop
Cole and Henry on East London club's radar
By Joe Drabble Last updated: 11th June 2010
SSN
West Ham co-chairman David Gold has revealed the club have not given up hope
of signing Joe Cole and Thierry Henry. Former Hammer Cole will become a free
agent at the end of the month following his release from Chelsea, while
former Arsenal striker Henry could leave Spanish giants Barcelona this
summer. Both players are currently on World Cup duty in South Africa, but
Gold and co-chairman David Sullivan have made it clear they are intent on
making a "marquee" signing before the start of the new season. Offers have
been made for both Cole and Henry, although Gold does not expect anything to
be finalised until after the South Africa showpiece. "We, as much as anyone,
want England to do well at the World Cup so there's absolutely no chance of
us talking to Joe during the World Cup," Gold said. "We wouldn't do that
during this very delicate period but after that, that's a different matter.
"When it comes to big transfers we don't like to leave any stone unturned.
"The chance of getting Cole is 10/1 and therefore there is a one in 10
chance of us getting him. We probably won't get him but the offer is still
there. "There is the same chance of Henry coming but we will try. We had a
chat with him for a bit but it looks like he is going to be offered another
contract. "The offer is still on the table for him too and it will be there
for another two or three weeks. "We have had it in the past where we have
thrown the net out far and we will throw the net out again in the future.
"When we were the owners of Birmingham City, nobody would have thought that
we would have been able to get Christophe Dugarry but we did and he had an
amazing half a season and he kept us in the Premier League." Gold and
Sullivan have emphasised their intent not to jeopardise the club's financial
future by over-spending, but bringing in either player would undoubtedly
boost ticket sales and give the club a bigger presence commercially. One
person who will not be leaving the club, according to Gold, is England
goalkeeper Robert Green. "Robert Green has two years left on his contract
and we hope he will start the season and be with us for years to come so we
are very happy with him," Gold said. "He is a world class goalkeeper and we
want him to stay with us."
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Gold delighted with Grant
Hammers co-owner delighted at chemistry with new man
Last updated: 11th June 2010
SSN
West Ham co-owner David Gold insists that Avram Grant was the stand-out
candidate to fill the club's vacant managerial position. The Hammers were on
the lookout for a new man at the helm next season after parting company with
popular Italian Gianfranco Zola. West Ham only mustered 35 points this
season and Gold and fellow co-owner David Sullivan opted to bring in their
own man. The likes of Slaven Bilic, Mark Hughes and Sam Allardyce were all
linked with the position, but once Gold met with the former Portsmouth boss
he knew immediately he was right for the job. Gold believes the pair have
instant chemistry and that the Israeli tactician will be excellent to work
with. "When you're searching for a manager the most important thing you look
at is the chemistry," said Gold. "By the time you meet them, you've done all
the reading and you know what they look like because you've seen them on
television hundreds of times. "When you meet with the person, though, you
have to have that camaraderie or that instant chemistry that makes you think
'I can work with this person' and that was the case with Avram. "He was head
and shoulders above everyone else. He was superb in his company, I felt
comfortable with him. "We talked football and a three-hour meeting with him
just flew by and I knew that was our man."
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Cole & Henry still pure Gold
The Sun
Published: 11 Jun 2010
WEST HAM have not given up hope on signing Joe Cole and Thierry Henry after
the World Cup. Hammers co-owner David Gold revealed the club are planning to
talk to out-of-contract Chelsea midfielder Cole, 28, as soon as he completes
his Three Lions duties in South Africa. And former Arsenal striker Henry has
also been in discussions with the East Londoners although it looks as though
he will be signing a new deal at Barcelona. The Upton Park outfit are
determined to make a marquee signing, having already failed to land Ruud van
Niselrooy, to boost their commercial profile. Gold said: "We, as much as
anyone, want England to do well so there's absolutely no chance of us
talking to Joe during the World Cup. "We wouldn't do that during this very
delicate period but after that, it's a different matter. "When it comes to
big transfers, we don't like to leave any stone unturned.
"The chance of getting Cole is a one in 10 chance. We probably won't get him
but the offer is still there. "There is the same chance of Henry coming but
we will try. "We had a chat with him for a bit but it looks like he is going
to be offered another contract. "The offer is still on the table for him too
and it will be there for another two or three weeks.
"We have had it in the past where we have thrown the net out far and we will
throw the net out again. "When we were the owners of Birmingham, nobody
would have thought that we would have been able to get Christophe Dugarry
but we did and he had an amazing half a season and kept us in the Premier
League."
Gold insists England keeper Robert Green will not be sold this summer. He
said: "Robert has two years left on his contract and we hope he will start
the season and be with us for years to come so we are very happy with him.
"He's a world-class goalkeeper and we want him to stay."
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Congratulations to Tony Carr MBE
West Ham Till I Die
Many congratulations to Tony Carr, who has just been awarded an MBE in the
Queen's Birthday Honours List. Personally I would have given him a
Knighthood. You do have to wonder, though, what Catherine Zeta Jones has
done to get a CBE when Tony only gets an MBE. That's not to diminish the
award at all. I just think someone on the awards committee has got their
priorities a little wrong. But then again, it was a scandal Bobby Moore
never got the Knighthood he so richly deserved.
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Everton demand £10m for Yakubu after rejecting West Ham's £6m bid
Published 13:03 11/06/10 By David Anderson
The Mirror
Everton have slapped a £10million pricetag on Yakubu after knocking back a
£6million bid from West Ham. The Hammers want to make Yakubu the first big
signing of Avram Grant's new reign and have been pursuing the Nigerian
striker since the end of the season. However Everton boss David Moyes is in
no rush to sell Yakubu and would want close to the £11.25million he paid
Middlesbrough for him in 2007 if he did part with him. Yakubu is still very
much part of his plans and the former Portsmouth striker has scored 24
league goals in 68 appearances in his three seasons with the Blues.
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Zola-Clarke Regret, Avram admiration and transfer rumours galore!
West Ham Till I Die
It has now been confirmed that both Zola and Steve Clarke have reached a
financial agreement with the club. So ends a dispute that could potentially
have ended in another embarrassing compensation case, a la Alan Curbishley.
Personally, I never felt it would go that far, as long as the club offered a
reasonable compromise deal. Zola does not strike you as a person that
would pursue a dispute, to the bitter end, if an acceptable compromise was
on offer. And so it has proven to to be the case.
Although, in the end, a change of manager seemed inevitable, some of us
will still admit to regret that the Zola-Clarke management team did not work
out. Zola's footballing philosophy and ability to work with and develop
players was admirable. The hope was that Zola would bring managerial talent
to the table, that his early inexperience would be ameliorated by the
presence and know-how of Steve Clarke and that he would develop rapidly in
the job.
There was certainly a lot of hope and good will invested in that management
team, but all to no avail in the end. Yes, they did not exactly help
themselves with some of their selection and tactical decisions last season,
nor did all their players perform to the best of their ability. Whether
that player under-performance is also a condemnation of their management
regime is a moot point. However, in mitigation it also has to be
acknowledged that they managed/coached the club during two seasons of
unprecedented instability and upheaval.
All we can do now is look to the future and hope for the best. Talking of
which, David Gold has been quoted by various media sources as singing the
praises of Avram Grant. Apparently, Gold was blown away by his initial 3
hour meeting with him. After that encounter he became totally convinced
that Grant was the right man for the job. Well thank goodness for that,
considering the alternative names on the club's alleged short-list!!
No seriously, good luck to Grant. Any sensible Hammers fan would wish the
new manager well and give him time to show what he can do. He certainly
seems to have done his research on the club, talking about our illustrious
club history. It was also good to hear him confirm that, under his
management, the Hammers will play attacking, but controlled football.
That's music to most fans hears.
Elsewhere, there are transfer rumours galore circulating at the moment. One
of these is concerning Spurs' alleged interest in Carlton Cole. The best
response by West Ham is to call the bluff of Spurs and demand either a
£16.5m fee or a cash and player exchange deal involving one of their very
best players. That should see Spurs rapidly retreat at a rate of knots!
West Ham really do need to start playing hard ball in the transfer market
and stop being pushed around by other clubs.
Talking of which, Everton have allegedly rejected a revised £7m West Ham
bid for the services of Yakubu. Basically, they are going to try to
squeeze every penny out of us for the player, up to the original £11.5m
transfer fee paid when he joined them from Middlesboro. Yakubu is a good
striker, but there are doubts over his recent fitness record. Is he now
worth £7m or over? That's a judgement call for Grant to make. Personally,
I would tell Everton that an offer of £7m (if that is the club's valuation)
is on the table, take it or leave it.
While Nigerian centre half/right-back, Apam is allegedly the subject of
interest from West Ham and, French outfit, Rennes. He has been quoted in
the media as speculating over his options and which is the best move for
him, indicating in the process that Rennes might just be his preferred
choice due to the presence of a favoured former manager.
Although we are still apparently searching for our 'marquee' signing(s) for
next season. The type of player(s) that will excite the fans and send out
a message about the club's ambitions. David Gold has confirmed that both
Henry and Joe Cole remain the subject of offers to join us next season. I
do not know about Henry, but did not David Sullivan confirm in a recent
interview that Cole had already rejected the chance to rejoin the club?
Perhaps we are going to get persistent and not take no for an answer?
Joe Cole has certainly been receiving a lot of media exposure whilst in the
England training camp in South Africa. A lot of it is down to his
contractual situation and his proposed Bosman move after the World Cup. If
he performs well in the World Cup Finals, and stays free of serious injury,
than he will pick up a very lucrative final career move. Putting our offer
aside for a moment, Man Utd, Arsenal and Spurs are all said to be
interested in signing him. However, might there not also be an approach
from the Spanish la liga? What is the chance of him ending up at Real
Madrid next season with his ex-Chelski manager?
Stranger things have happened and at least it would make any rejection of a
return to West Ham a bit more palatable!
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham still chasing "marquee" signing
By Harry Harris and Soccernet staff
ESPN
June 11, 2010
The Hammers have now made two offers for the Nigerian striker and both have
been rejected. After having an initial bid of £4 million turned down, West
Ham moved in with a second offer of £7 million, but that too has been turned
down. Hammers co-owner David Sullivan is convinced that Everton will sell,
particularly as they now have an overload of forwards, having signed
20-year-old striker Joao Silva from Portuguese second division club
Desportivo Das Aves. West Ham have also not given hope of recruiting Joe
Cole, who will become a free agent at the end of the month when his contract
with Chelsea expires, and Barcelona's Thierry Henry. Since taking over West
Ham in January, David Sullivan and co-chairman David Gold have made it clear
they are intent on making a "marquee" signing that would boost the stature
and commercial backing of the club. After failing in their quest to sign
former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, the duo turned their
attention to Henry, and then Cole, who began his career at the club before
moving to Chelsea for £6 million in 2003. The club have made offers to Cole
and Henry and expect to hear back from both players after the World Cup.
"We, as much as anyone, want England to do well at the World Cup so there's
absolutely no chance of us talking to Joe during the World Cup," Gold said.
"We wouldn't do that during this very delicate period but after that, that's
a different matter. "When it comes to big transfers we don't like to any
stone unturned. "The chance of getting Cole is 10/1 and therefore there is a
one in 10 chance of us getting him. We probably won't get him but the offer
is still there. There is the same chance of Henry coming but we will try.
"We had a chat with him for a bit but it looks like he is going to be
offered another contract. The offer is still on the table for him too and it
will be there for another two or three weeks. "We have had it in the past
where we have thrown the net out far and we will throw the net out again in
the future," Gold said. "When we were the owners of Birmingham City, nobody
would have thought that we would have been able to get Christophe Dugarry
but we did and he had an amazing half a season and he kept us in the Premier
League."
The duo are at pains to emphasise they will not jeopardise the club's
financial future by over-spending but bringing in either player would
undoubtedly boost ticket sales and give the club a bigger presence
commercially. One person who will not be leaving the club, according to
Gold, is England goalkeeper Robert Green. "Robert Green has two years left
on his contract and we hope he will start the season and be with us for
years to come so we are very happy with him," Gold said. He is a world class
goalkeeper and we want him to stay with us."
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West Ham United's improved £7m offer to sign Yakubu turned down by Everton -
report
11 Jun 2010 09:09:00
Goal.com
Everton have reportedly turned down an improved £7 million bid from West Ham
United to acquire the services of Yakubu. The Nigerian striker has been
consistently linked with a move to the east London club for some time now,
with Goal.com UK previously revealing exclusively that the 27-year-old was
set to become one of Avram Grant's first signings at Upton Park. The Hammers
were previously believed to have had a bid of about £5m rejected, and now
The Daily Mail reports that the Merseyside club have rejected a fresh £7m
bid to sign the forward. It has been reported in the past that the former
Middlesbrough hitman is in favour of a move away from the Toffees, as it is
believed that the striker has already agreed a deal in principle with regard
to a potential transfer to the Hammers.
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West Ham continue pursuit of England's Joe Cole and France's Thierry Henry
West Ham have insisted that they had not given up hope of bringing Joe Cole
and Thierry Henry to the club. David Gold, the club's co-chairman, has
targeted Cole after Chelsea decided not to extend the former West Ham
midfielder's stay.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley
Published: 8:03PM BST 11 Jun 2010
While Arsenal look to be favourites to sign Cole, Gold insisted he would not
interrupt Cole's England preparations. He said: "We, as much as anyone, want
England to do well so there's absolutely no chance of us talking to Joe
during the World Cup. After that, it's a different matter." But he added:
"When it comes to big transfers we don't like to leave any stone unturned.
The chance of getting Cole is 10-1. We probably won't get him but the offer
is still there." West Ham will also pursue Barcelona striker Henry, with
Gold adding: "There is the same chance of Henry coming but we will try." One
former Premier League played who could return to England is Uruguay's Diego
Forlan. The former Manchester United striker, said: "If a big chance to
return to England came up, I would have to look at it.'' Another World Cup
player set to move is Serbia's midfielder, Milos Krasic, who would prefer a
switch to an Italian club. Currently playing for CSKA Moscow, the 25
year-old said: "Yes, I want to play in Italy, I don't know what team, but I
want to go there. I have heard about Juventus," he said. One World Cup
player unsure of his future is Argentina's Angel Di Maria. However, the
Portuguese champions Benfica insisted yesterday that they had received no
offers from Real Madrid for the winger. Reports in Portugal have claimed all
week that he was heading for Madrid. But Benfica issued a statement denying
any move was imminent. It said: "There are no offers... particularly from
Real Madrid or any intermediaries regarding the player Angel Di Maria."
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