WHUFC.com
Scott Parker has been voted Hammer of the Year for the third straight season
by the club's supporters
16.05.2011
Scott Parker has been voted Hammer of the Year - Sponsored by FRP Advisory -
for the third straight season by West Ham United supporters. The peerless
midfielder secured the award after a stellar season that saw him make more
than 35 first-team appearances and earn a recall to the England team. He was
presented with the prestigious trophy by FRP Advisory's managing partner
Jeremy French at the club's End of Season Gala Dinner in the Great Room at
the Grosvenor House Hotel in London's Park Lane. Parker becomes just the
second player after Sir Trevor Brooking to win the award in three
consecutive campaigns. The 30-year-old also joins a select band of Hammers
to have been voted as the supporters' player of the year three times or more
that also includes the late Bobby Moore OBE, Sir Geoff Hurst, Billy Bonds
MBE, Brooking and Alvin Martin. The No8's award comes just a few days after
he was presented with the Football Writers Association Player of the Year
award and on the same night that he was voted as Players' Player of the Year
- Sponsored by Shore Capital - by his fellow squad members. To complete a
memorable personal evening, Parker also received the the Goal of the Season
award - Sponsored by Kinetics - for his outstanding strike in the 3-1
Barclays Premier League victory over Liverpool in February. England
goalkeeper and 2007/08 Hammer of the Year Robert Green was voted as
runner-up for the second time - Sponsored by Compass Group - while former
Young Hammer of the Year Mark Noble came in third. Other award winners on
the night included Green, Carlton Cole, Jonathan Spector, Freddie Sears and
Dylan Tombides.
Green, who missed the event to attend the birth of his first child, was
presented with the Save of the Season award - Sponsored by Get Compared -
for his outstanding stop from Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale at White Hart
Lane in March.
Cole scooped the Top Goalscorer award - Sponsored by England Environmental
Services and Southern Asbestos Services - for the second straight season,
having netted eleven times in all competitions.
Spector beat off the challenge of Cole, Parker, Green and Demba Ba to win
the Best Individual Performance award for his two-goal display in the 4-0
Carling Cup quarter-final victory against Manchester United in November.
The same fixture provided the winner for the Best Team Performance award -
Sponsored by Alpari. The trophy was collected by forward Victor Obinna, who
provided four assists on an unforgettable night at the Boleyn Ground.
Sears picked up the Young Hammer of the Year award - Sponsored by Clinton
Cards - while Tombides was presented with the Academy Player of the Year
award - Sponsored by Hermes International Limited.
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Gabbs feels for the fans
WHUFC.com
Danny Gabbidon has conceded that errors have cost West Ham United dear this
season
16.05.2011
Danny Gabbidon has expressed his disappointment for the supporters and
admitted failure to learn from mistakes had ultimately cost the club its
Barclays Premier League status. The centre-back pointed to Sunday's 3-2
defeat at Wigan Athletic as a microcosm for a season that, at times,
promised salvation and cup glory, but ultimately ended in relegation. At the
DW Stadium, the Hammers failed to hold on to a two-goal lead for the fourth
time this season following earlier collapses against Birmingham City - in
both the league and Carling Cup semi-final - and Manchester United. Yet
again, a promising first-half performance was undermined by a failure to
close out the match after the interval - a trait the No4 admitted West Ham
have not been able to shake off this term. "I think that game summed up our
whole season," he said. "We were 2-0 up and ended up losing the game 3-2 in
the last minute. It's been like that most of the season. We do some good
things but also do so many bad things. "We haven't learnt. We're 37 games in
and we still haven't learnt from our mistakes, so that's why we are where we
are. "The whole performance was better in the first half. We were better
going forward, we kept the ball when we had to, but the second half was
totally different. They pushed, put more people up front and we didn't make
the right decisions - when to keep the ball and when not to keep the ball,
when to drop off and when to press. Everything just seems to go to pot when
teams put a bit of pressure on us. "They got their first goal and obviously
got their tails up. Then, to lose in the last minute just sums the whole
season up. The first-half performance and second-half performance sum up the
season and I don't really need to explain much more. You could see it by
watching that game and it was everything you need to know."
Sunday's defeat may have condemned West Ham to the drop, but it failed to
silence the 4,500 travelling supporters who turned the North Stand into a
sea of claret and blue. Those fans had plenty to cheer as Demba Ba headed
their side into a two-goal lead inside 26 minutes, but their passion shone
through as they continued to sing in the face of Wigan's shattering
second-half comeback. Gabbidon, who has been at the club for five seasons,
empathised with the supporters and insisted that they players were also
hurting deeply following relegation. "The five years I have been here, the
fans have always been unbelievable. The West Ham support is something I
couldn't believe from when I first came here. I didn't realise how many West
Ham fans there were, wherever you go. "It's a big club and well-supported
and every away game has been the same. They turn out and I feel for them
because they've been really patient with the team. They've understood the
situation quite well and could have been harsher to us. "For them to turn
out in their numbers as they did on Sunday and not to get a win was
disappointing. I'd just like to thank the fans for their support this
season. They've been fantastic all season and us, as players, are
disappointed for them."People will say that players out of contract don't
care or don't want to play for the club, but I can tell you that couldn't
be any further from the truth. The players were gutted in the dressing room.
"I'm out of contract in the summer and I'm hurting. Nobody wants to be
relegated. It's a horrible thing for the fans and for the whole club, and
for the players as well. It's disappointing because we haven't learned from
our mistakes. We've had some good games, but we've made too many mistakes
this season and that's why we are where we are, really."
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Steve McClaren not interested in becoming West Ham boss
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 20:45 GMT, Monday, 16 May 2011 21:45 UK
Former England boss Steve McClaren has ruled himself out of the running to
fill the manager's role at West Ham. McClaren was the bookmakers' favourite
to replace Avram Grant, who was sacked after West Ham's relegation from the
Premier League on Sunday. But he said in a statement to Sky Sports News on
Monday: "I do not wish to be considered for the position." First team coach
Kevin Keen and ex-Newcastle boss Chris Hughton are now thought to be the
leading candidates. Hammers co-owner David Sullivan has accepted
responsibility for making a bad selection in choosing Grant as Gianfranco
Zola's replacement one year ago and has vowed not to make the same mistake
again. He told the Sun: "Avram is a lovely person but the results sadly
speak for themselves, that it was bad decision by the board. "We want a new
manager that has a proven record of success. "We will appoint a manager that
will achieve our aims. "I confidently predict that this time next year we'll
be back in the Premier League."
McClaren will not be the man to lead the east London club though. The former
England boss is without a club after being sacked by German club Wolfsburg
earlier this season, following a successful spell in the Netherlands with FC
Twente. He admitted: "It is very flattering to be linked with a club of West
Ham's size and historic stature, also one that has tremendous fans."
But as he distanced himself from the vacancy he added: "I wish everybody at
West Ham all the very best for the future." That appears to leave the
Londoners, who BBC Sport understands want to make an appointment in the next
two to three weeks, looking at other names on their wanted list. It is
thought that Keen, placed in temporary charge of the club, Hughton, Queens
Park Rangers boss Neil Warnock, ex-Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn manager
Sam Allardyce and former Hammers defender Slaven Bilic are among the
contenders. Ex-West Ham left-back Julian Dicks, now in charge of non-League
Grays Athletic, threw his hat into the ring - although he conceded it would
be a big step up. "Of course it is but that's not saying I can't do the
job," he told BBC Radio 5 live. "I'd love to have the chance to do it."
Meanwhile, former West Ham striker Tony Cottee told BBC Radio 5 live that he
is concerned the club will not play the salary that a top-quality manager
would command. "I can't see the current board offering big wages to any
manager," he said. "My top choice for the job is Martin O'Neill but I don't
know whether he would want to manage in the Championship and he would want
big money but he is the standout candidate. "The owners have a decision to
make but they will have to pay money to get a good manager to get the club
back in the Premier League."
For Keen, it is a third spell as caretaker manager since the departure of
Alan Pardew in 2006 and he will pick the team for West Ham's final game of
the season at home to Sunderland on Sunday. However, the Hammers will have
only pride to play for following the 3-2 defeat at the DW Stadium at the
weekend.
NEXT WEST HAM BOSS ODDS
9/4 Chris Hughton
6/1 Martin O'Neill
8/1 Kevin Keen
10/1 Steve McClaren
10/1 Neil Warnock
10/1 Gus Poyet
10/1 Malky Mackay
10/1 Sam Allardyce
12/1 Slaven Bilic
Source: William Hill
Grant's exit was announced just over an hour after the match and West Ham
co-owner David Gold used social networking site Twitter to say he wished he
had "done things differently". Gold stated: "This is undoubtedly the worst
moment in all the years I've been supporting West Ham. "I honestly believed
with the players we brought in in January and the imminent return of
[Thomas] Hitzlsperger, we had done enough to pull clear of danger. "I know
that [captain] Scotty Parker shared that belief with me and we both had
confidence that we would retain our Premiership status."
Gold told Sky Sports News that the club would "start a whole rebuilding
programme" and added: "We have to prepare a squad of players that is going
to get us back into the Premier League at the first time of asking. "West
Ham is a great club with a great tradition. We're entitled to grieve but
sooner or later we have to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and start
believing and rather than talking about relegation we have to talk about
promotion." Former Chelsea and Portsmouth boss Grant took over from
Gianfranco Zola in June 2010 on a four-year contract. But after beginning
the season with four straight defeats, the east Londoners were always in a
relegation battle, despite the efforts of Parker, who was named Football
Writers' Player of the Year. Needing a win at Wigan on Sunday to stand any
chance of staying up, Grant's side went 2-0 ahead before collapsing in the
second half and eventually losing to a Charles N'Zogbia winner four minutes
into stoppage time. BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty was at the
DW Stadium for the match. He said: "Rumours started to gather pace that
Avram Grant had been sacked even before he attended his post-match press
conference. He was asked whether he had already lost his job and said 'I am
not going to talk about myself'.
"Grant then disappeared and around 20 minutes later a West Ham spokesman
returned to the press room to tell the waiting media that Avram Grant was no
longer West Ham's manager and that Kevin Keen would take charge of their
final game. "Grant looked close to tears throughout his final media briefing
as West Ham manager and it now appears he knew his fate was sealed even
before he spoke about the result that had condemned West Ham to relegation."
In his interview for the BBC's Match of the Day 2, Grant described
relegation with West Ham as the "most sad day" of his career in football.
"I'm also sorry for the supporters, the people in the club and the players,"
he commented. "Maybe this game was the story of our season. It's a tough
day." Asked about his future, Grant added: "My future is not important now.
All I care about is the commitment to the team and the fans. "It's a big
club and I'm sure they will back to the Premier League."
Grant succeeded Jose Mourinho as Chelsea boss in September 2007, only to be
sacked after leading them to the Champions League final, where they lost on
penalties to Manchester United. He took over at Pompey in November 2009 and
defied the club's financial meltdown to steer them to the FA Cup final but
could not prevent their relegation to the Championship. West Ham owners Gold
and David Sullivan appointed the 56-year-old in the hope he could establish
West Ham as a Premier League force. They bankrolled the signing of players,
including Germany captain Hitzlsperger, Frederic Piquionne and Pablo
Barrera. A disappointing first half of the season prompted reports that
Grant would be replaced by former Aston Villa boss O'Neill but Grant clung
to his job and was allowed to bring in Demba Ba, Robbie Keane, Wayne Bridge
and Victor Obinna. And the club's fortunes appeared to be changing when they
won three of five league games in February and March, including a 3-1
victory over Liverpool. But defeat by Wigan was their sixth in seven league
matches, leaving them six points adrift at the bottom, and the club's
hierarchy felt that it was time for a change.
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Police called to West Ham United end of season dinner
BBC.co.uk
Supporters were charged £275 to attend the event in Park Lane
Police were called to reports of trouble involving West Ham players and
supporters at a top London hotel. The club, which was relegated from the
Premier League on Sunday, held its end of season dinner at the Grosvenor
House Hotel in Park Lane. Trouble is thought to have broken out at Monday
evening's £275-a-head event when a player refused to sign an autograph for a
supporter. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said no arrests were
made. He said: "We were called at 2115 BST to reports of a disturbance at
the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane. "Officers attended. There were no
offences alleged and no arrests."
A spokeswoman for the club denied there had been any trouble. West Ham's
relegation to the Championship was confirmed with a 3-2 defeat at fellow
strugglers Wigan Athletic. Just over an hour after the match, the club's
owners confirmed they had parted company with manager Avram Grant.
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West Ham pay for Grant indecision
Phil McNulty | 07:15 UK time, Monday, 16 May 2011
Avram Grant was shown no mercy in the air or on the ground as his reign as
West Ham United manager ended moments after their relegation from the
Premier League. As the Hammers were in the process of losing a two-goal lead
at Wigan en route to a defeat that concluded a six-year stay in English
football's top tier, a light aircraft circled above the DW Stadium trailing
a banner that read: "Avram Grant - Millwall Legend". The fly-past was a
brutal touch in Grant's last game in charge as his 11-month tenure was
brought to a close shortly after 90 minutes of pure footballing theatre. His
sacking puts him in the dock for a season of managerial folly at Upton Park
but he will not stand alone when the inquest gets under way and West Ham
survey the wreckage that always surrounds the drop into the Championship.
Grant barely got beyond the players' tunnel before he knew his time was
over. He conducted his post-match media briefing close to tears and in a
faltering voice, knowing his fate was sealed. "It's the saddest day since I
started in football almost 40 years ago," said the former Chelsea and
Portsmouth boss, who was summoned to an office at the DW Stadium and given
the bad news by West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, along with
vice-chairman Karren Brady. "I cannot say it in words. I am very, very sad,
especially for the supporters and the people in the club. Football is a game
of results. My job was to keep the team in the Premier League and I failed.
I wanted to make these great fans happy and I couldn't do it."
Grant was afforded a last gesture of loyalty from his players when they
insisted he should fly home with them, rather than take a private car back
to London.
West Ham, it is now painfully obvious, broke the bad news to Grant
approximately four months too late. It was clear in January, when he
seemingly threw his Hammers scarf to supporters in a farewell gesture at the
end of the Upton Park defeat against Arsenal and sights were set on Martin
O'Neill, that faith in the 56-year-old Israeli was lost and his appointment
as successor to Gianfranco Zola last summer had been a mistake.
West Bromwich Albion's sacking of Roberto di Matteo and appointment of Roy
Hodgson in the same month seemed harsh in the extreme, while West Ham's
decision to stick with Grant looked like a marriage of inconvenience until
season's end. A study of their respective positions today proves which club
was right.
Gold, someone who does have a genuine feel for West Ham amid the chaos and
confusion of this season, took to his Twitter feed to express his thoughts.
"This is undoubtedly the worst moment in all the years I've been supporting
West Ham and of course I wish I'd done things differently. "I honestly
believed with the players we brought in in January and the imminent return
of Hitzlsperger, we had done enough to pull clear of danger," he wrote.
This may not spare him, or indeed Sullivan and Brady, the ire of West Ham's
supporters when they say farewell to a desperate campaign at Upton Park next
Sunday. Gold and Sullivan took control of the club in dire financial
circumstances - a fact that should not be ignored in the interests of
context and balance - but this will not be remembered in the mournful
surroundings of Green Street.
Grant's last fling as manager was symptomatic of a season in which West Ham
have cast aside 22 points from winning positions - and a Carling Cup
semi-final at Birmingham City was lost after a healthy lead had been
established.
In that game, Grant was slow to react to the introduction of the giant
Nikola Zigic, hardly a surprise tactical package, while in the match at
Wigan the momentum swung away from the Hammers after the double introduction
of Connor Sammon and Victor Moses at half-time.
West Ham's fans exchanged gallows humour for songs of hope after two goals
from Demba Ba revived their survival ambitions, but once Charles N'Zogbia
pulled one back for Wigan early in the second half, there was a grim
inevitability about Sammon's equaliser and Robert Green's latest horror show
that gave N'Zogbia the stoppage-time winner.
The fact that this wonderful spectacle was as entertaining as anything the
Premier League has produced this season will not be any consolation for
Grant or West Ham.
Grant took responsibility but laced this with a rose-tinted view of West
Ham's performances this season that stands little scrutiny. His wildly
misplaced optimism, even in the face of compelling evidence to the contrary,
was fatally flawed.
He had a valid point about the poor timing of Scott Parker's Achilles tendon
injury but history tells us very few teams are unlucky to be relegated - and
this was not a hard luck story. It was a deserved demise.
With few exceptions, Footballer of the Year Scott Parker being a glowing
one, Grant failed to get the best out of a squad that should have been good
enough to avoid the drop. The manager must take the blame for this but the
players should not escape responsibility either and their collapse in the
face of Wigan pressure on Sunday was a sample of the sort of work that leads
to relegation.
West Ham's fans turned some fruity four-letter fire on Grant as the credits
rolled at Wigan on Sunday but he seemed genuinely overcome with sadness at
how events had turned out and departed with dignity.
Tales of Grant's lack of inspiration on the training ground and in the
dressing room have become commonplace as the season has progressed, while
the arrival of Wally Downes as coach failed to stem the tide.
When a club labels a home game in November, ironically against Wigan, as
their "Save Our Season" match, then the warning signs are loud and clear.
Gold and Sullivan must make the right choice for Grant's successor if West
Ham are going to bounce back next season - photo: PA Grant, who suffered
relegation with Portsmouth despite taking them to the FA Cup final last
season, was the wrong man for the job and now the grim reckoning must begin
on and off the field.
Sullivan claimed last week that the club is "in a worse financial position
than any other in the country" and revealed that loans of between £20m and
£40m may need to be injected in the event of relegation.
It may also be a source of regret to Sullivan that so rarely talked up the
team this season. His failure, along with the Gold and Brady, to attend the
defeat at Manchester City sent out ominous signals when he explained:
'Watching our poor away performances week after week and not having the
ability to influence things has impacted on us."
Brady, in particular, should be credited for claiming the keys to the
Olympic Stadium as West Ham's next home - but it is accommodation that looks
nowhere near as attractive when viewed from the Championship. The notion of
starting life in new surroundings and not being in the Premier League is
close to unthinkable. It is imperative West Ham return to the Premier League
quickly but they will have to do it without Footballer of the Year Parker,
who is now certain to leave, with Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool in the queue,
and goalkeeper Green, who looks destined for Aston Villa.
Mark Noble will also be a target as the vultures circle, Matthew Upson, a
spent force this season, is out of contract, while expensive loan recruits
Wayne Bridge and Robbie Keane will be sent back to Manchester City and
Spurs. Signings of the calibre of Winston Reid, Pablo Barrera and Tal Ben
Haim reflected badly on the club's whole recruitment structure. The new
arrivals failed to flourish and West Ham are now likely to rely on the young
brigade of James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Zavon Hines and Freddie Sears.
And then there is the small matter of a successor to Grant to be considered.
O'Neill is highly unlikely to wish to restart his managerial career in the
Championship, while QPR's Neil Warnock, a promotion past master, ruled
himself out on Sunday by declaring he was staying with Rangers, having
steered them to the Premier League. It's the same situation for Norwich
City's Paul Lambert.
Former England coach Steve McClaren has been seen regularly on the circuit
as a pundit recently and is likely to come under consideration, while Sam
Allardyce was linked with West Ham in January when Grant's future was a
matter for debate.
Grant may have gone but the big decisions are only just starting for those
in charge at West Ham United as they plan for life outside English
football's elite.
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Gala night ends in punch-up
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 16th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's end of season Gala ended in chaos as Police were called
after a fight erupted. The disturbance is said to have started after one
first team member - believed to be Senegalese striker Demba Ba - had signed
an autograph for a fan whilst eating at his table. The altercation is said
to have been triggered by Ba's refusal to leave his table in order to
continue the conversation.
Police were called to deal with the ensuing outbreak of violence which saw,
according to reports, tables and chairs being used as weapons in a scene
more suited to an old-school Western movie than an end-of-season dinner.
Fans had paid upwards of £250 each to attend the evening - ironically
described by the club in promotional material as 'a simply unmissable
evening' - which was hosted by TV personality Ben Shepherd.
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Parker wins one horse race
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 16th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Amongst the broken chairs and high-kicked vases at the Grosvenor House Hotel
tonight, Scott Parker was predictably named Player of the Year. Parker
became only the second Hammer after Sir Trevor Brooking to lift the award
three seasons in a row, as virtually the only candidate worthy of such an
accolade in what has proved to be a torrid season both on and off the pitch.
Goalkeeper Robert Green and midfielder Mark Noble took second and third
spots respectively. Parker also took the club's Goal of the Season award for
his effort against Liverpool in February. Meanwhile Robert Green's save from
a Gareth Bale effort at White Hart Lane in March was voted Save of the
Season. KUMB.com's own annual awards - which started back in 1997 - will
open for for the 14th year later this week. Keep an eye on our home page for
details.
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Brady involved in fan fracas
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 16th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
The husband of vice-chair Karren Brady is understood to have been involved
in a violent disagreement with travelling West Ham fans following
yesterday's 3-2 defeat at Wigan. Paul Peschisolido - who is also the current
manager of Burton Albion - is reported to have lost his temper when a
supporter approached his wife in their first-class carriage as they returned
to the Midlands with their children following the match, which condemned the
Irons to relegation.
Differing accounts of the events leading up to Peschisolido's intervention
have been given, although all are consistent in claiming that 40-year-old
former Sheffield United star had to be physically restrained from attacking
the fan. Brady - whose tenure as vice-chair began just 15 months ago - is no
stranger to controversy where Hammers fans are concerned. Last year she was
held culpable for the decision to remove complimentory season tickets from
the family of John Lyall, whilst only last week she told Hammers fans to
'bog off' following her absence from the recent 2-1 defeat at Manchester
City.
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Gold on Manager XIV
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 16th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
David Gold has revealed that the search for a replacement for Avram Grant
has already begun - but warned fans not to expect an announcement
imminently. The 74-year-old co-chairman - who was only released from
hospital a month ago following serious illness - was speaking for the first
time since West Ham's relegation was confirmed by virtue of the 3-2 defeat
Wigan yesterday.
Gold, talking to Sky Sports admitted that nobody had been ruled out - but
added that he hoped Grant's replacement would be appointed in the very near
future. "The sooner the better, that's important," he said. "The sooner the
better because there's lots of work to do, an enormous amount of work. But
at the same time we musn't be rushed, this will be a very important
appointment. You're choosing a manager that's good enough to get you out of
the Championship and capable of continuing once we've achieved that. "We're
looking at everybody, now it's known that we're looking for a new manager.
This is one of the reasons why we moved quickly - one of many reasons of
course - but it's important that we have time for CVs to come in to us.
"I'm sure there'll be many, many managers that see the West Ham job as
challenging, exciting. Not only will we be fighting to get back into the
Premier League but we're also preparing ourselves for probably the most
exciting event in the history of West Ham United Football Club - the move to
a new stadium which is something that we've never done. "So all of these
challenges have got to be addressed and it's important that we pick the
right person. We'll be speaking to everybody; we're just looking for the
best person."
According to a poll conducted here on KUMB.com today, the supporters'
favourites to succeed Grant are Martin O'Neill, Chris Hughton, Sam Allardyce
and Tony Carr.
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Bunch of Tweets
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 16th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Social network Twitter has been awash with comments regarding West Ham's
relegation since last night.
We present a selection of those for you here:
"West Ham relegated maaaaaan....gutted for the Hammers." - Rio Ferdinand
"A sad day in the Ferdinand family. West Ham relegated, I am gutted." -
Anton Ferdinand
"Who will take over at West Ham? I'm sure they will get a big name, they are
a great club with great history. Plenty of people will want it." - Michael
Owen
"I feel sorry for west Ham fans..." - Jay Bothroyd
"It's easy and lazy for people to blame Avram - most of the players have let
the club and fans down this season." - Ian 'Moose' Abrahams (radio
presenter)
" Gutted to see West Ham relegated. So disappointed. How do you go from 2-0
to lose 3-2? If the fans want me to get involved I will. It's a great club
and we fans have suffered too long." - Tony Fernandes
"Maybe we'll win a game or two!" - Ben Shepherd (TV presenter)
"Keep the Claret and Blue flag flying. We'll be back,with an actual football
manager and a team with spirit. One day." - James Corden
"Cardiff! Leeds! Millwall! Get ready for the claret and blue army (I will
not be attending those away games due to an allergy)." - Russell Brand
"This is undoubtedly the worst moment in all the years I've been supporting
West Ham and of course I wish I'd done things differently." - David Gold
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Gold committed to stadium move
Hammers plan to stick with stadium move
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me on Twitter @skysportspeteo. Last
Updated: May 16, 2011 2:35pm
SSN
West Ham co-owner David Gold insists relegation will not affect their plans
to move to the Olympic Stadium. The Hammers, in a joint bid with Newham
Council, intend to convert the 80,000-seater stadium after the 2012 Games,
although the decision faces possible judicial reviews, launched by Tottenham
and Leyton Orient, over the process in which they were awarded the venue. It
has been suggested that the financial implications of dropping out of the
Premier League to the Championship could scupper the club's move to
Stratford. Asked if relegation could force a rethink from the club, Gold
told Sky Sports News: "Oh no absolutely not. "In fact were budgeting last
year for relegation and fortunately we managed to survive under [Gianfranco]
Zola. "So there is absolutely no financial issues at all, we had always
budgeted for relegation. "We knew when we inherited the club they were on
the brink of relegation at that time and so it has proven to budget in the
worst case scenario."
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Police called to Hammers dinner
Reports suggest fans involved in brawl with hotel security staff
Last Updated: May 17, 2011 7:20am
SSN
Police were called to West Ham's end-of-season dinner just 24 hours after
the club were relegated from the Premier League, according to Sky Sports
News. It has been alleged by eye witnesses that trouble flared after a West
Ham player refused to sign autographs for fans, who had paid to be at the
event at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. Security staff are said to have
attempted to defuse the situation with the disgruntled fans, but it is
claimed that a 'mass brawl' broke out. Eye witnesses have also claimed that
one fan high-kicked a glass vase from a table amid the angry scenes. Two
police cars then arrived after a group of men were apparently seen running
from the hotel, with security staff giving chase. The news comes at a time
when West Ham are searching for a new manager following Avram Grant's
sacking in the wake of Sunday's relegation from the Premier League. Earlier
on Monday evening, former England boss Steve McClaren announced that he did
not want to be considered for the vacant position as manager.
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Police confirm Hammers call
Ba interview request triggered disturbance say reports
Last Updated: May 17, 2011 7:48am
SSN
Metropolitan Police have confirmed they were called to the West Ham
end-of-season dinner at a central London hotel. The club, who were relegated
from the Barclays Premier League on Sunday after they were defeated by
Wigan, threw the party at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Sky Sports News
revealed the news on Monday evening and Police confirmed that they were
called in. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "We were called at
9.15pm to reports of a disturbance at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park
Lane. "Officers attended. There were no offences alleged and no arrests."
According to reports, the trouble started when striker Demba Ba allegedly
refused to sign an autograph for a fan. The player reportedly said he was
"too tired", and his comments sparked a brawl. Supporters were invited to
the £275-a-head dinner, which was attended by players and executives. The
club are currently without a manager after Avram Grant was sacked following
the disappointing season.
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McClaren rules out Hammers
Former England boss does not want to be considered by West Ham
Last Updated: May 16, 2011 9:26pm
SSN
Former England boss Steve McClaren has announced that he does not want to be
considered for the vacant manager's job at West Ham. The club's co-owners,
David Gold and David Sullivan, sacked Avram Grant after Premier League
relegation was confirmed following Sunday's defeat to Wigan. McClaren, who
was dismissed by Wolfsburg earlier in the season, emerged as a strong
favourite for the role, but skysports.com revealed earlier on Monday that
there had been no discussions. The ex-Middlesbrough and FC Twente manager
has now confirmed that he is not interested in becoming the next boss of
West Ham. He said in a statement to Sky Sports News: "It is very flattering
to be linked with a club of West Ham's size and historic stature, also one
that has tremendous fans. "It is very flattering to be linked with a club of
West Ham's size and historic stature, also one that has tremendous fans.
However, at this moment in time I do not wish to be considered for the
position. But I wish everybody at West Ham all the very best for the
future." "However, at this moment in time I do not wish to be considered
for the position. But I wish everybody at West Ham all the very best for the
future."
Timeframe
Former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton, ex-West Ham players Slaven Bilic and
Paulo di Canio, and Sam Allardyce, who was sacked by Blackburn in December,
have also been linked with the West Ham job. And with the club already
preparing for next season in the Championship, Gold admitted in an exclusive
interview with Sky Sports News on Monday morning that he wanted to swiftly
appoint a successor to Grant. When asked about the timeframe for appointing
a new boss, Gold responded: "The sooner the better, that is important.
"There is lots of work to do, an enormous amount of work. But at the same
time we mustn't be rushed. "This will be a very, very important appointment.
We are choosing a manager capable of getting us out of the Championship and
continuing once we've achieved that. "We are looking at everybody. It's
important that we have time for CVs to come in to us. I'm sure that there
will be many managers who will see the West Ham job as challenging and
exciting. "It's important that we pick the right person."
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Gold eyes swift appointment
Hammers supremo looking for right man to replace axed Grant
By Rob Parrish - Follow me on Twitter @skysportsrobp. Last Updated: May
16, 2011 3:59pm
SSN
West Ham chairman David Gold has told Sky Sports News that he is looking to
make a swift appointment to replace Avram Grant. The Hammers parted company
with the dour Israeli immediately following their 3-2 defeat at Wigan on
Sunday which confirmed their relegation to the Championship following a
miserable campaign in the Premier League. A host of names have already been
linked with the Upton Park hotseat, including former England manager Steve
McClaren, and Gold is determined to select the best candidate as they target
an immediate return to the top-flight. Gold and fellow co-owner David
Sullivan will spend the coming days checking out the credentials of various
candidates and it is clear the club are keen to have a new man at the helm
in the immediate future.
Sooner the better
When asked about the timeframe for appointing their new boss in an exclusive
interview with Sky Sports News, Gold responded: "The sooner the better, that
is important. "There is lots of work to do, an enormous amount of work. But
at the same time we mustn't be rushed. "This will be a very, very important
appointment. We are choosing a manager capable of getting us out of the
Championship and continuing once we've achieved that. "We are looking at
everybody. It's important that we have time for CVs to come in to us. I'm
sure that there will be many managers who will see the West Ham job as
challenging and exciting. "It's important that we pick the right person."
Interfering
There were widespread suggestions earlier in the season that Grant had lost
the support of the players in the dressing room and that contributed to
their eventual relegation. Gold claimed he had not seen any indication of
problems between the squad and the former Chelsea and Portsmouth boss, but
admitted he was possibly not privy to all the information. Gold stated:
"You'll have to ask Avram that or you'd have to ask the players. "Everything
seemed OK to me when I visited the training ground. Remember, my visits were
quite short because I didn't want to be accused of interfering. "I'd be in
the dressing room for minutes before a match and at the training ground for
half a day. And what I saw was professionalism, but that's only what I saw."
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Hammers expected exodus
Finance director warned that stars would need to be sold
Last Updated: May 16, 2011 5:02pm
SSN
West Ham's finance director warned back in March that relegation would cost
the club their key men. In his report on the club's annual accounts filed at
Companies House, Nick Igoe revealed that 'a number of members of the
first-team squad' would have to be sold in order to balance the books. With
the Hammers having seen their demotion into the Championship confirmed on
Sunday, the likes of England quartet Scott Parker, Carlton Cole, Robert
Green and Matthew Upsoncould all depart over the summer. West Ham are aware
of the need to generate funds, having reported losses of £20.6million for
the year ending 31st May 2010.
Savings
Relegation will mean at least a £20million cut in income from television
money, making it all the more likely that they will be forced to offload
their most prized assets.
Igoe's report stated: "In the event that this [relegation] should happen,
the board estimates that it would have to generate significant cash flows
from the sale of a number of members of the first-team squad together with
the associated wage savings in order to compensate for the inevitable
reduction in income following relegation. "The board believes that the
necessary savings could be achieved by means of this strategy."
The Hammers have already trimmed their wage bill by almost £10million,
cutting it from £60million in 2008-09 to £50.3million last year - reducing
the proportion of salaries to turnover from 79% to 70%. David Gold said last
week that if the Hammers were relegated, he and co-owner David Sullivan
would have to inject loans of 'between £20m and £40m, depending on
circumstances, which will probably never be repaid'.
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Hammers keen to keep key men
Parker and Green expected to move on after relegation confirmed
By Rob Parrish - Follow me on Twitter @skysportsrobp. Last Updated: May
16, 2011 3:58pm
SSN
West Ham will not allow England internationals Scott Parker and Rob Green to
leave on the cheap following their relegation to the Championship, according
to chairman David Gold. The Hammers slipped out of the Premier League on
Sunday following a 3-2 defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Wigan, with
manager Avram Grant shown the door almost immediately. Midfielder Parker and
goalkeeper Green have been two of the very few players at Upton Park to
emerge from a miserable campaign with any credit and are widely expected to
be on the move in the summer. Football Writers' Association player of the
year Parker, who is sure to attract a host of suitors, admitted prior to the
Latics loss that he could not give any guarantees over his future should the
club be relegated. But Gold insists that unless the East London outfit
receive an acceptable offer for their key men, then they will remain part of
the squad pushing for an immediate return to the top flight. "We are going
to do everything in our power to keep our best players," he told Sky Sports
News in an exclusive interview.
Compensation
"I've said in the past it will be very difficult to ask an international to
come and play in the Championship when traditionally England players aren't
picked in the Championship. "We are not in any hurry. We must receive the
proper amount of compensation for any player that we sell. If we don't then
the player will stay with us in the Championship."
Gold did accept that out-of-contract duo Matthew Upson and Kieron Dyer were
now likely to seek pastures new, although he did grasp at the hope they
could agree new terms with the Hammers. He said: "They are now free agents
and they are free to move to a new club, or maybe sit down with us and sign
a new contract."
Gold and co-owner David Sullivan must now prepare for a season outside the
top-flight and the former has confirmed that there are likely to be
wholesale changes over the summer.
Grieve
"Sooner or later we have to stop grieving and feeling sorry for ourselves
and start believing. Rather than talking about relegation we have to start
talking about promotion." He added: "We have to start a whole rebuilding
programme. We know that we have to rebuild the squad and prepare ourselves
for life in the Championship. "We have to prepare a squad of players that is
going to get us back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.
"Our fans and all of us are hurting right now. We are entitled to grieve, it
can go on for a couple of days, it can go on for a couple of weeks. "But
sooner or later we have to stop grieving and feeling sorry for ourselves and
start believing. Rather than talking about relegation we have to start
talking about promotion and getting back into the Premier League which will
be so important to us. "We have got to do everything in our power to get
back into the Premier League as soon as possible."
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The Devil's in the Detail
Billy Blagg - Mon May 16 2011
West Ham Online
Anger, frustration, disappointment, surprise - I really didn't see this
coming with the players they had at their disposal - and, yes, a bit of
sorrow I guess; but the main emotions I've suffered since confirmation of
West Ham's relegation to the Championship following the 3-2 defeat at Wigan,
is the horrible sense of resignation and ennui - and that is what hurts more
than anything.
You see, I'm used to the annual roller-coaster of supporting West Ham. The
exhilaration of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, the joy of seeing
young players come through the Academy and make their mark on the game
before leaving for the promised land of Champions League football, exciting
wins, dismal losses, bizarre decisions, crocked players, overpaid wasters,
the way the unexpected becomes the expected - all these things are part of
the pain and pleasure involved in supporting the Hammers. But this horrible
season has even stripped me of the capacity to relish the low points.
Frankly, I'm tired - so tired - of watching the people who run this club
continually try to outdo themselves by shooting off their mouths while
simultaneously shooting themselves in the foot.
Ever since Emmanuel Omoyinmi came on as a cup-tied substitute in the 1999
League Cup quarter-final, Upton Park has become synonymous with boardroom
machinations, administrative errors, poor decisions, misguided statements,
management in-fighting, staggering financial incompetence and sheer bad
luck. I wouldn't mind but it wasn't as if the Boleyn was a watchword for
unbridled success before '99 either! But now, if there's a lame duck manager
to hire, a dodgy agent to entice or a fat striker with an injury problem to
sign then expect West Ham to be in with a shout. If we can hire them or buy
them with money we don't have then so much the better.
I'll be honest I never felt the appointment of Avram Grant equalled that of
the inexperienced Glenn Roeder in 2001 ("I'm not expecting another
relegation battle" I said back in August!). Although he wasn't the man I
wanted to see in charge, I thought the ex-Chelsea boss could do a job for
us, but it became very apparent very quickly that this wasn't the case and
Grant should have been shown the door last January. It was ironic that,
despite intense media speculation, the end didn't come as expected after the
appalling home defeat to Arsenal, as that match was possibly one of the
lowest points in all my years of watching West Ham and I would have sacked
the man for that game alone. But Gold and Sullivan decided - perhaps were
forced - to hold onto Grant and the result has been a team shaped in his own
image, one unable to express itself while lacking the fight and tactical
nous needed in the very basics of the game.
Of course, the usual drill at this time is to make sure the finger doesn't
point at one man and there has been obvious castigation of some of the
players with major criticism coming in for the misfiring Carlton Cole and
the inept captain Matthew Upson, but that's not something I'm going to join.
The Roeder season proved what has always been evident and that is that in
trying to play in ways dictated by a poor manager and his coaching staff,
even good players become lost and, except for the very best, once that
happens confidence suffers and things start to unravel.
Eventually in the doldrums, players give up and look for excuses and the
chance to pass the buck. I use the word 'players' but could equally
substitute 'employees' because I've seen this in countless offices and work
places over the years and have long believed – much as I don't want too –
that football is no different. Bring in a new man and things can change very
quickly. To those who try to shift the blame from Grant I ask one question:
had O'Neill or Hodgson been put in charge of that squad back in January,
would West Ham be facing Millwall and Ipswich next season? Don't even bother
to reply.
Now obviously the decision of who you want to run your company or club is a
major one and needs to be taken with care but, in much the same way that it
should be a basic tactical decision to close a player down to stop them
getting in a shot, or move a left-footed player over to their right side to
stop them getting in a cross, so should it be a basic at boardroom level to
make sure you get the right man in and the wrong man out. We all make
mistakes, of course, and no-one expects perfection but we do expect those
tasked with the major decisions to be competent enough to make those
decisions
For me, it's the lack of basics and the attention to detail that let West
Ham down time and time again. See how Manchester United can bring in a
young, inexperienced player into their team and look how quickly they settle
in. They already know what they have to do and what is expected of them and
its why United are celebrating their 19th League title despite sometimes
seemingly not having the best players in every position. OK perhaps ManU
aren't a great example – if every club could emulate Alex Ferguson then
surely they would - but I'm not talking about winning the Premiership or
even playing in the bloated, overrated Champions League – I've long since
given up any idea of that. No, I'm just talking about playing entertaining
football and winning more than seven or eight games a season. I think West
Ham supporters have a God-given right to that.
Now I know that last statement will gall many. A lot of neutrals think that
West Ham live above themselves, that we think ourselves better than we are
and we live off the fact we won a European trophy and supplied three players
and a captain to a World Cup win way before most people reading this were
even born. Throw in the Olympic Stadium bid and you can see a lot of
discussion boards are buzzing with that very thing right now. The disturbing
issue for me is though; I'm starting to think some of these may have a
point.
Certainly in recent history, we've paid way over the odds for supposedly top
players we couldn't afford and who had shown themselves either to be unfit,
unsuitable, inept or way past their best. The club's ability to spot a Dyer,
Ljungberg or a McCarthy and put them on a salary more than you or I will see
in a month of Sunday's is surely second to none. Meanwhile, I've seen
players like Bobby Zamora, Matthew Etherington, James Collins and Nigel
Reo-Coker given little more than a regal wave as they are shipped off to the
likes of Fulham, Stoke and Villa. Good luck to them at those clubs seems to
be the consensus – we're moving in another direction. Well, we're sure right
about that last bit…
And we'll do the same again. It will be Carlton Cole next, so poor this
season that he can surely only got to Colchester or Orient. Won't we be
surprised when he's rescued by Tony Pullis or somebody and ends up getting
15 goals a season? Wouldn't it be nice to just get the best from an
established Premiership player for once?
So what are these basics that West Ham seem to miss out on? Well, here's a
novel idea. Let's start the season with a squad of players who know exactly
what their role is and what is expected of them. Let's not experiment with
the giddy idea of playing without full-backs ever again. In my opinion, just
that one change last summer would have given us the five or six points we
needed to stay up this season. (They say you learn from history but Glenn
Roeder tried the same tactic in 2001).
Let's also understand that – great though it is to pull off an away win at
Old Trafford or surprise Liverpool at home – the bread and butter stuff
needs to be sorted first. Most headers conceded in the top division, most
leads conceded, most goals shipped in the first 15 minutes – all down to
West Ham United this season. Key games against Blackpool, West Brom and
Birmingham at home were all frittered away. I could go on, but what's the
point?
We'll be back, of course, probably sooner rather than later too. The last 50
years suggest that West Ham don't hang around in the lower tier for too
long, in fact there's even some evidence that suggests that – like 2004 and
05 – we can play pretty badly and still do quite well. But that's not really
the point. Whatever you think of the owners (my opinion is probably
libellous) Messrs Gold and Sullivan have committed the club to a bright
future in a landmark stadium. They haven't shown themselves capable of
breaking the mould so far, in fact they look to have adopted the same
kamikaze strategy, but that has to change and the change needs to start
right now.
No more half-baked managerial appointments, no more pussy-footing round when
things aren't working. We want decisive actions. I want a Manger to manage
with a plan for the next five to ten years built around a nucleus of players
that will not only take us up but also form the backbone of a squad to build
on after. I don't care if those players aren't people I'd recognise if they
knocked on my door – we keep running down that road and it leaves us
nowhere. Just get in people who give 100%, can play a fair bit and who are
prepared to do their utmost. Build the type of club that doesn't need
relegation to get rid of deadwood and people we can't afford, and stop
offering us the moon when we don't need to go there.
Let's do what Avram Grant couldn't this season. Sort out the basics first
and then build from there. Let the manager get the team to do the talking on
the pitch and cut out the nonsense from off it – we know that the Directors
paid a lot of money for West Ham United but their pointless statements are
harmful and self-defeating and do nothing for the profile of the club and
its fans.
For the horrible truth about this relegation is that the club deserves it.
The players, the coaching staff, the owners and most certainly the manager
have all made awful, awful decisions not only this season but over the past
few years. One bunch of people who don't deserve it though is the
long-suffering fans. We have a right to better and it's about time we had
it.
Now, anyone got the train times to Coventry?
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The First Time as Tragedy, The Second Time as Farce!
May 17th, 2011 - 5:06 am by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
It was Karl Marx, in the 18th Brumaire, in discussing Hegel's observations
on history who said that he (Hegel) might have added (when history repeats
itself), 'its the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce.' This
quote readily came to mind when considering the similarities between our
relegation in 2002-03 and the repeat in 2010-11. After all, no one can deny
that the relegation of the talented team in May 2003 was tragic for the club
and its supporters; nor can anyone refute that the events of 2010-11 are
nothing short of high farce.
There is much criticism of the current owners of the club amongst fans. I
agree with a lot of it, but some of it I do not. They have made serious
mistakes, but I do not necessarily see them as the Machiavellian schemers
suggested by some. For instance, all of their competitors to buy the club
in 2009 (Tony Fernandez and the Italian bidder) saw the move to the OS as
central to their own bids. So, that would have been in the equation
regardless of who took control of the club. Other criticisms, such as the
the impact of ill-judged and damaging public statements, are more than
justified.
Perhaps it is that I tend to view the current regime within the historical
context of the club's previous owners. Never has a football club been dealt
so many golden hands, only for them to be carelessly tossed away. Think of
the failure to sufficiently invest in the ECWC squad in 1965, containing
three future World Cup winners and a number of international class players,
and to take it to the next level; think of the lack of consistent investment
in the squad that undermined John Lyall's management and how it resulted in
the decline of two very good FA Cup winning squads; as well as and the
failure in 1985-86 to land the the big prize of a first ever league title.
Or think of the failure to adequately replace Harry Redknapp as manager, the
subsequent relegation of the club and the sale of its 'golden generation' of
young Academy stars. It is a tale of woe, poor leadership, a lack of vision
and the continual dashing of the cherished hopes and dreams of generations
of the best supporters in English football, bar none. This latest debacle
is merely the most recent instalment in this sorry tale.
It is, indeed, interesting to draw historical comparisons between the
tragedy of 2002-03 and the farce of 2010-11. In 2002-03 the then board were
also pre-occupied with reducing a club debt of around the c.£25m mark. If
you look up the press cuttings of the time, you will find comment from the
board on the club's debts and the necessity to reduce them. The club went
into the 2002-03 season restricting investment in the first team squad to
try to reduce that debt. The idea was to muddle through that year, with the
intention of increased investment in 2003-04! After relegation, the board
belatedly admitted that that strategy was a big mistake!
We commenced the 2002-03 season with an unbalanced squad which did not have
a recognised right-back and the veteran Nigel Winterburn in the left-back
slot. We badly needed to address those positions, add a good centre-half
and another striker. We failed to recruit to any of these positions and key
injuries to Di Canio and Kanoute meant that a young Defoe carried the
forward line for a significant part of the season. At the same time the
board had appointed Glen Roeder to succeed Harry Redknapp. Roeder was a
decent person, but sadly not an adequate replacement for Redknapp.
Certainly he lacked the gravitas to convince the board to bring in players
the season we went down. Consider the out of hand rejection of his
proposal to buy Matt Upson Arsenal for a modest c.£1m fee. Upson was
subsequently snapped up by Birmingham City and he was to be instrumental in
their PL survival that season. Think of the authority ssues with the
players and the clashes with Paulo Di Canio, which resulted in our finest
player kicking his heels on the side lines for the final key phase of the
season.
This season West Ham's history has repeated itself as farce. We have the
£80m debt that was prioritised for reduction; the appointment of an
ineffectualmanager out of his depth in the PL; the failure to initially
address the imbalance in the squad; and the talented, but underperforming,
team that should never have been relegated. At least these owners pushed the
boat out in January, but the point is that boththe managerial appointment
and the insufficient transfer activity in the summer was mistaken. They may
have then loosened the purse strings in the January window, but they
ultimately failed to bite the bullet and change the manager. Hence, the
tactical and motivational problems continued and we failed to reap the
benefits that the acquisition of Ba, Keane, Bridge, et al, should have
brought.
Amid this disaster, stands one shining constant, that is West Ham's fanastic
support. The crushing disappointment regularly heaped upon them is totally
underserved. Sitting in the West Ham away end on Sunday, it seemed, for a
brief moment, that the escape of all escapes might be on. Fulham were 0-2
up and we had a similar advantage; then it all went wrong, as it has gone
wrong so many other times this season. There is something funamentally
wrong tactically and psychologically when a side keep throwing away 2 goal
leads. Apparently, we could have gathered another 22 points in total this
season if we had won games when we were in a winning position. That says it
all really, this side is brittle! Whilst we rightly fear the decimation of
the squad, the fact is that this squad would have had to go through a
process of retructuring even if we had survived.
The truth is that even at 0-2 up, we all knew from bitter experience that if
Wigan pulled one back then a collapse was on the cards. Amid this
footballing car crash, I found my attention wandering to the question of who
were the saddest fans; the poor Wigan support in the ground or the
Millwallfans who thought up and paid for that plane stunt with the banner?
Millwall are Millwall, they will always have a obcession with us, driven by
their rampant inferiority complex. But certain Wigan sites today have
proven just how small minded they really are. Do you know that they are
still going on about 2006-07 and justice finally being done! You know, all
the old stuff about Sir Trevor allegedly pulling strings for us, Tevez being
ineligiable to play, etc. One poor soul was even going on about Brian
Deane's equaliser that denied them a play-off spot in 2004!!! Can you
believe it, most of us Hammers fans had largely forgotten about that small
footnote in the history of a forgettable season. But I suppose there is not
much to do on cold winter nights in small provincial towns, other than
harbour ancient grudges, grind axes and dream of revenge!
As was once famously said by 18th century Prime Minister, Robert Walpole,
'they may now be ringing the bells, but soon they may be wringing their
hands.' If Wigan fail in their escape bid, they will struggle to get up
again in a generation, if ever. We may have significant problems and future
challenges, and I am definitely not taking promotion for granted, but I
would much rather be West Ham in that situation than Wigan. Some Wigan fans
may be very pleased with themselves now, but cheers could well turn to tears
on Sunday! Thankfully their manager has a whole lot more class than some of
his club's fans, as proven by his public commiserations at West Ham's
relegation.
The whole Grant sacking incident was very poorly handled. The man should
have been allowed to get back to London and have at least 12 hours before
the trigger was pulled. I do not lament the exit of Avram Grant the
manager, I share others exasperation with his strange team selections,
tactical ineptitude and post-match delusions. However, it is also perfectly
clear that Avram Grant is a very decent human being. And although Avram
Grant the manager deserved the sack, Grant the man deserved better
consideration. As other have stated, the way it was done was not the right
way to go about things.
Grant may be gone, but if the rapid sacking was an attempt to deflect
criticism from the board, forget it! The fans know who made the key
decisions that scuppered our season and led to relegation. I am sure that
the long suffering fans will more than make their feelings known on Sunday.
But David Gold, in his recent interview, is right that there is a point at
which we must stop dwelling on relegation and start focusing on promotion.
However, even allowing for that change of mind set, the fan pressure will
still upon them to ensure that the right decisions are made and promotion is
delivered next May.
We have been in the middle of a constant nightmare since the Tevez
controversy in 2006-07. Following on from relegation and all the inevitable
fire sale stories, we now have the fracas at the club's end of season
dinner. The media are all over the club like a rash. Lets hope that a
decent managerial appointment is the first step to dispelling the constant
media storm clouds hanging over the club.
Messrs Gold and Sullivan need to be clear. This managerial appointment is
key and they must get it right. West Ham fans want a barnstorming 2011-12
Championship campaign via automatic promotion, with good football, plenty of
goals and defensive solidarity. From our current starting point, there is a
awful lot to do to before we can hope to achieve this. Get the managerial
appointment right, protect the youth/quality in the squad and the rest is
more likely to follow on from it.
Recently I referred to Jack Collison as the harbinger of better times. He
has recently confirmed that he intends to stay with the club next season.
There is your example, your starting point, a new manager must get the likes
of Noble, Tomkins, Sears De Costa and Spence committed to the cause next
season; sign Spector, Jacobson and Boa Morte on a new contracts; and try to
persuade at least two of Hitzlsperger, Parker, Cole or Ba to stay for a
further season. In short, follow the Newcastle Utd model, of last season,
and get some of the massive wage earners off the payroll (i.e. Upson, Dyer,
Keane, Bridge) and use the savings (and hopefully Tony Fernandez's
investment) to help keep a smaller, but high quality squad in place, in our
case, supplemented by our exciting youth products and the recruitment of
some of the best Championship players. Then we can approach both 2011-12
and our anticipated return to the PL in 2012-13 with a greater degree of
confidence.
That is the way forward and the challenge to the board. We await your next
move!
SJ. Chandos
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Yob Wigan fan attacks Parker
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
The Sun
SCOTT PARKER was attacked by a Wigan thug after West Ham's ill-fated defeat
on Sunday. Cops were called over the incident which happened during a
largely good-natured pitch invasion by home fans. Hammers' midfielder was
badly bruised after being hit from behind as he went to hand his shirt to
fans inside the DW Stadium.
Police have been scouring CCTV footage to try to identify the culprit. A
Wigan spokesman said: "It was a volatile situation and the West Ham players
were advised to leave the pitch. Many of them chose instead to go to see
their own fans. "There was a push, more than a punch. Our head steward asked
Scott Parker if he wanted to pursue the matter but he decided not to."
West Ham went ahead with their end-of-season dinner last night despite
relegation. Sacked boss Avram Grant did not attend the event held at the
posh Grosvenor Hotel in London's West End.
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We shouldn't have given the job to Avram
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
The Sun
DAVID SULLIVAN admits it was a 'bad selection' to give Avram Grant the West
Ham manager's job. Yet the Irons supremo has vowed to replace him with a
'winner' who will bring the club straight back up after relegation. Sullivan
also promised to dig deeper into his own pockets to fund the push for
promotion back to the Premier League next season. He said: "Avram is a
lovely person but the results sadly speak for themselves that it was a bad
selection by the board. "We all share some blame for the results - the
board, the manager and the team. However, the team can only play the tactics
and formation they are asked to play. "We want a manager who will get the
best out of the squad and foster a strong team spirit."
Grant's season in charge ended minutes after the final whistle following the
3-2 defeat at Wigan on Sunday when he was sacked by co-owners Sullivan and
David Gold. Former England boss Steve McClaren last night appeared to rule
himself out but ex-Hammers defender Chris Hughton is in the frame. A summer
clearout will see many big earners leave to ease the £60million annual wage
bill.
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I offered new contracts to two key players today but it's hard to keep the
ones who really don't want to be here now
Published: Today
The Sun
WEST HAM'S relegation has been confirmed - followed swiftly by the sack for
boss Avram Grant. The players, coaching staff and board of directors have
come under fierce attack for the way the season has been mismanaged.
Joint-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold walked into a mess when they
bought a controlling interest at debt-ridden Upton Park for £50million in
January last year. They have regularly been at the centre of controversy for
the way they work.
Here, co-owner Sullivan lays it on the line to SunSport's ANDREW DILLON
about the future.
ANDREW DILLON: Last season you described relegation as 'Armageddon'. Is this
the case now at West Ham and how do you get out of this situation?
DAVID SULLIVAN: It is not Armageddon, but it's a huge setback for the club
and myself and David Gold as supporters. All I would say is that when we
have been relegated in the past as owners of clubs we have never failed to
gain automatic promotion. I confidently predict that this time next year,
with the help of our wonderful supporters, we'll be back in the Premier
League.
AD: Do you accept it was a mistake to appoint Avram Grant in the first place
given you've sacked him after just one season?
DS: Avram is a lovely person but the results sadly speak for themselves that
it was a bad selection by the board.
AD: What sort of manager will you look for now? What are the job
requirements?
DS: A winner. We want a new manager that has a proven record of success.
AD: What will the board do differently next season?
DS: We will appoint a manager that will achieve our aims. He will get the
best out of the squad and foster a strong team spirit.
AD: David Gold suggested many players will leave? Given the team will finish
bottom of the table, is that a bad thing?
DS: Maybe not as many will leave as people think. I've offered new, improved
contracts to two key players today in the hope it might persuade them to
stay. We may still decide to keep everyone, though it's hard to keep players
who really don't want to be here.
AD: Some experts suggest debts at the club will rocket again following
relegation. Is this the case? If not, why?
DS: Debts will fall as we will put in more money. The financial burden to us
and our families will rise, not the debts of the club.
AD: Do you think Avram Grant was let down by his players? And why?
DS: I think we all share some blame for the results. The board, the manager
and the team. However, the team can only play the tactics and formation they
are asked to play.
AD: Do you think you have done a good job so far at West Ham?
DS: On the business side, working with Karren Brady, yes we have done very
well. But, on the football side, no - but that will be rectified next
season.
AD: Will you try to keep any of the so-called bigger name players at the
club?
DS: Yes. We believe that while the team has played badly this season, many
of our senior players are still capable of making West Ham a better team. I
am quick to criticise players when they don't put in effort but for those
that do, there is a place here.
AD: Do you think the fans are right to criticise you? Do you have a message
for them?
DS: Obviously I don't. But I'm biased. All I can say is that we all work
very hard for the club. It's a pretty thankless task and whatever we do, we
get criticised.
I'll give you a few examples: Eighteen months ago, our former manager Mr
Zola said to me, 'You get me Benni McCarthy and I'll keep you up'. The
player probably cost us £6-7m one way or another. He was not a player I
liked or I thought good value at his age. Had we refused to sign the player
we'd have been attacked for not backing the manager and picking the players.
So we sanctioned the purchase. We then get attacked for sanctioning a buy
that ended up a huge waste of money.
We took Wayne Bridge, an extremely talented and hard-working player, in
January, paying his entire Man City wages. These are enormous but
confidential. Had we not done this he'd have gone to Aston Villa, who were
prepared to pay his entire wages. As we paid his wages, we are criticised
for paying silly wages. Had we not paid his wages, we'd have been criticised
for failing to fund players to avoid relegation. As owners, whatever you do
isn't right and the criticism hurts. I think 24/7 about West Ham United and
how we can improve things.
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Hammers shame
By ROSS GREGORY
Published: Today
The Sun
WEST HAM'S wretched season plummeted to new depths last night when cops were
called to the club's posh bash in London. The event at the Grosvenor Hotel
descended into angry scenes involving Hammers striker Demba Ba and defender
Danny Gabbidon. An eyewitness at the £275-per-head event - just 24 hours
after the club was relegated from the Premier League - revealed how Ba
triggered the mayhem when he was asked by a fan for his autograph. The
player replied, "I'm too tired" and the fan snapped, "I pay £60,000 a year
for a box at this s*** club, I'm not going anywhere."
The fan squared up to Ba with Gabbidon stepping in to keep them apart. A
table was knocked over in the mayhem. The eyewitness said: "The players had
just eaten their first course and there was a little interval. "One fan
walked past Demba Ba and said, 'Can I have your autograph?' Ba turned round
and said, 'I'm too tired'. "That triggered the mayhem. The fan went berserk,
shouting and screaming at Ba, hurling all sorts of racist insults at him -
and Ba looked like he was about to lash out when Danny Gabbidon separated
them. "A table was tipped over and security men raced into the room - it was
chaos. Within moments, police were all over the place.
"Everyone was there, including the club's owners David Gold and David
Sullivan. "Sullivan was furious and screaming, 'Why did this happen after
everything we've just been through?' "It was a pathetic sight and left
everybody feeling ashamed."
Eyewitnesses say celebrity fan and host Ben Shepherd tried in vain to calm
the storm, jumping on stage to beg the yobs, "Please sit on your seats don't
throw them."
Police and security staff restored control as some fans dashed out of the
hotel and disappeared into the Park Lane crowds, pursued by stewards. A
hotel worker claimed one of the yobs kung-fu kicked over a vintage vase
while others ran amok in the hotel's luxurious dining room. But a security
source at West Ham warned: "We know exactly who they are, and they won't be
getting away with this."
Players quickly made their escape out of the hotel's back exits. They had
been ordered to attend and allegedly faced club fines if they did not show
up. About 200 people were at the event including corporate sponsors. It was
the second annual dinner to raise money for West Ham's famous Academy.
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Gold: The search begins right now
Published: 16 May 2011
The Sun
DAVID GOLD insists West Ham will find the right manager to lead them
straight back into the Premier League. Avram Grant was sacked by the Hammers
within an hour of the club being relegated to the Championship following a
3-2 defeat at Wigan. Former England coach Steve McClaren tonight ruled
himself out of the running to take over at Upton Park. Chris Hughton is now
the bookies' favourite, with Neil Warnock, Gus Poyet and Sam Allardyce all
in the frame. First-team coach Kevin Keen has been placed in temporary
charge and will oversee preparations for the final game of the season
against Sunderland. Gold is adamant West Ham will not be rushed into an
appointment but is keen to see a new man at the helm as quickly as possible.
The club's co-owner said: "The sooner the better because we have a lot of
work to do — an enormous amount of work — but we mustn't be rushed. "This
will be a very, very important appointment. "We're choosing a manager good
enough to get us out of this division and capable of continuing once we've
achieved that. "Now relegation is known this is one of the reasons we moved
quickly. It's important we have time for the CVs to come into us. "I'm sure
many, many managers will see the job as challenging and exciting and it's
important we pick the right person. "We're also prepared for the most
exciting venture in the history of the club in the sense that we'll be
moving to a new stadium, which is something we've never done. "All these
challenges have got to be addressed, so it's important we pick the right
person."
The departure of West Ham's top players is inevitable following relegation,
but Gold will not let them leave without a fight. Scott Parker and Rob Green
are likely to lead the exodus, while the contracts of Matthew Upson, Kieron
Dyer, Danny Gabbidon and Lars Jacobsen expire at the end of the season.
On-loan stars Wayne Bridge and Robbie Keane will also return to their clubs
as a summer of upheaval at Upton Park beckons. Gold added: "We will do
everything in our power to keep our best players. "It will be very difficult
to ask an international to come and play in the Championship when
traditionally England players aren't picked from the Championship.
"By the same token I'd hasten to add that we're not in any hurry to sell.
"We must receive the proper amount of compensation for any player we sell
and if we don't then that player will stay with us in the Championship."
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Relegation woe won't dent Hammers' stadium plans
Published: 16 May 2011
The Sun
WEST HAM insist relegation from the Premier League will not scupper their
plans to move into the Olympic Stadium. The club claim the financial hit
they will incur from dropping out of the top flight will have no impact on
their plans to make the £486 million stadium their new home after the London
2012 Games. A spokesman said: "We remain totally committed to it. Our target
is to move there in three football seasons time and we would hope that we
would return to the Premier League as soon as possible. "Our bid was based
on several different areas. It was modelled on Premier League, Championship
and different scenarios - that has been the case from day one. "As far as
our plans for the Olympic Stadium are concerned, we are continuing at a
pace. "All things are connected but the club will obviously set about
rebuilding so that we are in a position to challenge at the highest level in
the Championship and get back into the Premier League as soon as possible.
"No doubt we will be doing things in the coming weeks in order to prepare
the club to hopefully get back. We just have to get on with it."
The Hammers, in a joint bid with Newham Council, intend to convert the
80,000-seater stadium into a 60,000-seater stadium, keeping an athletics
track. The club plans to move from Upton Park in 2014-15 with a 250-year
lease and to give a 250-year lease to UK Athletics (UKA). They have begun a
competitive tender, which could take at least three months to complete, to
find contractors to convert the stadium. They are also still discussing a
deal with the Olympic Park Legacy Company in order to move to the stadium.
They are pressing ahead with talks in the face of possible judicial reviews
by Tottenham and Leyton Orient over the way in which they became preferred
bidder to move into the venue.
Last month Spurs, who were beaten by West Ham to become the preferred
bidder, applied for a judicial review of Newham Council's role in arranging
a £40million loan to finance West Ham's move. The club has widened the
appeal and asked the High Court to start a separate judicial review into the
roles of several other parties involved in awarding West Ham the stadium. In
March, Spurs wrote letters to all parties involved in the process, demanding
answers about how the decision was reached. The club applied for a judicial
review in relation to Newham Council after receiving what it said were
unacceptable answers. Leyton Orient have also demanded a judicial review of
Newham's role in partnering West Ham's bid.
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Relegation 'will push West Ham's debt past £100m'
Published 14:10 16/05/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham's relegation from the Barclays Premier League will push the club's
debt past the £100million mark, according to a football finance expert.
David Bick, chairman of Square 1 Consulting, states that the Hammers'
descent into the npower Championship will cost them up to £50million. David
Sullivan admitted last week that in the event of relegation, he and fellow
co-owner David Gold would have to raid their personal fortunes for between
£20-£40million to keep the club afloat. Bick fears for the future of West
Ham if the joint chairmen refuse to provide finance during their campaign in
the Championship. "The loss of income from relegation, and this figure
factors in the parachute payments, will be between £40-£50million net," he
told Press Association Sport. "Apart from the loss of media money, there is
bound to be a loss in season ticket income, hospitality and other matchday
income. "The Premier League division payment is about £50million while the
parachute payment for the first year is £16million, so there's an immediate
loss of £34million. "If they don't secure promotion immediately, West Ham's
position will get more severe. "Given their current position with debts of
£80million, it would be impossible to raise finance from bank loans now. "If
the chairmen put in more money as loans rather than shares, that will only
worsen the position. "Sullivan has talked about loans of £20-40million, so
the debts could rise to £100-£120million. "That's a huge number for any
club, but especially for a club in the Championship. "If the owners put that
money in, the club's position will be guaranteed for next season.
"If they don't I'd certainly fear for the future of West Ham."
Bick insists the financial implications of relegation will be felt almost
immediately. "Roughly you're looking at a business taking a hit of 50% of
its income. It would be very hard for any business to take that," he said.
"If that happened to a non-football business, there would have to be
redundancies and a severe cost cutting campaign across all items of
expenditure. "It's a very sharp drop in income in a short space of time.
"Keep in mind that the main cash flow for clubs is June to August when
they're taking their season ticket money and the payments from the Premier
League. "An additional problem for West Ham is that they're still due to
make payments to Sheffield United after the Carlos Tevez affair, and I
believe those payments are made in August." West Ham sacked manager Avram
Grant immediately after yesterday's defeat at Wigan, the result that
confirmed their drop into the Championship. Leading players such as Scott
Parker and Rob Green are sure to follow during the transfer window, but Bick
doubts the Hammers will profit hugely from any deals. "You'd expect a player
sale now. It's impossible to see the likes of Scott Parker and Rob Green
staying beyond the summer," he said. "Clubs are being careful in the
transfer market so it's unlikely West Ham will get premium prices for those
players. "If you're selling players as a successful club, you'll get better
prices than if you're selling as a relegated club."
Bick insists Sullivan and Gold must shoulder some of the blame for West
Ham's predicament. "They've stabilised the club financially in that the
situation hasn't gotten any worse," he said. "But they haven't made any real
impact on the level of debt in the club, which is considered too high. "By
common consent they made a crucial decision in opting to keep Avram Grant in
January. That's proved to be the wrong decision. "The owners must bear some
of the responsibility for relegation because they're the ones who appointed
Grant and then failed to let him go."
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Hughton new favourite to be West Ham boss after McClaren rules himself out
Published 23:01 16/05/11 By Martin Lipton
The Mirror
Steve McClaren last night ruled himself out of the West Ham job, opening the
door for Chris Hughton. Former England boss McClaren was odds-on favourite
with bookies yesterday to succeed Avram Grant. But McClaren insists he is
not interested - it is believed he hopes a Premier League job becomes
available. It means ex-Newcastle gaffer Hughton is now the bookies'
favourite. QPR boss Neil Warnock – who could be sacked despite winning the
Championship –Brighton's Gus Poyet and Malky Mackay of Watford will also be
considered, while ex-West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo plans to apply.
McClaren said: "It is very flattering to be linked with a club of West Ham's
size and historic stature, also one that has tremendous fans. "However, at
this moment in time I do not wish to be considered for the position. But I
wish everybody at West Ham all the very best for the future." Hughton is
admired by West Ham's board after taking Newcastle straight back up into the
Premier League.
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West Ham's next boss: The runners and riders
By Steve Anglesey in Mirror Football Blog
Published 12:39 16/05/11
The Mirror
Avram Grant departed West Ham on Sunday night after their relegation left
co-owner David Gold apparently wishing he'd sacked the Israeli earlier. But
who will follow Grant in at the Boleyn Ground? Here are the runners and
riders, with betting odds from William Hill.com
1/3 Steve McClaren A definite contender who would bring Steve Round, his
former Middlesbrough No.2, in from Everton as assistant. Did sterling work
at FC Twente but then failed badly at Wolfsburg. Wants the Aston Villa job,
although the chance to hear him metamorphose into a Del Boy-style Cockney
would be irresistible.
7/1 Kevin Keen, Chris Hughton Popular with whatever players will be left at
West Ham at the start of the new season, Keen would be a cheap choice but
must surely be stained by his part in this season's fiascos. Hughton has
form for leading relegated teams out of the Championship and deserves
another chance, but Sullivan, Gold and Brady may seek a bigger name.
9/1 Neil Warnock After promotions to the top flight with three different
clubs, Warnock has been there and done that. But the relationship with West
Ham fans may be strained after his part in the Tevez ownership controversy.
Also likely to walk away from football completely if his reward for leading
QPR to the promised land turns out to be the sack.
10/1 Sam Allardyce Big Sam is an angry man after unjustified dismissals from
his last two jobs. He'd surely relish the chance to revive West Ham and
manage in London. But may find the Villa job a more tempting prospect.
12/1 Slaven Bilic Would be a huge fan favourite and is sufficiently rock 'n
roll to get the Hammers faithful excited about their Championship prospects.
But he hasn't managed a club side in nine years and his Croatia results have
dropped off significantly from the days when they knocked fellow candidate
McClaren's England side from the Euro 2008 running.
14/1 Gus Poyet, Ian Holloway, Martin O'Neill, Roberto Di Matteo, Paulo Di
Canio, Brendan Rodgers, Malky MacKay, Paul Lambert Some real quality in this
category, but the big question is whether West Ham can attract them. After
their botched courtship of former Leicester, Celtic and Villa manager
O'Neill, he is probably off the list, while Holloway will stay loyal to
Blackpool. Untested Di Canio is too much of a gamble even for Sullivan, Gold
and Brady and is more likely to join Swindon than the Hammers. Di Matteo was
harshly treated by West Brom but there are some question marks over his lack
of steel. Lambert looks like a great manager of the future, but would he be
prepared to sacrifice the Premier League with Norwich for a potential season
of Championship toil? Rogers and Poyet have proved in the past that they are
not scared to turn their backs on a good thing for the chance of greater
glory, but MacKay is likely to stay at Watford.
16/1 Dave Jones, Sven Goran Eriksson Jones may well be available if he once
again fails to take Cardiff up, but would the Hammers be interested then?
Eriksson would surely relish a return to London, but Leicester's Thai owners
have promised him a blank cheque for summer recruitment.
20/1 Billy Davies, Gianfranco Zola, Alan Curbishley, Sean O'Driscoll, Gordon
Strachan, Stuart Pearce, Glenn Hoddle, Rafael Benitez Two former West Ham
managers are among this group and while Zola would be a mistake, the Hammers
could do a lot worse than bringing back Curbs, who had a 40% win ratio
during his time at the Boleyn Ground. Former Liverpool boss Benitez has his
eyes on bigger things than the Championship, Strachan's Middlesbrough stay
was disastrous and Hoddle hasn't been a club manager for nearly five years.
O'Driscoll got Doncaster playing good football, but their miserable
end-of-season run - no win in the last 12 games - might have ended his
chances. Pearce, who once tried to run off a broken leg while playing for
the Hammers, would be a popular choice with supporters but bored the pants
off everyone while manager of a ridiculously defensive Manchester City side
in 2006-07.
33/1 Phil Brown, Gareth Southgate Brown would certainly be tempted by the
chance to rebuild the Hammers with £40m of Sullivan and Gold's cash rather
than work on a shoestring to get Preston promoted from League One. But
despite his friendship with Karren Brady, the permatanned karaoke crooner
looks a long shot. So does Southgate after his disastrous relegation
campaign with Middlesbrough in 2008-09.
40/1 Diego Maradona, Ray Wilkins Maradona recently claimed he had a "firm
offer" on the table from an English club, but it's thought that Blackburn,
not the Hammers, were the interested party. In any case, he's about to sign
on with Dubai's Al-Wasl and is not a factor in this race. Wily Wilkins is
the right sort of man to help the Hammers get back on their feet and stay
there. But he hasn't been in sole charge of a club since being sacked by
Fulham in 1998 and is unlikely to change that for West Ham.
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It's Cole to Newcastle as rivals line up raids on West Ham
Published 01:02 17/05/11 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Carlton Cole is being lined up as Andy Carroll's replacement at Newcastle.
The West Ham and England striker could be the first big name out of the door
at Upton Park following their relegation to the Championship on Sunday. Toon
boss Alan Pardew - the man who took Cole to West Ham in 2006 - is understood
to be keen to use some of the £35million the club got for Carroll from
Liverpool to take Cole to St James' Park. And with the Hammers having
already gone down, the 27-year-old could be available for as little as £7m.
West Ham vice-chairman David Gold admitted two weeks ago that the club's
England internationals could go in the event of relegation. The Hammers team
that starts next season in the Championship is sure to be unrecognisable
from the one that ends the Premier League term at home to Sunderland this
weekend. Newcastle made an enquiry for Cole in the wake of Carroll's
departure in January. They are now set to go in again as West Ham, despite
their fighting talk yesterday, will be unable to sustain the Premier League
wages their biggest stars are on once they go down.
Liverpool, Spurs and even Arsenal are all monitoring Football Writers'
Player of the Year Scott Parker, Aston Villa are understood to be keen on
keeper Rob Green and Matthew Upson is set to be released when his contract
expires after Sunday's finale. Tottenham have been keen on rising
centre-back star James Tomkins for some time and are set to hand the
22-year-old a Premier League lifeline, Stoke will renew their interest in
midfielder Mark Noble - for whom they had a £4m bid turned down in January -
and Sunderland, Blackburn and Villa are all interested in striker Demba Ba.
Also out of contract following the Sunderland match are Danny Gabbidon, Lars
Jacobsen and Kieron Dyer, which will drive the club's wage bill down
further, while loanees Wayne Bridge, Robbie Keane and Victor Obinna are set
to return to Manchester City, Spurs and Inter Milan respectively. French
club Monaco are keen on left-back Herita Ilunga, who was axed from the
Hammers' 25-man squad for the second half of the season yet has two years
left on his contract, while the club will listen to offers for right-back
Julien Faubert and winger Pablo Barrera.
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Julian Dicks fancies the West Ham job
Published 17:37 16/05/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Former West Ham left-back Julian Dicks tonight revealed he fancies the
challenge of reviving his old club's fortunes. The Hammers sacked Avram
Grant on Sunday, just minutes after their relegation from the Premier League
was confirmed. Dicks, now 42, had two long playing spells with West Ham, and
his hard-man playing style made him a big favourite of the supporters. Now
in charge of non-League Grays Athletics, Dicks admitted it is a big jump to
Championship level. "Of course it is, but that's not saying I can't do the
job," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I'd love to have the chance to do the job."
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