Daily WHUFC News - 23rd April 2015

New Stadium Season Ticket prices announced
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce major price cuts across the board
for Season Tickets for the first season at the Club's magnificent new home
on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The key details are as follows:

Every Season Ticket price band will see a reduction as the Club uses
increased broadcast revenue to offer dramatically cheaper tickets to its
supporters

A new entry-level Band 5 adult Season Ticket will cost just £289 – the
cheapest in the Premier League

All Season Tickets for Under-16s will be cut to just £99 – the equivalent of
only £5 per game

A family of four can buy a Season Ticket for just £776 – the equivalent of
£41 per match

West Ham United Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold and
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady have long been champions of trying to make
football more affordable for supporters.

When they announced their ambition to make the former Olympic Stadium West
Ham's new home, they also stated their hope that it would create
opportunities for more Hammers fans to be able to afford to watch their
team. Today's announcement delivers on that pledge as the Hammers become the
first Barclays Premier League Club to use the increased broadcast revenue
for the 2016/17 season to cut ticket prices for supporters.

Every Season Ticket Holder sitting in bands 1-4 for the final season at the
Boleyn Ground will see a reduction of at least £26 in their Season Ticket
price. Band 1 will come down by £26 (-3%), Band 2 by £61 (-7%), Band 3 by
£201 (-25%) and Band 4 by £151 (-23%).

A new £289 Band 5 Season Ticket will become the cheapest in the Premier
League* and represents a cost per game of just £15.20. This market-leading
rate means a family of four can watch West Ham's 19 home games from just
£776 – the equivalent of just £41 per match.

The new £99 Season Ticket for Under-16s also means the Club will have the
cheapest Season Tickets for children among London's Premier League teams,
and will match Sunderland AFC as the cheapest Season Ticket in the league on
general sale to that age group.*

Disabled supporters will also see a further reduction on the already
discounted rates they enjoy at the Boleyn Ground, with disabled Season
Ticket prices being reduced by up to £205.

Commenting on today's announcement, Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said:

"We have always said that the move to our magnificent new Stadium would be a
game changer for West Ham: a chance to increase revenue, invest in the team
and improve our performance on the pitch, but crucially without putting an
extra financial burden on the supporters who already come to watch every
home match. Today's announcement proves that we have kept our promise."

Today's significant announcement has also received a ringing endorsement
from the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF).

FSF Chair, Malcolm Clarke, hailed the example the Club are setting by
adding:

"The FSF strongly believes that top-flight clubs should use their
newly-signed media deal to cut ticket prices for both home and away
supporters.

"We hope that other clubs follow suit and reduce ticket prices across the
board, as West Ham United have done.

"West Ham United have thrown down the gauntlet to other clubs – who can
offer the cheapest season ticket prices in the top-flight?"

Pricing

A breakdown of how the existing price bands will change as follows:

Category Band 1 Band 2
Band 3 Band 4
Adult £899(Down 3%) £799(Down 7%)
£599(Down 25%) £499(Down 23%)
Over-65s £450(Down 3%) £399(Down 7%)
£299(Down 26%) £250(Down 23%)
Under-21s £450(Down 3%) £399(Down 7%)
£299(Down 26%) £250(Down 23%)
Under-16s £99(Reduction of up to 61%) £99(Reduction of up to 59%)
£99(Reduction of up to 57%) £99 (Reduction of up to 51%)
Disabled Adult £450 (Down 1%) £399(Down 12%)
£299(Down 34%) £250(Down 45%)

We have always said that the move to our magnificent new Stadium would be a
game changer for West Ham... Today's announcement proves that we have kept
our promise.
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady

1966 Seats

As well as the new Band 5 for the lowest-priced Season Tickets, the move has
seen the introduction of a number of new premium and hospitality matchday
offerings.

With six Club London Lounges now sold out, West Ham recently announced the
launch of The Academy, the latest addition to the Club London range,
offering increased opportunities for those supporters wishing to combine
their matchday experience with the very best in luxury hospitality.

Furthermore, West Ham United have today announced a new VIP area in homage
to the Club's most famous sons. 2016 will mark 50 years since Bobby Moore,
Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters lifted the World Cup for England and the
'1966 Seats' will offer supporters the chance to enjoy superb halfway line
views and a padded seat complete with the ticket holder's name marked on it.


To help mark the launch, the Club will be donating a seat each to the Bobby
Moore, Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters families for the first season in
the new Stadium for them to use for a charity of their choice.

New Stadium seat selection process

Following the 17 April deadline for 2015/16 Season Ticket renewals, all
supporters who have renewed their Season Ticket will be contacted with
details of how to access the Online Reservation Centre and track the
progress of their seat selection.

They will then be invited to their personal appointment at the Club's new
Reservation Centre at Westfield Stratford City, where they will be invited
along to virtually 'view' the seats and the Stadium and book their new
Season Ticket. At the appointment, a dedicated sales advisor will use the
state-of-the-art Virtual Venue, as designed by IO Media, to allow fans to
virtually 'sit' in any available seat to make sure they find the one most
suitable for them.

Similarly, iCreate 3D has produced animated Stadium fly-throughs and CGIs,
which supporters can look forward to viewing at the Reservation Centre.

At those appointments, Season Ticket Holders will be able – subject to
availability – to introduce up to two new Season Ticket Holders for the
first time and sit with them in the new Stadium, including Under-16s taking
advantage of the new £99 Season Ticket rate. Further details about the seat
selection process are available on whufc.com.

The reduced prices will also make it easier for every supporter to move up
to a higher price band, should they wish, although the Club's seat selection
policy for the new Stadium guarantees that each 2015/16 Season Ticket Holder
will get first choice on the best available seats in their existing price
band.

Due to the expected demand, the Club have today launched a Priority List for
Season Ticket applications for the new Stadium, which can be joined at
reservations.whufc.com. Once all 2015/16 Season Ticket Holders have had the
chance to select their seats, the Club will contact those registered on the
Season Ticket Priority List with details of their Reservation Centre
appointment.

For answers to FAQs about the new Stadium ticket pricing, including the
launch times for general matchday ticket prices, please click here.

* (based on 2014/15 prices)

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New Stadium Season Ticket prices FAQs
WHUFC.com

Following the announcement of West Ham United's new Stadium ticket pricing
plans, the Club answer all the key questions for supporters below.

For more detailed FAQs about the general process of seat selection at the
new Stadium, including the schedule of appointments at the Reservation
Centre, please click here. Or if you cannot find the answer to your
question, please email: newStadium@westhamunited.co.uk.



PRICING

Which prices have been announced today?

West Ham United have announced prices for Season Tickets at their new
Stadium for the 2016/17 season; their first in the stunning new venue.

The prices stated reflect the amount that existing and new Season Ticket
Holders will pay for the 2016/17 season. Match-by-match ticket prices
(including those for away fans) will be announced in the first few months of
2016.

Why have West Ham reduced their Season Ticket prices?

The Club's Board have long been advocates of making football more affordable
for supporters and regularly offer discounts at the Club's current home in
Upton Park.

It has been their longstanding ambition to further expand that work to make
football more accessible for the everyday working man when the Club moves to
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

How will the reductions be funded? Will spending on strengthening the team
be affected?

As has been well publicised, all Premier League Clubs will benefit from the
new broadcast deal that will come into effect for the start of 2016/17 and
West Ham are the first to publicly commit to spending some of that increased
revenue on reducing Season Tickets prices for its supporters.

The increase in broadcast revenue coupled with the increased capacity at the
new Stadium means the Club can afford to dramatically reduce Season Ticket
prices without adversely affecting the plans to strengthen the team in the
summer of 2016.

Why are there different price reductions across the four bands?

With the move to the new Stadium, the Club have taken the opportunity to
create a new Season Ticket pricing structure that reflects the increased
size and layout of the new Stadium and is more balanced from top to bottom.
Applying a standard discount across all bands would have restricted our
ability to do this.

The new pricing structure has been designed to create a greater number of
affordable tickets so as many West Ham fans as possible can come and support
their team on a regular basis and ensure the Stadium is full.

SEAT SELECTION

Can I upgrade my seat to a higher band?

Yes. Subject to availability, Season Ticket Holders will all have the option
to move into a higher price band and the Club's decisions on pricing will
make it more affordable for supporters to do so.

That is why the seat selection process is being conducted in order of price
band, from band 1 to band 4, so it is clear at each stage what seats are
available in higher price bands.

In line with the Club's seat selection principles, every Season Ticket
Holder will have first choice on the best available seats in their existing
price band before these are offered to supporters in a lower band wishing to
upgrade.

Can I choose a seat in a lower price band?

Any Season Ticket Holder wanting to choose a seat in a lower price band than
their equivalent at the Boleyn Ground may do so, but they will have to wait
until all current Season Ticket Holders from that band have had the
opportunity to select their new seat. This is to ensure Season Ticket
Holders in lower price bands get first pick of the seats in their band and
are in no way disadvantaged by the process or by their fellow supporters.

Where will each price band be located and how many seats will there be in
each?

Supporters will be able to see the location of all seats in the price bands
available to them at their Reservation Centre appointment.

I've already upgraded to Club London, am I still eligible for my Reservation
Centre appointment as an existing Season Ticket Holder?

Yes. Each and every Season Ticket Holder for the final season at the Boleyn
Ground is eligible for an appointment at the Reservation Centre.

Can I select my seat over the phone or online?

While supporters can select their seats over the phone if necessary, they
are strongly advised to attend their appointment in person to take advantage
of the cutting edge Virtual Venue technology, which will allow them to
virtually 'sit' in their seats and look at the sightlines and surroundings
that are right for them.

The Club will not have the flexibility to relocate Season Ticket Holders
once the 2016/17 season has begun, so it is important that supporters are
happy with their seats before they choose them. Supporters cannot select
their seats online.

BAND 5 / 1966 SEATS

Who gets priority to choose seats in the new band 5 and when do they go on
sale?

Band 5 seats will be made available after all Season Ticket Holders have had
their appointment at the Reservation Centre. Existing Season Ticket Holders
wishing to purchase in band 5 can then do so, after which supporters on the
new Stadium Season Ticket priority list will be invited to the Reservation
Centre to select from all remaining seats. It is probable that this will not
be until February 2016.

What are the 1966 Seats and why have it been introduced?

The 1966 Seats have been named to celebrate 50 years since West Ham United's
most famous sons lifted the World Cup for England.

The 1966 Seats offer the chance to enjoy a VIP experience in the East Stand,
with padded, named seats on the halfway line, a programme voucher and an
invite to an exclusive player and manager event each season.

Unlike Club London, they can be purchased on a season-by-season basis, as
opposed to committing for a three-year term. The 1966 Seats have a fixed
Season Ticket price of £1,100.

Who gets priority to choose seats in 1966 Seats?

In keeping with the Club's seat selection principles, supporters will have
the option to upgrade (subject to availability) when they attend their
Reservation Centre appointment.

Will there still be good views from band 1 seats in the East Stand?

Yes, absolutely. As the East Stand is a 'Kop' style stand with no corporate
areas, it offers a large capacity for more than 20,000 fans. Because of the
size of the Stadium and the increased capacity in each price band, there
will be sufficient seats in the halfway line section to accommodate all
supporters who currently have a comparable seat at the Boleyn Ground.

How will the seats in different price bands compare to those at the Boleyn
Ground?

The Club have guaranteed that every Season Ticket Holder will be offered a
comparable seat at the new Stadium, based on the price band and location of
their seat for the final season at the Boleyn Ground. However, given the
obvious differences in the shape, seating layout and capacity of the two
grounds, no two seats will be exactly comparable, and the quality of each
seat and sightline is subjective.

GROUPING

1) Existing groups

I already sit with a group at the Boleyn Ground and we want to sit together
in the new Stadium. Can we sit together in the new Stadium?

Yes. Season Ticket Holders who currently sit together at the Boleyn Ground
will also be able to move as a group. When supporters receive details of
their appointment, they will be able to create and register their group
online and attend their Reservation Centre appointment together.

2) New groups

i) I want to 'group' with Season Ticket Holders who sit in my price band,
but do not currently sit with me. Can we sit together in the new Stadium?

Season Ticket Holders in the same price band are welcome to group together.
When supporters receive details of their appointment, they will be able to
create and register their group online and attend the Reservation Centre
together.

The Club will look to allocate the seats that most closely fit the group's
requirements, though the area selected may not be directly comparable for
members of the group with the best seat location.

ii) I want to 'group' with Season Ticket Holders who sit in different price
bands. Can we sit together in the new Stadium?

Season Ticket Holders currently in different price bands are also welcome to
group at the new Stadium, but will be required to group with the individual
in the highest band. This is to protect the rights of Season Ticket Holders
in lower price bands and ensure that they are in no way disadvantaged by the
process or by their fellow supporters.

The Club will look to allocate the seats that most closely fit the group's
requirements, though the area selected may not be directly comparable for
members of the group with the best seat location.

BRINGING NEW SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

How will introducing new Season Ticket Holders work?

Subject to availability, every Season Ticket Holder renewing for the 2016/17
season will have the opportunity to introduce up to two new Season Ticket
Holders at the new Stadium. Any existing Season Ticket Holder will be able
to bring the new Season Ticket Holders with them when they choose their seat
at their Reservation Centre appointment.

Do my two new Season Ticket Holders have to sit in the same band as me even
if I choose to upgrade?

The Club would reasonably expect that supporters bringing new Season Ticket
Holders with them will wish to sit together at the new Stadium, but they are
not required to do so.

Based on the lead Season Ticket Holder's location for the final season at
the Boleyn Ground, new Season Ticket Holders are eligible to sit in the same
band or higher at the new Stadium. This is again to protect the process and
the priority of supporters sitting in lower bands.

Why are the Club allowing Season Ticket Holders to bring two new guests with
them?

The Club fully expect the Stadium to be full come August 2016. Therefore we
wanted to give Season Ticket Holders the first chance to group with other
existing Season Ticket Holders or friends or family that previously had not
held a Season Ticket at the Boleyn Ground when they attend their
appointment.

That is why, when existing Season Ticket Holders choose their new seats, the
Club is giving them the opportunity to bring up to two of their friends or
family to become new Season Ticket Holders and sit together as a group.

The only practical way of doing that is to allow those new Season Ticket
Holders to choose their seats at the same time as the existing Season Ticket
Holder who is introducing them.

With the increased capacity at the new Stadium and the fact that every seat
offers an excellent view of the action, the Club are confident that all such
requests can be accommodated without affecting the quality of the options
available to other existing Season Ticket Holders still waiting to choose
their seats.

PAYMENT

How do I confirm my seat at my Reservation Centre appointment?

Season Ticket Holders will be asked to pay a non-refundable 25 per cent
deposit of their total ticket price at the end of their Reservation Centre
appointment to secure their seat. The remaining 75 per cent will be due by
June 2016, in line with the normal window for Season Ticket renewals.

A deposit is required as at all times, the Club need to know precisely which
seats have been allocated to ensure that supporters who are still to select
their seats have access to the best seats still available.

Without some form of financial commitment from Season Ticket Holders, this
would prove exceptionally difficult. The Club is therefore asking supporters
for a 25 per cent deposit to secure their chosen seat, which is payable at
the Reservation Centre appointment.

Will I still be able to pay for my Season Ticket on finance?

Supporters are able to finance the cost of their season ticket through our
Finance Partner V12 Finance.

There will be two options available:
Finance the entire Season Ticket upfront with payments starting one month
after your successful application
Pay your deposit and apply for finance in June of 2016 in line with normal
Season Ticket renewals
CONCESSIONS

What concessions are the Club offering children?

The Club have introduced a flat rate £99 Season Ticket fee for all
Under-16s, which is ten per cent cheaper than the old flat rate for
Under-10s, and considerably cheaper for those older children who previously
bought Season Tickets in the 10-16 age category. This represents a massive
saving all round for young people and their parents.

Will there be a family seating section in the new Stadium?

Yes. The Club's Reservation Centre adviser will be able to provide
information about the family seating options available to each Season Ticket
Holder at their appointment.

Will all Under-16s qualifying for £99 tickets have to sit in family seating
sections?

No, the rules will be exactly the same as at the Boleyn Ground. There will
be a flat rate of £99 for Under-16 Season Ticket Holders in bands 1, 2, 3
and 4 and in the new band 5.

All Under-14s must be accompanied by a full paying adult in all areas of the
Stadium. Within the family seating sections, there must be at least one
Under-16 supporter per two individuals over that age.

ACCESSIBILITY SEATING

Accessibility seating has historically had a price band of its own at the
Boleyn Ground, so where do disabled fans sit in the priority order?

All disabled supporters, both wheelchair users and ambulant, will be entered
into the same process as all other Season Ticket Holders and the scheduling
of their Reservation Centre appointment will be based on their location at
the Boleyn Ground for the final season.

The Club are contacting all disabled supporters to advise them of which band
they currently sit in.

As a wheelchair user, can I bring additional guests and can they sit with
me?

As with the current operation, all disabled supporters are entitled to a
complimentary carer seat located next to their seat. If any additional seats
are required, the Reservation Centre staff will endeavour to seat them as
close as possible but it cannot be guaranteed that they will be directly
next to one another.

How has the new pricing for accessible seating been determined?

West Ham United already offer some of the best rates for disabled fans in
the Premier League but felt it was important that disabled fans enjoyed a
discount like all other Season Ticket Holders at the new Stadium.

The disabled adult Season Ticket price is still approximately 50% of the
full adult price, while concessions will see further discounts on that price
of up to 28%.

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'West Ham have thrown down the gauntlet to other clubs'
WHUFC.com

The announcement of West Ham United's ‎dramatic reduction in the price of
Season Tickets at the Club's new Stadium has been widely welcomed across the
football world and beyond. ‎West Ham became the first Barclays Premier
League Club to announce their Season Ticket prices for the 2016/17 season,
when the new deal on television broadcast rights takes effect. Prices will
be reduced by 25% for current bands 1-4, while a new band 5 will become the
cheapest in the top flight. Chair of the Football Supporters Federation,
Malcolm Clarke, hailed the example the Club are setting: "The Football
Supporters Federation strongly believes that top-flight clubs should use
their newly-signed media deal to cut ticket prices for both home and away
supporters. "We hope that other clubs follow suit and reduce ticket prices
across the board, as West Ham United have done. West Ham have thrown down
the gauntlet to other clubs - who can offer the cheapest season ticket
prices in the top-flight?" Malcolm Clarke, Chair of the Football Supporters
Federation

"We hope that other clubs follow suit and reduce ticket prices across the
board, as West Ham United have done. West Ham have thrown down the gauntlet
to other clubs - who can offer the cheapest season ticket prices in the
top-flight?"

Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore also backed the Club's
drive to offer its fans cheaper Season Tickets saying:

"The prospect of Premier League football at the former Olympic Stadium is an
exciting one for West Ham United, their fans, and the League as a whole.
Full and vibrant stadiums are an essential part of our competition, and one
of the main reasons for the Premier League's continued success.

"West Ham's announcement today is further evidence that Premier League clubs
do offer stretch pricing, and think about providing opportunities for
families and young people when considering ticket offers for their fans."

Greg Dyke, Chairman of The Football Association, added his congratulations:

"We always welcome efforts to make football more accessible. Football for
everyone is a cornerstone of The FA's daily work as the not-for-profit
governing body of the game in England – whether that is for supporters,
players or volunteers.
"It is particularly important for all clubs to develop strong links with
families, schools and their local community, and we welcome West Ham's
commitment in this area."
Greg Dyke, Chairman of The Football Association
"It is particularly important for all clubs to develop strong links with
families, schools and their local community, and we welcome West Ham's
commitment in this area."

Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, welcomed the news for local supporters,
saying:

"Once again West Ham United are showing their continuing commitment to
Newham and Hammers fans everywhere. This is an exciting time for both the
club and the borough.

"Our joint aspirations for community and sporting excellence will ensure the
former Olympic Stadium is a busy and vibrant centre for sport, leisure,
culture and education and a home that Hammers supporters can be proud of."

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From the Boardroom
WHUFC.com

We're absolutely delighted to be announcing our Season Ticket prices and we
have made a decision to reduce the price of Season Tickets for comparable
bands when we move here to the Stadium. We've also created the cheapest
adult Season Ticket in the Premier League and Under-16s can get a Season
Ticket for just £99. So we've honoured our promises to our supporters that
no one will get left behind. We want to set a trend by becoming the first
Premier League side to use the greater broadcast revenue from 2016 to reduce
ticket prices, which we believe will be a huge step forward in the battle to
make football cheaper to watch. As a Board we have always been committed to
making football more affordable for supporters and their families. We are
the only Premier League Club currently offering six Kids for a Quid games in
the Premier League this season – despite seeing the highest occupancy in the
Premier League – and have seen a 23 per cent growth in Under-18s attending
games over the past two seasons.

I think that really shows we're making a connection and we're getting our
pricing right. But, in reality, this is a 54,000-seater Stadium, it's the
best stadium in the world, it's the newest, it's an Olympic Stadium and we
just felt that was an opportunity to celebrate with our supporters, to give
them a far superior product at a cheaper price. There are a lots of great
stadiums, but there's only one Olympic Stadium, there would have been some
people, bearing in mind it's London, bearing in mind it's a beautiful
Stadium, that may have been encouraged to put prices up. But my Board and I
took the view that actually making football affordable is one of the key
things that we want to do.

We do not want to price our supporters – who stood by us for decades – out
of this Stadium and that's why we're offering the most competitive prices in
the Premier League. We have pledged to do all we can to help deliver the
Olympic Legacy by ensuring that sport at the Stadium is made accessible to
everyone, from young people to the everyday working man. Our target has
always been to sell the Stadium out and we believe we have the fanbase and
now the pricing model to do just that.

Our outstanding new corporate area, Club London, has broken all sales
projections and Season Tickets for the final season at the Boleyn Ground are
set to sell out long before a ball is kicked next season. For those who miss
out, today also sees the launch of our Season Ticket Priority List for the
new Stadium and we fully expect to be sold out come August 2016.

Therefore, I would urge our Season Ticket Holders to seize the unique
opportunity we have provided for them to bring two new supporters with them
when they attend their appointment at the Reservation Centre in Stratford.

The best Stadium in the Premier League will now have the most affordable
seats and we hope West Ham United will now be known as the home of
affordable football in London. August 2016 just cannot come soon enough.

Karren Brady

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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com

James Tomkins is rehabbing very well. He is four to five weeks on from his
surgery to repair his dislocated shoulder and he is already on the pitch
doing short individual sessions with physiotherapist Dominic Rogan and rehab
fitness coach Eduardo Garcia Parra. A positive with an injury such as this
that the player can work on his fitness, although we still have a long way
to go with his shoulder mobility and strength. It is good to be working with
James in two lines – the first concentrating on his shoulder mobility and
strength and the second on his fitness work. The only restriction is his
movement pattern. You cannot do too much on the pitch or else you run the
risk of creating wrong movement patterns and this leads to other
compensations.

Andy Carroll returned from his warm-weather training in Dubai two weeks ago
and is now in the final rehab stage before he can return to the pitch and
start running. In the next four to five weeks we will be upping the load for
Andy. The previous stage was still very static, with a lot of work on the
exercise bike, in the pool and in the gym doing slow-motion exercises. We
have no more limitations regarding the mobility of the knee, which makes the
rehab much more interesting and gives us access to more challenging
exercises.

Looking forward, we are on schedule.

Diafra Sakho pulled his quadriceps – more specifically his rectus femoris
muscle, which is used to kick, jump and sprint – in the game against Stoke
City. We have seen the specialist once and will see him again next week to
see how well the body has healed in this early stage. This will enable us to
give a more accurate prognosis on when he will return to play.

Doneil Henry is continuing with his rehabilitation following surgery on the
hamstring injury he suffered while on loan at Blackburn Rovers.

Unfortunately we had some bad news, too, as Guy Demel pulled his calf muscle
in training on Friday and it looks like he will be side-lined for a few
weeks. There will be more on Guy next week.

Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical & Sports Science

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The Big Interview - Stewart Downing
WHUFC.com

Stewart Downing still believes a strong finish to the season is possible for
West Ham United, despite the east Londoners' travails in recent weeks.

A run of five defeats in their last seven games, have seen hopes of
qualifying for the UEFA Europa League by their league position fade, but a
trip to struggling Queens Park Rangers on Saturday offers an opportunity to
get back on track.

We caught up with the No11 as he attended a Moore Family Foundation skills
session…

A disappointing result on Sunday, but did the way we ended the game give you
hope for how we can push on over the last five games of the season?

SD: "Going two goals down was always going to be difficult at City, but I
think we kept going and had a couple of chances in the end.

"They are a really good team and in the first half we weren't good enough,
which is what killed us. They were sloppy goals, but we'll take heart from
the second half. We have to play like that for the remaining five games – if
we do we'll be fine."

Speaking to the manager afterwards, he said the focus would be on keeping as
many as clean sheets as possible, to give us the best possible chance of
winning. Is that what we've got to get back to?

SD: "I think so. We haven't been as free-flowing in terms of goals as we
were earlier in the season. Missing Sakho is a bit of a blow, we've had
Enner out for a couple of weeks too, so it's been difficult for us.

"The goals we conceded on Sunday, one was a fluke and the other was a
mistake, so on the whole we defended really well.

"We'll go to QPR now – it's a difficult game as they're playing for points
massively, but if we can go there and score an early goal it'll put pressure
on them."


You mention early goals there, that's what we did last time against QPR. It
was your corner that led to Nedum Onouha's own goal, so how key is making
that better start?

SD: "That was probably one of the best games we've played at home, QPR. I
know they were in a bit of disarray then, but we played ever-so-well, got a
goal early and that settled us down to play some really good stuff on the
day. We should have beaten them more comfortably.

"It's a totally different game, this one. They've got a bit of confidence
now having had a couple of good results. They were unlucky against Chelsea
so it's going to be difficult for us, but I'm confident we can win it."

What's it like at this time of year when you come up against a team like
that with so much at stake for them?

SD: "It could work both ways because if we score early there's pressure on
them because they're playing at home and the crowd could get on their backs.
It depends on how their players handle it.

"We don't want to concede first because that's what would give them
confidence. I think that's what Chelsea did – they got the goal late on, but
that deflated them and we've got to be positive to start getting some goals
on the scoresheet."

The targets may have changed for us slightly in recent weeks, but is it
still a case of 50 points and ensuring it's the best season since we've been
back in the Premier League?

SD: "Yes, it's been disappointing of late, but on reflection over the
season, on performances we should be at least in the top eight. The target
is to finish as high as we can, because we don't want the season to peter
out.

"If it does everyone remembers not finishing well. We want this season to be
remembered for being a good one, finishing as strongly as we started it.
Squad-wise, performance and how we've played has been a massive improvement
on last season.

"We had our problems with injuries and suspensions last year, but this time
we've been luckier on that front. The strength in depth has been better, the
manager bought well, and now we need a result as quickly as we can to give
the players confidence to finish well."

We're here at a community event with lots of youngsters showing off their
skills. It'a always good to give something back isn't it?

SD: "Yes, it's a good turnout today. There are a few different age groups
out there and it's nice for the players to get out and give a bit of support
back. It's been enjoyable."

How important is it, as always, for you as inspirational figures for these
young people to look up to?

SD: "A lot of these are West Ham fans, so some of them could be seeing their
favourite players today, so it's nice to come out, show you face, have a
little chat and put a smile on their faces. It always helps.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aaron's end-of-season ambitions
WHUFC.com

Aaron Cresswell insists there is plenty still to play for as the Barclays
Premier League enters its final five weeks. For West Ham United's only
ever-present this season, there are personal accolades and a top-ten finish
to concentrate the mind. Though he modestly thinks otherwise, Cresswell is
among the frontrunners for Hammer of the Year in his debut season and,
having played every league minute thus far, wants to see out a memorable
campaign in style.

"It would be an honour to take an award like that, but I don't really
concentrate on stuff like that," he said. "Of course it would be a massively
proud moment for me, but I want to try and do the best for West Ham and if
that comes, I'll be a very proud man to take that.
"I have played every minute up to now and with five games to go I want to
try and complete that. Personally and as a team it's gone well, if we finish
in the top ten I think it will have been a good season for West Ham."

But for a difficult 2015 it might have been a whole lot better and with a
top-eight finish still within reach, the 25-year-old baulks at suggestions
that the Hammers are on their holidays. Far from it, as Cresswell calls for
a late-season resurgence to begin at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. He
continued: "It's disappointing, the 2015 we've had, considering the first
half of the season. It's definitely not the case that we're on our holidays
and that we don't care. We want to try and finish as high as we can in the
league. "We're going to go there on Saturday and obviously hope to bring the
three points back. We've got five games to go, we want to try and take as
many points as we can and finish as high up the league as possible. It's a
good place to start on QPR on Saturday."

Cresswell's performances this season have been such that Chelsea and
Manchester City are said to be among his admirers. But with a new Stadium on
the horizon and a long-term contract with the Hammers, Cresswell's focus is
exclusively Claret and Blue. "I just put it to the back of my mind. I
don't read into anything like that. You see things, get a few texts, or
whatever it may be, I don't look into it, I concentrate on playing my
football for West Ham and doing the best I can. We're all settled and what
with moving to the Stadium, I've still got four years left on my contract."

With four years to play with, Cresswell can certainly see European football
on the horizon. He, like so many, is a little puzzled by the Fair Play
points system, but would happily embrace a European berth, however it comes
about. "It would be a great thing to play in the Europa League. I'm not too
sure how the Fair Play points work, I'm not sure anyone does. "European
football would be hard, looking at the previous teams that have done it, but
for us, especially for West Ham, moving into the Stadium as well, if we
could take Europe into that, it would be massive."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Oxford selected in England U17 squad
WHUFC.com

Reece Oxford has been named in the England U17 squad as they look to retain
the European Under-17 Championship in this summer's tournament in Bulgaria.
The highly rated centre-back, who can also play in midfield, captained the
Young Lions during their qualification campaign, recording a 100 per cent
record throughout. Oxford capped off a string of impressive performances
with the opening goal in a 3-1 win over Slovenia in March. Having qualified
for the European Under-17 Championship, John Peacock's men have been handed
a tough group which will see them play Holland, Italy and Republic of
Ireland, starting with the Azzurrini on Tuesday 7 May. Speaking after
learning of England's fate, the sixteen year old, who is expected to
continue wearing the captain's armband, said: "It's a very tough draw,
almost as hard as it gets but I'm still looking forward to the tournament.
It's a very proud moment when I captain my country. "We know they will be
hard games but we've got a good squad. If we play to our best I think we can
do well."

The tournament starts on Monday 6 May with the final scheduled for Friday 22
May. We will have updates on England's progress throughout the tournament
across our platforms.

The full England squad:

Goalkeepers: Paul Woolston (Newcastle United), Will Huffer (Leeds United)

Defenders: Danny Collinge (Stuttgart), Reece Oxford (West Ham United), Easah
Suliman (Aston Villa), James Yates (Everton), Jay DaSilva (Chelsea), Tayo
Edun (Fulham)

Midfielders: Trent Arnold (Liverpool), Daniel Wright (Sunderland), Herbie
Kane (Liverpool), Tom Davies (Everton), Marcus Edwards (Tottenham Hotspur),
Nathan Holland (Everton), Chris Willock (Arsenal)

Forwards: Layton Ndukwu (Leicester City), Stephy Mavididi (Arsenal), Ike
Ugbo (Chelsea)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United deliver affordable football as season ticket prices are
slashed
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 22nd April 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's plans to deliver affordable football for all at the
Olympic Stadium were announced today.

The club have revealed price cuts across the board for all season ticket
holders from the beginning of the 2016/17 season when the club move lock,
stock and barrel to Stratford.

However the boldest step taken is perhaps the announcement of a new Band 5
season ticket priced at just £289 - undercutting the Premier League's
current cheapest season ticket, at Manchester City, by £10.

Disabled season ticket holders, who KUMB.com have campaigned on behalf of
previously regarding season ticket pricing will also receive similar
benefits. And there is further good news for families - or at least those
numbering four - who will be able to take advantage of a new family ticket
from just £776, and Under 16s too.

The key points are:

• Every season ticket price band will see a reduction as the club uses
increased broadcast revenue to offer dramatically cheaper tickets

• A new entry-level Band 5 adult season ticket will cost £289 – the cheapest
in the Premier League

• All season tickets for Under-16s will be cut to just £99 – the equivalent
of £5 per game

• A family of four can buy a season ticket for just £776 – the equivalent of
£41 per match

Every season ticket holder sitting in bands 1-4 for the final season at the
Boleyn Ground will see a reduction of at least £26 in their season ticket
price. Band 1 will come down by £26 (3%), Band 2 by £61 (7%), Band 3 by £201
(25%) and Band 4 by £151 (23%). The new £289 Band 5 season ticket represents
a cost per game of just £15.20.

The new £99 Season Ticket for Under-16s also means West Ham United will have
the cheapest season tickets for children among London's Premier League
teams, and will match Sunderland AFC as the cheapest season ticket in the
league on general sale to that age group.

Disabled supporters will also see a further reduction on the already
discounted rates they enjoy at the Boleyn Ground, with disabled Season
Ticket prices being reduced by up to £205.

Commenting on today's announcement, Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "We
have always said that the move to our magnificent new Stadium would be a
game changer for West Ham: a chance to increase revenue, invest in the team
and improve our performance on the pitch, but crucially without putting an
extra financial burden on the supporters who already come to watch every
home match.

"Today's announcement proves that we have kept our promise."


Pricing

A breakdown of how the existing price bands will change as follows. Price
cut on 2015/16 season ticket prices represented as a percentage in
parenthesis:

Adult: Band 1, £899 (3%); Band 2, £799 (7%); Band 3, £599 (25%); Band 4,
£499 (23%).

Disabled Adult: Band 1, £450 (1%); Band 2, £399 (12%); Band 3, £299 (34%);
Band 4, £250 (45%).

Over-65s: Band 1, £450 (3%); Band 2, £399 (7%); Band 3, £299 (26%); Band 4,
£250 (23%).

Under-21s: Band 1, £450 (3%); Band 2, £399 (7%); Band 3, £299 (26%); Band 4,
£250 (23%).

Under-16s: Band 1-4, £99 (between 51-61% dependant on Band).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Olympic Stadium ticket pricing FAQ
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 22nd April 2015
By: West Ham United FC

For more detailed FAQs about the general process of seat selection at the
new Stadium, including the schedule of appointments at the Reservation
Centre, please click here. Or if you cannot find the answer to your
question, please email newStadium@westhamunited.co.uk.

Pricing

Which prices have been announced today?
West Ham United have announced prices for Season Tickets at their new
Stadium for the 2016/17 season; their first in the stunning new venue.

The prices stated reflect the amount that existing and new Season Ticket
Holders will pay for the 2016/17 season. Match-by-match ticket prices
(including those for away fans) will be announced in the first few months of
2016.

Why have West Ham reduced their Season Ticket prices?
The Club's Board have long been advocates of making football more affordable
for supporters and regularly offer discounts at the Club's current home in
Upton Park.

It has been their longstanding ambition to further expand that work to make
football more accessible for the everyday working man when the Club moves to
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

How will the reductions be funded? Will spending on strengthening the team
be affected?
As has been well publicised, all Premier League Clubs will benefit from the
new broadcast deal that will come into effect for the start of 2016/17 and
West Ham are the first to publicly commit to spending some of that increased
revenue on reducing Season Tickets prices for its supporters.

The increase in broadcast revenue coupled with the increased capacity at the
new Stadium means the Club can afford to dramatically reduce Season Ticket
prices without adversely affecting the plans to strengthen the team in the
summer of 2016.

Why are there different price reductions across the four bands?
With the move to the new Stadium, the Club have taken the opportunity to
create a new Season Ticket pricing structure that reflects the increased
size and layout of the new Stadium and is more balanced from top to bottom.
Applying a standard discount across all bands would have restricted our
ability to do this.

The new pricing structure has been designed to create a greater number of
affordable tickets so as many West Ham fans as possible can come and support
their team on a regular basis and ensure the Stadium is full.


Seat Selection

Can I upgrade my seat to a higher band?
Yes. Subject to availability, Season Ticket Holders will all have the option
to move into a higher price band and the Club's decisions on pricing will
make it more affordable for supporters to do so.

That is why the seat selection process is being conducted in order of price
band, from band 1 to band 4, so it is clear at each stage what seats are
available in higher price bands.

In line with the Club's seat selection principles, every Season Ticket
Holder will have first choice on the best available seats in their existing
price band before these are offered to supporters in a lower band wishing to
upgrade.

Can I choose a seat in a lower price band?
Any Season Ticket Holder wanting to choose a seat in a lower price band than
their equivalent at the Boleyn Ground may do so, but they will have to wait
until all current Season Ticket Holders from that band have had the
opportunity to select their new seat. This is to ensure Season Ticket
Holders in lower price bands get first pick of the seats in their band and
are in no way disadvantaged by the process or by their fellow supporters.

Where will each price band be located and how many seats will there be in
each?
Supporters will be able to see the location of all seats in the price bands
available to them at their Reservation Centre appointment.

I've already upgraded to Club London, am I still eligible for my Reservation
Centre appointment as an existing Season Ticket Holder?
Yes. Each and every Season Ticket Holder for the final season at the Boleyn
Ground is eligible for an appointment at the Reservation Centre.

Can I select my seat over the phone or online?
While supporters can select their seats over the phone if necessary, they
are strongly advised to attend their appointment in person to take advantage
of the cutting edge Virtual Venue technology, which will allow them to
virtually 'sit' in their seats and look at the sightlines and surroundings
that are right for them.

The Club will not have the flexibility to relocate Season Ticket Holders
once the 2016/17 season has begun, so it is important that supporters are
happy with their seats before they choose them. Supporters cannot select
their seats online.


Band 5 / 1966 Seats

Who gets priority to choose seats in the new band 5 and when do they go on
sale?
Band 5 seats will be made available after all Season Ticket Holders have had
their appointment at the Reservation Centre. Existing Season Ticket Holders
wishing to purchase in band 5 can then do so, after which supporters on the
new Stadium Season Ticket priority list will be invited to the Reservation
Centre to select from all remaining seats. It is probable that this will not
be until February 2016.

What are the 1966 Seats and why have it been introduced?
The 1966 Seats have been named to celebrate 50 years since West Ham United's
most famous sons lifted the World Cup for England.

The 1966 Seats offer the chance to enjoy a VIP experience in the East Stand,
with padded, named seats on the halfway line, a programme voucher and an
invite to an exclusive player and manager event each season.

Unlike Club London, they can be purchased on a season-by-season basis, as
opposed to committing for a three-year term. The 1966 Seats have a fixed
Season Ticket price of £1,100.

Who gets priority to choose seats in 1966 Seats?
In keeping with the Club's seat selection principles, supporters will have
the option to upgrade (subject to availability) when they attend their
Reservation Centre appointment.

Will there still be good views from band 1 seats in the East Stand?
Yes, absolutely. As the East Stand is a 'Kop' style stand with no corporate
areas, it offers a large capacity for more than 20,000 fans. Because of the
size of the Stadium and the increased capacity in each price band, there
will be sufficient seats in the halfway line section to accommodate all
supporters who currently have a comparable seat at the Boleyn Ground.

How will the seats in different price bands compare to those at the Boleyn
Ground?
The Club have guaranteed that every Season Ticket Holder will be offered a
comparable seat at the new Stadium, based on the price band and location of
their seat for the final season at the Boleyn Ground. However, given the
obvious differences in the shape, seating layout and capacity of the two
grounds, no two seats will be exactly comparable, and the quality of each
seat and sightline is subjective.


Grouping

1) Existing groups

I already sit with a group at the Boleyn Ground and we want to sit together
in the new Stadium. Can we sit together in the new Stadium?
Yes. Season Ticket Holders who currently sit together at the Boleyn Ground
will also be able to move as a group. When supporters receive details of
their appointment, they will be able to create and register their group
online and attend their Reservation Centre appointment together.

2) New groups

i) I want to 'group' with Season Ticket Holders who sit in my price band,
but do not currently sit with me. Can we sit together in the new Stadium?
Season Ticket Holders in the same price band are welcome to group together.
When supporters receive details of their appointment, they will be able to
create and register their group online and attend the Reservation Centre
together.

The Club will look to allocate the seats that most closely fit the group's
requirements, though the area selected may not be directly comparable for
members of the group with the best seat location.

ii) I want to 'group' with Season Ticket Holders who sit in different price
bands. Can we sit together in the new Stadium?
Season Ticket Holders currently in different price bands are also welcome to
group at the new Stadium, but will be required to group with the individual
in the highest band. This is to protect the rights of Season Ticket Holders
in lower price bands and ensure that they are in no way disadvantaged by the
process or by their fellow supporters.

The Club will look to allocate the seats that most closely fit the group's
requirements, though the area selected may not be directly comparable for
members of the group with the best seat location.


Bringing New Season Ticket Holders

How will introducing new Season Ticket Holders work?
Subject to availability, every Season Ticket Holder renewing for the 2016/17
season will have the opportunity to introduce up to two new Season Ticket
Holders at the new Stadium. Any existing Season Ticket Holder will be able
to bring the new Season Ticket Holders with them when they choose their seat
at their Reservation Centre appointment.

Do my two new Season Ticket Holders have to sit in the same band as me even
if I choose to upgrade?
The Club would reasonably expect that supporters bringing new Season Ticket
Holders with them will wish to sit together at the new Stadium, but they are
not required to do so.

Based on the lead Season Ticket Holder's location for the final season at
the Boleyn Ground, new Season Ticket Holders are eligible to sit in the same
band or higher at the new Stadium. This is again to protect the process and
the priority of supporters sitting in lower bands.

Why are the Club allowing Season Ticket Holders to bring two new guests with
them?
The Club fully expect the Stadium to be full come August 2016. Therefore we
wanted to give Season Ticket Holders the first chance to group with other
existing Season Ticket Holders or friends or family that previously had not
held a Season Ticket at the Boleyn Ground when they attend their
appointment.

That is why, when existing Season Ticket Holders choose their new seats, the
Club is giving them the opportunity to bring up to two of their friends or
family to become new Season Ticket Holders and sit together as a group.

The only practical way of doing that is to allow those new Season Ticket
Holders to choose their seats at the same time as the existing Season Ticket
Holder who is introducing them.

With the increased capacity at the new Stadium and the fact that every seat
offers an excellent view of the action, the Club are confident that all such
requests can be accommodated without affecting the quality of the options
available to other existing Season Ticket Holders still waiting to choose
their seats.


Payment

How do I confirm my seat at my Reservation Centre appointment?
Season Ticket Holders will be asked to pay a non-refundable 25 per cent
deposit of their total ticket price at the end of their Reservation Centre
appointment to secure their seat. The remaining 75 per cent will be due by
June 2016, in line with the normal window for Season Ticket renewals.

A deposit is required as at all times, the Club need to know precisely which
seats have been allocated to ensure that supporters who are still to select
their seats have access to the best seats still available.

Without some form of financial commitment from Season Ticket Holders, this
would prove exceptionally difficult. The Club is therefore asking supporters
for a 25 per cent deposit to secure their chosen seat, which is payable at
the Reservation Centre appointment.

Will I still be able to pay for my Season Ticket on finance?
Supporters are able to finance the cost of their season ticket through our
Finance Partner V12 Finance. There will be two options available:

• Finance the entire season ticket upfront with payments starting one month
after your successful application
• Pay your deposit and apply for finance in June of 2016 in line with normal
Season Ticket renewals


Concessions

What concessions are the Club offering children?
The Club have introduced a flat rate £99 Season Ticket fee for all
under-16s, which is ten per cent cheaper than the old flat rate for
under-10s, and considerably cheaper for those older children who previously
bought Season Tickets in the 10-16 age category. This represents a massive
saving all round for young people and their parents.

Will there be a family seating section in the new Stadium?
Yes. The Club's Reservation Centre adviser will be able to provide
information about the family seating options available to each Season Ticket
Holder at their appointment.

Will all under-16s qualifying for £99 tickets have to sit in family seating
sections?
No, the rules will be exactly the same as at the Boleyn Ground. There will
be a flat rate of £99 for under-16 Season Ticket Holders in bands 1,2,3 and
4 and in the new band 5.

All under-14s must be accompanied by a full paying adult in all areas of the
Stadium. Within the family seating sections, there must be at least one
under-16 supporter per two individuals over that age.


Accessibility Seating

Accessibility seating has historically had a price band of its own at the
Boleyn Ground, so where do disabled fans sit in the priority order?
All disabled supporters, both wheelchair users and ambulant, will be entered
into the same process as all other Season Ticket Holders and the scheduling
of their Reservation Centre appointment will be based on their location at
the Boleyn Ground for the final season.

The Club are contacting all disabled supporters to advise them of which band
they currently sit in.

As a wheelchair user, can I bring additional guests and can they sit with
me?
As with the current operation, all disabled supporters are entitled to a
complimentary carer seat located next to their seat. If any additional seats
are required, the Reservation Centre staff will endeavour to seat them as
close as possible but it cannot be guaranteed that they will be directly
next to one another.

How has the new pricing for accessible seating been determined?
West Ham United already offer some of the best rates for disabled fans in
the Premier League but felt it was important that disabled fans enjoyed a
discount like all other Season Ticket Holders at the new Stadium.

The disabled adult Season Ticket price is still approximately 50% of the
full adult price, while concessions will see further discounts on that price
of up to 28%.

Disclaimer: all answers provided are correct at the time of publishing and
may be subject to change.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham unveil cheapest Premier League season tickets
Last Updated: 22/04/15 2:57pm
SSN

West Ham have announced the cheapest season tickets in the top flight for
next season. The club unveiled the major price cuts a day after they said it
was "categorically wrong" that the move to the Olympic Stadium had been
subsidised by the UK taxpayer. Hammers joint-chairmen David Sullivan and
David Gold and vice-chairman Karren Brady have been keen to make football
more affordable for fans.
Wednesday's announcement backed up their pledge to help supporters as West
Ham became the first Premier League club to use the increased broadcast
revenue for the 2016/17 season to reduce ticket prices. Brady said: "We have
always said that the move to our magnificent new stadium would be a game
changer for West Ham: a chance to increase revenue, invest in the team and
improve our performance on the pitch, but crucially without putting an extra
financial burden on the supporters who already come to watch every home
match. "The announcement proves that we have kept our promise."

Every season ticket holder sitting in bands 1-4 for the final season at the
Boleyn Ground will see a reduction of at least £26 in their season ticket
price. A new £289 Band 5 season ticket will become the cheapest in the
Premier League based on the 2014/15 prices and represents a cost per game of
£15.20. All season tickets for the under 16s will be cut to £99 - meaning a
cost of £5.21 per match. West Ham were awarded a 99-year licence to rent the
Olympic Stadium last year. After suggestions that the move to the stadium
could still be in contravention of European state aid laws, Brady told Sky
Sports News HQ: "We are making a huge contribution to the conversion and a
huge contribution to the revenue. "Without us there's no lynchpin in the
stadium to create the jobs and to create the legacy. We're confident we
haven't done anything wrong."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll: West Ham players "love" Sam Allardyce and want him to stay on
as boss
18:22, 22 April 2015 By Neil McLeman
The Irons manager faces an uncertain future and his case for a new contract
has been hit by a run of only two wins in their last 16 Premier League games
The Mirror

Andy Carroll has claimed all the West Ham players "love" Sam Allardyce and
want him to stay next season. The Irons manager's case for a new contract
has been hit by a run of only two wins in their last 16 Premier League
games. But £15m signing Carroll insisted: "Everyone loves him, everyone
loves the training and the routine we are in. I am sure all the lads want
him to stay next season. "The manager is strong enough to deal with that
(run) and I think so are all the players. It is just unlucky the way the
games have been going." Carroll, now 26, has made only 46 Premier League
starts since moving to Upton Park in August 2012 because of a series of
injuries. "It is just the way I play - aggressive play," said the England
striker. "In training I am not like that. "I take my foot off the gas a
little bit with our players but as soon as I am on the pitch, I don't think
anyone can stop me running about like I do throwing myself into challenges."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
OS "state aid" claim threatens can of worms
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 22, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Renewed claims have arisen this week that West Ham could be investigated by
the European Commission that it will be receiving state funding when it
moves to the Olympic Stadium in 2016. The Guardian newspaper ran a story
yesterday on the back of a Freedom of Information request from Charlton
Athletic Supporters Trust who have been campaigning that the rental
agreement between West Ham United and LLDC be made public. There seems to be
a much wider problem across much of Europe with regards to state funding of
football. Eighteen months ago the European commission started an
investigation into seven Spanish clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Fellow La Liga teams Osasuna, Athletic Bilbao, Valencia, Elche and
second-tier Hercules are under investigation. Real are alleged to have sold
training ground land to the City of Madrid at an over-inflated price of
22.7m euros.Valencia-based clubs Valencia, Hercules and Elche are alleged to
have received state-backed loans up to 75m euros.

In response to the renewed Guardian claims yesterday a West Ham spokesman
said: "West Ham United is confident that its agreement with the LLDC
complies with all relevant UK and European legislation and categorically
does not constitute state aid. "Indeed, the European Commission looked into
a complaint in relation to our move to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2013
but 'decided not to further pursue' the matter. "The club was selected as
anchor concessionaire following a fair, transparent and robust process that
was open to any group or organisation in the country. Out of the four
proposals submitted, West Ham's was selected as it delivered a sustainable
and viable future for the Stadium and, crucially, provided the best return
for the taxpayer. "The agreement with the LLDC will see West Ham make a
substantial capital contribution towards the conversion works of a Stadium
that it may only rent for up to 25 matchdays a year, pay a multimillion
pound annual usage fee, as well as offering a share of food and catering
sales from its supporters. "The worldwide draw of hosting the most popular
and watched football league in the world in such an iconic venue will add
value to any sponsorship and commercial agreements related to the Stadium,
which the public purse stands to further benefit from. "It is clear that the
linking of the naming rights to West Ham United generates real cash value
for the LLDC. Without West Ham United, the Stadium would continue to cost
the taxpayer millions of pounds a year. "With us, the public purse will see
a return on the hundreds of millions of pounds that were committed to build
the Stadium, long before West Ham's association had begun."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Benitez on PL links
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 22, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Rafa Benitez has declared that he has had no contact with Manchester City
but perhaps significantly has not mentioned West Ham in an interview with
the Italian Press. The former Liverpool and Chelsea boss is to have talks
with Napoli when his current deal ends this summer and said: "I have not had
contacts with City, unlike what I've read in England. "I have spoken to the
(Napoli) president via messages but we have not been able to meet due to our
busy playing schedule in order to evaluate the business plan. "Now our focus
is on matters on the pitch." Benitez joined Napoli in the summer of 2013 and
led the Naples outfit to the Coppa Italia title and third place in Serie A
in his first season in charge. Napoli are fourth in the league this term and
are firmly on course to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Teddy wants Pompey job
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 22, 2015 in Whispers
Claret 7 Hugh

The Portsmouth News understands that West Ham attacking coach Teddy
Sheringham is among 60-70 realistic candidates to declare their interest in
the Portsmouth manager role vacated by Andy Awford last week. They claim
sources close to Sheringham say the 49-year-old is ready to move into
football management and sees Fratton Park as the ideal starting point. The
former West Ham and Portsmouth striker was appointed Hammer's attacking
coach on a part-time basis back in May 2014. With Allardyce's own job is
under serious doubt with his contract expiring this summer it also raises
question marks over the futures of his back room staff including assistant
boss Neil McDonald, coach Ian Hendon and Teddy Sheringham. Teddy scored 10
goals in 38 appearances for Pompey during their maiden season in the Premier
League in 2003-04. The striker's hat-trick in a 4-0 Fratton Park success
over Bolton in the third match of the season even lifted Harry Redknapp's
side into top spot.

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Charlton Trust lodge Irons OS complaint
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 22, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust (CAST) has filed multiple complaints
with the European Commission on illegal state aid which it claims West Ham
United has received as a result of its future tenancy of the Olympic
Stadium.

CAST argued that West Ham could never afford to build a new stadium like the
Olympic with their own resources (and they used Arsenal as a precedent, both
to show how a club had done it on its own, and to show the cost of such a
stadium).

They argued that West Ham are getting "a leg up" against all other Premier
League clubs, but the biggest effect would be on those who fell into their
enhanced catchment area namely Orient, Charlton and Millwall. They asked
the EC to show specifically how West Ham's case might differ from those of
the Dutch clubs already investigated for breaching illegal state aid rules.

The EC claim it doesn't constitute unfair state aid because the money
lavished on the Olympic Stadium refit does not flow directly to West Ham.
The LLDC argue (and the EC seem to accept) that the Dutch cases were
different because the clubs already occupied the stadia which were improved

CAST have also submitted a number of requests using Freedom of Information
rights, to get a copy of the rental contract between the LLDC and West Ham
United. The Trust claim LLDC wriggled and squirmed in their attempts to
avoid sending it. Eventually, they sent "it" but with every word and number
of any use blacked out, on the grounds of "commercial confidentiality".

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Brady offers no Allardyce assurances
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 22, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Karren Brady has shifted her perceived position on the future of Sam
Allardyce and admitted he has found fan discontent hard to handle.
Many believed the vice chairman had indicated the 60 year old would still be
in place next season during a Sky Sports interview yesterday (Tues). But
speaking on the Alan BrazilkSports Breakfast show at TalksPORT she said:
"Sam Allardyce is a good manager. He will always have our respect and
whatever happens with West Ham, his future is bright. "He's a good manager,
but he has to make sure he's happy at West Ham. We have to sit down and
calculate what we do privately, and respectfully, with him. "We have the
same plan this year as we've had every other time his contract has run out.
We'll sit down at the end of the season, discuss the season that's gone past
and decide how to go forward. "Everything comes into the decision, not least
of all how fans are feeling. There have been times when the supporters have
been on his back and he has found that time very difficult to deal with."

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Karren's Sam interview raises a smile
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 22, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Karren Brady waded into the great Sam Allardyce debate leaving the distinct
impression that all is at peace in the West Ham world.
I read her words with interest and was asked by a family member as I did so
why a huge smile had spread across my face. The vice chairman said: "We have
to see what he wants to do going forwards. That's how these things work.

"What sort of money does he want to invest in players? What positions does
he want? Those are the conversation you always have, typically, at the end
of the season and we make an arrangement going forwards. That's still our
intention."

She gave us a bit of spin about it having been a good season ( yeah of
course!) and that his relationship with the board was good adding:"I think
we have, as a board, always made it clear that we sit down with Sam at the
end of every season."

Now let's get to it! We all know this board will not be moved from making an
end of season decision even if they perhaps should.

Given that they have to support the manager because, hey, there are four
games left and several millions available in league positioning.

This is not a love affair between the manager or anyone above – it's all
about dough and anything other than a public show of support is not to be
expected.

I'd only be surprised if Karren had said: "We know it's all over and we'll
let you know that next month. Given the circumstances they have imposed on
themselves her statement was entirely predictable.

The manager hunt continues and whilst on that I'm off to have a few quid on
Marcelo Bielsa!

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Brady: no assurances for Sam
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 22, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Sam Allardyce is a good manager," Hammers Vice Chairman Karren Brady told
the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show on Talk Sport radio this morning. "He
will always have our respect and whatever happens with West Ham, his future
is bright. He's a good manager, but he has to make sure he's happy at West
Ham. We have to sit down and calculate what we do privately, and
respectfully, with him. We have the same plan this year as we've had every
other time his contract has run out. We'll sit down at the end of the
season, discuss the season that's gone past and decide how to go forward.
Everything comes into the decision, not least of all how fans are feeling.
There have been times when the supporters have been on his back and he has
found that time very difficult to deal with."

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Aaron Cresswell: I'm staying at West Ham despite recent Chelsea speculation
HITC
Olly Dawes

West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell is ignoring speculation over his future.
West Ham left back Aaron Cresswell has told the Daily Mirror that he's happy
at Upton Park despite recent speculation about his future. Cresswell, 25,
has gradually made his way up through the league system, impressing with
Tranmere Rovers and Ipswich Town before earning his move to West Ham last
summer. The left back has been one of West Ham's best players this season,
producing consistent displays, as well as chipping in with goals and assists
in a superb first campaign in the Premier League. His excellent displays
have triggered calls for England recognition, whilst recent reports from the
Daily Mail have suggested that Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in
deals to sign Cresswell this summer. It's been a meteoric rise for
Cresswell, and after just one season at West Ham, he could be on the move
again - but West Ham will surely put up a fight to keep him in East London.
Now, Cresswell has told the Daily Mirror that whilst it's nice to be linked
with big teams like Chelsea and Manchester City, he is focusing on his
career at West Ham. "Obviously Its nice to see things like that," said
Cresswell. "But I have four years left on my West Ham contract and I'm very
happy down here." "I don't read into it or look into stuff like that. I just
concentrate on doing my best for West Ham. I have still got four years left
on my contract and it's what I'm enjoying at the minute," he added. Those
comments will fill West Ham fans with hope that Cresswell will stay with the
club for some time yet - but they will also know that another strong season
next term would only ramp up interest in his signature.

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Karren Brady angers Premier League rivals with ticket price boast
West Ham vice-chairman's claim that all clubs should emulate their
season-ticket price reduction – as they try to fill the Olympic Stadium –
results in hypocrisy accusations
Telegraph.co.uk
By Matt Law, and Chris Bascombe7:35PM BST 22 Apr 2015

Karren Brady is facing a frosty reception in Premier League boardrooms over
her claims that West Ham United are acting as ticket-price trailblazers.
West Ham have also opened themselves up to accusations of hypocrisy over
their ticket pricing by charging Everton fans £55 for their meaningless
final home game of the season. Vice-chairman Brady announced on Wednesday
that West Ham will reduce season ticket prices in their 54,000-seater
Olympic Stadium as a result of the Premier League's record television deal.
Brady, however, has also caused dismay inside boardrooms up and down the
country by claiming other Premier League clubs will emulate West Ham. "I am
sure other Premier League clubs will follow," said Brady. "I go to all the
Premier League meetings and ticket pricing and making it affordable is
always the highest topic on the agenda."
Telegraph Sport understands that Brady's comments have been badly received
by a host of Premier League clubs, many of whom have announced price freezes
for next season, but cannot afford to cut prices. The view inside many rival
boardrooms is that West Ham are in the unique position of having effectively
been given a new stadium that they do not have to pay for and have to find a
way of filling an extra 19,000 seats. West Ham are spending £2.5million a
year to rent their new ground and have consistently refuted suggestions that
they are not paying their way. They are also confident they will fill the
Olympic Stadium.

The Hammers are making contributions to the conversion of the stadium to
host football matches and will give up a portion of the money they receive
from any naming rights. Brady's claims were followed by a statement from the
Football Supporters' Federation urging other Premier League clubs to emulate
West Ham's pricing policy. West Ham's cheapest adult season ticket for their
first season at their new stadium in 2016-17 will cost £289 and all season
tickets for Under-16s will be cut to £99. Malcolm Clarke, chair of FSF,
said: "The FSF strongly believes that top-flight clubs should use their
newly signed media deal to cut ticket prices for both home and away
supporters.
"We hope that other clubs follow suit and reduce ticket prices across the
board, as West Ham have done. "West Ham have thrown down the gauntlet to
other clubs — who can offer the cheapest season ticket prices in the top
flight?" Everton supporters were left disputing claims that West Ham are
setting a good example after finding out they will have to pay £55 for their
trip to Upton Park on May 16.
Despite the fact the fixture will have no significance on either European
qualification or the Premier League relegation zone, West Ham have made the
game a Category A match.

West Ham have justified the decision by pointing out that the club's final
home game of the season is virtually always made a Category A game because
of end-of-season events such as the presentation of the Hammer of the Year
award. Travelling Everton fans are unlikely to be placated by the fact that
they will see the West Ham player of the year crowned ahead of kick-off.
Everton supporter Kathy Keig said: "I feel absolutely exploited by West Ham.
Charging £55 for a ticket is pure exploitation and they're exploiting
Everton fans because they know we will turn up and sell out. Last season we
paid £42 for the same ticket, so that's a 30 per cent increase, which is
ridiculous and can't be justified."

West Ham's rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who have frozen season-ticket prices
for the 2015-16 campaign, also plan to move into a new stadium for the
2018-19 season, but are unlikely to reduce ticket prices because they need
to fund their new 56,000-seater arena.

Chelsea announced in February that they have frozen ticket prices next
season for a fourth year in a row, but it is understood that their pricing
is under continual review. The Stamford Bridge club have announced a change
to their distribution of match tickets for Champions League games next
season, following the incident at a Paris Métro station when a black man was
racially abused. Chelsea supporters will now have to pick up their match
tickets from a collection point in the city or town where the tie is taking
place, rather than collecting tickets from the Stamford Bridge ticket
office. Manchester United operate a similar system and Chelsea hope the
change in distribution will reduce the chances of tickets being passed on or
resold.

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