KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 23rd August 2011
By: Staff Writer
Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy is set to give up his fight for the Olympic
Stadium - having finally achieved what it is suspected he wanted all along.
The BBC report tonight that Levy's club are close to striking a deal, agreed
with London Mayor Boris Johnson, to build a brand new stadium at a venue
close to their current White Hart Lane ground. It is further reported that
should an agreement be reached Tottenham will give up their fight to scupper
West Ham's move that was ratified earlier this year. Spurs are due in court
tomorrow to request a second judicial review - the first was turned down -
into the decision that saw United awarded the £500million venue back in
February.
Despite massive opposition from their fanbase who have voted overwhelmingly
against moving to east London, Levy - who has been the target of a number of
protests - has continued to fight West Ham's move to the new development.
That fight turned ugly in July when it was revealed that Tottenham had
employed corporate investigators to surreptitiously obtain phone and banking
records belonging to employees of both West Ham United FC and the Olympic
Park Legacy Company (OPLC) after the two parties were accused of corruption
by the Sunday Times.
West Ham, who carried out their own investigation - which unsurprisingly
cleared all parties involved of any wrongdoing, as did a second independent
investigation last week - have since placed the matter in the hands of the
Information Commissioner's Office, which investigates allegations of data
protection offences. It has long been suspected that Levy's ultimate aim was
not to prevent West Ham from moving into the Olympic Stadium, but to secure
funding to move to a new state-of-the-art stadium - possibly at the
Northumberland Park site which has been earmarked as a potential new home.
That development was shelved last year due to spiralling costs, but with
Tottenham still recovering from the riots that saw millions of pounds' worth
of damage caused by its own residents earlier this month, the Government
will no doubt be keen to support any proposition that brings fresh
investment into the area.
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Deano on the nose
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 23rd August 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have snapped up teenage goalkeeper Dean Parsons from Blyth Town.
Parsons, who played for the east Northumberland's under 15 team has signed
for United having impressed during a recent trial at Chadwell Heath.
Amazingly, he has played in goal for just two years and is reported to have
spent the vast majority of his time at West Ham alongside the Academy squad,
many of whom are his senior by three or four years. Upon arriving at the
club later this year, Parsons will work under West Ham's Assistant Academy
Goalkeeping Coach Paul Tighe, who mentors the club's under 15 and under 16
goalkeepers along with Head Goalkeeping Coach Jerome John. Tighe, who has
been at West Ham since 2005 is said to have been hugely impressed by
Parsons, who is commonly known by friends as 'Deano'. Blyth Town were
established in 1995 and their first team play in the Northern Football
Alliance Premier Division. Recently awarded a £1million grant, the club
currently runs 26 mens teams from seniors down to under sixes - plus ladies
teams from seniors to under tens.
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Width and pace, our saving grace?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 23rd August 2011
By: Daniel
It was there for all to see. Max Gradel, a primary West Ham target over the
summer and gifted left winger, was wreaking havoc down our right hand side.
Leeds' young Ivorian winger was exciting, dangerous and attack minded.
Our left hand side answer - Matty Taylor. An experienced winger with a
decent delivery, the occasional cracking set piece and an eye for a pass.
However, Matty epitomises our current problems within the squad. With young
Jack Collison cutting in from the opposite wing, one thing is clear - the
glaring need for pace and width is real, and our wingers don't look like
providing neither.
When news first broke of Kevin Nolan's signing, the consensus was he'd be a
top player for this club. With discussion rife as to Nolan's best position,
it appears Big Sam, whose signature combined with that of his former captain
was a real statement of intent, has already made his decision. Our new
captain looks set to finish the season in the same he's started it - in the
hole, feeding off our big target man's knock downs.
Behind Kevin, we currently have Super Scott Parker and Mark Noble who, in
spite of possessing many positive traits, are not known for their lightning
pace.
The end result? A ragged midfield, chasing the opposition and two full backs
receiving no support from their two wingers. This meant Big Sam had to bring
a striker on for Mark Noble who was out of breath just to bring some energy
into a very tired team. Our sympathy should go to our two centre backs, who
were forced to deal with too many crosses.
So where do we go from here? With such a long season ahead, a quick look at
the squad shows us we have very little alternatives at the moment.
One of our options is Julien Faubert, a forgotten man under Avram Grant who
looked good and changed the game when coming on for Collison against Leeds.
He also offered plenty of support for Joey O'Brien, but will he be able to
put the past behind him? Recent reports suggest otherwise, and Julien is
quoted as wanting to leave the club.
Two other options look set to leave the club - with Junior Stanislas
rumoured to be ready to follow Zavon Hines and join Burnley, and Pablo
Barerra close to signing for Zaragoza. Both haven't got a look from Big Sam
yet; an indication of what's to come?
One thing is clear. A successful Championship side needs pace and mobillity.
Our current set of players offer very little of either. This means we are
currently relying on set-pieces and short passes in the middle of the pitch,
which will not be enough against the quality sides in this division.
Attempts to sign Eric Mouloungui, a quick striker/winger from French side
Nice are continuing. The club have clearly identified the need for pace and
width, but will the financial situation allow it?
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Match Preview: West Ham v Aldershot
August 24th, 2011 - 12:11 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Right, no upsets, no panics. Just a straighforward 2-0 win will do very
nicely tonight, thank you very much. There's little doubt that Sam Allardyce
will use tonight's game to cast his eye over some fringe players, so expect
a vastly changed lineup. Only a fool would predict what it might consist of.
So here goes…
I'd imagine Ruud Boffin will come in for a rare appearance. I have always
liked him. He hasn't really put a foot wrong when he has played in the past.
He must have been hoping Rob Green would leave, but that is looking
increasingly unlikely.
In defence, Abdoulaye Faye will, I imagine, partner Winston Reid, giving
James Tomkins a well deserved rest. I'm not sure if George McCartney is
match fit, but if so I imagine he will start down the left with Joey O'Brien
or Julien Faubert filling the right back position.
In midfield, don't expect Barrera to start. He's clearly off to Zaragoza so
it would be mad to risk him getting an injury for a player likely to fetch
£2-4 million. I expect to see a midfield of Noble, Sears, Collison,
Stanislas, with Piquionne and Carew up front. Or not. Frankly I have no
idea. You?
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Tottenham consider dropping Olympic Stadium challenge after talks with
Government and Boris Johnson
By Paul Kelso, Chief Sports Reporter7:30AM BST 24 Aug 2011
Telegraph.co.uk
Tottenham are considering withdrawing their legal challenge to West Ham's
tenancy of the Olympic Stadium following discussions with London mayor Boris
Johnson and the Government. Lawyers for the club are scheduled to appear in
the High Court on Wednesday to raise a fresh challenge to the decision to
award the stadium to West Ham, but the club are under pressure on several
fronts to abandon their appeals and commit to a long-term future in north
London. Tottenham, in conjunction with Leyton Orient, are scheduled to seek
judicial review of the Olympic Park Legacy Company's decision to award the
stadium to West Ham, at a hearing before Mr Justice Collins. Both clubs had
indicated that they intended to proceed with the hearing, but Tottenham were
involved in discussions into the evening and were unable to confirm on
Tuesday night whether they would proceed as scheduled. Tottenham remain
convinced that the decision to award the stadium to West Ham is flawed,
unfair and illegal, but in the wake of the riots earlier this month that
underlined the importance of the club to the local community, the climate
has shifted substantially against them. Negotiations with the mayor over
ways of easing a new stadium development in Tottenham have been ongoing.
Should Johnson find ways of incentivising Spurs to stay in Haringey, either
adjacent to White Hart Lane or in a new development at Tottenham Hale, the
club could decide to withdraw its Stratford challenge. With the Government
committed to retaining an athletics track to underpin its bid for the 2017
World Athletics Championships regardless of the outcome of any legal
challenge, one of the club's major areas of leverage has been removed.
Tottenham's battle to take over the Olympic Stadium has been long and
bruising. West Ham were selected as preferred bidder for the stadium in
February, and Tottenham's attempts to overturn that decision have caused
anger in government and tension with the mayor. The club's conduct is also
the subject of two separate inquiries that could result in criminal charges.
Both the Metropolitan Police and the Information Commissioner's Office are
examining allegations that private investigators working for Spurs illegally
obtained telephone and bank records of key officials involved in the stadium
bidding process. Scotland Yard confirmed this week that the investigation is
being handled by the Met's Economic and Specialist Crimes Unit. The ICO is
the body that oversees the Data Protection Act and investigates alleged
breaches such as "blagging" private records, and the illegal interception of
telephone communications including "hacking" voicemail messages. Telegraph
Sport understands that there are concerns that the phone records of the OPLC
chairman, Baroness Margaret Ford, as well as chief executive Andrew Altman
and members of a board that includes former Arsenal director Keith Edelman,
may have been accessed. West Ham deputy chairman Karren Brady has told
police that she believes her phone was hacked, describing it as an "attempt
to blacken my name and West Ham's"
The allegations that personal data had been illegally obtained emerged when
it was revealed by The Sunday Times that a director of the OPLC, Dionne
Knight, had been paid £20,000 by West Ham for consultancy work carried out
during the bid process. She was immediately suspended by the OPLC as her
dual role raised questions about the integrity of the bid process, with
Spurs adamant that the procedures and the decision to select West Ham were
fundamentally unfair, flawed and, they will claim today, illegal. The OPLC
said on Monday that an independent inquiry had established that Knight's
moonlighting for West Ham had not compromised the bidding process. According
to The Sunday Times, Knight's role with West Ham, whose director Ian
Tompkins is her partner, was revealed to Tottenham by private investigators
retained by the club to assist in its stadium bid. The newspaper alleged
that the investigators had cross-checked the phone records of Altman and
Brady to establish if there had been inappropriate contact in the final
stages of the bid. Knight and Tompkins are also thought to be pursuing
complaints to the police. Knight's solicitor, Colum Smith, said on Monday
that the "data hacking" of his client was "a live issue to bring before the
courts". Tottenham declined to comment on the allegations because the legal
process over the stadium is ongoing.
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Rangers Toon into Barton and prepare to bring Hammer down on Parker
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:05 PM on 23rd August 2011
Daily Mail
Queens Park Rangers are stepping up their efforts to sign unsettled
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton and have made a new £5million offer for
West Ham's Scott Parker. QPR's new owner Tony Fernandes is keen to make
three marquee signings for manager Neil Warnock. Defenders Nedum Onuoha, 24,
of Manchester City, and Aston Villa's Luke Young, 32, are also on Warnock's
wanted list. Sportsmail revealed Rangers' interest in Barton while West Ham
are demanding £8m for Parker.
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West Ham - Do you remember
SHotsFC.co.uk
Although this is the first competitive fixture since the formation of
Aldershot Town FC in 1992 supporters will recall the FA Cup third round of
1990/91 when Aldershot FC were drawn at home to the Irons.
Victories versus Tiverton Town and Maidstone United had set up an
enthralling tie against the East Londoners. However dreams of playing Billy
Bonds' men at the Recreation Ground were shattered when the Hampshire County
Council Safety Advisory Committee declared the stadium unfit to stage the
tie as "much larger numbers are expected" than the then capacity of 5000.
These were difficult times for Aldershot FC. Still fresh in the minds of
supporters was the Spencer Trethewy affair and due to its own financial
restraints the club had been unable to undertake many of the stipulations
that had been provided after the Taylor Report into the Hillsborough
disaster.
After consultation with the Football Association the tie was eventually
switched to Upton Park. The match was still treated as a home fixture for
Aldershot and the match programme was unique as it was produced as normal by
West Ham on behalf of Aldershot.
Chairman Colin Hancock said in his notes "It must be the hope of all smaller
clubs to progress in the FA Cup and be drawn at home to a major club,
providing the opportunity to create a major upset by achieving a surprise
result and to provide the home town with a carnival day.
"These opportunities have been denied to Aldershot in this year's FA Cup
competition by a combination of circumstances. The Recreation Ground once
held over 19,000 people for a fourth round FA Cup replay in 1970."
He then went onto say, "Somehow the act of switching seems contrary to the
culture and ethics of FA Cup football. It takes away the romance of the
possibility that the underdog may cause an upset on its own ground, one that
can provide an uncomfortable expeirence for the larger club."
Aldershot entered the match having recorded back to back Fourth Division
victories at home to Peterborough United (5-0) and a New Year's Day success
at Carlisle United. Included in the starting line up for the West Ham match
was Canning Town born Glen Burvill, a former West Ham youth product. Dave
Puckett, who netted a brace versus the Posh, Jerry Williams and Ian Stewart
also figured as did Kevan Brown and Charlie Henry.
West Ham included the likes of Ludek Miklosko, Tony Gale, Kevin Keen and new
signing Chris Hughton. However it was the "home" side that deserved all the
plaudits. Although West Ham, as they are now, were in the second tier of the
English league, it was their lower league opponents who took them all the
way with a battling performance. Over 3,500 Shots supporters were included
in an overall attendance of 23,929. The closest West Ham came to scoring was
when Shots central defender John Flower crashed a header onto the cross bar
in the early stages.
Goalkeeper Peter Hucker was awarded the Man of the Match. The Eastender made
a string of saves to ensure a clean sheet and earn an unexpected replay as a
goal less draw was achieved. Even Irons boss Billy Bonds conceded
afterwards, "We played with no passion out there but that's no excuse. Full
credit to Aldershot. They defended hard and there was no way we were going
to score- even if we carried playing all day and all night."
The replay was a different affair. Another attendance of 21,484 ensured
Aldershot earned gate receipts of nearly £100,000 from the two matches but
Len Walker's side were no match this time around especially after the
dismissal of Flower. Ian Bishop, missing from the initial contest, proved an
influence as goals from Trevor Morley (2), Stuart Slater, George Parris,
Jimmy Quinn and Bishop himself saw West Ham ease home 6-1; Adrian Randall
netted the consolation with a 30 yarder. West Ham eventually reached the
semi finals defeating Luton Town, Crewe Alexandra and Everton along the way
before a controversial dismissal of Gale in the semi final when the match
was level saw them succumb to Nottingham Forest 4-0.
The Hammers regained their place in the top flight of English football at
the end of the season whilst for Aldershot the terminal decline speeded up
after their exit from the FA Cup. Only two victories were recorded in the
following 16 matches during which time former England international Brian
Talbot stepped into the managers hot seat replacing the long serving Walker
who was initially appointed Director of Football.
Changes in the Boardroom occurred too when Hancock stepped down to be
replaced by Essex based Mike Gill Anderson. The 38 year old said at the
time, "Aldershot were virtually down and out. After their struggle to stay
alive and kicking I vowed to help.. and here I am. They say it is tough
being a Chairman of a Football League club. I'll soon let you know".
The reasons as to why 1992 was the final year of the club may forever remain
a mystery but the historical fact will always remain- just 14 months after
playing West Ham United twice in the FA Cup Aldershot FC were no more- the
first Football League club to fold during the season for 30 years! The rest,
as they say, is pretty well documented.
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FRINGE PLAYERS TO GET HAMMERS CHANCE
West Ham v Aldershot Town.
Sporting Life
Sam Allardyce will ring the changes for West Ham's rearranged Carling Cup
first-round clash with Aldershot. The Hammers boss will give a number of
fringe players a chance, meaning goalkeeper Ruud Boffin, defender Abdoulaye
Faye, midfielders Pablo Barrera, Julien Faubert and Junior Stanislas as well
as striker Freddie Sears should be involved. Allardyce could also hand a
full debut to new forward John Carew, who got 20 minutes as a substitute in
the 2-2 draw with Leeds on Sunday. Left-back George McCartney may also be
added to the squad for the first time since he rejoined the club from
Sunderland if he is fit enough. Defender Jordan Brown and winger Gary O'Neil
are still on the sidelines with ankle injuries. Aldershot goalkeeper Ross
Worner and midfielder Jermaine McGlashan are pushing for first-team
selection. Manager Dean Holdsworth has no injury concerns ahead of the game
but may choose to make a couple of tactical changes following a 2-0 defeat
against Morecambe at the weekend. Holdsworth will name his strongest team
possible in the hope of causing an upset against the Hammers, but may choose
to select Worner ahead of Jamie Young in goal. McGlashan is less likely to
make an immediate return to the starting 11 and may have to be satisfied
with a place on the bench.
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McClaren will ring changes against West Ham
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Nottingham Post
STEVE McClaren will consider making changes for the visit of West Ham on
Sunday, despite Nottingham Forest's thumping win over Wycombe. The Reds boss
made four alterations to his side at Adams Park and three of those brought
into the team – Ishmael Miller, Robbie Findley and Radi Majewski- responded
with goals. But, with Andy Reid, Guy Moussi and Paul Anderson all hoping to
return from injury for the clash with the Hammers at the City Ground,
McClaren says he expects to field a slightly different side. "I could not
have named any other side against Wycombe, because that is all we had! We
had 18 players. "Robbie (Findley) still needs games and (Ishmael) Miller
still needs games, I would love to have rested a few more but it was not
possible. We have just given Miller some minutes. We will steadily build up
his fitness. "It is a different game on Sunday. We will have a look at what
we have got but we will be totally different again." Asked if he hopes to
have new signings, McClaren said: "Definitely, I hope so. "But, as a side,
we are growing and getting better. The attitude is improving and we have to
keep getting better."
Crystal Palace, Doncaster and Burnley are believed to be interested in
Forest striker Joe Garner. Palace, along with Millwall, are also said to be
monitoring the situation of Marcus Tudgay.
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