Tuesday, April 27

Daily WHUFC News - 27th April 2010

New season. New era. New heroes.
WHUFC.com
Fans renewing for next season can do so now to take advantage of a great
rate
26.04.2010

Renew your season ticket today to make sure of your seat for the 2010/11
campaign - with plenty of promise of good times ahead on and off the field.

Scott Parker's stunning strike on Saturday all but assured the club another
season of Barclays Premier League football and you can make sure you don't
miss a kick at the Boleyn Ground. With 19 home matches and priority booking
for cup and away matches, a season ticket is the perfect way to follow the
Hammers.

Prices are frozen for all season-ticket renewals received by the club before
30 June 2010 - save for the addition of the Government's VAT rise.

With renewal packs being posted out this week, supporters with an email
address registered with the club will also receive notification direct to
their inbox.

A special online site has been created with all the information for anyone
wanting to renew or indeed apply. CLICK HERE for all the latest information,
including application forms and finance offers OR CALL 0871 222 2700.

New applicants can also benefit from the price freeze offered to
season-ticket holders if their application is with the club by 30 June 2010.

With the aim to finish the season on a high after Parker, supported ably by
Robert Green and Mark Noble, inspired a tremendous 3-2 victory against Wigan
Athletic at the weekend, all are looking forward to better fortunes in the
new campaign.

With new-found stability off the pitch, a host of seasoned internationals
committed to the claret and blue cause and another year's experience for the
club's talented youngsters, there is every reason for optimism around the
Boleyn Ground.

In a message direct to West Ham United supporters, the joint-chairmen David
Sullivan and David Gold said: "First of all we would like sincerely to thank
you for your support in what has been, at times, a tough season.

"You have stood by us and it is thanks to you that we have been able to hold
on to our key players and are able to invest in the team and its long-term
success.

"We can assure you we are now looking to the future and the shared passion
and belief that has enabled us to turn around our season this year has
strengthened us all. We take this new found belief into 2010/11."

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Tony's big day draws near
WHUFC.com
Fans can get involved with Tony Carr's big day even if they are not able to
come along on the night
27.04.2010

Tony Carr is looking forward to his Testimonial match with just over a week
to go until the big match and confirmation of a special auction site for
signed memorabilia.
The Academy Director will be honoured at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday 5
May when a team of Academy All-Stars plus Paolo Di Canio will take on West
Ham United. Carr has invited all of his old graduates including John Terry,
Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick to come along and
play in the contest. "We are finalising all the plans," Carr said. "For my
own satisfactaction I just want to see all the players in a West Ham squad
once again. I have spoken to Frank Lampard senior and he is going to come
along and help manage the team."

Thousands of tickets have already been sold and, with the club all but
assured of Barclays Premier League survival, Carr is confident of a "decent
crowd". He added: "I am hopeful ticket sales will pick up now we are getting
close to the game and, after the first-team game, people will see that we
are next match at Upton Park. "Whoever comes to watch, I will be extremely
grateful and I just hope that they will enjoy the night and the celebration
of all these players coming back. It will acknowledge the work that the
Academy has done while I have been in charge of the proceedings. I am
looking forward to a really nostalgic evening."

An auction site has also been launched for fans wanting to bid on the
specially-made shirts to be worn on the night. Anyone interested can go to
http://tonycarr.reminiscentbidding.net with the bidding process under way
and set to last for ten days after the match. Organisers will be adding more
items such as balls, boots and programmes in the days to come so make sure
to return.

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Reserves switched to Boleyn
WHUFC.com
Luis Boa Morte and Benni McCarthy are among those set to play for the
reserves on Tuesday night
26.04.2010

Alex Dyer is looking forward to signing off the Barclays Premier Reserve
League campaign in style with the visit of Fulham to the Boleyn Ground on
Tuesday. The last match of the South division season has been moved from
Bishop's Stortford FC's Woodside Park home, with a few experienced players
likely to be on view. Among them will be Luis Boa Morte and Benni McCarthy,
with both eager to prove their fitness before this Sunday's first-team match
at Fulham. Dyer said: "It is a great way to finish our season. Everyone is
upbeat after the first team virtually secured Premier League status and I
hope we can make the most of the positive mood. We have got a few senior
pros playing with the young lads and that will be great for them to further
their experience. "I hope we get a nice little crowd as some of the players
are the real future of the club and will hope to push on next season. Also,
it is important for those players who will be leaving us in the summer to
show what they can do. There will be a lot of scouts watching, so there is
incentive for everybody to do well."
Admission, costing £3 for adults and £1 for children, will be available
through the West Stand turnstiles. Season ticket holders will be admitted
free of charge, with kick-off at 7pm.

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West Ham co-owner David Gold backs boss Gianfranco Zola
BBC.co.uk

West Ham joint-chairman David Gold hopes manager Gianfranco Zola will remain
at Upton Park next season. The Hammers have endured a difficult season but
effectively secured their Premier League survival on Saturday courtesy of a
3-2 win over Wigan. "I am desperately hoping he will stay but there is work
to do," Gold told BBC Radio 5 live.
"He has been to hell and back these last 12 months. There is a possibility
he might want to take a sabbatical." After guiding West Ham to ninth in the
Premier League in his debut season as manager last year, Zola has found his
second season tougher going. The 43-year-old Italian has a contract until
2013, but his position has come under even greater scrutiny since the
arrival in January of new owners Gold and David Sullivan. Several managers,
including Martin Jol, Steve McClaren and Mark Hughes, have been linked with
Zola's job.
Whilst Portsmouth boss Avram Grant, Leicester's Nigel Pearson and Peter Reid
have also been touted as possible contenders to replace him. However, after
the victory over Wigan, and defeats for both Hull and Burnley at the weekend
which effectively secured West Ham's survival, Gold revealed that Zola had
fulfilled the demands placed upon him.
"When we arrived the remit we gave Franco was to keep us up and he's done
that," said Gold. "We went through a difficult period when we lost six
straight games but the draw at Everton turned this round and he has achieved
what he was asked to do."
West Ham's considerable goal difference advantage over Hull means their
place in the top-flight next season is essentially assured and former
Birmingham owner Gold added he now hopes the club will be able to hold on to
its prized playing assets. "We desperately need to keep our best players,"
admitted Gold. "There has been disarray for the last few years and it has
been a difficult season for the players and the managers. "We would like to
think there will be no sales in the close season but you can never tell with
thee things. Some may want to leave. "What I can assure our fans is that we
will do everything to retain our best players."
In an email sent out to West Ham fans on Monday, Zola reflected on a
difficult season for West Ham, but made no mention of his own future. "There
is a saying in England that what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger," said
Zola. "I'm certain the club will be a different proposition next season,
especially with the stability off the pitch and the experience everyone has
gained. "We still have work to do and two more games to play but it will be
a big deal for me to keep us up. I have put so much into it, as have the
players - physically and emotionally."
One of those players, midfielder Scott Parker, who scored the London club's
winner against Wigan, paid a glowing tribute to Zola in the aftermath of
Saturday's crucial victory.
Parker, who along with team-mates showed support for the manager by running
to the touchline to celebrate with the Italian after his goal, told West
Ham's website: "A lot of people say he is a nice man but he is not just a
nice man, he is an extremely talented and good manager. "People will say I
would support him but, from the bottom of my heart, he is a good man and he
is a very good manager, along with the staff he has got here. Hopefully we
can go and push on next year. "The manager has helped me throughout the
season. I don't think I would have had the season like I have had personally
without him behind me. "He has given me massive belief and confidence and,
from my reaction, you can see that I respect him." Zola refused to discuss
his future at the weekend, saying: "It is important but I'm not going to
spend time right now speaking about things because I don't know how things
will turn out."
Even if he leaves the club - whether or not by his own volition - Zola said
he was proud of the fight his players have shown of late. "Staying up would
be a big big deal because we've had to deal with so many problems this
season," said the former Chelsea player. "You only know half of them. "It's
been difficult, but despite that we've stuck together. Players have put a
lot into this season, not just physically but mentally. It's been an
emotional year. "But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and everyone
will be stronger for this experience."
Gold added that whoever is manager at Upton Park next season will be able to
enjoy operating under an efficient regime, working towards financial
stability. "We have good governance," he said. "Sullivan brings great
stability to the club and Karren Brady is one of the best chief executives
in the business. "It's not brain surgery. You have to cut outgoing and
increase income."

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Parker: keep Zola
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th April 2010
By: Staff Writer

Wigan match hero Scott Parker has backed calls to keep Gianfranco Zola at
the club. Zola's position has appeared increasingly untenable of late due to
a series of negative comments from joint owner David Sullivan, who has been
publically critical of the manager and some of his team's performances -
unlike his partner David Gold, who conversely has backed his man.

However Parker's celebration following the winning goal on Saturday - in
which he and a number of team mates mobbed Zola in celebration - appeared to
indicate where the players loyalty lay , someting that was confirmed by
Parker after the game.

"It was clear to see from me personally that the manager has helped me
throughout the season," he told whufc.com. ""I don't think I would have had
the season like I have had personally without him behind me. He has given me
massive belief and confidence and from my reaction you can see that I
respect him.

"A lot of people say he is a nice man but he is not just a nice man, he is
an extremely talented and good manager. People will say I would support him
but, from the bottom of my heart, he is a good man and he is a very good
manager, along with the staff he has got here. Hopefully we can go and push
on next year.

"It has been a horrible season but we have put up with a lot of mess. Only
four months ago we were reading this and that. I am not making excuses - at
times we haven't been good enough - but hopefully we have erased some of the
bad things and we can look forward to kicking on next year. Sticking
together, learning from this and moving forward."

Referring to the goal that won the game, the 29-year-old - who many
supporters feel should captain the club next season - said: "I can safely
say it was probably the best goal I have ever scored. Whether it had been a
tap-in or like the goal it was, it was the most meaningful goal of my career
and it means the most to me.

"It came to me from a great header from Franco and it was one of those where
if you buy a ticket you have got a chance. It has left my foot and gone
straight in. The relief and every single emotion which I have gone through
this season literally poured out once that went in."

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Gold backs Zola
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th April 2010
By: Staff Writer

David Gold has claimed that he wants Gianfranco Zola to stay on as manager
of West Ham United. Joint chairman Gold, speaking to Sky Sports this
lunchtime in the wake of the weekend's results that virtually assured West
Ham of a place in next season's Premier League revealed that Zola has his
support - although also added that Zola may decide to call it a day, despite
being only a year into a five-year contract.

"I would very, very much like Franco to be our manager next season - that's
assuming all things are equal," said Gold. "But Franco might be telling us
it's time for a change; we'll have to see. What I can say is that I've
recognised that warmth and respect by the players towards Franco and I
recognised it early on when I came to the football club.

"He's been through an extraordinarily difficult period. In fact it goes all
the way back to the beginning of the season when he lost players, players
were sold to keep the finances of the club intact which was most unfortunate
for him. He could have lost another three players in the January window and
we managed to fence that off. But the thing that we were asking was 'keep
West Ham in the Premier League' - that was his remit, he's achieved that."

The suggestion of a split between himself and fellow joint Chairman David
Sullivan with regard to the Italian's future was however rebuffed by Gold
who added:

I don't think that's fair, I think that's an assumption. We all have
opinions - for example one scenario is that maybe Franco is saying to
himself 'I've done my job, I've done what I came to do and I'm going to take
some time out'. He might say that, so until we sit down and everybody gets
an opportunity to express their feelings and tell us exactly where we are I
think it's premature. The season's not over yet, we've still got two very,
very important matches.

"We've still got two matches to go and there are four places to play for.
Forgive me for being financial in my thoughts but those four places are
worth three million pounds. Normally for clubs that would be an interesting
period of the season but in our case, with having these huge debts, three
million pounds is very important to the football club so there's lots to
play for. After that we'll sit down and see where we go from there."

With the club's Premier League status (virtually) assured, thoughts will now
inevitably turn towards the summer and the rebuilding of the playing squad
that has been decimated in recent seasons - although for Gold, first on the
list is the task of retaining the club's better players.

"That will be our determination, in all of our years in football [we aim] to
keep our best players," he confirmed. "We 've got a great reputation of
retaining our managers as well over the years. We're not a sacking football
club, certainly West Ham is not a club that looks to lose its best players,
we'll do everything in our power to keep our best players.

"We're still ambitious, we're very anxious to take West Ham United football
club forward. We've got a wonderful opportunity coming up with the new
Olympic Stadium and I'm very hopeful that that could take us to the next
level - but time will tell."

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Green wants Parker call-up
Hammers keeper backing team-mate's inclusion
Last updated: 26th April 2010
SSN

West Ham keeper Rob Green believes Scott Parker's impressive displays this
season should mean he will be going to this summer's World Cup with England.
The former Newcastle, Chelsea and Charlton ace has been outstanding for The
Hammers with a number of crucial strikes, including Saturday's match-winner
against Wigan Athletic.
However, Parker, who has three caps for his country, has failed to become an
England regular over the years despite being regarded as one of the Premier
League's best midfielders. Parker is likely to dominate West Ham's end of
season awards and Green, who is another hopeful of making Fabio Capello's
23-man squad, believes the 29-year-old should make the final cut.
"Personally, I would love him to go," said Green. "You look at the strength
and depth of England's midfield and you are looking at players of quality.
"If he doesn't go then you know everybody else is flying." "He has given
everything he can for the club. He will win player of the year by a country
mile. "He will win goal of the season, players' player of the year - he will
win everything going and you don't need to say much more. "He is probably
the reason why we are a lot safer. "The confidence he brings the team and
his attitude is infectious. It drives everyone else on. He is a leader in
example as well as character. "If we're under heaps of pressure and they're
about to shoot from 25 yards I'm thinking 'right, I'm going to have to do
something here'. "Then Scotty is diving in front of the ball, taking one in
the face. The times he has taken one in the privates this season and just
picked himself up. He wobbles around a bit and then gets on with it. "What
more can you ask for in a player? I wouldn't want to insure him!"

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Hammers to listen to offers
Sullivan says Parker is only player he is definitely staying
Last updated: 27th April 2010
SSN

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan says the club will listen to offers for
every player at Upton Park, with the exception of Scott Parker. Despite
securing their place in the Premier League, Sullivan has conceded that the
club could still be forced into big sales this summer. Sullivan admits that
every player has their price, although he stressed influential midfielder
Parker will not be sold."If we get the right bid we will sell any player,
apart from Parker," Sullivan told the Sun. "That is the case with most teams
other than Manchester United. But we have to improve the side. "Finishing
where we have done is anything but satisfactory."
Sullivan underlined his determination to keep hold of Parker, adding:
"Parker is not for sale. "He has several years left on his contract and has
intimated on several occasions he wants to stay. He is Mr West Ham."
Sullivan also explained that planning for next season is already well
underway, although he revealed that Gianfranco Zola has stated he has no
wish to be involved in any signings. "We have been talking to agents and
starting work already on strengthening the team for next season," he
continued. "The manager has indicated he doesn't wish to be involved in
signings. He wants to be the coach. "We cannot kid ourselves that finishing
above the three teams we have was anywhere near satisfactory. "One team had
nine points deducted, another could not maintain its early season form. "And
the other stayed up by the skin of its teeth last season. "Next season is
going to be even more difficult. There won't be any teams like Hull coming
up. Look at the teams coming up from the Championship. "Newcastle are a big
club and West Brom will push the boat out I believe. "And if Nottingham
Forest made it up through the play-offs they are a wealthy club with history
so it will be hard."
Sullivan also revealed that West Ham would probably be concentrating on
signing foreign players. "We have looked at several experienced and decent
French and German internationals and a lot of young South Americans," he
said. "But we won't pay a lot of money for modest foreign players. I like
British players but the prices are too high. "We want to invest in the club
and believe next year we'll be financially more viable too which will help.
"But we will demand value for money. We will recoup some money from players'
sales and will look to move a few on." He has also told England defender
Matthew Upson to make a decision on whether he wants to stay with the club.
"We have put things on hold until the end of the season but after that he
needs to make a decision swiftly whether he wants to sign a new deal or
leave," he added.

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Parker backing Zola's case
Hammers ace believes in Italian manager
Last updated: 26th April 2010
SSN

Scott Parker is of the firm belief that manager Gianfranco Zola is the man
to help guide West Ham up the Premier League ladder next season. The Hammers
have had a season to forget with last weekend's win over Wigan finally
easing fears that the east Londoners could go down. Question marks have been
raised over Zola's ability to help the club move forward, forcing the
one-time fans' favourite to consider his position at the helm. It still
remains to be seen whether Zola will stay on next season and Parker for one
will be hoping the Italian continues working at the club. "A lot of people
say he is a nice man, but he is not just a nice man - he is an extremely
talented and good manager," he told the club's official website. "People
will say I would support him but, from the bottom of my heart, he is a good
man and is a very good manager, along with the staff he has got here.
"Hopefully we can go and push on next year."
Parker added: "It has been a horrible season, but we have put up with a lot
of mess - only a few months ago we were reading this and that [about the
club's future]. "I am not making excuses - at times we have not been good
enough - but hopefully we have erased some of the bad things and we can look
forward to kicking on next year, sticking together, learning from this and
moving forward."

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Gold vows to keep stars
Hammers want to retain top players
Last updated: 26th April 2010
SSN

West Ham co-owner David Gold insists the club will do all they can to keep
their best players at Upton Park. The Hammers could face a fight to keep
some of their prize assets after a disappointing season, especially when
coupled with the club's financial problems. The likes of Scott Parker,
Carlton Cole, Robert Green and Matt Upson have all been linked with moves
away from West Ham, with a number of clubs credited with an interest in the
key quartet. The Hammers all but secured their Premier League status at the
weekend with victory over Wigan, as Hull lost to Sunderland, and Gold is
adamant they do not want to lose their top stars. "It's always our aim in
all of our years in football to keep our best players," Gold told Sky Sports
News. "We have got a great reputation of retaining our managers over the
years as we are not a sacking football club and West Ham is not a club that
looks to lose its best players. "We will do everything in our power to keep
our best players."

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No Kirkland blame for Cole
Shot-stopper disappointed with defending at Upton Park
Last updated: 26th April 2010
SSN

Chris Kirkland does not hold a grudge against West Ham's Carlton Cole after
the collision that left the Wigan goalkeeper requiring seven stitches. The
28-year-old took a whack from the Hammers forward early in the first half of
his side's eventual 3-2 defeat at Upton Park on Saturday. Kirkland caught
the full force of Cole's boot in his face when attempting to save at his
feet and therefore required medical attention at half-time. But the
shot-stopper does not blame his opponent and is instead frustrated that
Wigan went in at the interval 2-1 behind after Ilan scored and Radoslav
Kovac converted a rebound from Mark Noble's free-kick to cancel out Jonathan
Spector's own goal. Kirkland said in The Sun: "My mouth's not too bad. It
was accidental. "I thought it might have been a penalty to be honest
because I almost brought him down, but I don't know what happened after
that. "It's just a few stitches. I was disappointed with the free-kick, I
thought I might have got it away. "I tried to scoop it out. But I'm also
disappointed our lads didn't follow it in and West Ham did to score."

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Sullivan : It's just not good enough
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today

WEST HAM have opened the inquest into their turbulent season with two games
still to play. Joint owners David Sullivan and David Gold will begin a
radical overhaul of the playing and managerial staff to reshape the club.
There will be a cull of the 28-strong squad of players who have woefully
under-achieved and pitched the Hammers into a season-long relegation battle.
And Gianfranco Zola is '99 per cent' gone as boss for next season according
to Upton Park insiders. They say the Italian has hinted he plans to resign
after the last game against Manchester City on May 9. Former Hammers
defender Slaven Bilic and ex-England coach Steve McClaren are the board's
choices as possible replacements, with Portsmouth manager Avram Grant an
outside bet. And every single player - with the exception of midfield
general Scott Parker - is up for sale. Joint chairman Sullivan admits the
desperate battle to finish one place above the drop zone and doomed trio
Hull, Burnley and Pompey is not good enough. He said: "We have been talking
to agents and starting work already on strengthening the team for next
season. "The manager has indicated he doesn't wish to be involved in
signings. He wants to be the coach.
"We cannot kid ourselves that finishing above the three teams we have was
anywhere near satisfactory. "One team had nine points deducted, another
could not maintain its early season form. "And the other stayed up by the
skin of its teeth last season. "Next season is going to be even more
difficult. There won't be any teams like Hull coming up. Look at the teams
coming up from the Championship. "Newcastle are a big club and West Brom
will push the boat out I believe. "And if Nottingham Forest made it up
through the play-offs they are a wealthy club with history so it will be
hard. "We have looked at several experienced and decent French and German
internationals and a lot of young South Americans. "But we won't pay a lot
of money for modest foreign players. I like British players but the prices
are too high."
Zola has put any firm decision on his future on hold until after the final
game. But insiders reckon even if he wants to stay, Zola has an almost
impossible job convincing the board that he is the man for the job. His No 2
Steve Clarke is likely to be kept on to work under a new manager. Sullivan
said: "We want to invest in the club and believe next year we'll be
financially more viable too which will help. "But we will demand value for
money. We will recoup some money from players' sales and will look to move a
few on."
Sullivan has also told England defender Matthew Upson he must decide quickly
at the end of the season on his future at West Ham. Upson has just over a
year to go on his £68,000-a-week contract but may be away on international
duty with England at the World Cup this summer. Sullivan said: "We have put
things on hold until the end of the season but after that he needs to make a
decision swiftly whether he wants to sign a new deal or leave."

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Flops go under the Hammer
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today

WEST HAM have put every player except Scott Parker up for sale. Joint-owner
David Sullivan said: "If we get the right bid we will sell any player, apart
from Parker. "That is the case with most teams other than Manchester United.
But we have to improve the side. "Finishing where we have done is anything
but satisfactory." The clear-out comes less than 72 hours after the club
finally beat the drop. Hero Parker's winner against Wigan means only a
mathematical disaster will see West Ham go down instead of Hull. Sullivan
added: "Parker is not for sale. He has several years left on his contract
and has intimated on several occasions he wants to stay. He is Mr West Ham."
But it looks like England trio Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole
will all be up for grabs as the Hammers try to trim a £60million wage bill.

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Aston Villa ready to bid £10m for West Ham striker
Published 09:09 27/04/10 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror

Aston Villa are keen on West Ham striker Carlton Cole, and could be ready to
launch a £10m summer bid, according to reports in Tuesday's papers. In a
troubled season for the Hammers, Cole has been one of the success stories as
he matured into a goalscorer and finally started fulfilling his undoubted
potential. Martin O'Neill has now identified the England forward as a key
target this summer and may have been encouraged by West Ham co-owner David
Sullivan's claims that they will listen to offers for any of their players
except Scott Parker.

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West Ham offer £4m for Albion ace Dorrans - Exclusive
Published 23:59 26/04/10 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror

West Ham have made a stunning £4million bid for West Brom star Graham
Dorrans - at the start of a major shake-up. The Hammers slapped in the offer
for Albion's brilliant young Scottish schemer, rated the best talent in the
Championship during the Baggies promotion campaign. The move comes at the
beginning of a new era at Upton Park - with co-owner David Sullivan willing
to dig deep for the best emerging players in the game. Sullivan and David
Gold are prepared to bankroll deals for stars of the future and they hope to
get an agreement with West Brom - and speak to Dorrans in the next few days.

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West Ham make every player available for sale ... except Scott Parker
David Sullivan plans summer shake-up at Upton Park
Premier League survival not enough for West Ham
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 27 April 2010 09.02 BST

Scott Parker is the only player David Sullivan says he is unwilling to sell
this summer. West Ham United's co-owner, David Sullivan, has warned that
Scott Parker is the only player the club would not consider selling during a
summer shake-up at Upton Park. Sullivan, along with his boardroom colleague
David Gold, is beginning preparations for a busy off-season in the transfer
market after the club effectively ensured their Premier League survival with
Saturday's 3-2 win over Wigan Athletic. Parker scored the winner against
Wigan and Sullivan immediately ruled the midfielder out of a potential
summer sale. "Other than Scott Parker, there is not a player we wouldn't
sell if it was the right bid," said Sullivan. "Scott will not be sold and we
will be buying more than we are selling. There will be no fire-selling and
we will enhance the squad, not diminish it.
"We will have to shake up the pack because there is no point kidding
ourselves otherwise we will be in the same position next year – the table
doesn't lie."
But, while he expressed a wish to keep the captain, Matthew Upson, Sullivan
made no such guarantees over the former Birmingham City defender – or, for
that matter, his international colleagues Robert Green and Carlton Cole."We
will make [Upson] a proposal for a new three-year contract," he said. "We
would give him an offer of a comparable level to what he is on now, which he
may or may not want to take."But Upson has a year to go so if we get a good
offer we will take it."

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