Business leaders back Stratford move
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's proposed move to Stratford is being supported by key
business figures
11.09.2012
Some of the leading lights from the east London business world have backed
West Ham United's Bid to take over the Olympic Stadium post 2012. The
process for selecting who will be anchor concessionaires after the
Paralympic Games is ongoing, but several of east London's most important
businesses have joined some of the area's most famous faces in coming
forward to lend their support to West Ham's Bid. The Excel Centre and the
East London Business Alliance are among those that have expressed a desire
to see West Ham's Bid succeed to ensure that the Olympic Stadium maintains
its standing as an international landmark and focal point for business.
West Ham United would estimate they would bring 1.2 million additional
people to the Olympic Park every year, thus ensuring the park and local
businesses would continue to see the increase in footfall they witnessed
during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Hammers have also pledged to
create 720 new jobs if they are selected as anchor concessionaires, with a
further expansion of the award-winning Community Sports Trust mentor
programme promised. Liam Kane, Chief executive of the East London Business
Alliance (ELBA) said: "West Ham have been at the heart of east London for
longer than I care to remember. A move to the Olympic Stadium would not only
allow all the fans who can't get tickets now to see the games but, more
importantly, the jobs generated by the move, both during construction and in
operation, would be very welcome to the unemployed residents of the area.
"The trained staff and volunteers from the Olympics will provide a
ready-made workforce and it seems to me to be an ideal partnership. "The
Olympic and Paralympic Games have been a brilliant advert for what the East
End of London can achieve. They have put the area back on the world map but
we must not now waste the good work that has been started. It is essential
that we continue the boost our local economy has seen, with a lively and
vibrant Olympic Park at the forefront of it. "West Ham United's Bid to
become anchor concessionaires would guarantee a busy stadium on a bi-weekly
basis, thus ensuring businesses in the local area continue to flourish.
"Having Premier League football in the Stratford would also ensure it keeps
its global reputation, which in turn brings greater exposure and value to
the commercial appeal of the park. West Ham's Bid also promises to create
hundreds of new jobs to further boost our local economy. Put simply, I
cannot see any viable alternative."
Kevin Murphy, CEO of the ExCeL Centre added: "West Ham United have played a
pivotal role in the local community for a great many years, making a major
contribution to the social regeneration of east London. No one is better
placed to take hold of the legacy baton after the Games and be at the heart
of a lively and busy Olympic Stadium."
Mark Kass, Head of Enterprise & Economic Development, Barking Enterprise
Centre IT said: "West Ham United's absolute commitment to supporting its
local community goes beyond football. The Club, its people and its strategic
and commercial partners are totally committed to supporting the educational
and socio-economic needs of the diverse population across the six Olympic
Host Boroughs ...and beyond. "With the Club located in this new piece of
London it will attract new and engage existing communities, creating new
jobs and opportunities for local businesses. The power of the West Ham brand
will create a sports and entertainment legacy destination that will
strengthen a financial model that secures long-term revenues ensuring
financial viability and ultimately security of tenure for the Landlords of
this unique and exciting global venue."
The West Ham Bid has already received support from a host of public figures,
who signed an open letter earlier last month. Ray Winstone, James Corden and
former Olympic champions Sally Gunnell and Mark Hunter were among those who
backed the club's proposals.
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International action resumes
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid helped the latest international date get off to a winning start
for the Hammers
10.09.2012
The quest to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil continues
for two West Ham United players on Tuesday, while two more could be in
friendly international action in London. Winston Reid kick-offed proceedings
as New Zealand thrashed the Solomon Islands 6-1 in their second Oceania
round three qualifier with the Solomon Islands in Auckland. The All Whites
and their opponents both started the final round of regional qualifying with
2-0 victories, beating New Caledonia and Tahiti respectively, but the New
Zealand proved far too strong. With Reid playing a full 90 minutes, New
Zealand took an outright lead a third of the way through the stage, where
the prize is a place in an intercontinental Play-Off against a North and
Central American nation for a place at Brazil 2014.
Looking forward to the evening and Yossi Benayoun will hope to feature when
Israel host Russia in Ramat Gan in their second UEFA Group F qualifier.
Israel started their qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw in Azerbaijan on
Friday, while Fabio Capello's Russia beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Moscow.
The group is completed by Portugal and Luxembourg. Benayoun is hoping for a
more positive result against the Russians after Israel let a lead slip in
Baku. "We should have won. We're the better team," Benayoun said after the
match. "After the first goal we should have scored another goal or two, or
at least kept the same result. It's a real shame we lost two points. "We
must beat Russia at any cost. If we don't, it will be a disaster."
James Collins will miss Wales' second UEFA Group A qualifier with Serbia in
Novi Sad through suspendion after being sent-off in Friday's 2-0 home defeat
by Belgium in Cardiff. Finally, at lot closer to home, Stephen Henderson is
looking to impress after joining up with the Republic of Ireland squad ahead
of their international friendly with Oman on Tuesday evening. The No13 will
start the game at Craven Cottage as a substitute, with Millwall's former
West Ham United trainee David Forde getting the nod from Trapattoni.
Henderson admitted to being shocked to get the call-up after Ireland boss
Giovanni Trapattoni allowed No1 Kieren Westwood to return to Sunderland, but
he is earger to take his chance to impress both in training and in match
action should he get on to the pitch. "It was a surprise to me," said
Henderson. "I had literally just got off the plane from Ireland as we were
given a couple of days off and I went home. I was returning from there and I
got a text saying I had been called up and to meet up with the team on
Monday morning at their hotel. "I am very excited to be here. I am here to
impress the manager and make sure he knows what I can do and anything else
will be a bonus, but I am delighted."
For the 24-year-old, this may be a chance to earn his first senior cap for
his country after coming through the international ranks and representing
his country at every level from Under-15 through to Under-21. Henderson was
named among the substitutes for the friendly international with Czech
Republic in Dublin in February 2012, but is hoping to get some game-time in
west London this time around. "I have been involved in the international
set-up since I was about 14, so for me to make it now for senior level has
always been my goal. "I have to wait and see if I get my chance. I just have
to work hard in training. The manager knows his options and I know there are
lads ahead of me, but I am very happy to be here and be involved in the
squad, especially with more World Cup qualifiers coming up."
Henderson was greeted by his Hammers team-mate Joey O'Brien when he arrived
at the squad's base on Monday morning. The defender also hoping to get a
chance in tomorrow's match after travelling 6,000 miles for Friday's 2-1
FIFA World Cup Group C qualifying win in Kazakhstan without seeing any
action. For Henderson, who joined West Ham on a permanent deal in the summer
following his arrival on loan from Portsmouth towards the end of last
season, it is about making his mark at both club and country. He enjoyed a
solid performance between the sticks for West Ham in the Capital One Cup
second-round victory over Crewe Alexandra last month and is looking to take
up the same opportunity if he can as he challenges Jussi Jaaskelainen for
the No1 spot. "That was good for me against Crewe. At the end of the day,
for me to have the chances internationally, I have to be playing and do well
at my club. That is my first aim anyway - to do well at West Ham. "I am
keeping myself focused on the fact that when I get my chance, I have to take
it. League games or cup games, they all matter to me. Hopefully I can get my
opportunity again if possible and just be as ready as I can for every match
we play."
Oman are fourth in Asian qualifying round four, having drawn in Iraq (1-1)
and at home to Australia (0-0) and lost 3-0 in Japan in their opening three
fixtures. Coached by Frenchman Paul Le Guen, Oman host Jordan in their next
FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture in October.
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Ron Tindall 1935-2012
WHUFC.com
Former West Ham United striker Ron Tindall has sadly passed away at the age
of 76
11.09.2012
Everyone at West Ham United was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of
Ron Tindall at the age of 76. Signed from Chelsea by Ron Greenwood in
October 1961, striker Tindall made 14 appearances for the Hammers during the
1961/62 season, scoring three goals. The Streatham-born player enjoyed his
finest day in a claret and blue shirt on 2 December 1961, when he scored
both goals in a 2-2 Division One draw at Arsenal. He also netted in a 3-2
home defeat by Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day of the same year. Tindall's
contribution helped West Ham to finish in a fine eighth place in the
top-flight in his sole season in east London. Prior to joining the Hammers,
he had played alongside Greenwood during a successful eight-year stay with
Chelsea, where he also struck up a potent strike partnership with future
West Ham player Jimmy Greaves. After his spell with West Ham, Tindall joined
Reading in the summer of 1962 and went on to play for Portsmouth for five
seasons before taking charge at Fratton Park in 1970. It was in Australia,
however, that his coaching career really took off. Tindall settled in the
city of Perth and enjoyed great success as director of football coaching for
the state of Western Australia. He also worked as an assistant coach with
Australia's Olympic football team and helped found the football program at
the West Australian Institute of Sport. Having overseen the development of
thousands of promising young players, he was awarded the Order of Australia
Medal in 2008 and the Western Australia Coach of the Tear award was renamed
the Ron Tindall Medal in his honour in 2011. Tindall's abilities were not
restricted to football, however, as he was also a talented all-round
cricketer in an age when players were still able to reach the highest level
in both sports. A right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler who
played for Surrey for ten years between 1956 and 1966, he scored 5,446
first-class runs at an average of 24.86 with two centuries, while also
taking 150 wickets at 32.38 apiece. West Ham United would like to send their
deepest condolences to Ron's family and friends at this sad time.
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A Noble gesture
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 11th September 2012
By: Jack Bowers
West Ham's longest-serving player, Mark Noble, is in the last year of his
contract and the West Ham hierarchy are very keen to sign him up on a long
term deal.
As everyone knows, Noble is West Ham through and through, and ideally would
like to spend the rest of his career at West Ham. However, the current
Hammer of the Year could leave on a free transfer next summer, if contract
negations break down.
If negotiations were to break down there would be no shortage of clubs
queuing for his signature. Fulham tested the water in the recent summer
transfer window but Sam Allardyce was adamant that Noble would stay.
Signing Noble on a long-term deal is imperative for the club. He is 'Mr West
Ham' and the board need to do everything they can to keep him in the claret
and blue.
When Noble graduated from the famed Academy and had his first run in the
team he was an exciting attacking prospect. He had a slight frame and had
rawness about him that many of the fans enjoyed.
He loved to break forward and in his first proper run in the team, in 2007,
he scored three goals, including a memorable volley against Bolton that won
him the KUMB.com award for goal of the season.
However, without meaning to have a dig at Noble, after his breakthrough
season he seemed to go missing a bit. He would always give 100 per cent and
would never let the side down, but he didn't seem to influence games in the
way he did in his first season.
His lack of pace, and reluctance to shoot from range meant that he couldn't
really be used as an attacking midfielder - so Alan Curbishley, Gianfranco
Zola and Avram Grant would all use Noble in a midfield two, alongside Scott
Parker.
But Noble was always in Parker's shadow. Parker won awards, was spoken about
in the press and was playing brilliant football. Noble was always seen as
just 'the hard working one'.
However over the last 18 months, his improvement has been marked. He has
developed into the main midfielder. While Kevin Nolan will score the goals,
Noble does the majority of the work.
Physically he is in fantastic shape. His fitness levels are as high as they
have ever been. In the opening game against Aston Villa, Noble covered over
six miles.
But it is not his physical ability that has impressed me the most; it's the
way he has improved tactically, and for this Big Sam deserves a lot of
praise. Moving Noble back into a defensive midfield role has been a stroke
of genius, and I think we are now seeing the very best of him.
He can use his vision and passing ability to start attacks. In the two home
wins so far this season, every meaningful attack started from a Noble pass.
Some deep lying midfielders don't keep the ball well but Noble is superb at
keeping the ball.
Noble is a superb reader of the game; he hasn't got much pace, but he
doesn't need it. He can read the game so well, he is always in the right
position defensively to break up play and is always an option to be passed
to.
Recently, before the 3-0 win against London rivals Fulham, someone said to
me that Noble is currently the best English defensive midfielder. When I
first heard it I laughed, and thought the guy was deluded. I like Noble, and
rate him highly in his new role, but the best in that position in England?
I'm not convinced.
So, with that in mind I watched the Fulham game a lot more carefully,
concentrating on the number 16 in the centre of the park. Although Andy
Carroll and Kevin Nolan took most of the plaudits, it was the performance of
Mark Noble that stood out for me.
He was everywhere; tackling, passing, creating chances, blocking shots. It
was the perfect midfield performance.
Unlike some, I enjoy a good stat (even though I'll admit it doesn't show the
whole story) but Noble's stats from the Fulham victory were fantastic. He
ran over SEVEN miles, covering more ground than any other Premier League
player that weekend and his passing was almost faultless.
He completed 79 out of 81 passes, giving him a completion rate of 98 per
cent. People will say they're just simple passes, but even still that is
superb. And as a defensive midfielder it's vital he tackles, and he
completed seven out of seven tackles - as well as two blocks.
Mark Noble shouldn't just get this new contract because the fans love him,
he should get the contract purely because he deserves it. Replacing him
would cost a significant amount more than it would to up his wages, and
sacrificing a future West Ham United captain makes very little sense.
My message to the board is simple; give Mark Noble what he wants - before
someone else does.
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Hammers wait on deal
West Ham could yet sign French prospect
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated:
September 11, 2012 11:58am
SSN
Sky Sports understands that West Ham United are waiting on FIFA
clarification over whether they have signed French prospect Abiola Badirou.
The 19-year-old joined the Hammers on trial earlier this summer and has been
playing with their development squad. Badirou arrived in England as a free
agent after spending the previous campaign with Ligue 2 side Tours. West Ham
were impressed and pushed ahead with a deal, but it was not finalised in
time due to paperwork not arriving from France. The issue arose as Badirou
never signed a professional deal and was actually an amateur, but as West
Ham did all their paperwork they are hopeful FIFA will sanction him to join
now. If Badirou does not sign this month, he is still expected to remain
training with the club before signing in January.
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