Daily WHUFC News - 2nd July 2012

Hammers return to training
WHUFC.com
The first-team squad were back at Chadwell Heath today as preparations for
2012/13 started
01.07.2012

It was all go at Chadwell Heath on Sunday morning as West Ham United's
first-team squad returned to pre-season training. There were plenty of
smiles as the Hammers players began their preparations for the 2012/13
Barclays Premier League campaign at the training ground just six weeks after
winning promotion in thrilling fashion at Wembley. With manager Sam
Allardyce working hard to bring in new players to supplement his squad,
assistant manager Neil McDonald oversaw matters as each player was weighed
and put through a succession of tests to check on their physical condition.
"I think we got the boys in to make sure they were all back in off their
holidays, were fit and well and got all their gear ready for travelling away
to Austria," confirmed McDonald. "We did a quick session for about an hour
and were all tested for their weights and body fats. It was good to see them
all interacting with each other and we had a couple of new players as well,
which was great. "It was a nice, relaxed day. We fly to Austria and start
the proper work on Monday ahead of welcoming Aston Villa in six or seven
weeks' time."

The squad will fly to Austria for a week-long training camp on Monday, with
the players expected to be put through rigorous double and triple sessions
every day. The trip will end with a fixture with 23-times Bundesliga
champions FK Austria Wien at the Franz Horr Stadium on Saturday 7 July, with
kick-off at 7pm local time.
McDonald said the players would be put through their paces in hot sunshine.
"Everyone looks really good and we're really happy with what we've seen.
We'll be doing plenty of football as well as fitness work before finishing
off the first week with a great game, so we're really looking forward to it.
"The players have had a good break but we're all excited. Pre-season is
always difficult but always enjoyable, so we've got to make sure we get
everybody through the next six or seven weeks and available for the first
game against Villa."

Captain Kevin Nolan was his usual jovial self, while npower Championship
Play-Off final heroes Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te were also in positive
mood as they pulled on their kit 43 days after scoring the vital goals
against Blackpool at the Home of Football. Joining them were new boys Jussi
Jaaskelainen and Mohamed Diame, who met their new colleagues for the first
time since arriving from Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic respectively.
Both, along with the returning George McCartney, were warmly welcomed into
the squad, with Jaaskelainen a familiar face to former Bolton team-mates
Nolan, Matt Taylor and Joey O'Brien. Stephen Henderson was also back at
Chadwell Heath on his first day as a West Ham player following his permanent
summer switch from Portsmouth. "We have done some good business. It's
important to get the players in as soon as we can. George obviously knows
the Club well with him being here last year, which is great and it's
fantastic that he's joined us full-time. "Jussi has come in and I know him
from Bolton and he's settled in really well with the rest of the lads, as
has Mohamed Diame as well. They're looking forward to it because it's a new
challenge for them."

The Chadwell Heath training ground has undergone a makeover during the
summer break and the smart new surroundings have only served to boost the
feelgood factor around the Club at present. "We've tried to create and keep
that vibe ever since we came here," said McDonald. "It's always difficult to
change the mentality and ethos of the football club because we do things
different to other people. "To come in and change that mentality from
getting beaten every week to winning and getting promoted at the end of the
season is a fantastic effort from everybody and makes you feel extra
special. "Hopefully this season, we do ourselves justice in the Premier
League and keep that feeling. We've got the pre-season to get the players
ready so it's an exciting time."

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Moore than a community club
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Community Sports Trust is playing a vital role as London
2012 approaches
01.07.2012

With the London 2012 Olympic Games less than a month away, West Ham United
Community Sports Trust is playing a vital role in helping local people to
lead healthier lives. A registered charity, the Trust provides a wide range
of services across east London and Essex with a strong emphasis on community
participation and inclusion. Thanks to the Trust, thousands of residents of
all ages have and are being given the opportunity to try new sports and
activities, learn new skills and acquire qualifications that would otherwise
be unavailable to them. As part of the Trust's three-year Community Plan,
which was implemented in 2010 and has since been updated and expanded,
people from all backgrounds have been given access to a wide range of
initiatives and schemes. With the goal of 'Promoting convergence and
community participation' the Trust - based at the Club's Community Sports
Ground in Beckton - individuals and groups alike are benefitting from its
activities, which include:
*Training and mentoring schemes - Trust coaches are involved in a number of
projects aimed at training the next generation of young sports coaches.
*Youth training projects - Youngsters are invited to take part in training
schemes to enable them to gain skills and qualifications required to become
full-time sports coaches. *Employment - The Trust currently employs 25
full-time apprentices.
*Player involvement - First-team and Academy players from West Ham United
regularly attend community events organised by or in conjunction with the
Trust.
*Youth exchange programmes - Trust coaches and mentors are invited to visit
other countries to broaden their own education and to experience new
cultures, while foreign students are invited to visit to take part in Trust
schemes. For example, a group of Danish higher education students recently
visited east London.
*Multisport delivery - The Trust currently provides coaching in 14 sports in
addition to football, including a host of Olympic sports. Courses are also
provided for youngsters with physical and learning disabilities, offering
opportunities to those who might not otherwise have access to sports
coaching.
*Social inclusion - The Trust is committed to making sport accessible to
people from all ethnic backgrounds, with the active promotion of the Asians
in Football project helping to bring the game to the wider community of east
London and beyond through coach and club development schemes.
*Healthy living - The Trust has implemented a wide range of partnership
projects aimed at helping people of all ages to lead healthier lives.
Examples of this provision include free men's and family health workshops
and a partnership with the Age Concern charity.
*Education - Based at the Boleyn Ground, the Inspire Learning Centre
provides out-of-school-hours educational support to local children and
adults with the aim of inspiring and motivating under-achieving students.
*School holiday courses - The Trust holds a variety of affordable general
and specialised football and multisport coaching courses throughout east
London and Essex

The London 2012 Olympic Games will see the world's greatest athletes visit
east London, inspiring local people of all ages to try sports they might
never have tried before. With the support of the West Ham United Community
Sports Trust, access to many of these sports has been made easier and
cheaper than ever before.
Looking further into the future, the Trust will play a vital role in the
provision of the legacy of London 2012, providing coaching, mentoring,
education and employment for the next generation of young people growing up
in the local community of east London and Essex.

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George McCartney signs for West Ham from Sunderland
BBC.co.uk

Premier League new boys West Ham have completed the signing of Sunderland's
George McCartney on a two-year deal. McCartney, 31, returns to Upton Park
following two previous spells at the club, initially joining in 2006, he
also spent last season on loan. "I am delighted to be coming back to West
Ham and this time on a permanent basis," said left-back McCartney. McCartney
is the fourth summer signing following Jussi Jaaskelainen, Stephen Henderson
and Mohamed Diame's arrival. After starting his career at Sunderland, where
he won the Championship title in the 2004-05 season, McCartney moved south
in 2006.

West Ham's summer signings
Keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen - Bolton
Keeper Stephen Henderson - Portsmouth
Midfielder Mohamed Diame - Wigan
Defender George McCartney - Sunderland

The former Northern Ireland international excelled during his first stay at
West Ham, scoring once in 71 appearances in all competitions. After moving
back to the Stadium of Light in 2008, McCartney spent two seasons with
Sunderland and one on loan at Leeds United. Having fallen out of favour at
the Stadium of Light, McCartney returned to West Ham on loan in August 2011,
scoring one goal in 43 appearances as the Hammers gained promotion via the
play-offs.
"It was great to be part of the side that won promotion for the club last
season," added McCartney. "It was a fantastic way to end the campaign last
year and I am really looking forward to being back in the Premier League
with West Ham." West Ham begin their season at home to Aston Villa on 18
August.

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Welcome back, George
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 1st July 2012
By: Staff Writer

George McCartney has completed his return to West Ham United in what will be
his third spell at the club. The popular Irish full-back initially joined
United back in August 2006 when he was signed by Alan Pardew in exchange for
the now retired Clive Clarke plus £600,000. Two years later he was sold back
to the Black Cats in a deal thought to be worth around £4.5million. The
enforced sale of McCartney, combined with that of Anton Ferdinand, was the
catalyst for the departure of former manager Alan Curbishley who resigned
from his post citing interference from above. With West Ham relegated to the
Championship at the end of the 2010/11 campaign, new manager Sam Allardyce
moved to bring the 31-year-old back to the Boleyn in August of last year;
McCartney re-joining West Ham on loan for the season. Having played a major
part in West Ham' promotion campaign - he made 40 appearances, starting in
38 of those - the Belfast-born defender returned to parent club Sunderland,
but not before being named as the Players' Player of the Year by his peers.

Last week co-chairman David Gold confirmed that a move to bring McCartney
back to West Ham on a permanent basis was close to being concluded - and on
Saturday night he stated that a deal should be tied up within 24 hours. This
morning news that McCartney had completed a second return to the club on a
two-year contract was confirmed on whufc.com. "I am delighted to be coming
back to West Ham - and this time, on a permanent basis," he said. It was
great to be part of the side that won promotion last season. It was a
fantastic way to end the campaign and I am really looking forward to being
back in the Premier League with West Ham."

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Maiga hopes for Prem move
Striker still searching for dream switch
By Giscard Gourizro. Last Updated: July 1, 2012 6:04pm
SSN

Highly-rated Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga is hoping that 2012 will be the
year in which he finally secures a move to the Premier League. The Mali
international looked to be on his way to Newcastle 12 months ago, with the
Magpies spending much of the summer attempting to put a deal in place. Maiga
made it clear to Sochaux that he wanted out, claiming that he would refuse
to turn out for the club again if they blocked a move. No deal materialised,
though, and the 24-year-old was forced to see out the season in France. It
is now being suggested that he could get his dream switch to England when
the transfer window re-opens.

Ambition

West Ham and Reading are among those reported to be keen on acquiring his
services, and Maiga hopes that an agreement can be put in place. "My dream
has always been to play in the Premier League, the best league in the
world," he said. "I almost joined Newcastle, but it did not happen. "Some
Sochaux fans held that against me, but not all of them. "It is still my
ambition to play in the Premier League, so if a team wants to talk I will
listen to them once they have reached an agreement with Sochaux."

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Mangane claims to have offers
Midfielder refuses to rule out Hammers switch
By Giscard Gourizro. Last Updated: July 1, 2012 6:21pm
SSN

Rennes midfielder Kader Mangane claims to have 'offers on the table' and has
refused to rule out a move to the Premier League. The Senegal international
is understood to be a top target for West Ham manager Sam Allardyce as he
looks to bolster his ranks ahead of a return to the English top flight.
Versatile Mangane, who can also operate in defence, is considered to boast
all of the attributes required to be a success in England. He admits a
switch to Upton Park could be on the cards, but says he has a number of
options to weigh up before deciding where he will be plying his trade in
2012/13.

Future

"I don't want to talk about my future, I am just looking forward to next
season," said Mangane. "There are some offers on the table and I will choose
the best option for myself and Rennes. "The Premier League? Of course it
would be a dream to play there. "West Ham are a fantastic club and London is
a beautiful city."

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Welcome Back to George McCartney - For The Third Time!
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

In one of the most predicted of close season transfers, George McCartney has
re-signed for West Ham on a free transfer from Sunderland. Technically, this
is McCartney's third spell with the Hammers. McCartney had a solid season
int he Championship and he will certainly perform adequately next time, but
I do hope young Daniel Potts gives him a run for his money too. All first
team players need to be aware that they are not automatic choices, and I
suspect McCartney knows that he ,ay be sacrificed for Matt Taylor too, on
occasion. McCartney has signed a two year deal, meaning he will be 33 at the
end of it. In his 175 games during his two spells at Sunderland he played
175 games but didn't manage a single goal, which probably explains his
rapture when he scored his second goal for West Ham last season. So far he
has appeared 99 times for West Ham.

The thing about McCartney is that he is solid. He will never be a flair
player, but if he finds the right partner on the left wing, he can be
seriously impressive. Remember that season he and Matty Etherington
performed wonders down the left?

Welcome back, George.

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AC MILAN LEGEND SEEDORF SHUNS WEST HAM TO JOIN BOTOFOGO
Jul 01, 2012 0
Sports360.com

Veteran former Dutch international midfielder Clarence Seedorf has signed a
two-year deal with Botafogo, shunning interest from England, China, and the
USA.
Rio de Janeiro-based Botafogo announced the capture of Seedorf, 36, as "the
biggest signing of a foreign player ever made by a Brazilian club." The
player's agent Deborah Martin, told the online version of sports daily
Lance: "Seedorf is the first European player to go to Brazil. He is still
breaking records. The idea of playing in the Mecca of football was very
attractive to him."

According to local press reports, Seedorf's deal will see him earn 18.3
million reais ($9.1m) over two years. Botafogo president Mauricio Assumpcao
said his club managed to beat off competition from clubs in England, China
and the United States to sign Seedorf, who is married to a Brazilian woman.
West Ham were one such club Seedorf rejected after he had held talks with
Sam Allardyce over a potential move. However, it has now been revealed that
Botofogo had been working for a long time to make the deal happen and were
quietly the favourites for his signature the entire time. "We worked on this
for a long time, not just two or three months," he told Lance. "This is the
arrival of an idol, a player who has won everything and who our fans are
hoping can help us win titles."

Assumpcao added that the club plan to unveil Seedorf at the home game
against Bahia on July 7, and that they hope he can make his debut later this
month against Gremio. Seedorf left AC Milan in June when his contract
expired, bringing to an end a ten-year spell at the San Siro. He won two
Champions League crowns and two Serie A titles during his time with the
Rossoneri, and also won the Champions League with Ajax and Real Madrid,
adding two Dutch titles and one in Spain as well.
Seedorf, who was born in Suriname, played 87 times for the Netherlands,
scoring 11 goals, and is the only player to have won the Champions League
with three different clubs. Botafogo, who were national champions in 1995,
sit eighth in the Brazilian league having won three of their opening six
matches of the season.

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