West Ham United in Austria - Tuesday
WHUFC.com
The Hammers got down to work in 90 degree heat at their Bad Waltersdorf training camp
03.07.2012
The action heated up as West Ham United continued their Austrian pre-season training camp in temperatures in excess of 90F (34C) on Tuesday. After breakfast, the Hammers hopped on mountain bikes to cycle to the nearby stadium, where they were put through their paces for more than two hours. A thorough warm-up that saw the players use medicine balls, the pitch surround and gym mats to loosen up their muscles was followed by a series of drills led by assistant manager Neil McDonald, first-team coach Wally Downes and fitness coach Eamon Swift.
Two small goals were then erected on the edge of each penalty area before the players ended their session with a 30-minute match - broken into ten-minute sections in the intense heat to allow the players to cool down with wet towels and crushed ice and take on essential fluids. Meanwhile, following the warm-up, goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson continued to get to know new goalkeepers Jussi Jaaskelainen and Stephen Henderson by putting them through a succession of drills and exercises.
Finally, Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan pulled on boxing gloves for four two-minute 'rounds' with Swift and McDonald while the other players and staff roared on their encouragement. Having finished their physical work, the players cooled down in two inflatable ice baths at the pitch-side to aid circulation and muscle recovery following what had been a testing two hours.
Before riding back up the hill to the team hotel, the squad took time out to sign autographs and pose for photographs with youngsters from the Theresianum Academy in Vienna - including English-born Hammers fan Robin Morgan, who is pictured with Carlton Cole and spoke to West Ham TV - who are in the area for a summer football camp of their own.
After a deserved lunch, the players were given the afternoon to relax and recover before heading back to the stadium for an evening training session this evening.
With the skies now grey and thunder and lightning in the nearby hills, rain threatened but thankfully stayed away from the day's second session, allowing the players to split into small groups to work on specific muscles and body parts for 30 minutes.
Head of sports medicine Andy Rolls, head of rehabiliation Stijn Vandenbroucke, strength and conditioning coach Mathew Monte-Colombo and sports therapists Taka Yamamoto and Will Storey each worked with a group of between four and seven players. After a half-hour of intense work and exercise, it was time for bit of fun in the form of a game of cricket. Rain did not stop play as the players illustrated their all-round sporting prowess by bowling, batting and fielding with aplomb on the beautiful playing surface.
Highlights of the day's play were Sam Baldock and Wally Downes' outstanding batting, Mark Noble and Ravel Morrison's bowling and the fielding of Nicky Maynard, who pulled off a miraculous full-length diving catch to dismiss one batsman. The match also gave the likes of Ricardo Vaz Te the chance to play a sport he had never tried before.
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Joint-Chairman planning for long term
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan is planning for a sensible future at West Ham United
03.07.2012
West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has outlined his vision for a healthy financial future for West Ham United. The 2013/14 season will see the new Barclays Premier League broadcast rights deal come into force and the Joint-Chairman is determined to see the new income used in the best way possible to aid the long-term stability of West Ham United. Mr Sullivan has explained that the Board will be looking at ways to reward the Hammers' loyal supporters rather than passing on the extra income to other areas at the club.
Speaking to ESPN Soccernet, Mr Sullivan said: "I think next season a lot of clubs will look to not give all the new TV money to players and agents. On all previous occasions it has gone up it has ended up with them, however, I feel on this occasion it might not happen. West Ham United are determined long term to be a viable, self-financing club. "We'll pay good wages, but not be taken to the cleaners by agents and players at the expense of our supporters. The increase in TV money next year, will allow us to continue to freeze ticket and season ticket prices."
While the Board continue to work hard to bring the club's debt down, Mr Sullivan wants to make sure that the mistakes made in the past are not repeated. Part of that plan is the commitment to not pay disproportionate wages to players and agents. "I cannot see any collective decisions, but there are quite a few clubs, for example, Norwich, Swansea, WBA who seem to be taking a more sensible approach to things and West Ham will be in that camp," he said. "Overpaying virtually bankrupted this club and we are still burdened by £100 million of debt as a result of the excesses of the previous owners in giving too much to players. Many clubs are saddled with too much debt and the restrictions imposed by their bankers will ensure there is a tighter control over wages going forward."
Although it has not been widely publicised, the Joint-Chairman has also been generously supporting local charities from his own pocket during the summer. He said: "We are, as we have always been, more than a football club. We see our role in the community of East London and Essex as a vital part of the role of the club.
"West Ham United is rooted in London, working with and for the community. We are more than a football club."
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Barrera departs
WHUFC.com
Pablo Barrera has joined Mexican club Cruz Azul for an undisclosed fee
03.07.2012
West Ham United can confirm that midfielder Pablo Barrera has joined Mexican side Cruz Azul for an undisclosed fee. Barrera joined the Hammers in 2010 and went on to make 23 appearances in claret and blue. The Mexico international spent the 2011/12 season at Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza on a season-long loan deal.
West Ham United would like to thank Pablo for his efforts at the club and wish him well for his future career.
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Hall on as England draw opener
WHUFC.com
Rob Hall's was a substitute as England drew 1-1 with Croatia at the UEFA U19 Euro in Estonia
03.07.2012
Rob Hall was a 77th-minute substitute as England began their UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals campaign with a 1-1 draw with Croatia on Tuesday.
Hall, who is aiming to complete a remarkable double, came on for Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane as England tried to complete a comeback victory in the Estonian capital Tallinn. Earlier, Croatia had taken the lead before Chelsea's Nathaniel Chalobah - a close friend of the West Ham United forward - levelled midway through the second half.
Hall lifted the Under-17 version of the same trophy two seasons ago alongside many of his current team-mates and is confident the Young Lions can repeat their success in Estonia this summer. The Under-19s tackle Serbia on Friday in Rakvere before returning to Tallinn to take on France on Monday. The top two in the group will face one of Greece, Portugal, Spain or Estonia in the semi-finals of the eight-nation event. France beat Serbia 3-0 in Tuesday's other opening Group B match.
With England being given a bye until the final Elite Round of qualifiers, Hall was not involved, but he did prove his pedigree at Under-19 level by scoring the winner in a 1-0 international victory over Denmark in November. The Hammers man can also draw on the experience of being part of the Under-17 squad which beat Spain 2-1 to lift the European Championship trophy in Liechtenstein in May 2010, when he appeared in all five matches.
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London 2012: West Ham's James Tomkins honoured by GB call-up
BBC.co.uk
West Ham United defender James Tomkins says he is thrilled to have been called up to represent Great Britain in the Olympic football tournament. The 23-year-old was named in Stuart Pearce's final 18-man squad on Monday. Tomkins told BBC London 94.9: "It's great news. It's going to be a great honour and something I am really looking forward to. "It's hard to take in when you think about what the atmosphere will be like. It's exciting and I can't wait." He added: "I grew up with quite a lot of the lads and they are quite familiar to me. "Thanks to West Ham and the manager [Sam Allardyce] for giving me the chance to go away from pre-season and represent Great Britain.
James Tomkins factfile
Born 29 March 1989
Joined West Ham at the age of seven
Originally played as a striker before converting to centre-back
Made his Hammers debut in March 2008
Has represented England at six different age levels
Team GB will play Senegal, UAE and Uruguay in their group games as they compete in the competition for the first time since 1960. Pearce has selected Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs, Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy and Manchester City defender Micah Richards as his three over-age players. Tomkins, who was named in the PFA's Championship team of the year last season, is optimistic over Britain's chances in the tournament. "It's a hard one because we haven't seen many of the teams play or what to expect from them," the Basildon-born centre-back added. "You can see the quality in our team and I think we've got enough to go a long way. Hopefully we can work hard with Stuart Pearce on the training ground and get an understanding. "A medal is the ultimate goal but we'll see what happens."
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Adios amigo
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 3rd July 2012
By: Staff Writer
Winger Pablo Barrera has joined Mexican side Cruz Azul on a permanent basis. It was confirmed this evening (Tuesday) that the 25-year-old Mexican international has returned to South America in order to join the Primera Division club, with whom he has signed a three-year contract. After completing a medical earlier today, Barrera officially joined La Maquina Celeste for an undisclosed fee. Just two years ago West Ham paid £4million to bring the player to Europe from Azul's rivals Pumas, with whom he had spent the first five years of his pro career. Having failed to settle in England after making just 13 starts for West Ham in 2010/11, Barrera was sent on a season-long loan to Real Zaragoza - although he fared little better there, making just 12 starts for the Blanquillos. Having subsequently returned to England there appeared to be little prospect of him staying at West Ham, and he was given permission to speak with other clubs last week
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Pablo Barrera Departs, as We Allegedly Suffer a Holt 'Hammer Blow' !
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
The footballing enigma that is Pablo Barrera has predictably parted company with West Ham to join Mexican club, Cruz Azu. Consisently effective at international level, Barrera has been equally ineffectual in European club football. Not only did he fail to impress at West Ham, but he did little better at Real Zarogosa, while on loan last season. Undoubtedly talented, it is to be regreted that Barrera was never able to replicate his international performances for the Hammers. But the reality is that the player has failed to adapt and it is probably the best for all concerned that he has now returned to Mexican football.
Some things never seem to change. And of these is the cliched headlines of the sports media. They obviously could not resist portraying Grant Holt's new three year deal at Norwich, and the end of West Ham attempts to sign him, as a 'Hammer Blow.' Most Hammers fans, with whom I have discussed the pursuit of Grant Holt, have been less than keen on the potential deal. While recognising the pragmatic argument that if he 'did the business' for one season the alleged c.£6m outlay would be well worth it, there is also the inherent danger that Holt might not repeat last season's goal scoring success. Now we West Ham fans will be able to see which way Holt's second PL season goes as casual observers, rather than concerned stakeholders! No doubt if he does deliver the goods once again, there will be a claret and blue chorus of 'if only,' but hopefully the signing, and subsequent goal scoring exploits, of an alternative striker will soften the so-called 'Hammer Blow.'
One can only hope that West Ham's transfer dealings are akin to an ice berg (3/4 below the surface) or the deceptive calm of a duck's paddling (all grace on top and frantic effort below). Otherwise, there is the possibility that West Ham are struggling to land their priority transfer targets. Yes, it's still early days, but there is no doubt that there will be a collective sigh of relief once a deal for a top target, like Elia, Yilmaz, Clyne or Zaha is signed, sealed and delivered. I sense an emerging nervousness about the apparent delay in anouncing one of these deals, allied to the increasing frequency with which we are linked to veterans like Guti, Seedorf and Stankovich. Personally, I am not opposed in principle to bringing in the experience of older players, of the 'vintage' variety, if they are of sufficient class and still have something left in the tank. However, I view a deal like that as a supplement and not a replacement for more ambitious signings.
And of course, the latest statement by the West Ham Board about not paying over the odds, will only contrive to reinforce any nascent concerns of supporters. Some will juxtapose that statement with the Stankovich and Guti rumours and conclude that one is a logical consequence of the other. That West Ham are losing out on their main targets and are now turning to the bargain basement in response. Hopefully, this is a case of putting 2 +2 together and = 5, with a 'big fish' ike Elia and/or Yilmaz being landed in the next week or so. Although, there is a natural concern that the Board may repeat their mistakes of the 2010-11 summer transfer window, one can only agree that the madness that brought the likes of Ljunberg and Dyer to the club, on massively inflated wages, cannot be repeated. That much is granted, but there is still a need to be competitive in the transfer market, so that we stand a chance of bringing extra quality in to the squad. It is a fine line, but one that the club must sucessfully tread in order to avoid a season of struggle, while also continuing to improve the club's finances and long-term stability.
Finally, I was pleasantly surprised by the new home kit. It has all the pre-requisites that I look for in a Hammers home kit, which are claret body and sky blue sleeves and white shorts. I am not that keen on the claret stockings with blue hoops, but I suppose they have to vary something significant in the design. I was half expecting some horrific experiment, like claret and blue strips being thrust upon us this time around. Thankfully we have been spared that. I am not conservative minded in many respects (probably just education and West Ham kits!) but I do, however, like West Ham to look like West Ham! And Macron, the current kit suppliers, have been very good in that respect.
Anyway, here's hoping that the good times - and some exciting signings - soon start to roll!
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Contract Granted
Holt signs three-yeal deal
The Sun
Published: 03rd July 2012
GRANT HOLT has performed a dramatic U-turn by signing a new three-year deal at Norwich. The former Shrewsbury hitman, 31, scored 15 goals to help keep the Canaries in the Premier League last season. He handed in a transfer request at the end of the campaign but it was rejected by the club, along with several bids from West Ham. And following talks with new boss Chris Hughton, who took charge after Paul Lambert left for Aston Villa, captain Holt has now decided to commit his future to the Canaries. Holt said: "I'm really pleased we've agreed things and that I've got a three-year deal which gives me and my family a bit of security. "I do appreciate where the club was coming from in terms of the process we've gone through to get to this point. "Now I'm just really keen to concentrate on getting back to work with the rest of the lads and concentrating on having a good pre-season and getting ready for the start of another season in the Premier League."
Norwich have been quick to tie up key men on new deals, with goalkeeper John Ruddy joining versatile Scotland defender Russell Martin and midfielder Andrew Surman in penning fresh terms. Hughton added: "I said when I first arrived that talking to Grant was a priority as what he has achieved for Norwich and what he brings to the squad is there for all to see. "It's great news that he has signed a new contract and I'm really looking forward to getting down to work with Grant and the rest of the players when we return to training next week."
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Any old Iron: West Ham target Serbian veteran Stankovic and Lukaku (report)
The Mirror
Inter Milan stalwart Dejan Stankovic is on the shopping list of West Ham, as Sam Allardyce looks to ready his squad for the top flight. The 33-year-old Serbia midfielder is in the final year of his contract with Inter after an astonishing period of success since joining the Serie A club in 2004. Stanky bagged five Serie A titles and a Champions League winner medal – but the chances of him adding to his medal haul with the Hammers are slim. And he'll probably struggle to get a work permit. No such problems anticipated for Allardyce as he seeks a loan deal for Stamford Bridge outcast striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian cost Chelsea an eye-watering £17m in August last year – and so far he's managed one start.
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West Ham United join race for Turkish Goal King Burak Yilmaz
2012-07-03 16:05:04
Turkish Football
West Ham are the latest club to be linked with making a move for highly sought-after Trabzonspor striker Burak Yilmaz. The Hammers are reported to have opened talks with the strikers agent Ali Egesel however, rumors that Yilmaz will arrive in London for a medical have not been confirmed. Lazio were leading the race to sign Yilmaz until negotiations broke down following the Seria A side's reluctance to pay his €5 million release clause upfront. The East London club also face competition from Fulham and Tottenham. Trabzonspor president Sadri Şener told reporters, "Tottenham and Fulham are also interested in Burak Yilmaz, we shall see what happens" he said.
West Ham were promoted to the Premiership last season and have been active in the transfer market investing in strengthening the squad for the league campaign.
Yilmaz has been in prolific form for Trabzonspor over the past two seasons. He guided the Black Sea club to pole position in the league last year scoring 19 times, only to lose out on winning the championship to Fenerbahce on goal difference. The 26-year-old Turkish international netted 35 times in 41 games this season and his modest €5 million release clause has attracted the attention of major clubs across Europe. Yilmaz broke the clubs all time scoring record in the league this season, scoring 51% of Trabzonspor's 65 goals. In an interview on TRT's football program, Stadyum earlier this year, Yilmaz stated that he would consider a move to Spain or England if the right offer was made. Liverpool, Sunderland, Atletico Madrid, Rubin Kazan, Ajax and Galatasaray have also been linked with the Turkish Goal King.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 4
Tuesday, July 3
Daily WHUFC News - 3rd July 2012
Tonks gets Team GB call
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins has been named in the Team GB squad for the London 2012 Olympic Games
02.07.2012
James Tomkins has been named in the Team GB football squad for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The West Ham United defender has been rewarded for his outstanding performances throughout the 2011/12 season by being picked in the final 18-man squad by head coach and former Hammer Stuart Pearce. Tomkins, who has been capped by England at every age-group level and has appeared at two UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals, will be West Ham's sole representative at the Olympics. The 23-year-old spoke of his pride and excitement at being named in the Team GB squad for London 2012. "I am just delighted to have been included and obviously it is a great honour to be selected for such an occasion as the Olympic Games," said the No5, who scored four goals in 47 npower Championship and Play-Off appearances as West Ham gained promotion to the Barclays Premier League at the first attempt. "A lot of the boys I have played with before with England so it will be good to spend some time with them again. "It will also be great to play alongside Craig Bellamy again. He's a great player and a proper character. Ryan Giggs is a legend of the game so it would be fantastic to play alongside him too. "Obviously I will miss some of the pre-season but I will be training every day and hopefully playing regularly. With an 18-man squad there should be chances for everyone to play. "It's the first time in more than 50 years that Team GB has taken part in the Olympics so it is something I and all the other players I am sure are looking forward to. "I am grateful to West Ham for giving me the opportunity to represent Great Britain at the Olympics and I'll do my very best to represent the Club."
Team GB have twice won the Gold medal, at the first-ever Olympic football tournament in London in 1908 and again in Stockholm in 1912. However, Team GB have not competed in the competition since 1960. This summer, Pearce's side will kick-off their bid for Gold when they face Senegal in Group A at Old Trafford on 26 July. Team GB will travel to Wembley to take on United Arab Emirates on 29 July before completing the group stage with a fixture with Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium on 1 August. Sixteen teams will compete in the Olympic football tournament, with the Gold medal match taking place at Wembley on 11 August. Assistant manager Neil McDonald said Tomkins had the Club's blessing to join up with Team GB following this week's training camp in Austria and will return to Chadwell Heath after their tournament is over. "James travelled to Austria with us and will join up with Team GB next week," confirmed McDonald. "It's fantastic news that he has been selected for Team GB and great for him being a local lad that he'll be taking part in an Olympics in his own back yard.
"It will be a great experience for him and training with them will mean he should be fully fit when he returns to us in August. He will be training and playing games so he'll return to us match-fit and ready to start the season with us. "He was great all last season and as long as he doesn't get himself injured, we'll be delighted to see him out there representing Team GB in the Olympic Games."
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Jussi happy to be a Hammer
WHUFC.com
Jussi Jaaskelainen has told West Ham TV of his delight at being reunited with Sam Allardyce
02.07.2012
Flying Finn Jussi Jaaskelainen jetted off to West Ham United's pre-season training camp in Austria on Monday morning as he began life as a Hammer. The experienced former Finland goalkeeper joined West Ham following his departure from Bolton Wanderers, where he enjoyed an outstanding 15-year career between the sticks. The 37-year-old, who worked under Sam Allardyce and Neil McDonald and played alongside Kevin Nolan, Matt Taylor and Joey O'Brien while with the Trotters, told West Ham TV he cannot wait to get his Hammers career underway. "I'm absolutely delighted to be here under Big Sam again, having worked with him before for a few seasons," said Jaaskelainen. "It happened very quickly because when my agent said that West Ham were interested I told him to sort it straight away because I know how Big Sam works, how well he looks after the players and how good his backroom staff are. They were the factors behind why I wanted to come here. "He brings certain routines and that makes it a lot easier."
Having battled for a starting place at Bolton with Adam Bogdan last season, Jaaskelainen is determined to win the No1 shirt here at West Ham and re-establish himself as one of the Barclays Premier League's best goalkeepers. "At the start of pre-season, all the goalkeepers are in the same place, but obviously I want to go and get that No1 place and keep that consistent level I have done over the years," he added. After spending a decade and a half in the north west, Jaaskelainen is also looking forward to starting a new phase of his life living in London. However, the Finn was quick to point out that his job will come before any sightseeing! "The main focus is playing for West Ham and to work hard for this football club and if I get to see London then that's good, but it's not my main focus. "Pre-season is a little bit different this time because I didn't play any games this year [for Bolton], so all off-season I've been looking forward to coming back and training again. "Normally in the off-season you're tired from playing all season, but this year is a little different so I'm pleased that we've started a week earlier than the other teams. "We have seven or eight weeks before the season starts so we should be well ready when it does."
Having helped Bolton to gain promotion and establish themselves as a Barclays Premier League force during the previous decade, Jaaskelainen is hoping to repeat that trick with West Ham. "Obviously the aim is to stay up in our first season," he said. "It's all about staying in the Premier League and bringing in more money and improve the facilities at the football club. "Hopefully I can play here for the next two or three years."
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West Ham United in Austria - Monday
WHUFC.com
The Hammers have arrived in Austria for a six-day pre-season training camp
02.07.2012
West Ham United have touched down in the Austrian capital Vienna ahead of a six-day training camp. Having returned to pre-season training at Chadwell Heath on Sunday, the Hammers will get down to serious work under warm and sunny skies. With manager Sam Allardyce remaining in London to take care of transfer business, assistant manager Neil McDonald will lead the squad in Austria, working alongside first-team coach Wally Downes and goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson.
A 21-man squad made the two-and-a-half hour flight on Monday, including new signings Jussi Jaaskelainen, Stephen Henderson, George McCartney and Mohamed Diame and youngsters Ravel Morrison, Dan Potts and Sebastian Lletget. After arriving at Vienna Airport at just before 1pm local time, the squad collected their luggage before boarding a coach for the 90-minute drive to the team hotel. There, having driven over to Austria on Sunday, kit manager Peter Williams and strength and conditioning coach Mathew Monte-Colombo, had already set-up the kit and physio rooms ahead of the players' arrival.
With less than seven weeks until West Ham's opening Barclays Premier League fixture against Aston Villa on 18 August, McDonald and his backroom staff will now begin the task of preparing the squad for the Club's return to the top flight in earnest. After a late lunch at the team hotel, which has previously been used by the likes of Spanish champions Real Madrid, Italian giants Internazionale and Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, the squad enjoyed a short rest before heading to the training pitch for their first session of the week. Throughout the week, the players will take part in a variety of water-based and pitch-based conditioning sessions devised by fitness coach Eamon Swift in conjunction with McDonald and his coaching staff. The squad will also participate in other activities during their time in Austria, such as cycling, maximising the use of the beautiful surroundings and favourable weather conditions. The trip will climax on Saturday evening when West Ham take on 23-times Austrian Bundesliga champions FK Austria Wien at the Franz Horr Stadium. Tickets for the fixture, which kicks-off at 4pm, will go on sale at the stadium from Kassa 6, West Tribune, from 2pm on matchday. All tickets are priced at 10 Euro.
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Jaaskelainen - Sam a key factor
Hammers new boy ready to fight for No.1 spot
Last Updated: July 2, 2012 9:07am
SSN
Jussi Jaaskelainen has revealed that the chance to work under Sam Allardyce was one of the main reasons behind his switch to West Ham. The Hammers agreed a deal for the goalkeeper last month after he decided to bring a 15-year spell with Bolton to an end. Jaaskelainen was managed by Allardyce for much of his time at the Reebok Stadium and had no hesitation in accepting the opportunity to work with him again. "I'm absolutely delighted to be here under Big Sam again, having worked with him before for a few seasons," Jaaskelainen told West Ham's official website before jetting off with the rest of the squad on Monday morning for a pre-season training camp in Austria. "It happened very quickly because when my agent said that West Ham were interested I told him to sort it straight away because I know how Big Sam works, how well he looks after the players and how good his backroom staff are. They were the factors behind why I wanted to come here. "He brings certain routines and that makes it a lot easier."
Determined
Jaaskelainen was dislodged as Bolton's first-choice keeper by Adam Bogdan last season and he is ready to compete for a place at Upton Park. "At the start of pre-season, all the goalkeepers are in the same place, but obviously I want to go and get that No.1 place and keep that consistent level I have done over the years," he added. "Pre-season is a little bit different this time because I didn't play any games this year [for Bolton], so all off-season I've been looking forward to coming back and training again. "Normally in the off-season you're tired from playing all season, but this year is a little different so I'm pleased that we've started a week earlier than the other teams. "We have seven or eight weeks before the season starts so we should be well ready when it does."
Jaaskelainen hopes to play at West Ham for at least a couple of years and is determined to cement their Premier League status after winning promotion last season.
"Obviously the aim is to stay up in our first season," he said. "It's all about staying in the Premier League and bringing in more money and improve the facilities at the football club. "Hopefully I can play here for the next two or three years."
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A Few Morsels To Chew On...
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
A few developments today...
* James Tomkins has been selected for the GB Olympic football squad
* Serbian midfielder Dejan Stankovic is said to be subject of a £2.5 million bid from West Ham
* A renewed joint bid to Crystal Palace is apparently being made for Zaha and Clyne
* Yakubu has signed for a Chinese outfit.
* Former Newcastle & Juventus defender Jean Alain Boumsong is said to be West Ham free transfer target from Panathanaikos
* Sporting Gijon's Alberto Botia and Spurs' William Gallas are among the alternatives, according to the Daily Mail
* Abdou Kader Mangane, the Senegalese international is said to be taking a medical at Upton Park this week. Rennes are keen to offload the midfield hitman.
* Scott Duxbury, Gianfranco Zola and Gianluca Nani are reunited at, er, Watford.
* West Ham are now at their training camp in Austria.
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Naismith likes Toffees
The Sun
Last Updated: 03rd July 2012
STEVEN NAISMITH is ready to snub West Ham and Blackburn by signing for Everton. Striker Naismith, 25, is negotiating his way out of crisis club Rangers in order to make himself a free agent. The Hammers and Rovers are both keen but the Scot prefers a move to Goodison.
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West Ham want Stankovic
By Football Italia staff
Despite pledging his future to the club at the end of last season, Dejan Stankovic is the latest Inter man linked with an exit this summer. The Nerazzurri are undergoing a period of transition this summer as they look to freshen up the playing staff as well as reduce a still sizeable wage bill. Brazilian defender Lucio rescinded his contract on Friday, whilst goalkeeper Julio Cesar and forward Diego Forlan have also been linked with departures. Stankovic is the latest who is said to be heading for the door, as West Ham reportedly consider a move for the 33-year-old. Sky Sport Italia reporter Gianluca Di Marzio is suggesting that the newly-returned Premier League outfit, who were paired with Clarence Seedorf last week, are interested in the Serbian international. Inter are believed to be open to handing the midfielder over to the London side, but a stumbling block may come in the €2.5m salary that Stankovic is currently on. West Ham have also been linked to young forward Luc Castaignos, who is another assured of leaving San Siro this summer.
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FORMER WEST HAM BOSS ZOLA TO BE NAMED NEW WATFORD MANAGER
Jul 02, 2012 0
Watford owner Giampaolo Pozzo has confirmed former West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola will be appointed the new manager at Vicarage Road. Pozzo, who also owns Serie A club Udinese and Spanish side Granada, acquired Watford last month and the Italian is looking to make his mark on the Championship outfit. And that will start with the appointment of Zola as Pozzo revealed to the Italian press earlier today. "Zola is the man for Watford," he told Sky Italia. "Before Gianfranco arrives, we've had to finish off some details to avoid legal problems. "It's taken a little time, but with Zola we had a verbal agreement. He will be back in London tomorrow. There should be no problem and he should be our coach." Speaking with regards to Zola's contract Pozzo added: "Two years? I can't say. We've always been convinced about Zola, we've known him for a long time." Watford also announced that their offices will be closed as of 2.45pm (BST) this afternoon for a staff meeting, which will be the first time Pozzo addresses the club's staff since completing his take-over. Zola's only club managerial experience came with West Ham, between 2008 and 2010. Despite getting sacked by the club's owners for a 17th place league finish, the Italian endeared himself to West Ham fans for encouraging an attractive style of football.
Zola also had a stint as the coach of Italy's under-21 side alongside former Chelsea teammate Pierluigi Casiraghi.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins has been named in the Team GB squad for the London 2012 Olympic Games
02.07.2012
James Tomkins has been named in the Team GB football squad for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The West Ham United defender has been rewarded for his outstanding performances throughout the 2011/12 season by being picked in the final 18-man squad by head coach and former Hammer Stuart Pearce. Tomkins, who has been capped by England at every age-group level and has appeared at two UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals, will be West Ham's sole representative at the Olympics. The 23-year-old spoke of his pride and excitement at being named in the Team GB squad for London 2012. "I am just delighted to have been included and obviously it is a great honour to be selected for such an occasion as the Olympic Games," said the No5, who scored four goals in 47 npower Championship and Play-Off appearances as West Ham gained promotion to the Barclays Premier League at the first attempt. "A lot of the boys I have played with before with England so it will be good to spend some time with them again. "It will also be great to play alongside Craig Bellamy again. He's a great player and a proper character. Ryan Giggs is a legend of the game so it would be fantastic to play alongside him too. "Obviously I will miss some of the pre-season but I will be training every day and hopefully playing regularly. With an 18-man squad there should be chances for everyone to play. "It's the first time in more than 50 years that Team GB has taken part in the Olympics so it is something I and all the other players I am sure are looking forward to. "I am grateful to West Ham for giving me the opportunity to represent Great Britain at the Olympics and I'll do my very best to represent the Club."
Team GB have twice won the Gold medal, at the first-ever Olympic football tournament in London in 1908 and again in Stockholm in 1912. However, Team GB have not competed in the competition since 1960. This summer, Pearce's side will kick-off their bid for Gold when they face Senegal in Group A at Old Trafford on 26 July. Team GB will travel to Wembley to take on United Arab Emirates on 29 July before completing the group stage with a fixture with Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium on 1 August. Sixteen teams will compete in the Olympic football tournament, with the Gold medal match taking place at Wembley on 11 August. Assistant manager Neil McDonald said Tomkins had the Club's blessing to join up with Team GB following this week's training camp in Austria and will return to Chadwell Heath after their tournament is over. "James travelled to Austria with us and will join up with Team GB next week," confirmed McDonald. "It's fantastic news that he has been selected for Team GB and great for him being a local lad that he'll be taking part in an Olympics in his own back yard.
"It will be a great experience for him and training with them will mean he should be fully fit when he returns to us in August. He will be training and playing games so he'll return to us match-fit and ready to start the season with us. "He was great all last season and as long as he doesn't get himself injured, we'll be delighted to see him out there representing Team GB in the Olympic Games."
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Jussi happy to be a Hammer
WHUFC.com
Jussi Jaaskelainen has told West Ham TV of his delight at being reunited with Sam Allardyce
02.07.2012
Flying Finn Jussi Jaaskelainen jetted off to West Ham United's pre-season training camp in Austria on Monday morning as he began life as a Hammer. The experienced former Finland goalkeeper joined West Ham following his departure from Bolton Wanderers, where he enjoyed an outstanding 15-year career between the sticks. The 37-year-old, who worked under Sam Allardyce and Neil McDonald and played alongside Kevin Nolan, Matt Taylor and Joey O'Brien while with the Trotters, told West Ham TV he cannot wait to get his Hammers career underway. "I'm absolutely delighted to be here under Big Sam again, having worked with him before for a few seasons," said Jaaskelainen. "It happened very quickly because when my agent said that West Ham were interested I told him to sort it straight away because I know how Big Sam works, how well he looks after the players and how good his backroom staff are. They were the factors behind why I wanted to come here. "He brings certain routines and that makes it a lot easier."
Having battled for a starting place at Bolton with Adam Bogdan last season, Jaaskelainen is determined to win the No1 shirt here at West Ham and re-establish himself as one of the Barclays Premier League's best goalkeepers. "At the start of pre-season, all the goalkeepers are in the same place, but obviously I want to go and get that No1 place and keep that consistent level I have done over the years," he added. After spending a decade and a half in the north west, Jaaskelainen is also looking forward to starting a new phase of his life living in London. However, the Finn was quick to point out that his job will come before any sightseeing! "The main focus is playing for West Ham and to work hard for this football club and if I get to see London then that's good, but it's not my main focus. "Pre-season is a little bit different this time because I didn't play any games this year [for Bolton], so all off-season I've been looking forward to coming back and training again. "Normally in the off-season you're tired from playing all season, but this year is a little different so I'm pleased that we've started a week earlier than the other teams. "We have seven or eight weeks before the season starts so we should be well ready when it does."
Having helped Bolton to gain promotion and establish themselves as a Barclays Premier League force during the previous decade, Jaaskelainen is hoping to repeat that trick with West Ham. "Obviously the aim is to stay up in our first season," he said. "It's all about staying in the Premier League and bringing in more money and improve the facilities at the football club. "Hopefully I can play here for the next two or three years."
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West Ham United in Austria - Monday
WHUFC.com
The Hammers have arrived in Austria for a six-day pre-season training camp
02.07.2012
West Ham United have touched down in the Austrian capital Vienna ahead of a six-day training camp. Having returned to pre-season training at Chadwell Heath on Sunday, the Hammers will get down to serious work under warm and sunny skies. With manager Sam Allardyce remaining in London to take care of transfer business, assistant manager Neil McDonald will lead the squad in Austria, working alongside first-team coach Wally Downes and goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson.
A 21-man squad made the two-and-a-half hour flight on Monday, including new signings Jussi Jaaskelainen, Stephen Henderson, George McCartney and Mohamed Diame and youngsters Ravel Morrison, Dan Potts and Sebastian Lletget. After arriving at Vienna Airport at just before 1pm local time, the squad collected their luggage before boarding a coach for the 90-minute drive to the team hotel. There, having driven over to Austria on Sunday, kit manager Peter Williams and strength and conditioning coach Mathew Monte-Colombo, had already set-up the kit and physio rooms ahead of the players' arrival.
With less than seven weeks until West Ham's opening Barclays Premier League fixture against Aston Villa on 18 August, McDonald and his backroom staff will now begin the task of preparing the squad for the Club's return to the top flight in earnest. After a late lunch at the team hotel, which has previously been used by the likes of Spanish champions Real Madrid, Italian giants Internazionale and Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, the squad enjoyed a short rest before heading to the training pitch for their first session of the week. Throughout the week, the players will take part in a variety of water-based and pitch-based conditioning sessions devised by fitness coach Eamon Swift in conjunction with McDonald and his coaching staff. The squad will also participate in other activities during their time in Austria, such as cycling, maximising the use of the beautiful surroundings and favourable weather conditions. The trip will climax on Saturday evening when West Ham take on 23-times Austrian Bundesliga champions FK Austria Wien at the Franz Horr Stadium. Tickets for the fixture, which kicks-off at 4pm, will go on sale at the stadium from Kassa 6, West Tribune, from 2pm on matchday. All tickets are priced at 10 Euro.
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Jaaskelainen - Sam a key factor
Hammers new boy ready to fight for No.1 spot
Last Updated: July 2, 2012 9:07am
SSN
Jussi Jaaskelainen has revealed that the chance to work under Sam Allardyce was one of the main reasons behind his switch to West Ham. The Hammers agreed a deal for the goalkeeper last month after he decided to bring a 15-year spell with Bolton to an end. Jaaskelainen was managed by Allardyce for much of his time at the Reebok Stadium and had no hesitation in accepting the opportunity to work with him again. "I'm absolutely delighted to be here under Big Sam again, having worked with him before for a few seasons," Jaaskelainen told West Ham's official website before jetting off with the rest of the squad on Monday morning for a pre-season training camp in Austria. "It happened very quickly because when my agent said that West Ham were interested I told him to sort it straight away because I know how Big Sam works, how well he looks after the players and how good his backroom staff are. They were the factors behind why I wanted to come here. "He brings certain routines and that makes it a lot easier."
Determined
Jaaskelainen was dislodged as Bolton's first-choice keeper by Adam Bogdan last season and he is ready to compete for a place at Upton Park. "At the start of pre-season, all the goalkeepers are in the same place, but obviously I want to go and get that No.1 place and keep that consistent level I have done over the years," he added. "Pre-season is a little bit different this time because I didn't play any games this year [for Bolton], so all off-season I've been looking forward to coming back and training again. "Normally in the off-season you're tired from playing all season, but this year is a little different so I'm pleased that we've started a week earlier than the other teams. "We have seven or eight weeks before the season starts so we should be well ready when it does."
Jaaskelainen hopes to play at West Ham for at least a couple of years and is determined to cement their Premier League status after winning promotion last season.
"Obviously the aim is to stay up in our first season," he said. "It's all about staying in the Premier League and bringing in more money and improve the facilities at the football club. "Hopefully I can play here for the next two or three years."
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A Few Morsels To Chew On...
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
A few developments today...
* James Tomkins has been selected for the GB Olympic football squad
* Serbian midfielder Dejan Stankovic is said to be subject of a £2.5 million bid from West Ham
* A renewed joint bid to Crystal Palace is apparently being made for Zaha and Clyne
* Yakubu has signed for a Chinese outfit.
* Former Newcastle & Juventus defender Jean Alain Boumsong is said to be West Ham free transfer target from Panathanaikos
* Sporting Gijon's Alberto Botia and Spurs' William Gallas are among the alternatives, according to the Daily Mail
* Abdou Kader Mangane, the Senegalese international is said to be taking a medical at Upton Park this week. Rennes are keen to offload the midfield hitman.
* Scott Duxbury, Gianfranco Zola and Gianluca Nani are reunited at, er, Watford.
* West Ham are now at their training camp in Austria.
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Naismith likes Toffees
The Sun
Last Updated: 03rd July 2012
STEVEN NAISMITH is ready to snub West Ham and Blackburn by signing for Everton. Striker Naismith, 25, is negotiating his way out of crisis club Rangers in order to make himself a free agent. The Hammers and Rovers are both keen but the Scot prefers a move to Goodison.
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West Ham want Stankovic
By Football Italia staff
Despite pledging his future to the club at the end of last season, Dejan Stankovic is the latest Inter man linked with an exit this summer. The Nerazzurri are undergoing a period of transition this summer as they look to freshen up the playing staff as well as reduce a still sizeable wage bill. Brazilian defender Lucio rescinded his contract on Friday, whilst goalkeeper Julio Cesar and forward Diego Forlan have also been linked with departures. Stankovic is the latest who is said to be heading for the door, as West Ham reportedly consider a move for the 33-year-old. Sky Sport Italia reporter Gianluca Di Marzio is suggesting that the newly-returned Premier League outfit, who were paired with Clarence Seedorf last week, are interested in the Serbian international. Inter are believed to be open to handing the midfielder over to the London side, but a stumbling block may come in the €2.5m salary that Stankovic is currently on. West Ham have also been linked to young forward Luc Castaignos, who is another assured of leaving San Siro this summer.
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FORMER WEST HAM BOSS ZOLA TO BE NAMED NEW WATFORD MANAGER
Jul 02, 2012 0
Watford owner Giampaolo Pozzo has confirmed former West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola will be appointed the new manager at Vicarage Road. Pozzo, who also owns Serie A club Udinese and Spanish side Granada, acquired Watford last month and the Italian is looking to make his mark on the Championship outfit. And that will start with the appointment of Zola as Pozzo revealed to the Italian press earlier today. "Zola is the man for Watford," he told Sky Italia. "Before Gianfranco arrives, we've had to finish off some details to avoid legal problems. "It's taken a little time, but with Zola we had a verbal agreement. He will be back in London tomorrow. There should be no problem and he should be our coach." Speaking with regards to Zola's contract Pozzo added: "Two years? I can't say. We've always been convinced about Zola, we've known him for a long time." Watford also announced that their offices will be closed as of 2.45pm (BST) this afternoon for a staff meeting, which will be the first time Pozzo addresses the club's staff since completing his take-over. Zola's only club managerial experience came with West Ham, between 2008 and 2010. Despite getting sacked by the club's owners for a 17th place league finish, the Italian endeared himself to West Ham fans for encouraging an attractive style of football.
Zola also had a stint as the coach of Italy's under-21 side alongside former Chelsea teammate Pierluigi Casiraghi.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, July 2
Daily WHUFC News - 2nd July 2012
Hammers return to training
WHUFC.com
The first-team squad were back at Chadwell Heath today as preparations for
2012/13 started
01.07.2012
It was all go at Chadwell Heath on Sunday morning as West Ham United's
first-team squad returned to pre-season training. There were plenty of
smiles as the Hammers players began their preparations for the 2012/13
Barclays Premier League campaign at the training ground just six weeks after
winning promotion in thrilling fashion at Wembley. With manager Sam
Allardyce working hard to bring in new players to supplement his squad,
assistant manager Neil McDonald oversaw matters as each player was weighed
and put through a succession of tests to check on their physical condition.
"I think we got the boys in to make sure they were all back in off their
holidays, were fit and well and got all their gear ready for travelling away
to Austria," confirmed McDonald. "We did a quick session for about an hour
and were all tested for their weights and body fats. It was good to see them
all interacting with each other and we had a couple of new players as well,
which was great. "It was a nice, relaxed day. We fly to Austria and start
the proper work on Monday ahead of welcoming Aston Villa in six or seven
weeks' time."
The squad will fly to Austria for a week-long training camp on Monday, with
the players expected to be put through rigorous double and triple sessions
every day. The trip will end with a fixture with 23-times Bundesliga
champions FK Austria Wien at the Franz Horr Stadium on Saturday 7 July, with
kick-off at 7pm local time.
McDonald said the players would be put through their paces in hot sunshine.
"Everyone looks really good and we're really happy with what we've seen.
We'll be doing plenty of football as well as fitness work before finishing
off the first week with a great game, so we're really looking forward to it.
"The players have had a good break but we're all excited. Pre-season is
always difficult but always enjoyable, so we've got to make sure we get
everybody through the next six or seven weeks and available for the first
game against Villa."
Captain Kevin Nolan was his usual jovial self, while npower Championship
Play-Off final heroes Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te were also in positive
mood as they pulled on their kit 43 days after scoring the vital goals
against Blackpool at the Home of Football. Joining them were new boys Jussi
Jaaskelainen and Mohamed Diame, who met their new colleagues for the first
time since arriving from Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic respectively.
Both, along with the returning George McCartney, were warmly welcomed into
the squad, with Jaaskelainen a familiar face to former Bolton team-mates
Nolan, Matt Taylor and Joey O'Brien. Stephen Henderson was also back at
Chadwell Heath on his first day as a West Ham player following his permanent
summer switch from Portsmouth. "We have done some good business. It's
important to get the players in as soon as we can. George obviously knows
the Club well with him being here last year, which is great and it's
fantastic that he's joined us full-time. "Jussi has come in and I know him
from Bolton and he's settled in really well with the rest of the lads, as
has Mohamed Diame as well. They're looking forward to it because it's a new
challenge for them."
The Chadwell Heath training ground has undergone a makeover during the
summer break and the smart new surroundings have only served to boost the
feelgood factor around the Club at present. "We've tried to create and keep
that vibe ever since we came here," said McDonald. "It's always difficult to
change the mentality and ethos of the football club because we do things
different to other people. "To come in and change that mentality from
getting beaten every week to winning and getting promoted at the end of the
season is a fantastic effort from everybody and makes you feel extra
special. "Hopefully this season, we do ourselves justice in the Premier
League and keep that feeling. We've got the pre-season to get the players
ready so it's an exciting time."
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Moore than a community club
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Community Sports Trust is playing a vital role as London
2012 approaches
01.07.2012
With the London 2012 Olympic Games less than a month away, West Ham United
Community Sports Trust is playing a vital role in helping local people to
lead healthier lives. A registered charity, the Trust provides a wide range
of services across east London and Essex with a strong emphasis on community
participation and inclusion. Thanks to the Trust, thousands of residents of
all ages have and are being given the opportunity to try new sports and
activities, learn new skills and acquire qualifications that would otherwise
be unavailable to them. As part of the Trust's three-year Community Plan,
which was implemented in 2010 and has since been updated and expanded,
people from all backgrounds have been given access to a wide range of
initiatives and schemes. With the goal of 'Promoting convergence and
community participation' the Trust - based at the Club's Community Sports
Ground in Beckton - individuals and groups alike are benefitting from its
activities, which include:
*Training and mentoring schemes - Trust coaches are involved in a number of
projects aimed at training the next generation of young sports coaches.
*Youth training projects - Youngsters are invited to take part in training
schemes to enable them to gain skills and qualifications required to become
full-time sports coaches. *Employment - The Trust currently employs 25
full-time apprentices.
*Player involvement - First-team and Academy players from West Ham United
regularly attend community events organised by or in conjunction with the
Trust.
*Youth exchange programmes - Trust coaches and mentors are invited to visit
other countries to broaden their own education and to experience new
cultures, while foreign students are invited to visit to take part in Trust
schemes. For example, a group of Danish higher education students recently
visited east London.
*Multisport delivery - The Trust currently provides coaching in 14 sports in
addition to football, including a host of Olympic sports. Courses are also
provided for youngsters with physical and learning disabilities, offering
opportunities to those who might not otherwise have access to sports
coaching.
*Social inclusion - The Trust is committed to making sport accessible to
people from all ethnic backgrounds, with the active promotion of the Asians
in Football project helping to bring the game to the wider community of east
London and beyond through coach and club development schemes.
*Healthy living - The Trust has implemented a wide range of partnership
projects aimed at helping people of all ages to lead healthier lives.
Examples of this provision include free men's and family health workshops
and a partnership with the Age Concern charity.
*Education - Based at the Boleyn Ground, the Inspire Learning Centre
provides out-of-school-hours educational support to local children and
adults with the aim of inspiring and motivating under-achieving students.
*School holiday courses - The Trust holds a variety of affordable general
and specialised football and multisport coaching courses throughout east
London and Essex
The London 2012 Olympic Games will see the world's greatest athletes visit
east London, inspiring local people of all ages to try sports they might
never have tried before. With the support of the West Ham United Community
Sports Trust, access to many of these sports has been made easier and
cheaper than ever before.
Looking further into the future, the Trust will play a vital role in the
provision of the legacy of London 2012, providing coaching, mentoring,
education and employment for the next generation of young people growing up
in the local community of east London and Essex.
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George McCartney signs for West Ham from Sunderland
BBC.co.uk
Premier League new boys West Ham have completed the signing of Sunderland's
George McCartney on a two-year deal. McCartney, 31, returns to Upton Park
following two previous spells at the club, initially joining in 2006, he
also spent last season on loan. "I am delighted to be coming back to West
Ham and this time on a permanent basis," said left-back McCartney. McCartney
is the fourth summer signing following Jussi Jaaskelainen, Stephen Henderson
and Mohamed Diame's arrival. After starting his career at Sunderland, where
he won the Championship title in the 2004-05 season, McCartney moved south
in 2006.
West Ham's summer signings
Keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen - Bolton
Keeper Stephen Henderson - Portsmouth
Midfielder Mohamed Diame - Wigan
Defender George McCartney - Sunderland
The former Northern Ireland international excelled during his first stay at
West Ham, scoring once in 71 appearances in all competitions. After moving
back to the Stadium of Light in 2008, McCartney spent two seasons with
Sunderland and one on loan at Leeds United. Having fallen out of favour at
the Stadium of Light, McCartney returned to West Ham on loan in August 2011,
scoring one goal in 43 appearances as the Hammers gained promotion via the
play-offs.
"It was great to be part of the side that won promotion for the club last
season," added McCartney. "It was a fantastic way to end the campaign last
year and I am really looking forward to being back in the Premier League
with West Ham." West Ham begin their season at home to Aston Villa on 18
August.
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Welcome back, George
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 1st July 2012
By: Staff Writer
George McCartney has completed his return to West Ham United in what will be
his third spell at the club. The popular Irish full-back initially joined
United back in August 2006 when he was signed by Alan Pardew in exchange for
the now retired Clive Clarke plus £600,000. Two years later he was sold back
to the Black Cats in a deal thought to be worth around £4.5million. The
enforced sale of McCartney, combined with that of Anton Ferdinand, was the
catalyst for the departure of former manager Alan Curbishley who resigned
from his post citing interference from above. With West Ham relegated to the
Championship at the end of the 2010/11 campaign, new manager Sam Allardyce
moved to bring the 31-year-old back to the Boleyn in August of last year;
McCartney re-joining West Ham on loan for the season. Having played a major
part in West Ham' promotion campaign - he made 40 appearances, starting in
38 of those - the Belfast-born defender returned to parent club Sunderland,
but not before being named as the Players' Player of the Year by his peers.
Last week co-chairman David Gold confirmed that a move to bring McCartney
back to West Ham on a permanent basis was close to being concluded - and on
Saturday night he stated that a deal should be tied up within 24 hours. This
morning news that McCartney had completed a second return to the club on a
two-year contract was confirmed on whufc.com. "I am delighted to be coming
back to West Ham - and this time, on a permanent basis," he said. It was
great to be part of the side that won promotion last season. It was a
fantastic way to end the campaign and I am really looking forward to being
back in the Premier League with West Ham."
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Maiga hopes for Prem move
Striker still searching for dream switch
By Giscard Gourizro. Last Updated: July 1, 2012 6:04pm
SSN
Highly-rated Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga is hoping that 2012 will be the
year in which he finally secures a move to the Premier League. The Mali
international looked to be on his way to Newcastle 12 months ago, with the
Magpies spending much of the summer attempting to put a deal in place. Maiga
made it clear to Sochaux that he wanted out, claiming that he would refuse
to turn out for the club again if they blocked a move. No deal materialised,
though, and the 24-year-old was forced to see out the season in France. It
is now being suggested that he could get his dream switch to England when
the transfer window re-opens.
Ambition
West Ham and Reading are among those reported to be keen on acquiring his
services, and Maiga hopes that an agreement can be put in place. "My dream
has always been to play in the Premier League, the best league in the
world," he said. "I almost joined Newcastle, but it did not happen. "Some
Sochaux fans held that against me, but not all of them. "It is still my
ambition to play in the Premier League, so if a team wants to talk I will
listen to them once they have reached an agreement with Sochaux."
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Mangane claims to have offers
Midfielder refuses to rule out Hammers switch
By Giscard Gourizro. Last Updated: July 1, 2012 6:21pm
SSN
Rennes midfielder Kader Mangane claims to have 'offers on the table' and has
refused to rule out a move to the Premier League. The Senegal international
is understood to be a top target for West Ham manager Sam Allardyce as he
looks to bolster his ranks ahead of a return to the English top flight.
Versatile Mangane, who can also operate in defence, is considered to boast
all of the attributes required to be a success in England. He admits a
switch to Upton Park could be on the cards, but says he has a number of
options to weigh up before deciding where he will be plying his trade in
2012/13.
Future
"I don't want to talk about my future, I am just looking forward to next
season," said Mangane. "There are some offers on the table and I will choose
the best option for myself and Rennes. "The Premier League? Of course it
would be a dream to play there. "West Ham are a fantastic club and London is
a beautiful city."
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Welcome Back to George McCartney - For The Third Time!
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
In one of the most predicted of close season transfers, George McCartney has
re-signed for West Ham on a free transfer from Sunderland. Technically, this
is McCartney's third spell with the Hammers. McCartney had a solid season
int he Championship and he will certainly perform adequately next time, but
I do hope young Daniel Potts gives him a run for his money too. All first
team players need to be aware that they are not automatic choices, and I
suspect McCartney knows that he ,ay be sacrificed for Matt Taylor too, on
occasion. McCartney has signed a two year deal, meaning he will be 33 at the
end of it. In his 175 games during his two spells at Sunderland he played
175 games but didn't manage a single goal, which probably explains his
rapture when he scored his second goal for West Ham last season. So far he
has appeared 99 times for West Ham.
The thing about McCartney is that he is solid. He will never be a flair
player, but if he finds the right partner on the left wing, he can be
seriously impressive. Remember that season he and Matty Etherington
performed wonders down the left?
Welcome back, George.
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AC MILAN LEGEND SEEDORF SHUNS WEST HAM TO JOIN BOTOFOGO
Jul 01, 2012 0
Sports360.com
Veteran former Dutch international midfielder Clarence Seedorf has signed a
two-year deal with Botafogo, shunning interest from England, China, and the
USA.
Rio de Janeiro-based Botafogo announced the capture of Seedorf, 36, as "the
biggest signing of a foreign player ever made by a Brazilian club." The
player's agent Deborah Martin, told the online version of sports daily
Lance: "Seedorf is the first European player to go to Brazil. He is still
breaking records. The idea of playing in the Mecca of football was very
attractive to him."
According to local press reports, Seedorf's deal will see him earn 18.3
million reais ($9.1m) over two years. Botafogo president Mauricio Assumpcao
said his club managed to beat off competition from clubs in England, China
and the United States to sign Seedorf, who is married to a Brazilian woman.
West Ham were one such club Seedorf rejected after he had held talks with
Sam Allardyce over a potential move. However, it has now been revealed that
Botofogo had been working for a long time to make the deal happen and were
quietly the favourites for his signature the entire time. "We worked on this
for a long time, not just two or three months," he told Lance. "This is the
arrival of an idol, a player who has won everything and who our fans are
hoping can help us win titles."
Assumpcao added that the club plan to unveil Seedorf at the home game
against Bahia on July 7, and that they hope he can make his debut later this
month against Gremio. Seedorf left AC Milan in June when his contract
expired, bringing to an end a ten-year spell at the San Siro. He won two
Champions League crowns and two Serie A titles during his time with the
Rossoneri, and also won the Champions League with Ajax and Real Madrid,
adding two Dutch titles and one in Spain as well.
Seedorf, who was born in Suriname, played 87 times for the Netherlands,
scoring 11 goals, and is the only player to have won the Champions League
with three different clubs. Botafogo, who were national champions in 1995,
sit eighth in the Brazilian league having won three of their opening six
matches of the season.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
The first-team squad were back at Chadwell Heath today as preparations for
2012/13 started
01.07.2012
It was all go at Chadwell Heath on Sunday morning as West Ham United's
first-team squad returned to pre-season training. There were plenty of
smiles as the Hammers players began their preparations for the 2012/13
Barclays Premier League campaign at the training ground just six weeks after
winning promotion in thrilling fashion at Wembley. With manager Sam
Allardyce working hard to bring in new players to supplement his squad,
assistant manager Neil McDonald oversaw matters as each player was weighed
and put through a succession of tests to check on their physical condition.
"I think we got the boys in to make sure they were all back in off their
holidays, were fit and well and got all their gear ready for travelling away
to Austria," confirmed McDonald. "We did a quick session for about an hour
and were all tested for their weights and body fats. It was good to see them
all interacting with each other and we had a couple of new players as well,
which was great. "It was a nice, relaxed day. We fly to Austria and start
the proper work on Monday ahead of welcoming Aston Villa in six or seven
weeks' time."
The squad will fly to Austria for a week-long training camp on Monday, with
the players expected to be put through rigorous double and triple sessions
every day. The trip will end with a fixture with 23-times Bundesliga
champions FK Austria Wien at the Franz Horr Stadium on Saturday 7 July, with
kick-off at 7pm local time.
McDonald said the players would be put through their paces in hot sunshine.
"Everyone looks really good and we're really happy with what we've seen.
We'll be doing plenty of football as well as fitness work before finishing
off the first week with a great game, so we're really looking forward to it.
"The players have had a good break but we're all excited. Pre-season is
always difficult but always enjoyable, so we've got to make sure we get
everybody through the next six or seven weeks and available for the first
game against Villa."
Captain Kevin Nolan was his usual jovial self, while npower Championship
Play-Off final heroes Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te were also in positive
mood as they pulled on their kit 43 days after scoring the vital goals
against Blackpool at the Home of Football. Joining them were new boys Jussi
Jaaskelainen and Mohamed Diame, who met their new colleagues for the first
time since arriving from Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic respectively.
Both, along with the returning George McCartney, were warmly welcomed into
the squad, with Jaaskelainen a familiar face to former Bolton team-mates
Nolan, Matt Taylor and Joey O'Brien. Stephen Henderson was also back at
Chadwell Heath on his first day as a West Ham player following his permanent
summer switch from Portsmouth. "We have done some good business. It's
important to get the players in as soon as we can. George obviously knows
the Club well with him being here last year, which is great and it's
fantastic that he's joined us full-time. "Jussi has come in and I know him
from Bolton and he's settled in really well with the rest of the lads, as
has Mohamed Diame as well. They're looking forward to it because it's a new
challenge for them."
The Chadwell Heath training ground has undergone a makeover during the
summer break and the smart new surroundings have only served to boost the
feelgood factor around the Club at present. "We've tried to create and keep
that vibe ever since we came here," said McDonald. "It's always difficult to
change the mentality and ethos of the football club because we do things
different to other people. "To come in and change that mentality from
getting beaten every week to winning and getting promoted at the end of the
season is a fantastic effort from everybody and makes you feel extra
special. "Hopefully this season, we do ourselves justice in the Premier
League and keep that feeling. We've got the pre-season to get the players
ready so it's an exciting time."
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Moore than a community club
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Community Sports Trust is playing a vital role as London
2012 approaches
01.07.2012
With the London 2012 Olympic Games less than a month away, West Ham United
Community Sports Trust is playing a vital role in helping local people to
lead healthier lives. A registered charity, the Trust provides a wide range
of services across east London and Essex with a strong emphasis on community
participation and inclusion. Thanks to the Trust, thousands of residents of
all ages have and are being given the opportunity to try new sports and
activities, learn new skills and acquire qualifications that would otherwise
be unavailable to them. As part of the Trust's three-year Community Plan,
which was implemented in 2010 and has since been updated and expanded,
people from all backgrounds have been given access to a wide range of
initiatives and schemes. With the goal of 'Promoting convergence and
community participation' the Trust - based at the Club's Community Sports
Ground in Beckton - individuals and groups alike are benefitting from its
activities, which include:
*Training and mentoring schemes - Trust coaches are involved in a number of
projects aimed at training the next generation of young sports coaches.
*Youth training projects - Youngsters are invited to take part in training
schemes to enable them to gain skills and qualifications required to become
full-time sports coaches. *Employment - The Trust currently employs 25
full-time apprentices.
*Player involvement - First-team and Academy players from West Ham United
regularly attend community events organised by or in conjunction with the
Trust.
*Youth exchange programmes - Trust coaches and mentors are invited to visit
other countries to broaden their own education and to experience new
cultures, while foreign students are invited to visit to take part in Trust
schemes. For example, a group of Danish higher education students recently
visited east London.
*Multisport delivery - The Trust currently provides coaching in 14 sports in
addition to football, including a host of Olympic sports. Courses are also
provided for youngsters with physical and learning disabilities, offering
opportunities to those who might not otherwise have access to sports
coaching.
*Social inclusion - The Trust is committed to making sport accessible to
people from all ethnic backgrounds, with the active promotion of the Asians
in Football project helping to bring the game to the wider community of east
London and beyond through coach and club development schemes.
*Healthy living - The Trust has implemented a wide range of partnership
projects aimed at helping people of all ages to lead healthier lives.
Examples of this provision include free men's and family health workshops
and a partnership with the Age Concern charity.
*Education - Based at the Boleyn Ground, the Inspire Learning Centre
provides out-of-school-hours educational support to local children and
adults with the aim of inspiring and motivating under-achieving students.
*School holiday courses - The Trust holds a variety of affordable general
and specialised football and multisport coaching courses throughout east
London and Essex
The London 2012 Olympic Games will see the world's greatest athletes visit
east London, inspiring local people of all ages to try sports they might
never have tried before. With the support of the West Ham United Community
Sports Trust, access to many of these sports has been made easier and
cheaper than ever before.
Looking further into the future, the Trust will play a vital role in the
provision of the legacy of London 2012, providing coaching, mentoring,
education and employment for the next generation of young people growing up
in the local community of east London and Essex.
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George McCartney signs for West Ham from Sunderland
BBC.co.uk
Premier League new boys West Ham have completed the signing of Sunderland's
George McCartney on a two-year deal. McCartney, 31, returns to Upton Park
following two previous spells at the club, initially joining in 2006, he
also spent last season on loan. "I am delighted to be coming back to West
Ham and this time on a permanent basis," said left-back McCartney. McCartney
is the fourth summer signing following Jussi Jaaskelainen, Stephen Henderson
and Mohamed Diame's arrival. After starting his career at Sunderland, where
he won the Championship title in the 2004-05 season, McCartney moved south
in 2006.
West Ham's summer signings
Keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen - Bolton
Keeper Stephen Henderson - Portsmouth
Midfielder Mohamed Diame - Wigan
Defender George McCartney - Sunderland
The former Northern Ireland international excelled during his first stay at
West Ham, scoring once in 71 appearances in all competitions. After moving
back to the Stadium of Light in 2008, McCartney spent two seasons with
Sunderland and one on loan at Leeds United. Having fallen out of favour at
the Stadium of Light, McCartney returned to West Ham on loan in August 2011,
scoring one goal in 43 appearances as the Hammers gained promotion via the
play-offs.
"It was great to be part of the side that won promotion for the club last
season," added McCartney. "It was a fantastic way to end the campaign last
year and I am really looking forward to being back in the Premier League
with West Ham." West Ham begin their season at home to Aston Villa on 18
August.
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Welcome back, George
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 1st July 2012
By: Staff Writer
George McCartney has completed his return to West Ham United in what will be
his third spell at the club. The popular Irish full-back initially joined
United back in August 2006 when he was signed by Alan Pardew in exchange for
the now retired Clive Clarke plus £600,000. Two years later he was sold back
to the Black Cats in a deal thought to be worth around £4.5million. The
enforced sale of McCartney, combined with that of Anton Ferdinand, was the
catalyst for the departure of former manager Alan Curbishley who resigned
from his post citing interference from above. With West Ham relegated to the
Championship at the end of the 2010/11 campaign, new manager Sam Allardyce
moved to bring the 31-year-old back to the Boleyn in August of last year;
McCartney re-joining West Ham on loan for the season. Having played a major
part in West Ham' promotion campaign - he made 40 appearances, starting in
38 of those - the Belfast-born defender returned to parent club Sunderland,
but not before being named as the Players' Player of the Year by his peers.
Last week co-chairman David Gold confirmed that a move to bring McCartney
back to West Ham on a permanent basis was close to being concluded - and on
Saturday night he stated that a deal should be tied up within 24 hours. This
morning news that McCartney had completed a second return to the club on a
two-year contract was confirmed on whufc.com. "I am delighted to be coming
back to West Ham - and this time, on a permanent basis," he said. It was
great to be part of the side that won promotion last season. It was a
fantastic way to end the campaign and I am really looking forward to being
back in the Premier League with West Ham."
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Maiga hopes for Prem move
Striker still searching for dream switch
By Giscard Gourizro. Last Updated: July 1, 2012 6:04pm
SSN
Highly-rated Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga is hoping that 2012 will be the
year in which he finally secures a move to the Premier League. The Mali
international looked to be on his way to Newcastle 12 months ago, with the
Magpies spending much of the summer attempting to put a deal in place. Maiga
made it clear to Sochaux that he wanted out, claiming that he would refuse
to turn out for the club again if they blocked a move. No deal materialised,
though, and the 24-year-old was forced to see out the season in France. It
is now being suggested that he could get his dream switch to England when
the transfer window re-opens.
Ambition
West Ham and Reading are among those reported to be keen on acquiring his
services, and Maiga hopes that an agreement can be put in place. "My dream
has always been to play in the Premier League, the best league in the
world," he said. "I almost joined Newcastle, but it did not happen. "Some
Sochaux fans held that against me, but not all of them. "It is still my
ambition to play in the Premier League, so if a team wants to talk I will
listen to them once they have reached an agreement with Sochaux."
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Mangane claims to have offers
Midfielder refuses to rule out Hammers switch
By Giscard Gourizro. Last Updated: July 1, 2012 6:21pm
SSN
Rennes midfielder Kader Mangane claims to have 'offers on the table' and has
refused to rule out a move to the Premier League. The Senegal international
is understood to be a top target for West Ham manager Sam Allardyce as he
looks to bolster his ranks ahead of a return to the English top flight.
Versatile Mangane, who can also operate in defence, is considered to boast
all of the attributes required to be a success in England. He admits a
switch to Upton Park could be on the cards, but says he has a number of
options to weigh up before deciding where he will be plying his trade in
2012/13.
Future
"I don't want to talk about my future, I am just looking forward to next
season," said Mangane. "There are some offers on the table and I will choose
the best option for myself and Rennes. "The Premier League? Of course it
would be a dream to play there. "West Ham are a fantastic club and London is
a beautiful city."
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Welcome Back to George McCartney - For The Third Time!
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
In one of the most predicted of close season transfers, George McCartney has
re-signed for West Ham on a free transfer from Sunderland. Technically, this
is McCartney's third spell with the Hammers. McCartney had a solid season
int he Championship and he will certainly perform adequately next time, but
I do hope young Daniel Potts gives him a run for his money too. All first
team players need to be aware that they are not automatic choices, and I
suspect McCartney knows that he ,ay be sacrificed for Matt Taylor too, on
occasion. McCartney has signed a two year deal, meaning he will be 33 at the
end of it. In his 175 games during his two spells at Sunderland he played
175 games but didn't manage a single goal, which probably explains his
rapture when he scored his second goal for West Ham last season. So far he
has appeared 99 times for West Ham.
The thing about McCartney is that he is solid. He will never be a flair
player, but if he finds the right partner on the left wing, he can be
seriously impressive. Remember that season he and Matty Etherington
performed wonders down the left?
Welcome back, George.
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AC MILAN LEGEND SEEDORF SHUNS WEST HAM TO JOIN BOTOFOGO
Jul 01, 2012 0
Sports360.com
Veteran former Dutch international midfielder Clarence Seedorf has signed a
two-year deal with Botafogo, shunning interest from England, China, and the
USA.
Rio de Janeiro-based Botafogo announced the capture of Seedorf, 36, as "the
biggest signing of a foreign player ever made by a Brazilian club." The
player's agent Deborah Martin, told the online version of sports daily
Lance: "Seedorf is the first European player to go to Brazil. He is still
breaking records. The idea of playing in the Mecca of football was very
attractive to him."
According to local press reports, Seedorf's deal will see him earn 18.3
million reais ($9.1m) over two years. Botafogo president Mauricio Assumpcao
said his club managed to beat off competition from clubs in England, China
and the United States to sign Seedorf, who is married to a Brazilian woman.
West Ham were one such club Seedorf rejected after he had held talks with
Sam Allardyce over a potential move. However, it has now been revealed that
Botofogo had been working for a long time to make the deal happen and were
quietly the favourites for his signature the entire time. "We worked on this
for a long time, not just two or three months," he told Lance. "This is the
arrival of an idol, a player who has won everything and who our fans are
hoping can help us win titles."
Assumpcao added that the club plan to unveil Seedorf at the home game
against Bahia on July 7, and that they hope he can make his debut later this
month against Gremio. Seedorf left AC Milan in June when his contract
expired, bringing to an end a ten-year spell at the San Siro. He won two
Champions League crowns and two Serie A titles during his time with the
Rossoneri, and also won the Champions League with Ajax and Real Madrid,
adding two Dutch titles and one in Spain as well.
Seedorf, who was born in Suriname, played 87 times for the Netherlands,
scoring 11 goals, and is the only player to have won the Champions League
with three different clubs. Botafogo, who were national champions in 1995,
sit eighth in the Brazilian league having won three of their opening six
matches of the season.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, July 1
Daily WHUFC News - 1st July 2012
McCartney completes Hammers switch
WHUFC.com
George McCartney has re-joined West Ham United on a permanent two-year
contract
01.07.2012
West Ham United are delighted to announce that George McCartney has
re-joined the Club on a permanent two-year contract following his departure
from Sunderland. The Belfast-born left-back returns to east London after two
successful previous spells, following a two-year stint between 2006 and 2008
with an outstanding season-long loan stay last season. McCartney becomes the
Club's fourth summer capture following the arrivals of goalkeepers Jussi
Jaaskelainen and Stephen Henderson from Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth
respectively and Senegal international midfielder Mohamed Diame from Wigan
Athletic. "I am delighted to be coming back to West Ham and this time on a
permanent basis," said the popular No3, who won West Ham's Players' Player
of the Year award last season.
"It was great to be part of the side that won promotion for the club last
season. It was a fantastic way to end the campaign last year and I am really
looking forward to being back in the Premier League with West Ham."
After starting his career at Sunderland, where he won the Championship title
and Player of the Year award in 2004/05, McCartney moved south in 2006. The
former Northern Ireland international excelled during his first stay in east
London, scoring once in 71 appearances in all competitions. After moving
back to the Stadium of Light in 2008, McCartney spent two seasons with
Sunderland and one on loan at Leeds United. Having fallen out of favour at
the Stadium of Light, the 31-year-old returned to West Ham on loan in August
2011, scoring one goal in 43 appearances in all competitions as the Hammers
gained promotion at Wembley via the npower Championship Play-Offs.
Meanwhile, four of the Club's homegrown starlets have signed their first
professional contracts with West Ham this week. Striker Elliot Lee,
midfielders Kieran Sadlier and Jack Powell and goalkeeper Jake Larkins
visited the Boleyn Ground to put pen to paper on their first one-year deals,
having graduated from the Academy of Football at the end of last season.
While a number of players have arrived at the Boleyn Ground, with more set
to follow before the end of the transfer window on 31 August, one player to
have departed is Marek Stech. The Czech Republic Under-21 goalkeeper has
left the Club by mutual consent after six years in east London. Stech joined
from Sparta Prague at the age of 16 in 2006, graduating from the Academy two
years later. Stech made three first-team appearances in the Carling Cup
during the Hammers' run to the semi-finals of the competition in 2010/11,
while also enjoying loan spells with Wycombe Wanderers, Bournemouth, Yeovil
Town and Leyton Orient. Of the summer departees, Julien Faubert has joined
Turkish Superlig side Elazigspor on a three-year contract.
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First team set for Boreham Wood
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce's first-team squad will travel to Boreham Wood for a
pre-season match on 10 July
30.06.2012
West Ham United's first pre-season match on British soil will see Sam
Allardyce take his first-team squad to Blue Square Bet South side Boreham
Wood on Tuesday 10 July. For those not making the trip to Austria for the
Club's meeting with FK Austria Wien, the match could represent the first
opportunity for Hammers fans to see new signings Jussi Jaaskelainen and
Mohamed Diame in action. With more than a week to go until the fixture, the
Hammers could have more new faces in their ranks by the time they take to
the field at Meadow Park for the 7.45pm kick-off.
West Ham have been allocated 2,250 tickets for the match, with 250 Adult
seated tickets available at £19 each, including a souvenir matchday
programme. A further 2,000 standing tickets are available, priced at £16 for
Adults and £10 for Over-65s and Under-10s.
For full details of how to purchase your tickets for the game, click here.
Disabled tickets are also available for the same prices, including a
complimentary carer. For disabled ticket information, call Matthew Hunter at
Boreham Wood FC on 020 8953 5097.
Managed by former Arsenal winger Ian Allinson, Boreham Wood enjoyed a decent
2011/12 season, finishing eighth in the Blue Square Bet South table.
The club also operates a successful PASE (Programme for Academic and
Sporting Excellence) scheme, with young midfielder Pelly Ruddock coming
through the ranks at Boreham Wood before joining West Ham last season.
The fixture is one of ten pre-season matches arranged to help Big Sam get
his players prepared for the big Barclays Premier League kick-off against
Aston Villa on Saturday 18 August.
*Supporters travelling to FK Austria Wien should note that the match will
kick-off at 4pm local time, and not 5pm as was previously advertised.
West Ham United 2012/13 pre-season fixtures
(All fixtures are AWAY due to the London 2012 Olympic Games)
Sat 7 July - Austria Vienna (Franz Horr Stadium, 4pm local time)
Tue 10 July - Boreham Wood (Meadow Park, 7.45pm)
Sat 14 July - Southend United (Roots Hall, 3pm)
Tue 17 July - Oxford United (Kassam Stadium, 7.45pm)
Sat 21 July - Colchester United (Weston Homes Community Stadium, 3pm)
Wed 25 July - FC Rot-Weiss Erfurt (Steigerwaldstadion, 7pm local time)
Fri 27 July - SG Dynamo Dresden (Glucksgas Stadium, 8.30pm local time)
Sun 29 July - Energie Cottbus (Stadium der Freundschaft, 2.30pm local time)
Sat 4 Aug - Ipswich Town (Portman Road, 3pm)
Fri 10 Aug - SC Braga (AXA Stadium, TBC)
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Pablo on his way
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 30th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Forgotton man Pablo Barrera is set to return to Mexico having been given
permission to speak to Cruz Azul. The 25-year-old winger, who joined West
Ham in a £4million switch from UNAM in the summer of 2010 on the back of a
good World Cup in South Africa is set to return to his home country after
making just 13 starts for the Hammers. Having failed to settle in England,
Barrera was sent on a season-long loan to Real Zaragoza for the duration of
the 2011/12 season - but only managed to make 12 starts for the Blanquillos.
And having returned to England, West Ham have now given him permission to
speak to other clubs with view to a permanent move. Speaking via Twitter on
West Ham United's account, a brief statement read: "The club can confirm
that Pablo Barrera has been given permission to talk to Mexican club Cruz
Azul with regard to a possible transfer."
Barrera joined West Ham after the Irons beat off competition from the likes
of Espanyol and Everton to clinch his signing two years ago next month.
Speaking after putting pen to paper on a four-year contract, the little
Mexican said: "I am very excited about the opportunity and the possibilities
of playing for West Ham. I will do my best. "The fans can expect that I
will give 100 per cent to succeed for the team and to play better than I
have ever played before. I like to excite the supporters.
"People have said that I am the sort of player that the fans want to have
the ball as often as possible because I can make things happen."
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Mangane set for medical, say reports
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 30th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Senegalese central defender Kader Mangane is set to undergo a medical with
West Ham this weekend ahead of a permanent transfer, according to reports
emanating from France. We told you yesterday how respected French media
outlet L'Equipe has reported West Ham were holding talks with the Rennes
captain. And fresh reports form across the Channel this morning say that an
agreement has been reached between the two parties and that the 29-year-old
will undergo tests ahead of a cut-price deal. Mangane, 29, is said to have
stated a desire to play in England and is entering the final year of his
current contract with the Ligue 1 outfit, for whom he made just 19
apperances last season due to a persistent ankle problem. However having
undertaken an operation to resolve the issue, he is expected to be able to
return to full training next month.
Born in Dakar, Mangane began his career in 2000 with local club US Rail who
partake in the Senegalese National League. However just a year later he
joined Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax, with whom he remained until 2007 when he
was picked up by French club Lens. After Les Sang et Or were relegated from
Ligue 1 following his first season at the club, Mangane remained in France
when Rennes signed him a year later for an undisclosed fee. Since moving to
Les Rouges et Noirs, Mangane has been linked with clubs such as Arsenal and
Sunderland although if reports are correct, now looks like becoming Sam
Allardyce's latest capture as he attempts to remould his squad ahead of the
beginning of the 2012/13 Premier League campaign.
Kader Managane at Rennes
2008/09: Pld 35 (2), Bkd 8, SO 1.
2009/10: Pld 39, Gls 5, Bkd 3.
2010/11: Pld 32, Gls 3, Bkd 3, SO 1.
2011/12: Pld 13 (6), Gls 3, Bkd 3.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
No Seedorf bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 30th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
A 'West Ham source' had denied that the club will be making a move for
former Dutch international Clarence Seedorf after being put off by his wage
demands. Harry Harris, a close confidente of United co-chairman David
Sullivan reports this morning that any hopes of signing the former AC Milan
star were dispelled after the 36-year-old demanded £70,000-a-week in order
to consider a move to east London. "No, we are not going for Seedorf despite
being linked to him," an unnamed source told Harris. "The club are concerned
about his injury problems considering that he is now 36, and despite the
injury worries he still wants between £60k and £70k a week."
West Ham were linked with a move for the 87-times capped Dutch midfielder
last week - just one of a string of elder statesman who the club have been
linked with in recent weeks as Sam Allardyce attempts to strengthen his
squad ahead of the 2012/13 Premier League campaign. Seedorf is currently a
free agent having been released at the end of last season by Italian Serie A
club Milan, with whom he had spent the last ten seasons having previously
featured for Ajax, Sampdoria and AC's great rivals, Inter.
* In other transfer news, a Bolton supporter who met Norwich striker Grant
Holt at a golfing function on Friday claimed to have been told by the
striker that he is set to sign for West Ham. United were reported earlier in
the week to have upped their bid for the 31-year-old to £4million up front
with a further £2million to follow, depending on certain conditions being
reached.
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Welcome back, George
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 1st July 2012
By: Staff Writer
George McCartney has completed his return to West Ham United in what will be
his third spell at the club. The popular Irish full-back initially joined
United back in August 2006 when he was signed by Alan Pardew in exchange for
the now retired Clive Clarke plus £600,000. Two years later he was sold back
to the Black Cats in a deal thought to be worth around £4.5million. The
enforced sale of McCartney, combined with that of Anton Ferdinand, was the
catalyst for the departure of former manager Alan Curbishley who resigned
from his post citing interference from above. With West Ham relegated to the
Championship at the end of the 2010/11 campaign, new manager Sam Allardyce
moved to bring the 31-year-old back to the Boleyn in August of last year;
McCartney re-joining West Ham on loan for the season.
Having played a major part in West Ham' promotion campaign - he made 40
appearances, starting in 38 of those - the Belfast-born defender returned to
parent club Sunderland, but not before being named as the Players' Player of
the Year by his peers. Last week co-chairman David Gold confirmed that a
move to bring McCartney back to West Ham on a permanent basis was close to
being concluded - and on Saturday night he stated that a deal should be tied
up within 24 hours.
This morning news that McCartney had completed a second return to the club
on a two-year contract was confirmed on whufc.com. "I am delighted to be
coming back to West Ham - and this time, on a permanent basis," he said. "It
was great to be part of the side that won promotion last season. It was a
fantastic way to end the campaign and I am really looking forward to being
back in the Premier League with West Ham."
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Seedorf snubs Irons for Brazil
Sunday 1st July 2012 8:17
TeamTalk
Former Holland midfielder Clarence Seedorf has joined Brazilian side
Botafogo on a two-year-deal after reportedly snubbing a move to West Ham.
The Surinam-born 36-year-old, who ended a 10-year stint at AC Milan this
summer and had reportedly been interesting the Premier League new boys, has
been given what Botafogo claim is the most lucrative deal ever handed out to
a foreign player in Brazil. The club announced the deal in a statement which
read: "Botafogo have formalised a contract with the Dutch midfielder
Clarence Seedorf, who is 36. "Seedorf has signed a deal for two years with
Botafogo."
It went on: "It is the biggest contract for a foreigner made by a Brazilian
football club." Rio de Janeiro-based Botafogo sit eighth in the Campeonato
Brasileiro with three wins from six matches.
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Liverpool, Newcastle, Sunderland & West Ham will have to match valuation in
order to sign Crystal Palace's star man
London 24
Saturday, June 30, 2012
8:11 PM
Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman has insisted that in-demand forward
Wilfried Zaha will only leave if the price is right for the Eagles. The
19-year-old has been tracked by Liverpool, Newcastle, Reading, Sunderland
and West Ham in recent weeks but any prospective buyer will have to meet the
south Londoner's valuation after Zaha signed a five year contract with the
Selhurst Park outfit. "Everything has been handled in the right way with the
current owners in regard to handing the right type of contracts at the right
time," Freedman said. "Now everything is on our terms. "When, of if, Wilf
goes, it will be to the benefit of Crystal Palace instead of others.
"Hopefully though, we can fulfil his ambitions of achieving Premier League
football and it would be great if Wilf was there with us."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
George McCartney has re-joined West Ham United on a permanent two-year
contract
01.07.2012
West Ham United are delighted to announce that George McCartney has
re-joined the Club on a permanent two-year contract following his departure
from Sunderland. The Belfast-born left-back returns to east London after two
successful previous spells, following a two-year stint between 2006 and 2008
with an outstanding season-long loan stay last season. McCartney becomes the
Club's fourth summer capture following the arrivals of goalkeepers Jussi
Jaaskelainen and Stephen Henderson from Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth
respectively and Senegal international midfielder Mohamed Diame from Wigan
Athletic. "I am delighted to be coming back to West Ham and this time on a
permanent basis," said the popular No3, who won West Ham's Players' Player
of the Year award last season.
"It was great to be part of the side that won promotion for the club last
season. It was a fantastic way to end the campaign last year and I am really
looking forward to being back in the Premier League with West Ham."
After starting his career at Sunderland, where he won the Championship title
and Player of the Year award in 2004/05, McCartney moved south in 2006. The
former Northern Ireland international excelled during his first stay in east
London, scoring once in 71 appearances in all competitions. After moving
back to the Stadium of Light in 2008, McCartney spent two seasons with
Sunderland and one on loan at Leeds United. Having fallen out of favour at
the Stadium of Light, the 31-year-old returned to West Ham on loan in August
2011, scoring one goal in 43 appearances in all competitions as the Hammers
gained promotion at Wembley via the npower Championship Play-Offs.
Meanwhile, four of the Club's homegrown starlets have signed their first
professional contracts with West Ham this week. Striker Elliot Lee,
midfielders Kieran Sadlier and Jack Powell and goalkeeper Jake Larkins
visited the Boleyn Ground to put pen to paper on their first one-year deals,
having graduated from the Academy of Football at the end of last season.
While a number of players have arrived at the Boleyn Ground, with more set
to follow before the end of the transfer window on 31 August, one player to
have departed is Marek Stech. The Czech Republic Under-21 goalkeeper has
left the Club by mutual consent after six years in east London. Stech joined
from Sparta Prague at the age of 16 in 2006, graduating from the Academy two
years later. Stech made three first-team appearances in the Carling Cup
during the Hammers' run to the semi-finals of the competition in 2010/11,
while also enjoying loan spells with Wycombe Wanderers, Bournemouth, Yeovil
Town and Leyton Orient. Of the summer departees, Julien Faubert has joined
Turkish Superlig side Elazigspor on a three-year contract.
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First team set for Boreham Wood
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce's first-team squad will travel to Boreham Wood for a
pre-season match on 10 July
30.06.2012
West Ham United's first pre-season match on British soil will see Sam
Allardyce take his first-team squad to Blue Square Bet South side Boreham
Wood on Tuesday 10 July. For those not making the trip to Austria for the
Club's meeting with FK Austria Wien, the match could represent the first
opportunity for Hammers fans to see new signings Jussi Jaaskelainen and
Mohamed Diame in action. With more than a week to go until the fixture, the
Hammers could have more new faces in their ranks by the time they take to
the field at Meadow Park for the 7.45pm kick-off.
West Ham have been allocated 2,250 tickets for the match, with 250 Adult
seated tickets available at £19 each, including a souvenir matchday
programme. A further 2,000 standing tickets are available, priced at £16 for
Adults and £10 for Over-65s and Under-10s.
For full details of how to purchase your tickets for the game, click here.
Disabled tickets are also available for the same prices, including a
complimentary carer. For disabled ticket information, call Matthew Hunter at
Boreham Wood FC on 020 8953 5097.
Managed by former Arsenal winger Ian Allinson, Boreham Wood enjoyed a decent
2011/12 season, finishing eighth in the Blue Square Bet South table.
The club also operates a successful PASE (Programme for Academic and
Sporting Excellence) scheme, with young midfielder Pelly Ruddock coming
through the ranks at Boreham Wood before joining West Ham last season.
The fixture is one of ten pre-season matches arranged to help Big Sam get
his players prepared for the big Barclays Premier League kick-off against
Aston Villa on Saturday 18 August.
*Supporters travelling to FK Austria Wien should note that the match will
kick-off at 4pm local time, and not 5pm as was previously advertised.
West Ham United 2012/13 pre-season fixtures
(All fixtures are AWAY due to the London 2012 Olympic Games)
Sat 7 July - Austria Vienna (Franz Horr Stadium, 4pm local time)
Tue 10 July - Boreham Wood (Meadow Park, 7.45pm)
Sat 14 July - Southend United (Roots Hall, 3pm)
Tue 17 July - Oxford United (Kassam Stadium, 7.45pm)
Sat 21 July - Colchester United (Weston Homes Community Stadium, 3pm)
Wed 25 July - FC Rot-Weiss Erfurt (Steigerwaldstadion, 7pm local time)
Fri 27 July - SG Dynamo Dresden (Glucksgas Stadium, 8.30pm local time)
Sun 29 July - Energie Cottbus (Stadium der Freundschaft, 2.30pm local time)
Sat 4 Aug - Ipswich Town (Portman Road, 3pm)
Fri 10 Aug - SC Braga (AXA Stadium, TBC)
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Pablo on his way
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 30th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Forgotton man Pablo Barrera is set to return to Mexico having been given
permission to speak to Cruz Azul. The 25-year-old winger, who joined West
Ham in a £4million switch from UNAM in the summer of 2010 on the back of a
good World Cup in South Africa is set to return to his home country after
making just 13 starts for the Hammers. Having failed to settle in England,
Barrera was sent on a season-long loan to Real Zaragoza for the duration of
the 2011/12 season - but only managed to make 12 starts for the Blanquillos.
And having returned to England, West Ham have now given him permission to
speak to other clubs with view to a permanent move. Speaking via Twitter on
West Ham United's account, a brief statement read: "The club can confirm
that Pablo Barrera has been given permission to talk to Mexican club Cruz
Azul with regard to a possible transfer."
Barrera joined West Ham after the Irons beat off competition from the likes
of Espanyol and Everton to clinch his signing two years ago next month.
Speaking after putting pen to paper on a four-year contract, the little
Mexican said: "I am very excited about the opportunity and the possibilities
of playing for West Ham. I will do my best. "The fans can expect that I
will give 100 per cent to succeed for the team and to play better than I
have ever played before. I like to excite the supporters.
"People have said that I am the sort of player that the fans want to have
the ball as often as possible because I can make things happen."
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Mangane set for medical, say reports
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 30th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Senegalese central defender Kader Mangane is set to undergo a medical with
West Ham this weekend ahead of a permanent transfer, according to reports
emanating from France. We told you yesterday how respected French media
outlet L'Equipe has reported West Ham were holding talks with the Rennes
captain. And fresh reports form across the Channel this morning say that an
agreement has been reached between the two parties and that the 29-year-old
will undergo tests ahead of a cut-price deal. Mangane, 29, is said to have
stated a desire to play in England and is entering the final year of his
current contract with the Ligue 1 outfit, for whom he made just 19
apperances last season due to a persistent ankle problem. However having
undertaken an operation to resolve the issue, he is expected to be able to
return to full training next month.
Born in Dakar, Mangane began his career in 2000 with local club US Rail who
partake in the Senegalese National League. However just a year later he
joined Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax, with whom he remained until 2007 when he
was picked up by French club Lens. After Les Sang et Or were relegated from
Ligue 1 following his first season at the club, Mangane remained in France
when Rennes signed him a year later for an undisclosed fee. Since moving to
Les Rouges et Noirs, Mangane has been linked with clubs such as Arsenal and
Sunderland although if reports are correct, now looks like becoming Sam
Allardyce's latest capture as he attempts to remould his squad ahead of the
beginning of the 2012/13 Premier League campaign.
Kader Managane at Rennes
2008/09: Pld 35 (2), Bkd 8, SO 1.
2009/10: Pld 39, Gls 5, Bkd 3.
2010/11: Pld 32, Gls 3, Bkd 3, SO 1.
2011/12: Pld 13 (6), Gls 3, Bkd 3.
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No Seedorf bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 30th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
A 'West Ham source' had denied that the club will be making a move for
former Dutch international Clarence Seedorf after being put off by his wage
demands. Harry Harris, a close confidente of United co-chairman David
Sullivan reports this morning that any hopes of signing the former AC Milan
star were dispelled after the 36-year-old demanded £70,000-a-week in order
to consider a move to east London. "No, we are not going for Seedorf despite
being linked to him," an unnamed source told Harris. "The club are concerned
about his injury problems considering that he is now 36, and despite the
injury worries he still wants between £60k and £70k a week."
West Ham were linked with a move for the 87-times capped Dutch midfielder
last week - just one of a string of elder statesman who the club have been
linked with in recent weeks as Sam Allardyce attempts to strengthen his
squad ahead of the 2012/13 Premier League campaign. Seedorf is currently a
free agent having been released at the end of last season by Italian Serie A
club Milan, with whom he had spent the last ten seasons having previously
featured for Ajax, Sampdoria and AC's great rivals, Inter.
* In other transfer news, a Bolton supporter who met Norwich striker Grant
Holt at a golfing function on Friday claimed to have been told by the
striker that he is set to sign for West Ham. United were reported earlier in
the week to have upped their bid for the 31-year-old to £4million up front
with a further £2million to follow, depending on certain conditions being
reached.
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Welcome back, George
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 1st July 2012
By: Staff Writer
George McCartney has completed his return to West Ham United in what will be
his third spell at the club. The popular Irish full-back initially joined
United back in August 2006 when he was signed by Alan Pardew in exchange for
the now retired Clive Clarke plus £600,000. Two years later he was sold back
to the Black Cats in a deal thought to be worth around £4.5million. The
enforced sale of McCartney, combined with that of Anton Ferdinand, was the
catalyst for the departure of former manager Alan Curbishley who resigned
from his post citing interference from above. With West Ham relegated to the
Championship at the end of the 2010/11 campaign, new manager Sam Allardyce
moved to bring the 31-year-old back to the Boleyn in August of last year;
McCartney re-joining West Ham on loan for the season.
Having played a major part in West Ham' promotion campaign - he made 40
appearances, starting in 38 of those - the Belfast-born defender returned to
parent club Sunderland, but not before being named as the Players' Player of
the Year by his peers. Last week co-chairman David Gold confirmed that a
move to bring McCartney back to West Ham on a permanent basis was close to
being concluded - and on Saturday night he stated that a deal should be tied
up within 24 hours.
This morning news that McCartney had completed a second return to the club
on a two-year contract was confirmed on whufc.com. "I am delighted to be
coming back to West Ham - and this time, on a permanent basis," he said. "It
was great to be part of the side that won promotion last season. It was a
fantastic way to end the campaign and I am really looking forward to being
back in the Premier League with West Ham."
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Seedorf snubs Irons for Brazil
Sunday 1st July 2012 8:17
TeamTalk
Former Holland midfielder Clarence Seedorf has joined Brazilian side
Botafogo on a two-year-deal after reportedly snubbing a move to West Ham.
The Surinam-born 36-year-old, who ended a 10-year stint at AC Milan this
summer and had reportedly been interesting the Premier League new boys, has
been given what Botafogo claim is the most lucrative deal ever handed out to
a foreign player in Brazil. The club announced the deal in a statement which
read: "Botafogo have formalised a contract with the Dutch midfielder
Clarence Seedorf, who is 36. "Seedorf has signed a deal for two years with
Botafogo."
It went on: "It is the biggest contract for a foreigner made by a Brazilian
football club." Rio de Janeiro-based Botafogo sit eighth in the Campeonato
Brasileiro with three wins from six matches.
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Liverpool, Newcastle, Sunderland & West Ham will have to match valuation in
order to sign Crystal Palace's star man
London 24
Saturday, June 30, 2012
8:11 PM
Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman has insisted that in-demand forward
Wilfried Zaha will only leave if the price is right for the Eagles. The
19-year-old has been tracked by Liverpool, Newcastle, Reading, Sunderland
and West Ham in recent weeks but any prospective buyer will have to meet the
south Londoner's valuation after Zaha signed a five year contract with the
Selhurst Park outfit. "Everything has been handled in the right way with the
current owners in regard to handing the right type of contracts at the right
time," Freedman said. "Now everything is on our terms. "When, of if, Wilf
goes, it will be to the benefit of Crystal Palace instead of others.
"Hopefully though, we can fulfil his ambitions of achieving Premier League
football and it would be great if Wilf was there with us."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, June 30
Daily WHUFC News - 30th June 2012
O'Neil targeting further success
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil believes the Hammers can start the 2012/13 Barclays Premier
League season strongly
29.06.2012
Gary O'Neil believes West Ham United can make a big impact on their return
to the Barclays Premier League. The midfielder, who has made more than 160
top-flight appearances for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and West Ham, is
targeting a strong start to the 2012/13 season after helping the Hammers to
gain promotion from the npower Championship. O'Neil, who will return to
pre-season training with his team-mates on Sunday before jetting out to
Austria for a training camp early next week, is confident that West Ham have
the right manager, squad and fixture list to surprise a few people. The
Hammers kick-off at home to Aston Villa and face five clubs who finished in
the bottom half of the Barclays Premier League table last term in their
opening six matches. "I think we've got a good chance," said the
29-year-old. "We've strengthened already and I think we'll strengthen more.
We've got a good squad anyway. "We did well last season. We had a little
blip in the middle when we drew too many but we didn't lose many games at
all. I think we lost one game in the second half of the season and that was
to Reading at home.
"I think we've got a decent start with some winnable games there so I'm
really looking forward to it."
When asked if he thinks a mid-table finish is the 'least he was hoping for'
under the management of the experienced Sam Allardyce, the No32 was bullish
in his agreement. "Yeah, I think if we get off to a good start then
mid-table and upwards would be very good. The gaffer has been fantastic. He
is very meticulous and you don't go into any game or any training session
unsure of what he wants from you. "You know exactly what he wants so there
is no confusion. It's very simple and I think that was the basis to our
success last season."
O'Neil also pointed to the positive impact of the stability provided by the
Board and coaching staff in recent months. "I only joined in the January of
the relegation season [in 2011] but you could tell then that something
wasn't quite right. I know they had been through a tough time but we almost
managed to turn it around.
"It's much better now and a much better place."
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Sears departs
WHUFC.com
West Ham United can confirm that Freddie Sears has left the Club by mutual
consent
29.06.2012
West Ham United can confirm that Freddie Sears has left the club by mutual
consent. Striker Sears, a product of West Ham United's famed youth Academy,
has been at the Boleyn Ground since the age of eleven and after a prolific
journey through the ranks, progressed into the Hammers' first team. He made
his senior debut in March 2008, making an immediate impact in the match by
coming off the bench to score the winner in a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.
Sears has made 58 appearances, scoring three goals in all competitions for
the Hammers, in between loan spells at Scunthorpe United, Crystal Palace,
Coventry City and Colchester United. West Ham United would like to thank
Freddie for his service to the Club and wish him well in his future career.
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Fred's dead, baby
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Freddie Sears has become the second youngster to leave West Ham this week
'by mutual consent'. The 22-year-old striker, who barely featured for the
club last season has departed just over a year before the end of his five
year contract, which he signed in November 2008 - following goalkeeper Marek
Stech who also left this week. Clearly not a part of Sam Allarydyce's first
team plans - the Hornchurch-born attacker made just one appearance for the
Hammers in 2012 - Sears has been allowed to move on in order to find a new
club. Since bursting on to the scene in March 2008 when he scored the
winning goal against Blackburn Rovers on his first team debut, Sears has
scored just two goals for the club - both of which came in the 2010/11
season (against Wolves and Burnley) - in 60 appearances. Prolific at youth
and reserve level, Sears' introduction to the first team was the most
keenly-anticipated promotion for several years. However having scored
against Blackburn - which he followed by hitting the post in his next game
at Everton - he struggled to make an impact. That led to a string of loan
spells - at Crystal Palace, Coventry, Scunthorpe and last season, at
Colchester - but he looked just as unconvincing on loan as he had at West
Ham.
Speaking exclusively to KUMB.com about Sears' progress two years ago,
Academy Director Tony Carr - who had guided the striker's career at West Ham
since he was just 11 years of age - was stumped as to why his former protege
had lost his magic touch in front of goal. "The goals dried up; I can't put
my finger on it," said Carr. "I don't know, I really don't know. "Like
everything else I think getting into the team is all about having that
opportunity and timing is key. Maybe, just maybe, even though he scored the
winner [against Blackburn] that day the timing could have been too early for
him."
KUMB.com would like to wish Freddie the very best of luck, wherever he ends
up next.
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Return of the Mc?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are still hoping to sign Sunderland's George McCartney from
Sunderland ahead of the new Premier League season. The 31-year-old full
back, who originally signed for West Ham in 2006 before heading to
Sunderland in a £6million deal two years later, returned to east London in
August 2011 on a season-long loan deal. The Irishman, who has proved to be a
popular figure with supporters during both spells and who was also named
Players' Player of the Year last season returned to Sunderland at the end of
his loan spell in May. However West Ham immediately signalled their
intention to try and bring McCartney back to the club on a permanent basis -
and according to co-chiarman David Gold, those plans remains very much in
place. Gold, in response to a question on Twitter this morning regarding a
deal for the Irishman replied: "I hope this will happen soon."
McCartney, speaking about a potential third spell at West Ham said recently:
"Of course I would like to be here next year. "I have regrets about leaving
a few years ago and I have got the opportunity to come back and things have
gone really well. So hopefully in a few weeks' time when everything has
settled down, we can sort something out."
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Cooking with Gallas?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are attempting to sign Tottenham's experienced former French
international William Gallas, according to reports. A tabloid newspaper
reports today that United are hoping to take the former Chelsea and Arsenal
central defender, now 34, on a free transfer - adding that Spurs would be
willing to allow him to leave in order to free up a space in their squad for
the forthcoming 2012/13 season.
Other players linked with West Ham by the papers in the past 24 hours
include Clarence Seedorf, the 36-year-old former Dutch international plus
Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga, whom today's Mail insist West Ham have bid
£5million for. Meanwhile L'Equipe (via footmercato.net) suggest that West
Ham are in 'advanced talks' with Rennes captain Kader Mangane over a
potential permanent transfer. Mangane is said to have stated a desire to
play in England previously and is entering the final year of his current
contract with the Ligue 1 outfit.
In temrs of the British players linked with a move West Ham in recent days -
players such as Crystal Palace youngster Nathaniel Clyne, Birmingham's (even
younger youngster) Nathan Redmond, Norwich's Grant Holt or Sunderland's
Kieron Richardson - there is nothing new to report.
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Oh, Freddie, Freddie.... Freddie Sears Leaves
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
I feel really sad about this. Freddie Sears has left West Ham by mutual
consent. It's just been announced on the Club website. It has been clear for
some time that Sears wasn't going to fulfill his early promise. Despite
scoring on his debut against Blackburn he has too often flattered to
deceive. He's been out on loan to Palace, Coventry, Scunthorpe and
Colchester and for some time it has been obvious that Sam Allardyce didn't
see him as part of the future.
He only played 45 games, scoring two goals.
I'm told Freddie's wages were ridiculously high, which is why his proposed
move to Crystal Palace as part of a deal for Zaha never came off. They
couldn't afford him. It seems odd that we won't get a fee for him, but I
suppose the main priority was to get him off the wage bill. I'm sure he will
fix himself up with a Championship club (or possibly Colchester United) and
on behalf of everyone I'd like to wish him all the best for the future.
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Hammers hover for Olsson
The Sun
Published: 29th June 2012
MARTIN OLSSON has handed in a transfer request at Blackburn Rovers. There
will be a scramble for sign the Swedish defender, 24, with West Ham and
Stoke interested.
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West Ham ready to bolster back four with Clyne and Mangane in sights
By SAMI MOKBEL and JOHN EDWARDS
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 29 June 2012 | UPDATED: 22:32, 29 June 2012
Daily MAil
West Ham hope to agree terms with Crystal Palace right back Nathaniel
Clyne, 21, whose contract expires on Saturday. They are also ready to
compete with Arsenal for Rennes defender Abdou Kader Mangane, 29.
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West Ham in for Seedorf
By Football Italia staff
Clarence Seedorf could be set for a go at the Premier League, with West Ham
United having reportedly offered him a contract. The Dutchman recently
confirmed that he would be leaving Milan after a decade with the Rossoneri
and hinted that he would like to play in England, if the opportunity
presented itself. Having played in the Netherlands, Spain and Italy, the
36-year-old could get his wish, with newly-returned top-flight outfit West
Ham. Reports in Italy suggest that the Hammers have approached Seedorf with
a one-year contract offer. This follows on from earlier rumours on Friday
that linked Tottenham Hotspur with the veteran, and his agent's assertion
that a decision is imminent. Seedorf is currently on holiday in the United
States and has spent the past week training with former Milan teammate David
Beckham's current side LA Galaxy.
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West Ham close in on deal for Sunderland defender
By talkSPORT | Friday, June 29, 2012
West Ham are expected to complete a deal to sign George McCartney from
Sunderland in the next 24 hours. McCartney enjoyed a successful season-long
loan at Upton Park last year and played a major role in helping the club
gain promotion back into the Premier League. The Northern Ireland
international failed to make any impact at the Stadium of Light and Martin
O'Neill was happy for the 31-year-old to make a permanent switch to the east
London club. This will be McCartney's second spell at West Ham after he
spent two-years between 2006-08 with the Hammers. A deal has been agreed
between the two clubs and he is expected to put pen to paper in the before
the weekend is over.
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West Ham Hoping to Land Holland Legend Clarence Seedorf
Sportsvibe.co.uk
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is hoping that he will be able to persuade
Clarence Seedorf to join the club in the coming weeks after deciding to
leave AC Milan.
The 36-year-old is one of the most successful footballers in recent history
and the first player to ever win the Champions League on four occasions,
with three different clubs. Seedorf won the competition with Ajax, Real
Madrid and twice with AC Milan, while he also has five league titles and
numerous cup winners medal from his time spent playing in Holland, Spain and
Italy. A former Holland international, Seedorf is currently training with
LA Galaxy as he attempts to stay fit and continue his hunt for a new club.
The Sun believes that West Ham are keen to bring the midfielder to the
Premier League and, despite being in the latter stages of his career,
believe he can still bring some quality to the club. Seedorf still made 30
appearances for Milan last season and was a regular starter in the Champions
League. Allardyce has often signed players who are in the twilight of their
careers and has enjoyed massive success with the likes of Youri Djorkaeff
and Ivan Campo.
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Former West Ham full-back Julien Faubert signs 3 year deal with Elazığspor
2012-06-29 05:33:15
Turkish-football.com
Julien Faubert has put pen to paper, signing a 3 year deal with newly
promoted Turkish Super League side Elazığspor. The financial details of
Faubert's contract are yet to be disclosed. Elazığspor have been busy in the
transfer market since being promoted signing; Gökhan Emreciksin, Herve Tum,
Bilica, İvesa, Spahija, Sezer Badur and Ali Zorlu. The 28-year-old fullback
was released by West Ham following the end of his contract. The Hammers
signed Faubert from Bordeaux in 2007 for £6.1 million on a five-year
contract. Faubert made 121 appearances for West Ham and secured a brief
spell on loan with Real Madrid in 2009. Elazığspor marked their return to
the top-flight after an eight year absence following their promotion from
the Bank Asya league. The Gakgoşlar are managed by Bülent Uygun, one of the
93 suspects in the ongoing match-fixing case. Uygun was jailed and held in
custody five months last year for his alleged involvement in the
manipulation of a Turkish Super League game when he was the Eskişehirspor
coach. The Professional Football Discipline Committee found Uygun not guilty
of involvement in match fixing. However, the report is independent of the
ongoing match fixing trial.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham make £4million bid for Arsenal target
By Jamie Sanderson | Friday, June 29, 2012
TalkSport
West Ham have made a £4 million bid for controversial Rennes defender Abdou
Kader Mangane. The 29-year-old centre back, who can also play in midfield,
has become something of a hate figure in France, following a series of
dangerous tackles, including one on Valenciennes midfielder Jonathan Lacourt
in 2009, that broke both his tibia and fibula, and ruled him out of the game
for two years. Mangane is often booed at most away grounds in France, but
that has not put off Arsenal, Newcastle and Sunderland, who have all been to
watch the Senegal international in action during the last 12 months.
However, despite their interest, Premier League new boys West Ham have now
jumped the queue, and lodged a £4 million bid with Ligue 1 side Rennes.
Mangane, known for his power, pace and nononsense approach, has secured a
French passport to help ease a transfer to English football, and with just
12 months left on his current deal, Rennes are desperate to do business.
Hammers boss Sam Allarydce is keen to add more experience to his squad this
summer, and has already brought in Bolton veteran Jussi Jaaskelainen, along
with and Wigan enforcer Mohamed Diame, with more to follow.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham keen on William Gallas
Evening Standard
29 June 2012
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is looking to sign defender William Gallas
from Spurs, according to reports. Gallas struggled with a niggling calf
injury at White Hart Lane season but West Ham are looking to boost their
defensive options and see the experienced Frenchman as an ideal signing as
they prepare for their Premier League return, the Sun reports. The Hammers
have already signed Mohamed Diame and Jussi Jaaskelainen this summer on free
transfers
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil believes the Hammers can start the 2012/13 Barclays Premier
League season strongly
29.06.2012
Gary O'Neil believes West Ham United can make a big impact on their return
to the Barclays Premier League. The midfielder, who has made more than 160
top-flight appearances for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and West Ham, is
targeting a strong start to the 2012/13 season after helping the Hammers to
gain promotion from the npower Championship. O'Neil, who will return to
pre-season training with his team-mates on Sunday before jetting out to
Austria for a training camp early next week, is confident that West Ham have
the right manager, squad and fixture list to surprise a few people. The
Hammers kick-off at home to Aston Villa and face five clubs who finished in
the bottom half of the Barclays Premier League table last term in their
opening six matches. "I think we've got a good chance," said the
29-year-old. "We've strengthened already and I think we'll strengthen more.
We've got a good squad anyway. "We did well last season. We had a little
blip in the middle when we drew too many but we didn't lose many games at
all. I think we lost one game in the second half of the season and that was
to Reading at home.
"I think we've got a decent start with some winnable games there so I'm
really looking forward to it."
When asked if he thinks a mid-table finish is the 'least he was hoping for'
under the management of the experienced Sam Allardyce, the No32 was bullish
in his agreement. "Yeah, I think if we get off to a good start then
mid-table and upwards would be very good. The gaffer has been fantastic. He
is very meticulous and you don't go into any game or any training session
unsure of what he wants from you. "You know exactly what he wants so there
is no confusion. It's very simple and I think that was the basis to our
success last season."
O'Neil also pointed to the positive impact of the stability provided by the
Board and coaching staff in recent months. "I only joined in the January of
the relegation season [in 2011] but you could tell then that something
wasn't quite right. I know they had been through a tough time but we almost
managed to turn it around.
"It's much better now and a much better place."
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Sears departs
WHUFC.com
West Ham United can confirm that Freddie Sears has left the Club by mutual
consent
29.06.2012
West Ham United can confirm that Freddie Sears has left the club by mutual
consent. Striker Sears, a product of West Ham United's famed youth Academy,
has been at the Boleyn Ground since the age of eleven and after a prolific
journey through the ranks, progressed into the Hammers' first team. He made
his senior debut in March 2008, making an immediate impact in the match by
coming off the bench to score the winner in a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.
Sears has made 58 appearances, scoring three goals in all competitions for
the Hammers, in between loan spells at Scunthorpe United, Crystal Palace,
Coventry City and Colchester United. West Ham United would like to thank
Freddie for his service to the Club and wish him well in his future career.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fred's dead, baby
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Freddie Sears has become the second youngster to leave West Ham this week
'by mutual consent'. The 22-year-old striker, who barely featured for the
club last season has departed just over a year before the end of his five
year contract, which he signed in November 2008 - following goalkeeper Marek
Stech who also left this week. Clearly not a part of Sam Allarydyce's first
team plans - the Hornchurch-born attacker made just one appearance for the
Hammers in 2012 - Sears has been allowed to move on in order to find a new
club. Since bursting on to the scene in March 2008 when he scored the
winning goal against Blackburn Rovers on his first team debut, Sears has
scored just two goals for the club - both of which came in the 2010/11
season (against Wolves and Burnley) - in 60 appearances. Prolific at youth
and reserve level, Sears' introduction to the first team was the most
keenly-anticipated promotion for several years. However having scored
against Blackburn - which he followed by hitting the post in his next game
at Everton - he struggled to make an impact. That led to a string of loan
spells - at Crystal Palace, Coventry, Scunthorpe and last season, at
Colchester - but he looked just as unconvincing on loan as he had at West
Ham.
Speaking exclusively to KUMB.com about Sears' progress two years ago,
Academy Director Tony Carr - who had guided the striker's career at West Ham
since he was just 11 years of age - was stumped as to why his former protege
had lost his magic touch in front of goal. "The goals dried up; I can't put
my finger on it," said Carr. "I don't know, I really don't know. "Like
everything else I think getting into the team is all about having that
opportunity and timing is key. Maybe, just maybe, even though he scored the
winner [against Blackburn] that day the timing could have been too early for
him."
KUMB.com would like to wish Freddie the very best of luck, wherever he ends
up next.
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Return of the Mc?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are still hoping to sign Sunderland's George McCartney from
Sunderland ahead of the new Premier League season. The 31-year-old full
back, who originally signed for West Ham in 2006 before heading to
Sunderland in a £6million deal two years later, returned to east London in
August 2011 on a season-long loan deal. The Irishman, who has proved to be a
popular figure with supporters during both spells and who was also named
Players' Player of the Year last season returned to Sunderland at the end of
his loan spell in May. However West Ham immediately signalled their
intention to try and bring McCartney back to the club on a permanent basis -
and according to co-chiarman David Gold, those plans remains very much in
place. Gold, in response to a question on Twitter this morning regarding a
deal for the Irishman replied: "I hope this will happen soon."
McCartney, speaking about a potential third spell at West Ham said recently:
"Of course I would like to be here next year. "I have regrets about leaving
a few years ago and I have got the opportunity to come back and things have
gone really well. So hopefully in a few weeks' time when everything has
settled down, we can sort something out."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cooking with Gallas?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 29th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are attempting to sign Tottenham's experienced former French
international William Gallas, according to reports. A tabloid newspaper
reports today that United are hoping to take the former Chelsea and Arsenal
central defender, now 34, on a free transfer - adding that Spurs would be
willing to allow him to leave in order to free up a space in their squad for
the forthcoming 2012/13 season.
Other players linked with West Ham by the papers in the past 24 hours
include Clarence Seedorf, the 36-year-old former Dutch international plus
Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga, whom today's Mail insist West Ham have bid
£5million for. Meanwhile L'Equipe (via footmercato.net) suggest that West
Ham are in 'advanced talks' with Rennes captain Kader Mangane over a
potential permanent transfer. Mangane is said to have stated a desire to
play in England previously and is entering the final year of his current
contract with the Ligue 1 outfit.
In temrs of the British players linked with a move West Ham in recent days -
players such as Crystal Palace youngster Nathaniel Clyne, Birmingham's (even
younger youngster) Nathan Redmond, Norwich's Grant Holt or Sunderland's
Kieron Richardson - there is nothing new to report.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Oh, Freddie, Freddie.... Freddie Sears Leaves
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
I feel really sad about this. Freddie Sears has left West Ham by mutual
consent. It's just been announced on the Club website. It has been clear for
some time that Sears wasn't going to fulfill his early promise. Despite
scoring on his debut against Blackburn he has too often flattered to
deceive. He's been out on loan to Palace, Coventry, Scunthorpe and
Colchester and for some time it has been obvious that Sam Allardyce didn't
see him as part of the future.
He only played 45 games, scoring two goals.
I'm told Freddie's wages were ridiculously high, which is why his proposed
move to Crystal Palace as part of a deal for Zaha never came off. They
couldn't afford him. It seems odd that we won't get a fee for him, but I
suppose the main priority was to get him off the wage bill. I'm sure he will
fix himself up with a Championship club (or possibly Colchester United) and
on behalf of everyone I'd like to wish him all the best for the future.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers hover for Olsson
The Sun
Published: 29th June 2012
MARTIN OLSSON has handed in a transfer request at Blackburn Rovers. There
will be a scramble for sign the Swedish defender, 24, with West Ham and
Stoke interested.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham ready to bolster back four with Clyne and Mangane in sights
By SAMI MOKBEL and JOHN EDWARDS
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 29 June 2012 | UPDATED: 22:32, 29 June 2012
Daily MAil
West Ham hope to agree terms with Crystal Palace right back Nathaniel
Clyne, 21, whose contract expires on Saturday. They are also ready to
compete with Arsenal for Rennes defender Abdou Kader Mangane, 29.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham in for Seedorf
By Football Italia staff
Clarence Seedorf could be set for a go at the Premier League, with West Ham
United having reportedly offered him a contract. The Dutchman recently
confirmed that he would be leaving Milan after a decade with the Rossoneri
and hinted that he would like to play in England, if the opportunity
presented itself. Having played in the Netherlands, Spain and Italy, the
36-year-old could get his wish, with newly-returned top-flight outfit West
Ham. Reports in Italy suggest that the Hammers have approached Seedorf with
a one-year contract offer. This follows on from earlier rumours on Friday
that linked Tottenham Hotspur with the veteran, and his agent's assertion
that a decision is imminent. Seedorf is currently on holiday in the United
States and has spent the past week training with former Milan teammate David
Beckham's current side LA Galaxy.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham close in on deal for Sunderland defender
By talkSPORT | Friday, June 29, 2012
West Ham are expected to complete a deal to sign George McCartney from
Sunderland in the next 24 hours. McCartney enjoyed a successful season-long
loan at Upton Park last year and played a major role in helping the club
gain promotion back into the Premier League. The Northern Ireland
international failed to make any impact at the Stadium of Light and Martin
O'Neill was happy for the 31-year-old to make a permanent switch to the east
London club. This will be McCartney's second spell at West Ham after he
spent two-years between 2006-08 with the Hammers. A deal has been agreed
between the two clubs and he is expected to put pen to paper in the before
the weekend is over.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Hoping to Land Holland Legend Clarence Seedorf
Sportsvibe.co.uk
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is hoping that he will be able to persuade
Clarence Seedorf to join the club in the coming weeks after deciding to
leave AC Milan.
The 36-year-old is one of the most successful footballers in recent history
and the first player to ever win the Champions League on four occasions,
with three different clubs. Seedorf won the competition with Ajax, Real
Madrid and twice with AC Milan, while he also has five league titles and
numerous cup winners medal from his time spent playing in Holland, Spain and
Italy. A former Holland international, Seedorf is currently training with
LA Galaxy as he attempts to stay fit and continue his hunt for a new club.
The Sun believes that West Ham are keen to bring the midfielder to the
Premier League and, despite being in the latter stages of his career,
believe he can still bring some quality to the club. Seedorf still made 30
appearances for Milan last season and was a regular starter in the Champions
League. Allardyce has often signed players who are in the twilight of their
careers and has enjoyed massive success with the likes of Youri Djorkaeff
and Ivan Campo.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former West Ham full-back Julien Faubert signs 3 year deal with Elazığspor
2012-06-29 05:33:15
Turkish-football.com
Julien Faubert has put pen to paper, signing a 3 year deal with newly
promoted Turkish Super League side Elazığspor. The financial details of
Faubert's contract are yet to be disclosed. Elazığspor have been busy in the
transfer market since being promoted signing; Gökhan Emreciksin, Herve Tum,
Bilica, İvesa, Spahija, Sezer Badur and Ali Zorlu. The 28-year-old fullback
was released by West Ham following the end of his contract. The Hammers
signed Faubert from Bordeaux in 2007 for £6.1 million on a five-year
contract. Faubert made 121 appearances for West Ham and secured a brief
spell on loan with Real Madrid in 2009. Elazığspor marked their return to
the top-flight after an eight year absence following their promotion from
the Bank Asya league. The Gakgoşlar are managed by Bülent Uygun, one of the
93 suspects in the ongoing match-fixing case. Uygun was jailed and held in
custody five months last year for his alleged involvement in the
manipulation of a Turkish Super League game when he was the Eskişehirspor
coach. The Professional Football Discipline Committee found Uygun not guilty
of involvement in match fixing. However, the report is independent of the
ongoing match fixing trial.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham make £4million bid for Arsenal target
By Jamie Sanderson | Friday, June 29, 2012
TalkSport
West Ham have made a £4 million bid for controversial Rennes defender Abdou
Kader Mangane. The 29-year-old centre back, who can also play in midfield,
has become something of a hate figure in France, following a series of
dangerous tackles, including one on Valenciennes midfielder Jonathan Lacourt
in 2009, that broke both his tibia and fibula, and ruled him out of the game
for two years. Mangane is often booed at most away grounds in France, but
that has not put off Arsenal, Newcastle and Sunderland, who have all been to
watch the Senegal international in action during the last 12 months.
However, despite their interest, Premier League new boys West Ham have now
jumped the queue, and lodged a £4 million bid with Ligue 1 side Rennes.
Mangane, known for his power, pace and nononsense approach, has secured a
French passport to help ease a transfer to English football, and with just
12 months left on his current deal, Rennes are desperate to do business.
Hammers boss Sam Allarydce is keen to add more experience to his squad this
summer, and has already brought in Bolton veteran Jussi Jaaskelainen, along
with and Wigan enforcer Mohamed Diame, with more to follow.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham keen on William Gallas
Evening Standard
29 June 2012
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is looking to sign defender William Gallas
from Spurs, according to reports. Gallas struggled with a niggling calf
injury at White Hart Lane season but West Ham are looking to boost their
defensive options and see the experienced Frenchman as an ideal signing as
they prepare for their Premier League return, the Sun reports. The Hammers
have already signed Mohamed Diame and Jussi Jaaskelainen this summer on free
transfers
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, June 29
Daily WHUFC News - 29th June 2012
Hendon happy to be back
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon was pleased to return to the training pitch with his Development
Squad this week
28.06.2012
West Ham United Development Squad coach Ian Hendon has hailed his players'
physical condition on their return to pre-season training this week. Hendon
welcomed his players back from their summer break on Monday and was
delighted to meet a fully-fit group looking lean and ready to get down to
business. The Development Squad head off to Russia for the VTB Lev Yashin
Cup in Moscow between 12-15 July before returning to England for a host of
challenging pre-season matches ahead of the newly-formed 2012/13
Professional Development League campaign. "I've been delighted with the
lads," Hendon confirmed to West Ham TV. "They came back on Monday for a bit
of screening and fitness testing and to have them all back fit and well was
a bonus because this time last year we already had a couple out for the
start of the season. We're fit and raring to go, as they say. "We'll get
them a bit of conditioning and will have them ready to go to Russia in about
ten days. We've got a pre-season tournament there that we'll have them all
ready for. It's about minutes on the pitch, rather than winning, although
that would be nice. It's about getting ready for August. "It's a big
tournament out there, I'm told. We have been invited over and the first team
doing so well and getting promoted obviously helped. "The training ground is
fantastic, but it's nice to get away for a week or so because it can get
monotonous being in the same place for six or seven weeks on the trot. It'll
be nice to play some foreign opposition as well so we're all looking forward
to it."
Hendon enjoyed a long playing career himself with Tottenham Hotspur, Leyton
Orient, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnet - among others - but admitted the
game has changed since his playing days. Back then, some players would let
themselves go over the summer before having to get back into shape in
pre-season, but the modern-day West Ham youngsters evidently take their
fitness more seriously. "The days are long-gone when they finish in May and
don't do a thing until pre-season, coming back having put on weight and body
fat as they used to in my day! "They're professional and have off-season
plans and they have come back fit and healthy and it looks like they have
stuck to the plan. To start with, that is a bonus."
While his players will be training for the next fortnight, Hendon already
has an eye on a packed schedule of pre-season matches that will see his team
travel far and wide as they prepare for the new campaign. At the same time,
Hendon said the opposition clubs are looking forward to welcoming West Ham
to town. "A lot of non-league clubs want to play us because it gives them a
bit of revenue and helps them out, as well as helping us out. We've got four
games this year at Thurrock, Grays, Welling and Dartford. "I know a couple
of the managers at those clubs so we can help them out then we will do that,
while they will also be competitive games. "We then finish off against AFC
wimbledon, Northampton and Dagenham and Redbridge with West Ham United XI
matches so we could have senior professionals involved in any of those
games. Even if they are Development Squad matches, they will be competitive
and the other side will know they have been in a game."
Development Squad/West Ham United XI pre-season fixtures
(All matches AWAY)
12-15 July - VTB Lev Yashin Cup (Moscow, Russia)
20 July - Grays Athletic (Rush Green Stadium, 7.45pm)
21 July - Thurrock (Ship Lane, 3pm)
24 July - Dartford (Princes Park, 7.45pm)
28 July - Welling (Park View Road, 3pm)
4 Aug - AFC Wimbledon (Kingsmeadow, 3pm)
7 Aug - Northampton Town (Sixfields, 7.45pm)
11 Aug - Dagenham and Redbridge (Victoria Road, 3pm)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stech joins the exodus
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Reserve goalkeeper Marek Stech has left West Ham 'by mutual consent',
according to David Gold. The West Ham United co-chairman, speaking via
Twitter this lunchtime confirmed that the 22-year-old goalkeeper, who had
been with West Ham since joining from Sparta Prague in 2006 had left the
club. Once hailed as 'the next Petr Cech', the 6'3" shot-stopper made just
three appearances for the first team during his time at the club - all of
which came in the League Cup. In March 2009, having slipped behind Peter
Kurucz in the goalkeeping pecking-order, he was shipped off to Wycombe on
loan for the remainder fo the 2008/09 campaign, but made just two
appearances - a draw against Brentford and a 1-0 defeat at home to Rochdale
- before returning to London. The former Czech under 19 international's next
taste of first team action came at Bournemouth who he joined on an emergency
weeks' loan in December 2009. However it was a week to forget as the
Cherries went down 5-0 at Morecambe in a League Two encounter.
The following season - 2010/11 - Stech finally made his first team debut for
West Ham in the Second Round 1-0 defeat of Oxford, a game won courtesy of
Scott Parker's 90th-minute strike. He was to retain his place in the side
for both the third and fourth round ties against Sunderland and Stoke, which
the Hammers won 2-1 and 3-1 respectively, although Rob Green took over
goalkeeping duties for the quarter final meeting with Manchester United
(4-0) and the two-legged semi final against Birmingham City (2-1, 1-3).
Only last summer Stech still harboured high hopes of eventually becoming
West Ham's number one. Speaking in an interview with Czech website Pravo,
recorded following West Ham's relegation from the Premier League, he said:"I
am full of optimism. For me it's advantageous that we're not among the elite
as I have a better chance. "In the reserve games I've played well and pushed
[Rob] Green in training. He had an operation and problems plagued him after
the treatment of pain. It was almost my time, but I just didn't get a
chance."
However his chances were to be limited even further during the campaign as
the result of a contractual issue that is thought to have prevented him from
being made available for selection. It was rumoured that after five first
team outings, Stech's former club Sparta would be due an additional payment
of £750,000 - something that West Ham were not prepared to pay.
As a result he once again spent much of the season kicking his heels in
frustration, making the occasional appearance for Ian Hendon's Development
Squad before joining both Yeovil - for whom he made five appearances - and
League One side Leyton Orient - just two - on short-terms loans.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Braga rights
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 27th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will end their pre-season program in the Portuguese sunshine
after agreeing to face SC Braga on Friday, 10th August. For the first time
since 2002, the club will face their final friendly of pre-season away from
the Boleyn Ground as a result of the Olympic Games which take place in
Stratford between Friday, July 27th and Sunday, August 12th. And Sam
Allardyce's face face a stiff test when they face a team who finished third
in last season's Primeira Liga behind Champions FC Porto and runners-up
Benfica - but ahead of the third of Portugal's 'big three', Sporting Lisbon.
West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald told whufc.com: "It's a nice game
to finish to our pre-season. It will give us a good idea of where we are at,
a week before the start of the season. "It will be the most important match
of our pre-season and the perfect preparation for welcoming Aston Villa on
18 August."
Braga, who qualified for the Champions League as a result of their
third-placed finish - and who play at the iconic Estádio Municipal stadium -
are now managed by former Real Madrid assistant manager José Peseiro, who
superceded Leonardo Jardim last month. Jardim, who at just 37 years of age
led Braga to the Champions League in his first season at the club left Os
Arsenalistas one year into a three-year contract after a disagreement with
club president António Salvador.
Final pre-season friendlies: the last ten years
2011: West Ham Utd 2-0 Real Zaragoza: report
2010: West Ham Utd 0-0 (5-3 pens) Deportivo: report
2009: West Ham Utd 0-1 Napoli: report
2008: West Ham Utd 1-1 Villareal: report
2007: West Ham Utd 2-1 Roma: report
2006: West Ham Utd 1-1 Olympiakos: report
2005: West Ham Utd 1-1 (7-8 pens) Osasuna: report
2004: West Ham Utd 4-4 (4-5 pens) Anderlecht: report
2003: West Ham Utd 1-2 PSV Eindhoven: report
2002: West Ham Utd 1-0 Vitesse Arnhem (played at Roots Hall): report
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New homes for stray Hammers
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Ex-Hammers Julien Faubert and Jordan Brown have been handed new contracts
having left West Ham this summer. The French winger has moved to Turkey in
order to join newly-promoted Elazigspor, with whom he has signed a
three-year contract - as confirmed by the French winger last night.
Meanwhile youngster Brown, who was heavily tipped to break through to West
Ham's first team squad this time last summer has dropped down the football
pyramid in order to join League Two Barnet. Faubert, who spent five years at
West Ham having joined the club from French outfit Bordeaux in the summer of
2007 in a £6.1million switch left West Ham on a free transfer at the end of
last season, having made 121 appearances in claret and blue. Speaking via
his Twitter account yesterday, he said: "Thanks to all the West Ham fans -
true fans - for the support and messages I've received, and come on West Ham
in Premier League!"
20-year-old Brown, a left back who failed to make a single first team
appearance for West Ham was told to find a new club at the beginning of
2012. He previously spent time on loan at Crewe and Aldershot, and trialled
at Gillingham, before landing a permanent contract with the Bees. Barnet Had
Coach Mark Robson - a fellow former Hammer - told his club's website:
"Jordan is a player I've known about for a while now. He's had a good
upbringing at West Ham - both on and off the pitch.
"He is a very promising player and he was unfortunate not to feature more in
the West Ham First Team as he played a few times in their pre-season last
year. With all the players they brought in he never really got an
opportunity. But that can only be a good thing for us as I really want to
help him develop and prosper as a Bee and I believe he will do that here.
I'm very excited to finally get him here as I know there were a few clubs
chasing him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Duo poised for Hammers exit
Brown joins Barnet, Barrera set for return to homeland
Last Updated: June 28, 2012 1:37pm
SSN
West Ham youngster Jordan Brown has left the club to join Barnet while
defender Pablo Barrera is closing in on a move back to Mexico. Brown signed
for the Hammers as a 15-year-old in 2007 but failed to make a single
first-team appearance for the club, enjoying loan spells at Aldershot and
Crewe last season. The club decided against offering him a new contract
after his original deal expired at the end of last season, meaning he was
available on a free transfer. League Two side Barnet have moved quickly to
snap up the youngster, with Bees head coach Mark Robson delighted to have
him on board. "Jordan is a player I've known about for a while now. He's had
a good upbringing at West Ham," he said.
Develop and prosper
"I really want to help him develop and prosper as a Bee and I believe he
will do that here." Meanwhile, Mexcian flop Barrera is poised to end his
nightmare spell in east London with a move back to his homeland. The Hammers
paid Club Universidad Nacional £3million for the 25-year-old in the summer
of 2010 but he made just six appearances in his first season before spending
the last campaign on loan at Real Zaragoza. Barrera is now set for a
permanent move away from Upton Park with Cruz Azul poised to wrap up a deal
for the forward. "We only need to fix some details with West Ham about
incentives," Cruz Azul president Guillermo Alvarez Macias said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New Bid for Holt? Is He Really Worth £6 Million?
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Calll me old fashioned, but I just cannot fathom the logic (if indeed it is
true) why we would have made a £4 million bid for Grant Holt, together with
£2 million worth of add-ons. If he were 25, fine. But he's not. He's 31,
with at best two seasons ahead of him. Yes, he had a good season last
season, but apart from that he doesn't have a top level track record. He's
not a player I particularly want to see in a West Ham shirt, but I will
happily eat my words if by the middle of May 2013 he has scored 15 goals for
us.
The Zaha trail seems to have gone very cold. Crystal Palace are reportedly
playing silly buggers and Freddie Sears is being difficult about moving the
other way. I'm afraid Mr Sears needs to wake up and smell the coffee. He has
no future at Upton Park and if he wants first team football, he's going to
have to drop down to the Championship and modify his earnings expectation.
We are also on the sniff for Nathan Clynes, a nippy full back at Palace, as
well as Chris Solly from Charlton.
Two departures have been announced. Julien Faubert, whose contract was not
renewed, has joined Turkish outfit Elazigspor. And Jordan Brown, of whom
great things were hoped, has joined Barnet. We wish them both well.
There are all sorts of rumours about foreign wingers and strikers. The one
with most substance, as mentioned before on the site, is for Burak Yilmaz.
He is said to have been offered a mouthwatering contract. To my mind we need
to be thinking about centre backs too. We only have Tomkins and Reid at the
moment and surely need a couple more. Jonas Olsson seems to be top of the
wish list, but WBA apparently want to keep him, even though he has only got
a year left.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam eyes Will.I.Ham
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today at 00:03
WILLIAM GALLAS could be on his way to West Ham. Hammers chiefs are trying to
sign Tottenham's experienced French centre-half. And Spurs would be only too
happy to offload Gallas, 34, on a free transfer despite their intense local
rivalry with West Ham. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce needs more defenders with
proven track records following the club's promotion to the Premier League
via the Championship play-offs. He has also released former Stoke
centre-back Abdoulaye Faye, 34, while 31-year-old Danny Collins has gone
back to the Potters after a loan spell at Upton Park. Managerless Spurs are
still hoping to sign Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen from Dutch champions
Ajax to play alongside Michael Dawson or Younes Kaboul, so Gallas is surplus
to requirements. Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf is also wanted by Hammers
chief Allardyce, who is a long-term admirer of the veteran midfielder.
Former Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan star Seedorf, 36, has made it
clear he would like to play in the Premier League.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce keen to strengthen Hammers attack with £5m move for Maiga
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 22:43, 28 June 2012 | UPDATED: 22:43, 28 June 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham have made a £5million bid for Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga. Manager
Sam Allardyce is battling to land his targets with a striker and centre-back
his priorities. He has bid for Norwich's Grant Holt and is also keen on
Evian's Yannick Sagbo. Reading have also bid for Maiga while Stoke maintain
an interest too. Reading expect to have Pavel Pogrebnyak's work permit
processed today and are closing on a deal for free agent midfielder Danny
Guthrie.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is Grant Holt worth £6 million of West Ham's money?
by Dan Coombs
Here Is The City
West Ham United are reported to be preparing an improved offer. Is he worth
it? Grant Holt was one of the Premier League's surprise packages last
season, scoring 15 goals in the division plus 1 in the FA Cup. So it is no
wonder he is attracting interest from clubs, especially after stating his
desire to leave Norwich City and hand in a transfer request. Yet at 31, his
age presents a dilemma when coupled with a big price tag. If Holt's
breakthrough season had come five or six years earlier, there surely would
be no qualms about a £6 million fee, but if West Ham supporters are
sceptical we can hardly blame them.
Here are two opposing views:
Yes he is worth £6 million
The Hammers have been linked with a number of strikers over the summer, many
of who ply their trade abroad in Serie A or La Liga. It is though important
to remember that Holt has proven he has done it in the Premier League - 15
goals is an excellent return, even in his heyday for Liverpool Michael Owen
never topped 18. Holt may be getting on in his career, but it should be
remembered he is a late developer. He can still have two or three years at
the top level. For West Ham next season is about consolidation, retaining
their Premier League status and leaving a stable platform on which to build.
Holt, a proven performer, can help West Ham show they belong at the level,
and provide experience for the club's talented youngsters to feed off. It
should not be forgotten that he is the ideal target man for Sam Allardyce's
preferred 'route one' style of football. Similar to Kevin Davies at Bolton,
Holt could thrive, and if the Hammers can get two good years out of him with
10 plus goal returns, the investment will be worth it.
No he is not worth £6 million
Signing Holt for £6 million could be a gamble Allardyce lives to regret. He
has been primarily a football league player his whole career, judged not to
be good enough for the top flight. There is a danger his season with Norwich
last year will prove to be a flash in the pan, similar to players like
Michael Ricketts at Bolton, once capped by England. If that is the case,
West Ham will have paid an over-inflated price for a player who simply isn't
that good, and could be stuck with his wages too. Surely that's the reason
for handing in a transfer request? He wants to capitalise on his year of
success and take on one big pay day. Signing Holt would be a short-term fix
only, and would indicate Allardyce is going back to his old ways. The
manager was keen to stress he wanted to play a more attractive brand of
football, and the signings of Ricardo Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison - yet to be
seen - indicate that. Signing Holt would deviate from that plan and be a
backwards step. It would show that West Ham are putting the development of
youngsters on the back-burner, if they are going to sign a striker, they
should look for a younger model, 25-year-old PSV striker Ola Toivonen scored
28 goals last season and is reported to be available for around £7 million -
surely that is better value?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon was pleased to return to the training pitch with his Development
Squad this week
28.06.2012
West Ham United Development Squad coach Ian Hendon has hailed his players'
physical condition on their return to pre-season training this week. Hendon
welcomed his players back from their summer break on Monday and was
delighted to meet a fully-fit group looking lean and ready to get down to
business. The Development Squad head off to Russia for the VTB Lev Yashin
Cup in Moscow between 12-15 July before returning to England for a host of
challenging pre-season matches ahead of the newly-formed 2012/13
Professional Development League campaign. "I've been delighted with the
lads," Hendon confirmed to West Ham TV. "They came back on Monday for a bit
of screening and fitness testing and to have them all back fit and well was
a bonus because this time last year we already had a couple out for the
start of the season. We're fit and raring to go, as they say. "We'll get
them a bit of conditioning and will have them ready to go to Russia in about
ten days. We've got a pre-season tournament there that we'll have them all
ready for. It's about minutes on the pitch, rather than winning, although
that would be nice. It's about getting ready for August. "It's a big
tournament out there, I'm told. We have been invited over and the first team
doing so well and getting promoted obviously helped. "The training ground is
fantastic, but it's nice to get away for a week or so because it can get
monotonous being in the same place for six or seven weeks on the trot. It'll
be nice to play some foreign opposition as well so we're all looking forward
to it."
Hendon enjoyed a long playing career himself with Tottenham Hotspur, Leyton
Orient, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnet - among others - but admitted the
game has changed since his playing days. Back then, some players would let
themselves go over the summer before having to get back into shape in
pre-season, but the modern-day West Ham youngsters evidently take their
fitness more seriously. "The days are long-gone when they finish in May and
don't do a thing until pre-season, coming back having put on weight and body
fat as they used to in my day! "They're professional and have off-season
plans and they have come back fit and healthy and it looks like they have
stuck to the plan. To start with, that is a bonus."
While his players will be training for the next fortnight, Hendon already
has an eye on a packed schedule of pre-season matches that will see his team
travel far and wide as they prepare for the new campaign. At the same time,
Hendon said the opposition clubs are looking forward to welcoming West Ham
to town. "A lot of non-league clubs want to play us because it gives them a
bit of revenue and helps them out, as well as helping us out. We've got four
games this year at Thurrock, Grays, Welling and Dartford. "I know a couple
of the managers at those clubs so we can help them out then we will do that,
while they will also be competitive games. "We then finish off against AFC
wimbledon, Northampton and Dagenham and Redbridge with West Ham United XI
matches so we could have senior professionals involved in any of those
games. Even if they are Development Squad matches, they will be competitive
and the other side will know they have been in a game."
Development Squad/West Ham United XI pre-season fixtures
(All matches AWAY)
12-15 July - VTB Lev Yashin Cup (Moscow, Russia)
20 July - Grays Athletic (Rush Green Stadium, 7.45pm)
21 July - Thurrock (Ship Lane, 3pm)
24 July - Dartford (Princes Park, 7.45pm)
28 July - Welling (Park View Road, 3pm)
4 Aug - AFC Wimbledon (Kingsmeadow, 3pm)
7 Aug - Northampton Town (Sixfields, 7.45pm)
11 Aug - Dagenham and Redbridge (Victoria Road, 3pm)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stech joins the exodus
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Reserve goalkeeper Marek Stech has left West Ham 'by mutual consent',
according to David Gold. The West Ham United co-chairman, speaking via
Twitter this lunchtime confirmed that the 22-year-old goalkeeper, who had
been with West Ham since joining from Sparta Prague in 2006 had left the
club. Once hailed as 'the next Petr Cech', the 6'3" shot-stopper made just
three appearances for the first team during his time at the club - all of
which came in the League Cup. In March 2009, having slipped behind Peter
Kurucz in the goalkeeping pecking-order, he was shipped off to Wycombe on
loan for the remainder fo the 2008/09 campaign, but made just two
appearances - a draw against Brentford and a 1-0 defeat at home to Rochdale
- before returning to London. The former Czech under 19 international's next
taste of first team action came at Bournemouth who he joined on an emergency
weeks' loan in December 2009. However it was a week to forget as the
Cherries went down 5-0 at Morecambe in a League Two encounter.
The following season - 2010/11 - Stech finally made his first team debut for
West Ham in the Second Round 1-0 defeat of Oxford, a game won courtesy of
Scott Parker's 90th-minute strike. He was to retain his place in the side
for both the third and fourth round ties against Sunderland and Stoke, which
the Hammers won 2-1 and 3-1 respectively, although Rob Green took over
goalkeeping duties for the quarter final meeting with Manchester United
(4-0) and the two-legged semi final against Birmingham City (2-1, 1-3).
Only last summer Stech still harboured high hopes of eventually becoming
West Ham's number one. Speaking in an interview with Czech website Pravo,
recorded following West Ham's relegation from the Premier League, he said:"I
am full of optimism. For me it's advantageous that we're not among the elite
as I have a better chance. "In the reserve games I've played well and pushed
[Rob] Green in training. He had an operation and problems plagued him after
the treatment of pain. It was almost my time, but I just didn't get a
chance."
However his chances were to be limited even further during the campaign as
the result of a contractual issue that is thought to have prevented him from
being made available for selection. It was rumoured that after five first
team outings, Stech's former club Sparta would be due an additional payment
of £750,000 - something that West Ham were not prepared to pay.
As a result he once again spent much of the season kicking his heels in
frustration, making the occasional appearance for Ian Hendon's Development
Squad before joining both Yeovil - for whom he made five appearances - and
League One side Leyton Orient - just two - on short-terms loans.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Braga rights
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 27th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United will end their pre-season program in the Portuguese sunshine
after agreeing to face SC Braga on Friday, 10th August. For the first time
since 2002, the club will face their final friendly of pre-season away from
the Boleyn Ground as a result of the Olympic Games which take place in
Stratford between Friday, July 27th and Sunday, August 12th. And Sam
Allardyce's face face a stiff test when they face a team who finished third
in last season's Primeira Liga behind Champions FC Porto and runners-up
Benfica - but ahead of the third of Portugal's 'big three', Sporting Lisbon.
West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald told whufc.com: "It's a nice game
to finish to our pre-season. It will give us a good idea of where we are at,
a week before the start of the season. "It will be the most important match
of our pre-season and the perfect preparation for welcoming Aston Villa on
18 August."
Braga, who qualified for the Champions League as a result of their
third-placed finish - and who play at the iconic Estádio Municipal stadium -
are now managed by former Real Madrid assistant manager José Peseiro, who
superceded Leonardo Jardim last month. Jardim, who at just 37 years of age
led Braga to the Champions League in his first season at the club left Os
Arsenalistas one year into a three-year contract after a disagreement with
club president António Salvador.
Final pre-season friendlies: the last ten years
2011: West Ham Utd 2-0 Real Zaragoza: report
2010: West Ham Utd 0-0 (5-3 pens) Deportivo: report
2009: West Ham Utd 0-1 Napoli: report
2008: West Ham Utd 1-1 Villareal: report
2007: West Ham Utd 2-1 Roma: report
2006: West Ham Utd 1-1 Olympiakos: report
2005: West Ham Utd 1-1 (7-8 pens) Osasuna: report
2004: West Ham Utd 4-4 (4-5 pens) Anderlecht: report
2003: West Ham Utd 1-2 PSV Eindhoven: report
2002: West Ham Utd 1-0 Vitesse Arnhem (played at Roots Hall): report
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New homes for stray Hammers
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 28th June 2012
By: Staff Writer
Ex-Hammers Julien Faubert and Jordan Brown have been handed new contracts
having left West Ham this summer. The French winger has moved to Turkey in
order to join newly-promoted Elazigspor, with whom he has signed a
three-year contract - as confirmed by the French winger last night.
Meanwhile youngster Brown, who was heavily tipped to break through to West
Ham's first team squad this time last summer has dropped down the football
pyramid in order to join League Two Barnet. Faubert, who spent five years at
West Ham having joined the club from French outfit Bordeaux in the summer of
2007 in a £6.1million switch left West Ham on a free transfer at the end of
last season, having made 121 appearances in claret and blue. Speaking via
his Twitter account yesterday, he said: "Thanks to all the West Ham fans -
true fans - for the support and messages I've received, and come on West Ham
in Premier League!"
20-year-old Brown, a left back who failed to make a single first team
appearance for West Ham was told to find a new club at the beginning of
2012. He previously spent time on loan at Crewe and Aldershot, and trialled
at Gillingham, before landing a permanent contract with the Bees. Barnet Had
Coach Mark Robson - a fellow former Hammer - told his club's website:
"Jordan is a player I've known about for a while now. He's had a good
upbringing at West Ham - both on and off the pitch.
"He is a very promising player and he was unfortunate not to feature more in
the West Ham First Team as he played a few times in their pre-season last
year. With all the players they brought in he never really got an
opportunity. But that can only be a good thing for us as I really want to
help him develop and prosper as a Bee and I believe he will do that here.
I'm very excited to finally get him here as I know there were a few clubs
chasing him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Duo poised for Hammers exit
Brown joins Barnet, Barrera set for return to homeland
Last Updated: June 28, 2012 1:37pm
SSN
West Ham youngster Jordan Brown has left the club to join Barnet while
defender Pablo Barrera is closing in on a move back to Mexico. Brown signed
for the Hammers as a 15-year-old in 2007 but failed to make a single
first-team appearance for the club, enjoying loan spells at Aldershot and
Crewe last season. The club decided against offering him a new contract
after his original deal expired at the end of last season, meaning he was
available on a free transfer. League Two side Barnet have moved quickly to
snap up the youngster, with Bees head coach Mark Robson delighted to have
him on board. "Jordan is a player I've known about for a while now. He's had
a good upbringing at West Ham," he said.
Develop and prosper
"I really want to help him develop and prosper as a Bee and I believe he
will do that here." Meanwhile, Mexcian flop Barrera is poised to end his
nightmare spell in east London with a move back to his homeland. The Hammers
paid Club Universidad Nacional £3million for the 25-year-old in the summer
of 2010 but he made just six appearances in his first season before spending
the last campaign on loan at Real Zaragoza. Barrera is now set for a
permanent move away from Upton Park with Cruz Azul poised to wrap up a deal
for the forward. "We only need to fix some details with West Ham about
incentives," Cruz Azul president Guillermo Alvarez Macias said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
New Bid for Holt? Is He Really Worth £6 Million?
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Calll me old fashioned, but I just cannot fathom the logic (if indeed it is
true) why we would have made a £4 million bid for Grant Holt, together with
£2 million worth of add-ons. If he were 25, fine. But he's not. He's 31,
with at best two seasons ahead of him. Yes, he had a good season last
season, but apart from that he doesn't have a top level track record. He's
not a player I particularly want to see in a West Ham shirt, but I will
happily eat my words if by the middle of May 2013 he has scored 15 goals for
us.
The Zaha trail seems to have gone very cold. Crystal Palace are reportedly
playing silly buggers and Freddie Sears is being difficult about moving the
other way. I'm afraid Mr Sears needs to wake up and smell the coffee. He has
no future at Upton Park and if he wants first team football, he's going to
have to drop down to the Championship and modify his earnings expectation.
We are also on the sniff for Nathan Clynes, a nippy full back at Palace, as
well as Chris Solly from Charlton.
Two departures have been announced. Julien Faubert, whose contract was not
renewed, has joined Turkish outfit Elazigspor. And Jordan Brown, of whom
great things were hoped, has joined Barnet. We wish them both well.
There are all sorts of rumours about foreign wingers and strikers. The one
with most substance, as mentioned before on the site, is for Burak Yilmaz.
He is said to have been offered a mouthwatering contract. To my mind we need
to be thinking about centre backs too. We only have Tomkins and Reid at the
moment and surely need a couple more. Jonas Olsson seems to be top of the
wish list, but WBA apparently want to keep him, even though he has only got
a year left.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Big Sam eyes Will.I.Ham
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today at 00:03
WILLIAM GALLAS could be on his way to West Ham. Hammers chiefs are trying to
sign Tottenham's experienced French centre-half. And Spurs would be only too
happy to offload Gallas, 34, on a free transfer despite their intense local
rivalry with West Ham. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce needs more defenders with
proven track records following the club's promotion to the Premier League
via the Championship play-offs. He has also released former Stoke
centre-back Abdoulaye Faye, 34, while 31-year-old Danny Collins has gone
back to the Potters after a loan spell at Upton Park. Managerless Spurs are
still hoping to sign Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen from Dutch champions
Ajax to play alongside Michael Dawson or Younes Kaboul, so Gallas is surplus
to requirements. Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf is also wanted by Hammers
chief Allardyce, who is a long-term admirer of the veteran midfielder.
Former Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan star Seedorf, 36, has made it
clear he would like to play in the Premier League.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce keen to strengthen Hammers attack with £5m move for Maiga
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 22:43, 28 June 2012 | UPDATED: 22:43, 28 June 2012
Daily Mail
West Ham have made a £5million bid for Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga. Manager
Sam Allardyce is battling to land his targets with a striker and centre-back
his priorities. He has bid for Norwich's Grant Holt and is also keen on
Evian's Yannick Sagbo. Reading have also bid for Maiga while Stoke maintain
an interest too. Reading expect to have Pavel Pogrebnyak's work permit
processed today and are closing on a deal for free agent midfielder Danny
Guthrie.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Is Grant Holt worth £6 million of West Ham's money?
by Dan Coombs
Here Is The City
West Ham United are reported to be preparing an improved offer. Is he worth
it? Grant Holt was one of the Premier League's surprise packages last
season, scoring 15 goals in the division plus 1 in the FA Cup. So it is no
wonder he is attracting interest from clubs, especially after stating his
desire to leave Norwich City and hand in a transfer request. Yet at 31, his
age presents a dilemma when coupled with a big price tag. If Holt's
breakthrough season had come five or six years earlier, there surely would
be no qualms about a £6 million fee, but if West Ham supporters are
sceptical we can hardly blame them.
Here are two opposing views:
Yes he is worth £6 million
The Hammers have been linked with a number of strikers over the summer, many
of who ply their trade abroad in Serie A or La Liga. It is though important
to remember that Holt has proven he has done it in the Premier League - 15
goals is an excellent return, even in his heyday for Liverpool Michael Owen
never topped 18. Holt may be getting on in his career, but it should be
remembered he is a late developer. He can still have two or three years at
the top level. For West Ham next season is about consolidation, retaining
their Premier League status and leaving a stable platform on which to build.
Holt, a proven performer, can help West Ham show they belong at the level,
and provide experience for the club's talented youngsters to feed off. It
should not be forgotten that he is the ideal target man for Sam Allardyce's
preferred 'route one' style of football. Similar to Kevin Davies at Bolton,
Holt could thrive, and if the Hammers can get two good years out of him with
10 plus goal returns, the investment will be worth it.
No he is not worth £6 million
Signing Holt for £6 million could be a gamble Allardyce lives to regret. He
has been primarily a football league player his whole career, judged not to
be good enough for the top flight. There is a danger his season with Norwich
last year will prove to be a flash in the pan, similar to players like
Michael Ricketts at Bolton, once capped by England. If that is the case,
West Ham will have paid an over-inflated price for a player who simply isn't
that good, and could be stuck with his wages too. Surely that's the reason
for handing in a transfer request? He wants to capitalise on his year of
success and take on one big pay day. Signing Holt would be a short-term fix
only, and would indicate Allardyce is going back to his old ways. The
manager was keen to stress he wanted to play a more attractive brand of
football, and the signings of Ricardo Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison - yet to be
seen - indicate that. Signing Holt would deviate from that plan and be a
backwards step. It would show that West Ham are putting the development of
youngsters on the back-burner, if they are going to sign a striker, they
should look for a younger model, 25-year-old PSV striker Ola Toivonen scored
28 goals last season and is reported to be available for around £7 million -
surely that is better value?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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