The ten-man Hammers are shot out of the Carling Cup by Dean Holdsworth's
League Two side
24.08.2011
WEST HAM UNITED v ALDERSHOT TOWN
CARLING CUP FIRST ROUND
WEDNESDAY 24 AUGUST 2011
KICK-OFF: 7.45PM
FULL AUDIO COVERAGE - WEST HAM TV
Final score - West Ham United 1-2 Aldershot Town
96 mins - That's it. Aldershot have won. West Ham are out. Highlights and
post-match reaction will appear on West Ham TV. The Hammers return to npower
Championship action at Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
95 mins - The Aldershot fans are whistling...
94 mins - That's West Ham's best chance of the second half and probably
their last chance of the match. A long diagonal ball is not dealt with by
Straker and Taylor gets there. He takes a touch and shoots with his right
foot, but the ball hits the side-netting and not the back of the net.
93 mins - Aldershot are playing out time deep in the Hammers half, winning a
couple of throw-ins. Finally the ball goes behind for a goal kick.
92 mins - Time is running out and the ball is in the East Stand ahead of an
Aldershot throw.
91 mins - Stanislas himself strikes the free-kick and Young dives to his
left to save.
90 mins - Stanislas heads the ball forward and an Aldershot player handles.
We're going to have five added minutes. First, Hylton goes off and Anthony
Pulis comes on.
89 mins - GOAL! McGlashan gets down the left and out-paces Ilunga before
crossing. The ball falls to Hylton, who drives a low right-footed shot
across Boffin and into the bottom corner.
89 mins - They probably won't now...
88 mins - Nouble gets forward and crosses low from the right, but Aldershot
clear. The 19,879-strong crowd could have extra time on their hands soon...
86 mins - Boffin is called into action again, clawing Hylton's shot out for
a corner, Rodman curls the ball over, but Mr Scott has spotted an
infringement.
86 mins - West Ham have a free-kick on halfway. Ilunga launches it into the
box and Reid wins it. The ball bounces up and Collins controls before
smashing upfield.
85 mins - Another chance! Straker crosses and Boffin elects not to come. The
ball bounces up and McGlashan flings himself at it, but his header goes
over. Just.
84 mins - The Shots are still firing. This time, it's striker Rankine who
comes close, turning and firing a rising blast that flashes past the
left-hand post. The away fans fancy their chances.
82 mins - West Ham won't want extra time, but they won't want to go out
either. They need to fashion a chance here, somehow, with their ten men...
79 mins - Aldershot look the most likely to win this as McGlashan turns and
slams a shot a couple of yards over the top.
77 mins - GOAL! Aldershot are level! A cross from the right lands at the
feet of Rodman, who cuts inside and shoots. The bal hits Boffin on the legs
and Guttridge reacts quickest to slam the ball into the bottom right-hand
corner.
76 mins - Aldershot clear the corner and Ilunga fouls McGlashan.
75 mins - Ooooh, so close! Stanislas curls over a superb cross and Nolan
leaps, but the combined efforts of centre-backs Jones and Morris keep the
ball out as it flicks off a head and behind for a corner. It was only a yard
or two wide of the far post.
74 mins - The corner is punched by Boffin but straight to an Aldershot
player. He shoots but Nolan is there to hack clear from inside his own
six-yard box.
74 mins - That's half a chance. A cross comes in from the right and Hylton's
header is goalbound until McCartney nods away. West Ham concede possession
again and Rankine has a chance, but Faubert makes a fine block.
72 mins - Nouble is putting himself about already, chasing down defenders
and hassling strongly. He earns a good cheer from the home fans for his work
ethic.
69 mins - A final change from Big Sam as Piquionne comes off to be replaced
by Frank Nouble.
68 mins - Substitute Rankine gets in behind the back four, but Taylor shows
good pace to get back and make the sliding challenge. He concedes a corner,
which is powerfully headed clear.
66 mins - Herd brings down Ilunga and the crowd want the referee to make it
10v10. He doesn't. Mr Scott books the Aldershot right-back and captain.
65 mins - Aldershot make a second change, with the speedy Jermaine McGlashan
replacing Vincenti. That's another attacking change from Dean Holdsworth.
63 mins - The unfortunate McNaughton is the first West Ham player to be
sent-off since Piquionne at Everton on 21 January 2011.
60 mins - Another effort from distance, this time from Rodman. The ball
flashes across the face of goal and out for a goal kick. Boffin was diving,
so it must have been close.
58 mins - It's still pretty end-to-end here as Jersey international Vincenti
tries his luck again from 25 yards. The tall midfielder drags his effort low
and wide of the left-hand post.
55 mins - Aldershot also make a change. Michael Rankine is on for Taylor.
53 mins - Before the corner can be taken, Barrera is replaced by Taylor. The
corner comes to nothing. Aldershot break through Hylton, but Ilunga smashes
the ball against the striker and it loops high and behind for a goal kick.
53 mins - It's all happening. Boffin's long clearance is controlled by
Piquionne. He holds the ball up and finds Stanislas, whose rasping shot from
25 yards is tipped over by Young.
51 mins - The home side are creaking a bit here. A cross from the left comes
in and Hylton's shot is well blocked by McCartney.
50 mins - They fancy this now, do Aldershot Town, as Rodman takes advantage
of a Reid slip to hammer a low shot a couple of yards wide of the left-hand
post. McCartney is now playing at centre-back, with Ilunga at left-back and
Piquionne up front on his own.
49 mins - Three free-kick is delayed while McNaughton makes his way off. The
free-kick from Vincenti takes a deflection off the wall and goes narrowly
wide. The visitors want a penalty for handball! The corner comes to nothing
as a free-kick is given. In the break in play, Ilunga replaces Carew.
47 mins - McNaughton is sent-off on his debut. The centre-back is out-paced
by Hylton and he elects to slide in. He mis-times it and brings down the
No10. Referee Mr Scott pulls out the red card!
47 mins - No changes from either manager and no chances since the
break...Until now...
46 mins - We're back underway again here...
OK, we're nearly ready to re-start. Before we do, just to tell you that
Jordan Spence's Bristol City are drawing 0-0 with Paolo Di Canio's Swindon
Town at half-time in another first-round tie.
Half-time score - West Ham United 1-0 Aldershot Town
47 mins - After a couple of minutes of added time, the referee blows for
half-time. Join us again in less than 15 minutes for the second period.
46 mins - Half a chance for Sears from a neat pass by Barrera, but he is
forced wide and his low cross for Stanislas is easily cut out. Moments
later, a block by Straker sees the ball fly out of the ground between the
Sir Trevor Brooking and East Stands. That's on its way to the bus station...
44 mins - To be fair to Aldershot, they're giving this a good go, as you
might expect. They're being out-passed, but they've forced four corners and
Boffin has had to make a few saves.
42 mins - Aldershot win another corner as Rodman's cross hits McCartney.
Rodman takes and Morris heads down, forcing Stanislas to stab off the line.
The Shots come again and have a shot through Taylor from 25 yards, but
Boffin is there to claim.
38 mins - Left-back Straker leads the charge this time and cuts the ball
right to Rodman. His low cross is dangerous, but Boffin shows good handling
as he dives to his right to cut it out.
36 mins - Rodman takes a corner from the right and McNaughton bravely heads
clear. He's won virtually everything that has come his way so far.
35 mins - Piquionne does well again, getting to the byline and pulling a low
ball back for Sears. It's a shooting chance, but the No19 jumps a bit as he
shoots and it's blocked. Sears tries again, but the ball goes behind for a
goal kick.
32 mins - McCartney gives the ball to Rodman, who beats Nolan and crosses.
Aldershot have three men in the box, but Guttridge's volley is wayward.
Barrera brings the ball away and a loose touch nearly lets in Stanislas, but
Young is out quickly to clear.
30 mins - Reid intercepts and sends Carew off down the right. The big man
shows a turn of pace to get there first and win a throw. The ball is worked
across to Barrera and McCartney, but the latter's cross is headed on to
Sears, who is offside.
28 mins - Hylton shoots from distance and the ball hits McNaughton. Corner.
Rodman takes and Darren Jones rises high but can only glance his header well
wide of the target.
26 mins - Stanislas is enjoying himself. He shoots again from very near
where he scored earlier, but this time it's close enough for Young to dive
to his left and push the ball away for a throw in front of the East Stand.
26 mins - The ball skips behind off a head for an Aldershot corner. It's
taken short, but the long-ranger from Vincenti is well over the top.
25 mins - Great football by West Ham. Piquionne, who has looked lively,
combines down the left with Barrera, who bursts into the box and crosses low
for Carew. The ball is just behind the Norwegian, who tries to backheel it
past Young. There is not quite enough pace on the ball and Young saves low
down.
23 mins - Good tracking by Nolan, who races back towards his own corner flag
to close down Rodman. The No11 tries to skip past the Hammers skipper, but
just knocks the ball behind for a goal kick.
21 mins - McNaughton has done well so far. He's done everything simple so
far.
18 mins - It's a very entertaining game this. West Ham threaten again
through Stanislas, but his pass is cut out and Aldershot break. A long shot
comes in and Boffin parries. He leaps and gets to the loose ball, but
Faubert is challenged in the melee and needs the physio on. It's time for a
drink while the magic sponge does its work.
16 mins - GOAL! Barrera runs at Herd but loses out to the visiting skipper.
However, the Mexican hassles and hassles and eventually Herd makes a mistake
by passing straight to Stanislas. He takes a touch and curls a superb shot
into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards.
15 mins - I am reliably informed that Big Sam has made nine changes to the
starting XI that drew with Leeds on Sunday. Only Reid and Nolan started both
games.
14 mins - Signs of West Ham taking a hold on the game. Stanislas feeds
Faubert wide right. He crosses and Carew gets his head to the ball, but
can't direct it goalwards. Aldershot clear their lines.
12 mins - Faubert smashes a free-kick from inside his own half up to the
edge of the penalty area. Carew wins the header and the ball drops to
Barrera. He runs and crosses left-footed, but again Young makes the catch,
11 mins - Aldershot threaten again as Hylton breaks through a challenge and
cuts inside. He shoots right-footed from about 25 yards but it is straight
at Boffin.
8 mins - It's open so far. Piquionne loops a pass over the left-back Straker
to Sears. He looks up and clips in a high cross that Young claims above the
head of Carew.
6 mins - That's a golden chance for the visitors. Taylor races on to a
through ball and is clear. Boffin hesitates, but makes up for his error by
saving with his legs. McNaughton clears up by smashing the ball out for a
throw.
5 mins - West Ham's first proper attack sees Piquionne break down the right
and clip in a cross aimed for Carew. Instead, Barrera wins the header but it
hits a defender.
4 mins - Aldershot force another throw off Reid. Straker takes it and the
ball is headed back to him. The Grenada international hammers the ball
across the box at head height, but there is nobody able to take advantage.
3 mins - West Ham are playing in a 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation, with Barrera left
and Piquionne right of Nolan, Sears and Stanislas. Carew is leading the
line.
2 mins - That will do McNaughton the power of good as he wins a header above
Taylor and then stabs a decent ball down the left flank for Carew to chase.
1 min - A long throw into the box drops to Taylor, but his white boot can
only volley the ball high over the top. That was a half-chance within 60
seconds for the visitors.
7.46pm - Aldershot's Luke Guttridge gets us underway...
7.45pm - Carew is wearing some snazzy bright yellow boots. Aldershot Town's
players have a huddle and we're nearly ready to go...
7.42pm - The two teams emerge to 'Bubbles' led by captains Kevin Nolan and
Ben Herd. George McCartney gets a good reception as his name is read out.
John Carew also gets a 'Careeeeeeeeeeeeew' from the fans! Finally, 'No37
Callum McNaughton' is welcomed to the first team by the supporters. Nice
touch, that.
7.35pm - Aldershot will be in all-white tonight, while West Ham have altered
their home strip slightly to wear blue shorts and blue socks. Just to give
them a mention, young professionals Ahmed Abdulla, Callum Driver and Eoin
Wearen were also called-up as part of the matchday squad this evening.
7.20pm - The two teams are out on the pitch warming-up. The Aldershot Town
fans are making a fair bit of noise away to my left in the Sir Trevor
Brooking Stand. To give you a bit more information about Callum McNaughton,
he signed a third-year scholarship in summer 2010 before being rewarded with
a first professional contract in July 2011. I have just spoken to Academy
Director Tony Carr and he is excited about the prospect of another Academy
graduate making his first-team bow.
7pm - On the bench tonight are third-year scholar goalkeeper Sam Cowler, who
will wear No42 and England Under-18 pair George Moncur (No44) and Robert
Hall (No46). Moncur scored for West Ham against Aldershot Town in an FA
Youth Cup third-round victory over The Shots here in December 2010.
6.55pm - John Carew makes his full debut, George McCartney makes his second
'debut' and Academy graduate and first-year professional Callum McNaughton
makes his West Ham United debut! The No37 was born in Bishop's Stortford,
spent a spell on loan at his hometown club and returned to captain the
Hammers reserve team at the end of last season. Tall and confident,
McNaughton is 19 and flame-haired.
6.50pm - The teams are in...
West Ham United: Boffin, Faubert, McCartney, McNaughton, Reid, Sears,
Barrera, Stanislas, Nolan, Piquionne, Carew
Subs: Cowler, Taylor, Noble, Ilunga, Nouble, Moncur, Hall.
Aldershot Town: Young, Herd, Straker, Jones, Morris, Guttridge, Collins,
Vincenti, Taylor, Hylton, Rodman
Subs: Worner, Brown, Pulis, Montgomery, Bubb, McGlashan, Rankine
6.30pm - The Aldershot Town squad have arrived at the Boleyn Ground. Rumour
has it that more than 1,500 travelling fans are making the trip to east
London to cheer their team on. We should have team news for you in about 15
minutes...
Good evening and welcome to this evening's re-arranged Carling Cup
first-round tie between West Ham United and League Two club Aldershot Town.
The original match was scheduled to take place on Tuesday 9 August, but had
to be postponed on police advice due to the civil unrest in parts of London
that week.
Tonight, there are no such problems to worry about as West Ham seek to
extend their perfect record in the Carling Cup first round - four wins in
four attempts! West Ham's most-recent first-round tie was against Southend
United on 23 August 2004, when the Hammers ran out 2-0 victors at the Boleyn
Ground.
Aldershot, meanwhile, have not won any of the three League Cup first-round
ties they have contested since the club was re-formed in 1992.
A full match preview is available here.
The Shots are hoping to become the seventh League Two club to reach the
second round, following Barnet, Bristol Rovers, Hereford United,
Macclesfield Town, Morecambe and Northampton Town. Paolo Di Canio's Swindon
Town could also win through to the second round, as their re-arranged
first-round tie with Jordan Spence's Bristol City will also take place
tonight.
Aldershot manager and lifelong West Ham supporter Dean Holdsworth will also
be keen to get one over his former Bolton Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce.
Indeed, Holdsworth has paid tribute to Big Sam for the influence he has had
on his coaching career in tonight's matchday programme.
Team news-wise, Allardyce has promised to pick a squad that mixes youth with
experience this evening. John Carew could be in line for a full debut, while
George McCartney could make his second debut for the Hammers since
re-joining the club on a season-long loan from Sunderland.
The two starting lineups and substitutes will be announced at shortly after
6.45pm on this page and on the club's official twitter feed.
West Ham United: Boffin, Faubert, McCartney, McNaughton, Reid, Sears,
Barrera (Taylor 53), Stanislas, Nolan, Piquionne (Nouble 69), Carew (Ilunga
49)
Subs: Cowler, Noble, Moncur, Hall.
Aldershot Town: Young, Herd, Straker, Jones, Morris, Guttridge, Collins,
Vincenti, Taylor (Rankine 55), Hylton, Rodman
Subs: Worner, Brown, Pulis, Montgomery, Bubb, McGlashan
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West Ham United statement
WHUFC.com
The club has responded to today's developments with regard to the Olympic
Stadium
24.08.2011
A West Ham United statement said: "We acknowledge that the final hurdle of a
Judicial Review against London of Borough of Newham and the OPLC in relation
to West Ham United being the preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium has
been granted on a very narrow basis. "A full hearing will take place on 18
October and we remain confident that Newham and the OPLC will be successful
in defending limited points regarding the £40m loan that would be made to
the Legacy Stadium Partnership. "Separately, and only for clarification as
we have been inundated with inquiries with regard to a Scotland Yard
statement today, we confirm the Metropolitan Police's Economic and
Specialist Crimes Unit is dealing with the serious matter of a private
investigator acting unlawfully, reportedly under instruction by Tottenham
Hotspur. "This is in relation to reported breaches of the Data Protection
Act and Computer Misuse Act as a result of the unlawful acquisition of bank
and telephone records belonging to senior executives at the club and the
OPLC. "We are advised that if found guilty of these crimes, those
responsible can expect to receive custodial sentences. We have full faith in
the police investigation into this matter and shall continue to provide the
fullest of assistance to them. "In response to media inquiries, we can
confirm that West Ham today received a document from Tottenham asking us to
give up our claims against them in relation to the above, in return for
Tottenham withdrawing their judicial review proceedings. West Ham naturally
refused. "We look forward to the 18 October and a successful conclusion
whereby we can deliver the multi-sport legacy that Lord Coe envisaged for
east London and the rest of the nation."
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Allardyce left to rue red card
WHUFC.com
The manager said the turning point in the Carling Cup tie was a red card
shown to Callum McNaughton
25.08.2011
Sam Allardyce said the sending off of debutant Callum McNaughton proved
pivotal as West Ham United exited the Carling Cup first round at the hands
of Aldershot Town. The manager was firm in his conviction that the Hammers
would have built on their one-goal lead at the time McNaughton was dismissed
two minutes after the interval for bringing down eventual match-winner Danny
Hylton in a goalscoring opportunity. The Shots were buoyed by the extra-man
advantage and struck twice in the last 13 minutes to win 2-1 and book a
second-round tie with Carlisle United. "We didn't get our first win because
we went down to ten men," said Allardyce. "When you go down to ten men it is
difficult to win a game of football. Even if the opposition are not in the
same division it gives them a massive lift. We were one-nil up and
comfortable and unfortunately a young man who has been given his deut and
doing all right, gets caught out and gets sent-off. "After that they are
going to try and push on. We have to try and defend what we have got because
we were one-man short and we couldn't hold out in the end. They got the win.
It is very disappointing of course but I don't think we would have lost this
game if it had stayed eleven v eleven. I think we would have gone on and won
it."
Allardyce had no complaints about the red card which was cruel luck on the
young central defender on his debut. The manager had rested Robert Green,
James Tomkins, Joey O'Brien, Jack Collison, Mark Noble, Scott Parker and
Carlton Cole and fielded a new-look side, but it was McNaughton and new
recruits George McCartney and John Carew who garnered the most pre-match
attention. "Technically [the referee] has seen it as a goalscoring
opportunity and he was the last defender, he has to do what the rules tell
him and that is give him a red card. That was a huge disappointment for a
young man to be put in that position. He will learn from that."
The manager was positive about the contribution of Junior Stanislas, who
scored with a sweet long-range strike on 16 minutes while also acknowledging
that the run-out would do McCartney and Carew the world of good for the
npower Championship challenge. "We are not quite as big and strong in depth
as people think. Lots of players have left and we are not blessed with lots
of players in the squad so the quicker we get them up to match fitness the
better."
While elimination is disappointing, Allardyce reminded that the likes of
Premier League sides Norwich City, Swansea City, Queen's Park Rangers and
Sunderland had all been similarly frustrated this week - and that with a
full complement of players. Even then, it was not for the want of trying in
the closing stages. "It is always difficult to play out with ten men. We
tried to go for the win in the end by pushing Freddie Sears up top to play
with Frank Nouble because we needed to go and try and win the game. I didn't
want it to go extra time and we got a chance to sneak a late goal with Matt
Taylor but it wasn't to be."
He will hope for better when the Hammers head to Nottingham Forest for a
major league meeting on Sunday afternoon searching for a third successive
league win.
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West Ham 1 - 2 Aldershot
Page last updated at 20:45 GMT, Wednesday, 24 August 2011 21:45 UK
BBC.co.uk
Danny Hylton's 89th-minute winner sent 10-man West Ham crashing out of the
Carling Cup and put League Two side Aldershot into the second round. The
Hammers led through a curling shot from Junior Stanislas but had debutant
Callum McNaughton sent off for a professional foul after the break. That
changed the game and Luke Guttridge equalised from close range after Ruud
Boffin denied Alex Rodman. Hylton snatched victory from 12 yards out after a
goalmouth scramble. That gave Aldershot their first win in this competition
since the club reformed in 1992 and returned to the Football League in 2008.
But for the third time this season West Ham were left to rue conceding an
important late goal at Upton Park. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce made nine
changes from the team that were held at home by Leeds in the Championship on
Sunday and initially his side struggled to settle. It took took a superb
save from Boffin to deny Jake Taylor when he ran through but West Ham
weathered the storm and took the lead with a strike of real quality from
Stanislas. The Shots were given hope when McNaughton scythed down Hylton
after 47 minutes. And Dean Holdsworth's side piled on the pressure before
Guttridge pounced to level with 12 minutes to go, reacting quickly after
Boffin blocked Rodman's shot. With West Ham hanging on, Michael Rankine and
Jermaine McGlashan went close to winning it for Aldershot before Hylton
found the bottom corner with a low angled shot. Matt Taylor came close to
equalising in stoppage time but could only fire into the side netting after
latching on to a flick.
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Diop close to West Ham move
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 25th August 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United are understood to be on the verge of signing former
Portsmouth defensive midfielder Papa Boupa Diop on a free transfer. The
33-year-old Senegalese international, who spent a few days at Chadwell Heath
earlier this month is currently a free agent having been released by Greek
club AEK Athens one year into a two-year contract due to 'family issues'.
Despite being part of the side that won the Greek Cup back in April during
his year with AEK, that was one of only 19 appearances by Diop in a season
dogged by injury. The 6'5" midfielder, who began his career with Swiss
minnows Neuchatel Xamax scored his first goal in English football for Fulham
against West Ham back in 2003. He moved to Craven Cottage despite interest
from Manchester United and remained there until 2007 when Portsmouth paid
£3.5million to take him to Fratton Park.
A year after moving to Pompey he was the subject of a £4million bid -
rejected by Portsmouth - from Italian giants AC Milan. However his spell on
the South Coast continued until 2010 when he was sold to AEK for a knockdown
price of just £300,000 in order to remove his considerable salary from the
bankrupt club's wage bill.
Diop was first linked with a move to West Ham during this year's January
transfer window but then-manager Avram Grant's deadline day approach failed
to succeed.
In other transfer news, West Ham are said to have had a £1.5million bid for
MK Dons striker Sam Baldock rejected. The 22-year-old attacker was watched
for a second time earlier in the week by Sam Allardyce, who has seen Baldock
score four goals in his two viewings. The club are likely to return with an
improved bid for a player who they believe possesses considerable potential.
Dad's Army: West Ham's summer signings
Abdoulaye Faye, 33; Kevin Nolan, 29; Matt Taylor, 29; Joey O'Brien, 25; John
Carew, 31; George McCartney, 30; Papa Boupa Diop, 33?
Average age: 30
They might be giants: West Ham's summer signings
Abdoulaye Faye 6'2"; Kevin Nolan 6'0"; Matt Taylor 5'10"; Joey O'Brien
5'11"; John Carew 6'5"; George McCartney 6'0", 30; Papa Boupa Diop 6'5"?
Average height: 6'2"
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Up yours Levy, say West Ham board
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 25th August 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have rejected a request from Tottenham Hotspur to withdraw legal
proceedings against private investigators hired by the North London club to
illegally obtain phone and bank records belonging to club employees. In a
statement issued on whufc.com tonight, West Ham revealed that Spurs - who,
in conjunction with Leyton Orient, were awarded a judicial review into the
decision to award use of the Olympic Stadium to United on Wednesday -
offered to halt the review process in exchange for the Hammers agreeing to
drop their own legal action. But West Ham have reacted furiously at
Tottenham's attempts to prevent the perpetrators from being brought to
justice, insisting that they will continue to assist the Police in
investigating the case.
"We confirm the Metropolitan Police's Economic and Specialist Crimes Unit is
dealing with the serious matter of a private investigator acting unlawfully,
reportedly under instruction by Tottenham Hotspur," read the statement.
"This is in relation to reported breaches of the Data Protection Act and
Computer Misuse Act as a result of the unlawful acquisition of bank and
telephone records belonging to senior executives at the club and the OPLC.
"We are advised that if found guilty of these crimes, those responsible can
expect to receive custodial sentences. We have full faith in the police
investigation into this matter and shall continue to provide the fullest of
assistance to them. "In response to media inquiries, we can confirm that
West Ham today received a document from Tottenham asking us to give up our
claims against them in relation to the above, in return for Tottenham
withdrawing their judicial review proceedings. "West Ham naturally
refused."
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Allardyce on... Aldershot Town
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 24th August 2011
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce confessed to being 'disappointed' at dropping out of the
Carling Cup at the first hurdle in tonight's post-match press conference -
but refused to accept that his team would have lost had they kept eleven men
on the pitch...
Sam: Upton Park is meant to be a tough place to come to - but not for the
home manager. You seem to be struggling to get that first win?
Yeah. Well we didn't get our first win today simply because we went down to
ten men. It's that simple. You seem to have forgotten that, did you? You
know what I mean? When you go down to ten men it's very difficult to win a
game of football - or even when you're one-nil up to hang on to it, even if
the opposition are not in the same division as you. It gives them a massive
lift at that time. So we're one-nil up, we're nice and comfortable and then
unfortunately the young man who's been given his debut, is doing alright,
gets caught out and gets sent off.
After that they get the lift, they're going to try and push on and we have
to try and defend what we've got because we're one man short and we couldn't
hold out in the end. So they got the win. I'm very disappointed of course
but I'm not convinced that we'd have lost this game if it'd stayed eleven
versus eleven. I think we'd have gone on and won it in the end.
Was the referee wrong to send him [Callum McNaughton] off?
Not really. I don't think so, by the letter of the law if that's the right
phrase, or technically. He's seen it as a goalscoring opportunity and he
[McNaughton] is the last defender so he has to do what the rules tell him -
and that's give him a red card which is obviously a huge disappointment for
us, as it is for a young man to be put in that position. But he's got to
learn from that of course. He just got caught out around his feet and as a
defender instead of just clearing it he tried to bring it down and play out.
It didn't work and we got punished for that in the end by him getting sent
off.
So, we tried to just hold them out and they got to push the extra man
forward. It's always difficult to get out and play out with ten men, you've
just got the one man up front. In the end we tried to go for the win by
pushing Freddie Sears up top to play with Frank [Nouble] because we needed
to go and try to win the game. I didn't want to go into extra time; we
played three in midfield, two up top. [We] got a chance maybe to just sneak
it when Matt Taylor's header went just wide - but it wasn't to be.
Do you think the West Ham fans were wrong to boo you at the end there?
I don't know, were they booing me?
I think they were booing everything!
[laughs] Well if they're booing because of the way we played that's fine -
if it's eleven versus eleven and we lose to Aldershot. But if we lose with
ten men, it's not like we got beat by MK Dons four-nil or Rochdale at home
two-nil, when it's eleven v eleven. Or Swansea at Shrewsbury, three-one - or
Sunderland at Brighton one-nil. So we would have won the game, I think, if
we had stayed eleven v eleven - and that's the reality. See I live in
reality; most people in football live in perception.
Do you think John Carew needs a few more games before...
There's a lot of our lads who need a few more games. I think it was evident
tonight in terms of match fitness. You know, they've come and joined us
late; this is one of the products of the transfer window and getting
relegated. You have to be patient and wait your time to get the players that
you want.
Unfortunately you get them late into pre-season and then when you get them
late - it's the same with George McCartney - match fitness is not at the
same level as Aldershot's match fitness - and Aldershot's first team is the
team that played tonight. So they've played three or four game, trained
together all pre-season. Our lads tire when that situation happens, that's
why it was such a good game to play them in. But I still think that with
eleven v eleven we'd have won tonight.
[Question from Norwegian media] You said he tired when you went down to ten
men, but how do you think John Carew played in the first half?
Well I think he's feeling his way in because when you come in late to a
pre-season - his is only a couple of weeks [old] - you have some catching up
to do. John more importantly than anyone else, because of his big frame; it
takes a lot longer to get somebody of his size up to match fitness than the
smaller, lighter lads. So we introduced him as a sub on Sunday, he was very,
very effective. We played him from the start tonight to get his match
fitness up. I would have liked him to do better but now he's got another
level of fitness into his games.
We're not quite as big and strong in depth as people think, you know. Lost
and lots of players have left the football club and we're not blessed with
lots and lots of players in our squad at the moment. So the quicker we get
these guys up to match fitness, the better.
You said there were a lot of players knocking on your door saying they
wanted to play; did any of them impress you tonight?
I think Junior Stanislas and his goal particularly - and then he nearly had
another one. After that we were okay without being brilliant today, but like
I said I think we'd got enough to win the game. But it's always the case
when you play in a tie like this. When you look at the amount of clubs that
have lost in the ties that were supposed to win then you get very
disappointed. I would have been bitterly, bitterly disappointed if I'd have
lost this game with eleven, but as it was I think we only lost the game
because we went down to ten men.
What did you make of Ruud Boffin's performance?
I think it was okay? I mean I'll have to re-look at everything when we see
what the situation is tomorrow, I don't think he had too many saves to make.
[He] made one good save in the first half, probably because he should have
just come out and cleared it or caught it, but stepped back. Made a couple
of good saves when we were down to ten men. I'll have to have a look at his
positioning and speak to [goalkeeping coach] Martyn [Margetson] regarding
[whether he] could have done better with the second goal; I'm not too sure.
[Another question from Norwegian media] Will you be including John Carew at
the weekend and will you be recommending him to the national coach? He's
going to try and give you a call about it.
That's about the last thing on my mind! [laughs] So I'll wait to get that
call and I'll make my mind up then! At the moment John, in fitness terms, is
a good sub - as he showed on Sunday, against Leeds United.
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Holdsworth on... West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 24th August 2011
By: Staff Writer
Aldershot manager and lifelong West Ham fan Dean Holdsworth told tonight's
post-match press conference that any praise for Town's shock 2-1 win at the
Boleyn Gound should be directed towards his players...
Dean: how does that feel?
I'm delighted for the players, for the fans and the club because we've
played extremely well in the last three games and not got our rewards for
that. Tonight we got our rewards for keeping the faith in what I'm asking
them to do. Passing the ball - and we got our rewards for that. So I'm
delighted with the result, I'm delighted with the occasion and I think we
gave a good account of ourselves.
You said it was a patience thing, you've played well. You kept to your
beliefs and it's worked tonight?
It's trust. You have to trust each other with the ball and trust each other
in that we want to pass the ball. We've got our rewards against a very good
side and I'm pleased that West Ham put out a very strong side against us.
That means a lot to me because it gives us the respect that I think my
players earned tonight.
How does it feel being a West Ham fan coming back and winning here?
Ah... [laughs all round] It feels fantastic, it feels like I've done my job
- that's the most important thing. Look - I love coming back here, I don't
need an excuse to come back here. But it gives me no greater pleasure
beating Sam than winning a game of football. I think the world of him; I've
got much admiration and great respect for him. It was about my team tonight
and I can only manage the managables and ask them to do what I ask every
player to do - and that is trust me, get as fit as you possibly can and pass
the ball the best you can.
How does winning a game like that compare to scoring a goal as a player?
It's up there, it's definitely up there. I mean, I think it's the best
feeling I've had since I've been a manager. That means a lot because I've
had a Manager of the Year trophy and a Champions side. It's the best moment
of my managerial career, it makes me want more of it and it spurs me on
because these sort of stadiums, these places, are special. To come here is
special and it's important we bank the memory, do the professional thing
tomorrow and look forward to Saturday.
What have you learnt about your players tonight?
That they've got some steel in them. Because we played well in those three
games - 65 per cent possession on Saturday without a goal. Tonight they've
passed the ball, made angles, how we trained. So I've learnt that they can
score goals!
Have you had a chance to speak to Sam [Allardyce] yet?
Not yet, no. I'll see him in a second.
What did you think of West Ham?
It's West Ham. It's the Academy of football. [laughs] I've got rose-coloured
spectacles [on] when it comes to West Ham I'm afraid. So tonight it was
about my team and that was all I was focused on. Every game we go into we
have to have that belief that we can score and win a game of football. I
wasn't concentrating on West Ham, the surroundings, it didn't mean anything
to me tonight as I was just focused on my job. Tomorrow we'll reflect on a
great victory for this football club and the fans who deserved it. They can
bank it but they can't dwell on it because we've got another game on
Saturday.
It's a special night for the fans; when the club started 20 years ago they
were playing clubs like Hornchurch and Collier Row - to come here and win is
a special night for the club?
Four years ago I was managing Redbridge Football Club. No disrespect to Jim
Chapman, my old Chairman, who was here tonight, but progression - you can't
stand still, you've got to carry on. That's my belief. We all aim for
excellence and it's a special night for the football club because it'll mean
so much to them. Financially we need it and we need to go into the next
round, it's a big bonus for us. But at the end of the day it's a football
match and it's about the football players - and they deserve all the credit
tonight.
What were your thoughts when you went one-nil down?
I thought the referee should have had a yellow card for blocking our lad!
[laughs] I thought that it was a fantastic goal that we conceded. Two
seconds later, one square pass, one turn and a block from the referee and
it's in the back of the net. That shows you how ruthless it is at this
level, I thought it was a fantastic goal. But I wanted them to carry on with
their belief and I was glad when we got to half time at one-nil, we were
under a bit of pressure. We went back out with a swagger again which I'm
asking them to play with, a bit of confidence and I felt we done that
fantastically well second half.
How do you get the players back in the right frame of mind and not to dwell
on this?
They're in tomorrow. They're in, they'll do the right things and we'll all
reflect a bit but we've got to prepare now. The most important thing is
making sure that Aldershot Town is a [Football] League club so it's
important that we go to Oxford refreshed. We'll see what the players' moods
are like, I'm sure it'll be good tomorrow. Then we'll get ready for Saturday
and that's the most important game now.
What does it mean financially?
You'll have to ask my Chairman that! Hopefully it means a lot, so he might
help me! But we were delighted to get West Ham in this round because it
would mean a bit of financial help for the club. Now we're in the next round
we'll hope to get some more out of it!
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Shots strike late to shock Hammers
Last updated: 24th August 2011
SSN
West Ham's home woes continued as they suffered a humiliating 2-1 Carling
Cup defeat by League Two Aldershot. For the third match running at Upton
Park, the Hammers let in a late goal and this time Danny Hylton's strike
fired Dean Holdsworth's Shots to a famous win. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce,
who says his players are scared of playing at home, made nine changes for
the rearranged first-round encounter and all looked well when Junior
Stanislas put them ahead in the first half.
The midfielder, making his first start of the season, curled in a superb
effort from 25 yards after quarter of an hour. But another youngster,
defender Callum McNaughton, was sent off just after half-time on his debut
for scything down Hylton, to set up a familiar nervy finish. Aldershot
turned up in east London not having won a League Cup game since they were
reformed in 1992, and without a point or a goal from their last three
matches. So it was perversely inevitable to see them equalise in the 75th
minute when stand-in Hammers keeper Ruud Boffin blocked Alex Rodman's shot
and the rebound landed kindly for Luke Guttridge to tuck away.
With 10-man West Ham on the ropes, Shots subs Michael Rankine and Jermaine
McGlashan put decent chances over the crossbar. And with two minutes of
normal time remaining, a goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to Hylton 12
yards out and he drove a low, angled shot past Boffin and into the net to
send the away fans wild.
Matt Taylor came close to snatching an equaliser in stoppage time but his
shot hit the side netting and the Hammers were booed off with their nasty
bout of home-sickness showing no sign of clearing up.
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West Ham Accuse Spurs of Olympic Skulduggery
August 25th, 2011 - 12:35 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
This was posted on the West Ham website during the Aldershot match. Maybe it
was meant to distract from the abject performance. Pay particular attention
to the bit highlighted in bold.
A West Ham United statement said: "We acknowledge that the final hurdle of a
Judicial Review against London of Borough of Newham and the OPLC in relation
to West Ham United being the preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium has
been granted on a very narrow basis. "A full hearing will take place on 18
October and we remain confident that Newham and the OPLC will be successful
in defending limited points regarding the £40m loan that is being made to
the Legacy Stadium Partnership. "Separately, and only for clarification as
we have been inundated with inquiries with regard to a Scotland Yard
statement today, we confirm the Metropolitan Police's Economic and
Specialist Crimes Unit is dealing with the serious matter of a private
investigator acting unlawfully, reportedly under instruction by Tottenham
Hotspur. "This is in relation to reported breaches of the Data Protection
Act and Computer Misuse Act as a result of the unlawful acquisition of bank
and telephone records belonging to senior executives at the club and the
OPLC. "We are advised that if found guilty of these crimes, those
responsible can expect to receive custodial sentences. We have full faith in
the police investigation into this matter and shall continue to provide the
fullest of assistance to them. "In response to media inquiries, we can
confirm that West Ham today received a document from Tottenham asking us to
give up our claims against them in relation to the above, in return for
Tottenham withdrawing their judicial review proceedings. West Ham naturally
refused. "We look forward to the 18 October and a successful conclusion
whereby we can deliver the multi-sport legacy that Lord Coe envisaged for
east London and the rest of the nation."
Make no mistake about it, this allegation could be incendiary. It would be
nice if West Ham published that document so we could see what lying cheats
the Tottenham board are. Now they have extorted £8 million out of Boris
Johnson to aid them staying at White Hart Lane it is quite clear they have
no intention of maintaining their Olympic bid anyway. It was only ever meant
to be a bargaining chip with Haringey Council and the Mayor's office. The
shame of it is that Boris Johnson has fallen for their blackmail. London
taxpayers should be outraged that money earmarked for the riot clean up is
going to a football club which is about to trouser more than £30 million for
Luca Modric.
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West Ham to snap up Cup-hero striker
Published 22:29 24/08/11 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is ready to sign MK Dons striker Sam Baldock in
a £1.1 million swoop. Allardyce's offer for the England Under-20
international topped a surprise move by Watford, who bid £1million. Baldock
enhanced his reputation with a goal in Dons' 4-0 Carling Cup giant-killing
at Norwich on Tuesday. He wants to go to a higher level and is expected sign
quickly. West Ham opted for Baldock after failing to land Everton's Jermaine
Beckford, who does not want to drop down into the Championship.
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Pulis saved me from Hammer horror, admits Stoke new boy Upson
By JANINE SELF
Last updated at 10:55 PM on 24th August 2011
Daily Mail
Matthew Upson is determined to help Stoke through to the group stage of the
Europa League after a nightmare year at West Ham. Stoke have a 1-0 lead from
the first leg against Swiss side FC Thun and are expecting a sell-out crowd
at the Britannia Stadium. Upson's move from serial under-achievers to
serial over-achievers has included plenty of contemplation time for the
defender. He admits that it was the search for stability after a chaotic
last year with the Hammers that persuaded him to buy into Stoke boss Tony
Pulis's master plan. So far he has only seen evidence to support that
decision, in stark contrast to his recent West Ham experience. 'There's not
a lot I can look back on in a positive nature over the last year,' said
Upson, 32, who made his debut against Thun last week. 'People will say on
paper that the West Ham squad was better than what they had here last
season. 'But what makes football so interesting and intriguing to everyone
is that it's not always about quality players, is it? Talent is maybe about
15 to 20 per cent in a team. The rest of it is all the other areas:
discipline, organisation, commitment, spirit. 'Stoke proved this with the
success they have had. Was the 80 per cent missing (at West Ham)? Clearly
something was missing or the club wouldn't have got relegated.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spurs kill off Great Britain's bid to host 2017 World Athletics
Championships
By CHARLES SALE
Last updated at 12:24 AM on 25th August 2011
Daily Mail
Britain's bid to stage the 2017 World Athletics Championships looks dead in
the water after Spurs and Orient were granted a judicial review into West
Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium. IAAF president Lamine Diack wants all
legal problems resolved before the 2017 vote on November 11. But the review
will only start on October 18 after Lord Justice Collins ruled in the High
Court there is a case for a legal challenge. The Government, who support UK
Athletics' bid, are hoping that Spurs withdraw now that London Mayor Boris
Johnson has offered them funding for the area around a new stadium at White
Hart Lane, following the recent riots. But Spurs need more grants to make
their Northumberland Park development work and Orient owner Barry Hearn
said: 'We intend taking our case to the European Commission if necessary as
well as legal action against the Premier and Football Leagues. 'Our whole
existence depends on it. West Ham taking over the Olympic Stadium with
Newham Council backing is comparable to Tesco setting up next to a local
grocer and receiving a state subsidy to help put the competitor out of
business.'
West Ham reacted to yesterday's legal developments about the Olympic Stadium
by claiming that Tottenham had offered to back down on their challenge for
the stadium if the Hammers would drop a criminal case alleging computer
hacking by a private investigator working on behalf of Spurs. 'West Ham
naturally refused,' said a club statement and vowed to win their argument at
the judicial review hearing into the Olympic Stadium, scheduled for October
18.
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West Ham United 1 Aldershot Town 2: match report
By Telegraph staff11:03PM BST 24 Aug 20111 Comment
Telegraph.co.uk
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce blamed rookie Callum McNaughton's red card
for his side's Carling Cup humiliation by Aldershot. The east London side
were booed off after letting in a late goal for the third match running at
Upton Park. Danny Hylton's strike ensured the League Two side reached the
second round for the first time since they reformed in 1992. Allardyce, who
says his players are scared of playing at home, made nine changes including
a debut for 19-year-old centre-half McNaughton. And all looked well when
Junior Stanislas fired them into the lead with a superb curler after a
quarter of an hour. But their night, and in particular McNaughton's, went
sour when he was sent off for scything down Hylton a minute after half-time.
It leaves Allardyce still searching for an elusive first home win as
manager. But he said: "We didn't get our first win because we went down to
10 men, it's as simple as that. "Even if the opposition are not in the same
division it gives them a massive lift. We were nice and comfortable but
unfortunately a young man on his debut gets caught out and gets sent off.
"By the letter of the law the referee has seen it as a goalscoring
opportunity, he's last defender so he has to do what the rules tell him. "In
the end we tried to go for the win, I didn't want extra time. It's not the
same as 11 versus 11. I think we would have won the game."
Aldershot turned up in east London without a point or a goal from their last
three matches. So it was almost inevitable to see them equalise in the 75th
minute when stand-in West Ham keeper Ruud Boffin blocked Alex Rodman's shot
and the rebound landed kindly for Luke Guttridge to tuck away. And with two
minutes of normal time remaining, a goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to
Hylton 18 yards out and he drove a low, angled shot past Boffin and into the
net to send the away fans wild.
Aldershot can now add their names to the likes of Grimsby, Northampton,
Wrexham and Oldham as lower-league teams to knock the Hammers out of a cup
on their own turf. The result was sweet for their manager Dean Holdsworth, a
self-confessed West Ham fan who played under Allardyce at Bolton. "I'm
delighted for the players, for the fans and for the club," he said. "West
Ham put a strong side out and we gave a good account of ourselves. I think
the world of Big Sam, but this is about my team tonight. It's the best
feeling I've had since becoming a manager."
Match details
West Ham: Boffin, Faubert, McCartney, McNaughton, Reid, Sears, Barrera
(Taylor 53), Stanislas, Nolan, Piquionne (Nouble 69), Carew (Ilunga 50).
Subs: Cowler, Noble, Moncur, Hall.
Sent off: McNaughton.
Aldershot: Young, Herd, Jones, Morris, Straker, Vincenti (McGlashan 65),
Collins, Guttridge, Hylton (Pulis 90), Taylor (Rankine 55), Rodman.
Subs: Worner, Brown, Bubb, Montgomery.
Booked: Herd.
Referee: G Scott (Oxfordshire).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce rues sending-off after Danny Hylton sinks West Ham
Guardian report
Press Association
The Guardian, Thursday 25 August 2011
Aldershot's manager Dean Holdsworth congratulates Danny Hylton, scorer of
the winning goal against West Ham. Photograph: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty
Images
West Ham's manager Sam Allardyce pointed the finger at his debutant defender
Callum McNaughton, who was sent off during his side's second-round defeat by
Aldershot on Wednesday night, to explain the result. The Hammers had been
booed off after letting in a late goal for the third match running at Upton
Park, as Danny Hylton's goal ensured the League Two side reached the second
round for the first time since they re-formed in 1992.
Allardyce, who says his players are scared of playing at home, made nine
changes, including a debut for the 19-year-old centre-half McNaughton. And
all looked well when Junior Stanislas fired West Ham into the lead with a
superb curler after 16 minutes. But their night, and in particular
McNaughton's, went sour as he was sent off for scything down Hylton a minute
after half-time.
The defeat leaves Allardyce without a home win as the Hammers manager, but
he said: "We didn't get our first win because we went down to 10 men, it's
as simple as that. Even if the opposition are not in the same division, it
gives them a massive lift. We were nice and comfortable but unfortunately a
young man on his debut gets caught out and gets sent off.
"By the letter of the law, the referee has seen it as a goal-scoring
opportunity – he's last defender so he [the referee] has to do what the
rules tell him. In the end we tried to go for the win – I didn't want
extra-time. It's not the same as 11 versus 11. I think we would have won the
game."
Aldershot arrived in east London without a point or a goal from their
previous three matches, so for West Ham fans there was almost an
inevitability about the equaliser in the 78th minute, when stand-in Hammers
keeper Ruud Boffin blocked Alex Rodman's shot and the rebound landed kindly
for Luke Guttridge to tuck away.
And with a minute of time remaining, after a goalmouth scramble the ball
fall to Hylton 18 yards out and he drove a low, angled shot past Ruud
Boffin.
The result was sweet for Aldershot's manager, Dean Holdsworth, a
self-confessed West Ham fan who played for Allardyce at Bolton. "I'm
delighted for the players, for the fans and for the club," he said.
"West Ham put a strong side out and we gave a good account of ourselves. I
think the world of Big Sam, but this is about my team tonight. It's the best
feeling I've had since becoming a manager."
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Police probe Hammers' claim
The Met Police will look into allegations made by West Ham and the Olympic
Park Legacy Company over unlawful obtaining of personal information.
Last Updated: 25/08/11 at 06:55 Post Comment
Football365
West Ham, who were chosen by the OPLC to move into the Olympic Stadium after
the 2012 Games ahead of Tottenham, allege the police investigation relates
to unlawful activity by a private investigator. The OPLC appointed auditors
Moore Stephens to investigate their own procedures six weeks ago. That
investigation was triggered when Dionne Knight, the OPLC's corporate
services director, was suspended after having worked as a consultant for
West Ham during the bid to move into the £486million stadium. She was
immediately suspended on full pay while any possible conflict of interest
was investigated. She had declared a personal relationship with Ian
Tompkins, a West Ham director, when she started at the OPLC. She only told
the legacy company of her work at the club after a Sunday newspaper claimed
she was on West Ham's payroll. Moore Stephens found that Knight did not have
access to confidential information and did not pass any such information on
to West Ham or anyone else, and the OPLC board recommended that there were
no grounds for reconsidering its recommendation that West Ham's was the
preferred bid.
West Ham say the police are now looking into the conduct of a private
investigator who they allege unlawfully acquired bank and telephone records
belonging to senior executives at the club and the OPLC.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police read: "We can confirm that West Ham
United Football Club and the Olympic Park Legacy Company have made
allegations to the MPS in respect of the unlawful obtaining of personal
information. "These allegations have been assessed and an investigation has
now commenced by officers from the Economic and Specialist Crime Command."
A statement from West Ham read: "We confirm the Metropolitan Police's
Economic and Specialist Crimes Unit is dealing with the serious matter of a
private investigator acting unlawfully. "This is in relation to reported
breaches of the Data Protection Act and Computer Misuse Act as a result of
the unlawful acquisition of bank and telephone records belonging to senior
executives at the club and the OPLC. "We are advised that if found guilty of
these crimes, those responsible can expect to receive custodial sentences.
We have full faith in the police investigation into this matter and shall
continue to provide the fullest of assistance to them."
The news came on the day Judge Mr Justice Collins ruled the High Court
should review decisions made by both the OPLC and Newham Council in the
awarding of the stadium to West Ham after deciding Tottenham had an
"arguable" case. The judge said the West Ham bid approved by the OPLC would
remain on hold until the High Court had decided whether any decisions had
been unlawful. The High Court is scheduled to rule on the case following a
hearing due to start in London on October 18.
League One side Leyton Orient were also given permission to challenge the
decision. Bosses say the stadium is less than two miles from Orient's ground
and any move to the arena by West Ham could "destroy" the club's fan base
and threaten its "very existence". A spokesman for the International
Association of Athletics Federations said their position remained the same
regarding the stadium and the bid for the 2017 World Athletics
Championships. Earlier this month, IAAF president Lamine Diack said ruling
members would be deterred by a lengthy legal dispute and the situation needs
to be resolved before the destination of the 2017 championships is decided.
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