Daily WHUFC News - 5th March 2013

Bonds to be honoured
WHUFC.com
Billy Bonds MBE will be the recipient of West Ham United's first-ever
Lifetime Achievement Award
04.03.2013

West Ham United legend Billy Bonds MBE is to be honoured as the recipient of
the club's first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award. Bonds is without doubt one
of the finest players to pull on a Hammers shirt, making a club-record 793
first-team appearances between 1967 and 1988 and lifting the FA Cup twice,
in 1975 and 1980. An outstanding all-round player, Bonds began his career as
a right-back before settling into a deep-lying midfield role, where his
tackling, passing and leadership skills came to the fore. The 66-year-old
will be presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the
fifth annual Player Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London's Park
Lane on Wednesday 8 May 2013. An inspirational figure, Bonds was born in
Woolwich in September 1946, joining Charlton Athletic as a teenager. He made
his first-team debut for the Addicks at 18, going on to make 95 senior
appearances before crossing the River Thames for £50,000 in May 1967.
Despite being just 20, Bonds immediately established himself as a first-team
regular in Ron Greenwood's side, making 42 appearances in his maiden season
at the Boleyn Ground. A player of great strength of mind and body, he would
make more than 40 appearances in each of his first eight seasons in east
London, capping that run by captaining West Ham to a 2-0 FA Cup final
victory over Fulham at Wembley in May 1975. Amazingly for a player filling a
predominantly defensive role, Bonds topped the club's goalscoring charts in
1973/74, netting 13 goals in 44 games, including a memorable hat-trick in a
home Division One victory over Chelsea in March 1974. Bonds' versatility and
selfless team ethic were illustrated again when manager Greenwood moved him
to a new position at centre-half in 1977 - the same year the one-time
Under-23 international was named on the substitutes' bench for England's
FIFA World Cup qualifier against Italy. The fitness and durability that
served Bonds so well during his career enabled him to continue playing
week-in, week-out well into his thirties. Indeed, he was approaching his
34th birthday when he lifted the FA Cup for a second time in May 1980
following West Ham's 1-0 win over Arsenal at Wembley.

By then, the Hammers had been relegated, but Bonds showed great loyalty to
the cause, playing an amazing 59 games as West Ham won the Division Two
title and reached the League Cup final in 1981. Bonds passed Bobby Moore
OBE's all-time appearance record in September 1982, playing his 545th
first-team match for the club in a 1-1 Division One draw at the Boleyn
Ground. The Hammers great initially retired in May 1984, handing the
captain's armband to Alvin Martin, but a spate of injuries saw him return to
the squad in August of the same year. After missing the 1985/86 season
through injury, Bonds returned to first-team duty in October 1986, marking
his comeback in memorable fashion by being voted Hammer of the Year for the
fourth and final time in 1987 - adding to previous awards won in 1971, 1974
and 1975. The 1987/88 season, during which Bonds celebrated his 41st
birthday, proved to be his last, with the legend making his final appearance
for West Ham in a Division One fixture at Southampton on 30 April 1988 -
more than 20 years after his debut in a home match against Sheffield
Wednesday. The same month, he had been presented with the PFA Merit Award by
his fellow professionals in recognition of a truly remarkable playing
career.

Four months before hanging up his boots, Bonds had received another honour,
being made an MBE for his services to football in HM The Queen's New Year's
Honours List. To nobody's surprise, Bonds was handed a coaching role on his
retirement by manager John Lyall, working alongside Tony Carr with the
club's promising Academy youngsters. In February 1990, he was appointed as
first-team boss himself, leading the club to promotion from Division Two in
1991. After being relegated in 1992, Bonds led West Ham to promotion for a
second time in 1993, when they reached the Premier League for the first
time. After leaving the Boleyn Ground in 1994, Bonds returned to his native
south east London to manage Millwall for a period. Since then, he has worked
as a radio summariser and appeared at a series of theatre shows, where he
has shared stories from his amazing career with supporters. A true West Ham
legend, Billy Bonds MBE will be rightly honoured for his truly outstanding
contribution to Hammers history when he receives the first-ever Lifetime
Achievement Award at this year's Player Awards in May.

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Vaz sets sights on starting place
WHUFC.com
Ricardo Vaz Te wants to win a place in Big Sam's starting XI after
impressing as a substitute at Stoke City
04.03.2013

Ricardo Vaz Te has set his sights on regaining a place in Sam Allardyce's
West Ham United starting XI after producing a superb display as a substitute
at Stoke City. The Portuguese winger was sent on after just eleven minutes
for an injured Joe Cole in Saturday's 1-0 Barclays Premier League win at the
Britannia Stadium and responded by setting up the winner for fellow
replacement Jack Collison. Now Vaz Te, who started just three league games
since dislocating his shoulder in the home defeat by Arsenal on 6 October,
wants to convince Big Sam that he cannot afford to leave the No12 on the
bench during the final ten matches of the season. "I think the win was the
fundamental part to take the pressure off the lads," Vaz Te told West Ham
TV, in reference to Saturday's success at Stoke. "I feel for Joe because he
was very unlucky, he has been playing brilliantly and I hope it is nothing
serious. "That's the point of being prepared. I came out early and prepared
with the lads and I was just ready. It's very unfortunate for Joe but I was
prepared and have been all week. "Since I have been injured I have not
really had the chance to play much since I came back, but everything is in
place. I'm working very hard to get my place back. My stats are still
looking good, but obviously I'm still looking to improve on them. The
priority on Saturday was getting the win, so that was the main thing."

Vaz Te certainly looked back to his best at the Britannia Stadium,
repeatedly running at the Stoke defenders and providing a willing outlet
when the Hammers were put under pressure. The 26-year-old capped a fine
performance by setting up Collison's winner with a fine through ball. In the
second half, Vaz Te could even have got a goal himself, only to delay
slightly too long when Collison returned the compliment. "I am pleased but
I'm a bit disappointed because we were winning 1-0 and in the second half I
could have pretty much finished the game. "Since I joined the club my record
has been pretty good. People might not know this, but I'm still the highest
goalscorer since I joined the club [on 31 January 2012, with 13 goals]. I
was very unfortunate with my shoulder injury, but I am trying to get back to
my best. I am trying to get back into the feel of things, to get my place
back and to get the trust of the manager again. "I was very disappointed
with the opportunity I had. I should have at least had a shot and I'm sure I
would have scored. Again, there is always room for improvement and that's
how I see it, so I'm going to try my best to do that next time."

Concentrating on his all-important assist, Vaz Te collected the ball about
35 yards out before playing it into Andy Carroll. The striker went to ground
alongside Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross and Vaz Te reacted quickest,
collecting possession again before sliding a pass into Collison, who spun
and fired low past Asmir Begovic. "I played a one-two with Andy and had a
few defenders in front of me. I could have pushed the ball to my left and
had a shot, but if I had tried to shoot I had two defenders in front of me
so I was kind of blocked. "I could see Jack in the corner of my eye and he
was in a better position, so I thought I would lay the pass to him. I was so
pleased for Jack. I think he deserves it because he works so hard. He has a
great misfortune with his knee injury, so I'm glad to see him back and
scoring again. "It was a terrific three points for us, so I'm very pleased
for Jack and for the whole team really. To keep a clean sheet in a ground
like that is terrific, so credit must go to everyone - to the team, to the
manager, to the staff because I think we prepared right. I think we
dominated Stoke for the whole game. "For myself, I'm going to work hard to
secure my place and keep improving my stats."

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West Ham closing on Olympic Stadium deal - David Gold
BBC.co.uk

West Ham co-owner David Gold says a deal for the club to move to the Olympic
Stadium could be agreed as soon as 16 March. The Hammers were named as the
preferred bidder for the stadium on 5 December and have been in talks with
London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC). "I think we're close. It's
only what I'm being promised. As we speak I'm being promised 16 March," Gold
told talkSPORT. "We would sign the agreement then."

The LLDC board - which preferred West Ham to League One side Leyton Orient,
UCFB College of Football Business and a consortium linked to Formula 1 - is
set to meet on 26 March. But an extraordinary general meeting could be
called if agreement over the £429m venue is reached before then. Gold added:
"I'm embarrassed because I've tweeted 10 times that it's going to be next
week or next month and here's a date. "The date comes and goes and then I
give another date. But I think we are close."

Negotiations with the LLDC included talks on West Ham's share of the costs
of converting the London 2012 venue. Retractable seating is set to be
installed for West Ham matches and Gold said: "We will only go there if it
is fit for use. "I won't go there if I have to look over a running track.
But I believe we are in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Let's face it.
They've built a stadium - albeit wrong shape and size."

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Olympic Stadium: decision imminent
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 4th March 2013
By: Staff Writer

David Gold has confirmed that he expects to learn whether or not West Ham
have been granted use of the Olympic Stadium with the next fortnight.

According to the club's co-Chairman, West Ham should discover on 16th March
whether or not the move from Upton Park to Stratford has been given the
green light by the authorities.

However Gold admitted that he would not be unduly surprised if that date was
postponed - as it has been on several occasions prior to now.

"I'm embarrassed because I think I've tweeted ten times, "yes, it's going to
be next week", or "next month", or "here's a date" and the date comes and
goes," he told Talksport this lunchtime. "It's only because it's what I'm
being promised.

"As we speak I've been promised that we'll sign the agreement on 16th March.
At the moment we don't have the stadium, we're very hopeful but we should
know by then.

"I think we're close; as you know we signed a confidentiality agreement and
that does hamper us. The fans get frustrated as they want to see the plans
but we're not allowed to do that until the deal is signed."

Gold - who still faces a battle in winning over the majority of the club's
supporters - also refuted suggestions by the show's host, Richard Keys, that
the club might perhaps be better placed by remaining at the Boleyn Ground.

However he agreed that the arena's current design was inherently flawed in
terms of hosting top-flight football.

"You could argue there's no problem and you could stay where you are," he
said. "However if you look at West Ham - the eighth or ninth best supported
club in the country - we've spent most of our life in the second tier of
English football. Apart from those three years under Bobby Moore, have we
ever fulfilled our potential?

"This is a once in a lifetime [opportunity]. They've built a stadium -
albeit the wrong shape and the wrong size. Whoever made the decision to say
we're going to build a stadium without a roof? All I can say is that we will
only go there if it is fit for use. I'm not going to go there if I've got to
look over a running track.

"Most Olympic stadiums have failed because they haven't embraced the legacy
of saying, "ok, we must build a stadium so that once the Olympics is over
it's wonderful and fantastic for the country". But to do that properly you
have to have a football person involved because 99 times out of 100, it's
going to be a football stadium that supports the athletics.

"They need football to support it. The stadium in Sheffield, they're having
to close it; had it been built with football or rugby [in mind it might have
been saved] but you need another sport to join athletics. There's no other
way."

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Gold on Allardyce contract
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 4th March 2013
By: Staff Writer

Co-chairman David Gold has once again confirmed that Sam Allardyce's
position will not be decided until the end of the season.

West Ham's current manager signed a two-year contract when succeeding Avram
Grant in June 2011, which both he and the club's owners have previously
stated will be reviewed at the end of the current campaign.

And despite some scurrilous rumour-mongering from the tabloids in recent
weeks, a period during which former Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio's name has
been mentioned on several occasions, this remains very much the position.

"People want to know what's going on in the future but equally you don't
want anything to interfere with the process of the remaining ten games which
are important to us," Gold told Talksport. "But I'm very optimisitic that
Sam will be our manager next season.

"The agreement with the board was that we would sit down at the end of the
season. Not when we're safe - because we're not safe mathematically,
although I think we are - but the understanding was that we'd discuss Sam's
new contract then.

"The important thing is that Sam, myself, David Sullivan and Karren [Brady]
understand our agreement. Our agreement is that we will sit down when it's
all over, when we know the position we've finished and whether we're still
in this division.

"There's always the danger than a bigger club will come in, but Sam has
given his word that we'll sit down and discuss his contract at the end of
the season and I trust him. "

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Award for Bonzo - at last
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 4th March 2013
By: Staff Writer

Billy Bonds has been selected as the first recipient of a new West Ham
United award. The club announced this morning that they were introducing a
Lifetime Achievement Award which Bonds will receive at this year's Player
Awards, which are being held on 8th May at the Grosvenor House Hotel in
London's Park Lane. The news follows a 2011 KUMB.com campaign to officially
recognise the club's appearance record holder, who made a total of 793
outings in all competitions in a playing career spanning more than 20 years.

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Our stadium
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 4th March 2013
By: Ross Clarke

It's the first day of the 2016-17 Premier League season and the West Ham
United team walks onto the pitch at the Olympic Stadium for the first time.

"Forever Blowing Bubbles" is sung loudly by a capacity crowd but something
is not right, it doesn't sound the same. The speaker system works perfectly
and the music is as loud as the 50,000-plus people singing their hearts out.
Season-ticket holders are surrounded by people they don't recognise.

Mark Noble, still at the club after 18 years, is now the captain but he
doesn't know to which stand he should run to applaud the supporters. His is
a rare familiar face in a sea of strangers. Those who were sceptical of the
move are now joined in their cynicism by those who felt economics dictated
the time was right, for they now realise it is not the same.

No longer will thousands of supporters – half optimistic, half pessimistic –
stream down Green Street with the smell of frying horsemeat from fast-food
vans in their nostrils and the sense of expectation in their hearts.

No longer will children make the same journey to their first game as their
fathers did and no longer will groups of friends, who have known each other
since school, been to each other's weddings and helped each other through
their inevitable divorces, meet in the pub they always meet in.

There are those who will argue that doesn't matter and that our memories
will sustain us, but some medical research suggests otherwise. Psychologist
Edward Thorndike, in his book The Psychology Of Learning, states: "If a
person does not access and use the memory they have formed, it will fade or
decay over time".

In other words, Watching West Ham at the Boleyn Ground every fortnight
brings back memories of legends, of thrills, of heartbreak, of
disappointment and allows them to be passed on to future generations.

It is a theory that makes it possible to argue that the loss of our stadium
will, in the minds of future generations - those who have never and will
never visit Upton Park - Bobby Moore, Trevor Brooking and Paolo Di Canio
will never exist.

The move to the Olympic Stadium may create new legends and attract more
supporters to the club, but it must not be allowed to happen at the expense
of everybody who has a stake in our great football club.

The Boleyn Ground is more than bricks and mortar and should be treated as
such. It is a place that comes alive with the shared experiences of millions
of people and through generations.

It is a place not only to watch football, but it is a place where loved ones
and players who have graced the pitch and bought joy to our hearts are
remembered.

The Olympics Stadium may well end up that way for future generations but,
for me, it can never be the same.

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And we managed to upset Tony Pulis...
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 4th March 2013
By: Paul Walker

Now that wasn't too bad was it? A trip to the dreaded Britannia stadium and
all it's charms…and the best bit was upsetting one-eyed Tony Pulis.

The delightful manager of Stoke City, who doesn't flinch at sending out his
thugs to kick, maim and cheat each week, actually complained that one of his
players - that delicate flower Ryan Shawcross - was fouled by Andy Carroll
in the build-up to Jack Collison's impressive winner on Saturday.

Now when you have all stopped laughing, I'll continue. Shawcross has more
broken (opponents) bones on his CV than any of the Krays muscle from the
60s. Aaron Ramsey springs to mind.

And he is the worst exponent in the Premier League of the grabbing, holding,
shirt-pulling nonsense in the penalty box that is closer to tag-team
wrestling than football. So when he comes off worse in a scrap with Carroll
- they were both at it, to be fair - there is very little sympathy.

But for Pulis to stand, straight-faced in front of the cameras and moan
about it all, was just priceless. And he also complained about two penalties
not given. One was a first-class tackle from the outstanding Joey O'Brien
and the other was certainly not an intentional handball by Guy Demel. And
there has to be intent these days, Tony!

Just for a change we had a decent referee there in the shape of Jon Moss.
Far, far better than the disgraceful Mike Jones who was in charge of our
last visit to the Potteries in the FA Cup two seasons ago, when if you all
remember, we lost because Thomas Hitzlsperger was dragged to the ground in
our defensive wall by a Stoke player when they scored their winner.

What goes around, comes around is my only thoughts on Pulis, and the sound
of pots and black kettles clanking together could be heard as the Stoke
manager left the stadium.

And the Staffordshire Police, my personal favourites over many years of
being treated like a sewer rat on away trips, seem to have had a nice cuddly
makeover.

I recall ranting on KUMB about the dreadful treatment away fans suffer at
Stoke. Locked in a high-fenced compound behind the away stand a the end of
matches, complete with a very noisy helicopter hovering overhead. Total
overkill.

I now know what the Vietcong must have felt like in the Mekong delta when
the American gunships were coming in! Being at Stoke can be like starring in
one of those American war films.

This time there was no chopper and we were all ushered politely onto
double-deckers parked in the said same compound, by nice, smiley cops, who
then took us in convoy back to the station with outridders holding up the
traffic. A good singalong was had by all as we waved at less-than-chuffed
Stokies.

It had been a very good day. Our dreadful away performances at Aston Villa,
Fulham, Sunderland and Reading of late did not fill our 2,900 contingent
with much confidence. But our team stood up to all of Stoke's nonsense and
ran themselves into the ground to ensure a priceless victory.

I'm not sure I can agree with Shearer and Hanson on MOTD, who insist we are
safe and what a great job we have done. Do they do any research and check
the table and future fixtures before pontificating such nonsense?

We are not safe, and our players realise it. Nine points (plus one for the
better goal difference) is a good lead, but we now have just one game (at
Chelsea) until Easter's visit of WBA to the Boleyn, and that nine points
could be severely cut by then.

Big Sam thinks we need 36 points. He has obviously forgotten the 42 points
that still got us relegated back in 2003. We need 37 minimum and 40 to be
certain, so lets keep battling away. We don't want to still need something
on the last Sunday at home to Reading, with their record against us over the
last few seasons.

But Sam, who managed a crossed arms Hammers salute to the travelling fans -I
have not seen him do that before - had his team very well prepared for
Stoke's shenanigans. In seasons past we would have crumbled under such
long-ball bullying, but not this time.

Having lost Joe Cole and Matt Taylor - wasn't Crouch's flying boot dangerous
play and deserving of a card? - in the opening minutes, it could all have
gone pear-shaped. But Collison and Ricky Vaz Te were excellent.

Both have been out of the side of late, and maybe wanted to make a point.
But funnily enough, the substitutions left us with probably a stronger side
to confront Stoke with than the one that started. Vaz Te played between the
lines in a Kevin Nolan role and his power and running ability were crucial.

As was Mo Diame's display of strength and running. He was outstanding,
covering acres of ground in possession and being more than a match to the
tough-guy stuff Stoke utilise.

And up in the South Stand, the Irons fans had a great day, Twisting and
Shoutin' their way to victory. I have never understood why we sing the
Beatles classic, maybe because it was a 60s song from our greatest era. But
it sounded great on TV. If anyone has a good theory on this subject, feel
free to let me know.

All in all a great day out. It's one of our closest away games, me and the
lad can drink in the local before a 15 minute train ride. We were joined
this time by my son's brother-in-law's new fiancee, Maddie, a Stoke fan for
her sins.

She will be a welcomed addition to the trip in future. She can handle a
vodka or three, and didn't flinch when expected to down a can of lager in a
scruffy car park next to a giant Biffa waste container (we know how to treat
a girl!)

You see, we'd been thrown out of a wedding reception at the hotel opposite
the station. Usually they allow away fans in, so we marched happily through
reception and found a very busy bar. But it began to dawn that it wasn't
just a match day crowd.

The fact that the bride was standing in the queue at the bar just behind us
did ring a few alarm bells. We made a quick exit, stage left, and were
ushered out by a weak-wristed hotel manager. Hence the party in the car
park. And Maddie was still able to smile at us when we picked her up after
the game.

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Turgott back with Hammers
Last Updated: March 4, 2013 12:27pm
SSN

Bradford's on-loan England Under-19s international Blair Turgott has
returned to parent club West Ham. The 18-year-old winger was due to return
to Upton Park after this weekend's clash at York, but went back early to
play in a development squad fixture for the Hammers against Manchester
United on Friday.
Bradford manager Phil Parkinson told the club's official website: "Blair did
really well for us and I'm sure he's going to be a great player. "He wasn't
a moment's problem during his time here and we really do wish him all the
best in the future. "He's a good lad and did well for us during the periods
he was involved." Turgott, yet to make his first-team debut at West Ham,
made 11 appearances for Bradford after arriving at the end of November and
played in the Capital One Cup clashes with Arsenal and Aston Villa, both
home and away.

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West Ham plan contract talks with boss Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: March 4, 2013 2:53pm
SSN

West Ham co-chairman David Gold says the club will hold contract talks with
manager Sam Allardyce at the end of the season. Gold says the club are keen
to retain the services of the 58-year-old former Bolton, Newcastle and
Blackburn boss, whose current deal expires in the summer. "What we promised
and, what Sam promised us, is that at the end of the season we would sit
down and discuss Sam's position," Gold told talkSPORT. "The agreement with
the board was that we would sit down at the end of the season, not when
we're safe - we are not mathematically safe as we speak." "I'm very
optimistic that Sam will be our manager next season. But we have to sit
down. "The agreement with the board was that we would sit down at the end of
the season, not when we're safe - we are not mathematically safe as we
speak." Asked if he was worried Allardyce could agree a move elsewhere
before then, he added: "There's always the danger that a bigger club comes
in. There is that danger. "Having said that Sam has given his word that he
will sit down and discuss his contract at the end of the season and I trust
him." Allardyce was appointed Hammers boss in June 2011 and led them back
into the Premier League in his first season in charge, despite some
criticism from fans over the team's style of play. The club are currently
12th in the top-flight table having amassed 33 points from 28 games.

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David Gold and David Sullivan invest £35m in West Ham to achieve
"three-point" plan
Last Updated: March 4, 2013 9:11pm
SSN

West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan invested £35m in the club to
bolster their successful promotion bid last season. The significant figure
was revealed in the club's newly-released accounts which covered the 12
months they were in the Championship. The loan helped reinforce the Hammers
squad for an immediate return to the Premier League, which they achieved
with victory over Blackpool in the Championship play-off final. The
published accounts revealed losses of £25.5m while West Ham were in the
second tier, with turnover falling by £34.4m to £46.25m. But in his
chairman's statement, Sullivan insisted the losses following relegation were
"inevitable" following the loss of TV and sponsorship income totalling
£26.5m. Sullivan also revealed his and Gold's £35m loan - £3m of which has
been invested this season - was undertaken to fast-track a "three-point
strategic plan". "Both myself and my partner David Gold decided to invest
our money into achieving promotion," Sullivan wrote. "During the season we
invested a further £32.2m of our cash in order to allow the manager to go
into the transfer market and buy the players we needed to secure promotion.
"During that period we brought or loaned 18 players, most notably Kevin
Nolan, Matthew Taylor and Ricardo Vaz Te, investing a total of £17.1m."
Since earning promotion West Ham have spent a further £13m on players, a
figure that could rise to £20m, as they pursue the final part of their
three-point plan - retaining their Premier League status.

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David Gold says West Ham's move to Olympic Stadium could be close
Last Updated: March 4, 2013 2:25pm
SSN

West Ham could be close to agreeing a move to the Olympic Stadium, according
to the Premier League club's co-chairman David Gold. The Hammers'
long-planned move from Upton Park to the venue in East London has reportedly
edged closer this month following talks with the London Legacy Development
Corporation. London Mayor Boris Johnson has described those discussions as
"positive" and Gold is optimistic West Ham will soon have a new home. "I
think we're close. It's only what I'm being promised. As we speak I'm being
promised March 16," Gold told talkSPORT. "We would sign the agreement then."
"We will only go there if it is fit for use. I won't go there if I have to
look over a running track. But I believe we are in a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity. Let's face it. They've built a stadium - albeit the wrong shape
and size." However, the 76-year-old is exercising caution following previous
late problems in the potential agreement that would see the Hammers move to
the Olympic Stadium in 2016. "I'm embarrassed because I've tweeted 10 times
that it's going to be next week or next month and here's a date," he said.
"The date comes and goes and then I give another date. But I think we are
close." West Ham were handed 'preferred bidder' status in December last year
and talks with the LLDC have since focused on details of the proposed move,
including how much the club would pay towards conversion costs of the
stadium. "There are certain things I can't share with you because of the
confidentiality agreement. We will only go there if it is fit for use," said
Gold. "I won't go there if I have to look over a running track. But I
believe we are in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Let's face it. They've
built a stadium - albeit the wrong shape and size."

Part of London's successful Olympic bid centred on a promise to keep
athletics at the Stratford venue in the future and Gold believes for that to
happen the financial support of football is required. "Most Olympic Stadiums
have failed because they haven't embraced the legacy and also saying the
Olympics is over," he said. "Athletics needs football to support it. There's
no other way." The LLDC will discuss the future of the stadium at their next
board meeting on March 26, although an extraordinary general meeting may be
called if they reach an agreement with West Ham before then.

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West Ham midfielder Jack Collison having to manage troublesome knee
Last Updated: March 4, 2013 9:54am
SSN

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce admits Jack Collison will never be 100
per cent as he continues to manage a troublesome knee. The Wales
international has endured lengthy spells on the sidelines with a problem he
has struggled to shake off. A long-term ailment still forces him to train
away from the rest of the Hammers squad, with an individual regime intended
to give him the best chance of playing regular games. Allardyce admits the
situation is far from ideal, but is delighted to have Collison at his
disposal - with the midfielder having netted a crucial winner in Saturday's
1-0 victory over Stoke City. He said: "His management of it is a great
credit to himself and the medical staff. "He does his own training and very
rarely trains with us. He has to get himself ready for a game. "He has to be
bored most of the time when everyone else is doing their training and he is
doing his rehab work. Afterwards he has to have that extra bit of rest and
recovery to everyone else until the swelling goes down. "He can live with
that and prosper but it is not going to give him the full extent of his
ability. It is going to restrict him. "It's a great shame when such a young
man has to be burdened with the fact that his knee is never going to be 100
per cent."

Superb

Collison claims to be in the best shape he has been in for some time, with
the 24-year-old determined to play a leading role for West Ham in the
remainder of the campaign. He said: "It's up to me to take my chances when
they come. Hopefully the goal will help. "Physically, I feel superb and
knee-wise it's the best I've felt for years. "The last few weeks I've been
training most days and working on my fitness and trying to force my way in.
But if you look at our squad, it's hard to nail down a regular position
anywhere."

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Well That's £38,000 a Week Off the Wage Bill...
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

Freddie Piquionne has joined Portland Timbers. Rejoice!

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Piquionne signs for Portland Timbers
msn.foxsports.com
UPDATED MAR 1, 2013 10:32 AM ET

Frederic Piquionne has joined Portland Timbers from West Ham United on a
one-year deal. The 34-year-old former France international impressed during
a trial with the Major League Soccer side. He made 40 appearances for the
Hammers, scoring 11 goals, and spent part of last season on loan at
Doncaster Rovers. Piquionne will join up with former Manchester United and
Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre in Portland. He said: "I am delighted to
sign for Portland. It is a one-year contract. Mikael Silvestre is here with
me, so settling in will not be as difficult as I think. "We will try to do
very well, as much as we can for Portland. For me, it will be another great
experience to play in another great league." Piquionne, who earned one cap
for France, also played for Portsmouth during his time in England. He signed
for West Ham from Lyon for £1million in July 2010.

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Hurt Cole feels Blue
By PAT SHEEHAN
Last Updated: 05th March 2013
The Sun

JOE COLE could be out for a month after damaging a hamstring in Saturday's
1-0 victory over Stoke. West Ham midfielder Cole, 31, was soon in trouble
and had to be hauled off after just 10 minutes at the Britannia. Cole's
enforced absence means he will miss a return to his former club Chelsea next
Sunday. In the Hammers' newly-released accounts it has been revealed owners
David Gold and David Sullivan loaned the club £35million to help ensure
their immediate return to the Premier League. Sullivan, 64, said: "We
decided to invest our money into achieving promotion. "Our cash allowed the
manager to go into the transfer market and buy the players we needed.
"During that period we brought or loaned 18 players, most notably Kevin
Nolan, Matty Taylor and Ricardo Vaz Te."

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