Daily WHUFC News - 3rd July 2013

West Ham United arrive in Cork
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have touched down in the Republic of Ireland for a six-day
training camp
02.07.2013

West Ham United have touched down in the Republic of Ireland ahead of a
six-day pre-season training camp in County Cork. The Hammers will train up
to three times each day before taking on League of Ireland Premier Division
side Cork City at Turner's Cross on Sunday, with sessions split between the
pitch, swimming pool and gym. A 6am start at the Boleyn Ground was followed
by an Aer Lingus flight from London Heathrow which left on schedule, but was
forced to circle Cork Airport for 30 minutes until fog on the ground had
cleared. On arrival, the players - sporting their new 2013/14 adidas
trainingwear - happily signed autographs and posed for photos with
supporters before boarding a coach for the drive to the team hotel a few
miles east of the city. There was an unforeseen detour due to the main road
to the team hotel being closed, but the squad and staff were soon able to
check-in and freshen up ahead of lunch.
The players were then given an hour or two to rest before walking the short
distance to the on-site training pitches for their first session in Ireland.
There, they went through a circuit of three activation drills with strength
and conditioning coach Mathew Monte-Colombo before doing some interval
running under the guidance of fitness coach Eamon Swift.

It was then time to swap the trainers for the boots for the first time as
assistant manager Neil McDonald led the outfield players through a keep-ball
session, during which he constantly encouraged every player to keep on the
move to help increase their fitness levels. Elsewhere, Jussi Jaaskelainen
and new team-mate Adrian worked with goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson
before the session finished with a stretch-off and a visit to the nearby
gymnasium. Exclusive coverage of the Hammers' first day on the Emerald Isle
is available on whufc.com, West Ham TV and the Club's official Facebook and
twitter pages.
West Ham kick-off the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season on Saturday 17
August, when newly-promoted Cardiff City are the visitors to the Boleyn
Ground.

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Taylor hooked on pre-season
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's avid fisherman Matt Taylor has swapped his rods and bait
for boots and shinpads
03.07.2013

Over the past few weeks, Matt Taylor has spent far more time on a riverbank
than on a football pitch. The West Ham United midfielder is a keen fisherman
who, when he was not at home or on holiday with his wife and three children,
spent his summer break hooking fish of various sizes at home and abroad.
While football is now back at the top of his agenda following West Ham's
return to training this week, Taylor admitted to enjoying his time pursuing
his second sporting passion. Last month, Taylor and two friends drove for
ten hours to Le Lac Fishibil in northern France, where he caught a 48lb
grass carp, among others. "I really enjoy my fishing and I was lucky enough
to manage to get a trip to France," Taylor told West Ham TV on the first day
of the Hammers' pre-season trip to Cork in the Republic of Ireland. "I
really enjoyed it and I think it is something I'll be making into an annual
holiday. "We got some nice fish, as well, which was good, but it was nice
just to get away with some friends. It was a social road trip as much as a
fishing trip so it was really good and I thoroughly enjoyed it. "I've always
fished at home but I'd never been to France. I got the opportunity to go
this year and I took it and will definitely be doing it again. It's
something I really enjoy it and my friends do too. The even better thing is
that I try to take my son as often as I can and get him into it."

Concentrating on his day job, Taylor said he and his team-mates were
enjoying being back out on the pitch after a six-week summer break. "We're
into the start of pre-season and it was good to starting touching the
footballs again. When you come away, it allows you to focus on the first
part of pre-season, which is obviously the most-important part because it is
when the fitness and conditioning comes into its own. "I'm really happy to
be back with the lads and we've got a good game coming up on Sunday which
we're all looking forward to." West Ham are staying at the Fota Island
Resort a few miles east of Cork city centre - a complex that has everything
the players and backroom staff need on-site, including first-class pitches,
a gym and swimming pool. "The facilities here are wonderful. The hotel is
really nice, I've used the gym and the pitches are wonderful. The match on
Sunday gives us something to look forward to and something to get fit for.
"The thing abour pre-season is that we have a lot of games in a short period
of time, so obviously you need to train and get ready for them, but also
hone your skills on the pitch. That's what the aim is. "We'll have a couple
of sessions a day, some of which will be physical and some football-based so
it'll be a case of gettting the balls out, getting fit and getting that
camaraderie back in the squad as well. The banter is flying about because
we've got a great group of lads here."

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On this day - 3 July
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid today celebrates his 25th birthday
03.07.2013

Anniversary
Name: Winston Reid
Born: North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand, 3 July 1988
Clubs: Midtjylland, West Ham United
International: New Zealand - 14 caps, one goal
Hammer of the Year Winston Reid turns 25 today as he prepares for another
season in West Ham United colours. New Zealand international Reid has been
with the Hammers since a 2010 move from Danish side Midtjylland and has
racked up 70 league appearances for the Club. He has enjoyed great success
in the last two years, helping West Ham win promotion from the Championship
in 2012, then going on to excel in the top flight and pick up the
prestigious Hammer of the Year award. Born in New Zealand, he moved to
Denmark at the age of ten and made his debut at 17 for FC Midtjylland. He
played his international football at age group level for Denmark, but chose
to represent New Zealand at senior level and was a member of their squad for
the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In 2013, he was named as captain of the All Whites.

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Hammers fan visits adidas
WHUFC.com
West Ham United fan Ed Kimber got his hands on the new home kit first at
adidas' global HQ
02.07.2013

Ed Kimber became the first West Ham United fan to get his hands on the new
adidas 2013/14 home kit this week when he travelled to the sportswear
giant's global headquarters in Germany as part of a unique prize. Ed won the
opportunity to visit the adidas base as an auction prize at the Club's
Player Awards dinner in May and enjoyed an unforgettable experience ahead of
Wednesday's exclusive kit event for Season Ticket holders. As well as
receiving the first Hammers kit, Kimber was also given an adidas campus
tour, including the Walk of Fame, which highlights past milestones and the
biggest successes of adidas
An excited Kimber told whufc.com: "It was a brilliant experience, right from
when we landed in Germany. We were taken around the adidas HQ, and it's a
fantastic brand for West Ham to be aligned with.

"I think there's a real synergy between adidas and West Ham, they are an
authentic sports brand and there's an historical relationship - one which
enjoyed successful times from the 1980s, and hopefully the new partnership
can help us relieve those days. "The place was full of creative energy and
great talent, and it was amazing to be the first West Ham fan to hold the
new shirt in my hands. "I won't forget that and the shirt is fantastic -
even better in the flesh than on the pictures I've seen on the website and I
can't wait to watch the team when they wear it for the first time in the
Premier League against Cardiff City. "We've renewed our Season Tickets and
hopefully we can get a better result than the last time we opened the season
against them!"

The new adidas home replica kit goes on sale from the Club's Stores at the
Stadium, Liberty Romford and Lakeside Thurrock (click here for opening
times) and online at www.officialwesthamstore.com from Thursday 4 July.

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Ginge relishing week in Ireland
WHUFC.com
James Collins is happy to be back in West Ham United colours for the start
of pre-season training
02.07.2013

James Collins has told West Ham TV of his pleasure at being back in a West
Ham United training kit for the start of pre-season training. Collins and
his Hammers squad-mates touched down in the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday
morning ahead of a six-day camp in County Cork, culminating with a fixture
with League of Ireland Premier Division side Cork City at Turner's Cross on
Sunday evening. It was as if 'Ginge' and his colleagues had never been away,
with the banter soon flying around ahead of the serious business of
pre-season preparation ahead of the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League opener
at home to Collins' old club Cardiff City on Saturday 17 August. The
29-year-old was in fine fettle as he sat down to speak to West Ham TV ahead
of the squad's first training session in Ireland on Tuesday afternoon.

Welcome to Ireland, Ginge! It doesn't seem like long ago that we were
beating Reading 4-2 to complete the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season,
so is it good to be back or could you have done with a longer break?

JC: "It's nice to back. I think it was enough of a break, really. You
obviously get time away with your family but then you start missing it.
We're back a week earlier than most Premier League clubs, which is a good
thing, I think. It's like being back on the first day of school. We kept in
touch over the summer with a little group-chat going on among the boys to
keep in contact. To get the actual banter going again is great because, as I
said, you do start missing them in a strange sort of way."

We were welcomed to Ireland by grey skies, fog and a bit of rain in the air,
but is that a good thing when you have to run around for six days?

JC: "I think it is a good thing to be able to start in more manageable
temperatures. It can be very hot sometimes when you go away for pre-season,
but the weather is not the best here and it will keep the boys cool. You
obviously get hot when you are doing all the running and all that, so it's a
bonus."

The facilities at the Fota Island Resort are all on-site and top-class, so
the players have no excuse if they do not have a productive week, do they?

JC: "It is spot-on, like you say. All the facilities are on-site and, if we
do get a bit of time off, there is a golf course here for the golfers in the
squad. Everything being on-site makes it easier than bussing here, there and
everywhere so we have no excuses if we don't have a good week. We have a
game coming up on Sunday, so we obviously need to get some training in
before it, so the boys are looking forward to it. It should be good."

Being an experienced professional, what do you look to get out of the first
week of pre-season training?

JC: "Obviously your body is not used to running about, so you have to get
back into it slowly and get your fitness. It's not like you don't come back
fit, because you have to look after yourself in the summer nowadays. All the
boys have been doing that, so it's all about getting back into it and
getting used to the football again."

With 22 players in Ireland, it is likely that everyone will play for 45
minutes at Cork City on Sunday. Are you looking forward to performing in
front of a passionate Irish crowd, having done so previously for Wales?

JC: "There is a massive amount of passion for football here, especially down
in Cork. I've got family living down here so I know how much it means to
them and how they love their football down here. The boys are looking
forward to it, looking forward to getting back on the pitch and pulling on
the strip again and building towards the start of the season. It's quite
early to have a game, but we'll have a half each just to get the boots and
pads back on and see how it
goes."

Among the 22 are three new faces in Razvan Rat, Adrian and Danny Whitehead,
while Andy Carroll has remained at Chadwell Heath for treatment. It's always
good to see fresh players in a squad, isn't it?

JC: "I met the new lads on Monday and they are nice lads. Obviously having
Andy back is great. He is great in the changing room and he gets on great
with
the lads. If he can start the season as he ended the last one, and we can
help the other lads settle in, they can all play a massive part for us."

For the second season in succession, we start at home to one of your old
clubs. Last season, it was Aston Villa. This year, it will be your first
club Cardiff City!

JC: "It will be good. I looked at it straight away and, with my family still
living down there, they were excited as well. It will be strange playing
against them in the Premier League, but they have done great to come up so
it's one I am looking forward to. The same as last year, we had Villa and we
got the three points against them, so fingers crossed we can do the same. I
think I played against Cardiff once when I was at Villa in the League Cup
[in September 2009] but it will be great to play against them in the league.
There are not too many faces there from my time any more, but they did give
me my start in football so I do
keep an eye on them. Like last year, though, I'll be playing as hard as ever
to get the three points."

Talking of the visit of Cardiff, it is that time of year when fans can snap
up Season Tickets and Memberships. We sold out the final 17 matches of last
season,
so how important would it be to the players to make that 18 when the
Bluebirds come to the Boleyn Ground?

JC: "It makes a huge difference, especially with our fans. We always try to
get off to a good start in games to give the fans something to get excited
about
early doors. Last year, they were unbelievable - the same as in all the
years I have been here. It's a tough time for everyone so it's unbelievable
what they do for us and they don't realise how much it does spur us on when
they do get behind us at home."

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David Sullivan gains control of West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd July 2013
By: Staff Writer

Co-chairman David Sullivan has become West Ham United's largest single
shareholder, having acquired a further 25 per cent stake in the club from CB
Holdings. Legal Week have revealed that Sullivan recently increased his
personal stake to 56 per cent, leaving him as West Ham United's largest
single stakeholder and giving him overall control of the Club. "DLA Piper is
among a number of law firms to have advised on a deal," read a report in
Legal Week. "Sullivan, a longstanding client of DLA, has now acquired a
further 25 per cent of shares in West Ham as part of a £25.5m restructuring
of the club's senior debt."

The news was confirmed by DLA Pipers's corporate partner Mel Sims, who
added: "We are delighted to have advised David on his latest investment in
the football club. It is an exciting time for West Ham, having had a solid
first year back in the Premier League and with the move to the Olympic
Stadium on the horizon."

Sullivan - who in conjunction with David Gold purchased a majority 51 per
cent share of West Ham when wrestling control from Icelandic bankers
Straumur in January 2010 - first increased his stake when the pair invested
in an additional ten per cent, costing £8million, just four months later.
That move increased their shareholding to 31 per cent each.

A plea for further, outside investment followed in February 2011 when
Sullivan and Gold - who have a three-year option to buy out the Icelandic
bank's remaining shares - advertised for potential partners to purchase the
remaining 35 per cent stake owned by Straumur/CBH.

"The club's value has been enormously increased and there is a unique
opportunity to buy the remaining 35% of the club for around £35-40 million,"
said Suliivan at the time. "Once all the shares are placed it is anticipated
that they'll increase enormously in value over the coming few years as the
club moves to the Olympic Stadium.

"There is a chance the value of the club could go from £100million to
£700million over five years when we move. There are only four big clubs in
London: Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham, and West Ham is by far the
cheapest. Yet it has great heritage and a huge fan base and, with the
Olympic Stadium, it can become a top-five club in the future."

However with no additional parties coming on board, Sullivan and Gold
continued to run the club with an even stake - until Sullivan's latest
purchase, which gives the 64-year-old a clear majority share.

So who owns West Ham in 2013?
(All figures approximate evaluations based on figures in public domain)

1. David Sullivan: 55.6%
2. David Gold: 30.6%
3. CB Holdings (formerly Straumur): 10%
4. John Harris, Daniel Harris and Terence Brown: 3.8%

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West Ham make £10million Bony bid?
KUMb,.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd July 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have made an eight-figure bid for Vitesse striker Wilfried
Bony, according to reports this afternoon. SSN report that West Ham have
made an offer worth in the region of £10million for the 24-year-old Ivorian
forward, who had looked set to join fellow Premier League club Swansea City
last week.
A player who has been on the club's radar for some time, Bony was initially
linked with a move to east London earlier this year. Back in March, agents
representing the striker met with Hammers chiefs in London in order to
strike a deal, but the two clubs failed to agree a transfer fee. Bony - who
trialled for Liverpool in 2007 but failed to land a contract at Anfield -
started his career in the Ivory Coast with Premier Division club Issia Wazi.
In 2007, he spent a season on loan with Sparta Prague before making that
deal permanent the following summer. During his three seasons in Prague, in
which he was part of the squad which won both the Gambrinus Liga and the
Czech Republic Football Supercup, Bony avergaed a goal every three games -
and it was that keen eye for goal which prompted Vitesse to pay £4million to
take his to the Netherlands. His first season - the 2011/12 campaign - ended
with his as Vitesse's top scorer with 12 goals (despite having only signed
in January, midway through the campaign). He ended last season as the
Eredivisie's leading goalscorer with his tally of 31 goals - five more than
his closest competitor, Feyenoord's Graziano Pellè.

Eredivisie 2012/13: Top Goalscorers

1 Wilfried Bony (Vitesse) 31
2 Graziano Pelle (Feyenoord) 27
3 Alfred Finnbogason (sc Heerenveen) 24
4 Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar) 23
5 Sanharib Malki (Roda JC Kerkrade) 17
6 Dries Mertens (PSV) 16
7 Jeremain Lens (PSV) 15
8 Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV) 14
8 Jacob Mulenga (FC Utrecht) 14
10 Luc Castaignos (FC Twente) 13

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Top bombing
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd July 2013
By: Staff Writer

Canning Town's Victoria Dock Road has been closed this afternoon due to the
discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb. The road has been shut off
between Connaught Bridge and Prince Regent Lane by Police whilst the entire
area has been cleared by Police. The East End was one of the most heavily
bombed areas in the UK during the 1939-1945 conflict, with its docks,
railways and industry targeted by the Germans. There are still thought to be
several similar unexploded bombs in and around the area. The Boleyn Ground
was famously bombed in August 1944 when a V-1 bomb landed in the south-west
corner of the ground, causing severe damage. As a result, West Ham were
forced to play their home fixtures at alternative venues until December 1944
whilst repairs were taking place. However it proved to be a fruitful spell
for the club as they embarked on a run of nine straight wins - before losing
their first game back at the Boleyn to neighbours Tottenham.

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West Ham have made a bid for Swansea target Wilfried Bony
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: July
2, 2013 1:44pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands West Ham have made a bid for Vitesse Arnhem hit-man
Wilfried Bony. Bony is expected to leave Vitesse this summer, with a host of
clubs across Europe chasing his signature. Swansea were thought to be
front-runners for Bony after tabling a bid for the Ivory Coast international
last week.
However, West Ham have now entered the race for Bony, with Sam Allardyce
keen to lure him to Upton Park. Allardyce has already brought in Andy
Carroll on a permanent basis from Liverpool and now he is understood to have
lodged a £10million bid for Bony. Bony is thought to be keen on a move to
England and he could have a choice over where he moves, with Swansea and
West Ham bidding for his services.

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Have West Ham Bid £10m for Wilfred Bony?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

Reports have emerged today that West Ham have made a £10m bid for the
services of Viitesse's Wilfred Bony. If true, the club have moved quickly to
try to gazump a recent approach by Swansea City. The Ivory Coast striker was
last season's top scorer in the Dutch League with an impressive 31 goals.
Bony has interested the club for some time and it was reported back in March
that initial discussions had taken place with the player's
club/representatives, but a deal was not struck at that time. It would
appear that the Hammers may belatedly be renewing their interest.

There are other pieces of Hammers related transfer speculation abroad at the
moment. This first is that West Ham may have an interest in signing free
agent centre-back Titus Bramble. Bramble has joined the West Ham squad for
pre-season training and that has encouraged speculation that the
ex-Sunderland defender could join on a Bosman deal. Secondly, the Evening
Standard have reported that we may be interested in Crystal Palace's 24 year
old winger, Yannick Bolasie. Bolasie had a very good campaign in the
Championship last season and there are suggestions that Fulham, West Brom,
Swansea and Southampton might also be tracking his progress.

In terms of players exiting the club, it has been confirmed that Robert
Hall's contract expired on 30 June 2013 and that he has now moved to Bolton
Wanderers. Because he is under 24 years of age the final fee will go to an
arbitration panel and it is thought that West Ham want £1m and Bolton are
offering £500,000. Lets hope that this is not a departure that West Ham will
come to regret in time. Hall is a good prospect and a player that was highly
rated at the club's Academy. Will it be a case of Ray Houghton or Zavon
Hines? Only time will tell?

Finally, there have been a couple of reports circulating today that David
Sullivan has increased his stake holding in the club by 25% and consequently
he is now the majority stakeholder. That presumably means that the long
standing stake that Claret & Blue Holdings (the Icelandic banks) have had in
the club has been brought out or drastically reduced. If so, the
elimination/reduction of their interest can only be good news for the future
of the club.

SJ. Chandos.

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West Ham cheer on Chelsea as they chase Edinson Cavani.. so they can borrow
Romelu Lukaku
2 Jul 2013 22:30
The Mirror

West Ham have their fingers crossed that Chelsea manage to buy Edinson
Cavani - as they hope his arrival will help their chances of signing the
Blues' Romelu Lukaku on loan. The Hammers are holding out for the Blues'
brilliant Belgian after having a £10.2million bid for Vitesse Arnhem striker
Wilfried Bony rejected.
Bony, 24, scored 31 goals in 30 games for Vitesse last season, and is
currently one of the hottest properties in Europe. But West Ham are unlikely
to increase their bid for him, with Swansea and Newcastle also in the hunt.
Instead, they are want to pair Chelsea marksman Lukaku, superb on a
year-long loan at West Brom last season, with £15m signing Andy Carroll - as
first revealed by MirrorFootball back in May. While new Blues boss Jose
Mourinho wants Lukaku to be part of his plans for next season, West Ham have
not given up hope of taking the 20-year-old Belgium international and
offering him regular first-team football in World Cup year. Chelsea have
already signed Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle, they are battling
with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City for Cavani. They also retain an
interest in unsettled Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

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