Chadwell Chatter - James Tomkins
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone
It is not long now until everything kicks-off again and we are all really
excited ahead of the Europa League draw which takes place on Monday. To see
who we are playing, where we might be travelling to and to be playing some
top sides from across Europe is something we are all looking forward to. As
a player you want to play in competitions like this and play against the
best players and teams on another level. So it will be interesting to see
who we will be playing in the first lot of games. When the club last played
in Europe I was only just beginning my career here as a youngster, but I
know it created a lot of excitement with the fans and everyone. To have
European football in the last season at the Boleyn Ground will be a great
way to say goodbye to the stadium too. Having missed the last couple of
months because of injury, I can't wait to be playing again. I got on against
Newcastle United in the last match of the season but it just feels that I
haven't played for ages and so I can't wait to get out there again.
I am looking forward to working under our new manager Slaven Bilic. I want
to wish Sam all the best, he was brilliant to me throughout his time at West
Ham. Now we look forward to this season in what is a new era for the club
under Slaven. Like all new managers, he will want to bring his own style,
the way he wants to do things. He knows the club, the ambitions and he was
known as a player who played in the style as someone who wore his heart on a
sleeve. Having being a manager at international level he will bring a lot
of experience of that, especially with us starting back early with the
Europa League, so we're all looking forward to the new season and what is an
exciting time at the club.
I hope you have all been enjoying the summer so far. It has been nice to
spend some time with family and friends and re-charge the batteries. I am
looking forward to seeing the rest of the lads again for pre-season and
meeting the new boys who have joined us and welcome them to the club. It's
always good banter on the first day and getting back to the routine, it will
be good.
Now the fixtures are out, I am sure all of you have looked at when games
are. It is going to be an historic season for us with it being the last
season at the Boleyn Ground. While we are all looking to the big kick-off,
there is also a big interest in who we will be playing in the last home
match at the ground, which is against Swansea City on 7 May. This is going
to be an emotional season for all these reasons, we'll be looking to give
the Boleyn Ground a good send-off by getting good results at home and to add
more special memories for everyone before we go.
The new home kit was revealed today and I think it is great. It has a really
nice feel when you put it on. It has our colours in a traditional way and it
is very retro, I like it a lot and am looking forward to wearing it. Being
the last home kit for the Boleyn Ground, it is very special. It has a nice
motif on it commemorating the fact it is the last season here and so I think
fans will appreciate that.
See you all soon
Tonka
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Jack Sullivan Column
WHUFC.com
Jack Sullivan is the youngest son of West Ham United Joint-Chairman David
Sullivan and is a huge Hammers fan. Jack will be giving his exclusive views
to the official website in a regular new column...
Hello everyone,
This has been another big day for the Club with the unveiling of our new
Boleyn Kit 2015/16 for the final ever season at the Boleyn Ground. It is
based on our first ever kit at the Boleyn back in 1904 and I think it looks
fantastic. I am sure all the fans are going to enjoy wearing it in a
memorable last season for the Club. I know all the fans have been excited by
the announcement of the new fixtures this week and we have got a big London
derby to kick the season off and then a few hard away games to follow. I
know our record against Arsenal has been disappointing over recent years but
it is about time that changes. Sometimes the big teams can have a slow start
to the season and hopefully we can capitalise on that when we go to Emirates
Stadium. It will obviously be Slaven's first Premier League game in charge
and from what I have heard he will be relishing the chance to pit his wits
against the big managers and will want to get off to a good start so
hopefully that will work in our favour. We then have two home games to
follow against Leicester and Bournemouth and I'm sure the fans will be
hoping to see some points on the board early on in the season.
I know the fans will be behind Slaven and it will be great if we can start
the campaign on a good note. We have to travel to Liverpool at the end of
August and it is about time we break our poor record at Anfield. We need to
have the mentality to go and attack teams like Liverpool and build some
momentum. I don't think we need to be scared of playing these big teams
anymore.
All eyes are then on our final ever home game against Swansea on 7 May.
Swansea are a very good team and it will be a difficult match but I'm sure
all the fans are looking forward to what will be an emotional day for
everyone involved at the Club. It could be the last time that I get to kick
the ball into the back of the net on the famous old pitch.
The transfer speculation continues to surround who we could bring into the
Club. I know that my dad is working extremely hard to bring in new players
and we are trying to get value for money. We could buy someone for £15m but
it has to be right for the football club and we are not panicking as there
are still seven weeks to go before the Premier League season gets underway.
I am sure we will be signing more players in the next few weeks. The players
will be back for the start of pre-season training and it is great to see
Andy Carroll back on the training pitch. He has not gone on holiday through
the summer and has shown a real commitment to the cause by working hard on
getting back to his full fitness. We will hopefully have a lot of
competition for places in the striking roles and it will also be great to
see Diafra Sakho back in action. He had a great first season in England and
I know Teddy Sheringham told my dad last season that he is prolific every
day in training so hopefully he can be back among the goals once again.
There is a lot of excitement surrounding the draw for the Europa League
which is made on Monday and I cannot wait to see who we will be facing.
I look forward to speaking with you all again soon.
Jack
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2014/15 Season Review - April
WHUFc.com
An outstanding Aaron Cresswell free-kick and Reece Burke's Premier League
debut lit up a month that was otherwise disappointing for the Hammers. West
Ham began April with a trip to struggling Leicester City. The Foxes, who at
the time were fighting for Premier League survival, got off to a bright
start as their Player of the Year Esteban Cambiasso fired the hosts into a
twelfth minute lead.
Things almost went from bad to worse as Carl Jenkinson fouled Leonardo Ulloa
inside the box. David Nugent lined the spot-kick up however Adrian pulled of
a terrific save to keep his side in the game.
In a deafening atmosphere at the King Power, the Hammers did well to pull
themselves level via Cheikhou Kouyate's rifled shot.
With just minutes remaining, midfielder Andy King popped up in the six yard
box to seal a win that would start a mesmerising run of result for the
Foxes.
Fired up by the defeat the previous weekend, the Hammers flew out of the
traps against Stoke City. Their early pace and intent was soon rewarded as
Aaron Cresswell curled a beauty of a free-kick into the top right-hand
corner. He wheeled away in delight at scoring his second goal for West Ham,
running away to celebrate in-front of the adoring faithful.
The good start would not last however as the Potters equalised through Marko
Arnautovic with virtually the last kick off the game. Mark Hughes' men had
impressed all game, most notably Mr. Arnautovic, who had had two earlier
efforts chalked off for offside.
The 95th minute equaliser was a bitter pill to swallow and the Hammers
struggled to get it out of their system when they travelled to the Etihad.
The Citizens were in rampant mood, as Sergio Aguero and David Silva were at
their majestic best. Despite their creative brilliance, the deadlock was
broken in freak circumstances as James Collins' clearances skewed off his
foot horribly, looped over a hapless Adrian before hitting the post and
rolling over the line.
Things did not get much better in Manchester as City won back possession in
their own half before breaking rapidly. A well worked move was finished off
by Sergio Aguero, who would go on to be top goalscorer with 26 strikes.
The Hammers were much improved in the second half – Enner Valencia went
closest with a fierce shot following a mazy run yet in truth, City were
comfortable winners.
Entering the last game of the month, the Irons made the short journey across
London to play relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers.
The Hoops put in a valiant display and perhaps deserved more than a point.
Adrian, not for the first time, was the Hammers hero as he made a brilliant
save to keep out Charlie Austin's penalty. The hosts went close again when
Richard Dunne put the ball in the back of the net, yet it was chalked off
for a foul.
Perhaps the biggest positive for West Ham fans was Reece Burke who faced the
daunting task of handling Bobby Zamora on his Premier League debut. However,
the Newham-born eighteen year old more than rose to the occasion and almost
got on the scoresheet.
The Hammers ended April in tenth with just four games remaining.
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Re-United! Ex-Hammers join new Hendon regime
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 19th June 2015
By: Staff Writer
Blair Turgott and Paul McCallum have agreed to join Leyton Orient - where
they will team up once again with West Ham's former first team coach Ian
Hendon. 21-year-old Turgott was most recently at League One Coventry City
but found himself a free agent after being released by the Sky Blues last
month, having spent just four months at the Ricoh Arena. And McCallum, who
was released by West Ham four years after moving from Dulwich Hamlet has
also been without a club since leaving last loan club Portsmouth at the end
of April.
That was until Ilford-born Hendon - who was appointed as the O's latest
manager at the end of May - moved quickly to land the former Chadwell
Heath-based youngsters, signing Turgott on a 12-month contract and McCallum
on a two-year deal. "Blair is predominantly a wide player who is very quick
and very athletic," Hendon told leytonorient.com. "He is non stop in his
work rate and he can deliver a great ball into the box." He has gained
experience out on loan over the years and he will be a good addition to the
squad."
And on McCallum, also 21, he added: ""Paul is a big, lean striker who is
willing to work as a centre forward. He will go and shut down and do the
other side of the game. When it goes up he will get hold of it and bring
others into play. "He is proven at this level when he has been out on
loan."
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Gold: I want to win the Europa League
KUMb.com
Filed: Friday, 19th June 2015
By: Staff Writer
David Gold says West Ham United will be taking the Europa League seriously -
but also expressed his concerns regarding the extra physical demands a good
run in the competition could place on the squad.
The club's co-owner, speaking to Frank Keogh of the BBC admitted that an
extended run could take its toll on Slaven Bilic's squad, which is still far
from complete despite the recent arrivals of Darren Randolph and Pedro
Obiang.
"I really take this tournament seriously and I want to win it," Gold told
Keogh. "We've got to prepare ourselves for plenty of games and hope we don't
get too many injuries.
"We saw it last season with a fabulous start, then players started dropping
like flies before we finished a disappointing 12th."
Gold also hinted that he expects to see at least some of the club's bigger
names participate in the early qualifying rounds of the Europa League, which
commence on 2 July.
"I'm hoping we don't have to play all of our first team in the opening
games," he added, "but I would hope Andy [Carroll] will be playing in one of
those early matches.
"It will be good for players like him, Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia, who
are itching to get back on the pitch. It's [also] a great opportunity for
Diego Poyet, who hasn't had as much playing time as he would like."
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West Ham: David Gold says Hammers 'will fill Olympic Stadium'
By Frank Keogh
BBC Sport
West Ham expect to have capacity crowds at nearly all of their matches at
the Olympic Stadium, co-chairman David Gold has told BBC Sport. Gold wants
the Hammers to "worry" the big five Premier League clubs after moving from
the Boleyn Ground to their new 54,000-capacity home next year. And he
believes new boss Slaven Bilic will "galvanise" players and fans. Gold said
the club wants to win the Europa League and hopes Andy Carroll will feature
in the early stages.
Grounds for optimism?
West Ham are preparing for their final season at the Boleyn Ground, with the
fixtures released on Wednesday revealing Swansea will be the last Premier
League visitors to Upton Park, in early May. "Leaving the Boleyn Ground will
be an emotional time. It will be a momentous event for anyone affiliated to
the football club," said Gold, who grew up in Green Street, yards from the
East London ground. The Hammers will go from playing in front of 35,000 fans
to the potential of nearly 20,000 more, so can they fill their new home?
"Obviously, attendances have a lot to do with performances on the field, but
taking all things into account we are optimistic of filling the stadium, 99%
of the time," said the 78-year-old, who owns the club with David Sullivan.
"Every time we get an update on ticket sales, they are the best we have
experienced. All the targets we have set ourselves are being met."
The Olympic dream
Gold points to improved transport links, location and facilities as reasons
why he believes the new ground will be attractive to spectators. "Upton Park
has two underground lines. At the Olympic Stadium, there are five train
stations within a 10-minute walk of the ground and 13 lines that come into
Stratford," he said. "There are towns all over Kent, Essex and further
afield where the journey into Stratford will be a different experience. "One
fan wrote to me and said he was coming in from Ashford and he'll save an
hour each way on his journey. Even coming in from Europe will be easier." He
said many season tickets would be the cheapest in the Premier League to
"encourage younger fans".
All change at West Ham?
The Hammers have appointed Slaven Bilic as their manager following the
departure of Sam Allardyce, 60.
Is it a risk?
"I don't personally have a fear of that," said Gold.
Croat Bilic, 46, has experience of managing his national side, plus spells
with Lokomotiv Moscow and Besiktas. He played 54 times as a defender for
West Ham from 1996-1997 before signing for Everton. But he has never managed
a Premier League side. "I think there's a risk with any appointment. Some of
the great managers with great records don't always come off in the Premier
League," said Gold. "He doesn't have experience as a Premier League manager
but he does as a player. What he will lack in years of experience, he will
make up for with youthful dynamism."
Attack, attack, attack
The club set out a list of criteria when seeking Allardyce's replacement -
they wanted a manager capable of winning a trophy, bringing the young
players through and playing attractive football - the so-called 'West Ham
way'. "I think we are going to see attacking football," said Gold. "With the
players we have, and others coming in, we will have a natural attacking bias
in our squad. "I like Slaven's passion. The box he ticks above above other
managers is that he is an ex-West Ham player, but you can look at a
manager's CV and sit there with your boxes and tick here and there - you
cannot see what they are really like until you are face to face. "He
interviewed well, and last week we went to the Olympic Stadium, spent half a
day with him and it was a good feeling. I like the way you can have
chemistry between people. He is a relatively young man with drive and
desire."
Carroll's comeback
Injury-plagued striker Andy Carroll is back in training following knee
surgery in February, and the Europa League could offer him a chance to
return to full fitness. "When he heard we were in the Europa League, he saw
it as a great opportunity. It couldn't have come at a better time for him,"
said Gold. The Hammers' first game will be on 2 July, and they are likely to
field a mixture of first-team regulars and younger players. "I'm hoping we
don't have to play all of our first team in the opening games. I would hope
Andy will be playing in one of those early matches," he said. "It will be
good for players like him, Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia, who are itching
to get back on the pitch. It's a great opportunity for Diego Poyet, who
hasn't had as much playing time as he would like."
Andy Carroll's injury record at West Ham
September 2012: Injures hamstring in his first game on loan - out for a
month
November 2012: Twists knee against Manchester United - sidelined for two
months
May 2013: Damages heel in the last game of the season - out for seven months
July 2014: Tears ankle ligaments in pre-season - out for four months
February 2015: Knee surgery - set to miss rest of the season
Taking the Europa League seriously
West Ham qualified for the Europa League via Uefa's Fair Play system and
will find our their first qualifying round opponents in Monday's draw. "I
really take this tournament seriously and I want to win it," said Gold.
"We've got to prepare ourselves for plenty of games and hope we don't get
too many injuries. "We saw it last season with a fabulous start, then
players started dropping like flies before we finished a disappointing
12th."
Europa League in numbers
23: Number of matches West Ham would have to play to win the competition
6: Games before the Premier League starts
48: Number of teams in the group stage - 16 already qualified, 22 from
qualifying, 10 from Champions League
Strengthening the squad
Bilic will be given money to bring new players in, although one immediate
priority lies with a star of last season. The Hammers are keen to reach a
deal with Arsenal for defender Carl Jenkinson, who they had on loan last
season but also interests Sunderland. "We know we need a right-back and will
work tirelessly to bring in Carl. If that does not work out, we have other
irons in the fire," said Gold. "We said to Slaven 'get your priority list
and let's see what we can do'. We have a track record of working with our
managers."
'Worrying' the Big Five
The Hammers finished 12th in the Premier League last season. Gold said: "We
are hoping West Ham will be in a position very soon to worry the top five
and have them saying: 'Who are these upstarts? Who do they think they are?'
"As far as challenging these great clubs, it's very very hard. Southampton
challenged last season, and there's absolutely no reason why West Ham can't
emulate them. "There is a big difference between realism and hope.
Realistically, in the next five years we would expect to be knocking on the
door of Europe, whether that's by finishing seventh or eighth or by winning
the FA Cup or reaching the final. "The longer-term aim is we want to
frighten the big boys of Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United,
Arsenal and Liverpool. We want the Big Five to be looking over their
shoulders."
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Thumbs-up for new replica kit
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 19th June 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham supporters have given the club's new replica kit an overwhelmingly
positive reception, after it was officially unveiled this morning. Followers
of KUMB would have seen sutts07's almost-identical mock-up of the new kit
here yesterday. And since West Ham officially released the first images of
the new kit, fans have responded almost universally in favour on the KUMB
Forum. Featuring a retro-style hooped neck, similar to the first claret and
blue kit worn by West Ham in 1904, the shirt is adorned by a gold, old-style
Hammers badge - whilst the goalkeeper's kit is a return to traditional green
(albeit a rather bright shade) shirt.
"Fantastic shirt, best we've had in years," wrote Patito. "Going back to
white shorts makes such a difference too and I hope that's something we
stick with now."
Beavis Danzig added: "It's a classy kit which pays respects to our history.
It's definitely what the kit should be and if I had a vote, it's what I
would have dutifully gone for."
"Looks like a good effort from Umbro - no real surprises, I thought they'd
go with the heritage angle," said ironsonthebrain. "Thankfully it's claret
with blue sleeves, a nice return to tradition after the awful shirts from
Adidas - especially the hooped number from last season. And the kids version
with no sponsor logo looks great."
Despite the positive reception, the new kit hasn't pleased everyone; TW2
Hammer was one of the few to be disappointed, writing: "It's a Burnley Kit
plain and simple. Ralph Coates would love it. Welcome back Umbro- NOT!"
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Crazy Sundays and our brave new world
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 19th June 2015
By: Paul Walker
I've been away. You can tell, can't you?
So first things first… welcome back Slav, you have been missed and every one
of us desperately wants you to succeed from the very start. Thanks and
goodbye big Sam, doubt though that you will be missed!
The well-worn arguments about our former boss, the classless abuse from some
sections of our support, and the painful, inept end to his reign has finally
been consigned to the past.
I would have argued for an extension to his contract up until around the
time of the carnage at West Brom in the FA Cup; a safe pair of hands, never
gets relegated, all that sort of stuff.
But the shameful end to the campaign overshadowed every sort of calm debate.
Whoever you are, if you win three of your last 21 league games, you get the
tin-tac. Show me a managed anywhere in the world who would have survived
that.
And in hindsight, we now know that all of Sam's staff were actively looking
for new jobs while the horrors of the last months of our campaign were
unfolding. And then Ian Hendon has the cheek to blame us for the shambles
because we didn't back his boss enough. Think it was more than that Ian,
maybe too many people didn't care a jot about results.
But it's gone now. If you'd have asked our fans on the last day of the
season who they wanted as a new manager, a vast majority would have included
Slaven Bilic in their top three. So we have got what we wanted and now we
have to back the guy to the hilt, because I sense it's going to be a rocky
ride, but hopefully never a dull moment.
As for us, we have got European football back, and now I can get into
familiar moan mode! A club like ours, certainly at the moment, does not
believe it can qualify for the Champions League, we don't have the money,
resources or players. So if we want Europe, it has to be the Europa League,
and all the problems that entails.
The main one is the wholesale destruction of our fixture list. Gone, ladies
and gentlemen, are the days of Saturday afternoon, 3.00pm kick-offs.
History.
When the fixtures were released for next season this week, every game was
listen on a Saturday. Yea, right. Now we know that Sky and BT will murder
that idea anyway, that's what happens. But the Europa League is not far
behind. And if you are unlucky enough to be playing a home match in the
schedule the Saturday after a Thursday tie, then the damage is even worse.
And that's what we have walked into.
If we get through the two qualifying rounds and the play-offs (six matches
in all), we are in the group stages and that gives us six more games before
Christmas. And a swift look at our fixture list reveals that if we get into
the group stages, we will have just THREE home games on a Saturday at 3.00pm
before Christmas.
If we progress further in Europe into the knock-out stages, and right to the
final (stop laughing, Fulham did it) we will have just FOUR Saturday home
games with 3.00pm kick-offs in the second half of the season. And that is
before the TV campanies start shifting other games around to Friday, Sunday
and Mondays.
And guess what. If we get to the semi-finals, it will also mean that the
much-argued about last game at the Boleyn against Swansea, will also be
moved to the Sunday. At the last minute, too.
Now I like my Saturday afternoon football, and for out-of-town fans like me
and my lad, Sunday home games or midweek for that matter, are a real pain.
Now I know it's my choice that I live in the heathen northern lands near
Manchester, but there are many, many more long distance fans who this will
disrupt.
But you cannot complain too much, it's hardly the club's fault and we all
want European football, don't we. But travel by train on Sundays is a
nightmare these days, and usually more expensive.
Now I am one of the fans who are going to the Olympic Stadium with a heavy
heart but very aware of the financial needs of a club like ours if we are to
progress. One of the good points is that Euston and Stratford are a darned
sight easier route than the District Line, and quicker, so there is a sort
of silver lining.
But back to the fixtures. If we get into the play-offs and group stages,
seven home league games will be switched from Saturdays. Plus the away trips
to Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Sunderland. After the new year,
four more home games plus the trips to Chelsea, Leicester and West Brom will
be moved from Saturdays.
But, hey, this is a brave new world. One we all wanted and this is what the
likes of Everton and Spurs - and now Liverpool - do all the time.
But I still am determined to be positive about the new campaign and this
last season at the Boleyn. Bilic is a good choice, and probably the best we
could have got from the second tier of managers around Europe.
Football has a fierce, elite, class structure. Once you get to the Champions
League as a player or manager, you do not want to leave it. Only really
silly money - as Manchester City found a few years ago when they were
mounting their oil-money revival - gets players like Yaya Toure out of the
Champions League bubble.
It would be easy now to slag off our owners for shooting for the moon and
trying for the very best. Some would call it naive, but I feel they deserved
to go for it and hope they caught a big fish. Rafa Benitez nearly joined,
but when Real Madrid come calling there is no choice. Benitez has always,
always wanted that job, and we were just his insurance policy if it didn't
happen, and he had known about the possibility for many weeks.
Just like Slaven knew about us. He said he had paid close attention to our
final games of the season, and has watched hours of recordings. Rather him
than me, those of us who saw those final, dying matches of a
couldn't-care-less Allardyce regime would not willingly watch the DVD again.
Bilic is a good choice, even though he has much to prove as a manager in a
really top European league, but already there has already been much raking
up of the past, and not just the Laurent Blanc stuff. One very nasty article
on an obscure website written by an Irishman who claimed he used to work for
Hadjuk Split, the Croatian club Bilic once bought into, was as near to being
libel as I have seen on the internet.
I have no wish to enlarge further, but I am sure if you look hard enough you
can find the piece. I just hope that Slav's lawyers have not found it by
now, because the laws of libel still operate on the net, something that far
too many folk who post on fans' websites fail to understand. You have to
prove what you write, simple as that.
What we are swapping is big Sam's 'mafia' of coaches, players and agents for
maybe Slaven's lot. His own coaches, players he knows, agents he always
works with. Frankly it is the same the world over, all managers tend to
operate in the same way.
But if we get a few talented Croatians (Luka Modric, please) and some decent
Turkish players , that will be fine by me. And of course David Sullivan is
now doing his director of football bit with relish, assisted by Tony Henry,
who would probably have played against or known Bilic from their times
playing and working in the north west.
So, for now, I suggest we all maintain our youthful, schoolboy, enthusiasm
for our great club. Otherwise you will be worrying about things that
haven't, or may not, happen on the transfer front.
We seem to be losing out to Stoke, Swansea and Southampton in the race to
sign decent foreign players. But I doubt Bilic has arrived at Upton Park
without a few deals already done in his head, at least.
They are all back training next week, and two weeks from now we will be
involved in European action. It has been a long time, far too long for a
club we are told is the 19th-best brand in the world and in the top 20 of
European clubs when it comes to finance and turnover. Under-achievers isn't
the half of it.
We are seeded, so I refuse to accept that the first two qualifying rounds
will be too problematic. The play-off might be, but if we want to progress
as a club we have to show we can handle this and that will attract better
players in seasons ahead.
So, Slaven, the very best of luck, we are all right behind you. You will
need luck, but I just hope those scary eyes of yours will generate some real
passion and effort from our team after the first half of the year. Welcome
to the funny farm!
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be
attributed to, KUMB.com.
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Jenkinson deal edges closer
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 19th June 2015
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are expected to tie up a second successive loan spell for Carl
Jenkinson when he returns from international duty. The 23-year-old Arsenal
full back spent the whole of last season on loan at the Boleyn Ground, and
despite interest from the likes of Sunderland has agreed to return to Upton
Park for a second spell. Initial differences regarding the terms of the loan
deal have now been resolved and Jenkinson is set to become a Hammer for the
second time upon his return from the European Under 21 Championships, where
he is currently representing his country. The Harlow-born defender played a
full 90 minutes last night as England began their Euro campaign with a
disappointing 1-0 defeat to Portugal. They also face Sweden (on Sunday) and
Italy (next Wednesday) meaning that Jenkinson's return is unlikely to be
announced until the following weekend, at the earliest.
Although West Ham have been keen on re-signing Jenkinson since the end of
last season, a deal has been delayed by United's insistence that the
(£2million) loan fee should be deductible from any future purchase price.
KUMB revealed exclusively last week that Jenkinson had snubbed the chance to
move to Sunderland, who had agreed terms with his parent club Arsenal. The
Gunners are said to have insisted on a £2million loan fee to allow Jenkinson
to leave the Emirates.
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Hartson in frame for key job
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 19, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
John Hartson is among the front runners to become one of the Hammers legends
to join Slaven Bilic's backroom staff. Various names such as Dean Ashton and
David Cross have been mentioned and the manager has yet to make any decision
on which former Hammers heroes he intends to sign up. But Hartson and Ashton
are among the favourites with the former Wales international a marginal
favourite given he played with Slav in the '96-'97 season. His battling
character which saw him score 24 goals in 60 appearances for the club is
giving him an edge.
With Paul Kitson as his strike partner he helped lift the club from 18th,
when he joined in February 1997, to 12th at the end of an unforgettable
survival campaign. He showed his courageous character in epic style during
2009 when after being diagnosed with testicular cancer which was reported to
have spread to his brain and lungs he battled his way back to full health.
Now, many inside the club believe he could become a role model to the
younger players whilst becoming an ideal replacement for departed attacking
coach Teddy Sheringham.
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Irons and Payet? He's on his holidays!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 19, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
West HamUnited have moved quickly to put the record straight on the position
regarding transfer target Dimitri Payet who earlier today was described as
having signed for the club. Turkish Football Agent/Advisor/Broker Muzzy
Oscan (pictured right) last night tweeted that the player had signed for us.
But using the social network again just after midnight he said: "My account
has been hacked and certain messages were wrote !! I will update you
tomorrow morning !! I do Apologise for this issue ! A few minutes later he
added "Dear West Ham United Fans I will update you tomorrow morning ."
However, we don't have to wait until tomorrow as ClaretandHugh put in a call
to a key Hammers insider who was happy to update us on the Payet position.
He said: "There's absolutely no truth in that. At this moment the player is
on holiday in Mauritius and a long way from being signed.
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Jenks keeping options open
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 19, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
Carl Jenkinson has put his future on hold until he returns from European
Championships England under 21 duty. The Arsenal right back though is
believed to favour a return to Upton Park although Sunderland have agreed to
pay his wages plus a £2.5million loan fee to Arsenal. Jenkinson though
thoroughly enjoyed his season at the Boleyn and would love to be a part of
their last ever campaign at the old stadium. He has many pals who support
the Irons and is keen to remain in London if he can.The Irons are continuing
to work on a deal and manager Slaven Bilic is known to be an admirer of the
right back." We were told: "He's unlikely to do anything until he returns to
the UK nd hopes remain hgh the Irons can put a deal together that will
satisfy Arsenal. However, it needs to be remembered that the player has the
right to make his own mind up on which club he will join."
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Has Dimitri Payet signed or not?
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 19, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
An agent connected with Mondial Sports Management who represents Dimitri
Payet tweeted out that Payet had signed for West Ham before quickly deleting
it and claiming his twitter account had been hacked. Muzzi Ozcan teased West
Ham fans earlier in the evening by saying "Announcement will be made once
things get in to some sort of agreement will keep you posted ! I expect it
to be announced by next week" Later he announced breaking news that Payet
had signed for West Ham just after midnight but Muzzi quickly deleted the
post and said "My account has been hacked and certain messages were wrote !!
I will update you tomorrow morning !! I do Apologise for this issue !" A few
minutes later he added "Dear West Ham United Fans I will update you tomorrow
morning ." Speculation on social suggested Muzzi quickly deleted the signing
news after getting in trouble for releasing the news early.
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David Gold: 'We must be patient!'
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 18, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
West Ham Chairman David Gold has told West Ham fans to be patient for more
signings. Speaking to the Club's official website Gold said: "The process of
trying to strengthen the squad continues on a daily basis. We must be
patient and I know fans will want us to get in players quickly, but these
things take time and it is for us and the manager to make those decisions."
"There is no question that more players will be arriving over the coming
weeks and there will be serious additions who will be joining the football
club to strengthen our squad."
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No bid for Charlie Austin
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 18, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
The club's ITK has confirmed this afternoon that there has been no official
bid for striker Charlie Austin despite intense speculation in the media. The
Boleyn insider does confirm Claret and Hugh's articles that West Ham are
hoping to strike a deal to bring Alex Song back soon but he warns there is
still a chance he may go elsewhere in the summer. The club insider goes on
to say in his regular column on WHUFC.com that three new arrivals are
looking very possible over the next seven days.
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Zarate prepares for new season
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 18, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
Forgotten Hammer Mauro Zarate has shown his commitment for a fresh start by
posting a photo of himself in West Ham training proclaiming in Spanish
'Preparando motores para una nueva pretemporada !!!' meaning 'Preparing
engines for a new season !!!' The 28 year Argentina is hoping for a new
start under new manager Slaven Bilic after a miserable loan at QPR which saw
injuries and a fine of two weeks wages for going AWOL. Zarate could get his
chance two weeks from today when West Ham face their first leg in the Europa
League first qualifying round 1st leg. The draw for the first round of
Europa League is on Monday lunchtime.
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Beskitas ramp up Ba speculation
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 19, 2015 in News, Whispers
C AND H
Slaven Bilic's former Beiktas boss seems to be sending a "come and get me
message" to the Premier League on behalf of Demba Ba. The Hammers have
distanced themselves from any interest in the former striker but it seems
Besiktas president Fikret Orman is keen to ramp up interest levels. He
claims several clubs are interested, declaring: "It obviously shows we made
a good signing there are serious offers there should be serious offers.
Speaking to TRT he added: "The club will not keep anyone who wants to leave
but we do have players we do not want to sell.
"Demba Ba had a great season and the fans like him but we would only
consider a move if we can find a better replacement."
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West Ham youngster will get rare chance when Europa League begins
London 24
10:44 19 June 2015 Pete Evans
England Under-20 international Diego Poyet will get his chance to play
regularly for West Ham when they start their Europa League adventure. The
Hammers kick off their 2015/16 campaign in less than two weeks, on July 2,
and they will find out their first, and possible second, qualiyfing round
opponents in Monday's draw. And they will use those ties as a chance to
blood the likes of Poyet in a squad balanced between first-team players and
younger talents, according to co-chairman David Gold. Poyet has made just
two starts since arriving from Charlton and spent a two-game loan spell with
Huddersfield back in November. "It's a great opportunity for Diego Poyet,
who hasn't had as much playing time as he would like," Gold told the BBC.
"I'm hoping we don't have to play all of our first team in the opening
games. ""I really take this tournament seriously and I want to win it. We've
got to prepare ourselves for plenty of games and hope we don't get too many
injuries." Those European ties are also likely to see Andy Carroll make his
return having been sidelined since February. "When he heard we were in the
Europa League, he (Carroll) saw it as a great opportunity," he added. "It
couldn't have come at a better time for him. "I would hope Andy will be
playing in one of those early matches. It will be good for players like him,
Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia, who are itching to get back on the pitch."
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Olympic Stadium cost rises to £702 million ahead of West Ham hand over - and
tax payer will pay for most of it
Telegraph.co.uk
By Ben Rumsby
1:57PM BST 19 Jun 2015
The public will end up paying at least £100 million more than first thought
towards converting the Olympic Stadium into West Ham United's new home. The
cost of redeveloping the London 2012 centrepiece into a Premier League
ground was announced to be £272m by the London Legacy Development
Corporation, taking the overall bill for the venue to £702m. That is a
whopping £118m more than had previously been revealed, almost all of which
will be paid for by the public purse. To compound matters, West Ham will
still contribute a grand total of just £15m under the terms of its 99-year
anchor tenancy of the stadium, which was originally built for £430m. It was
already forced to increase the budget for Balfour Beatty to construct a new
roof from £154m to £189.9m following complications. The LLDC defended the
costs by claiming it was part of a regeneration programme that would deliver
and additional economic benefit to east London of "well over £3 billion". It
added: "The stadium work included the removal of the original roof and light
paddles and installation of a new permanent roof, the largest of its kind in
the world. The 45,000sqm cantilevered roof needed significant strengthening
of the superstructure to support the 8km of cable net, 112 steel rafters,
9,900 roof panels and 14 light paddles each weighing 45 tonnes. The new roof
covers every seat in the venue, improving the acoustics and spectator
experience. "An innovative retractable seating system required the removal
of the lower seating bowl. The 21,000 movable seats bring the fans close to
the pitch for football and rugby ensuring the stadium has a long-term
legacy. Other works included installing catering facilities, toilets and
turnstiles, all of which were only temporary during the London 2012 Olympic
and Paralympic Games."
As well as being the new home of West Ham, the stadium will stage a range of
other sporting events and become the new home of British Athletics. Even
before re-opening permanently, it will host the Sainsbury's Anniversary
Games, a Barbarians v Samoa rugby union fixture, five matches in the Rugby
World Cup and an England v New Zealand rugby league international. LLDC
chief executive David Goldstone said: "We have invested in transforming a
temporary athletics venue into a permanent world class multi-use arena that
has a secure and long-term sustainable future. This has required a
significant amount of work and innovative engineering solutions. "Alongside
the transformation workm the deals signed with British Athletics and West
Ham United and the appointment of a stadium operator ensures the stadium
will pay its way and not require any continuing subsidy from the taxpayer."
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London and LLDC chairman, blamed the Labour
Government of the mid-2000s for the additional costs. "A very bad call was
made when those in charge at the time backed a stadium construction plan
that would leave the Olympic Park with a much smaller, mouldering and
tumbleweed ridden arena following the Games," he said. "Following that plan
would have literally torn the heart out of the park and put at risk the
incredible economic regeneration we are now seeing in east London. "Our
remedy offered long term sustainable investment in order to protect an
iconic stadium that Londoners took to their hearts, and which is now set to
be home to almost every conceivable sport, concert or community event for
decades to come. We've created a knockout venue that will drive and sustain
thousands of jobs, where we've ensured that a hefty share of the profits
will be paid back into taxpayer coffers and which provides a genuine Olympic
legacy for our city."
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David Gold: West Ham United want to sign Carl Jenkinson from Arsenal
HITC
Subhankar Mondal
West Ham United, Sunderland and Southampton are reportedly interested in
Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson. West Ham United co-chairman David Gold has
told BBC Sport that the club are determined to retain the services of
defender Carl Jenkinson. England international right-back Jenkinson played
on loan for West Ham from Premier League rivals Arsenal during the recently
concluded 2014-15 campaign. "We know we need a right-back and will work
tirelessly to bring in Carl," Gold told BBC Sport. "If that does not work
out, we have other irons in the fire."
Jenkinson gave a good account of himself at West Ham and was one of the
Hammers' better players. The 23-year-old created 22 chances, had a pass
accuracy of 78% and a shot accuracy of 60%, and won 22 headers, 11 dribbles
and 26 tackles in 32 Premier League appearances. The Englishman is not going
to slot into the Arsenal starting line-up next season, as he will have
Mathieu Debuchy and Hector Bellerin ahead of him in the peking order. It
makes sense for Jenkinson to remain on loan at West Ham for the 2015-16
campaign, but the London outfit will face competition for his services.
That's because Premier League rivals Sunderland are also interested in
signing Jenkinson on loan in the summer transfer window. According to a
report in The Mirror earlier this week, the Black Cats have agreed a deal
with Arsenal to sign the right-back on loan this summer. Southampton are
also interested in Jenkinson, according to The Mirror.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Olympic Stadium costs rise by whopping £118m as West Ham prepare to move
in... but will only pay £15m for transformation
By JACK GAUGHAN FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 12:55, 19 June 2015 | UPDATED: 13:06, 19 June 2015
The Olympic Stadium's transformation into West Ham's footballing home will
end up costing £118million more than was first expected. It was confirmed on
Friday that the cost of the build stands at £272m ahead of the big move next
summer. The figure had stood at £154m just months ago and, with West Ham
contributing a fraction of that – £15m – it will hit taxpayers in the
pocket. Slaven Bilic's Hammers will move into the Olympic Stadium, so iconic
during the successful 2012 Games, this time next year. Although leaving
Upton Park is seen as a wrench for supporters, it is a switch which
co-chairman David Gold hopes will galvanise the Hammers into challenging the
Premier League's top five. 'Leaving the Boleyn Ground will be an emotional
time. It will be a momentous event for anyone affiliated to the football
club,' Gold said. 'Obviously, attendances have a lot to do with performances
on the field, but taking all things into account we are optimistic of
filling the stadium, 99 per cent of the time. 'Every time we get an update
on ticket sales, they are the best we have experienced. All the targets we
have set ourselves are being met.' Five Rugby World Cup matches, athletics
and motorsport will also occupy the Olympic Stadium; it is hoped the
regeneration will benefit east London to the tune of £3billion. Up to 75 per
cent of new jobs created will go to residents of Newham. David Goldstone,
Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said: 'We have
invested in transforming a temporary athletics venue into a permanent world
class multi use arena that has a secure and long-term sustainable future.
This has required a significant amount of work and innovative engineering
solutions. 'Alongside the transformation work the deals signed with British
Athletics and West Ham United and the appointment of a stadium operator
ensures the Stadium will pay its way and not require any continuing subsidy
from the taxpayer.' Newham residents will be handed 100,000 free tickets
every season.
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Slaven Bilic promises West Ham fans his hot-head days are over
Evening Standard
KEN DYER
Published: 19 June 2015 Updated: 11:48, 19 June 2015
Slaven Bilic has promised West Ham fans that he has calmed down after twice
being banished from the touchline while in charge of Besiktas. The
passionate Croat's temper got the better of him in a derby with Galatasaray
soon after he joined the Turks in 2013 and he was also sent off in a
Champions League clash with Arsenal the following season, forcing him to
watch the second leg from the stands at Emirates Stadium. "Recently, I have
calmed down on the touchline," explained Bilic. "I am emotional and I will
never be completely calm like some of the coaches, but I am really good
now."
Bilic will meet most of his West Ham players next week before they head to a
training camp in Ireland ahead of their Europa League qualifying match,
which is scheduled for July 2.
The 46-year-old is also relishing the prospect of leading his West Ham team
into their new Stratford home in a year's time. First, though, comes a final
season at the club's famous old Boleyn Ground — something which really
excites Bilic, who begins his new job in earnest next week. He was a popular
member of the West Ham team back in the mid-1990s and says he still has a
great affection for both Upton Park — and London in general. "I am very
excited that we are playing at Upton Park in the last season where so many
great legends and generations have performed," he said. "It has been over
100 years here and it is unbelievable where so many important players have
been on the pitch and so many team-talks have taken place. It is
fascinating. "The new stadiums are great. They are brilliant for the
spectators but I like coming through the tiny streets to Upton Park. You
walk into the stadium and it has that amazing atmosphere. I am so proud to
be here for one more year. "I like it here in England. My son was born here
and I enjoyed London and Merseyside. Of course, I love my home in Croatia
and I enjoyed my time in Moscow and Istanbul. But this is the place I really
like — West Ham and London. I am sure that I made the right choice. "West
Ham are a special club, with special fans. You have different kind of people
who are West Ham supporters and it goes back to when I was playing there.
"It is hard to understand but there is something special between them."
West Ham, who have already signed midfield player Pedro Obiang for
£4.5million on a three-year deal from Sampdoria, remain hopeful of making
three more signings in the next week, although they deny making any bid for
QPP striker Charlie Austin. The East London club are, however, continuing to
track Marseille winger Dimitri Payet, while they remain keen to bring back
Alex Song on a permanent deal. Song spent last season on loan from Barcelona
and is keen to remain in London. West Ham could face competition from
Chelsea. West Ham's new Umbro kit, released today, is inspired by the
first-ever shirt worn at the Boleyn Ground in 1904, with a claret body, blue
sleeves and a blue hoop around the crew neck collar. The new shirt also
features a commemorative gold crest with the legend 'Boleyn Ground
1904-2016'.
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West Ham legend visits poorly kids in hospital
echonews.co.uk
by Christine Sexton
FOOTBALL legend Tony Cottee visited children at Southend Hospital. The
ex-West Ham player visited Neptune ward to deliver a parcel for the wards
arts and crafts and sensory trolleys provided by the national children's
charity Clowns in the Sky. Mr Cottee, patron of the charity, made the visit
with the charity's development officer Donna Byrne and made young James
Hodge, who had a broken arm, very happy. The charity is dedicated to the
welfare of children with brain tumours. Clowns in the Sky provide arts and
crafts trolleys and portable sensory trolleys to hospitals across England.
The trolleys are designed to offer stimulation and fun activities during
times when children maybe in isolation, or are unable to visit the playroom,
with the sensory items proving a very popular distraction when children are
undergoing tests and treatment. Ms Byrne, said "I would really like to thank
Tony for the support he gives us year after year. The hospital visits he
does really do make a difference. "James happened to be a Manchester United
fan, but he was eager to tell Tony that his uncle Chris was a Hammers fan.
"James and his mum Lorraine told him about the junior team Rayleigh Boys
that he plays for, and his progress. "The trolleys are fabulous resources
and takes the playroom to the child, and are accessible at anytime. "These
trolleys aim to make children's stays in hospital more pleasant one with the
overall aim to put a smile on the face of any child suffering with this
awful condition."
Clowns in the Sky had been funded by the National Lottery, through the Big
Lottery Fund, but as this funding ceased in December 2012 it now relies
heavily on support from individuals and community groups to raise funds to
re-stocks the trolleys, pay children's entertainers to visit hospitals, and
to support parents with small grants.
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WEST HAM 2003: THE BEST TEAM TO EVER GET RELEGATED?
WRITTEN BY JAMES ROBINSON
NOTHING IN FOOTBALL COMPARES to the crushing feeling of defeat when a team
is relegated. Sometimes there is a dull predictability about it, after a
consistently abject season; sometimes it follows last day heartbreak.
Whatever the circumstances, relegation is usually an accurate representation
of where a team stands in relation to others in the division, but every so
often a team underperforms spectacularly.
Cast your minds back to the 2002-03 Premier League season. Arsenal won the
title the previous year, spearheaded by Thierry Henry's goals, and were
favourites to repeat the feat, with the likes of Patrick Vieira, Dennis
Bergkamp and Robert Pires in Arsène Wenger's squad.
The Gunners' main rivals would be Manchester United who were smarting after
a 3rd place finish and had made Rio Ferdinand the most expensive defender in
the world after a £30 million move from Leeds United.
Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City were the new boys
in the top division of English football. City had stormed the first
division, accumulating 99 points, while West Brom finished ten points behind
in second place.
Birmingham joined the duo via the play-offs after finishing in 5th place,
defeating Millwall in the semi-final and Norwich City on penalties in the
final.
In East London, West Ham United supporters had reason to be optimistic about
the season ahead. Glenn Roeder's side finished 7th the previous season with
the strike partnership of the languid Frédéric Kanouté and academy graduate
Jermain Defoe combining for 25 goals.
The Hammers, still reeling from the loss of Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard
to Leeds and Chelsea respectively, had managed to keep hold of their star
assets, although the evergreen Cameroon centre-back Rigobert Song left on a
free transfer to join Lens.
The summer transfer window saw few major arrivals at the Boleyn Ground.
French striker Youssef Sofiane joined from the Auxerre academy that
previously produced Djibril Cissé, Eric Cantona and Philippe Mexès.
Raimond van der Gouw joined on a free transfer from Manchester United as
understudy to David James, while experienced Irish centre-back Gary Breen –
fresh from a superb showing at the World Cup – arrived on a free from
Coventry to add depth in defence.
Two midfielders arrived on loan, with French under-21 star Édouard Cissé
joining from Paris Saint-Germain and Trinidad and Tobago's Brent Rahim
arriving from Levski Sofia.
The reason for the lack of transfer activity was that West Ham's squad
already contained a substantial amount of class, with a blend of experience
and youth. The poster boy for the Hammers' academy was mercurial 20-year-old
Joe Cole, who had recently made his England debut against Mexico after a
series of mesmeric displays.
Everything Cole did on the pitch had a touch of youthful genius about it,
and the midfielder was already being compared with Paul Gascoigne.
Cole was looking to forge an understanding with Defoe, who had made an
encouraging start to his West Ham career after being promoted from the youth
squad. With the 19-year-old's pace and Cole's ability to find space in
between the lines they were a potentially lethal combination.
The two other precocious English youngsters in the squad were 20-year-old
midfielder Michael Carrick and 17-year-old right-back Glen Johnson.
Carrick arrived from the acclaimed Wallsend Boys Club in 1997, comprising
part of the squad that won the FA Youth Cup in 1999 alongside Cole. He was
an established member of the senior squad after making his debut in July
1999, and was also in the England under-21 squad.
Johnson was yet to make his debut, despite rave reviews with the reserve
side, and would join Millwall on loan before making his first West Ham
appearance around Christmas time.
Roeder could also rely on a vast amount of experience to help guide his
young talent in the Premier League, not least enigmatic Italian forward
Paolo Di Canio who, at the age of 33, was entering the twilight of his
career. His status as a club legend was further enhanced when he turned down
Sir Alex Ferguson's offer to join Manchester United the previous season.
Di Canio was joined by 31-year-old duo David James and Don Hutchinson,
35-year-old John Moncur, Nigel Winterburn, 38, and 39-year-old van der Gouw.
Kanouté provided the team with a languid sense of class and composure, now
trademarked by Dimitar Berbatov, while Trevor Sinclair played four times for
England at the 2002 World Cup and was one of the most underrated Englishmen
in the league.
The Hammers' season started terribly and it took Roeder's team seven games
to get a win under their belt, when Di Canio's late goal sealed a victory
against London rivals Chelsea. After two successive away wins, against
Sunderland and Fulham, the East Londoners took another 15 games to claim
three points – their first at home – when a last minute Defoe strike beat
Blackburn Rovers on February 11.
The West Ham squad had been supplemented by the arrivals of Les Ferdinand
and Rufus Brevett from Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham, while Lee Bowyer also
joined in a £100,000 move from Leeds. The new arrivals steadied the ship
slightly, with West Ham winning three and drawing three of their next eight
games before, on April 17, Roeder was forced to step down with the side in
18th place after surgery on a brain tumour.
An improvement in form, with West Ham unbeaten in nine out of ten games
heading into the final game of the season, gave the supporters hope that
relegation could be avoided, especially after the arrival of Sir Trevor
Brooking for the final three games of the season.
West Ham headed to Birmingham needing to better Sam Allardyce's Bolton
Wanderers' result in order to stay up. However Bolton's 2-1 win against
Middlesbrough meant that the Hammers result, a 2-2 draw, was futile.
The close season saw West Ham's squad picked apart ahead of a return to the
First Division with almost £40 million brought in through transfer fees and
the likes of Jobi McAnuff, Marlon Harewood and Nigel Reo-Cocker signing.
Defoe and Kanouté joined Tottenham for a combined fee of around £14 million,
while Cole and Johnson, who had only made his first-team debut in January,
moved to Chelsea for a combined £16 million.
Sinclair and James left London to join Manchester City for a combined £6
million and Ferdinand, Bowyer and Breen departed on free transfers to
Leicester City, Newcastle United and Sunderland, respectively.
Di Canio's time as a West Ham player ended bitterly, publicly falling out
with Roeder resulting in being dropped from the first-team, before leaving
for Charlton Athletic on a free.
Carrick was one of the few players to stay at the Boleyn Ground, although he
left to join Defoe and Kanouté at White Hart Lane after West Ham lost the
First Division play-off final 1-0 against Crystal Palace in 2004. James,
Defoe, Cole, Johnson and Carrick would go on to become important players for
England, with the latter trio winning the Premier League among other honours
with Chelsea and Manchester United.
Kanouté also went on to have a prolific seven years in Spain with Sevilla,
lifting two UEFA Cups, two Copa del Reys, a UEFA Super Cup and a Spanish
Super Cup, along with scooping the African Footballer of the Year in 2007.
And yet West Ham's 2002-03 season shows that no matter how confident
managers, players and supporters are, football has a strange ability to
punish complacency.
By James Robinson. Follow @JvmesJournalist
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham chief 'working tirelessly' to beat Sunderland to defender
London 24
10:06 19 June 2015 Pete Evans
David Gold says West Ham are doing all they can to secure a return for Carl
Jenkinson. The Arsenal right-back spent the whole of the 2014/15 season on
loan with the Hammers and was one of their most reliable players as they
narrowly missed out on a top half finish. Jenkinson has returned to the
Emirates and reports this week suggest Sunderland have stolen a march while
Southampton have also been linked as their right-back, Nathaniel Clyne,
could be set for a move. But speaking to BBC Sport the co-chairman reassured
fans that he is doing his upmost to sign Jenkinson, even with a new manager
at the helm. "We know we need a right-back and will work tirelessly to bring
in Carl," he explained. "If that does not work out, we have other irons in
the fire. We said to Slaven 'get your priority list and let's see what we
can do'. We have a track record of working with our managers." Southampton
are one of the sides that Gold believes the Hammers can strive to be like
under new boss Slaven Bilic and he is confident the former Croatia boss can
see West Ham challenge for the top five spots in the league. He explained:
"We are hoping West Ham will be in a position very soon to worry the top
five and have them saying: 'Who are these upstarts? Who do they think they
are?' "As far as challenging these great clubs, it's very very hard.
Southampton challenged last season, and there's absolutely no reason why
West Ham can't emulate them." Jenkinson is currently on international duty
with England's Under-21s and he played 90 minutes on Thursday night as they
lost 1-0 to Portugal.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 2015/16 shirt revealed: Hammers fans unanimous in praise of Boleyn
kit
The Independent
KIRAN MOODLEY Author Biography Friday 19 June 2015
West Ham United can do no wrong at the moment. With the club mutually
parting ways with Sam Allardyce - a manager who was never a favourite with
the Hammers faithful - and replacing him with club legend Slaven Bilic, the
East Londoners unveiled their new kit today, paying homage to their home
ground for the last 111 years, Upton Park - better known as the Boleyn. Made
by Umbro, the club's first kit manufacturer, the claret and blue strip
mirrors the one worn by players during the stadium's inaugural season back
in 1904. The replica shirt is simple, with a rounded collar and the thing
white lines of last season's number are gone, leaving just the traditional
claret and blue. In a touch of class, the back of the shirt has - in small
print - "Boleyn Ground, 1904-2016", with the outline of the famous John
Lyall gates featured in gold. The kit has so far received near unanimous
praise from fans on social media, with many even struggling to access the
club's offical store to buy the new shirt, which is available to pre-order
for £49.99. Here are just some of the tweets from Happy Hammers, with many
calling it a "thing of beauty" and a vast improvement on last year's kit,
which was made by Adidas and was a homage to the team's glory days in the
mid-1980s. One blog even posed the question: "best West Ham kit in modern
times?"
In an interview with the BBC today, West Ham co-chairman David Gold said he
expects the Hammers will fill the 54,000 seats at the Olympic Stadium when
they move their in the 2016/2017 season. He also said the East London club
would challenge the Premier League's big five teams and that he wanted the
Irons to win the Europa League this year. Their first Europa match is at the
start of July, a full month before the Premier League kicks off, with West
Ham playing Arsenal away.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former fans' favourite Jimmy Walker on the real reason behind West Ham's
great escape, not Carlos Tevez
HITC
Damien Lucas
Former West Ham United goalkeeper Jimmy Walker has lifted the lid on the
club's famous great escape and revealed the real reason behind the
miraculous run. The 2006/7 season will be forever remembered by Hammers fans
who witnessed one of the most remarkable ends to a season in Premier League
history, which ended in them securing safety against all the odds. West Ham
ultimately escaped relegation by winning seven of their last nine games,
including a 1-0 win over Arsenal, and on the last day of the season,
defeating newly-crowned champions Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford to
finish outside the relegation zone in 15th.
Carlos Tevez, who helped turn things around for the East Londoners with his
tireless workrate and timely glut of goals, is remembered as the hero of
that run-in. Manager Alan Curbishley - who had ended a 15-year association
with London rivals Charlton Athletic to return to his boyhood club - was
also hailed for his part in turning around a seemingly sinking ship when he
replaced the sacked Alan Pardew before Christmas. But now, almost a decade
on, Walker - a squad player at the time - has revealed that captain Lucas
Neill, who signed in the January from Blackburn Rovers, was the real reason
the club managed to turn their grave situation around. "If I'm being honest
he (Curbishley) was helped out by Lucas Neill a lot at the time," Walker
told a fans' YouTube channel. "He was a fantastic skipper especially in that
run-in we had in the end. "Obviously Tevez was on flames and the rest of the
lads put a real shift in... it kept us up in the end which was fantastic.
"(But) people don't see behind the scenes and Curbs got a lot of praise for
that and rightly so, but behind the scenes Lucas was a big factor in that as
well. "He really galvanised the lads got us together and some of his
speeches were Braveheart-esque, it was a lot down to him."
The Hammers actually started that season brightly despite seeing the FA Cup
slip from their grasp in agonising fashion the summer before in that epic
penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool.
But they started to slide down the table, were knocked out of the UEFA Cup
by Serie A side Palermo 4-0 on aggregate and saw themselves dragged into
the relegation zone. After Pardew was sacked and Curbishley appointed,
further drama was around the corner when the signings of Argentine star
Tevez and his compatriot Javier Mascherano were called into question by the
Premier League over forbidden third party ownership. The Hammers were
eventually handed a record £5.5 million fine by the Premier League, but
avoided a points deduction and, much to the delight of Walker and West Ham
fans, stayed up on the last day of the season at Old Trafford, Carlos
Tevez... 1-0.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's new 2015/16 kit: Winston Reid, Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll
model 1904 inspired Hammers strip
Evening Standard
RICHARD PARRY
Published: 19 June 2015 Updated: 08:11, 19 June 2015
West Ham have unveiled their new kit ahead of the club's final season at the
Boleyn Ground. Made by Umbro, the club's first kit manufacturer, the claret
and blue number pays homage to the threads worn back in the stadium's
inaugural season in 1904. The Boleyn Ground has been the home of West Ham
for over 110 years, with the club having played at three other stadiums
prior to the move. Named 'The Castle' during the inaugural campaign, West
Ham's first-ever match at the stadium saw them face bitter rivals Millwall
in front of a crowd of up to 10,000 fans.
Modelled by Winston Reid, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho, the strip named the
'Bolyen kit' will be worn for the forthcoming season with new boss Slaven
Bilic in charge. The Croatian, who played for the club during the 1996/97
season, replaced Sam Allardyce as manager earlier this month, will take
charge of his first league match on away to Arsenal on the opening day of
the season, before facing Leicester City in their first home fixture of the
campaign. Their competitive fixture at the Boleyn Ground is scheduled for
May 7th, where they will face Garry Monk's Swansea City.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's new star Pedro Obiang can't wait for Europa League kick-off as
club reveal last ever kit for Boleyn Ground
By MATT LAWLESS FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 08:16, 19 June 2015 | UPDATED: 08:16, 19 June 2015
Pedro Obiang is ready to put his shirt on West Ham being successful this
season as they prepare to say goodbye to the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers
today launched their final home kit for their last-ever year at Upton Park
before leaving for the Olympic Stadium in Stratford. Summer signing Obiang
was among the first to model the commemorative claret and blue Umbro number,
which is complete with a gold crest and embossed with the words 'Boleyn
Ground 1904-2016' to fittingly mark the farewell. And as the Spain Under 21
midfielder looks forward to his first training session with his new
team-mates and boss Slaven Bilic on Monday, he can't help but look forward
to the European adventure that awaits. West Ham's Europa League fate will
also be determined this Monday when the east London outfit discover their
first round qualifying opponents. Bilic's side - the earliest of all the
top-flight clubs to return to pre-season training - could have played six
competitive fixtures before the new Premier League campaign gets underway
against Arsenal on August 8. But Obiang, who signed in a £4.5million deal
from Sampdoria earlier this month, insists he cannot wait to get started as
he relishes a historic year ahead for the Hammers. 'I'll be keeping a close
eye on the Europa League draw on Monday,' he said.
'I came here to try to achieve big things with this club and the UEFA Europa
League is the first chance to do just that. 'Seeing the fixtures the other
day really brought it home to me.
'It was like a dream thinking about all the teams we'll be up against. I've
seen these teams on television and now I have the chance to play against
them. It is very exciting for me.
'I think it's great to start against a big club, it's the perfect way to
test the team early on in the season. 'But for now, I'm just thinking about
trying to get ready and work my way into the first eleven for this game.'
The Hammers will kick start their Europa League bid on July 2 and Obiang
hopes it will provide him his first taste of playing at the Boleyn Ground,
wearing the club's new home kit. The design is inspired by the first ever
strip worn at the stadium in 1904 when West Ham beat rivals Millwall 3-0 in
front of 10,000 fans . 'I am definitely looking forward to wearing it for
the first time,' added Obiang. 'I think it suits me too! I really like the
colours and hopefully we can show them off across Europe this season.
'Just talking about it makes the prospect even more excited. The fact that
this year's shirt is based on the first [Boleyn Ground] kit is a very nice
way to say goodbye to the Boleyn Ground.
'I'm looking to forward to living in London and having that first experience
of English football when we start training. That's obviously going to be my
first opportunity to meet the manager and my new colleagues as well.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diego Perotti reportedly keen on West Ham transfer - despite Watford
interest
HITC
Olly Dawes
Diego Perotti is allegedly interested in a move to West Ham. According to
the Daily Mail, Argentinian winger Diego Perotti would prefer a move to West
Ham United over signing for newly-promoted Watford. The Hammers have already
made one summer signing, with midfielder Pedro Obiang arriving from
Sampdoria last week, just a day after Slaven Bilic's appointment as manager.
Now, the Croatian boss appears to be taking steps to improve his squad even
further, with Genoa winger Perotti on his radar according to the Daily Mail.
They report that Perotti, 26, would prefer a move to Upton Park instead of
signing for Watford, with the Premier League newboys lodging a club-record
bid for the wide man according to Sky Sports. Having struggled with form and
injuries during his time with Sevilla, Perotti - who has two international
caps to his name - has rebuilt his career in Italy, scoring four goals in
his debut season at Genoa.
Now though, there is Premier League interest in Perotti - and having seen
Obiang move to East London, Perotti could follow him from Italy if West Ham
firm up their 'strong interest' in signing him.
Change in tactic?
Under previous boss Sam Allardyce, West Ham played a 4-3-1-2 system last
season, with Stewart Downing operating behind two strikers. Now though,
Bilic arrives having used a 4-2-3-1 at Besiktas, utilising two wingers. West
Ham don't have great quality options out wide, and the interest in Perotti
suggests that Bilic is looking to rectify that problem this summer ahead of
a possible change in tactic. Watford appear to have made the first move for
Perotti, but the player's preference of a move to Upton Park plays right
into West Ham's hands.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Gold suggests two key qualities he sees in Slaven Bilic
HITC
Lewis Doe
West Ham United co-owner and co-chairman David Gold has urged patience as
the club look to move forward under Slaven Bilic. West Ham United co-owner
and co-chairman David Gold told the club's website about two qualities in
Slaven Bilic, which have impressed him. West Ham took the big decision to
name Bilic as the man who would come in to replace former manager Sam
Allardyce at Upton Park, as the Hammers look to stay in Europe for their
first season at the Olympic Stadium. "Slaven certainly has the passion and
will to win and I hope this is going to be a very exciting season for the
Club," he said. "The process of trying to strengthen the squad continues on
a daily basis. We must be patient and I know fans will want us to get in
players quickly, but these things take time." West Ham are a big club and
the board were always going to need to find someone with the character and
ability to take the club forward.
The club's exposure and profile means that their manager will always be in
the firing line for criticism and Bilic arguably has the steel to be able to
deal with it. He's already overseen one transfer deal with the arrival of
midfielder Pedro Obiang and will likely be working away on other transfers
as he looks to improve the squad. It's a difficult situation for Bilic
because West Ham's season starts earlier than the majority of their rivals
because of the club's involvement in the Europa League qualifying round. It
would be a major surprise if the Hammers can't get through that stage of the
competition, given the ample quality they have all over the squad. That will
be a good early chance to see the passion and will in Bilic, which Gold
talks about.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fans want Mauro Zarate to play a prominent role next season
HITC
Subhankar Mondal
West Ham United supporters want Mauro Zarate to be given yet another chance
next season. Mauro Zarate joined West Ham United last summer amid much hype
and expectations, but his debut season for the Hammers did not go according
to plan. The Argentine attacker moved to the London outfit on a three-year
contract from Velez Sarsfield in the summer of 2014, as reported by BBC
Sport. Much was expected of the former Lazio star, but he struggled to make
an impact at the Boleyn Ground, scoring two goals and creating seven chances
in seven Premier League appearances. Zarate was sent out on loan to London
rivals Queens Park Rangers in the January transfer window, but the
28-year-old failed to do much of note at Loftus Road either. The former
Al-Sadd man could feature in just four league games for QPR, who got
relegated to the Championship at the end of the 2014-15 campaign. Zarate,
though, has insisted that he wants to remain at West Ham and prove himself
to new manager Slaven Bilic, and was recently quoted as saying by The
Mirror: "It is an exciting time for the club and I want to be part of that."
The former Lazio star is a hugely talented player, and it seems that West
Ham fans want him to remain at the Boleyn Ground for the 2015-16 campaign.
The Hammers supporters have been commenting on Zarate on a couple of stories
on him on HITC Sport (Mauro Zarate wants West Ham United stay and Could
there be new hope for forgotten striker Mauro Zarate at West Ham?).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll swaps Alice band for resistance band as West Ham striker steps
up fitness bid
By DAVID WOOD FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 00:16, 19 June 2015 | UPDATED: 00:16, 19 June 2015
West Ham striker Andy Carroll released a fitness video on Thursday as he
continued his recovery from a knee injury. The 26-year-old posted a short
clip on Instagram as he was put through his at the club's training ground in
Chadwell Heath. The 6ft 3in target man, known for tying his hair back with
an Alice band, sporting a ponytail and a man bun, carried out a series of
drills while attached to a resistance band in a bid to be fit for the start
of next season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Italian giants furious at QPR for 'unsettling' troubled midfielder
London 24
06:37 19 June 2015 Pete Evans
Queen Park Rangers have infuriated Italian giants Lazio by attempting to
unsettle Ravel Morrison, according to reports. The former West Ham
midfielder agreed a pre-contract agreement with the Serie A side, which
begins on July 1, and he has been training in Italy ahead of the start of
pre-season. However reports earlier this week suggested Rangers want to take
Morrison back to Loftus Road, where he scores six times in 15 league
appearances last year, before he has even kicked a ball for his new club.
Lazio are concerned 'discreet discussions' have taken place and that the
former Manchester United man's head may have been turned towards a return to
the capital, reports the Daily Mail. The report goes on to suggest that the
Italian side have no intention of letting Morrison, 22, not fulfil his
pre-contract agreement. If Morrison does stay in Italy then he will be
reunited with former team-mate Paul Pogba, currently with Juventus, in Serie
A this season.
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