Tombides reaches last 16
WHUFC.com
Dylan Tombides' Australia snatched a draw with Denmark to advance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup
28.06.2011
A dramatic late goal ensured West Ham United will have two representatives in the FIFA U-17 World Cup round of 16. With Blair Turgott's England already through, things were looking bleak for club-mate Dylan Tombides as his Australia side trailed 1-0 with just seconds remaining of their final group-stage fixture against Denmark.
However, the Hammers striker had other ideas, rolling a pass inside for Luke Remington to power a low left-foot shot inside the post, despite the best efforts of Danish goalkeeper Oliver Korch. The Joeys clung on for a 1-1 draw that sees them safely through to the knockout stages behind Group F winners Brazil and runners-up Ivory Coast. Tombides and his compatriots will meet Group D winners Uzbekistan in the round of 16, with the tie taking place in the Mexican city of Torreon on Wednesday.
The Joeys' final group-stage fixture had initially been held in Queretaro on Sunday, only for heavy rain at the Estadio Corregidora to force the match to be abandoned midway through the first half with the Danes leading 1-0. When the game was held for a second time on Monday, the Scandinavians again took an early lead when Rochester Sorensen bundled the ball into the net from close-range. Sorensen had two further chances to double Denmark's lead only to shoot straight at goalkeeper Paul Izzo before seeing a looping header bounce off the crossbar. Tombides was his usual busy self, leading the line with typical energy and willing, and will expect to do so again when Australia tackle the Asian Championship runners-up. Uzbekistan won through to the round of 16 by recovering from a 4-1 defeat by New Zealand to beat both the United States and Czech Republic.
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Boxing Day fixture change
WHUFC.com
Travelling fans should take note of two new kick-off times for the Hammers
28.06.2011
West Ham United can confirm two changes to away fixtures in the 2011/12 season. The Boxing Day match at Birmingham City on Monday 26 December will now kick off at 1pm, while the trip to Cardiff City on Saturday 3 March will get under way at 12.30pm. WHUFC.com will update all the latest fixture news as and when details are confirmed.
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Tennis ace has Hammers hope
WHUFC.com
West Ham United could be well represented at next summer's Paralympic Games in London
29.06.2011
One Hammers fan in particular has got a keen eye on Wimbledon this week. Andrew Lapthorne is the world No4 in wheelchair Quad Tennis singles, and will be going for gold at next year's Paralympic Games in London. Lapthorne is also the reigning Australian Open doubles champion and finished as runner-up in the French Open on Sunday - despite recent back and wrist injuries. Having returned to England, he is focusing on the British Open in Nottingham next month but is also finding time to watch Andy Murray's exploits at SW19. Lapthorne knows the Murray family well and is tipping this year to be the one that Britain finally celebrates a Wimbledon champion again. "There is a big buzz at the moment," Lapthorne said. "It is all going right for Andy. Hopefully he will make the final and then you never know what could happen. It would be great for him to get the first one out of the way and then I am sure he will never look back."
The Ruislip-based Lapthorne recalled watching the Carling Cup semi-final against Birmingham City alongside Murray while both were preparing for big Australian Open matches earlier this year. Lapthorne said: "I started watching the match in bed, I had got up especially at 4.30am but by the time it went to extra time I went to the players' lounge. Andy was there and we were watching it together. I was wearing my West Ham shirt and we started talking. "He's a fan and we were both looking at the game and trying to work out what had gone on. Carlton Cole scored a great goal and we were on our way. It didn't work out in the end but it turned out to be the perfect preparation. I was angry and it made me focus on what I had to do on court."
Lapthorne has had a stop-start time since then because of his injuries but hoped his run to the French Open final - he and partner Peter Norfolk are the world No1s in doubles - is a sign that he is over those issues. The bigger picture is preparing for next summer's sporting extravaganza and his ambition of gold medals in both the singles and doubles. "It is all about getting fit for 2012 and everything is going toward that. My results now are important but not as important as they will be next year. That is my sole goal. It is a rebuilding process now and hopefully things will keep going in the right direction."
Lapthorne has similar aspirations for West Ham United and is delighted with the arrival of Sam Allardyce and, in particular, Kevin Nolan. "He has been one of my favourite players for a few years and has always done well against us. To hear he dropped down a division to play for us was exciting and I can't wait to see him play.
"I hope West Ham are a Premier League team again in 2012 and I have two gold medals - that would be the perfect year."
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He's fat, he's round, he could be West Ham-bound
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 28th June 2011
By: Staff Writer
Liverpool's Sammy Lee is being hotly tipped to follow Sam Allardyce to West Ham. The former Reds player is understood to have resigned from his position in Kenny Dalglish's backroom team tonight (for reasons as yet unknown). And speculation is rife that Lee is set to team up with Allardyce for a second time, having become disillusioned with life at Anfield following the arrival of Steve Clarke - Gianfranco Zola's former number two at West Ham - in January. The 52-year-old former midfielder was affectionately known as 'Little Sam' during a two-year spell as assistant to Allardyce at Bolton between 2005 and 2007.
However his attempt to step into his former boss' shoes - following Allardyce's departure from Bolton in April 2007 - lasted just six months before he was fired in October of the same year, having led the Trotters to just one win from their opening 11 league fixtures. Lee returned to Liverpool in May 2008 as assistant to Rafa Benitez. He remained at the club following the return of another former Anfield favourite, Kenny Daglish, but is said to have been unhappy at effectively being replaced by Clarke.
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Joke City
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 28th June 2011
By: Staff Writer
Stoke have offered a paltry £3million for West Ham striker Carlton Cole. The Potters launched their bid to land the England striker last night, according to the Daily Mail, with an opening bid that falls way below West Ham evaluation of the striker. Stoke boss Tony Pulis is a keen admirer of Cole's and has been linked with a move for the striker before. However he will have to raise his bid considerably if he hopes to tempt the Hammers into parting with the 27-year-old. Elsehwere there is little of interest for Hammers fans in terms of transfer news this morning, although last night's Yorkshire Evening Post ran with a story regarding winger Max Gradel's potential move to east London. The 23-year-old Ivorian scored 23 goals for Leeds last season in the Championship.
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Gold: signings soon
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 27th June 2011
By: Staff Writer
David Gold has confirmed that he expects West Ham to annunce some further signings shortly. The 74-year-old co-chairman told his followers on Twitter that despite no news on the transfer front since the confirmation of Kevin Nolan's arrival, hard work continues behind the scenes. "Many of you are asking about signings," Gold said, "but please bear with us as we obviously can't reveal any details until a deal us virtually done. Negotiations for new signings are ongoing." With the current squad back at Chadwell Heath later this week after their summer break, new boss Sam Allardyce will be keen to boost his options. Since the end of last season West Ham have parted company with 13 first team squad members, with only two - Nolan and Abdoulaye Faye - coming the other way.
The dear departed
Kieron Dyer: end of contract
Danny Gabbidon: end of contract
Jonathan Spector: end of contract
Matthew Upson: end of contract
Lars Jacobsen: end of contract
Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson: end of contract
Victor Obinna; end of loan
Wayne Bridge: end of loan
Robbie Keane: end of loan
Thomas Hitzlsperger: invoked relegation release clause
Demba Ba: invoked relegation release clause
Radoslav Kovac: sold to FC Basel, £500k
Manuel Da Costa: sold to Locomotiv Moscow, undisclosed fee
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Inkoom talks up English move
442 Staff - Yesterday, 15:57
FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk defender Samuel Inkoom has revealed that multiple English clubs are interested in his signature, with West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur named as the front-runners. The Ghanaian international only moved to the Ukrainian club last January from Swiss champions FC Basel in a transfer that surprised many. Since trading life in the Swiss Super League for its Ukrainian equivalent, Inkoom has been forced to repeatedly reiterate his happiness at the club and reject possibilities of a move away. Speaking to MTNfootball, the 22-year-old acknowledged that two London-based clubs are interested in him, but delivered mixed messages when prompted to commit himself to a specific outcome. ''Yes it's true Tottenham and West Ham and other English sides want to sign me, but at the moment I'm a player of Dnipro and will leave my agent to sort that out for me," he said.
Despite declaring that his agent will play a large role in deciding his next destination, Inkoom says he will make the final decision on his future once he returns to Dnipro. ''I will be going back to Ukraine and then I will decide what to do next."
Inkoom was a member of the Ghanaian squad that reached the quarter-finals of last year's World Cup. Despite not featuring heavily, Inkoom has since advanced his influence in the team and was named captain for their recent Olympic qualifier against Nigeria.
By Killian Woods
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West Ham make offer for Leeds winger
5:16pm Tuesday 28th June 2011
Guardian Series
West Ham have reportedly made an offer for Leeds United winger Max Gradel. The Hammers are believed to head the queue of clubs, including Premiership new boys Swansea City, interested in signing the Ivory Coast international. Gradel scored 18 goals for United last season which earned him their player of the season award. The 23-year-old's contract runs out next summer and the Yorkshire club could be prepared to cash in on the attacker. West Ham recently signed Kevin Nolan from Newcastle United and are looking to strengthen their squad as they look to mount a promotion challenge in the Championship next season.
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West Ham rock the Gradel as Leeds winger Max nears Upton Park switch
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:49 PM on 28th June 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham are closing on a deal for Leeds winger Max Gradel, 23. The Ivory Coast international scored 18 goals last season and has just one year left on his contract.
But West Ham are likely to miss out on Tranmere's Dale Jennings though with Bayern Munich lining up a fresh offer for the 19-year-old.
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Tottenham and Leyton Orient must consider next move in Olympic Stadium struggle
By Paul Kelso7:15AM BST 29 Jun 2011Comment
Telegraph.co.uk
Tottenham and Leyton Orient have until 4pm on Wednesday to decide whether to appeal against last week's rejection of their attempts to block West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium, but already attention is turning to their options if the move goes ahead. Last week a judge dismissed their request for judicial review of the decision to award West Ham the stadium, and effectively warned them to think twice before appealing. Should the West Ham decision stand, Tottenham face a major challenge to rebuild relationships strained by the judicial review process. The club's decision to challenge the government and London mayor's office in court has caused major friction, with Westminster insiders describing a "trust deficit" as a result of the legal process. Tottenham's alternative stadium plans at Northumberland Park or an alternative site at Tottenham Hale will require significant public subsidy to be viable, and diplomatic bridges will need to be built to achieve that. For their part, Spurs believe that they were receiving so little support from government that they had nothing to lose from the challenge. Orient have asked the Football League to consider whether West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium should be permitted under their rules. Any ground move has to be approved by the board.
They are currently appealing the Premier League's decision to approve the move, and the Football League may wait until after an arbitration hearing in October before declaring its position.
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West Ham being courted by Westfield as they move closer to Olympic Stadium
By Paul Kelso7:00AM BST 29 Jun 2011Comment
Telegraph.co.uk
With West Ham's move to Stratford looking increasingly likely to happen there is mounting talk in football and Olympic circles that shopping centre giant Westfield is set for an active, possibly decisive role in the club's future. Westfield already own the shopping centre on the edge of the Olympic Park and there is speculation they could eventually add the club that will be playing a few hundred yards away to their London portfolio. The company has already been heavily involved as a partner in West Ham United's stadium bid, and are considering bidding for the contract to convert the stadium, as well as being linked with a naming rights deal. It has long been suspected that the Stratford move is part of a strategy by West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan to sell the club on. And given Westfield's interests in the Olympic Park, and owner Frank Lowy's football links – he is chairman of the Australian FA and headed its failed 2022 World Cup bid – they make logical suitors.
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Tuesday, 28 June 2011
The Circling Dog
Just Like My Dreams
This social media culture is wonderful. Twitter, for instance, brings friends closer, it's immediate, settles differences and it throws new people together. It can, writes Chris Lepkowski, be amazingly funny when people start to filter home from nights out. Yet, as the disgruntled football journalist from the Birmingham Mail points out, as far as the transfer circus and the media is concerned, they're not always the easiest of bedfellows.
He cites the example of Eiji Kawashima. The Japanese goalkeeper is a friend of his. Not in reality - but he does follow him on Twitter. Of course, this isn't the real Lierse goalkeeper, but a Twitter account set-up by someone to parody the real Kawashima, who for weeks has been telling everyone he will be joining West Brom. He was adamant that his signing was imminent. The Baggies, meanwhile, denied this when first put to them. Then they just laughed. These days it simply irritates them - especially when the real Kawashima issues an ultimatum telling the Baggies to decide whether they want him or not. Apparently, Eiji, they don't.
Such is the power of social media that a ridiculous story about Peter Odemwingie failing to agree terms with Arsenal - based on two 'friends' of his - was run by a Nigerian website. Not a usual news source, notes Lepkowski, just one which anyone of any age could set up in their bedroom and portray as a reputable provider of news. Trouble is that people get sucked in. They see the reports on NewsNow and assume it might, just might, be true. Such was the power of this report that again Albion moved to issue a statement denying it all. And who can blame them, not least when a UK-based agent is also repeating the false rumour on national radio to millions of listeners. As it happens Albion and Arsenal have had no discussions over Odemwingie, let alone got to a stage where he is quibbling over personal terms. Arsenal might yet want Odemwingie. But they've done little about it so far.
Herita Ilunga a £1.5m target for Greek champions Olympiakos? No, he isn't. Nor has he been. Julien Faubert about to move to Lazio? A club official reportedly met with the Frenchman's representative yesterday but that's as far as it goes. Which is what I told a contact in the print media this morning who emailed me asking for verification. That's not to say either story won't be true one day in the future, but for now that's guesswork. Which is where a lot of this fuels social media panic, be it on Twitter or on Facebook. A couple of websites report it in Italy and then it gets picked up and reported as news by the website branch of a national radio station.
The same has happened with the Samuel Inkoom rumour that broke a few hours ago. The Ghana rightback claims West Ham have asked about his availability, and is reported to have told MTNfootball: "Yes it's true Tottenham and West Ham and other English sides want to sign me, but at the moment I'm a player of Dnipro and will leave my agent to sort that out for me." The Dnipro defender insists he remains committed to his Ukrainian side, but in the same moment adds: "I will be going back to Ukraine and then I will decide what to do next." Whatever the truth of this story- and it has already started to be picked up by some of the major media outlets- the only thing that is clear is that the player is serving his own agenda in this instance.
Self-publicists and shop-windows, the trouble these days is that people are in such a rush to break stories that diligence no longer applies, moans Lepkowski. Nobody bothers checking with clubs to see if a story is true. They might check with an agent to see if it's true - and you can count on the fingers of one foot the number of agents you can truly trust - but even then they might not bother. Social media has not so much changed the way sports journalists work, it's shredded the rule book too. The growth of Internet and, more so, Twitter and Facebook leads to frenzied excitement and fevered panic. It's also fueled incorrect assumptions about the local beat writer's job. The implication being that many are out of the loop or manipulated because they are over reliant on getting stories from the club. That's completely wide-of-the-mark, states Lepkowski, lamenting the fact he doesn't get paid for such a relaxed lifestyle. The official websites of many, if not all, clubs churn out quotes from press conferences and interviews. Not always, but probably 90 per cent of the time, it's the journalists who drive the questions which will appear on your club's official website. Furthermore, if any journalist relied on club information as a sole source for their news then they wouldn't last 10 minutes in the job. They are simply more exposed now because others are willing to run stories without any checks.
In this climate of frenzied transfer activity - still a few day BEFORE the window officially opens - it's the local media who have to mop up the mess of others, all in the name of providing accurate news. The growth of social media, the expansion of websites who claim to carry the 'latest news' - it's immediate, people demand news. Let's not forget, says Lepkowski, that newspaper journalists are still working for print publications first and foremost. Some of them will sit on information for the sake of their newspaper deadlines - hoping that the story doesn't break elsewhere.
To get exclusives on every story would take some doing given the immediacy of news services who can report something (and then forget they ever reported it) - like the BBC did when claiming Martin O'Neill was to replace Avram Grant back in January- never to mention it again. Fast forward a few months and Sky Sports had Dave Jones installed in the same job. Never wrong for long, eh... Again, a few phone calls to the right people would have provided this answer, says Lepkowski. Again, it's about sorting out the truth from the non-truths, half-truths or the not-yet-truths.
Ultimately, all a football writer can do is run stories which he knows can be stood up, by several sources. If that means knocking down a rumour which isn't true, and he knows isn't true, then he will do so. Every day if necessary. Sometimes he can slip up, but it won't be through negligence. It's how the news business is supposed to work, when you're not in the market for 'Internet hits' or 'website traffic'. Others can fly the kites and get you excited or panicked about transfers which might or might not happen. These websites and social media networks have a place in society. And many fans love the speculation during the lull which is bandied around via various branches. But they can have a negative side too.
Take the example of Carlton Cole. The toblerone-booted striker doesn't use Twitter any more and if you happened to come across some of the abuse which was directed towards him on the social network site, says Matt Diner, you would understand why. Accusations of laziness and not caring about the club were two of the less graphic statements directed at the 27-year-old, but while the likes of Manuel da Costa and Radoslav Kovac couldn't wait to leave the club, Cole actually wants to stay. He understands he may have to be sold, but has no qualms about playing Championship football and helping the east Londoners get back into the top flight. Of course, this is no revelation for those truly in the know but it is still nice to have it confirmed.
West Ham were the club who gave Cole a chance, states Diner. He was never given a real opportunity to prove himself at Chelsea and after unsuccessful loan spells at Aston Villa, Charlton and Wolves it was at the Hammers who got the best out of him. There is no doubt that Cole is a confidence player and when the boss at the time Gianfranco Zola gave him that belief he repaid him. Twelve goals in the 2008-09 season and 10 the season after showed a rapid improvement from a player who had never been able to make double figures in his professional career, but it was ability in and around the penalty area which was so valuable. Super strong in the air he gave the side a focal point, while he was almost unstoppable running at goal. "Carlton is a humble boy and sometimes he's too quiet. He just needed to realise how good he was," Zola said in September 2009. "He didn't realise what he was capable of doing. We tried to stick with him and show him what he was doing and what he was good at, looking after him and every aspect of his game, including the mental approach. He's realised he's a good player and that's made the difference."
Last season was a completely different story as Cole struggled to find any kind of form and although his power in the air could not be questioned his performances could. A lot of the blame for the Hammers' poor scoring record was attributed to the striker, but playing him as a lone front man receiving little support was down to Avram Grant. His outburst after the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool in November showed how much he cares for the club, argues Diner, while his claim that the team needed to 'change its attitude' showed his frustration at the manager's tactics. It's clear the Israeli failed to install the confidence in him that Zola could. Now, Sam Allardyce has a chance to do just that and if he manages to get near the production that Zola did, West Ham will not only have a player who would succeed in the Championship, but the Premier League as well.
It is clearly an opinion shared by Tony Pulis. According to this morning's Mail, Stoke City have made a £3million offer for much maligned United striker. The article states the former England forward is one of the club's higher earners and the club are keen to offload him but want a fee closer to £7million. Besides, Cole, 27, may even struggle to pass a medical. A quick scan of Lepkowski's cultural circus reaction reveals most West Ham fans are sweating more than... well, Carlton in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The indignation of those Hammers supporters who have mercilessly harangued Cole for the last few months is equalled only by the indignation of those same fans who think the opening offer is insultingly lowball for a player of his 'ability'. Meanwhile, those Stoke City fans who had been teased into expecting a £10million move for Sunderland's Asamoah Gyan are threatening to stick their manager's cap 'where the sun don't shine'.
Of course, the line between social media and traditional print journalism gets ever more blurred when the likes of David Gold set up verified Twitter accounts and directly informs his followers he expects West Ham to announce some further signings shortly. The 74-year-old co-chairman said last night that despite no news on the transfer front since the confirmation of Kevin Nolan's arrival, hard work continues behind the scenes. "Many of you are asking about signings," he tweeted, "but please bear with us as we obviously can't reveal any details until a deal us virtually done. Negotiations for new signings are ongoing."
Since the end of last season West Ham have parted company with 13 first team squad members, with only two - Nolan and Abdoulaye Faye - coming the other way. No doubt Gold only intended to assuage the fears of those fans who have seen the squad descimated by a raft of departures; hardly surprising though that the real effect was to stoke up the already feverish speculation as to who might be arriving. By this morning, the Twitterati had convinced themselves a new signing would be announced by the end of today. Craig Mackail-Smith, it is suggested, is in discussions as I type, after West Ham and Peterborough agreed a £3million deal. I strongly advise someone do their diligence before running that particular story though.
It could also be Max Gradel, according to several of the Red Tops this morning. The club are reported to be leading the chase to sign Leeds' highly-rated rated winger. Gradel took the Championship by storm last season when he netted 18 goals and was voted the club's player of the season. The talented 23-year-old is out of contract with the Yorkshire club next summer and Leeds do not want to see him walk away as a free agent. Talksport state Sam Allardyce is looking to build a team that is good enough to bounce straight back into the top-flight and feels the Ivory Coast international would be a valuable addition to his squad. Swansea have also been strongly linked with a move for Gradel following their promotion into the Premier League, but according to the radio station, West Ham now look the favourites to clinch his signature. That may be the case, but I would think it unlikely that his signature would be imminent. As far as I know an offer has been made for the player but it was quickly rejected.
Finally, having used this platform to offer a post structural discourse on the friction between social media and the written press as it pertains to the transfer circus, by the medium of a cut and paste assimilation of an online critique of social media by a member of the written press, with the intention of circulating that discussion on said social media platforms to be reassimilated by said print journalists for further regurgitation, I'm off to find out what @jacquesderrida (he is real isn't he?) has been getting up to over in the not-so-real world before this particular circling dog finally catches its tail.
Oh and please feel free to follow me... @JLMDTrilby (beware of imitations)
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West Ham boost as Spence commits future to club
By talkSPORT
Tuesday, June 28
West Ham's highly-rated defender Jordan Spence is set to sign a new three-year contract with the club on Friday. Spence, 21, broke into the first-team at the end of last season and is being tipped as the next big star to break through from the club's academy system. West Ham were determined to keep him at the club as his contract was due to expire at the end of June. With Lars Jacobsen having left the club, Sam Allardyce has a shortage of right backs and could give Spence an extended run in the side as they look to bounce straight back into the Premier League.
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English eyes on Inkoom
Ghanaian defender claims Spurs and Hammers interest
Last Updated: June 28, 2011 12:20pm
SSN
Ghana international Samuel Inkoom claims Tottenham and West Ham have expressed an interest in his services. The 22-year-old defender only linked up with Ukrainian outfit Dnipro in January, completing a big-money move from FC Basel. He is, however, the centre of transfer speculation once more, with a switch to England being widely touted. Inkoom admits the option to try his luck in the Premier League or Championship is there, but claims he is fully prepared to honour his contract at Dnipro should the club be reluctant to sell. "Yes, it's true, Tottenham and West Ham and other English sides want to sign me, but at the moment I'm a player of Dnipro and will leave my agent to sort that out for me," the full-back is reported to have said by MTNfootball. "I will be going back to Ukraine and then I will decide what to do next."
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Sorensen weighing up options
Potters keeper hoping to stay put, but accepts he may have to move
By Richard Torgerson. Last Updated: June 28, 2011 2:26pm
SSN
Thomas Sorensen would prefer to stay at Stoke, but admits he is willing to consider offers from elsewhere. The Denmark international goalkeeper has spent the last three years with the Potters, having previously turned out for Sunderland and Aston Villa during his time in England. Unfortunately for the 35-year-old shot-stopper, he found himself benched for much of last season as Asmir Begovic forced his way to the front of the keeping queue. A frustrating spell on the sidelines has forced Sorensen to weigh up his options, with it important for him to be playing regular first-team football. He admits his preference would be to reclaim his place at the Britannia Stadium, with Stoke having the option to extend his contract for another year. Sorensen is, however, prepared to accept that the time may have come to move on, with West Ham reported to be among those willing to offer him the game time he seeks - as they prepare to part with Robert Green. "I am happy to be at Stoke and as long as we can find a good solution, I would like to stay," Sorensen told Danish newspaper B.T. "But it is always flattering to hear that other clubs are interested."
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The Triumph of Substance ….
June 28th, 2011 - 11:26 am by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
So, Spurs and Leyton Orient have had their fingers well and truly burnt with their abortive attempt to seek judicial review of the decision to select West Ham's bid for the Olympic Stadium. Details of the judgement have emerged and it is damning in it's rejection of the Spurs/Orient legal arguments.
The Judge dismissed all of the substantive points as lacking substance, quibbling or stretching legal points. He condemned their case(s) as 'legal ingenuity over substance', refused leave to appeal and ordered Newham Council's costs to be paid by Spurs/Orient. The judgement gives Spurs/Orient a direction not to seek further appeal, although they can exercise their right to an oral hearing of the case. But is it worth it? The crushing nature of the judgement is totally humiliating for the Spurs-Leyton axis and leaves little scope for success. Both parties would be well advised to accept it and move on.
In an earlier blog post, I warned Spurs and Leyton Orient against seeking judicial review. Their arguments were light weight at best and, additionally, they were obviously putting themselves in opposition to a mighty coalition of governmental and non-governmental interests. Putting aside the lack of real substance in their challenge, they put themselves on a lethal collision course with an establishment determined to grab a solution to the hole that they dug for themselves over the OS's legacy and future use. Their chosen solution was to accept West Ham and Newham Council's joint bid to create a multi-sport/multi-event/ community based venue. And, to quote my former blog post, the powers to be were unlikely to look kindly upon Spurs/Orient rocking the boat at this late stage. A date in July has been set aside for an oral hearing, in case Spurs/Orient exercise the option. But there really is little point, other than continuing through stubbornness. Indeed, any further further action is likely to be seen as frivolous and could result in more humiliation and payment of costs.
This judgement is unique, in that the Spurs fans will probably be celebrating more than the Hammers supporters. The Spurs fans want to stay in N17, it is their manor and they do not want to see the club uprooted. For West Ham, the situation is different. The OS is in our home borough and, technically, represents a move back to the old County Borough of West Ham (Upton Park is just over the border in the old County Borough of East Ham!). The potential benefits are enormous, particularly in terms of vastly increased capacity, sitting at the centre of a major transport hub (i.e Stratford) and creating a genuinely multi-activity, community based facility.
Yet, there is still legitimate concern amongst the fans about the likely shortcomings of the spectator experience at the venue. Having secured their rights to the OS, the club must now actively seek solutions to this. It is no good repeating, parrot fashion, platitudes about the sight lines being no worse than at Wembley, that will not convince nor reassure. It is a matter of heritage. Generations of West Ham fans have been brought up watching football in a stadium that is in very close proximity to the pitch. That cannot be replicated at the OS, but efforts must be made to ameliorate the situation to a point where it is acceptable to supporters. The much anticipated increase in match revenue, deriving from a 60,000 seat capacity stadium, will only occur if fans actually attend matches. The club also need to be mindful of the negative atmosphere that could be created at the OS and its possible impact upon team performances.
The board must listen to the fans and do everything possible to take the action necessary to try to address their concerns. Retractable seating is a must, but research is also needed on other stadiums across the world and how they have sought to enhance the spectator experience. For instance, we could learn from the use of giant screens in the US grid iron stadia. Not only would this magnify the pitch action, but also boost advertising revenue for the club. There must be other features and technology that could also assist. The club need to do the research and feed the best of it in to the re-development costing and project plan.
The media transfer speculation is going in to overdrive at the moment. We are currently being linked with the likes of Matt Taylor, Craig Mackaill-Smith, Max Gradel and Micheal Brown. While there was a report yesterday that Carlton Cole wants to stay with the club. Whether that is a good thing or not depends on if Sam Allardyce can motivate him and get him playing his best football. He is not a prolific goal scorer at PL level, but he could increase his success rate in front of goal in the Championship. Certainly, we should reject Stoke City's derisory bid of £3m for Cole's services, for that type of fee we might just as well retain him next season.
Finally, it was interesting that Leeds Utd Manager, Simon Grayson, came out and identified West Ham as the team to beat in next season's Championship. The fact that we are, apparently, competing with Leicester City for Mackaill-Smith could be a very good indicator of the seriousness as a club to win promotion. Leicester City are likely to be serious rivals for automatic promotion and, if Sam Allardyce wants Mackaill-Smith, then David Sullivan needs to make it happen. Personally, I have some reservations as to whether Mackaill-Smith is the striker that we need, but if the club consider him to be the right choice, then they need to go out and get him and, in so doing, send a clear message of intent to the rest of the Championship.
Although the actual transfer activity does not currently match the speculation, it is clear that multiple negotiations are going on behind the scenes. David Gold has indicated as much, with his recent tweet that incoming transfer deals are forthcoming. I certainly hope that Matt Taylor and Max Gradel are two of those signings, as both players will significantly strengthen key areas of the squad that currently lack strength in depth.
SJ. Chandos.
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Nolan can inspire Hammers – just like Bonzo
Sam Allardyce likens Kevin Nolan to West Ham legend Billy Bonds
By Mark Bollons June 28, 2011
GiveMeFootball.com
Sam Allardyce has backed new signing Kevin Nolan to galvanise the West Ham United squad next season after the heartbreak of relegation. The former Bolton boss has been re-united with his former Trotters' skipper after making Nolan his first signing as Hammers chief, bringing the 28-year-old to the Boleyn Ground from Newcastle for £3 million plus add-ons. A comparison to West Ham legend Billy Bonds has even been made by the old Blackburn Rovers boss, who is confident Nolan can play a crucial part in helping the club return to the Barclays Premier League. "He is a great leader on and off the field. It is very important that we get a team spirit and unity," Allardyce told the official West Ham website. He could be that [Bonds-style character], but I don't want to put too much pressure on him. He is in the prime of his career. He has chosen to pay me a really good honour. Not just that he wants to play for West Ham but that he wants to play for me again because he enjoyed his time. Hopefully we will both benefit by that."
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Barry Hearn: 'We believe we have a strong case"
12:49pm Tuesday 28th June 2011
Guardian Series
Exclusive By Matt Bass »
Leyton Orient will today appeal against the decision to reject their bid for judicial review into the decision to allow West Ham United to move into the Olympic Stadium.
The club's bid was rejected last Thursday with judge Mr Justice Davis telling them they had no grounds for a review. A statement on the club's website on Friday said: "Further to the decision by the High Court to deny Leyton Orient leave to review the decisions by the OPLC (Olympic Park Legacy Company) and London Borough of Newham, the club will be seeking advice from it's solicitors as to whether it will seek an oral hearing in respect of either or both decisions. "The club continues with its Judicial Review against the Government and arbitration over the Premier League's decision to allow West Ham United to move to the Olympic Stadium without taking into consideration the adverse effect on Leyton Orient." Having consulted with their solicitors, the club have now decided to appeal the decision. Orient chairman Barry Hearn, said: "We are today lodging oral submissions." He added: "We believe we have a strong case."
The club are concerned about the implications of having the Hammers moving closer to them, fearing the loss of support at the club. Orient's Matchroom Stadium home, which seats 9,271 supporters, lies within a mile of the Olympic site, closer to the Olympic Stadium than West Ham's Boleyn Ground. The club fear the implications of suggestions the Hammers could offer free or heavily discounted tickets when they move into their new home. Hearn made it clear this was not a compensation claim, but an appeal made in order to protect the future of Leyton Orient. "We need to make it clear we are not in favour of West Ham moving into the Olympic Stadium – it's not about compensation." He added: "We are trying to stop West Ham getting the Olympic Stadium."
Orient will now submit oral evidence for their case in a bid to halt West Ham's move, with the date for such a hearing potentially coming as early as next week.
The hearing could also be held in front of a different judge. "We made it quite clear from the beginning, the move by West Ham threatens the very existence of Leyton Orient," said Hearn. "I suppose if every council in the country was able to loan their football club £40m we wouldn't have an objection." The £40m refers to a loan agreed by Newham Council to help finance West Ham's move to Stratford. And the Orient chairman was bleak in his forecast for the club if their appeal is unsuccessful. "I believe in the medium term it will eventually put Leyton Orient out of business."
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