West Ham United statement
WHUFC.com
West Ham United continue to investigate the appalling events seen at the
Boleyn Ground on Tuesday
26.08.2009
West Ham United continue to investigate the appalling events seen at the
Boleyn Ground during Tuesday night's Carling Cup tie against Millwall.
Senior club officials are meeting today to ensure the appropriate action is
taken as swiftly as possible, with life bans for anyone responsible for the
disturbances.
Video footage, photographic evidence and witness statements are being
collated to identify those responsible, while there is ongoing close liaison
with all relevant parties including the Metropolitan Police and the Football
Association.
We will also assist the authorities in their investigation of the mindless
violence that took place in the area surrounding the stadium.
Chief Executive Scott Duxbury said: "This is a family club and the Boleyn
Ground has always been a safe place in which all supporters can enjoy
football. We are determined to ensure this remains the case. "Everyone at
the club is shocked and appalled at what happened and we will leave no stone
unturned in identifying the perpetrators, rooting them out and then taking
the proper action from both the police point of view and the club's. "The
vast majority of people at the game last night were law-abiding, loyal
football fans and a small minority spoiled it for everyone. They will not be
allowed to succeed."
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Daggers defeated
WHUFC.com
West Ham United reserves completed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Dagenham
and Redbridge
26.08.2009
West Ham United cruised to a 2-0 reserve-team friendly win over Dagenham and
Redbridge on Wednesday afternoon First half goals from Anthony Edgar and
Cristian Montano saw the Hammers to victory over their east London
neighbours at a blustery Little Heath. Alex Dyer's hosts dominated from
first to last, with the Daggers rarely venturing out of their own half for
longer than a few moments.
Dyer named a strong side for the fixture, with left-back Fabio Daprela and
central midfielder Olly Lee appearing just 16 hours after warming the
substitutes bench during the Carling Cup second round win over Millwall at
the Boleyn Ground. Bondz N'Gala captained the side, with Peter Kurucz
starting in goal and Nigel Quashie anchoring the midfield.
While they were largely outplayed, Dagenham did create the game's first
chance, only for a curling free-kick taken by their left-winger to bounce
narrowly wide of the far post on six minutes.
The Hammers took the lead in spectacular fashion in the 12th minute. Lee was
brought down just outside the visitors' penalty area, and Edgar smashed the
resulting free-kick past the wall and into the bottom left-hand corner. West
Ham's second goal arrived in comical circumstances eight minutes later.
There appeared to be little danger when Quashie's hopeful punt looped over
the Daggers defence, only for the goalkeeper to completely misjudge it and
allow the ball to bounce over his head. The alert Montano nipped in and
slotted into the vacant net.
Edgar came close to extending West Ham's lead a minute before half-time
following good work by Daprela, only for his low drive to be blocked by the
goalkeeper's legs. A flurry of substitutions reduced the tempo of the game
after the break, with chances proving hard to come by at both ends of the
pitch. Lee went closest, only for his shot to be deflected wide of the post
by the Dagenham and Redbridge left-back. All in all, manager Dyer will be
pleased with the workout ahead of his side's opening Barclays Premier
Reserve League South fixture at champions Aston Villa on Tuesday 1
September.
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Millwall and Hammers slam racism
BBC.co.uk
Millwall and West Ham have condemned the racial abuse from fans during
Tuesday night's tempestuous Carling Cup tie at Upton Park. Visiting fans
were heard aiming monkey chants at West Ham striker Carlton Cole while
Millwall's Jason Price was also targeted, according to reports. "Millwall
FC condemns racist abuse by supporters of both sides on Tuesday night," read
a club statement. "There is absolutely no place for racism in society." It
added: "Both Millwall and West Ham work tirelessly in our respective
communities to tackle this problem."
A West Ham spokesman stated: "We take any sort of racist chanting seriously.
If found guilty, we will treat that with the utmost severity." The racist
chanting further soured a night of shocking violence involving the
supporters of the London rivals.
The Football Association has launched an investigation after one man was
stabbed as fans clashed outside the ground, and there were three pitch
invasions during the second-round tie. Cole, who appeared to gesture back at
Millwall fans when he was substituted towards the end of West Ham's 3-1 win,
has shrugged off the abuse. "I heard it but it's football," said the
25-year-old England striker. "I don't care. I know I'm not a monkey. I might
be as strong as a gorilla but I'm not a monkey. "It's about mental
toughness. You just have to carry on with your game and usually you come out
good."
Cole admitted he was shocked by violent scenes reminiscent of the 1980s,
when English football was dogged by hooliganism. "I've never been involved
in such a turbulent game like that," he added. "Passions were running high
and it was a unique experience."
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Stabbed footballer 'progressing'
BBC.co.uk
Premier League footballer Calum Davenport is "stable but progressing" after
he was stabbed in both legs, his club West Ham United said. Mr Davenport
suffered heavy bleeding after he and his mother were allegedly attacked by
his sister's boyfriend in Kempston, near Bedford, on Saturday. Worrell
Whitehurst, 25, from Derby, is charged with two counts of causing grievous
bodily harm with intent. He was remanded in custody by Bedford magistrates
on Monday. Mr Davenport, 26, underwent surgery at Bedford Hospital where he
is in intensive care. It is understood that his mother, Kim Stupple, 49, is
in a stable condition. A West Ham spokeswoman said she could not comment on
reports that doctors were "confident" of saving the footballer's left leg,
which it was feared he may lose. Mr Whitehurst is due to appear at Luton
Crown Court in November. A 19-year-old man arrested after the stabbing has
been released on bail by Bedfordshire Police pending further inquiries. Mr
Davenport cost West Ham £3m when he joined the club from Tottenham Hotspur
during the summer of 2007. After struggling to hold down a first-team place
the defender has been linked with a move.
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Violence a 'disgrace to football'
BBC.co.uk
The violence at Tuesday's match between West Ham and Millwall was a
"disgrace to football", the sport minister says. Gerry Sutcliffe said: "We
have made great progress in tackling hooliganism in this country and will
not tolerate a return to the dark days of the 80s." Investigations are
under way into fighting involving hundreds of fans that marred the Carling
Cup game. A 44-year-old man is stable in hospital after being stabbed in
the chest. Police said 13 people were arrested. West Ham and Millwall fans
have been involved in rivalry going back decades. Mr Sutcliffe continued: "I
completely back the FA's call for any person identified as involved to be
banned for life. The scenes last night were a disgrace to football."
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the FA needed to take "strong measures" to
prevent a repeat. And Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, said: "Anyone who
thinks thuggery has a place in modern-day football is living in the dark
ages, and will bring only shame upon the teams they support. "We have very
tough football legislation in place and are confident that the police will
ensure offenders are brought to justice."
Fights thought to have been planned started near the east London stadium at
about 1800 BST and continued for five hours. About 200 riot police with at
least 20 mounted officers were at the scene. One pub reportedly had its
windows broken as running battles continued across several streets up to
half-a-mile from the stadium. Eyewitnesses said hooligans ripped out
bollards and lit fires. By 2300 BST several hundred West Ham fans had
congregated outside the stadium where they chanted and bombarded police with
beer cans and bottles.
Andy Holt, the Association of Chief Police Officers' football policing
expert, said: "Last night is an unwelcome reminder of violence once
commonplace at grounds. "Football hooliganism is still a lingering menace,
albeit among a small minority of supporters and we will not tolerate it." He
continued: "Over 20 years the UK has made steady progress in eradicating
football-related violence. "All genuine football fans will be concerned at
last night's scenes and the police service is determined to ensure that such
events remain the exception."
In a statement, West Ham Football Club said it would fully investigate the
"deplorable violence" and take the strongest action against anyone involved.
A Football Association spokesman said anyone found to have taken part in the
violence would be banned from football for life. He said: "We absolutely
condemn the disorder. "We will be working with all parties, the police and
clubs, to establish the facts surrounding these events."
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Sutcliffe rips into Hammers
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 26th August 2009
By: Staff Writer
Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has joined the bandwagon by condemned those
involved in the violence that erupted around the Boleyn Ground last night.
Manchester United supporter Sutcliffe - who became minister for sport two
years ago - referred to those involved in the crowd disturbances as a
'disgrace to football', calling for them to be issued life bans. "I
completely back the FA's call for any person identified as involved in the
violence to be banned for life and urge full and swift co-operation from all
parties in the investigation into what happened," he said. "We have made
great progress in the past 20 years in tackling football hooliganism in this
country and we will not tolerate any return to the dark days of the 70s and
80s when it plagued the game. We will never be complacent in the fight
against football violence."
Meanwhile, Football League chief operating officer Andy Williamson - whose
organisation were repeatedly warned before the game that their decision to
slash Millwall's ticket allocation would end in tears - added: "We utterly
deplore the violence that took place at last night's match between West Ham
United and Millwall. Such behaviour has no place in the game and we will
work with all the relevant authorities to ensure that those behind it are
held to account. "Football has made huge progress in the last 30 years in
the management of football matches and the whole game must continue to
demonstrate that such behaviour will not be tolerated."
Although there were outbreaks of violence both before and after the game -
something attributed to ticketless supporters - very few incidents occured
inside the ground itself. Only ten arrests were made in total. The pitch
invasions that have received widespead media coverage today illustrate no
fighting whatsoever - just jubilant home fans celebrating Junior Stanislas'
equalising goal and subsequent penalty.
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Cole shrugs off racist abuse
Last updated: 26th August 2009
Football Betting - Blackburn v West Ham
SSN
West Ham striker Carlton Cole has refused to let racist chants from Milwall
fans get the better of him. The Hammers needed extra-time to see off the
League One side 3-1 in the Carling Cup second-round on Tuesday as crowd
trouble marred the fixture after Police made 13 arrests. Cole was the target
of monkey chants from sections of the away crowd and appeared to gesture his
own response when being substituted before the end of the derby game.
However, the England international has vowed not to dwell on the abuse and
will continue to get on with his job as he did during the incident-packed
game. "I heard it but it's football," he said. "I don't care. I know I'm not
a monkey. I might be as strong as a gorilla but I'm not a monkey. "You've
just got to carry on and get on with it and we got the result. That was the
main point, the fans got what they deserved."
The former Chelsea striker has pointed to former team-mate Frank Lampard,
who is a regular target for terrace fans up and down the country, as an
example of how to deal with the situation. "Being targeted is part and
parcel of football," the 25-year-old said. "As you get bigger in football,
you're going to get taunts. "I take someone like Frank Lampard as an
example. He gets abuse everywhere but he still gets his head down and
carries on. "That makes him a bigger and better person. He puts in
performances week in, week out. I take people like that as examples to
hopefully help me with my game. "It's about mental toughness. You just have
to carry on with your game and usually you come out good."
The Football Association plans to investigate the violence that took place
both inside the ground and out and in the meantime, Millwall have released a
statement condemning racism after the allegations. A statement from the
South East London club read: "Millwall FC condemns racist abuse by
supporters of both sides on Tuesday night. "There is no place for racism in
society and both Millwall and West Ham work tirelessly in our respective
communities to tackle this problem."
Allegations that Millwall striker Jason Price was also subject to racist
taunts from West Ham fans has further dampened the Hammers' reputation as
football comes to terms with fresh worries of hooliganism. Cole admitted he
was shocked at the general scenes of carnage during the game and admits that
it is the first time he has experienced such chaos in his career. "I've
never been involved in such a turbulent game like that," Cole added.
"Passions were running high and it was a unique experience. I might not
experience something like that in my career, so it was new to me to be a
part of something like that."
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Livorno spend Diamanti cash
Mozart and Rivas sign on
Last updated: 26th August 2009
SSN
Livorno have landed Mozart and Nelson Rivas as they use some of the money
they are getting from the sale of Alessandro Diamanti. Diamanti is now in
London ahead of his move to Upton Park, and Livorno have already moved to
spend the money raised from his sale. Livorno, though, are not looking to
replace striker Diamanti as they feel they are well catered for up-front,
instead they have brought in central defender Nelson Rivas from Inter Milan
and Mozart from Palmeiras. "Despite losing Diamanti, Livorno still have
[Cristiano] Lucarelli and [Francesco] Tavano, who guarantee many goals,"
president Aldo Spinelli told Radio Kiss Kiss. "We have plenty of strikers in
our squad and will not be bringing in any more. "Our transfer market is now
closed, with Mozart and Rivas we are complete. "Rivas is official, as he has
already signed the contract and now we are just waiting for [Inter director
Marco] Branca to file the paperwork. "Rivas is very good and I can guarantee
he is not the player we have seen at Inter in recent months. He'll forge a
great centre-back partnership with Diniz."
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Hammers vow to assist authorities
West Ham eager to clamp down after ugly scenes
Last updated: 26th August 2009
SSN
West Ham will leave no stone unturned in a bid to clamp down on the
perpetrators that contributed towards the ugly scenes in Tuesday's Carling
Cup clash. The Hammers' cup tie with city rivals Millwall was marred by
pitch invasions during the contest, while supporters also clashed before and
after the match. The Football Association has begun compiling a report on
Tuesday's shameful events and could punish the clubs if they are found
guilty of lapses in security procedures. Chief executive Scott Duxbury
insists West Ham are a family club and that they will assist the authorities
in any way they can in order to bring those responsible to justice. "This is
a family club and the Boleyn Ground has always been a safe place in which
all supporters can enjoy football. We are determined to ensure this remains
the case," Duxbury told the club's official website. "Everyone at the club
is shocked and appalled at what happened and we will leave no stone unturned
in identifying the perpetrators, rooting them out and then taking the proper
action from both the police point of view and the club's. "The vast majority
of people at the game last night were law-abiding, loyal football fans and a
small minority spoiled it for everyone. They will not be allowed to
succeed."
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Minister - Disgrace to football
Upton Park violence brings widespread condemnation
Last updated: 26th August 2009
SSN
Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe has branded the violence which marred West
Ham's Carling Cup clash with Millwall as 'a disgrace to football'. Sutcliffe
has thrown his support behind the Football Association's call for life bans
for anyone found to have been involved in the incidents before, during and
after the Upton Park encounter. The Football League and England's World Cup
2018 bid team have joined the chorus of condemnation following the ugly
scenes both outside and inside the stadium and the pitch invasions which
occurred during the Hammers' 3-1 victory. The FA are examining the events
that saw a man stabbed outside Upton Park. West Ham have pledged to help
with the investigation but could also face action themselves. A spokeswoman
for the Metropolitan Police confirmed officers made several arrests and were
scanning CCTV footage to identify hooligans.
"The scenes last night were a disgrace to football," Sutcliffe said. "I
completely back the FA's call for any person identified as involved in the
violence to be banned for life and urge full and swift co-operation from all
parties in the investigation into what happened. "We have made great
progress in the past 20 years in tackling football hooliganism in this
country and we will not tolerate any return to the dark days of the 70s and
80s when it plagued the game. "We will never be complacent in the fight
against football violence."
Football League chief operating officer Andy Williamson said: "We utterly
deplore the violence that took place at last night's match between West Ham
United and Millwall. "Such behaviour has no place in the game and we will
work with all the relevant authorities to ensure that those behind it are
held to account. "Football has made huge progress in the last 30 years in
the management of football matches and the whole game must continue to
demonstrate that such behaviour will not be tolerated."
England's 2018 World Cup bid leader Andy Anson is acutely aware pictures of
the trouble that erupted will be beamed around the world. With the final
decision on the World Cup hosts not due to be made until December 2010,
Anson knows the furore will have a chance to die down, but the bid team have
been quick to attack the thugs who caused such mayhem. A spokesman said:
"England 2018 shares the FA's stance in condemning the disorder surrounding
last night's Carling Cup fixture between West Ham and Millwall.
"The scenes from Upton Park were a regrettable but isolated example of a
culture that the football community has worked tirelessly to eradicate from
our game. "It is extremely disappointing that the mindless actions of a tiny
minority have today deflected from the passion and dedication that millions
of genuine fans show every week for our national game."
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West Ham and Millwall should never play again, says Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp believes fans should never again get the chance to attend a
match between West Ham and Millwall.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff
Published: 8:59AM BST 27 Aug 2009
One man was stabbed as Tuesday night's Carling Cup clash between the bitter
rivals was marred by violent scenes in and around the ground. The Football
Association, police and both clubs are all investigating the trouble and
former West Ham manager Redknapp, now in charge at Tottenham, believes it
should never be allowed to happen again.
The Daily Bung: Football thugs mean rugby can relax He said in his newspaper
column in the Sun: "I don't like saying this but I am afraid there is only
one answer if the Hammers and Lions are ever drawn to face each other again
- put the balls back in the hat and draw them out again. "When the two names
were drawn together it was just asking for trouble and that is exactly what
we got because of the history between them. "And if they ever meet in the
league then the game should be played behind closed doors because the human
cost of these kind of disturbances is just too high to bear any longer."
More than 200 riot police and 20 police on horseback struggled to contain
the violence outside the stadium as running battles rampaged in the streets
around the east London ground. Redknapp added: "I can tell you exactly how
many of those mindless morons responsible for the mayhem will be holding
their heads in shame today - none. "And that's because these idiots have no
place in the game whatsoever."
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Law makers need to kick this hooligan scum out of football for good
The knock on the door will be heard any minute now. Curtains will twitch,
doors will open slightly, and bleary eyes will focus slowly on the
early-morning callers.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Henry Winter
Published: 8:00AM BST 27 Aug 2009
The police will be standing there, arriving to arrest those caught on CCTV
cameras causing mayhem at Upton Park. So now it is down to the magistrates.
Only by properly punishing Tuesday's trouble-makers, and that means with
custodial sentences, can an enduring cancer, albeit one that has been
largely undetected in recent years, begin to be excised.
Sport on television Although lacking the intensity and regularity of the
Seventies and Eighties, fighting still breaks out away from the public eye.
A service-station on the motorway here, a public house a mile from the
ground there. Why? Because there are people in English society who love a
ruck.
So the strength of the judicial retort to such criminals is vital. What
happened on Tuesday is about society's ills invading football, about a stage
being unwittingly provided for those with hatred in their hearts and alcohol
in their blood-streams, which is why the response from certain quarters to a
bleak night at Upton Park has been breathtakingly naïve.
Politicians reacted to such a complex event as Tuesday's incidents inside
and outside the Boleyn Ground with trademark short-sightedness. The latest
Sports Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, talked of the scenes "being a disgrace to
football'', ignoring the broader social issues underpinning such
disturbances as unemployment, poor education and to many of those in the
taunting throng a passion for conflict.
Sutcliffe would have been closer to the mark arguing that it "was a disgrace
to a civilised society that disaffected, aggressive, alcohol-raddled nutters
still exist'' in the 21st Century. But Sutcliffe wouldn't. Politicians never
see the broader picture with hooliganism. It's about the psyche of the
nation more than the sporting setting.
Football reflects English society, containing the detritus as well as the
decent and dignified, the good and the bad. The Sports Minister would be
better off calling on magistrates to take firm action on the trouble-makers
to keep society's scum out of the nation's sport. Everyone knows their type.
We see them goading police in English city-centres on a Friday night or
Mediterranean resorts in the summer.
Some residents of this Sceptred Isle, particularly those lacking fulfilment
in their lives, crave the adrenalin rush of a meleee. That is why many of
those pictured on the Upton Park pitch and outside were middle-aged; West
Ham-Millwall in a night game offered a trip down memory lane for some
malevolent products of the Seventies. A politician would never understand
that.
Watching the scenes on television on Tuesday, and wondering when Sky Sports
were going to pull the advertisement for a new film that glorifies those who
use football to sate their thirst for violence, it was instructive switching
over to Liverpool Football Club's channel where Jan Molby was being
interviewed.
The Dane talked the presenter through a goal he scored at White Hart Lane in
the mid-Eighties and what was immediately noticeable, apart from some
questionable hair-cuts, was the long fence behind the goal, hemming the fans
in. Those who ran on to the pitch must be reminded why the fences were taken
down.
For all the immediate and understandable calls for clubs to ban the
miscreants, football must wait for due legal process to be completed. Only
after custodial sentences have been passed must life-time bans from football
follow.
West Ham's board rarely inspire confidence but they must exile those who
invaded the pitch, threw missiles inside the ground or who were involved in
the skirmishes outside. Millwall, commendably, have already promised to ban
their yobs sine die.
When it comes to the respective clubs' culpability, West Ham must clearly
shoulder more of the blame, and ensuing sanctions, because of the behaviour
of hundreds of their fans within the ground. It is difficult for West Ham to
take responsibility for society's detritus outside the ground. Inside is
different.
West Ham profit from these people, and so have a price to pay. Some stewards
acted bravely when fans started piling on to the pitch from three quarters
of the ground and deserve our praise and admiration.
Yet clearly there were not enough stewards present on the night for a
fixture that was always going to be a meeting of nitro and glycerine.
If football is to take Tuesday's disorder seriously, West Ham should
immediately be removed from the Carling Cup. Unfortunately, this also
punishes the innocents, and West Ham certainly have plenty of right-minded
season-ticket holders who will be appalled by the ugly acts of their
fellow-fans, but it is the only way to make the club properly accountable
for those who come through the turnstiles, for the inadequacies in
stewarding, while also delivering a loud message that outbreaks of
hostilities cannot be tolerated.
Those who live near football grounds have a right to a peaceful life, to a
night's sleep undisturbed by sirens and the sound of breaking glass.
Sadly, the footballing authorities will duck strong action. Scared by
lawyers, the Football Association and Football League will use a walnut to
crack a hammer. The inevitable fines will draw predictable derision. The
problem will not be addressed. Maybe it really is all down to the
magistrates.
Thinking of its own concerns, the FA insisted that Tuesday's trouble will
have no bearing on its bid for the 2018 World Cup and it is probably right.
If the Spanish, the FA's greatest rivals, mention the hooliganism at Upton
Park, then the English can engage a debate about racism in grounds like the
Bernabeu where Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole were taunted when
England visited.
Few countries can boast exclusive occupancy of the moral high ground.
England's cause would be helped by a tough response from the courts. And
when the police do lead the convicted thugs off to prison, they could do
worse than pull in at Headley Court and introduce them to some real men,
military personnel returned from Helmand and Basra with limbs missing and
nerves shredded yet bravely determined to rebuild their lives.
Arrests on the increase
2007-08
Arrests: 3,842
Banning orders: 3,172
Violent offences: 373
2006-07
Arrests: 3,788
Banning orders: 3,203
Violent offences: 337
2005-06
Arrests: 3,462
Banning orders: 3,387
Violent offences: 339
2004-05
Arrests: 3,628
Banning orders: 3,153
Violent offences: 428
2003-04
Arrests: 3,982
Banning orders: 2,596
Violent offences: 593
Home Office figures. 2008-9 unavailable
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Peer pressure not legislation is the solution to football hooliganism
If anyone had fallen for the lie that hooliganism was a thing of the past,
then Tuesday night's events at Upton Park were yet another example of how
the authorities are not exactly forthcoming when it comes to the truth.
Telegraph.co.,uk
By Dougie Brimson
Published: 8:00AM BST 27 Aug 2009
They are, however, very good at suppressing it. For the simple reality is
that while a seemingly endless stream of legislation has had a significant
impact on the amount of hooliganism we see in and around our football
grounds, the mindset of those fans who are a part of the violent minority
hasn't changed one jot. Sport on television And make no mistake, those guys
running around on the Upton Park pitch, hurling abuse or even bricks at
rival fans or the police are, above all, fans. The post-Fever Pitch/Sky TV
watching fan might not agree with that and will certainly not like it, but
it is a fact. Many would even argue that the 'hooligans' are the ultimate
manifestation of fan culture because their addiction to their club is
lifelong and they are even prepared to fight for it. Maybe not as regularly
as they used to in the Seventies and Eighties, but when the elements of
history and hate collide...no problem. Yes it's stupid, yes it's irrational,
but yes, it still happens. And it will continue to happen until someone
finally realises that legislation on its own is no answer to the hooligan
problem and never can be. The authorities, especially those who run our
clubs and our game, have to understand that the key to dealing with the
hooligan issue does not simply lie with the law, it lies with the vast
majority, the law-abiding fans. Peer pressure is the only thing that will
ever bring about an end to violence at football, just as it brought about an
end to racism and changed the image of those who follow the England side
abroad. Where both were once blights on the game, now we rarely even think
of them so positive has been the change. Maybe the fact that Tuesday night's
events caused such shock is a good thing because maybe, just maybe, someone
will finally accept that what they are doing just isn't working and, with a
World Cup bid on the horizon, look toward trying something new. But no
matter how bad the violence was, hearing the trouble at Upton Park described
as being akin to a war zone has left me somewhat irritated. As someone who
has experience of both the military and the hooligan world, while parts of
east London might not exactly be welcoming, I'd still rather take a stroll
along Green Street than in Helmand Province, even when West Ham are playing
Millwall.
Dougie Brimson, a hooligan turned anti-violence campaigner, is the author of
several books and screenplays on football violence including the film Green
Street
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West Ham's Carlton Cole suffers monkey taunts during night of mayhem at
Upton Park
Carlton Cole has spoken of the despicable monkey chants that added a new
level of nastiness to the mayhem at Upton Park on Tuesday night.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Oliver Brown
Published: 7:45AM BST 27 Aug 2009
The West Ham striker was racially abused by a small number of Millwall fans
during the poisonous second round Carling Cup match but reacted defiantly,
saying: "I heard it, I don't care. I might be as strong as a gorilla but I'm
not a monkey." As the Football Association promised to investigate the
violence surrounding the match, which involved one stabbing and three pitch
invasions, and to punish any hooligans identified with life bans, Cole
disclosed that he had been the subject of vicious racist taunts. Sport on
television The forward appeared to gesture towards Millwall supporters in
the lower tier of the Trevor Brooking Stand upon his substitution, and the
FA are expected to examine his allegations. "I know I'm not a monkey but
that's life, isn't it," he said, describing the game as the most turbulent
he had ever been involved in. "As you get bigger in football, you're going
to get taunts. It's about mental toughness. You just have to carry on with
your game."
It is understood that the racist abuse on the night was not confined solely
to the away end, with Millwall midfielder Jason Price also targeted by a
minority of West Ham fans.
Millwall alluded to the treatment of Price in a statement yesterday, which
read: "Millwall Football Club condemn racist abuse by supporters of both
sides on Tuesday night.
"There is no place for racism in society and both Millwall and West Ham work
tirelessly in our respective communities to tackle this problem." A West Ham
spokesman added: "We take any sort of racist chanting seriously. If found
guilty, we will treat that with the utmost severity."
Millwall striker Neil Harris believes there would have been greater outrage
if it had been visiting fans invading the pitch instead of West Ham
supporters. "It was extremely hostile and volatile," Harris said. "All my
concern was for my team-mates. It wasn't very pleasant. We've had it at
Millwall when fans come on to celebrate and everyone makes a big hoo-ha
about it. I'm sure if it was our fans on the pitch people would be very keen
to report that."
West Ham are rejecting any accusations that they were unprepared for the
violence that attended the Millwall match, stressing that a meeting of their
safety advisory board was held as soon as the draw had been made. But given
that it was their fans who triggered most of the trouble, they are
susceptible to FA sanctions, with ejection from the Carling Cup at the top
end of the scale. Metropolitan Police intelligence and preparations for
meetings between West Ham and Millwall have improved vastly, particularly at
The Den.
At Upton Park, though, the Metropolitan Police were caught out by the
restriction that they had imposed on the number of away fans. Millwall were
unhappy at their original allocation of 1,500 tickets, later raised to
2,300, which, for a club with nearly 5,000 season ticketholders, resulted in
hundreds of ticketless fans travelling to the West Ham area intent on
violence. There was still praise on Wednesday for the response of the
police, in the teeth of provocation from hooligans throwing bottles and
bricks. Ron Boldwell, licensee of the Queen's pub by Upton Park tube
station, where most of the unrest was concentrated, said: "I don't know how
they held themselves together the way they did."
There were more than 500 police on duty around the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday
night, including three times the normal number of mounted officers.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vinny's Millwall Report
Vinny - Wed Aug 26 2009
West Ham Online
League Cup 2nd Round
West Ham United 3 Millwall 1 (After extra time)
This was a night that both West Ham and Millwall supporters will not forget
for a very long time. There has been so much said already about the violence
and how it was shameful night for football. Whilst I do not condone the
violence it came as no real shock because this was a game against two of the
fiercest rivals in the country.
Of course the press will say this is a shameful night for football and there
will be a panic that football violence is making it's return. On the radio
coming home last night there were West Ham 'fans' saying that that they
would never take their kids to another West Ham game and that they had their
children in tears during the trouble but really how naïve can you be to take
a child to a game like this?
This isn't the comeback of football violence. West Ham have no trouble at
any of their home games whether we are playing Tottenham, Manchester United
or Chelsea. This game was a one off and that is part of the reason it all
went off like it did. It won't happen again, and we will so go back to the
poor atmosphere and sanitised nature of the Premiership.
There was a football game amongst the trouble and it saw West Ham look
second best for the majority of the ninety minutes. Millwall played us off
the park in the first half and when they look back on the actual game they
will be very disappointed that they did not win this game as they made us
look very average.
Where I sit (in the West Stand corner near the away supporters) I didn't
manage to even see our equaliser. Mid way through the second half it all
went off with the fans trying to get onto the pitch. I'll be honest, I don't
know where everyone was really trying to get to.
I can only comment on the trouble inside the ground as I did not see what
was going on outside. The stewards were not prepared and really they
shouldn't have had to deal with it. What should have happened is that more
police were there to do the job of the stewards because I can't imagine
things would have got so out of hand than it did.
It is easy to forget that there was a football game and a pretty dire one at
that from a West Ham perspective. Gianfranco Zola made a number of changes
to the side who started against Tottenham last Sunday.
In defence, James Tomkins and Danny Gabbidon came in for James Collins and
Matthew Upson. In midfield there was no Jimenez or Mark Noble. In came
Kovac, and a full debut for Josh Payne who took his place on the right wing
(although I was under the impression he was a centre midfielder).
This saw us play one up front - against League One Millwall. This was the
first mistake of the evening by Zola. Why was there a need to play one up
front? He has proven he did not mind playing a youngster in Payne so why
would you not pick Hines or Nouble?
I would go as far to say that the first half was one of the worst halves of
football I have ever seen a West Ham team play. The level of performance was
pretty disgusting and I could not believe that we were going to let Millwall
dominate.
The atmosphere was brilliant with both sides engaging in good banter. We
were taking the piss out of them and they were equally taking the piss out
of us.
Millwall quickly found our weakness in Jonathan Spector and Millwall winger
tore him apart for most of the game putting in an impressive performance.
West Ham youth team product Gary Alexander saw his header go just over the
bar but it would only be a few minutes later when Millwall would take the
lead.
The goal came from a long throw from Barron and although I thought Tomkins
may have got a push in the back the ball fell to striker Neil Harris who
finished from a few yards out to send the Millwall supporters mad.
The way that we had been playing and the way Millwall had looked to attack
us saw the visitors taking a deserved lead and despite the obvious dislike
for Millwall manager Kenny Jackett has them playing some decent football.
We continued to look awful and out best chance came from a surging run
through the middle by Scott Parker but his shot went over the bar.
Cole was isolated up front and when the ball was played into him his control
continued to let him down and we were always giving possession back to
Millwall.
Half time was greeted by a chorus of boos from the West Ham fans as the
Millwall supporters taunted us and looked very happy with their first half
performance. All my hopes of stuffing Millwall had been dashed by that first
half performance. I had been hoping for revenge for the last few encounters
with our South London rivals but so far it was they who looked stronger.
Zola made a change at half time as he took off the out of his depth Josh
Payne and replaced him with Zavon Hines. This saw us go to a normal 4-4-2
just as it should have been at the start. I was and still am pretty annoyed
with Zola for his starting line up. I just cannot understand what he was
trying to do and bringing on Hines was an admission of how wrong he had got
it.
Hines offered us pace and looked lively throughout his performance. He and
Stanislas linked up well and although we did look better in the second half
we still struggled to create chances with only a couple of clear cut
opportunities coming our way.
One of those chances came very early into the second half as Hines played
the ball to the edge of the area for Collison to take a touch and hit a
powerful shot with his left foot which crashed off the post.
With time ticking away Zola sent on Frank Nouble replacing the awful Kovac
as we went to three up front. But the chances would not come and it was
Millwall who looked more likely to grab a goal with a superb shot from Laird
going just wide and into the side netting.
Another chance came the way of Millwall as Hackett tested Robert Green with
a great effort with England Number One having to tip over the bar.
It was around this point where the trouble began as the West Ham fans in the
corner of the West Stand piled down to the front and seemed to be fighting
to get onto the pitch. The stewards did there best to stop people but it
didn't seem to be enough and fights were breaking out. The riot police piled
in and began to use their batons heavily on a number of West Ham supporters.
More fans rushed to the front and things were really beginning to heat up.
The police and stewards looked very uneasy and things were reaching boiling
point.
The worst thing from a police point of view was that West Ham would score.
By now there were only three minutes to go and I like many others were not
even looking at the game. I completely missed our equaliser and can only
comment from the replays.
A cross from Faubert went to the back post missing everyone but there was
Junior Stanislas to finish really well on the bounce to commence scenes at
Upton Park which I have never seen.
Where I was it was pandemonium and fans spilled onto the pitch from the
Bobby Moore Stand and the East Stand. The game was delayed for a number of
minutes as the ground erupted into a type of jubilation I have never seen
and may never seen again.
The Millwall fans were obviously gutted by this very late goal and seemed a
bit shocked by it all. Their fans including our new friend Eddie Murphy
looked straight forward at the pitch with their early bravado seemingly
gone.
Six minutes of stoppage time were awarded but no one could find the winner
and the game went into extra time.
The small break gave everyone time to take a deep breath but the excitement
off and on the pitch would not end there as extra time saw West Ham get the
better of Millwall and win the tie.
Eight minutes into the first half of extra time we took the lead when Hines
won a penalty as his cross was handled. Stepping up to take the penalty was
Junior Stanislas who made no mistake to send Upton Park wild once more.
Another pitch invasion followed the goal and a few fans were even taunting
the Millwall players.
Just a couple of minutes after taking the lead another goal came and this
was the goal of the night. The ball was fed into Hines who found himself
with just the defender and goal keeper to beat. His pace took him past the
defender and his finish was fantastic. Hines had really made the difference
in this game and he should have been playing from the start.
As a contest that was game over and the second half of extra time was just
an opportunity to taunt the Millwall fans. Even Carlton Cole got into the
spirit with a wanker sign aimed at the 'Wall support although this may have
been due to the monkey chants which apparently came from the classy lot from
South of the river.
The game ended, the Millwall fans were kept in after the final whistle and
the tension outside the ground was something felt by just about everyone.
News of stabbings had spread like wild fire and there was a nervousness when
leaving.
West Ham had prevailed on the pitch to the next round of the League Cup but
no one will be forgetting this game any time soon.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Had to make quite a few saves and come for a fair amount of crosses as
Millwall looked more dangerous than first thought.
Julien Faubert
He has showed he can be physical when going in for a challenge and looked
quite good going forward. His cross made the equaliser and he was unlucky
not to score when he was played through in the first half of extra time.
James Tomkins
Making his first start of the season Tomkins looked good especially in the
second half when he was calm on the ball and won most things in the air.
Danny Gabbidon
The last time Gabbidon started in a competitive match was in the League Cup
two seasons ago against Everton. He has finally made it back to fitness
although I thought this was a rusty performance and his distribution was
quite poor.
Jonathan Spector
Our worst player. Was torn apart by the Millwall winger and I cannot
understand why he did not start Deprala. I mean wasn't he purchased to be
cover for Ilunga? Yet we play an average at best right back at left back? We
cannot play Spector any more.
Josh Payne
As I said earlier I had been under the impression that he was a centre
midfielder so him starting on the right hand side did seem odd when there
were other options. Payne was awful and was rightly hauled off at half time.
Scott Parker
He tried to put himself about but our midfield were not very good throughout
the game. Parker did well in the first half despite the performance of the
team being pretty bad but he got a bit lost in the second period which saw
him do his running around in circles thing that he occasionally does.
Jack Collison
I don't know if it was just me but I could not quite believe he was playing.
I was shocked he agreed to play and even more shocked that Zola would have
even wanted him in the team. What has happened to him this week was terrible
and I cannot imagine what he must be going through. Just like him even
playing I think it would inappropriate to even comment on his performance.
Radoslav Kovac
Absolute pure sh*t. He was truly awful.
Junior Stanislas
When he got going he was our most dangerous player. One of the only players
who looked to move forward with the ball when he got the ball. I thought he
was poor in the first half but with Hines on the pitch he seemed to work
better in the second half and ended up getting the equaliser. Loved it when
he gave some to the Millwall support when he got that goal and also ended up
scoring a second from the penalty spot.
Carlton Cole
A very tough night for Cole who was surrounded by two or three Millwall
players when he got the ball. Never seemed to get the chance to break free
and get in behind the Millwall defence.
Subs Used
Zavon Hines (on for Payne 46 mins)
Changed the game. Gave us urgency going forward and although he was little
over eager in the early stages of the second half he got better and better.
Won the penalty and scored the third goal with a terrific finish. He must be
nearing a first team start surely.
Frank Nouble (on for Kovac 62 mins)
An impressive showing from the big forward who was very unlucky not to have
scored but for a wonderful tackle. Looked very strong and continues to
impress me.
Matthew Upson (on for Cole 109 mins)
When he came on we went to a 4-4-2 with Nouble and Hines as the front two.
Upson was there a few times to make a few clearances and interceptions.
Subs Not Used: Kurucz, Collins, Daprela, Lee
Bookings: Gabbidon, Parker, Collison, Cole
Man Of The Match: Zavon Hines
Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Barron, Fuseini, Frampton, Smith, Martin (Price,
90mins), Laird, Harris (Grimes, 99mins), Alexander (Bolder, 99mins),
Hackett. Sub not used: Sullivan.
Overall
Last season West Ham played Macclesfield in this round of the league cup and
we went 1-0 down. Before we equalised the West Ham fans were chanting "Harry
Redknapp's Claret & Blue Army" in the direction of manager Alan Curbishley.
How a year can change things.
Tonight, Zola got it all wrong and was very close to losing us a game
against our most bitter rivals. I hear Zola condemning all the trouble and
that he did not really understand the rivalry between the two clubs. I hope
he finally gets it now.
West Ham as a team were awful and Millwall were pretty unlucky not to come
away with the victory. But there will be little talk about the on the pitch
events as the trouble off it will be what everyone discusses for quite some
time.
I am too young to remember the games in the 70's and 80's and although I
have always been aware of the dislike between the two clubs this was
something I have never seen in my life at a football game and I know I
should not have but I cannot help but feeling a sense of excitement to what
I witnessed inside the ground.
It was the best atmosphere at Upton Park I have ever witnessed. The trouble
outside the ground is something different as a lot of that involved people
who were not even going to the game. I have been made aware of a some of the
events outside the ground from the Millwall perspective where the trouble
had commenced well away from the ground.
Many of them were let out at Plaistow where they were separated and picked
on by West Ham fans (who were not attending the game) asking them 'are you
Millwall?'. A man with his nephew replied 'yeah', only for multiple West Ham
'fans' to commence in beating the shit out of him. This wasn't just a
beating as the man had been stabbed in the process.
When I say I left the game on a high I am referring to what was happening
inside the ground. What happened outside was something that didn't even have
anything to do with football and that I cannot condone because there were
many West Ham and Millwall there with no intention of going into the ground.
Next Game - Blackburn Rovers (a)
Hopefully we will see the return of Noble, Dyer and Jimenez because we
simply do not have the strength in depth. We will really need to play some
football to beat Blackburn as they will really give us a rough time in the
physical performance. We have to stand up and be counted and if a couple of
our players do not fancy it we will lose.
So there we have it, West Ham vs. Millwall 2009. We might not play Millwall
for a very long time but I would think in 20 years time this night will
still be talked about.
Real football violence is gone from football. It only exists when West Ham
play Millwall.
And it always will.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
HAMMERS WAIT ON PUNISHMENT
Posted 27/08/09 08:57EmailPrintSave
Football365.co.uk
West Ham must wait to hear whether they will face sanctions over the crowd
trouble that marred Tuesday's Carling Cup tie with Millwall. One man was
stabbed as trouble flared outside Upton Park prior to kick-off while police
also needed to intervene to quell numerous disturbances during the game. On
Wednesday the Football Association launched an investigation into the
violence while both clubs also pledged to probe the ugly scenes. All three
parties have vowed any culprits identified will face life bans while police
inquiries could lead to criminal proceedings against individuals. There have
also been calls for any investigations to include all aspects of planning
for a match between two local rivals that always had the potential for
trouble. Both clubs, and particularly West Ham, could find themselves under
the FA's microscope concerning the conduct of their supporters. Former West
Ham defender Julian Dicks felt the actions of the so-called fans tarnished
the name of his old club. Dicks told BBC Radio Five Live: "I thought it was
absolutely disgraceful.
"I know West Ham and Millwall fans have grievances between themselves but
there is no call for what happened. "There is a lot of hatred between
Millwall and West Ham, so it wasn't a great surprise, but it wasn't a nice
thing to watch. It was pretty sickening. "People who do that are not West
Ham fans and are not football fans. "At the end of the day most West Ham
fans are there to watch them play football."
Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has been among the most outspoken about what
occurred. Sutcliffe said: "The scenes were a disgrace to football. "I
completely back the FA's call for any person identified as involved in the
violence to be banned for life and urge full and swift co-operation from all
parties in the investigation into what happened. "We have made great
progress in the past 20 years in tackling football hooliganism in this
country and we will not tolerate any return to the dark days of the 70s and
80s when it plagued the game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jackett defends Millwall fans
Viewlondon.co.uk
Manager Kenny Jackett has defended the behaviour of Millwall supporters in
the aftermath of the trouble at Upton Park last night. One man was stabbed
and 13 arrests were made after violence and trouble marred West Ham's 3-1
Carling Cup second-round victory over Millwall. Jackett said: "I didn't fear
for my own safety. "There were no Millwall fans on the pitch. They stayed
where they were supposed to. "There were a lot of people on the pitch. The
lads gathered together and came to the sides, as they should have.
"I wasn't aware of the stabbing outside the ground. I'm very sad to hear
that. We've got a passionate game in this country, but when it oversteps the
mark then things have to be done." The FA and Metropolitan police have both
confirmed investigations into the trouble, and both clubs have released
official statements condemning the violence.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dicks condemns 'sickening' scenes
TeamTalk
West Ham must wait to hear whether they will face sanctions over the crowd
trouble that marred Tuesday's Carling Cup tie with Millwall. One man was
stabbed as trouble flared outside Upton Park prior to kick-off while police
also needed to intervene to quell numerous disturbances during the game. The
Football Association has launched an investigation into the violence while
both clubs also pledged to probe the ugly scenes. All three parties have
vowed any culprits identified will face life bans while police inquiries
could lead to criminal proceedings against individuals. There have also been
calls for any investigations to include all aspects of planning for a match
between two local rivals that always had the potential for trouble. Both
clubs, and particularly West Ham, could find themselves under the FA's
microscope concerning the conduct of their supporters. Former West Ham
defender Julian Dicks felt the actions of the so-called fans tarnished the
name of his old club. Dicks told BBC Radio Five Live: "I thought it was
absolutely disgraceful. "I know West Ham and Millwall fans have grievances
between themselves but there is no call for what happened. "There is a lot
of hatred between Millwall and West Ham, so it wasn't a great surprise, but
it wasn't a nice thing to watch. It was pretty sickening. "People who do
that are not West Ham fans and are not football fans. "At the end of the
day, most West Ham fans are there to watch them play football."
Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has been among the most outspoken about what
occurred. Sutcliffe said: "The scenes were a disgrace to football. "I
completely back the FA's call for any person identified as involved in the
violence to be banned for life and urge full and swift co-operation from all
parties in the investigation into what happened. "We have made great
progress in the past 20 years in tackling football hooliganism in this
country and we will not tolerate any return to the dark days of the 70s and
80s when it plagued the game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Neil Harris: Our fans were fantastic at Upton Park
Southlondontoday.co.uk
Thursday, 27 August 2009
By Toby Porter
LIONS legend Neil Harris has praised the Millwall fans for their restraint
in the teeth of huge provocation at Tuesday night's Carling Cup tie at West
Ham. The 32-year-old striker, in his ninth season at The Den and the club's
record goalscorer, wanted to speak out publicly about the "fantastic"
support the team got in their 3-1 second round defeat at Upton Park. "The
fans were a credit to the club and to themselves," said Harris. "They behave
impeccably. "They really got behind us and gave us a big boost in an
extremely hostile atmosphere."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
When Alvin Martin Made Paul Ince Cry
West Ham Till I Die
I've just finished reading Mark Ward's excellent autobiography, which I'll
review sometime over the next week. But I thought you'd enjoy this little
extract about our beloved former Guvnor, Mr Ince…
Paul Ince was a cocky young kid. I liked that in a player… He was nowhere
near the hardman he portrayed himself to be. Once, after an argument over a
game of cards on the team bus, Paul came running to me with a bloody lip.
"Wardy, David Kelly has just punched me in the mouth. What should I do?" I
was shocked, as Kelly was the last man you would think of punching anybody.
I told Paul he should have given him a dig back.
Alvin [Martin] put him in his place in the old fashioned way. We were
getting beaten on the plastic pitch at Luton and Alvin barked at Incey to
keep it simple. To which the petulent, young midfielder retaliated with
"F*** off, you Scouse c***." I heard him say it and thought, 'You've
overstepped the mark there, Paul'.
The whistle blew for half time… Paul was just in front of me walking up the
tunnel when a big hand pushed me to one side. Alvin grabbed Incey and held
him up against the wall. Unbelievably, he then head-butted Incey right in
the face and let him fall to the floor. "Don't ever speak like that to me
again," Alvin told him.
Paul picked himself up and we all sat waiting for John to give his half time
team tak. Incey was crying and John asked what had gone on. Alvin said,
"Don't worry, John. It's sorted."
I just hope Paul remembers his own attitude when he was young and can become
the successful manager he hopes to be.
The rest of the book is a cracking read. Buy it here
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/iaindalesdiar2-21/detail/0955934028
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Harris Terror at pitch invasions
The Sun
Published: Today
NEIL HARRIS revealed he feared for his safety at Upton Park on Tuesday. West
Ham fans invaded the pitch three times during the shameful Carling Cup tie
with Millwall. Lions striker Harris said: "It was extremely hostile and
volatile. My concern was for my team-mates. "At one stage it wasn't very
pleasant. "We've had it at Millwall when fans come on to celebrate and
everyone makes a big hoo-ha about it. "Anything can happen when they are on
the pitch but most of the time fans are on the pitch to celebrate a goal,
not to attack players. "I've played in big local derbies and red-hot
atmospheres. They are terrific games to play in. "It means so much to the
supporters but sometimes they get a little bit over-zealous."
GERRY SUTCLIFFE has described the violent scenes at Tuesday's West Ham match
as 'a disgrace to football'. Sports Minister Sutcliffe also backed life bans
for those involved.
He said: "The scenes were an absolute disgrace to football. "I completely
back the FA's call for any person identified as involved in the violence to
be banned for life. "I also urge full and swift co-operation from all
parties in the investigation into what happened. "In the past 20 years, we
have made great progress in tackling football hooliganism and we will not
tolerate any return to the dark days of the 70s and 80s when it plagued the
game. "We will never be complacent in the fight against football violence."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Triesman appeal to get tough
The Sun
By SHAUN CUSTIS
Published: Today
FA chairman Lord Triesman last night urged the courts to deal as severely as
possible with the yobs who wreaked havoc at Upton Park on Tuesday. Triesman
was shocked at the scenes before, during and after the Carling Cup tie
between West Ham and Millwall. And the FA supremo said: "Like everyone else,
I was horrified and appalled by what took place at West Ham. "If CCTV and
other evidence can prove who has caused this, then football and the courts
must take the strongest action against them. "They must be banned from the
game and I would hope the courts would hand out the most severe sentences
possible. "Football has worked very hard to make our game one which is safe
and enjoyable for everyone. "There will be a full and thorough inquiry and
we must hope this was merely a blip."
Football Supporters Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke, due to meet FA chief
executive Ian Watmore today, said: "I can assure you the vast majority of
Millwall and West Ham fans will be as horrified by these events as everybody
else. "I'm quite sure this will now be on the agenda of our meeting."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Never Again
The Sun
HARRY REDKNAPP - Columnist
Published: Today
I'M feeling sick to the very pit of my stomach after watching those
disgusting scenes of so-called fans rioting at West Ham's Carling Cup match
with Millwall. Right and proper people should never give in to violence. And
I don't like saying this but I am afraid there is only one answer if the
Hammers and Lions are ever drawn to face each other again - put the balls
back in the hat and draw them out again. When the two names were drawn
together, it was just asking for trouble and that is exactly what we got
because of the history between them. And if they ever meet in the League
then the game should be played behind closed doors because the human cost of
these kind of disturbances is just too high to bear any longer. There's the
physical price you have to pay of high-profile policing and the cost to
local shopkeepers but it's the emotional price that's the highest of all.
How many young fans at that game at Upton Park have been put off for life of
ever seeing another football match by the stupid violence? How many decent
fathers and mothers, who took their kids along for a school summer holiday
treat, have already agreed that any football ground is now out of bounds
because of what might happen? Of course the blame game is now being played
out as both clubs are quizzed and police levels are questioned with most
hoping this was an isolated incident - a one-off. But I can tell you exactly
how many of those mindless morons responsible for the mayhem will be holding
their heads in shame today - NONE. And that's because these idiots have no
place in the game whatsoever. They turn up simply to chant insults.
They wouldn't know a goalline from a clothes line and if they are ever asked
what went on in a match, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be able to tell you.
There was a group of Hammers fans who used to create trouble back in the
1970s and I can vividly recall being caught up in one violent incident that
involved Millwall fans. I'd returned from America and was walking along
minding my own business. Outside the station, there were lots of lads
wearing the big bovver boots marching along towards the ground, then
suddenly they were attacked by rival supporters. Missiles were thrown
through the air, you could hear glass being broken and I don't mind
admitting it - yes I was scared. That wasn't the West Ham I was brought up
with, nor were the scenes on Tuesday night. They belong in the Dark Ages.
But these nutters have a nasty habit of turning up like a bad penny. Real
West Ham fans are the most knowledgable in the game, you always used to get
banter from the crowd, Cockneys who love their football. But when I saw
someone running around wearing Bobby Moore's old shirt with the No 6 on the
back I could only say 'My God.' I found it all so horrific. Those people
cannot love their football. They're not interested in seeing skill or
puffing out their chests in pride at what their team achieve. No. All those
nutters are interested in is aggro and they should be kicked out. Watching
the TV pictures, you have to say that it was all pretty well planned,
organised violence without a doubt. It's a crying shame for West Ham, a club
with great tradition. Fans give the club fantastic support, real
salt-of-the-earth people who know the meaning of the word decency and where
to draw the line. They go to football for a day out, not to turn up and
chant filth at players or anyone in the opposing dug-out. I sincerely hope
it was a one-off but we are seeing increasing signs of this hooliganism on
the Continent. Italy has it, Holland has it and Germany has had it but one
thing is for sure - we don't want it back here after all the hard graft
football authorities and clubs have put in to get rid of it.
Will it ever go away forever? I was starting to think that maybe it had. But
Tuesday night has brought it all back into a sharp focus that we can never
take things for granted.
HARRY REDKNAPP was talking to PAT SHEEHAN
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Violent scenes a reminder of dark history that game hoped was consigned to
past Tom Dart
The Times
The violence at Upton Park on Tuesday night sparked memories of ugly scenes
from the Seventies for older football fans, but also had resonance for
younger generations who are more likely to have seen hooliganism in the
cinema than in the flesh.
Books about hooliganism, often written by reformed hooligans, have exploded
in popularity in the past decade and several have been made into films.
Green Street was released in 2005 and starred Elijah Wood as an American who
moves to London and is befriended by West Ham United-supporting hooligans.
The film's climax is a bloody battle between West Ham and Millwall "firms".
Dougie Brimson, an author and hooliganism expert who co-wrote the story and
screenplay, said: "Hooliganism is about two things — history and hate."
Those ingredients created a toxic brew on Tuesday as one of football's
oldest and fiercest rivalries erupted.
Green Street focused on West Ham and Millwall because of the clubs' infamous
reputations. "When I wrote Green Street, it was initially about Tottenham
and Arsenal, but when it reached the point where \ became involved, I
changed it to West Ham and Millwall — they were the clubs everybody 'got',"
Brimson said.
Another recent film, The Football Factory (2004), features Millwall
hooligans preparing for a fight against a Chelsea "firm" when the clubs are
drawn together in the FA Cup.
"Unfortunately, rightly or wrongly, Millwall is synonymous with the word
'hooligan', though they've done a phenomenal amount of work to try and put
that right," Brimson said.
"Banning orders have been tried, but you can't legislate against this
culture.
"As soon as the tie was drawn out of the hat it was inevitable there was
going to be trouble, but the severity inside the ground was quite a
surprise. There was tension in a footballing sense as well because of West
Ham's late equaliser. The history goes back for years — it's a local derby
in a part of London that's always been tough."
The rivalry began with the clubs' origins as works teams formed by East End
dockers and shipbuilders. Millwall were founded in 1885 on the Isle of Dogs
and West Ham born a decade later as Thames Ironworks FC. Given the teams'
close proximity, they played each other frequently.
Local pride was at stake and industrial disputes and economic problems
caused by the decline of the shipping industry increased the rivalry. During
the General Strike in 1926, the Millwall docks carried on working, which
infuriated other dockers at Canning Town who were loyal to West Ham.
In 1910, Millwall moved to a ground south of the river, in New Cross, adding
an East End-versus-South London component to the rivalry. In the 1950s and
1960s, the East End suffered from serious social problems and became
notorious for gang violence at the same time as football hooliganism emerged
as a serious worry. Organised "firms" were formed, often with links to
far-Right groups that saw grounds as ideal recruiting territory. By the
1980s, West Ham had the Inter City Firm; Millwall, the Bushwackers.
Hooligan groups often arranged fights away from stadiums, but there was also
serious disorder during matches. That West Ham and Millwall rarely meet on
the pitch gives added intensity to games.
There were 70 arrests and many injuries when the clubs met at Upton Park in
October 1978. One of the most notorious derbies was a 1972 testimonial at
The Den for Harry Cripps, a Millwall defender, which played host to brutal
fighting. In 1976, a Millwall fan died at New Cross station after falling
from a train during a scuffle with West Ham supporters. "The severity of the
violence stems from that," Brimson said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham and Millwall face heavy fines but avoid threat of expulsion
The Times
Oliver Kay Football Correspondent, Gary Jacob
West Ham United will not be expelled from the Carling Cup as punishment for
the violent clashes that marred their victory over Millwall.
The club do, however, face the threat of a heavy fine and even being forced
to play a tie behind closed doors if they cannot prove they made adequate
security arrangements for Tuesday's second-round match at home to Millwall.
The Barclays Premier League club held an emergency meeting yesterday and
have begun their own investigation into the shocking events of Tuesday, when
rival supporters clashed outside and inside Upton Park before, during and
after their 3-1 victory. Thirteen arrests were made on the night and a
44-year-old man was stabbed in the chest.
West Ham officials are scrutinising eyewitness accounts and video footage,
including CCTV pictures and mobile-phone footage uploaded on to the
internet, and have promised lifelong banning orders for anyone found
responsible for the disturbances, including three separate pitch invasions.
But, with the FA launching its own investigation, which is likely to lead to
both clubs being charged with failing to control their supporters, West Ham
are also under pressure to prove they made adequate security arrangements
for a fixture that has a history of crowd trouble.
"It was a serious incident and that's why all the football authorities have
reacted with condemnation and determination to get to the bottom of the
incident and to make sure those responsible are brought to book for it,"
Andy Williamson, the Football League's chief operating officer, said. "We
have to bring together the facts. West Ham, for example, have to demonstrate
that they took all reasonable precautions and took the appropriate security
advice."
West Ham have received the backing of the Metropolitan Police. "Police
worked closely with West Ham United, British Transport Police and the local
authority to minimise disorder," Chief Superintendent Steve Wisbey said. "It
would appear that a small number of supporters were intent on causing a
confrontation."
More than 500 police were on duty and three times the usual number of
mounted officers. West Ham were praised by the police force for their
stewards' work in preventing Millwall fans spilling on to the pitch. While
there has been criticism that the stewards did not deal more forcefully with
home supporters who invaded the pitch, stewards are advised not to trap fans
in confined spaces and to allow them on to the pitch if necessary.
As the investigations began, West Ham and Millwall pointed the finger of
blame at each other, with both clubs accusing rival fans of making racist
chants at black players.
In addition to his club's claim that hundreds of seats were ripped out by
Millwall supporters in the second half, Carlton Cole, the West Ham forward,
said that he had been the victim of racist abuse, specifically monkey
chants. "I heard it but it's football," Cole said. "I don't care. I might be
as strong as a gorilla but I'm not a monkey."
Millwall counter-claimed that Jason Price, their forward, was similarly
abused, referring in a statement to "racist abuse by supporters of both
sides". The Coca-Cola League One club were unhappy that the Metropolitan
Police restricted their ticket allocation for the match to 2,300. Under
Carling Cup rules, the away club are entitled to 15 per cent of the total
allocation, which at Upton Park equates to just over 5,000 seats.
Both clubs agreed to reduce that allocation to 3,000, in view of the
potential for trouble, but when that figure was reduced farther on police
advice last week, Millwall complained to the Football League and to West
Ham, arguing that some fans would travel without tickets, which could
heighten the threat of a disturbance.
The FA is determined to get to the bottom of the trouble, conscious that the
ugly scenes, beamed around the world, might raise fears of a renewed
outbreak of "the English disease" of hooliganism at a time when the country
is eager to project its football in a positive light while bidding to host
the 2018 World Cup finals.
Ugly reminders
The scourge of crowd trouble has never been completely eradicated from the
English game. Incidents at Premier League grounds have been few and far
between in recent years, however.
August 22, 2009 Punches, bottles and coins are thrown outside the South
Stand of the Riverside Stadium after Middlesbrough's 2-0 victory over
Doncaster Rovers, which had been designated a "police-free" match.
January 24, 2009 An FA Cup fourth-round tie between Hull City and Millwall
is disrupted by violence inside and outside the KC Stadium. Eight Millwall
supporters are given fines or banning orders and more than 30 are still
being sought by police, while 11 Hull fans have been imprisoned.
October 25, 2008 Sunderland's home victory over Newcastle United is marred
by unrest, with Shay Given confronted by a supporter on the pitch, Joey
Barton pelted with bottles and coins, and fans fighting at the final
whistle. Twenty-nine arrests are made and mounted police officers are struck
by fireworks.
May 14, 2008 About 500 people require hospital treatment after the Uefa Cup
final between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester
Stadium. Forty-six are arrested, a Zenit fan is stabbed and police are
attacked, with one requiring surgery.
Words by George Caulkin
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Avoid panic in dealing with old enemy
The Times
Patrick Barclay, Chief Football Commentator
Say what you like about football; at least the blood isn't fake. And concern
about Tuesday night's riots at Upton Park will be real, too, not just in the
corridors of the FA's new Wembley headquarters but in Downing Street, for
the Government is firmly behind England's bid for the 2018 (or, if that
fails, 2022) World Cup finals.
When Gordon Brown envisaged a "great decade of sport", he had in mind
wholesome Olympic Games with earnest scullers and cyclists and dramatic
World Cup encounters on our doorstep, not the tiresome and time-warped
activities of bottle-hurling and bare-knuckle fighting that made a return
appearance before, during and after the Carling Cup match between West Ham
United and Millwall. But there is no need to panic yet.
Not until a tendency to violence and pitch invasion spreads from the London
boroughs interested in this tainted rivalry to the rest of a country in
which football hooliganism has become small-scale and under control — albeit
at a very considerable public expense that was deemed worthwhile after the
opprobrium heaped on England by the incidents of the 1980s, including the 39
deaths of mainly Italian supporters before a European Cup final between
Juventus and Liverpool.
Last night's events had the look of an isolated recurrence. A lot of things
conspired: the draw, for instance, paired these clubs while rightly ignoring
the darker episodes of their history, which featured a riot at a
testimonial, a death of a Millwall fan under a train and serious
disturbances little more than five years ago when mounted police were
required on the New Den pitch.
The Carling Cup factor also contributed in that it opened the turnstiles for
non-regular attenders, many of whom looked as if they had been watching too
many of those mind-numbing movies about hooligan gangs that somehow endure,
buoyed by nitwit critics who would not know the difference between a real
hooligan and a diseased potato (to be fair, it is not always easy to tell,
even if you have been around football a while).
So, while there will inevitably be calls to punish both clubs, and
especially West Ham because they were the hosts, it seems inappropriate. We
all, including the FA, seem to have been taken by surprise by the severity
of the incidents. It is time to learn and not indulge in recriminations. Any
sentences should be suspended.
The FA will be anxious to know if this is part of a trend because next June,
barring the most radical loss of form since international competition began,
England will arrive in South Africa for the next World Cup. The FA will want
their followers to be treated as guests, not potential criminals, for there
is much in their recent behaviour at tournaments to applaud, not least
evidence that fashion and peer pressure have switched to the side of
civilisation.
Meanwhile, the most urgent requirement is that methods be found of keeping
spectators off the pitch, whether they have malign intent or not. It should
never be forgotten that fences were a key reason for the 96 deaths at
Hillsborough, but they were an offence to the eye even before that. Now we
have stewards preventing players from touching crowds but not, apparently,
ensuring a reciprocal arrangement, at least in extreme circumstances such as
those at West Ham.
Fortunately, they are rare. So punishment should be a matter for the police,
who have a vast array of photographic and video evidence from Upton Park,
and judiciary, backed up by the football authorities with life-banning
orders, which should be automatic. While hooliganism is small, it can be
crushed. And should be. But there is no need for football to beat itself up.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham football riot: 'This was worse than the 1970s'
Sean O'Neill, Crime Editor
The Times
Eyewitness accounts from the streets around Upton Park suggest that Tuesday
night's violence between West Ham and Millwall fans broke out just after
6pm. As a group of away supporters emerged from the Tube under police
escort, a contingent of West Ham supporters outside a pub broke through a
police cordon and the fighting began. In fact, the seeds of this bout of
hooliganism were sown on August 12 when the Carling Cup second round draw
pitted the rival clubs against one another. For football thugs, many of them
now beer-bellied and middle-aged, this was a chance to relive the old days.
West Ham and Millwall had not played each other for more than four years and
this would be an evening kick-off with an opportunity to fuel up on beer
beforehand. Police sources said there were elements of pre-planning and
organisation in the violence. That will have meant little more than text
messages, phone calls and rallying calls on internet chat forums. One
pre-match message is reported to have said: "Make sure you bring your bats
and don't bring your kids."
Sources said yesterday that veterans of West Ham's Inter-City Firm hooligan
gang had been trying to arrange a clash with Millwall fans for 3pm. When
that failed to materialise they settled on a spontaneous assault on the away
fans. There was no doubt, law-abiding supporters said, that many of those
involved in the fighting had no intention of attending the game. One fan
said: "The West Ham seats were not full by any means and there were tickets
for sale on the day — a lot of these people had no interest in the match,
they were there for the fight."
Once their lines had been breached, the police faced an uphill battle to
restore order as fighting raged in the streets around the stadium. Hamad
Kham, 26, a shopkeeper, said: "I've been here 20 years and I've never seen
anything like it before. There were a handful of ringleaders and they were
pumped up like animals. It was really scary because they were throwing
bricks and bottles outside the shop and some of them were lighting fires
around the corner. "At one point there was a police officer on the floor
getting kicked. I didn't have any of my regulars coming in, they were too
scared. The hooligans were coming in asking for glass bottles to use as
weapons, they didn't care what was in them. "It was going on for hours until
after the kick off so I think a lot of them didn't have tickets."
Staff at the Queen's pub in Green Street said that the fighting was worse
than in the darkest days of football hooliganism in the 1970s. Paul Hunt,
56, from East Ham said: "I have been a West Ham fan all my life and that is
the worst I've ever seen — worse than the Seventies. "I think at least half
of them didn't have tickets at all. They just came down for a row."
Ron Bolwell, 70, the landlord, said: "When I first took over here there was
a match against Millwall but the trouble then was nothing like this. "These
weren't the regular West Ham fans we see. I think it was just a group who
were out looking for trouble. They were baying. I've never seen it like
that. "I saw one man outside knocked unconscious and another man had been
hit over the head with a brick. "There were hundreds of them outside, if not
thousands. The police were outnumbered about 20 to one but they kept it
under control as best they could and you couldn't fault them at all. "I
couldn't believe what they had to put up with; there were bottles and
glasses being thrown on them. Some of the fans were acting like animals."
Mr Bolwell said police asked him to close the pub at 7.30pm so they could
clear the area.
Gary Lucas, 43, whose family has run a local cafe since 1966, said: "It was
really nasty, absolutely terrible. I've not seen anything like it since the
bad old days of the mid-Eighties. They were walking along with bottles in
their hands looking for supporters from the other team so they could attack
them. I saw two lads on the floor with 40 to 50 people all laying into
them."
Mohammed Gulli, 36, who lives in a block of flats overlooking Priory Road —
where a man was stabbed — said it appeared the rival fans had sought out a
backstreet where they could fight without the police seeing them. "There
must have been 60 or 70 of them. They were fighting madly and it looked like
they were even enjoying it. "I didn't see any weapons. Some of them were
throwing bottles but mostly they were just using their fists."
Three injuries have been reported to police. The stabbed man is said to be
in a stable condition while another man was treated for head injuries. There
was one reported assault.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham face ground closure over violence
Carling Cup expulsion also open to FA as inquiry starts
Club must show they could not have stopped trouble
Dominic Fifield guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 26 August 2009 22.40 BST
West Ham United will need to prove to the Football Association they did
everything possible to prevent the ugly crowd scenes that marred Tuesday's
Carling Cup tie against Millwall to stave off the possibility either of
being forced to play behind closed doors or cast from the competition.
The repercussions of a night of violence rumbled on yesterday as the FA,
aware of the eyes of the world being on the English game ahead of a bid for
the 2018 World Cup finals, held preliminary talks with the Football League,
the Metropolitan Police and the two clubs. All parties are conducting their
investigations into the scenes inside and outside the Boleyn Ground, which
saw one man stabbed in the chest in mass brawls outside the arena and three
pitch invasions, with the FA reinforcing its commitment to see all proven
offenders banned from attending games for life.
All potential sanctions are technically available to the FA at present with
the onus very much on West Ham, as the host club, to show they took all
possible measures in advance, in terms of stewarding and policing inside the
stadium, to prevent the trouble that flared. The possibility of the Premier
League club facing a ground closure, of either part or all of Upton Park, or
even being jettisoned from this season's Carling Cup remains, though far
more likely is a heavy fine and a warning as to their supporters' future
conduct given the extensive measures put in place by West Ham to pre-empt
any trouble.
The club had convened an emergency meeting of its safety advisory group as
soon as the draw for the second round had flung together these two sides–
with their inflammatory rivalry – earlier this month, with West Ham having
conformed fully and willingly with everything they were advised to do as
part of that process.
Some 500 police were on duty on Tuesday night, including three times the
normal number of mounted officers, and, while police had to use batons to
quell unrest among home supporters, physical confrontations between rival
fans within the stadium were kept to a minimum.
Only three arrests were made for encroachment on the pitch and, while many
more home fans sprinted on to the turf in the three pitch invasions, the
club are confident they will be able to identify offenders via their closed
circuit television footage and will ban those found guilty for life. The FA
will back those measures and has already gathered reports from its own crowd
control officer, who was at the match, as well as both clubs' safety
officers. "We have to make sure that the individuals concerned face such
tough actions that they cannot go to football again," said the FA's director
of communications, Adrian Bevington.
The West Ham hierarchy spent yesterday in meetings assessing CCTV footage
and collecting witness statements to kick-start their inquiries into the
incidents. "Everyone at the club is shocked and appalled at what happened
and we will leave no stone unturned in identifying the perpetrators, rooting
them out and then taking the proper action from both the police point of
view and the club's," said the West Ham chief executive, Scott Duxbury.
Millwall hinted at disappointment with the police for limiting the number of
tickets available to away supporters to 2,300, the implication being that
more fans therefore travelled to the game without tickets. "Any Millwall
supporter identified as being involved in criminal activity relating to the
events of 25 August will receive an indefinite ban from the club," said a
spokesman. "We trust that all aspects of planning and preparation for this
match will be thoroughly investigated."
While missiles were thrown in the arena, from both sets of supporters, and
home fans invaded the pitch, there remains a deeper sense of shock at the
violence that occurred in the streets around the stadium. A 44-year-old
remained in a stable condition in hospital last night after being stabbed in
the chest on Priory Road, while 13 arrests have been made at present. The
Metropolitan Police continue to study their own CCTV footage to pinpoint
other troublemakers.
West Ham denounced the scenes outside the stadium as "mindless", though the
2018 World Cup bid team, who will find out in December 2010 whether they
have been successful, are confident their prospects for hosting the
tournament have not been severely damaged. "The scenes from Upton Park were
a regrettable but isolated example of a culture that the football community
has worked tirelessly to eradicate from our game," said a spokesman.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole leads condemnation of game's night of shame
West Ham striker criticises racist chanting during Carling Cup tie as both
police and FA underline determination to punish the thugs
By Sam Wallace, Football Correspondent
Independent.co.uk
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Carlton Cole led the way last night in condemning the racist Millwall fans
who showered him with monkey chants during Tuesday's violence-strewn Carling
Cup tie with Millwall. The West Ham striker told them: "I might be as strong
as a gorilla but I'm not a monkey" as English football prepared to tackle
the offenders from a shameful night.
The Football Association said that it would seek lifelong bans for those
West Ham fans who were part of three separate pitch invasions during the
match. The organisation's governance department launched a wide-ranging
investigation into the game that saw pitched battles in the streets outside
the Boleyn Ground before kick-off and a man stabbed outside the ground.
While it was the West Ham fans who were responsible for the pitch invasions
within the stadium, Millwall can also expect sanctions for the behaviour of
their supporters. The League One club apologised for the racist chants aimed
at Cole and they also face allegations that their fans sang offensive songs
about the West Ham player Calum Davenport, who was stabbed last week, and
Jack Collison, whose father died in a motorcycle accident at the weekend.
The FA's director of governance Darren Bailey will take evidence from both
clubs as well as the Metropolitan Police before the governing body decides
upon any sanctions. However, it is understood that neither the FA or the
Football League – who run the Carling Cup – envisage West Ham being thrown
out the competition.
Cole, who gestured back at the Millwall fans abusing him, said that he
"didn't care" about the abuse. "I heard it but it's football," he said. "I
don't care. I know I'm not a monkey. I might be as strong as a gorilla but
I'm not a monkey. You've just got to carry on and get on with it and we got
the result. That was the main point, the [Millwall] fans got what they
deserved."
There was a rush from all sides to condemn the behaviour of supporters
from the FA, Football League, government, 2018 World Cup bid committee and
both clubs. However, there was also a feeling in the game that the antipathy
between the two east London's clubs' sets of fans combined with the rarity
with which they play each other and a history of fan violence at either club
added up to a set of conditions that, although regrettable, were rare in
English football.
The FA will have to work with the Metropolitan Police who are seeking
criminal charges for the 13 people arrested and those later identified as
troublemakers. Under Home Office rules, the FA will seek lifetime bans for
fans who were responsible for violence. "We have to make sure that the
individuals concerned face such tough actions that they can't go to football
again," said FA spokesman Adrian Bevington.
In the latest Home Office statistics on football hooliganism – for the 12
months up to October 2008 – West Ham were only the ninth worst offenders in
the Premier League with 94 arrests for that period. Millwall were second
worst in League One behind Leeds United with 78 arrests. Comparing
statistics between clubs is problematic because of the vast difference in
attendances.
Video footage taken of the incident on Green Street outside The Queens pub,
next to Upton Park tube station, shows mounted police trying to keep rival
factions apart. The police look woefully under-manned when confronted with
the number of supporters posturing at one another. The FA investigation will
also examine whether there were enough police officers at the game to cope
with the potential for violence.
The reaction of West Ham supporters on fan forums was mixed. Some condemned
the violence while others revelled in a return to the days of the club's
notorious "inter-city firm" – a group of supporters who travelled the
country developing a reputation for violence. Much of which has been
recorded in tedious, self-aggrandising hooligan memoirs.
"I'm embarrassed, ashamed and gutted to see what I've come home to on the
news tonight, and the worse thing is we can't blame Millwall," said one
blogger on the WestHamOnline. net forum.
Another added: "This is aimed at those who still think that fighting in and
around our matches is a good thing, who think that defending West Ham's
honour is right and proper. Well it ain't. I thought this ridiculous
behaviour went out of fashion in the Eighties."
However there were many who regarded it as a welcome return to those days.
One blogger on the same forum wrote: "It was the best atmosphere at a home
game for fucking years, the place was buzzing. All these self-righteous
pricks are just post-Euro 96 happy-clappy mugs who love the sterilised
Premier League."
Nights to forget: Recent violence around the world
Millwall v Birmingham, 2 May 2002
Home supporters reacted badly to their side's play-off defeat. Two cars were
set alight in Bermondsey and bricks and paving stones were thrown as 45
policemen were injured.
Chelsea v Tottenham, 11 March 2007
Ten people were stabbed after supporters, armed with knives, bats and hockey
sticks, fought running battles. 34 men were arrested.
Manchester United v Roma, 10 April 2007
Following trouble in the first leg, this Champions League quarter-final tie
reignited outside Old Trafford as United fans threw bottles and cans at
Italian supporters who were undergoing police bag checks.
Rangers v Zenit St Petersburg, 14 May 2008 (in Manchester)
Rangers supporters went on the rampage after a screen showing the match
broke down. A Russian fan was stabbed before police charged Scottish
supporters. Several cars and shopfronts were destroyed, and a policeman was
attacked after falling.
Sunderland v Newcastle United, 25 October 2008
Visiting goalkeeper Shay Given was confronted by Sunderland supporters after
fans from both sides broke on to the playing area after the final whistle.
Hull v Millwall, 24 January 2009
Visiting Millwall fans charged at home fans as missiles were thrown by both
sides. 50 seats were ripped from the away end and 12 arrests were made at
the KC Stadium.
James Mariner
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A rivalry that dates back to the heyday of British shipbuilding
By Chris Green
Independent.co.uk
Thursday, 27 August 2009
The bitter and bloody rivalry between West Ham and Millwall supporters is
one of the oldest, most intense feuds in the history of British football.
Both teams were created in the industrial heartland of east London in the
late 19th century by rival factory workers. Millwall FC was formed in 1885
by labourers at JT Morton's canned food factory on the Isle of Dogs. Ten
years later, a foreman at Thames Ironworks, London's last major shipbuilding
firm, decided to form a football team to improve the morale of his workers.
The two sides frequently played each other in heated local derbies. At start
of the 1906/07 season, a particularly ferocious encounter saw one player
hurled against a metal advertising board. Millwall finished the game with
only nine men, after the others were stretchered off following heavy
tackles. The East Ham Echo reported: "From the very first kick it was seen
that there was likely to be some trouble. All attempts at football were
ignored." The supporters were also criticised for fighting each other in the
stands. In 1926, when tough economic times were taking their toll on the
docks, the rivalry turned nasty. The General Strike of that year was
observed by workers in the East End, who were mainly West Ham supporters,
but the Millwall-supporting shipyard workers of the Isle of Dogs refused to
lend their support, provoking mass outrage. The bitterness of this betrayal
would endure for years.
In the 1960s, the two sides were again divided, this time by the arrival of
London's two most notorious gangster families, the Krays and the
Richardsons. The former were born and bred in the East End and supported
West Ham, the latter were from south of the river and followed Millwall. In
1972, a testimonial for Millwall defender Harry Cripps was marred by intense
fighting between the two club's "firms": groups of hooligans intent on
violence. Four years later, a Millwall supporter died at New Cross station
after falling out of a train during a fight with West Ham fans. Leaflets
were later distributed at Millwall's home matches bearing the words: "A West
Ham fan must die to avenge him".
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham in the clear over Millwall riot, but banning thugs won't solve
problem, say police By Laura Williamson
Last updated at 8:45 AM on 27th August 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham will not be thrown out of the Carling Cup or have to play behind
closed doors, despite the violence during Tuesday's victory against
Millwall. But banning thugs from grounds is not enough to stamp out violence
in the game, according to the Metropolitan Police Federation. The
organisation, which represents the 26,000 police officers in London, said
promises by West Ham and Millwall to stop anyone found responsible for the
violence from watching their club again does not send out a strong enough
signal.
'Banning individuals from football grounds would not sufficiently reinforce
the message that violence of the type seen at Upton Park will not be
tolerated,' said a Federation spokesman. 'Much better to force the clubs to
play matches behind closed gates or impose massive points deductions. 'At a
time when public order policing is under the media spotlight, we hope
recognition is given to the bravery and professionalism of the officers who
defied attacks on them to protect decent, honest fans.' As West Ham launched
their own investigation yesterday, chief executive Scott Duxbury said: 'We
will leave no stone unturned.'
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Nani 'stands up' for West Ham
27.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United chief Gianluca Nani showed his commitment to the club during
this week's Carling Cup victory over Millwall. The Daily Mail says among the
more bizarre sights at Upton Park during the hooligan horror Carling Cup
game on Tuesday was West Ham's Italian sporting director Nani rising to his
feet - to much bemusement around the directors' box - when the home fans
sang: 'Stand up if you hate Millwall.'
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DEN OWNER PROUD OF HIS BOYS
27 August 2009
David Yuill
southwarknews.org
EXCLUSIVE
Lions chairman John Berylson jetted back to the US, proud of his Millwall
players and supporters - despite a night of chaos at West Ham on Tuesday.
Pitch invasions and fierce battles between fans before, during and after the
3-1 extra-time defeat have marred the midweek game, as both a police and FA
investigation gets underway. Boston-based Berylson - who witnessed the
battle of Upton Park from the directors' box - praised Kenny Jackett's side,
as well as the 2,300 well-behaved fans inside the ground. Recently appointed
Chief Executive Officer Andy Ambler told the 'News' soon after Berylson
boarded a plane: "John is very proud of the team. He was delighted with the
performance and saw we were just three or four minutes from a great, great
victory. "He is pleased with the behaviour of the fans inside the ground and
the passion that they continue to show the team." Ambler added: "There is
little more to add at this time, as the club continues to work with West Ham
and the police."
The club condemned the actions of those responsible in a short statement
that was released on Wednesday. It has promised to ban any Millwall fan for
life, but has called for an investigation into the planning and preparation
of the game. It read: "Millwall FC joins West Ham United and the FA in
condemning the actions of those people whose behaviour both inside and
outside the Boleyn Ground marred Tuesday night's excellent Carling Cup tie
between the two clubs. "Any Millwall supporter identified as being involved
in criminal activity relating to the events of August 25 will receive an
indefinite ban from the club. "At the same time, we would like to thank the
vast majority of the 2,300 Lions fans at the ground for supporting the team
in the appropriate manner. We trust that all aspects of planning and
preparation for this match will be thoroughly investigated. "We will assist
fully the FA and other relevant authorities with their ongoing enquiries."
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West Ham, Tottenham chasing Inter Milan winger Quaresma
27.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
Inter Milan winger Ricardo Quaresma wants to return to the Premiership.
Gazzetta dello Sport says former Chelsea loanee Quaresma is keen to make a
Premier League comeback, with West Ham and Tottenham in the running to snap
up the Portuguese star. The Inter Milan winger is deemed surplus to
requirements by manager Jose Mourinho but recently rejected a short-term
move to Genoa as he holds out for a return to England.
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West Ham boss Zola likens Diamanti to himself and Di Canio
27.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola can see a lot of himself in new signing
Alessandro Diamanti. The attacking midfielder is moving to Upton Park for
£5.5 million from Livorno and Zola told Gazzetta dello Sport: "He's a cross
between myself and Paolo Di Canio." Diamanti has agreed a five-year deal and
said: "The Livorno fans will remain in my heart. I go into the unknown, but
I am motivated."
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West Ham boss Zola pays tribute to Collison
27.08.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola paid tribute to Jack Collison after his
performance in last night's Carling Cup victory over Millwall. Collison left
the Upton Park pitch in tears on a night when his brave decision to return
to the business of playing football for West Ham just two days after the
death of his father was rewarded by mindless contempt from his own fans.
Zola did not expect Collison to be available for selection for the Carling
Cup match with Millwall as he continued to grieve. However, the player
declared himself ready and he took to the field, showing composure and
character in helping his side to a 3-1 extra-time success. "[Collison]
showed what kind of boy he is by playing," said Zola. "Not many would have
done the same thing. "It's certainly not good for football. I was completely
shocked. Totally. I knew it was a game that meant a lot for the two sets of
supporters, but I didn't imagine it like this. "What can I say? I'm a sport
man. I love the game. I love to go on the pitch and try and make it exciting
for the supporters and enjoyable for everybody to watch. This was beyond my
powers."
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Inter star alerts Premier League duo
Sport.co.uk
Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:26 August 2009 - 12:16
Inter Milan winger Ricardo Quaresma has rejected the opportunity to join
Genoa on loan, and is reportedly interested in moving back to the Premier
League according to La Gazzetta Dello Sport. The former Chelsea loanee is a
reported target for Premier League duo West Ham United and Tottenham
Hotspur. Quaresma has not been guaranteed a starting slot in Jose Mourinho's
Inter Milan side since his return from Stamfrod Bridge but is thought to be
desperate for first team football this season in order to secure his place
on the Portuguese plane to the World Cup in South Africa next summer. Spurs
boss Harry Redknapp enquired in January about the option of signing the
former Barcelona man, but Quaresma opted to sign for Chelsea on a temporary
basis. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola, who has already signed Luis Jimenez on
a season-long loan from the San Siro side, is also rumoured to have made an
informal enquiry for the winger.
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Parker Pens: It's time to tackle knife crime
GravesendReporter.co.uk
26 August 2009
THE CAREER-THREATENING injuries sustained by West Ham United defender Calum
Davenport last week are a stark reminder to us all of the need for sterner
sentences for knife crime. I've always looked at Davenport as a footballer
who, if he had a 'nasty' element about his game, could be a very good
centre-half. But, when you hear him in interviews and look at his demeanour
on and off the pitch, you say to yourself: 'Hold on a minute, there's
something wrong here', because he genuinely seems like a nice man.
It's tragic then that this altercation, which allegedly saw Davenport suffer
stab wounds to his legs, will adversely affect his personal and professional
life and may ultimately end his footballing career prematurely. I just
really hope that he makes a total recovery, uses it to his advantage and
returns to full-time football. Then, it will be one up to him against the
person, or people, who attacked him at his mother's home in the early hours
of Saturday morning. IT'S a shame that we've gone down that road in this
country now, where a young person's answer to any contentious issue is to
brandish a knife and go and attack someone. People received long sentences
for such serious crimes many, many years ago, when the verdicts handed down
to those found guilty were proper, with no parole. The law and order climate
here is far less clear cut than somewhere like the Middle East, where you're
told straight away you face the death sentence if you're found carrying
drugs. The severity of their law is there in black and white and it's up to
you how you deal with it, although we don't do that and there is no
consistency. That is why incidents like this are happening, because there
are no real deterrents that are scaring people enough. It all starts in the
classrooms and schools too, where teachers are predominantly powerless to do
anything with disruptive pupils.
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