WHUFC.com
The 20-year-old midfielder Henri Lansbury played his part in yet another
Young Lions success.
10.10.2011
Henri Lansbury helped England to make it three wins from three in a
competitive European Under-21 Championship qualifier away to Norway on
Monday. The Hammers midfielder, still only 20, made the Young Lions' opener
on three minutes, with his perfect corner headed in by Craig Dawson. England
doubled their lead just four minutes later through Jordan Henderson but
Norway reduced the arrears on 23 minutes - the first goal Stuart Pearce's
men have conceded this campaign. The second half was always tense in
Drammen, with the hosts never out of the contest. Lansbury could have made
the game safe three minutes from time when he arrived to meet Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross, only to send his effort against the bar. It did
not ultimately matter as England hung on for the three points to go with the
perfect hauls collected against Azerbaijan and Iceland. The team sit top of
Group 8 with nine points, and are the only unbeaten side in the section.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam hails Kids for a Quid
WHUFC.com
The club is offering children the chance to see Big Sam's claret and blue
army for just a pound
10.10.2011
Supporters have been snapping up their seats for this Saturday's Kids for a
Quid match with Blackpool. The npower Championship encounter is the first
Boleyn Ground date since the international break - so home fans will be
raring to see the high-flying Hammers in action again. Adult prices start
from just £32, meaning a parent and two children can come for just £34. Big
Sam said: "Our next match is at home to Blackpool and, with the 'Kids for a
Quid' offer, I'd expect another big gate. It was great that 4,500 Hammers
fans were at Selhurst Park last weekend - it really makes a difference to
the players and myself. "At Doncaster, at Watford, at Nottingham Forest and
at Palace, the away fans have often drowned out the support for the home
team and that gives us a fabulous feeling. "Our away form is terrific as a
result but the main priority now is to improve our results at Upton Park.
We're working on it, believe me."
Blackpool, like West Ham, are determined to get back to the Premier League
at the first opportunity and Ian Holloway has assembled a strong squad.
Keviin Phillips and Co are sure to prove a stern test for the home side.
This Kids for a Quid match is the latest 'supporting our supporters' gesture
that has seen prices slashed in the cup competitions and other great offers
passed on to season ticket holders and members.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sears wants Saturday service
WHUFC.com
The ever-willing Freddie Sears is hoping his good form will earn him a place
against Blackpool next time out
10.10.2011
Freddie Sears is eager to stake his claim for a place against Blackpool this
weekend. The lifelong Hammer, who has been signed to the club since the age
of eleven, has kept his head down waiting patiently for a chance. He gave
Sam Allardyce a hint of what he could do this summer with two decisive goals
in glamour friendlies away to FC Copenhagen and at home to Real Zaragoza. He
got some valuable minutes off the bench at Crystal Palace just over a week
ago and followed that up with a tremendous goal in a 2-0 friendly win in
front of Neil McDonald at Thurrock last Tuesday. Always willing, Sears is in
flying form and full of belief that he can play a part for the Hammers. "The
aim is to catch the manager's eye," Sears told West Ham TV. "Every time you
play, you have to give him something to think about. I was delighted to
score at Thurrock, to get on the pitch and get some minutes. It was about
doing the job properly and that's what we did."
Although he does not turn 22 until next month, Sears is maturing into a
model professional and knows he has bide his time - especially with the
strength in depth. He is determined that when the call comes, he is ready,
and is focusing on trying to earn a spot against Blackpool this weekend.
"The ambition is to get a start. Obviously it is hard at the minute. There
are a lot of good players in the squad. Everyone is in the same boat, you
have to do your best to try and get in the starting eleven. It is nice to be
able to show Macca and the gaffer what you can do. You just have to take the
chance when you get it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
London 2012: West Ham Olympic Stadium deal collapses
By David Bond
BBC sports editor
The deal to award West Ham the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Games
has collapsed, the BBC can disclose. The board of the Olympic Park Legacy
Company (OPLC) has ended negotiations amid concerns over delays caused by
the ongoing legal dispute with Tottenham. The OPLC, government and Mayor of
London have instead agreed the stadium will remain in public ownership. A
new tender process will be opened for an anchor tenant who will now lease
the stadium for an annual rent. It is understood West Ham will be bidding to
become the tenant at the stadium. The new tender process will be launched
this week and any interested bidders will have to submit proposals by
January.
Strained finances
A fund of £50m has been set aside from public money to convert the
80,000-capacity stadium at Games time to a 60,000-seater venue afterwards.
The post-Games stadium will be capable of hosting major athletics events and
Premier League football. That opens the possibility for Championship
football club West Ham and their bid partner Newham Council to submit a new,
lower risk proposal which could still see them move in after London 2012.
With West Ham's finances under strain following their relegation from the
Premier League last season, the new arrangement could be much more
attractive as it would only cost around £2m a year to lease the stadium.
That money will help offset estimated running costs of more than £5m a year.
The OPLC has decided to take drastic action because of the uncertainty being
caused by the legal challenges from Tottenham but also Leyton Orient. Both
clubs are contesting the original decision to award the stadium to West Ham
because of their reliance on a £40m loan from Newham Council, which they say
is effectively state aid. Spurs are seeking a judicial review of the
decision and the next hearing at the High Court was due to be held next
Tuesday. But to complicate matters further, an anonymous complaint was made
to the European Commission last week which could have meant even further
delays. And despite London Mayor Boris Johnson's ultimatum to Spurs last
week to settle the dispute before next Tuesday and accept a funding package
to help redevelop their White Hart Lane ground, the OPLC had lost confidence
in a quick resolution.
Public money
The clock is ticking for the OPLC because it has set a deadline of 2014 for
the new tenants of the stadium to move in. For that to happen, planning
permission must be submitted by March 2012 to ensure work starts immediately
after the Games. The prospect of a never-ending battle in the courts raised
fears that the stadium could lie idle for years after the Olympics had
finished. The other catalyst for the U-turn is London's bid for the 2017
World Athletics Championships. Last week's visit of the inspection team from
the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) was dominated
by the continuing uncertainty over the stadium's future and, in particular,
the running track. With London facing a real contest against Doha in
November's vote, the government and mayor wanted to send a strong message to
the IAAF that they are committed to staging the event in the Olympic
Stadium. But the latest twist to the controversial saga will raise serious
questions about how such an important decision could be thrown back into
confusion with just 10 months to go to the Games. There will also be
concerns over why another £50m of public money is going to be poured into a
stadium which has already cost over £500m.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The KUMB.com Christmas appeal
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th October 2011
By: Staff Writer
This Christmas, could you buy an extra present for just one more child?
KUMB.com's Christmas Fundraising Appeal for Great Ormond Street Hospital:
www.justgiving.com/Kumb-GOSH
At this time of year, we often realise we need to buy an extra kid's present
and just pop a little something extra into the shopping trolley without
blinking. £5 for a Chocolate Selection Box? £10-15 for a Lego set? All par
for the course at Christmas. A couple of quid to put a smile on a kid's
face. What we're asking this Christmas, is could you think of the children
at Great Ormond Street as that extra kid you need to buy a present for?
Could you donate a fiver?
Could you spare £10 for those kids?
Together, our little presents can add up to make a big difference to a
wonderful place. Great Ormond Street Hospital deals with over 175,000
patient visits every year. The daughter of one of our members, without a
shadow of a doubt, would not have survived her first week if it wasn't for
this hospital.
KUMB.com is trying to raise £1,000 (more is even better) - so think about
it, could you buy just one more small present this Christmas? Please click
on the link and make a secure donation via our Just Giving page.
Here's a thought - could you get the people in your office/pub/class to chip
in? Please feel free to forward the Just Giving link.
Have a great Christmas - and thanks for helping put a smile on the face of
someone's child. The link once again:
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
My first trip to Upton Park
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th October 2011
By: Tim Sansom
The East End has always been a bit of an interesting place for me. I keep on
thinking that the streets of Plaistow, Barking, and Dagenham are a kind of
Ashes to Ashes film set, where people drive around in 1983 Audi Quatros, and
1975 Ford Granadas, fighting the forces of crime on street corners.
I appreciate that this area of London is not a film set, but when I went to
the recent West Ham versus Ipswich game, I did hope that this part of London
had a bit of character linked to Eastenders, Ashes to Ashes and The Sweeney.
I would have been so disappointed to see this part of London turn into a
mass of sterile flats for a 'Location, Location, Location' programme where
smug thirty somethings talk about the need to find 'feeling' in their flat.
I wanted barber shops, which seemed to be open through the day, and
throughout the night. I wanted to get the smell of flipping burgers, with
onions and attitude from street vendors. I got it, as soon as I managed to
get out of the Upton Park underground station after sitting on a District
Line train that seemed to be stop at more stations than is physically
possible for a London Underground train to make.
My trip to Upton Park was one of the most atmospheric journeys to a football
ground that I have ever taken before in my life. There was no walking across
soulless supermarket centres to an away end clad in bright car park yellow
circa 1984. I did inadvertently touch some police horse excrement with my
left shoe near to your stadium but I did not really care.
I could have ended face down in the muck that night but I did not care. It
is not often that I can get to see Town play. I live away from Suffolk in
deepest Devon and when I am watching Ipswich in a ground, where I have never
been before, it is a bit extra special.
Any ground under floodlights is slightly more special. The lights direct you
to the game, and you are not districted by planes in the sky, skidding
clouds, torrential rain coming at you from the Thames. It is the game that
you want to focus on, and an evening match allows you to drain the daily
frustrations from your body after a tough day at work.
I had been in London for the day and was dressed shockingly smart for a
football match. With the gentle stench of horse on my shoe, I was 'well up'
for this game, introducing two friends to the questionable joy of watching
Ipswich Town Football Club trying to get out of the Championship. Although
two colleagues with me believed that the atmosphere was not quite at the
same level since the Dicks, Hislop and Di Canio days of years gone by.
Like most grounds on a TV screen, which turn the biggest of pitches into a
bit of grass that would be suitable for table football, the Boleyn Ground
seemed much bigger in real life, apart from along one side of the ground.
Being an Essex boy, from the refined flatlands of Colchester, it was a bit
strange to be watching Essex firms being advertised on the screen. It felt
that I was not that far away from home, even though I was near the opposite
end of the country. Essex was literally a mile or so down the A13, from
where I was standing in the stadium
The fact that I was day dreaming about double glazing adverts, security
systems, and car showrooms from God's own county, whilst football was in
play, demonstrates that there were large parts of the game that were
extremely boring and often frustrating.
I know that the season has moved on from Tuesday 27th September 2011. Games
had been played. Incidents have occurred, but on that Tuesday night before
the mini October heat wave, Town were playing a pleasing passing game that
was good on the eye. Classic Ipswich Town play, but the team were not really
doing anything until towards the end of the second half.
You could see that West Ham were attacking in nature, but it did not really
quite work out. Maybe it was never going to happen to the Hammers on that
Tuesday night. This is a team that is good enough to get out of the
Championship to the Premier League where they need to be. However, this team
needs to have a bit more to survive in the Premier League.
My team looked like an experienced Championship outfit who could make the
play-offs. Whether they would do anything in a higher league, I just do not
know. Life has not been fun at Portman Road during the last couple of
seasons. However I am not complaining.
As I write on the 6th October, Town's unbeaten run is still carrying on and
you need a run of results for something to happen in the second division of
England's football pyramid. Runs in the Championship do not happen that
often.
At the final whistle, I felt lucky, and I left the away end in an extremely
good mood that was slightly irritating to my two friends. They had to
understand that 1-1, 0-0, of Town defeats by one goal had been the recent
return for me, when I have gone to see my team play. Town fans were taking
pictures of the score board, which gave this game the status that it did not
quite deserve.
Maybe it was a case of the fact that Town had won at one of London's key
football stadiums. Maybe, the fans were particularly interested in the
technology of dot matrix screen that embarrassingly promoted the score to
the visitors of the Boleyn Ground. It is difficult to tell but life is
pretty decent at the moment for Town fans. As decent as it will get in an
unpredictable Championship.
The rest of the night descended into reminiscence about university events
that probably never happened. There is something about my friend, which
brings out a slightly out-of-control nature of my personality, and with Town
having taken three points that night, I really had to stop myself from
irritating him to bed.
The night was my first ever visit to Brixton, and we were having an earnest
conversation from the Victoria Line station, up Brixton Hill to his flat,
about whether this West Ham v Ipswich game had taught us anything about
these teams. West Ham had disappointed. Town had won, but without much
conviction. This was a typically muddled conclusion to a Championship match,
but I did enjoy my first ever visit to Upton Park.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers deal collapses
West Ham will have to bid again to rent Olympic Stadium
Last Updated: October 11, 2011 8:01am
SSN
West Ham's proposed deal to move into the Olympic Stadium after next
summer's Games has fallen through, according to Sky Sports sources. It was
announced in February that the Olympic Park Legacy Company had made the
Hammers their official preferred bidder to become tenants of the £537million
venue. However, the decision was opposed by rival London clubs Tottenham and
Leyton Orient and the legal challenge has now forced the OPLC to take
drastic action. After growing concerns that a lengthy courtroom battle could
leave the stadium empty for years, the OPLC are understood to have agreed
with the government and Mayor of London Boris Johnson that the ground should
remain in public ownership. The decision is expected to be confirmed later
on Tuesday, leaving the future of the ground uncertain.
Running track remains
It is now hoped that the OLPC will lease the stadium to an anchor tenant
following a new tender process. The stadium is due to be converted from an
80,000 capacity arena down to 60,000 following the 2012 Games, and those
costs will now be covered by the OPLC. Prospective tenants will then be
asked to bid for the stadium with the running track remaining in place. The
tenants would pay an annual rent, reported to be in the region of £2million,
to the OPLC which could actually prove to be less costly for the likes of
West Ham. The move will also remove uncertainty over the stadium ahead of
London's bid for the 2017 World Athletics Championships, although that was
not a major consideration in the decision to abandon the current deal. West
Ham had hoped to move into the stadium in 2014 and will be encouraged to bid
again, while it remains to be seen if Tottenham enter the race after missing
out in the initial bid. Spurs, who had wanted to remove the athletics track,
are currently moving forward with plans to redevelop White Hart Lane.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sears seeks Saturday reward
Forward hoping midweek goal will put him in first-team contention
By Matthew Skinns. Last Updated: October 10, 2011 4:16pm
SSN
West Ham striker Freddie Sears hopes to have caught the attention of Sam
Allardyce ahead of this Saturday's clash with Blackpool. The 21-year-old
featured in the Hammers' 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace before scoring in a
friendly win over Thurrock last week. The forward netted two goals in
pre-season games against FC Copenhagen and Real Zaragoza and now feels
confident he can press for a first-team place. The youngster told West Ham
TV: "The aim is to catch the manager's eye. Every time you play you have to
give him something to think about. "I was delighted to score at Thurrock, to
get on the pitch and get some minutes. It was about doing the job properly
and that is what we did. "The ambition is to get a start. Obviously it's
hard at the minute, there are a lot of good players in the squad. "Everyone
is in the same boat, you have to do your best to try to get in the starting
XI."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers Olympic Move Lies in Tatters
October 11th, 2011 - 7:21 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
It's never easy being a Hammer is it? This morning we woke up to the news
that the Olympic Park Legacy Company have pulled the plug on West Ham's bid
for the Olympic Stadium and that we won't be allowed to take over the
stadium with Newham Council. The uncertainty over the continuation of legal
action by Spurs and Orient is said to be the main reason. As a consequence
the taxpayer will be landed with a bill for £50 million of conversion costs.
It is said that we may still be allowed to rent the stadium for £2 million a
year, which might be superficially attractive but hardly gives the club the
stability of 'home ownership'.
Details are still sketchy but I cannot think this will be the end of it. The
West Ham board may well consider taking the OPLC to judicial review. I
cannot conceive they will take this lying down.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Montano Back and Straight in the First Team Squad
October 10th, 2011 - 8:23 am by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
It has been anonounced on the SSN website that Christian Montano has
finished his loan spell at Notts County and returned to the club. Speaking
about the end of the loan, County Manager, Martin Allen has confirmed that
Montano had been recalled by his club and is likely to go straight in to the
Hammers first team squad for Saturday. In doing so, Allen praised Montano's
ability and character; as well as the positive impact that he had during his
extended loan spell at County.
It would seem that following Matt Taylor, Jack Collison and David Bentley's
injuries, Sam Allardyce could turn to Montano to play on the left flank. At
the very least, Montano will be on the bench, ready to go on, should Matt
Taylor recover sufficiently to start. In my opinion, Montano deserves his
first team chance. He has done consistently well at reserve team level and
has done exactly what one expects of a player put out on loan in the lower
leagues, to shine and use the exprience to develop his game.
Another loanee who has a really performed well is young Robert Hall at
Oxford Utd. Hall has taken to league football like a duck to water. In
many ways, Hall's loan period at Oxford Utd reminds me of a young Jermine
Defoe's highly successful loan period at Bournemouth in his formative early
years. As Defoe did then, Hall is proving just how good he is by banging the
goals. Unlike the older Montano, I suspect that Hall's loan period will be
extended further, to allow him to keep playing first team football and
increase his experience still further. However, will that continue at
Oxford Utd or will he be placed with another club at an higher level?
Either way, I fully expect Robert Hall to return before the end of the
season and make his first team debut.
We all know how important it is that we get promoted back to the PL this
season. We need to get back so that talent like Montano and Hall can
develop in the PL. Moreover, we need to be in the top tier to resist the
inevitable interest in them from other clubs. West Ham have some
outstanding talent coming through the youth ranks; the type of talent that
could see the dawn of a brave new era for the club. Cynics will say that
most of the prospects will not come through and those that do will be sold,
like Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Micheal Carrick, Glen Johnson, Jermaine Defoe,
etc. Perhaps, but with the prospect of the move to Olympic Stadium, and the
extra revenue that could generate, it is possible that the club could retain
the current crop and we could see them take the club forward in to European
competition. A pipe dream? Many embittered and embattled Hammers
supporters would certainly think so. Yet there is undoubtedly a romanticism
about West Ham Utd FC. And at heart, most Hammers fans are romantics who
believe that maybe, just maybe the club will one day get it right and bring
sustained success to the club. It is that faith (what else can you call
it?)which sustains them through the tough times. Lets hope that these
magnificent fans get their just rewards some time soon.
Back in the here and now, we undoubtedly have the best squad in the
Championship, but we have not yet got out of second gear. We are playing
decent stuff (apart from the dismisal home defeat to Ipswich Town – which I,
incidently, missed due to illness) but the side is just not clicking, at the
moment, a the way that we would want to see. We are under-performing at
Upton Park and there are stubborn defensive issues that need to be
addressed. The two goals that we conceded at Palace were just criminal. We
must tighten up quickly. Moreover, we need to stop conceding these late
goals, which are proving so costly in terms of lost points.
The answer? Well, I would like to see Demel, Tomkins, Faye and McCartney
play regularly as our first choice rearguard. Guy Demel will bring power
and strength to the backl four, while Tomkins and Faye need to cement their
centre-back partnership. Winston Reid has done well this season, but I
prefer the height and power of Faye in this league. At left-back, McCartney
has quietly played himself back in to form and has done very well.
Demel is near a return from injury. It could be that he plays wide on the
right flank, ahead of Joey O'Brien, at right-back? Either way, I am really
looking forward to seeing Demel turn out for us. Similarly, Diop had a good
debut at Palace and it is good to know that a defensive midfielder of his
experience is on the bench, ready to give the defence greater cover, as
necessary.
We will get it right, it is just matter of getting players back fit and
working things out on the training ground. I am confident that Sam Allardyce
will cure these ills and the team will move up through the gears to fourth
and in to overdrive! The coming few matches could define our season, with
key fixtures against promotion rivals Brighton, Southampton and Leicester
City. Lets hope that the squad rise to the challenge, starting with the
defeat of Blackpool on Saturday.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Olympic Stadium deal collapses
Published 08:09 11/10/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
The Government are set to announce today that the Olympic Stadium deal with
West Ham and Newham Council has collapsed. Legal challenges by Tottenham and
Leyton Orient, plus an anonymous complaint to the European Commission, have
led to fears that court action could drag on for years while the stadium
remains empty. A ministerial statement is expected around lunchtime, saying
that the stadium will remain in public ownership and leased out to an anchor
tenant following a new tender process. It is likely that under the new
tender process any costs of transforming the stadium after the 2012 Games
will be covered by the Olympic Park Legacy Company. Prospective tenants will
then be asked to bid for the stadium with the running track remaining in
place. The tenants would pay an annual rent to the OPLC which could actually
prove to be less costly for the likes of West Ham. The move will also remove
uncertainty over the stadium ahead of London's bid for the 2017 world
athletics championships, although that was not a major consideration in the
decision to abandon the current deal. The Government, the London Mayor's
office and the OPLC have moved to scrap the current deal in order to try to
end the legal challenges over the stadium's ownership. There has been an
anonymous complaint to the European Commission, claiming that the £40million
being provided by Newham to West Ham represented "state aid". That complaint
was regarded with particular concern with worries that it could take years
to come to a conclusion. There were also fears that the application for a
judicial review by Spurs and Orient could drag on and even if their bids
failed they could appeal. It is understood that no contract has been signed
with West Ham, allowing the move to a fresh tender process, but the club
will be encouraged to bid again.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Olympic Stadium deal collapses after Spurs' protest
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 8:16 AM on 11th October 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham's deal to take over the Olympic Stadium has dramatically collapsed.
The Hammers and Newham Council had agreed a move to into the arena after
next summer's Games. But the Government has now pulled the plug after legal
challenges by Tottenham and Leyton Orient, plus an anonymous complaint to
the European Commission, led to fears that court action could drag on for
years while the stadium remains empty. A ministerial statement is expected
today that will confirm that the stadium will remain in public ownership and
will be leased out to an anchor tenant following a new tender process. That
would mean a similar deal to the one Manchester City set up with the
Commonwealth Games stadium after 2002. It is likely that under the new
tender process any costs of transforming the stadium after the 2012 Games
will be covered by the Olympic Park Legacy Company. Prospective tenants will
then be asked to bid for the stadium with the running track remaining in
place.
The tenants would pay an annual rent to the OPLC which could actually prove
to be less costly for the likes of West Ham. The move will also remove
uncertainty over the stadium ahead of London's bid for the 2017 world
athletics championships, although that was not a major consideration in the
decision to abandon the current deal.
The Government, the London Mayor's office and the OPLC have moved to scrap
the current deal in order to try to end the legal challenges over the
stadium's ownership. There has been an anonymous complaint to the European
Commission, claiming that the £40million being provided by Newham to West
Ham represented 'state aid'. That complaint was regarded with particular
concern with worries that it could take years to come to a conclusion. There
were also fears that the application for a judicial review by Spurs and
Orient could drag on and even if their bids failed they could appeal. It is
understood that no contract has been signed with West Ham, allowing the move
to a fresh tender process, but the club will be encouraged to bid again.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Olympic Stadium: West Ham United's takeover collapses
London 24
Colin Grainger , Editor
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
7:48 AM
The Government is expected to confirm later today that West Ham United's
deal to take over the Olympic Stadium after the Olympic Games has collapsed.
Government ministers and the Olympic Park Legacy Company are said to be
concerned that legal action by Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient could
drag on during which time the stadium would remain empty. The Stratford
stadium could now be leased out to a tenant following a new tender process.
The department for Culture, Media and Sport is expected to make a formal
statement at lunchtime. It is understood that the board of the Olympic Park
Legacy Company (OPLC) has ended negotiations amid concerns over the delays
caused by the ongoing legal dispute The OPLC, government and Mayor of London
have instead agreed the stadium will remain in public ownership. A new
tender process will be opened for a main tenant who will now lease the
stadium for an an annual rent. The winning bidder would rent the stadium
rather than purchase it outright and bear the majority of any redevelopment
costs. The new tender process will ask interested bidders to submit
proposals by January. A fund of £50m has been set aside from public money to
convert the 80,000-capacity stadium at Games time to a 60,000-seater venue
afterwards. The post-Games stadium will be capable of hosting major
athletics events and football. It still means that the Hammers and partners
Newham Council could submit a new, lower risk proposal which could still see
them move in after London 2012. It would cost around £2m a year to lease the
stadium, contributing to the estimated running costs of more than £5m a
year. Spurs and Orient are contesting the original decision to award the
stadium to West Ham United because of the £40m loan from Newham Council,
which they say is "state aid". Spurs are seeking a judicial review of the
decision and the next hearing at the High Court is still due to be held next
Tuesday. An anonymous complaint was made to the European Commission last
week which could have meant even further delays.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Olympic Stadium takeover deal collapses
11 Oct 2011
Evening Standard
The Government is set to announce today that the Olympic Stadium deal with
West Ham and Newham Council has collapsed. Legal challenges by Tottenham and
Leyton Orient, plus an anonymous complaint to the European Commission, have
led to fears that court action could drag on for years while the stadium
remains empty. A ministerial statement is expected around lunchtime, saying
that the stadium will remain in public ownership and leased out to an anchor
tenant following a new tender process. It is likely that under the new
tender process any costs of transforming the stadium after the 2012 Games
will be covered by the Olympic Park Legacy Company. Prospective tenants will
then be asked to bid for the stadium with the running track remaining in
place. The tenants would pay an annual rent to the OPLC which could actually
prove to be less costly for the likes of West Ham. The move will also remove
uncertainty over the stadium ahead of London's bid for the 2017 world
athletics championships, although that was not a major consideration in the
decision to abandon the current deal. The Government, the London Mayor's
office and the OPLC have moved to scrap the current deal in order to try to
end the legal challenges over the stadium's ownership. There has been an
anonymous complaint to the European Commission, claiming that the £40million
being provided by Newham to West Ham represented "state aid". That complaint
was regarded with particular concern with worries that it could take years
to come to a conclusion. There were also fears that the application for a
judicial review by Spurs and Orient could drag on and even if their bids
failed they could appeal. It is understood that no contract has been signed
with West Ham, allowing the move to a fresh tender process, but the club
will be encouraged to bid again.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham move to Olympic Stadium after 2012 has collapsed, sources say
Ministers to confirm stadium will instead be leased out following challenges
by Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 11 October 2011 07.18 BST
The government is to announce that the Olympic Stadium deal with West Ham
and Newham Council has collapsed, sources say. Legal challenges by Tottenham
and Leyton Orient, plus an anonymous complaint to the European Commission,
have led to fears that court action could drag on for years while the
stadium remains empty. A ministerial statement is expected around noon,
saying that the stadium will remain in public ownership and leased out to an
anchor tenant following a new tender process. It is likely that under the
new tender process any costs of transforming the stadium after the 2012
Games will be covered by the Olympic Park Legacy Company. Prospective
tenants will then be asked to bid for the stadium with the running track
remaining in place. The tenants would pay an annual rent to the OPLC, which
could actually prove to be less costly for the likes of West Ham.
The move will also remove uncertainty about the stadium ahead of London's
bid for the 2017 world athletics championships, although that was not a
major consideration in the decision to abandon the current deal. The
government, the London Mayor's office and the OPLC have moved to scrap the
current deal in order to try to end the legal challenges over the stadium's
ownership.
There has been an anonymous complaint to the European Commission, claiming
that the £40m being provided by Newham to West Ham represented "state aid".
That complaint was regarded with particular concern with worries that it
could take years to come to a conclusion.
There were also fears that the application for a judicial review by Spurs
and Orient could drag on and even if their bids failed they could appeal.
It is understood that no contract has been signed with West Ham, allowing
the move to a fresh tender process, but the club will be encouraged to bid
again.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
London 2012 Olympics: West Ham left homeless as stadium deal collapses
The Government is set to announce that the Olympic Stadium deal with West
Ham and Newham Council has collapsed.
By Telegraph staff and agencies6:49AM BST 11 Oct 201117 Comments
Legal challenges by Tottenham and Leyton Orient, plus an anonymous complaint
to the European Commission, have led to fears that court action could drag
on for years while the stadium remains empty. A ministerial statement is
expected around lunchtime, saying that the stadium will remain in public
ownership and leased out to an anchor tenant following a new tender process.
It is likely that under the new tender process any costs of transforming the
stadium after the 2012 Games will be covered by the Olympic Park Legacy
Company. Prospective tenants will then be asked to bid for the stadium with
the running track remaining in place. The tenants would pay an annual rent
to the OPLC which could actually prove to be less costly for the likes of
West Ham. The move will also remove uncertainty over the stadium ahead of
London's bid for the 2017 world athletics championships, although that was
not a major consideration in the decision to abandon the current deal. The
Government, the London Mayor's office and the OPLC have moved to scrap the
current deal in order to try to end the legal challenges over the stadium's
ownership.
There has been an anonymous complaint to the European Commission, claiming
that the £40 million being provided by Newham to West Ham represented "state
aid". That complaint was regarded with particular concern with worries that
it could take years to come to a conclusion. There were also fears that the
application for a judicial review by Spurs and Orient could drag on and even
if their bids failed they could appeal. It is understood that no contract
has been signed with West Ham, allowing the move to a fresh tender process,
but the club will be encouraged to bid again
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Prepare to Make Formal Approach for Man City Rebel Carlos Tevez
Posted on 10 October 2011
SportsVibe
West Ham are being linked with an official approach for Manchester City
striker Carlos Tevez as they attempt to get the player on a three-month loan
deal. It is clear that Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini does not want
the controversial forward to ever play for the club again and would rather
let the player leave on a short term basis until he can be sold in January.
City need to keep the striker in the shop window if they are to make the
most money possible from his sale and West Ham are keen to bring their
former striker back to Upton Park. It appears there are other options for
the Argentinean with Brazilian side Corinthians reportedly interested in
signing the player on a permanent contract. "It was quite difficult to sign
him because at the time it was shortly before our transfer window. Now we
are here [in England] and we will talk and see what the situation is and we
will look to sign him in the summer," Corinthians director Edu told Sky
Sports. "I will talk to the president - we offered ¬40 million and now the
money we had we have spent some of as that is football. We want to see how
Tevez is and what his situation is, we will see if we can do a deal - he is
very famous in Brazil and everyone loves him, and the fans want him. "I
spoke to him [Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian] at the [Leaders in Football ]
congress, but very formal not really about Tevez yet - we are quite friendly
and have a good relationship but not about Tevez yet. "It is a lot of things
to think about. Carlos Tevez has a lot of things around him."
It was widely reported last week that West Ham were waiting until the
internal enquiry at City had been concluded and then they would make a
formal offer. Both West Ham manager Sam Allardyce and chairman Karen Brady
have announced that they would like to see Tevez back at the club and a
Hammers source has confirmed to ESPNsoccernet that they will try and
persuade City to complete a loan deal. "We are serious about Tevez, but
there is nothing more for us to say at the moment."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Frank Nouble keen on Gills stay
11 Oct 2011
Evening Standard
Frank Nouble is keen to extend his loan stay at Gillingham. The West Ham
striker completes his month-long spell with Saturday's trip to Torquay,
where he will be looking to add to his tally of two goals in five starts.
Whether an extension can be agreed between Gills and the Hammers will become
clear this week, but Nouble has revealed he would be happy to prolong his
stay at Priestfield should a deal be reached. "I think the team has taken to
me well and I think I'm playing well," the 20-year-old told the club's
official website, www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. "The manager (Andy
Hessenthaler) has given me a lot of confidence so it's just a case of
showcasing what I can do."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment