Daily WHUFC News - 8th September 2013

Bonzo's pride
WHUFC.com
The great Billy Bonds tells of his pride at returning to the Club he served
with distinction for two decades
07.09.2013

The great Billy Bonds MBE tells Evening Standard correspondent and lifelong
West Ham United fan Ken Dyer of his pride at returning to the Club he served
with distinction for two decades There were plenty of positives about West
Ham's start to the new Premier League season - a home win over Cardiff City,
a clean sheet, no injuries. The other highlight of that opening Upton Park
afternoon for me - and I suspect plenty of other fans though - occurred just
before the first rendition of Bubbles. Usually, with 15 minutes to go before
the kick-off, the stadium is still half-empty. Not this time though because
the word had obviously spread that a real Hammers legend was about to appear
from the tunnel, as he had so many times in the past. Then, there he was, a
proud, erect, trim figure, walking out onto the pitch with his family - wife
Lynn, daughters Claire and Katie plus grand-daughters Eloise and Elissa.
Billy Bonds waved to the four corners of the ground he knows so well - and a
tide of emotion washed back down towards him from the grandstands. It was a
priceless moment and you could see just how much it meant to him. It meant a
fair bit to the fans as well - including at least one cynical old journalist
who, just at that moment, seemed to be suffering from a speck of dust in his
eye. Earlier I had popped into the lounge named after the man who made
almost 800 appearances for the club over more than two decades and then went
on to be manager. Bill and his family were there, his grand-daughters
marvelling at the pictures of their granddad around the wall. Someone took
a picture of him with Ray Winstone. Bill will say what a thrill it was to
have his photo with the actor, but I'm not sure it wasn't the other way
around. Much later, after he had watched Big Sam's team comfortably beat
newly-promoted Cardiff, he popped his head around the manager's office door.
"Well done Sam, good performance and a great start."

Then he was gone, no fuss, ushering his family into their car for their
short trip back through the Blackwall Tunnel. What remained, though, was the
warm after-glow following the return of West Ham's very own special one. A
couple of weeks later and the visit is still fresh in Bill's memory. "It was
good of the club to invite me," he says. "I thought it over because you know
me, I don't like a lot of fuss but I wanted to take my wife Lynn, two
daughters and their two daughters to Upton Park at least one more time
before the club move to the Olympic Stadium. "I wanted to show them the
place where I spent more than 20 years of my life with some unforgettable
memories. "Everyone was terrific and it was a memorable day for me and the
family. My daughters, Claire and Katie, haven't stopped talking about it
since and they're putting pressure on me to come back more regularly! "It
was a surreal experience walking into the 'Billy Bonds Lounge'. I'd never
been in there before and there were all those big photographs of me up on
the wall. "I met the owners, had a chat with the two Davids. David Gold
spoke to me about moving to the Olympic Stadium and how that will be the
next step up the ladder for the club. "David Sullivan was explaining all
about the Financial Fair Play rules and how the club will have to shift
players if they want to buy. "It was great to meet Ray Winstone and Perry
Fenwick, who plays Billy Mitchell in EastEnders. They're both from the East
End of London and proud of it. "Tony Gale had told me what a nice man Ray is
and it was nice meeting him in the flesh. Perry is a really good lad as
well. "Sir Trevor came in and we had a good chin wag and I met up with Bobby
Gould as well. He's a larger than life character - I think he's a bit older
even than me but he looked really well. "Bobby Barnes was there, he works
for the Professional Footballers' Association and has done really well for
himself and I bumped into former goalkeeper Allen McKnight. "I was also
delighted to meet up one of the coaches, Jimmy Frith. I think Jimmy has been
involved with West Ham even longer than I was and I was chuffed to bits that
he's still there because I heard that he had left. "It's only right that
Jimmy's still involved because although Tony Carr is the Academy Director
there and has done brilliantly in bringing countless players through, Jimmy
was always valuable to have around. "He's a nice man and good to have around
the youngsters as well because he was always someone they could go and talk
to. He is a true East Ender and I imagine the parents appreciate Jimmy's
presence as well. "Jimmy was always a close confidant of mine and I was so
pleased to see him looking so healthy. He's as good as gold. He loves West
Ham and would never harm the club."

It was the response of the supporters though, which you feel, meant most to
Bill when he walked out onto the pitch he made his second home for so long.
"I will never forget the fans' reception. It was just great," he says.
"They've always been that way with me, I've always had a great rapport with
them. "They were great with me in 1967 when I made my debut against
Sheffield Wednesday and they've never stopped since. "I've always said that
without the support they gave me I wouldn't have gone on as I did - I
wouldn't have wanted to. "Every game was great, running out there to that
ovation, the atmosphere.
"It was exactly the same a couple of weeks ago. I really appreciated it and
it's something I will take to the grave. "When I left the club in '94, I
didn't really get the chance to speak to anyone - players, fans, anyone. It
was nice to go out there before the kick-off against Cardiff and give them a
wave and to show my appreciation. "I thought Sam's team did well against
Cardiff. They looked in control for most of the match but they always needed
that second goal. "Hopefully they can make a good start in the Premier
League again this season and then have a good cup run. "If my daughters get
their way I'll return but the trouble is the club will have to fine room for
six of us again because they all loved it and want to come back!" No problem
for a true Hammers legend - no problem at all.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
International round-up
WHUFC.com
Find out how West Ham United's internationals got on this week
07.09.2013

A number of West Ham United players have been involved in international
action for their countries this week.

Razvan Rat had a successful Friday, starting at left back as Romania
recorded an important 3-0 win over Hungary in Group D of the European
qualifying tournament for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Romania are now in second
place two points clear of Hungary, and three ahead of Turkey, who they play
at home on Tuesday.

Jack Collison also started for Wales in World Cup qualifying, although his
evening was less successful as Chris Coleman's side came up short in
Macedonia.
Wales had done well to battle back from 1-0 down to level through Aaron
Ramsey, but Aleksandar Trajkovski's winner ten minutes from time left the
visitors with nothing.

Winston Reid, meanwhile, started for New Zealand as they beat Saudi Arabia
1-0 to reach the final of the OSN tournament against United Arab Emirates on
Monday.

Below senior level, Leo Chambers scored for England U19s as they won 6-1
away at Estonia, while Raphael Spiegel helped Switzerland U21s get their
Euro 2015 qualification off to the perfect start as they defeated Latvia
2-0.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tombides on top form
WHUFC.com
Dylan Tombides is full of confidence after his cheeky chip helped the Dev
Squad to another win
07.09.2013

Cheeky chap Dylan Tombides was centre of attention on Thursday night as the
Development Squad beat Colchester United 3-0 at the Weston Homes Community
Stadium. Just seconds after coming on as a substitute, the striker raced
onto a through ball and with his first touch of the game produced an
outrageous chip over the 'keeper, who could only watch and admire it as it
sailed into the net. The 19-year-old was as cool as his finish when
describing why he chose to lob the 'keeper. He told West Ham TV: "If you ask
anyone around the club I'm always doing lairy things like that. "In training
I practice it constantly because the 'keeper doesn't expect it, he expects
it to go low or to the side of him so when it goes over he's just like 'oh
no' and luckily for me it came off."

Goals from Reece Burke and Danny Whitehead sandwiched Tombides' goal as a
very youthful Development Squad kept the momentum going following Monday's
5-4 Barclays U21 Premier League win over Newcastle United. Several of Steve
Potts' Under-18s came into the squad and impressed Tombides after making the
step-up look seamless. He continued: "We're very happy with the performance,
coming on late you get to see a different view from the sideline.
"You got to see how the youngsters fared in an Under-21s match and to be
fair they all looked like they belonged there and that they could cope with
what was going on out there."

The goal was the Australian's second in as many games after he scored the
equaliser against the Magpies on Monday. The frontman is bursting with
confidence following his touch of class against Colchester and is feeling
good ahead of the Barclays U21 Premier League visit of Manchester City on
Friday 13 September.
He said: "Being a striker, every time you come on you always get in the box
as much as possible. "You're always going to get an opportunity and when you
get it you should be able to take it and in the last two games I've been
able to do that. "I'm looking forward to the game against Manchester City,
they are a massive name in the Barclays Premier League. "Obviously playing
at Upton Park you always relish it because it's such a great stadium and to
play in, it's fantastic."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham looked at three strikers on deadline day
Last Updated: September 7, 2013 1:27pm
SSN

Vice-chairman Karren Brady says West Ham United missed out on deals to sign
Demba Ba, Nicklas Bendtner and Romelu Lukaku on deadline day. The Hammers
made no secret of their desire to get another frontman on board throughout
the summer transfer window. They were able to wrap up a permanent deal for
loan star Andy Carroll, but were left frustrated in their efforts to acquire
further firepower. It was not for the lack of trying, though, with the
Hammers having taken their hunt right down to the wire. They were keen on
bringing Ba back to Upton Park for a second spell, were also keen on his
Chelsea team-mate Lukaku and expressed an interest in Arsenal's want-away
striker Bendtner. On a busy but frustrating night, Brady wrote in her column
in The Sun: "You win some, you lose some and West Ham lose three tonight -
transfers, that is. "On the final day of the window, we miss out on Chelsea
strike duo Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku, plus Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner. "At
8.55pm I am told Lukaku wants to rejoin West Brom and, no matter what we do,
his decision is final.
"Then, with 10 minutes to deadline, it's revealed he is joining Everton.
"Anyway, David Sullivan and Sam Allardyce did their business early - making
Andy Carroll our record signing and acquiring several other excellent
players."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ciprian Marica could be set for move to England according to reports in
Romania
Last Updated: September 7, 2013 10:32pm
SSN

Reports in the Romanian media claim striker Ciprian Marica could be set for
a move to England, with Arsenal linked to a possible deal. The 27-year-old
is a free agent after leaving Schalke in the summer, and despite being
linked with a host of clubs including Shakhtar Donetsk, Lazio and Inter
Milan he remains a free agent. Now the fact that Marica can move outside the
transfer window as he was a free agent before it closes, has made him an
interesting options for a number of clubs. West Ham are also said to be
keen, but reports from Romania believe that Arsenal could be heading the
chase for Marica - who scored for his country in their win over Hungary on
Friday. "Marica is a really great striker who has already got experience in
western European football and so it's natural that big clubs are eyeing his
career," his agent Ioan Becali - who also looks after recent Spurs signing
Vlad Chiriches - is quoted by Prosport.ro Becali even claims that a deal
with Arsenal is in the pipeline, adding: "He's close to joining Arsenal, but
we have to wait for the next week." Marica remains with the Romanian squad
ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier with Turkey on Tuesday. A win
would put them firmly on course for second place in Group D. Marica has an
impressive goal scoring record for his country with over 22 goals in 63
caps.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jiloan Hamad says he shunned three deals
By Kent Hedlundh | Last Updated: September 7, 2013 10:49pm
SSN

Malmo star Jiloan Hamad says he rejected offers from three clubs during the
transfer window. Whilst Malmo did sell star striker Tokelo Rantie to
Bournemouth before deadline day, he was not followed by Hamad - who says the
possible moves on offer for him did not 'feel right'. Reports in Sweden
claim that two of the clubs in question were West Ham United and Sochaux. "I
got three serious offers which I rejected," Hamad told Expressen. "I had
some options, the offers were good financially. But some clubs did not feel
right. "I have got a good agent and a good advisor." The 22-year-old is
focused on winning the title with Malmo, before he considers his future.
"There are eight matches left and it does not reduce the chances to move on
later on." Hamad added. "I have been involved in the build up for Malmo and
I do not want to leave unless it is something really special. "All I have
got on my mind right now is another Swedish championship. I want to win, the
squad want to win. "I am fully focused on the title, that is my only target
right now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
IN PRAISE OF THE SECOND STRIKER/GOAL POACHER
By S J Chandos 7 Sep 2013 at 13:00
West Ham Till I Die

There is clearly a great deal of frustration amongst West Ham about the
formation that Sam Allardyce almost uniformly adopts. Call it 4-3-3, 4-5-1
or even 4-4-1-1, but the common denominator appears to be the lone
centre-forward supported from the flanks and from midfield (particularly by
Kevin Nolan). At its best (mostly at Upton Park) it has worked well, with
Nolan in particular benefiting. At its worst (mostly in away games) the
centre forward gets isolated and disengaged from midfield and it just does
not deliver the necessary attacking threat and encourages the opposition to
attack us.

The common complaint is that Sam Allardyce only plays it one way and does
not appear to be able to change to a different formation. Invariably, 4-4-2
then comes in to the equation and the issue of the absence of a second
striker on the pitch. Finally, Kevin Nolan's selection, and his role playing
behind the centre forward, is seen as a particular obstacle to the inclusion
of that much extolled second striker. Where it is used most successfully on
the continent, the centre forward is supported by two mobile forwards, who
invariably have the dual ability to go wide and/or give support and make and
take chances in more central striking positions. In the West Ham system that
is the element that is arguably missing, with the likes of Jarvis and
Downing attacking down the flanks and looking to deliver crosses in to the
target man and midfield runners.

So, what is it about 4-4-2 that is so dear to most Hammers fans? I am sure
that you would solicit a number of different responds to that question.
However, the core common element would probably relate to a preference for a
strike partnership up front. There is an old saying that strikers best hunt
in pairs and that has certainly been true at West Ham, where partnerships
such as Keeble/Dick, Hurst/Byrne, Hurst/Best, Hurst/Robson, Gould or
Taylor/Jennings, Cross/Robson, Cross/Pearson, Cross/Goddard,
McAvennie/Cottee, Hartson/Kitson, Kanoute/Di Canio, Zamora/Harewood,
Ashton/Harewood and Cole/Vaz Te are legendary and integral to the club's
history. We are all familiar with the big man/little man combination, the
target man and the goal poacher that feeds off of him. Admittedly they were
not all like that though not all partners conform to that dichotomy. The
obvious example being the pacy, mobile partnership between Cottee and
McAvennie; where both players thrived on running on to the through ball and
were equally proficient at finishing. While other partnerships such as that
between Geoff Hurst and Clyde Best was between two target men in effect,
although Hurst had the ability to play both roles.

Pop Robson
However, the 'big man/little man' partnership is one that sticks in the
memory and affections. And I also had a real admiration for the mobile goal
poacher in the partnership. West Ham have been blessed with some great,
great strikers in the poacher mould. For instance, Johnny Byrne, who had
electric pace, beautiful technique and deadly finishing skills. Johnny Dick,
who although not particularly fast, thrived feeding off Vic Keeble and was a
natural goal scorer with his deadly left peg. My personal favourite was
Bryan 'Pop' Robson, a penalty box predator, who I believe was one of the
greatest two or three finishers to play for West Ham, certainly in the
modern era. Then there was Alan Taylor, who although not of the quality of
some of the aforementioned greats, had genuine pace and an uncanny ability
to be in 'the right place at the right time' to conceptualise on goal
scoring opportunities. Of course, he will always be remembered for those
three crucial goal braces in the quarter-Final (Vs Arsenal), semi-Final (Vs
Ipswich Town) and Final (Vs Fulham) of the 1975 FA Cup victory.

Tony Cottee
Most Hammers these days, will recall the goal scoring heroics of Tony
Cottee. Not only the successful partnership with McAvennie, but all of his
goal scoring achievements across his two spells at the club. When I think of
Cottee, I automatically recall the youngster who scored against Spurs on his
first team debut, the partnership with Frankie Mac in 1985-86 and the later
Cottee, whose had such a fruitful second coming at his boyhood club. I
recall the two overseas goal scoring wizards that was Di Canio and Tevez,
both were world class talents and left so many good memories behind them.
But the other 'second' striker that I really admired was Paul Goddard. That
guy had everything, pace, technique, a good football brain and excellent
finishing ability. I will always remember his goal in the 2nd leg of the
League Cup, at Upton Park, Vs Coventry City. We were trailing 3-2 from the
first leg and Coventry City were defending very well and frustration/anxiety
was starting to grow as the match proceeded. Until Goddard received the ball
centrally on the edge of the box, pushed the ball slightly to his left and
tightly turned and hit a guided missile of a shot in the top left hand
corner of the opposition net. It was the decisive moment of that tie and we
went on to win the semi-final with a late Jimmy Neighbour winner.

It is those type of goal poachers that we miss, along with dangerous
striking partnerships and the threat that they conveyed. That is probably
why supporters, more recently, have identified with the Baldocks and
Maynards and been critical their relative lack of first team opportunity and
early transfers out of the club; it is also an explanation why many
supporters sympathised with Vaz Te and his recent assertion that he is a
central striker, not a wide player! For many, there is just too much missing
in the typical 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 Allardyce formation. While others have no
problem starting with that formation, but seek evidence of the manager's
ability to tactically 'change it' and revert to a 4-4-2, with a second
striker alongside the centre forward. And, as I have already stated, that
hostility towards Nolan is largely because it is perceived that his
inclusion, and Allardyce's apparent assistance upon playing him, is a
perceived barrier to adopting a 4-4-2 system, with the deployment of a 2nd
striker.

Ironically, the failure to finish off the summer transfer business with the
acquisition of an appropriate striker, means that we have two fit strikers,
in the form of Vaz Te and Maiga, whose strengths are predominantly playing
as second strikers. While we are currently inadequately provided with a
target man in Carroll's injury absence! It is an absolutely ridiculous that
we have allowed ourselves to get in that position. And it really does
necessitate the signing of an adequate free agent striker to cover for Andy
Carroll. There are more reports this evening that the club will bring in the
Romania international striker, Cirprian Marica, who scored his side's
opening goal in their 3-0 win over Hungary yesterday evening.

Marica is obviously fit and ready to play, so the club would do a lot worse
than to sign the striker as a matter of urgency. If we can sign him, and
possibly Carlton Cole when he improves/proves his fitness, then we can go
forward with a bit more confidence until the January window opens.

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM'S PAY DAY LOANS WITH VIBRAC CORPORATION
By Sean Whetstone 7 Sep 2013 at 08:32
West Ham Till I Die

On Wednesday the Sun carried a small story that was probably missed by most
football fans. The unassuming piece explained that West Ham had cleared its
existing loan with the mysterious Vibrac Corporation and then immediately
took out a new loan which they claimed could be as much as £70 million.

In March this year, Nick Harris from the Daily Mail wrote a story how West
Ham had reached an agreement with this offshore lending company in the
British Virgin Islands to borrow all £60million of our current season's
Premier League television money in advance.Nick claimed at the time that the
revelation that West Ham set up this facility in September last year
underlined why West Ham's owners were at the forefront of campaigners within
the League's 20 clubs to bring in Financial Fair Play spending restrictions
on wages this season.

Stories about the Vibrac Corporation are nothing new. Everton borrowed £13
million back in 2011 at a rate of 10% interest and have renewed that
facility every year since.
A copy of the Everton mortgage documentation for that transaction filed with
companies house can be found here

It is not known who owns the Vibrac corporation but they are based in the
same building as BCR Sports, the company through which Robert Earl controls
his stake in Everton FC.

In April 2012, a facility was also provided to Southampton by the Vibrac
Corporation. Saints fans called for transparency over a mysterious financial
document lodged by the club at Companies House at the time.

In April this year, a similar facility was also provided to Fulham to enable
the club to borrow against future guaranteed income. However it is claimed
this facility was settled early when Shahid Khan purchased Fulham last
month.In the Fulham transaction they authorised the Premier League to pay
£16million into Vibrac's account with Barclays. Fulham put up Craven Cottage
itself as security for the loan. In the draft mortgage document submitted to
Companies House, an accountant named Robert Heppel is named as a witness to
Vibrac's side of the agreement.

So if the Daily Mail & Sun stories about West Ham's dealings with Vibrac are
taken at face value we could have borrowed up to £130 million as 'pay day
loans' from Vibrac Corporation over 2 years and we could be paying as much
as £13 million in interest if the 10% fee from Everton 2011 loan is anything
to go by.

If the interest paid by West Ham is anything close to £13 million I see many
questions being asked of our board of directors .

All should be made clear soon as WH Holding Ltd will need to submit their
financial accounts year ending 31st May 2013. The first loan and any
interest paid will need to be declared in those accounts.

Last year's accounts weren't published on the companies house website until
28th Feb this year so we have some time to wait before we know the true
extent and scale of our mysterious dealing with Vibrac Corporation.

Note from Iain: I'd like to welcome Sean to the site. He will be posting
regular articles on the finances of West Ham.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com