14/06/2007 16:27
Chairman Eggert Magnusson has reiterated West Ham United's ambition to
strengthen the playing squad during the close season, but insists that some
of the media speculation surrounding the Club's financial dealings is
completely untrue. In an exclusive statement on whufc.com, Mr Magnusson
says: "I am delighted to report that we are making progress in our plans to
strengthen the squad over the summer period. "We are hopeful of making an
exciting announcement soon and Alan Curbishley and the Board will continue
to work to get the right balance in the team for next season. "I know we are
moving in the right direction as a Club and I also know the fans share our
ambitions for the future. "On a personal level I am, at times, frustrated by
some of the stories which appear in the media suggesting certain salary
levels for our players - many of which are simply factually wrong. "It is
not right to comment on every story or to use confidential information in
public but I can say the truth is often different to the reports. "The
bottom line is that this is an ambitious Club with a very sound financial
base and as new owners we are determined to move forward. As we do that we
can expect criticism from others but the most important thing is delivering
the true potential of this great Club."
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Man City to visit on opening day - WHUFC
14/06/2007 10:00
West Ham United have been handed a home fixture against Manchester City on
the opening weekend of the 2007-08 Barclays Premier League season.
Hammers will take on City - current managerless and facing an impending
takeover - at Upton Park in the first game of the new campaign, which kicks
off on Saturday, August 11. Our first away match was originally scheduled
to be a trip to Liverpool on Wednesday, August 15. However, with the Reds
involved in Champions League qualifiers that week, the fixture will
definitely be rearranged for another date. That means our first away game of
the season will be a visit to newly-promoted Birmingham City on Saturday,
August 18, before Hammers return to Upton Park a week later for our second
home game of the season, against Wigan Athletic. Other notable fixtures to
look out for before Christmas are home clashes against Arsenal on September
29 and Tottenham Hotspur on November 24, while we face away trips to Chelsea
on December 1 and Middlesbrough just three days before Christmas. Reading
are the visitors to Upton Park on Boxing Day, with Manchester United in town
three days later, before Alan Curbishley's men face a trip to Arsenal's
Emirates Stadium on New Year's Day.
For the second year running, our final away game of the season is at
Manchester United, but the campaign overall ends at Upton Park, with Aston
Villa the visitors on May 11. Please note that ALL fixtures are still
subject to change. Details of our live Sky TV and Setanta Sports coverage
will appear here as soon as they are confirmed.
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Complete 2007-2008 Fixtures
August 2007
Comp H/A Date Opposition Kick Off
Premiership H Sat 11 Man City 15:00
Premiership A TBA Liverpool TBA
Premiership A Sat 18 Birmingham 15:00
Premiership H Sat 25 Wigan 15:00
September 2007
Premiership A Sat 01 Reading 15:00
Premiership H Sat 15 Middlesbrough 15:00
Premiership A Sat 22 Newcastle 15:00
Premiership H Sat 29 Arsenal 15:00
October 2007
Premiership A Sat 06 Aston Villa 15:00
Premiership H Sat 20 Sunderland 15:00
Premiership A Sat 27 Portsmouth 15:00
November 2007
Premiership H Sat 03 Bolton 15:00
Premiership A Sat 10 Derby 15:00
Premiership H Sat 24 Tottenham 15:00
December 2007
Premiership A Sat 01 Chelsea 15:00
Premiership A Sat 08 Blackburn 15:00
Premiership H Sat 15 Everton 15:00
Premiership A Sat 22 Middlesbrough 15:00
Premiership H Wed 26 Reading 15:00
Premiership H Sat 29 Man Utd 15:00
January 2008
Premiership A Tue 01 Arsenal 15:00
Premiership H Sat 12 Fulham 15:00
Premiership A Sat 19 Man City 15:00
Premiership H Tue 29 Liverpool 19:45
February 2008
Premiership A Sat 02 Wigan 15:00
Premiership H Sat 09 Birmingham 15:00
Premiership A Sat 23 Fulham 15:00
March 2008
Premiership H Sat 01 Chelsea 15:00
Premiership A Sat 08 Tottenham 15:00
Premiership H Sat 15 Blackburn 15:00
Premiership A Sat 22 Everton 15:00
Premiership A Sat 29 Sunderland 15:00
April 2008
Premiership H Sat 05 Portsmouth 15:00
Premiership A Sat 12 Bolton 15:00
Premiership H Sat 19 Derby 15:00
Premiership H Sat 26 Newcastle 15:00
May 2008
Premiership A Sat 03 Man Utd 15:00
Premiership H Sun 11 Aston Villa 15:00
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Galey's View - WHUFC
The signing of Scott Parker is a real coup for Alan and the Club. Like Lucas
Neill, he is another player who leads from the front and you can't have
enough of those in the Premiership. I've seen a lot of Scott's career as I
used to cover Charlton for Capital Gold Radio. His partnership with Claus
Jensen in the middle of the Addicks' midfield was one of the best, yet most
underrated, pairings around. He moved to Chelsea and never really got the
chances that he deserved. He then transferred to Newcastle, where I know the
Geordie fans loved his all-out commitment. Now his move back down south will
hopefully give him the platform for getting back into the England squad.
Talking only about Scott's commitment would be undermining his skill factor.
At his best he's a good passer of the ball and moves quickly across the
ground when he's in possession. In finishing, the West Ham fans love a
trier. Scott certainly is that and they will take him to their hearts.
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Liverpool admit Benayoun approach - BBC
Liverpool have revealed they are interested in bringing West Ham midfielder
Yossi Benayoun to Anfield. The Israel international, 27, has verbally agreed
to a new five-year deal at Upton Park, but has delayed committing his future
in print. Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said: "I can confirm we've
made an approach for Benayoun, but the figures quoted are completely wrong.
"Other than that we don't want to say any more." Some reports suggested
Liverpool had already offered £1m for the Israel captain, while others
understood the figure to be £3m. West Ham are believed to have rejected the
bid as they aim to tie their midfielder, who joined from Racing Santander in
2005 for £2.5m, to a £50,000-a-week deal. Last month, it was widely reported
that Benayoun had signed the new contract although his agent Ronen Katzav
later revealed his player had only agreed in principle.
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Benayoun bid confirmed - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 14th June 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Liverpool Chief Executive Rick Parry has confirmed that his club have made
an official approach for Yossi Benayoun. Parry, speaking in reply to
newspaper stories linking the Israeli midfielder with a move to Anfield,
confirmed that Liverpool had lodged a bid - whilst adding that reports of a
figure of £3m are wide of the mark. "I can confirm we have made an approach
for Yossi Benayoun," said Parry, "but the figures quoted are completely
wrong. "Other than that we don't want to say any more." The Hammers have
told Liverpool that Benayoun - who still has two years remaining of his
existing contract - is not for sale.
Benayoun - who reneged on an agreement to sign a new five-year-deal with
United - is thought to be keen to move to Anfield.
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Reds move for Benayoun - Sky
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 14 Jun 2007
Liverpool have made an approach for West Ham United midfielder Yossi
Benayoun. Reports have claimed that The Reds have offered £1million for the
Israel international, which has been dismissed as 'insulting' by The
Hammers. But, according to Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry, that price
is some way off the figure discussed between the clubs. Parry confirmed the
club's interest in Benayoun, but was unable to expand on whether a future
bid would be successful.
"I can confirm we have made an approach for Yossi Benayoun, but the figures
quoted are completely wrong," Parry told the Liverpool Echo. "Other than
that we don't want to say any more." Benayoun's future at Upton Park is
currently unclear as he has yet to sign a new five-year contract with the
club. The deal had been agreed with West Ham late last month, but the lack
of a signature has prompted an enquiry from Liverpool.
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Pearce won't risk Ferdinand - Sky
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 14 Jun 2007
England Under 21 coach Stuart Pearce is reluctant to gamble on the fitness
of Anton Ferdinand. The West Ham United defender sat out England's opening
game of the European Under 21 Championship in Holland with a groin injury.
Having missed the 0-0 draw with Czech Republic, it was thought Ferdinand may
be fit to return for Thursday's game with pre-tournament favourites Italy,
live on Sky Sports 1. But there are now suggestions the centre-half could
sit out the remainder of the competition, with Pearce wary about taking any
risks. "We felt as though he's not been fit to train and join in the group,"
Pearce told Sky Sports News. "At a push, he might well have been, but we're
not prepared to gamble on that at the moment. "The players in his position
are fighting for a place in that team as well and it wouldn't probably be
fair on them either." Gary Cahill and Nedum Onuoha started at centre-half
against the Czechs, but Steven Taylor is back from suspension to face Italy
in Arnhem.
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City kick-off with Hammers trip - TeamTalk
Manchester City will kick-off the new Premier League campaign with an away
trip to West Ham on August 11. Premiership newcomers Derby will provide the
opposition for the first home game on August 15. And fans won't have to wait
long for the first Manchester derby with United, the reigning champions,
visiting the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday August 18. The return
fixture at Old Trafford is scheduled for Saturday February 9 and they end
the season with a home tie against Newcastle.
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Hating The Media - West Ham Online
Alex V - Thu Jun 14 2007
I hate the media, but particularly I hate the new media age. When the WHO
started there were basically 2 or 3 places to look online for news on West
Ham - the main ones being the official site and here. It worked nicely I
thought - they would post the official line, and we would question it on
here. Nowadays every tabloid rumour is repeated a countless number of times
over the net, and every interview is mined for quotes to be taken out of
context. It's rubbish. And actually sometimes I wonder now if the WHO has
become part of the problem - we feed these rumours too often rather than
questioning them.
With the greatest of respect, I think that West Ham fans are too easily
swayed under pressure from the media. The Ince situation was over a picture
taken for a paper, Lampard was lambasted for quotes, Reo-Coker's reputation
destroyed by media coverage of a death threat. Regular readers of my stuff
will know that my regular hobby-horse is how Rio Ferdinand's reputation was
untarnished despite him basically shafting West Ham worse than any player
since, simply because he was careful what he said in the press.
I think Reo-Coker is the latest recipient of death by innuendo. Anyone from
the outside looking in would wonder how on Earth our fans would be wanting a
player, captain of England under-21s, probably the hottest property in the
country at his age, to be leaving the club. All based on some dubious
judgements over his character based on a bit of idle gossip late last year -
how pathetic. Whether or not Reo-Coker is a nice person off the field is
absolutely irrelevant - I want him on the field at West Ham delivering on
his potential as a player, a leader, a winner. I don't care how he treats
the tea-ladies at the training ground, no offence.
Personally I feel that in many ways we as supporters are a bit naively out
of touch with the way that modern football has gone. We expect to identify
and genuinely 'like' the players at our club, but realistically I just can't
imagine how many overpaid, arrogant, self-obsessed primadonnas I could
really endure the company of. That Reo-Coker may be one of the louder of
that breed I accept, but is that really a reason to drive him out of the
club? Aren't they all like that, except some of them can't be bothered to
open their mouth as often as him? I remember talking to a sports journalist
who admitted that they can't stand the company of any of the modern
footballers, and hark back to 'better' days. Well those days are well and
truly gone, but if you look at the general standard of football played in
this country these days we can't complain too much. Anyway Reo-Coker is all
but gone, so it's a moot point.
In terms of the Tevez situation, I am fairly disgusted with the media in
general. What annoys me most is that the coverage has made West Ham fans, it
seems to me, feel fortunate and somehow 'let off' because of some ruling
over a technicality, as if we had something to be ashamed of. I would single
out the BBC for its continuing repetition of Sheffield United's continual
bleatings about foul play, without ever once considering the actual facts of
the case. I don't mind the case being looked at, and questions being raised,
but I do mind my club being character assassinated for no reason other than
headline news being "a bit thin on the ground" at this time of year.
There are encouraging signs coming out of the club as regards possible
action once the legal side of the matter is finally put to bed. I think our
dignified silence throughout the affair is to be applauded. But once it's
done and dusted I would suggest the following...
- A blanket ban on interviews with BBC personnel in response to the
corporations undignified pursuit of the club and insinuation that we are
inherently evil. Contractual obligation interviews post-match to be
performed by the kit-man. Lifetime ban for Hansen, Lineker and Lawrenson for
their sniggering superiority on the issue.
"Sports Journalist of the year" Paul Hayward to get a lifetime ban along
with his fellow Mail journalists for his utterly pathetic one-sided
bleatings about Sheffield United fans in tears, comparing us to the devil,
with our "mighty stench". Hayward your piece on the final day of the season
was absolutely the most nauseating piece of journalism I've ever read.
Oliver Holt and Harry Harris - similar bans for these slimeballs.
Patrick Barclay of the Telegraph to get a ban and also face possible legal
action over his piece in the last week of the season encouraging Wigan and
Sheffield United to purposefully play out a goal-less draw on the last day
to condemn West Ham to relegation. So disappointing from a journalist I used
to respect.
Perhaps to offer a £1 million "prize" to the first newspaper journalist who
writes a balanced piece on the issue that actually considers the judgement
made and the facts around the case. Rather like the money offered for proof
of genuine supernatural powers, this money is unlikely to ever be claimed.
My faith in the media to have any useful contribution to make on any
important issue in football or elsewhere has been totally eroded over many
years of following their work closely. Their interest is only in selling
papers, in creating sensation – the character assassination of West Ham is
the only way to keep the story running, create headline news when there is
little. And of course they wouldn't dare pursue the same line with Man Utd
or Chelsea, as indeed they could because in my opinion both have been guilty
of far worse transgressions than the Tevez one. The bottom line is that what
you read has nothing to do with the truth, which is too complicated for
headline soundbites in this case. For a similar dose of irrelevant claptrap
try looking up the columnists on Bob Woolmer.
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CURBS IN FOR £16M BENT - DailY Express
Thursday June 14,2007
By Tony Banks
DARREN BENT will arrive at West Ham today for talks over a £16million switch
from Charlton as the Upton Park club once again break the bank in their bid
to join the elite. Manager Alan Curbishley was last night flying back from a
short summer break in Alicante to clinch a deal he has been trying to close
for weeks.
His club have beaten off rivals Tottenham for the capture of Bent by
offering the striker a staggering £75,000-a-week contract over four years.
Spurs, who thought they had lured Bent after more than a year of chasing,
only offered the speedy forward £35,000 and look to have been priced out.
Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson gave the go-ahead and his club upped their
offer by £10,000 a week yesterday – in the face of Liverpool entering the
chase for the former Ipswich striker. The offer comes just 10 days after
Curbishley spent £7m on Newcastle's England midfielder Scott Parker in a
£65,000-a-week deal.
Bent's departure from relegated Charlton was always going to be a formality.
The striker, who had netted 37 goals in the past two seasons, is one of the
hottest scoring properties in England. However, Curbishley looks likely to
lose last season's cult hero Carlos Tevez this summer, with both Manchester
United and Inter Milan chasing the striker. So a new goalscorer became
thepriority even though West Ham insist they have not given up hope of
keeping the Argentinian. But with £7m Dean Ashton expected to be fit for the
start of the campaign after missing the whole of last season with a broken
foot, Curbishley will be hopeful he can steer his rapidly reshaped squad to
a European place. Curbishley had targeted Liverpool's Craig Bellamy and
Manchester United's Norwegian veteran Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, among others.
But the younger Bent, who seems on the verge of permanent England
recognition, looks a far better bet.
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Transfer talk: West Ham lead Bent chase - the Times
Aidan Magee
WEST HAM manager Alan Curbishley is reported to be leading the chase to sign
Charlton striker Darren Bent for a second time. The Upton Park club are
reported to be close to clinching a deal for the England international, 23,
after offering him a five-year deal worth £75,000-a-week. Tottenham have
registered their interest in Bent, but Hammers chairman Eggert Magnisson is
confident he has pulled off another transfer coup. Curbishley has offered
midfielder Hayden Mullins to Charlton in an effort to clinch the move. Bent,
who was signed by Curbishley for Charlton two years ago, was reported to be
returning from holiday on Thursday to undergo a medical and complete a move
to West Ham. The Hammers may look to partly finance the bid by selling
midfielder Yossi Benayoun to Liverpool, who are thought to have bid around
£1million, with a further £1.5m to be paid after 12 months. Spurs manager
Martin Jol has offered striker Jermain Defoe a new three-year contract, but
will tell the England striker to leave White Hart Lane if he does not sign
it.
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Hammers rage at Rafa's £1m Benayoun offer - This Is London
14.06.07
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has enraged West Ham by offering an 'insulting'
£1m for Yossi Benayoun. The 27-year-old Hammers midfielder has stalled on a
new five-year contract and admits he would like to move to Anfield. But
Liverpool's cheeky attempt to get him on the cheap has been greeted with a
brick wall of silence from West Ham who are now even more determined not to
let him go. Reports in the Daily Mirror suggest the Reds were ready to offer
£1m now and another £1m in a year's time. This has been rejected as
'insulting' by Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson but has clearly unsettled
Benayoun who was due to sign an imporved £50,000 a week deal. Israel
international Benayoun was offered the new contract three weeks ago then
claimed he would be 'delighted' to stay with the 'best supporters in
England.' Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said today: "I can confirm we
have made an approach for Yossi Benayoun, but the figures quoted are
completely wrong. "Other than that we don't want to say any more."
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Kop confirm Benayoun interest - The Sun
By ALI MARTIN
June 14, 2007
LIVERPOOL have confirmed they are chasing West Ham midfielder Yossi
Benayoun. The Israeli international is understood to have agreed a new five
year deal at Upton Park but is yet to put pen to paper, alerting Liverpool
to his availability. Chief executive Rick Parry revealed: "I can confirm we
have made an approach for Yossi Benayoun. "Other than that we don't want to
say any more."
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West Ham Look To Champions League Instead Of Championship - West Ham
Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 14 June, 2007 - 11:15.
With the fixture list just released and tremendous transfer speculation
surrounding the club, West Ham fans around the globe will be licking their
lips in anticipation instead of gnawing their knuckles in apprehension.
Having only survived relegation on the last day of the season it might seem
strange to be talking about trying to dislodge one of the top four clubs
that occupy the elite champions league places and all the commensurate
accompanying benefits.. The imminent arrival of Darren Bent, yet to be
confirmed, signals chairman Eggert Magnusson's intent to turbo charge the
club to stellar heights. The press have been quick to brand West Ham as
'cash rich' and that the club are guilty of de-stabilising the transfer
market! Well blow me down, East End Clubs aren't supposed to have the
temerity to compete with the big boys are they? Well actually they are,
Manchester United were in the old second division once, Liverpool once
seemed unassailable at the top before being overtaken and Chelsea were
bankrupt before Abramovich rescued them. Arsenal are in financial free fall
following the massive investment in the Emirates Stadium that has
overstretched their resources, which leaves West Ham, Tottenham, Everton and
probably a revived Newcastle pushing for that all important fourth spot.
Although Alan Curbishley has stated that a top ten finish is his target he
is not fooling anyone, nothing less than a European slot will satisfy fans
and owners alike who feel that the team seriously underperformed prior to
the last ten games of the season. With a team crammed full of Internationals
Hammers should be aiming for the Champions league, it is the first time in
the club's history since finishing third in 1986 where there is a genuine
opportunity of joining football's top flight. It is rather amusing to hear
clubs crying foul over Hammers spending power, me thinks that there are a
lots of kettles calling pots black or vice versa. - Ed
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Reds confirm bid for Israel star Benayoun
Jun 14 2007
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL have launched a move for talented West Ham midfielder Yossi
Benayoun. But the Reds today dismissed reports that their £1m offer has
'enraged West Ham' and is 'insulting'. "I can confirm we have made an
approach for Yossi Benayoun, but the figures quoted are completely wrong,"
said Reds chief executive Rick Parry. "Other than that we don't want to say
any more." Benayon was on the verge of signing a new £50,000 a week deal at
Upton Park this week, but in the light of Liverpool's interest has decided
not to put pen to paper. West Ham are reported to be unhappy with what they
see as a bid designed to deliberately unsettle the Israeli playmaker. If The
Hammers step up their interest in Craig Bellamy, a cash plus player exchange
deal could be engineered.
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West Ham furious with Liverpool over cheeky Yossi offer
tribalfooball.com - June 14, 2007
West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson is furious with Liverpool over their £1
million bid for Yossi Benayoun. The Mirror says Liverpool wanted to pay just
£1m down now, with a further £1m instalment in 12 months' time, but it has
been rejected out of hand by Magnusson. Benitez has however unsettled
Benayoun, who was yesterday due to sign his improved £50,000-a-week deal at
Upton Park.
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West Ham to offer £20M for Everton's Johnson
tribalfooball.com - June 14, 2007
Everton striker Andy Johnson remains in the sights of West Ham United.
Despite splashing out £17 million on Charlton ace Darren Bent, the Mirror
says sources suggest the Hammers' spending spree may not yet be over and
that they may press ahead with a bid for £20m Everton striker Johnson.
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City for starters as it's home again for Hammers - Newham Recorder
14 June 2007
FOR THE third season running, West Ham United have been given a home match
on the opening day of the Premiership season in August, writes DAVE EVANS.
After 3-1 victories over both Blackburn Rovers and Charlton Athletic on the
first day in the last two seasons, this time it will be Manchester City who
come to Upton Park for a game that manager Alan Curbishley could probably
not have hand picked any better. City, who won 1-0 at the Boleyn last
season, have been hit by all sorts of problems since the end of the last
campaign. They are currently managerless; all sorts of European bosses have
turned down the chance to go to Eastlands, while their prospective buyer has
seen his assets frozen. Looking at West Ham's first few games, they
certainly do not look too taxing, except of course for the trip to Anfield
in the first week of the season, a ground where they have not won a league
game since 1963!
Trips to Birmingham, Reading and Newcastle come before the end of September
as do home games against Wigan, Middlesbrough and Arsenal, so optimistic
West Ham fans will look at those fixtures and think that their team may well
be in a good position after two months of the season. Tottenham Hotspur come
to Upton Park on November 24, with the Hammers trip to Chelsea coming a week
later, while Boxing Day sees West Ham entertain Reading, another team that
won at the Boleyn last season. West Ham will look for a repeat of their
heroics at the Emirates Stadium when they take on Arsenal on New Year's Day,
though not a repeat of what happened last new year's day when they were
destroyed by Reading at the Madejski. Tottenham entertain West Ham on March
8, a week after Chelsea have come to Upton Park, while Manchester United is
again the final away game of the season for the Hammers, this time on May 3
as West Ham finish the campaign with a home match against Aston Villa.
The Liverpool home game is again a midweek match, on January 29, while the
home game against champions Manchester United is scheduled for December 29,
two days before the trip to Arsenal. The matches are subject to change for
SKY TV purposes, who will announce their first batch of live matches in the
next couple of days, but West Ham fans must just be glad that they are
taking on the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United and not
Burnley, Barnsley and Scunthorpe United!
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