WHUFC.com
An independent barrister's investigation has revealed its findings regarding
preferred bidder status
03.08.2011
An independent barrister's investigation has found nothing that compromises
the integrity of the decision to make West Ham United the preferred bidder
for the Olympic Stadium. The club tasked external counsel from the highly
prestigious Blackstone Chambers to conduct the in-depth process. The inquiry
was launched last month and considered the work undertaken by Dionne Knight
on behalf of the club in relation to the procurement of a construction
partner after the 2012 Olympic Games. It concluded firmly that Ms Knight's
work had in no way affected the integrity of the joint West Ham
United-London Borough of Newham bid which was approved by the Olympic Park
Legacy Company.
The findings - which completely exonerate the club over the matter and
showed it acted lawfully at all times - came after the consideration of all
relevant correspondence and documentation, along with statements from all
relevant officials. The barrister had total and unfettered access to all
emails and other documents sent and received, along with any information
required.
The report found no confidential information was passed by the OPLC to West
Ham United through Ms Knight. Similarly, it found that no person at the club
has at any point considered themselves to have an improper source of
information or influence within the OPLC. With regard to Ms Knight, by far
the bulk of the invoiced work took place after the decision of the OPLC to
confer preferred bidder status and consisted of the transparent preparation
of extensive procurement-related documentation.
West Ham United have handed over the contents of the entire independent
investigation to the OPLC as they are conducting their own separate inquiry
into the matter.
Separately, West Ham remain in contact with Police with regard to the
serious matter of a private investigator acting unlawfully, reportedly under
instruction by Tottenham Hotspur.
This matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness by the club,
especially given the methods claimed to have been used to obtain this
personal information in relation to reported breaches of the Data Protection
Act as a result of the unlawful acquisition of bank and telephone records
belonging to senior executives at the club and the OPLC.
This activity, if proven, constitutes serious criminal conduct and can
attract custodial sentences for perpetrators of the crime. In addition to
the Police, the matter is also now in the hands of the Information
Commissioner's Office, which investigates allegations of data protection
offences.
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Hammers to play Grays
WHUFC.com
Junior Stanislas could be among the first-teamers on view when the Hammers
play Grays on Thursday
03.08.2011
Ian Hendon will take a West Ham United XI to south Essex on Thursday night
to take on Grays Athletic. The coach could have a number of players with
first-team experience at his disposal including the likes of Junior
Stanislas, Zavon Hines and Frank Nouble. Promising youngsters such as Oliver
Lee, George Moncur, Sebastian Lletget and Cristian Montano could also
feature at Rookery Hill for the 7.45pm kick-off. The last time the teams met
was a pre-season friendly in July 2009 when more than 3,000 watched the
Hammers run out 2-1 winners. Tickets are priced at £1 for Under-14s,
concessions are £5 and adults are £8. The full address for the match is East
Thurrock United FC, Rookery Hill, Corringham, SS17 9LB.
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Jordan joins Robins
WHUFC.com
Jordan Spence has joined npower Championship side Bristol City on a
season-long loan
03.08.2011
Jordan Spence has joined npower Championship side Bristol City on a
season-long loan with a right of recall on 1 January. The England Under-21
defender enjoyed an impressive spell with The Robins last season, making
eleven league appearances for Keith Millen's side. Spence returned to the
Boleyn Ground in early May, starting West Ham United's final two Premier
League fixtures against Wigan Athletic and Sunderland. He has been a regular
under Sam Allardyce as well this summer, both at right-back and as a central
defender. Speaking to whufc.com, Spence said: "It is a good opportunity for
me, especially at this time. I have spoken to the manager and we both agree
that it is better that I am playing games all the time. "This loan move
gives me the chance to do that and if I am called back, then I know I have
been playing regularly. I know it helped me when I came back last season
after being on loan. The manager at Bristol City knows me and wanted me to
come back down, so I am going to work hard and hopefully do well."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Luis Boa Morte leaves West Ham United
Page last updated at 11:58 GMT, Wednesday, 3 August 2011 12:58 UK
BBC.co.uk
Luis Boa Morte has left West Ham United by mutual consent, the Championship
club have confirmed. The Portuguese midfielder, 33, still had a year left on
his contract at Upton Park but has been released to pursue a new opportunity
abroad. Boa Morte, who joined the Hammers in 2007, told the club website: "I
am sad to leave West Ham as I have made a lot of friends here. "It's also a
sad day to leave playing football in England after 14 years."
BOA MORTE CAREER FACTS
Started his career in England with Arsenal in 1997
Spent two years with the Gunners, making six Premiers League starts
Joined Southampton in August 1999 and again made six league starts in two
years
Signed for Fulham in June 2001 after a season-long loan at Craven Cottage
Boa Morte, who signed a new two-year deal with West Ham last summer, made
109 appearances for the club, scoring twice. He first moved to England with
Arsenal in 1997. His final season with the Hammers ended in relegation from
the Premier League. "Last season we fought to the end, but it was not to
be," he said. "I wish all the best to my team-mates and for the club to get
promoted. "I am looking forward to a new challenge. It is never too late to
try somewhere and something different."
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Bristol City sign Jordan Spence on loan from West Ham
Page last updated at 13:39 GMT, Wednesday, 3 August 2011 14:39 UK
BBC.co.uk
Bristol City have re-signed West Ham defender Jordan Spence on a season-long
loan deal. Spence, who signed a three-year deal with the Hammers in the
summer, spent two months on loan at Ashton Gate last season and made 11
appearances. His parent club have the option of recalling him from January.
"It wasn't a reluctant thing to come back, it was a great opportunity and
I'm ecstatic to be back," the 21-year-old told BBC Radio Bristol. "It's an
environment I've enjoyed, that I can learn and get better in. "I have the
ambition to be a West Ham player and be in the starting XI but I also have
the ambition to play from the start of the season. "When I realised that
might not be the case at West Ham, I jumped at the opportunity to come back
here." Spence goes straight into the squad for Saturday's Championship
opener at home to Ipswich Town.
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Spence: why I left West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 3rd August 2011
By: Staff Writer
Jordan Spence has revealed that he joined Bristol City having failed to
receive assurances regarding his first team opportunities at West Ham.
Spence, who first arrived at the club as a 14-year-old looked set to leave
United at the end of last season having become frustrated with a lack of
first team football and with his contract set to expire. Following
protracted negotiations, the defender eventually signed a new three-year
deal before appearing in all six of the first team's pre-season fixtures -
one of only two players in Sam Allardyce's squad to do so (Cristian Montano
being the other). But earlier this week Spence revealed that instead of
looking forward to a breakthrough season at the Boleyn Ground, he was
returning to Bristol City - where he spent the latter third of the 2010/11
campaign - on loan for the season. Although done with a heavy heart, Spence
confirmed that it was the promise of regular first team that swayed his mind
to an Ashton Gate return. "I always realised that once this season came,
should I not be in the starting eleven - or in the immediate plans [of Sam
Allardyce] - then I would like to play first team football," he told
bcfc.co.uk. "My aim at the end of last season was to be playing in the
opening day fixtures. It'll be the first time I've ever done that. It was a
goal of mine, hence the reason why I'm back here so soon. I wanted to be a
part of that and part of a team for the whole season. "I think it was an
easy decision to make. Signing now - for what could potentially be the whole
season - just means that's where my focus is, at Bristol City, doing the
best I can."
Although West Ham retain the option to recall Spence midway through the loan
spell in January, the 21-year-old insists that he would have no qualms at
being asked to complete the whole season at City - despite maintaining that
his long term goal is to finally break through to the Hammers first team.
"When I went back [last season] on the one hand I was disappointed not to
complete the season [at Ashton Gate] given the work I'd done the previous
11, 12 games," he said. "But obviously I was delighted to go back to West
Ham and play. "As everyone knows, I've been there since I was a little boy
and my ambition always was to play in the West Ham first team. So that
ambition is still there, but the ambition right now is to play for Bristol."
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Boa bids farewell
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 3rd August 2011
By: Staff Writer
Luis Boa Morte has wished West Ham the best of luck for their forthcoming
Championship campaign. KUMB.com revealed earlier in the week that the
32-year-old had parted company with West Ham with a year of his current
contract remaining after he was informed that he was surplus to
requirements. But the Portuguese harbours no ill feelings towards his former
club, with whom he spent four-and-a-half years having been signed by Alan
Curbishley from Fulham for £5million in January 2007.
"I am sad to leave West Ham as I have made a lot of friends here," Boa Morte
told whufc.com. "I wish all the best to my team-mates and for the club to
get promoted.
"It is a sad day for me to leave playing football in England after 14 years
[but] I am looking forward to a new challenge. It is never too late to try
somewhere and something different. "There are high and low memories - the
low ones only make you stronger - now it is a fresh start for me. I would
like to think people would have seen me always give everything for the team.
I always tried to put my heart and head in for the team."
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Hammers in the clear
West Ham claim they are all clear to take over Olympic Stadium
Last Updated: August 3, 2011 8:13pm
SSN
West Ham say an independent investigation into the decision to make them the
preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium has found no evidence of
wrongdoing.
The Hammers launched the inquiry last month after reports emerged revealing
Olympic Park Legacy Company employee Dionne Knight had worked for the club
on a consultancy basis during the bidding process. The OPLC are holding
their own inquiry into the matter, which could put West Ham's plans to take
over the stadium after the 2012 Games in jeopardy. West Ham were named the
preferred choice to move into the stadium in February, beating off
competition from Tottenham, who want a judicial review of the decision. A
statement from Upton Park claims the findings from the inquiry, conducted by
barristers Blackstone Chambers, "completely exonerate" the club.
The statement read: "(The inquiry) concluded firmly that Ms Knight's work
had in no way affected the integrity of the joint West Ham United-London
Borough of Newham bid which was approved by the Olympic Park Legacy Company.
"The findings - which completely exonerate the club over the matter and
showed it acted lawfully at all times - came after the consideration of all
relevant correspondence and documentation, along with statements from all
relevant officials. "The report found no confidential information was passed
by the OPLC to West Ham United through Ms Knight. Similarly, it found that
no person at the club has at any point considered themselves to have an
improper source of information or influence within the OPLC."
Ms Knight was suspended by the OPLC after admitting she had worked as a paid
consultant for West Ham. The report claimed the payments were secret but
West Ham insisted her work was "transparent" and immediately said they would
launch legal action against The Sunday Times and Tottenham. Today's
statement continued: "West Ham remain in contact with police with regard to
the serious matter of a private investigator acting unlawfully, reportedly
under instruction by Tottenham Hotspur."
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Spence out to shine at City
West Ham defender keen to make impact after finalising loan deal
Last Updated: August 3, 2011 5:31pm
SSN
West Ham defender Jordan Spence is looking forward to playing regularly
after completing his season-long loan deal to Bristol City. Skysports.com
revealed earlier in the week that the 21-year-old was set to join the Robins
and the news has now been confirmed. The 21-year-old heads back to Ashton
Gate having spent the final two months of last season with Bristol City.
Spence told the Hammers' official website: "It's a good opportunity for me,
especially at this time. I have spoken to the manager and we both agree it
is better I am playing games at this time. "This loan move gives me a chance
to do that and if I am called back, then I know I have been playing
regularly. "The manager at Bristol City knows me well and wanted me to come
back down, so I am going to work hard and hopefully do well." Spence signed
a three-year contract with the Hammers earlier in the summer but new arrival
Joey O'Brien is set to become Sam Allrdyce's first-choice right-back.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Boa Morte leaves Hammers
Midfielder linked to Larissa after leaving Upton Park
Last Updated: August 3, 2011 1:15pm
SSN
Skysports.com understands Luis Boa Morte is set to move to Greek side
Larissa after leaving West Ham by mutual consent. The Portuguese midfielder
had been at the Hammers since his £5m move from London rivals Fulham in
January 2007 and made 109 appearances in claret and blue, scoring two goals.
The 33-year-old fought back from a serious knee injury in July 2009 but the
two-year contract he signed 12 months ago has been terminated so he can
pursue a new opportunity abroad.
Larissa is thought to be his destination with the Greek side managed by
ex-Fulham and Coventry boss Chris Coleman.
Sad
Commenting on his departure from the Upton Park, Boa Morte said: "I am sad
to leave West Ham as I have made a lot of friends here. It is also a sad day
for me to leave playing football in England after 14 years. "I am looking
forward to a new challenge. It is never too late to try somewhere and
something different. "There are high and low memories - the low ones only
make you stronger - now it is a fresh start for me."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce: It's wrong to keep Scott Parker in West Ham's plans
By CARL LONG
Published: Today
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE fears he could yet lose Scott Parker with West Ham's big
kick-off just three days away. Parker, last season's footballer of the year,
is seen as expendable at Upton Park following the Hammers' relegation. Owner
David Sullivan - who once claimed it would be 'Armageddon' if West Ham went
down - and co-owner David Gold are keen to cut costs now they are in the
Championship. And despite interest from Tottenham, the owners have yet to
receive an acceptable offer - although new boss Big Sam admits he has to
consider life without Parker, 30, sooner rather than later. He said: "At the
end of the day, Scott's position is delicate because at any one time,
someone will hit the numbers that we would value him at. "If that's the case
and it's the Premier League - a place where he wants to be - he will be
gone. It would be wrong of me to plan with Scott."
Allardyce has opted against naming Parker as his captain for the new season
and has instead given the armband to Kevin Nolan, who he bought from
Newcastle for £4.5million. Big Sam worked with Nolan, 29, at Bolton and
Newcastle and he reckons his new skipper is in it for the long haul in east
London. Allardyce added: "Kevin is definitely the captain. As a captain,
you're talking about a player's ability and you attach ability to being a
captain, which is wrong. "This is obviously born out of Scott's rousing West
Brom speech he gave in the dressing room last season - I'd like to hear a
transcript of that. I might use it myself. "Kevin is here because he thinks
his future lies here for the next four or five years and his belief is that
he wants us to get back in the Premier League. "That's the key thing about
appointing Kevin. He has been a Premier League player all his life bar two
seasons. "Not only can I preach the way forward, Kevin can do it better than
I can as he has been in the second tier and I haven't for 10 years." West
Ham must wait until Sunday to begin their new campaign when they host
Cardiff - a clash that is live on BBC 1.
And Allardyce faces a striker crisis ahead of the new season as he only has
two recognised strikers - Freddie Piquionne and Carlton Cole, who has
snubbed Stoke to stay and fight for the Hammers' cause. The Hammers boss is
keen on Reading hotshot Shane Long but the £7m price tag has put him off for
the time being and he has called on the club's youngsters to prove they can
shoulder the goalscoring burden. He said: "Cole made his own decision. After
we agreed a fee with Stoke, he decided he wanted to stay with us. That's a
big boost because we only have two recognised strikers - he and Piquionne.
"We have younger ones like Zavon Hines, Freddie Sears and Junior Stanislas
and these guys have to make a name for themselves this season. "If they want
to be West Ham players, they have to establish themselves in the
Championship and that's a big challenge for them."
With debts of around £80m and Sullivan suggesting relegation would blow a
£40m hole in the Hammers' business plan, Allardyce admits he is under
pressure to win promotion at the first time of asking. He added: "There's
added pressure to balance the finance and football quality. I have to
maintain the quality as this is West Ham and we're expected to have a
quality team. "I am not sure how this talented team has been where it has
been in the past few years - there's talent here but it hasn't achieved what
is should have."
Midfielder Luis Boa Morte, meanwhile, left the club after four years. The
Portuguese ace, 33, who made 109 appearances, had one year left on his
contract, but left by mutual consent. He said: "I'm sad to leave West Ham as
I have made a lot of friends here. It is also a sad day for me to leave
playing football in England after 14 years."
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Toon line up £3m West Ham keeper Robert Green
Published: Today
The Sun
NEWCASTLE are weighing up a shock swoop for West Ham's England keeper Rob
Green. Boss Alan Pardew knows Green well after working with him at Upton
Park.
Hammers rate the 31-year-old stopper at £3million but Toon have instead
floated the idea of paying £1.5m plus reserve keeper Fraser Forster.
Forster, who spent last season on loan at Celtic, will not be happy at St
James' Park unless he is No 1 this season. Dutchman Tim Krul though is
Pards' current first choice.
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Did Spurs nick bank records?
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
The Sun
WEST HAM are ready to serve summonses against Tottenham amid fears their
bitter rivals used a private investigator who stole bank and phone records
from them.
Last night the Hammers confirmed they have spoken to police over their
suspicions and warned anyone found guilty could 'attract custodial
sentences'. We understand West Ham have contacted Spurs to warn they intend
to take legal action. The bust-up centres around the ugly war between the
clubs to move into the 80,000-seater Olympic stadium after the 2012 Games.
Although West Ham won the decision to move in, they were infuriated by
Spurs' tactics - and their continued efforts to get the ruling over-turned.
They believe the White Hart Lane outfit used an investigator to find out
what West Ham were up to during the bid process. Spurs declined to comment
last night.
But a statement issued by West Ham read: "West Ham remain in contact with
police with regard to the serious matter of a private investigator acting
unlawfully, reportedly under instruction by Tottenham Hotspur. "This matter
is being treated with the utmost seriousness by the club, especially given
the methods claimed to have been used to obtain this personal information in
relation to reported breaches of the Data Protection Act - as a result of
the unlawful acquisition of bank and telephone records belonging to senior
executives at the club and the Olympic Park Legacy Company. "This activity,
if proven, constitutes serious criminal conduct and can attract custodial
sentences for perpetrators."
Some Hammers top brass believe their private records were obtained on
several occasions in the month before the bids for the Olympic Stadium were
submitted to the OPLC in September last year. West Ham have just concluded
their own investigation into claims they made inappropriate payments to
senior OPLC executive Dionne Knight for consultancy work during the bidding
process. She was paid £20,400 by the Hammers and it emerged she is in a
relationship with West Ham director Ian Tompkins.
West Ham insist they have been cleared of any wrongdoing after an in- house
inquiry, adding in their statement: "An independent barrister's
investigation has found nothing that compromises the integrity of the
decision to make West Ham United the preferred bidder for the Olympic
Stadium. "The findings completely exonerate the club over the matter and
showed it acted lawfully at all times. "The report found no confidential
information was passed by the OPLC to West Ham through Ms Knight. With
regard to Ms Knight, by far the bulk of the invoiced work took place after
the decision of the OPLC to confer preferred bidder status. "OPLC are
conducting their own separate inquiry into the matter."
Tompkins remains suspended from duty while the OPLC investigates.
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Martin Jol plans Andy Johnson and Carlton Cole swap
Published: Today
The Sun
CARLTON COLE could be on his way back to the Premier League in a swap deal
with Fulham's Andy Johnson. West Ham last night bid around £2million for
Johnson, 30, as boss Sam Allardyce steps up his search for a new striker.
And Fulham chief Martin Jol has revealed he is interested in England striker
Cole, 27, who is valued at £4m. Jol said: "Cole's someone who has interested
me in the past. We haven't made a bid for him but it may be harsh to say we
are not interested in him." Striker Bobby Zamora will play tonight's third
qualifying round second leg against Croatians RNK - the tie is balanced at
0-0 - in plaster after breaking his wrist.
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QPR trying to sign Joe Cole on the cheap
Published 22:59 03/08/11 By John Cross
The Mirror
QPR boss Neil Warnock wants Liverpool misfit Joe Cole - but his wages are a
massive stumbling block. Premier League new boys are running a tight ship
and will have to get Liverpool to pay at least half of Cole's £90,000-a-week
earnings for any deal to happen. Warnock is a big admirer of the England
international, and is one of several managers who would be keen to take him
on loan. But Cole, who has been playing for Liverpool during pre-season, is
not ready to give up on his Anfield career without a fight. The Reds would
also be reluctant to partly subsidise any deal. QPR have already signed Jay
Bothroyd and Kieron Dyer on free transfers, and a loan for Cole would
represent good business. A year ago Cole, was the hottest transfer in
football but he endured a nightmare first season on Merseyside. Tottenham
and his former club West Ham have also been monitoring developments
concerning the 29-year-old.
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West Ham set to bid for Fulham's Johnson
Published 22:29 03/08/11 By Football Spy
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce is about to offer Fulham £2million for Andy Johnson. West Ham
boss Allardyce will step up his striker search with a firm offer for the
30-year-old, who has one year left on his Craven Cottage contract. Allardyce
is desperate to bring in more firepower as he bids to build a squad capable
of winning immediate promotion back to the Premier League. And former
Everton star Johnson has emerged as the latest name on the radar after the
Hammers' £5m bid for Reading forward Shane Long was rejected. Johnson was
signed for £10.5m from the Toffees in 2008 and has already scored twice in
the Europa League for new boss Martin Jol. But Allardyce believes he can
tempt him across London on the cheap with only 12 months left on his current
deal. Hammers chairman David Gold confirmed: "I can say for certain we will
at least bring in another striker. "We will not leave a stone unturned to
get the players Sam wants, as was the case with those we have already
brought in."
West Ham are set to table the bid on Thursday morning and are expecting
Fulham to play hardball.
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West Ham United drop pursuit of 'too expensive' Shane Long
yesterday at 3:51 pm
joe.ie
Sam Allardyce's West Ham United have pulled out of the running for Shane
Long, citing the £8-10m quoted as too expensive. The Hammers had previously
made two rejected bids for the Reading striker, including a recent £7m
offer. On the day that the Championship newcomers have dropped their pursuit
of the Irish international, reports emerged this morning that Sven Goran
Eriksson's Leicester City have entered the race for the 24-year-old. Long's
potential suitors now include West Bromwich Albion, Celtic, Sven's side and
perhaps most surprisingly, Liverpool, who apparently scouted the striker as
he struck a brace in a recent club friendly against Northampton. "He is one
on the list but he may end up in the Premier League this season, so it will
be difficult, but he is one we have worked with," Sven had told Sky Sports
on his challenge to bring the striker to Leicester. With West Ham United out
of the race and considering his potential price tag, Long's future may now
lie in the Premier League. The player scored on 44 occasions for Reading in
94 appearences, including 25 goals in all competitions last season, so he is
unsurprisingly in high demand.
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Exclusive – Collison confident of automatic promotion for West Ham
TalkSport
By Anton Stanley
Wednesday, August 3
West Ham star Jack Collison has told talkSPORT that the club's players are
relishing being favourites to win the Championship as they try to return to
the Premier League at the first attempt. With Sam Allardyce at the helm and
stars like Kevin Nolan and Matty Taylor boosting the club's squad and key
players like Scott Parker still with the Hammers, things are beginning to
look a bit rosier at Upton Park. And Collison is confident West Ham can
challenge for promotion straight back to the top tier of English football.
He told Drive Time: "It's going to be a big challenge but we've got the
squad to do it. There's a lot of expectation and it's going to be a
different type of pressure for us this year but everyone is looking forward
to it, it's important we get off to a good start. We just want to get
automatic promotion. "There's a really good spirit in the camp at the
moment, the manager has come in with his own ideas and new staff so it's
freshened up the place up a bit and the boys are relishing the chance to be
favourites and have a go and get automatic promotion again. "It's a bit
interesting with the transfer window open until the end of the month.
[Since] the manager has come in everyone has been fully committed in
training and trying to impress to get in the starting team. Everyone's
pushing each other and we're all pushing in the same direction trying to get
automatic promotion.
"There's a lot of competition for places and the more of the top players we
can keep hold of with the new additions we'll have a really good chance next
year."
The youngster's team-mate, Scott Parker has been the subject of much
interest over the transfer window from Premier League sides but Collison
admits no-one really knows what is going on with the England star's future
at the club. Collison added: "At the moment you don't know what's going on
up above but [Parker] has been fully committed in training and working very
hard and I'm sure he's looking forward to Sunday as is everyone else." But
the Welsh midfielder believes his own future will be sorted fairly shortly,
adding: "It's all getting sorted at the moment, I feel like I owe a lot of
people at Upton Park, especially the fans. They've been very patient with me
so I'm looking forward to trying to have a good season here and then
hopefully things will be sorted in the next week or two."
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Carew in Championship talks
Norwegian linked with Championship switch
By Christian Dovle. Last Updated: August 3, 2011 7:38pm
SSN
John Carew is being strongly linked with a move to the Championship.
Birmingham have been linked in the local press, whilst skysports.com
understands that West Ham are keen. Carew is a free agent after leaving
Aston Villa, having spent the latter part of last season on loan at Stoke.
The 31-year-old was quizzed about his future in his homeland and he admits
that he is looking to sign for someone shortly. "It will be concluded in a
short, short time. It will be decided in a matter of days. But I cannot say
which club it is," he told TV2. Asked if the club in question was Birmingham
he said: "You will have to wait and see. We are in the final phase of
negotiations."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham boss rules out move for West Ham frontman
By Jacob Murtagh
Aug 3 2011
Fulham Chronicle
MARTIN Jol has ruled out a move for West Ham striker Carlton Cole. The
Fulham boss is in the market for another frontman as back-up to Bobby
Zamora, and has seen a £3million bid turned down for Birmingham City's
Cameron Jerome. But he insists Cole is not on his radar. He said: "We
haven't made a bid for him. "I hope this won't sound harsh, but we are not
interested in him at the moment." Craven Cottage chief Jol insists they are
unlkely to up their offer for Jerome, adding: "We made a bid we thought was
realistic. "We do not think we will be back with another bid."
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West Ham claim to be 'exonerated' over Olympic Stadium claims
West Ham release statement on 'independent' report
Tottenham Hotspur due in high court to seek review
Jamie Jackson and Matt Scott
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 3 August 2011 22.54 BST
West Ham United have fired a shot across Tottenham Hotspur's bows before the
latter's renewed high court request for a judicial review over the Olympic
Stadium decision.
The Hammers have claimed that an "independent" barrister has found "nothing
that compromises the integrity of the decision" to make the club the
preferred bidder for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium. The unnamed barrister,
from Blackstone Chambers, had been engaged by West Ham.
The club confirmed that they are in contact with the police, due to the
reported involvement of a private investigator, allegedly employed by
Tottenham Hotspur, during the process.
Tottenham Hotspur's legal challenge is now expected to point to the
investigator's report, which alleges that an Olympic Park Legacy Company
employee, Dionne Knight, had been on the Hammers' payroll before the
decision over the stadium was reached.
Leyton Orient, who believe their livelihood will be threatened by West Ham's
occupation of the Olympic Stadium, have been party to Spurs' claim. Both
Knight and her partner, Ian Tomkins – who ran West Ham's Olympic Stadium
operations – were suspended, pending an inquiry. However, West Ham have now
claimed that they have been exonerated.
"An independent barrister's investigation has found nothing that compromises
the integrity of the decision to make West Ham United the preferred bidder
for the Olympic Stadium," said a statement on the club's website.
"The inquiry was launched last month and considered the work undertaken by
Dionne Knight on behalf of the club in relation to the procurement of a
construction partner after the 2012 Olympic Games. It concluded firmly that
Ms Knight's work had in no way affected the integrity of the joint West Ham
United-London Borough of Newham bid, which was approved by the Olympic Park
Legacy Company [OPLC].
"The findings – which completely exonerate the club over the matter and
showed it acted lawfully at all times – came after the consideration of all
relevant correspondence and documentation, along with statements from all
relevant officials.
"The barrister had total and unfettered access to all emails and other
documents sent and received, along with any information required. The report
found no confidential information was passed by the OPLC to West Ham United
through Ms Knight. Similarly, it found that no person at the club has at any
point considered themselves to have an improper source of information or
influence within the OPLC.
"West Ham United have handed over the contents of the entire independent
investigation to the OPLC, as they are conducting their own separate inquiry
into the matter."
Regarding the alleged involvement of the private investigator, the Hammers
statement said: "Separately, West Ham remain in contact with police with
regard to the serious matter of a private investigator acting unlawfully,
reportedly under instruction by Tottenham Hotspur. This matter is being
treated with the utmost seriousness by the club, especially given the
methods claimed to have been used to obtain this personal information in
relation to reported breaches of the Data Protection Act as a result of the
unlawful acquisition of bank and telephone records belonging to senior
executives at the club and the OPLC.
"This activity, if proven, constitutes serious criminal conduct and can
attract custodial sentences for perpetrators of the crime. In addition to
the police, the matter is also now in the hands of the Information
Commissioner's Office, which investigates allegations of data protection
offences."
Tottenham Hotspur declined to comment.
In the transfer market, West Ham are prepared to end their interest in Shane
Long, the striker they believe is overpriced by Reading, who want at least
£8m. There is an acknowledgment that with two other Premier League clubs
interested – one is thought to be Sunderland – it may be difficult to sign
the 24-year-old Irishman, who scored 28 times last season.
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Spurs face probe over Olympic Stadium bid 'snooper'
By LAURA WILLIAMSON
Last updated at 11:43 PM on 3rd August 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham are working with police to investigate allegations that Tottenham
Hotspur hired a private detective to snoop on their bid for the Olympic
Stadium. The Hammers were named instead of Tottenham as the preferred
bidders by the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) in February. But a report
in The Sunday Times then alleged an OPLC employee, Dionne Knight, worked for
West Ham during the bidding process and was also in a relationship with a
club executive, Ian Tompkins.
The newspaper's investigation was underpinned by information - in the form
of bank and telephone records - provided by a private investigator, who was
allegedly employed by Tottenham. West Ham are working with the pol ice and
the Information Commissioner's Office to ascertain whether this access to
personal information breached the Data Protection Act. The club claimed
yesterday this 'constitutes serious criminal conduct'. An OPLC spokesperson
was unavailable for comment.
The organisation instructed an independent barrister in July to look at the
consultancy work carried out by Ms Knight. A separate independent
investigation, carried out by auditing firm Moore Stephens, is currently
looking into the OPLC's 'internal stadium procedures'. A Metropolitan Police
spokesman said: 'As we have said previously, we have confirmed that West Ham
and the OPLC have made allegations to us in respect of illegally obtained
information. Those allegations are under assessment, pending the OPLC's
internal inquiry.' Tottenham spokesman said last night the club were
unable to make any comment as it is an ongoing legal matter.
West Ham have also claimed an independent investigation 'completely
exonerates' the club of any wrongdoing regarding its successful bid for the
Olympic Stadium and 'that Ms Knight's work had in no way affected the
integrity of the joint West Ham United- London Borough of Newham bid, which
was approved by the OPLC'.
West Ham confirmed on Wednesday that midfielder Luis Boa Morte, 33, has left
the club by mutual consent to 'allow him to pursue opportunities abroad'.
The club are also understood to have given up their chase for Reading's
Shane Long, with Leicester City understood to be favourites to sign the
striker for around £7million.
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West Ham poised to move for £2m Fulham striker Johnson
By NEIL MOXLEY
Last updated at 12:01 AM on 4th August 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham are to offer Fulham £2million for Andy Johnson. West Ham manager
Sam Allardyce wants two strikers with John Carew also on his list. He will
make a firm offer for the 30-year-old on Thursday. Johnson has one year left
on his Craven Cottage contract. Johnson is also still on the radar of West
Brom boss Roy Hodgson who will enter the bidding if he cannot persuade
Baggies' chairman Jeremy Peace to spend £8m on Shane Long.
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HAMMERS WILL BE PLAYING SAM SEXY FOOTBALL!
Daily Star
4th August 2011 By Paul Brown
JAY JAY OKOCHA claims West Ham fans are in for shock if they expect the
Hammers to go route one under Sam Allardyce. The former twinkle-toed Nigeria
star played under Allardyce at Bolton when the Trotters were routinely
labelled an ugly, long-ball side. However, he reckons his old boss is about
to ditch his reputation as a kick-and-run merchant by leading West Ham to
instant promotion with some sexy football. Okocha, who was probably the
most talented player Big Sam has worked with, said: "I think his reputation
is undeserved. "He found a way for me to fit into the style we played at
Bolton, and it wasn't ugly all the time. "Sam knows how to win matches,
whether it's pretty or ugly. But we didn't play ugly football all the time.
"It's all about the kind of players he has in his squad. If he has players
who can play, he will get them playing good football. "If not, he will play
how he has to, to get a result. But I think West Ham have the players to
play a more attractive game. "I think he will play some great football at
West Ham. I think he'll be a big success. "His experience will make a big
difference to them. He's been out of a job for a while so I think he values
his opportunity and he's determined to do well. "It's up to him to change
his reputation. He has a huge challenge on his hands to prove people wrong,
but he has the players to do it. "The most important thing for him is to get
West Ham back up. But I think he is the right man to do it."
West Ham kick off their new era under Allardyce at home to Cardiff on
Sunday. He is in danger of turning the Hammers into Bolton mark two after
signing Kevin Nolan, Abdoulaye Faye, Matt Taylor and Joey O'Brien. But
Okocha, who enjoyed four fruitful years at the Reebok, insists his old club
were unjustly criticised for their style of play. And Okocha, who is now an
agent in his native Nigeria, says it's only a matter of time before West Ham
are putting on a show at Upton Park. "The problem for Sam is that there is
huge pressure to get them straight back up," he said. That might limit him
from playing quality football all the time. "But I am confident that when
things settle down, he will start playing some great stuff."
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