Daily WHUFC News - 23rd April 2016

Hammers to sign Spanish striker
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of promising Spanish forward Toni Martinez from Valencia CF. The 18-year-old striker has been a prolific scorer throughout his time with Los Che, netting more than 100 times over the past four seasons. The Spain U17 international will join the Hammers on a three-year contract on 1 July 2016, but Valencia have kindly given the 18-year-old permission to train with his future teammates immediately to help him to settle in England. The Murcia-born frontman, who was also part of the Spain U19 squad which ultimately won the 2015 UEFA European Championship title, is looking forward to linking up with West Ham this summer. "For me, it's a great opportunity to be here and I hope to make the most of being at such a big club," said Martinez, who will celebrate his 19th birthday in June. "I joined West Ham because of the progress that the club is making. The decision to come here was made because it is a brilliant opportunity to join an interesting club in the Premier League."

Martinez featured eight times for Valencia in the UEFA Youth League this season, scoring once and recording three assists as his side reached the Round of 16 before being eliminated on penalties by Chelsea. And it is a former Blues striker that the teenager models his game on – Atletico Madrid and Spain star Fernando Torres. Having agreed to follow in Torres' footsteps and move to London, Martinez has hopes of making his own name in the Premier League. "I am a striker and usually get compared to Fernando Torres," he confirmed. "I am a striker, but I also like getting back and playing as part of the team. "The Premier League is well considered across the world and in Spain, we believe that it is one of the best leagues in the world. This is a fantastic opportunity and I am fulfilling a lifelong dream by signing for one of the big clubs in the Premier League."

While Martinez will initially join Terry Westley's Development Squad, Martinez has long-term ambitions of forcing his way into the first-team squad at the Club's new home. West Ham move to the 60,000-capacity Stadium on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford this summer, and the new boy harbours hopes of running out there in a Claret and Blue shirt before too long. "The prospect of playing in front of 60,000 people next year really catches my attention, and it is a Stadium that has so much history," he concluded. "I am hoping to be able to get the opportunity to do that and I hope that it will be soon."

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Academy side ready for Liverpool test
WHUFC.com

West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice is desperate for the U18s to get off the mark with a first win this weekend against Liverpool in the Premier League final stages. Three of the young Hammers' four matches in the upper section of the league have so far finished level, while Manchester City beat Mark Phillips' side 3-0. This Saturday, the Merseysiders travel to Little Heath for the 11am kick-off and Rice hopes his team can finally get three points on the board. He said: "It's disappointing that we haven't yet won a game in the final stages. We drew the first game against Fulham 2-2 when we conceded in the last minute, and ideally we should have had three points. "The week after, we drew with Chelsea, so we're due a win now. We've been playing well, so hopefully this week we can turn a performance into three points."

The Hammers qualified for the league's upper section after finishing fourth in the South Division, and now face big guns such as Man City, Everton, Chelsea and, of course, Liverpool, something Rice is delighted with. "They are 100 per cent the teams you want to be playing," he continued. "When you play the top sides, sometimes you come out of your shell and play better against very good players. It was brilliant to qualify, so we were very happy. I remember Mark [Phillips] saying to us that if we win the last four games, we'll have a chance. "We did that, and luckily enough, Tottenham beat Arsenal for us to qualify."

The 17-year-old has been in great form this season, catching the eye of the Development Squad coaches, and he is keen to kick on again next term.
"I've been pretty happy with my performances this season, and it's probably been my best season as a player so hopefully it carries on. "Next season I can hopefully start some more U21 games and get on the bench for the first team, too, if I'm playing well. "It would be brilliant to hopefully get a chance to train with the first team in pre-season as well, as it would be fantastic experience for me."

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First and Last - Nikola Jurcevic
WHUFC.com

As West Ham United continue the final season at the Boleyn Ground, we've asked our players for some memorable lasts from their careers and lives, as well as some firsts. Assistant manager Nikola Jurcevic goes under the spotlight…

FIRSTS

Can you tell us about the first trophy you won as a player?

"Yes, I won the Austrian league championship with Austria Salzburg. I was also the top scorer in the league and for me it was a very nice time in Austria, because we were champions two times and we played in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup final. I was also voted the best foreign player in Austria one year, so it was a very nice time for me."

Can you tell us about your first goal in professional football?

"It was many years ago for NK Zagreb, the team from my home city. We played away in a small town in Bosnia and Herzegovina called Trebinje and I scored the first two goals in a 3-2 victory."

Which rule would you change in football first?

"For now it is the confusion caused by passive offside – whether or not a player is interfering with play. There are many difficult decisions and explanations and it could be done better. Also, very important I feel a penalty plus a red card is too big a punishment."

Who was your first football hero?

"Mario Kempes, the Argentina forward who won the World Cup in 1978."

What was your first nickname?

"Jura!"

LASTS

Who is the last teammate – past or present – who you would want to be stuck in a lift with?

"This is a very difficult question! It would maybe be my old Croatia colleague Aljosa Asanovic. He used to hate being in the lift, so if we got stuck he would start to panic a little bit!"

Can you tell us about the last goal of your career?

"Yes, I had to finish my career at 33 because I had a back injury, a herniated disc, so my last goal was for Austria Salzburg against Anderlecht in the UEFA Cup."

Style-wise, which was the last shirt you would want to wear again?

"I could never say a shirt I wore was bad style! The best was the shirt I wore with Zagreb, because this is my club and I liked them all my life. We had a shirt with a blue collar which I loved."

Who was the last shirt you collected after a game?

"Like many players I was a big fan of collecting shirts and since I have retired I have given some away as presents to my friends. The last one I swapped was with Mehmet Scholl of Germany at Old Trafford, where we lost 2-1 at Euro 96."

What was the last piece of fan mail you received from a supporter?

"I cannot remember the last item, but in Austria we did well and were very popular. At my mother's home, I think she still has more than 1,000 letters, with some supporting messages and small souvenirs, including some which said 'I love you!' – but that was a long time ago!"

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Antonio - It will be an unbelievable achievement
WHUFC.com

Michail Antonio admits it will be an unbelievable achievement if his side can secure a top four finish this season. The Hammers are just four points behind Manchester City in fourth place following their 3-1 victory over Watford on Wednesday night. Slaven Bilic's side have lost just six games this season and created a new club record against Watford when they made it 15 Premier League games unbeaten at home this season. With the last four games against West Brom, Swansea, Manchester United and Stoke, Antonio is confident the Club can enjoy a strong end to the campaign and feels it would be the ultimate farewell to the Boleyn Ground if they could secure a European place. Antonio said: "It is nice to get that winning feeling back and to score three goals was fantastic. "It will be an unbelievable achievement if we can manage to get into the top four. We are just taking each game as it comes. "We now have ten days to recuperate before the next game and build on what we have done. Hopefully we can keep pushing on and just want to focus on the next game. "It will be amazing if we can get into Europe. I was always someone who wanted to play in the Premier League and to be just four points off the Champions League, that is always going to be the next step for us. "If we manage to bring that to the new Stadium, it will be a fantastic achievement. If we don't manage to do it we will still be ready to build on it for next season."

Antonio has nothing but praise for the way Mark Noble has such a formidable record from the penalty spot after he scored two more in the 3-1 victory over Watford. Noble refuses to practice them in training but the decision certainly pays off as he has now scored 26 from 29 penalties and has one of the best records in the top flight. Antonio added: "His record is unbelievable. We get penalties in training and Nobes will say he is not going to take any and he wants to save them for matchdays and rightly so when you see his record. "He could keep scoring them in training and then miss them in the games! "Andy took a decent penalty against Leicester on Sunday but it shows the respect that the players have for Mark that Andy threw the ball straight away to him as he is the first choice taker."

The PFA are set to announce their Player of the Year this weekend and Antonio believes there is only one man who should come away with the award - Dimitri Payet. "Hopefully Dimitri can win the award because he deserves it. He has scored goals and created a number of assists. "He has been one of the main reasons we are high in the table and hopefully he can win it."

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From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com

I was thrilled with the victory against Watford on Wednesday night. We knew they would be focusing on the FA Cup semi-final this weekend, but we still had to beat them and it was an impressive all-round performance. It was great to see Diafra Sakho back in the team and Andy Carroll back to his best. Adrian made a penalty save and we came out 3-1 winners. Andy made it six goals in six games and that is what we want to see from him. He can make a big difference to our team. There are not many centre forwards around like him and he showed his quality once again. He is a very good footballer and that was very evident against Watford. Mark Noble scored two more penalties and it is a remarkable record that he has now scored 26 from 29 attempts. You feel comfortable when you see him step up and you cannot get any better stats than what he is showing from the penalty spot. It is incredible that he doesn't practice them in training, but he has a mental toughness and knows exactly what he is going to do.
The victory over Watford also saw the Club set a new top flight record of going 15 games unbeaten at the Boleyn Ground this season which is an amazing achievement. We have broken a number of records this year with our first double over Liverpool for over fifty years and no team in the Premier League being able to do the double over us this season. It shows how far we have come and we are a serious contender now. It is great to see us challenging in the top half of the table and I hope that will continue when we move into the new Stadium. It is not impossible for the Club to win the remaining four matches of the season and I know that Slaven and the players will be doing everything they can to get maximum points from those games.

The European dream is still alive.

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Toni Martinez: West Ham sign teenage Valencia striker
BBC.co.uk

West Ham have signed teenage striker Toni Martinez from Valencia on a three-year contract. The 18-year-old, a Spain Under-17 international, will officially join the Hammers on 1 July but is already training with his future team-mates. A prolific scorer for Valencia's youth team, Martinez will initially link up with the Hammers' development squad. "For me, it's a great opportunity to be here and I hope to make the most of being at such a big club," he said. "I joined West Ham because of the progress that the club is making." The Hammers are sixth in the Premier League with four matches remaining. They will move to the Olympic Stadium next season and Martinez added: "The prospect of playing in front of 60,000 people really catches my attention.

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West Ham complete Martinez capture
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 22nd April 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have confirmed the signing of former Valencia teenager Toni Martinez. As exclusively revealed on the KUMB Forum last month, the 18-year-old striker has agreed terms with West Ham with whom he has signed a three-year contract, which commences this summer. Speaking to whufc.com, Martinez said that he was delighted top finally arrive in London. "For me, it's a great opportunity and I hope to make the most of being at such a big club," he said. "I joined West Ham because of the progress that the club is making. The decision to come here was made because it is a brilliant opportunity to join an interesting club in the Premier League."

Martinez, who has traded the opportunity of featuring in Valencia's 55,000-capacity Mestalla Stadium for the Olympic Stadium added: "The prospect of playing in front of 60,000 people next year really catches my attention and it is a stadium that has so much history. "I am hoping to be able to get the opportunity to do that and I hope that it will be soon."

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A Youth Update: Players join as loan moves are discussed
April 22, 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Kai Barratt

Hi everyone,

First of all, apologies for the long wait for the column.

I'd like to talk first about the U21s cup final. It's an incredible achievement to get there of course, and even more so considering a more younger U21 side has always been fielded by us. Unfortunately I won't be able to make either legs but I'll do my best to cover it on social media. Make sure to get tickets if you haven't already as I'm sure it will be a special occasion.

League wise, the U21s narrowly missed out on a promotion playoff place. Again, they have played very well this season with quite a young side and the likes of Marcus Browne, Grady Diangana and Sam Howes should be regulars next season and may go out on short loans. The likes of Josh Cullen and Reece Burke may go out on loan again too but this time to a Championship side or maybe even a Premier League one—but they still should be in Slaven Bilic's plans.

Spanish striker Antonio Martinez has finally signed with the club too and of course Ex has been right again. He has scored over 100 goals for Valencia's youth teams and compliments an impressive set of young strikers alongside the likes of Jahmal Hector-Ingram and Idris Kanu. Ex is also reporting that Domingos Quina will join us from Chelsea.

The U18s play Liverpool tomorrow (Saturday) and of course last season there was a memorable game between the two. Matt Carter scored directly from a corner and with the Hammers losing 2-1 with ten minutes to go, on came then U15 striker Idris Kanu who scored twice to give West Ham three points. Hopefully we can get our first win in Tier One but despite there not being a win yet the boys have played very well.

I was at the away game against Manchester City, and despite the 3-0 loss we played very well. City had an older, more experienced team with several youth internationals but we worked very hard. I'd like to give credit to Reece Hannam, an U15 left back who was making his full U18 debut who looked good and was a threat going forward and was solid defensively. Definitely another in our long list of defensive talents!

That's all for now but I'm sure I'll be back with more news in the next few weeks. As always, make sure to check The West Ham Way for the most reliable news!

Kai Barrett
Founder/Editor of whufcyouth

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Chelsea starlet Domingos Quina to sign tomorrow
April 22, 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
ExWHUEmployee

West Ham are set to pull off the sensational signing of Chelsea starlet Domingos Quina, ExWHUEmployee can exclusively reveal. As Ex has been reporting in his columns for weeks now the club are keen to sign talented youth players and develop them at the club to play a huge role in the club's future. The transfer follows on from the Antonio Martinez deal that was confirmed by the club today and reported by ExWHUEmployee four weeks ago.

The 16 year old is extremely highly rated and the club are said to have beaten the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United to the player's signature. It had been reported recently that he would be in fact joining Arsenal but it seems that our youth manager Terry Westley has managed to persuade the wonder kid to join the claret and blue.

The reasons why Quina no longer wanted to be at Stamford Bridge were left something of a mystery, but, reading between the lines, it seems obvious he wasn't happy with the club. Born in Guinea Bissau, Domingos Quina was brought up in Portugal and on the books at Benfica as a youngster before being lured to Chelsea as a 13-year-old. The midfielder's talent has been the source of much attention from rival clubs. Manchester United were rumoured to have considered a bid back in January and Arsenal in recent weeks. Quina primarily plays in the No 10 role for Chelsea and Portugal's youth teams. His strengths are dribbling, his ability to beat a man and shooting. He helped Portugal Under 17s finish top of the their UEFA Elite Round group in Croatia last month before returning to England. He is a brilliant coup for the club and one which shows how bright our future is.

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Bids already made for Lacazette?
April 22, 2016
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
BKHammer

All throughout the season, there have been many reports that West Ham United are looking for a new striker to unveil at the Olympic Stadium, one who would be considered a major purchase for the club.

Top of that list seemed to be Marseille's Michy Batshuayi, a player Slaven Bilic praised publicly many times, and was even prepared to travel to meet personally, but he isn't the only one the Hammers have been monitoring.

According to L'Equipe in France, Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette has received a lot of attention since he started finding once again the back of the net regularly in 2016, and with 44 league goals in his past two seasons, he'd be the kind of striker West Ham want.

The French newspaper states three clubs, including West Ham, have already made bids for the player.

Jean-Michel Aulas recently stated that some of his players aren't for sale, but admitted he had also said that about Mahamadou Diarra and Michael Essien in the past, and both were sold.

The general idea here is that it would take a lot of money to persuade Lyon to sell their top striker, who himself in turn would want a move that would allow him to further his career.

While a transfer to the Premier League would be a step in the right direction, the prospect of once again playing Champions League next season with Lyon could be appealing, especially considering how badly the club did in this year's edition of the tournament.

West Ham were said to be prepared to spend around €35m on a new striker this summer meaning money, and a lot of it, will probably decide this one.

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West Ham offered Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as Arsenal midfielder set to be shipped out this summer
22:30, 22 APR 2016
BY DARREN LEWIS
The confirmation that the 22-year-old attacker is available at the end of the season is sure to spark a scramble for his services
The Mirror

Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been offered to West Ham . The confirmation that the 22-year-old attacker is available this summer is sure to spark a scramble for his services. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is poised to stage a clearout this summer following the club's title failure with several players set to be moved on. Ambitious West Ham are set to move to the Olympic Stadium next season and remain in the hunt for a shock top-four place. Versatile Oxlade-Chamberlain has 24 caps for England and last scored for the Three Lions in their European Championship qualifying win over Lithuania in October. Yet he is unlikely to go to this summer's European Championships after being hit by a knee injury suffered in the Champions League last-16 first leg defeat to Barcelona. He moved to north London in a high-profile switch from Southampton in 2011. The England international was seen back than as one of the most exciting talents in the country. But he has had to compete with a starting spot at Arsenal with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla. Young Alex Iwobi, who has burst onto the scene so impressively this season, has also now moved above Oxlade Chamberlain in the pecking order. Earlier this month Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier suggested the Ox should rejoin the Saints to revive his outstanding talents under Ronald Koeman. Le Tissier told Mirror Sport: "He's a very good player. He's obviously suffered with injuries in the last couple of seasons so he's not really been a regular in that Arsenal side. "If the boy wants to play regular first team football and to be a first choice in the team then sure it's realistic. It's not like he'd be dropping down to the bottom half of the table."
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West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady gives Hammers fans a sneak peek inside Olympic Stadium
20:59, 22 APR 2016 UPDATED 22:20, 22 APR 2016
BY LIAM CORLESS
The Hammers will move to the Olympic Stadium in the summer after 112 years at their current Upton Park home
The Mirror

Karren Brady has given West Ham's supporters a sneak peek inside the Olympic Stadium ahead of the club's move from Upton Park in the summer.
She uploaded a video to Twitter from the centre of the field, as she showed how impressive the inside of the stadium looks. It was last week revealed that the Hammers will pay £2.5million-a-year to rent the stadium. Arsene Wenger said the Hammers had "won the lottery" when he was questioned about the deal earlier this month. He said: "I say [to West Ham], 'Well done! You have won in the lottery, and you do not need to sweat like I did for long years, and fight for every pound.' "I could say that, for me, the first six years were very difficult financially. Going into April, thinking if you are not in the Champions League you are in trouble. That has been absolutely super-difficult. "So it's very well done, they have made a good deal, they have negotiated very well, it was a fight with ­Tottenham. "For me, it is similar to the Man City situation — Man City got a new stadium for £20million, basically. Yes they don't have to go through the pain. They have taken this opportunity and taken it very well."

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Axl Rose to play at Olympic Stadium
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 22, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Axl Rose is joining AC/DC for the remainder of their world tour, taking in the concert at the former Olympic Stadium on June 4th, just two months before West Ham move in. The Guns N' Roses singer will replace Brian Johnson starting on May through to the conclusion of the Rock or Bust tour in Denmark on June 12.

A question mark had been hanging over whether the Olympic Stadium gig would take place ever since AC/DC lead OS66singer Brian Johnson was forced to quit touring with immediate effect – or face the prospect of going deaf.

A statement on AC/DC's website said: "Band members would like to thank Brian Johnson for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years. We wish him all the best with his hearing issues and future ventures.

"As much as we want this tour to end as it started, we understand, respect and support Brian's decision to stop touring and save his hearing.

"We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years, and are fortunate that Axl Rose has kindly offered his support to help us fulfill this commitment.

"AC/DC will resume their Rock Or Bust World Tour with Axl Rose joining on vocals. Following this European run of dates with AC/DC, Axl Rose will head out on his Guns N Roses, Not In This Lifetime Summer Stadium Tour."

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LLDC call for an emergency OS meeting
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 22, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) has called an emergency meeting this afternoon at 2.30pm (Friday) at the LLDC offices at 1 Stratford Place, Montfichet Road, London.

The authority are usually required to give a minimum five days notice to their board members but this meeting about the former Olympic stadium transformation works is deemed urgent due to special circumstances and says a decision on a confidential matter regarding the stadium transformation is now required at the earliest opportunity.

Although the meeting will be open to the public, the main body of the meeting concerning an update report on the stadium transformation works will be held in private.

The agenda confirms remaining stadium transformation works include ongoing works to relay the Desso pitch and the new Mondo running track. Other works taking place before Summer 2016 include: Completion of the retractable seating works, completion of hospitality fit-out works, completion of concession area fit out works and completion of catering fit-out.

The LLDC have played down the significance of the emergency meeting by telling Claret and Hugh "There is no particular urgency for the meeting, the board need to be updated on the Stadium transformation given we are getting close to the end but due to the Mayoral election and being in purdah there wasn't a scheduled meeting."

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Irons target lays down his condition
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 22, 2016 in Fans Forum, News, Whispers
C and H

Lyon's France international Alexandre Lacazette (above) would be ready to join West Ham if they manage to clinch place in the Premier League top four.

Arsenal are also keen to bring the striker to England in the summer and Liverpool are also interested but have the same top four problem as the Irons.

ClaretandHugh has learned that the Irons negotiators are believed to have discovered that Lacazette is determined to land a Champions League club this summer if he's to make the move from Lyon.

He and the club are aware of interest from the trio of Premier League clubs but a move to the Emirates carries the risk of non selection for the first team given the squad strength and depth.

West Ham have made their interest known along with Liverpool and a source close to the player said: "All the options are up in the air at the moment.

"However, we can that West Ham hold an interest and that their end of season is being closely watched. Champions League football would aid the cause dramatically as he sees that as an important condition."

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West Ham set for triple record
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 22, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham has already broken one record this season by recording their 15th league match unbeaten in The Premier League at home at the Boleyn ground and the Hammers appear to odds on to break two more Premier League club records by the end of the season.

We have have some way to beat our all time record unbeaten run at home set between 1980 and 1982. We went 20 games unbeaten in the 1980-1981 season with a further 7 games at the start of 1981-1982 season. That record of 27 games unbeaten at home might stand for some time yet. We previously recorded 14 games unbeaten at home during the historic 1985/1986 season in the top flight when we finished third in the old division one league.

Our biggest points total ever in the Premier League was 57 points set in the 1998/1999 season under Harry Redknapp when we finished 5th and qualified for the Intertoto cup. We are currently on 56 points with four games and 12 points to play for, it would be extremely disappointing not to set a new club record for our largest points tally in the Premier League this season.

Our goal difference is probably the biggest improvement in our history of the Premier League. Our best goal difference at the end of a season is -1 again set in 1998/1999 season. Our current goal difference of +13 is set to smash our best ever difference in the past 24 years since the inception of the Premier League.

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Boleyn Memories: Galey carried my dying brother on his shoulders the day he was an Irons mascot
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 22, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Facebook member and site follower Andrew Reardon has provided perhaps the most poignant Boleyn memory ever and we are delighted to give him a permanent reminder of a wonderful if hugely sad moment in the life ofhis family.

The Bolyn is more than a footballing arena as this story shows – it has provided some of the greatest moments in people's lives – it is part of our lives and souls.

Andrew told us: My best memorie of was back in 1991/92 and the FA Cup game against Aldershot Town.

My older brother Robbie was mascot for the match and was dying of a brain tumour and had to be carried on the pitch by Tony Gale.

"I remember who he asked to put him down so he could walk on the pitch on his own feet. He is still the only non player to be on the front of a match programme apart from the Queen as far as I know."

ClaretandHugh contacted Galey on the family's behalf and the former Irons central defender remembered the day clearly saying: "The little lad passed away soon afterwards and myself and Ian Bishop attended the funeral. He was a lovely little chap.

"I recall he had the various wires etc in his nose and thought at the time that he was around the same age as my two kids and how lucky I was.

"I remember him walking across the turf and then I put him on my shoulders and carried him back to the side. Please pass on my best wishes to the family. These things stay in your mind forever. He was a great little chap."

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Peer's sneak preview of Olympic Stadium
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 22, 2016 in Videos, Whispers
C and H

West Ham's Vice-Chairman, Karren Brady has published a video sneak preview of West Ham's new stadium. On Wednesday this week Lady Brady visited the former Olympic stadium to check on progress tweeting from her personal account "Off to the Olympic Stadium this morning to film the update and behind the scenes tour for West Ham United – can't wait to share it with you"

Posting the video from her mobile phone below the Vice -Chairman added "Everything is starting to come together at the stadium, First layer of Desso pitch in/seats looking more claret&blue"

She later posted "Delighted to announce we have been given planning permission for our new Stadium Store signage" before travelling on to Boleyn Ground boardroom to watch West Ham beat Watford 3-1 on Wednesday night.

West Ham will move into their new stadium in August this year although West Ham office staff including Lady Brady are expected to move into dedicated office space sometime before August.

Everything is starting to come together at the stadium, First layer of Desso pitch in/seats looking more claret&blue http://pic.twitter.com/fkMTRarOvz

— Lady Brady (@karren_brady) April 20, 2016

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West Ham agent fees revealed
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 22, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

The FA have published fees paid to agents. The table above shows total payments made by Premier League clubs to registered Intermediaries for the four-month period of 1st October 2015 to 1st February 2016. West Ham spent the fifth most on agents in the Premier League shelling out £2.69m in a four month period. Based on that rate over four months agent fees could top £8m over the full twelve months.

The previous amount paid to Agents/Intermediaries by West Ham during the period 1 ‎October 2014 to 30 September 2015 was £7,049,001.18.

West Ham were the sixth biggest spenders to agents last year. Premier League clubs have been required to publish the amount they pay to agents since 2008 and West Ham has paid over £33.6m since records begun in 2008/2009. West Ham did not have to reveal agent fees in 2011/2012 as they spend one season in the Championship.

In 2013/2014 West Ham paid £6,380,339 in agent fees

In 2012/2013 West Ham paid £4,169,134 in agent fees

In 2010/2011 West ham spent £4,436,992 in agent fees

In 2009/2010 West Ham spent £3,419,089 in agent fees

In 2008/2009 West Ham spent £5,527,548 in agent fees

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Rugby to return to the Olympic Stadium
Posted by Sean Whetstone on April 22, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

The Olympic Stadium will again host a rugby league match in this year's Four Nations tournament three months after West Ham move in.

England, Scotland, New Zealand and Australia will contest the tournament, which will be broadcast by the BBC. The former Olympic Stadium in London has chosen as a venue, with England taking on Australia there in the final group match on Sunday, 13th November 2016.

New Zealand beat England at the Olympic Stadium last November, the first rugby league match to be played at the venue. "Playing at iconic venues such as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Anfield is one of the reasons we play the game," said England captain Sean O'Loughlin.

"Walking out in front of 45,000 fans in London was one of the highlights of 2015 for me and I am sure that playing in front of big home crowds will push the team on to what will hopefully be a successful campaign."

Four Nations 2016 fixtures
Fri 28 Oct: Australia v Scotland, KC Lightstream Stadium, Hull, 20:00 BST
Sat 29 Oct: England v New Zealand, John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield, 14:30
Sat 5 Nov: England v Scotland, Ricoh Arena, Coventry, 17:30
Sat 5 Nov: New Zealand v Australia, Ricoh Arena, Coventry, 20:00
Fri 11 Nov: New Zealand v Scotland, Zebra Claims Stadium, Workington, 20:00
Sun 13 Nov: England v Australia, Olympic Stadium, 15:30
Sun 20 Nov: Final, Anfield, Liverpool, 14:30

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Carroll/Sakho pairing may create Slav headache
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 22, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

The return of Diafra Sakho will – as far as I can see – have handed Slaven Bilic a headache.

On the face of it, the front pairing of AC and the Senegal striker works but the worry is that we don't get as much as we should from Sak when he's played wide.

With six goals from six games it's impossible to move Carroll from the central role but it means that his partner is not going to be among the goals to the same extent as he was at the start of his Irons career – as is being shown.

For that to happen he needs to return to the main striker role but with Carroll in such goal scoring form that can't happen and we have to live with the fact that as a result we are probably losing perhaps 20 per cent of Sak's game.

He has the pace and abililty to really stretch defences and with Dimi in behind him supported by Manu Lanzini we could be seriously potent.

AC has been regularly described as an impact sub over recent weeks but it's become clear he's a lot more than that but I can't help feeling for Sak.

It's a matter of personal preference how we like to see our team play and PERSONALLY I would prefer to see the Senegal striker though the middle because it allows more fluidity and movement.

Yes, it's great to be able to mix it up and have big fella Andy doing his thing when required but as a preferred system I'd sooner see Sak line leading in front of the two playmakers.

It's a tricky one for the boss and maybe it's all about playing the men in form to the system that suits them best at any given time.

It's what happens of course when you have a squad of very good players – we live in great Hammers times but I'd welcome your views on this one.

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