Olympic Stadium microsite launched
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have launched a new microsite dedicated to the Club's move
to Olympic Stadium
10.06.2013
West Ham United have launched a new microsite dedicated to the Club's
historic move to the London 2012 Olympic Stadium. With the Hammers set to
move to Stratford in summer 2016, the Club is acutely aware that supporters
will want to be kept fully updated and informed. Now, fans can find all the
information you need in one place on the microsite, which can be found at
www.olympicstadium.whufc.com "This new microsite will become the ultimate
portal for all you need to know about the iconic Olympic Stadium, its
revolutionary transformation and our forthcoming move," confirmed
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady. "You can find out about the plans to convert the
setting for the unforgettable London 2012 Olympic Games into a world-class
UEFA Category 4 football stadium, see artist's impressions and information
on the venue's stunning design, as well as answers to your most pressing
questions. "You can read about the construction of retractable seating,
bringing you close to the action and ensuring an electric atmosphere under
the largest-spanning tensile roof in the world - another new feature of our
new home. "We promise to keep you updated throughout our journey to
Stratford and we encourage your feedback through our on-going consultation
process. My Board and I will regularly be contributing to the Blog to share
with you the hard work going on behind the scenes to realise our Olympic
Stadium dream."
In addition to the new microsite, a video presentation by the Vice-Chairman
talking fans through the detailed architectural designs for the Olympic
Stadium has been watched by tens of thousands of supporters. "As
anticipation builds ahead of the first game at the start of the 2016/17
season, the site will bring you the latest images in progress. We are of
course also looking forward to sharing more detailed ticket and hospitality
information with you on the site in the near future. "If anyone you know
would like to keep up to date with the Stadium move, encourage them to sign
up to our email updates here."
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Memorial Grounds
WHUFC.com
Club historian John Helliar takes a trip back in time to West Ham United's
old home at the Memorial Grounds
10.06.2013
West Ham United may have moved out of their original Memorial Grounds home
110 years ago, but there are closer links between the Hammers' past and its
future than you may think. The Hammers played at the stadium under their
original guise, Thames Ironworks FC, and in the early days following their
re-formation as West Ham United in 1900. The Memorial Grounds, located
adjacent to West Ham Underground station and just over a mile from the
Olympic Stadium, played host to a number of sports alongside football and
proved to be a central venue for leisure in the local community. With the
Hammers now planning a momentous move to the Olympic Park, bringing them
closer to their old home, your Official Programme paid a visit to the
Memorial Grounds - now a multi-purpose recreation ground - with Club
historian John Helliar.
Helliar takes up the story…
"When the Thames Ironworks Football Club first started, they played at
another ground called Hermit Road, then in 1897, Arnold Hills [owner of
Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd] announced that he had bought a
large piece of land and that he was going to build a multi-purpose sports
centre at the Memorial Grounds. "It was called the Memorial Grounds because
it was opened in 1897, which was 60 years after Queen Victoria's ascent to
the throne and, as a tribute to her, he gave it that name. "It was actually
built in six months, opened in June and something like 8,000 people came
along to the opening.
"The ground, it was said, could take 100,000 spectators - it had a banked
cycle track, which was one of the best in the London area, and the ground
was believed to be fit to host an FA Cup final, although it never did. "The
football pitch sat in the middle of the cycle track, and there were other
things here like tennis courts, cricket pitches and a swimming pool. Of
course there was a stand and administrative offices too, so it was quite a
fantastic centre for sport in east London. "When West Ham United were formed
in 1900, Arnold Hills continued to support the new football club, not only
with money and kit, but he allowed them to use the Memorial Grounds at a
nominal rent as well. "On 1 September 1900, they played their first match
here in the Southern League, and they were fortunate enough to win that by
seven goals to nil, and their famous Scottish inside-right Billy Grassam
scored four of those goals. "It was still used by the community in general
after West Ham left here in 1903. For many years, up to and after the Second
World War, many schools held their sports days and events like that here."
The land still fulfils that purpose to this very day and Helliar believes
Hills would be proud. He added: "It is still used by the community for sport
today - and that is one of the things that Arnold Hills wanted to do when he
started up all the different clubs and societies at the Thames Ironworks. He
wanted to give something to his employees that they could use during their
spare time, and of course sport and other leisure activities were something
he was very keen on to give back to the community. "It's really turning full
circle, because when you think about the number of sports that took place on
this ground, but also from the legacy of the Olympic Stadium, it's not just
West Ham and football in the Park. It's really Arnold Hills' idea of a
multi-purpose venue in the community.
"It's also a funny enough fact, that West Ham, by moving to the Olympic
Stadium in Stratford will be nearer to their original home than they are on
Green Street and the Boleyn Ground. We are moving back towards our original
birthplace."
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Hammers praised for Kickz finals
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Community Sports Trust was praised after hosting the Kickz
National Cup Finals
10.06.2013
West Ham United Community Sports Trust proudly represented the club by
hosting the Kickz Cup National Finals. The Hammers played host to 32 teams
from 22 different Premier League and Football League clubs over the weekend,
with West Ham's Girls winning their event and the hosts' Under-14 Boys
finishing a creditable third. With Trust leaders, trainees, apprentices and
volunteers staffing the events on Friday and Saturday, West Ham's
contribution was roundly praised by the Premier League and Metropolitan
Police, who jointly launched the Kickz social inclusion scheme back in 2006.
Head of Premier League Charitable Fund, Monica Golding explained how Kickz
football projects play a huge role in local communities across the country.
"Kickz started with just three clubs on a pilot scheme and now it is had
grown with 46 clubs involved," she said. "The Premier League funds the
programme along with the Metropolitan Police. "You can't underestimate the
power of the Premier League badge and a club badge like that of West Ham. It
engages people, especially the young. We go into parts of the community
where some others don't go because of the power football has. If West Ham go
into an area and ask a young person to get involved in an activity like
Kickz, then there is a greater possibility that young person will get
involved and go on to achieve something. "I think working with and in the
local community, is very important for the clubs and I do think part of the
reason why West Ham was given the Olympic Stadium was because of the work it
already does in the community and what it wants to continue doing."
Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector Steve Banks added: "Football can do a
lot more to grab the attention of youngsters than the police can, so working
together in a project like Kickz means we can both do good work in the
community and give youngsters that chance to do something positive that they
might not otherwise get the opportunity to do."
Following Friday's success with the Girls, the Under-14 Boys had a tough act
to follow when they took to the Boleyn Ground pitch on Saturday morning.
After losing their opening two matches, the Hammers youngsters showed
commendable spirit to finish third of the eight teams involved, Newcastle
United won the U14 tournament.
West Ham's Kickz co-ordinator George Chukwuma said: "We had started off
losing the first two games and that can dent the confidence a bit, but the
boys stuck at it and we then drew a game before finishing strongly with four
wins. "We wanted to win the tournament, of course, but we did well and I
think the boys can only learn from this incredible experience they have had.
Playing on the pitch at the Boleyn Ground, up against some very good teams
at a high level, they will come away with all of that experience to help
them go further in their sport and what they want to achieve in the future."
For the boys it was an exciting moment to experience playing on the hallowed
turf at the Boleyn Ground. Malachi Napa and Joel Brown clearly enjoyed the
tournament, saying it was "exciting to be able to play on the pitch where
the professional players compete and we are all aspiring to be as good as
that when we are older. We were pleased to end the tournament with the four
wins."
As well as youngsters taking part on the pitch, there were an army of staff
from the Trust's social inclusion project playing a role in ensuring the
finals ran smoothly. From ball boys to mentors and coaches, the claret and
blue of the West Ham Community Sports Trust could be seen all around the
ground.
Launched in 2006 by the Premier League and the Metropolitan Police, Kickz
has the aim of using football to bring communities together and encourage
young people. It has since expanded nationwide to include more than 100
projects run by more than 40 Premier League and Football League clubs. More
than 45,000 youngsters take part in Kickz projects every year, earning
thousands of educational qualifications and life skills.
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Joint-Chairman set for Ideas Olympiad
WHUFC.com
Joint-Chairman David Gold will host a special event as part of Newham's
Ideas Olympiad
10.06.2013
West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold will be taking part in the London
Borough of Newham Ideas Olympiad series. The Ideas Olympiad, held a year on
from Newham's hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games, features a free series of
events bringing interesting speakers to the borough to talk to residents
about their ideas and visions. A Conversation with David Gold will take
place on Tuesday 18 June at Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford.
There, Mr Gold will talk about his journey from growing up in east London to
returning to his roots at the helm of West Ham and overcoming poverty and
setbacks along the way to become one of Britain's most successful
businessmen. The Joint-Chairman will also talk about West Ham's close
relationship with the local community and the Club's role in fulfilling east
London's Olympic legacy. It will be followed by questions from the audience.
Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Entry is only permitted with a ticket.
To book tickets and for more information, click here.
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Big Sam exclusive - Part One
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce looks back on a successful season and explains how he is
filling his summer
10.06.2013
Sam Allardyce enjoyed a superb second season in charge at West Ham United.
The manager built on the promotion he achieved in 2011/12 by guiding the
Hammers to the calm waters of tenth place on their return to the Barclays
Premier League. Having put together a strong squad and laid foundations for
the future, Big Sam was rewarded with a new contract in May 2012. In the
first part of an exclusive interview with West Ham TV, the manager told of
his delight at the Club's achievements over the past two years and revealed
his main priorities for the summer.
Sam, can you please start by summing up your feelings about the 2012/13
season?
SA - "It's been fantastic from start to finish. It's been a hugely enjoyable
season for everybody. We have had our down moments, like every club would
have in the Barclays Premier League at some point, but those down moments
have been few and far between. "The overall performances and results have
delighted everybody at West Ham United and especially at the Boleyn Ground.
We have provided entertainment value and nine wins and six draws. Only four
defeats says volumes for the part everybody has played this season. It's not
just me, the backroom staff and the owners getting together and putting the
squad together and the players on the field, but the fact that virtually
every single home game was a sell out. "The backing of the fans behind the
players and the performances of the players have made it a very enjoyable
season for everybody. Away from home, of course we'd have liked to have done
better, but it's always better to perform in front of your own fans to send
them home happy. It was a massively enjoyable season for everybody."
So, is the aim in 2013/14 to better what you achieved in 2012/13?
SA - "Yes, that's our minimum ask now, whereas tenth-place was our maximum
ask last year. It's not just me demanding that but the supporters will be
demanding it as well. They will be saying 'You finished tenth in your first
year, so surely you can finish higher'. "It does depend on what players we
bring in and their quality, and on how much we spend. Unfortunately, for the
first time ever, there is a restriction on that [spending] throughout the
football in this country [with UEFA's new Financial Fair Play rules]. It
will be difficult to deal with but we'll have to get through it and see how
it works. "Hopefully, at the start of the season we will have a stronger
squad in terms of strength in depth and talent then we had at the start of
last season."
What are your main priorities at this time of the off-season?
SA - "At this moment in time, our first priority is signing Andy Carroll, if
we can. We have nearly finished our planning for pre-season and the players
have all had their programmes given to them to take away to start training
while they are relaxing at home or on their holidays. They are asked to do
some active work while they are away so, when they come back on 1 July, they
are ready to go and we won't have too many tight muscles. We want them to be
able to cope with the demands we put on them from the very beginning. "Then,
it's about the recruitment of the other players who we want as quickly as we
possibly can. That will be the most difficult part of this summer."
While the players will be working during their summer break, presumably the
same will be true for yourself as you try to recruit new players?
SA - "The work never really stops over the summer, but I can do it from
where the sun is shining because of the communication levels you can achieve
today with the technology. Via Skype or phone or email or conference call,
it is pretty easy to keep in touch with everybody and we can all link-up
together if need be. "If there is an imminent signing, then I'll be straight
back to meet and greet the player and shake hands when he's signed the
contract and to welcome him to West Ham United."
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The Big Interview - Lee Bowyer
WHUFC.com
Lifelong West Ham United fan and former midfielder Lee Bowyer recently
returned to the Boleyn Ground
10.06.2013
For a lifelong West Ham United supporter, Lee Bowyer did not do his
favourite club many favours during a successful playing career! The
midfielder enjoyed 14 victories in his 21 senior appearances against the
Hammers for Leeds United, Newcastle United, Birmingham City and Ipswich
Town, scoring seven goals in the process. Now 36, Bowyer took the 2012/13
season out to concentrate on studying for his coaching badges, but the
Canning Town-born player was back at the Boleyn Ground recently to take part
in a charity match. West Ham TV caught up with the former England
international.
Welcome back Lee! Last time we saw you at the Boleyn Ground, you scored a
last-minute winner for Ipswich Town in the Championship in September 2011.
What have you been up to since then?
LB - "I have just had a nice rest really, spending time with my family and
trying other sports that I'm interested in. I have had a nice year out. I
still feel I can do a job for someone and, while I still feel like that, I
won't retire. If nothing comes this year, then that will tell me that
nothing is going to happen. I did have a couple of clubs interested in me
last year, but it just didn't feel right to go and do that, so I'll see what
options I have this year and go from there."
You had two spells with West Ham. You were relegated at the end of an
injury-affected six-month stay in 2003, but enjoyed more success during your
second time here between 2006 and 2009. How do you remember your spells with
the Hammers?
LB - "I have fond memories of my time with West Ham. Obviously, the first
time around I came to the club injured and they knew I was injured, but I
couldn't really help. That was the only reason why I came [to help]. I could
have gone somewhere else, but I followed my heart and I tried but I just
couldn't do it with my dodgy ankle that I had. The second time round was all
right. I was here for three years and I enjoyed it. I scored a few goals and
it was something I always wanted to do as a kid. It's my club and I can say
I have played and scored for the club that I love."
During your second spell, you played in a talented midfield containing the
likes of Mark Noble, Matty Etherington, Yossi Benayoun and Nobby Solano.
That must have been enjoyable to be part of?
LB - "It was good, yes. By the end, there were quite a few players who had
come from Newcastle like I did, so there were some good players to go
alongside those who were already here. We had Carlos Tevez and Javier
Mascherano, so we had some good players and some good times."
You hit the heights of the top of the Premier League and UEFA Champions
League semi-finals with Leeds United and had success with Newcastle United.
Although we didn't hit the same heights at West Ham, presumably the 2006/07
'Great Escape' was a fantastic time to be at a club?
LB - "Yes it was, because everybody had written us off. Obviously, Tevez
turned it on towards the end of the season and thankfully we stayed up that
year. It was like winning something to have been written off like we were
and then end up staying up."
The alarm bells didn't ring as loudly for West Ham in 2012/13, when the team
comfortably steered clear of the relegation battle. What did you make of the
present-day Hammers?
LB - "I thought we did well. Like I said in a Programme interview I did
towards the end of the season, as long as Sam [Allardyce] is here then we
won't get relegated. He knows this league inside out and, whatever side he
has had, [he has thrived], even at Bolton. This squad is a lot stronger than
the one he had in his Bolton days. Hopefully Andy Carroll might be coming,
so if that comes off it will be a great bit of business. I think the Club is
stable now and the owners have come in and done a good job there too."
Looking forward, the Club will move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford in
2016. As a lifelong supporter, what are your thoughts on the matter?
LB - "I can understand what some fans are saying because the tradition is at
the Boleyn Ground and it is an intimidating place to come and play as an
away player. It's never nice! With being at the Olympic Stadium, it will be
a completely different atmosphere but hopefully it will work for us. I think
the crowd will get behind the team and we'll go from there. It's going to
change, but maybe it is time to move. Clubs do move grounds. Manchester City
have gone into a bigger ground and they're filling it. Financially, it's
good for the Club in that way. The more fans you there, the more noise they
make and the more intimidating it is for the other team. It also spurs you
on as a home player. At Leeds, the European nights we had were magical and
the crowd made a difference. Hopefully, it'll work the same here."
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Andy Carroll remains my priority - Allardyce
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce has revealed that signing Andy Carroll is still his main
target this summer. The 24-year-old striker spent the entire 2012/13 season
on loan at the Boleyn Ground, scoring seven goals in 24 appearances. Just
last month, his parent club Liverpool accepted a £15million offer from West
Ham to make the deal permanent. However Carroll, who has been on holiday
since the end of the season is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal -
despite Allardyce insisting that capturing the player remains his number one
priority. Speaking in an interview with whufc.com (the full version of which
may be found at www.whufc.com/big-sam-exclusive-part-one), Allardyce
replied: "At this moment in time, our first priority is signing Andy
Carroll, if we can. "Then, it's about the recruitment of the other players
who we want as quickly as we possibly can. That will be the most difficult
part of this summer. "The work never really stops over the summer, but I can
do it from where the sun is shining because of technology. It's pretty easy
to keep in touch with everybody and we can all link-up together if need be.
"If there is an imminent signing then I'll be straight back to meet and
greet the player and shake hands when he's signed the contract - and to
welcome him to West Ham United."
Allardyce has made two new additions to his squad since the end of the
2012/13 campaign, signing experienced full back Razvan Rat and former Betis
goalkeeper Adrian.
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Is Sam's way the right way?
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th June 2013
By: Matthew O'Greel
It's hard to deny that Sam Allardyce has produced fantastic results since
succeeding Avram Grant as the 14th full-time manager of West Ham United.
Taking over the club following its potentially disastrous relegation from
the Premier League, Allardyce produced promotion within just 12 months -
then proceeded to secure a top-half finish in the club's first season back
in the Premier League.
Taking all of those things into account, it's fair to say that Allardyce has
added around £100million to the club's coffers in just two years' time - so
it was no wonder that Messrs Gold & Sullivan couldn't wait to offer him a
new deal, which he has since signed.
However his unique approach to the game - heavily influenced by the
'Moneyball' system as developed by Billy Beane of the Oakland Athletics
baseball team - has been far from universally welcomed by Hammers fans.
Whilst Allardyce now has the backing of the vast majority of supporters,
there remain many who grudgingly accept his modus operandi due to the
(relative) success it has brought. However statistical analysis suggests
that Allardyce may not yet be getting the most out of the players at his
disposal.
West Ham United's haul of 46 points from 38 games last season included 12
wins, of which only three were away from home. Much of this was blamed upon
the team's apparent willingness to sit back and soak up pressure, instead of
playing a little more adventurously.
Statistics certainly back this up. Only six clubs saw less of the ball away
from home last season than West Ham, who scored 44.3 per cent (League
champions Manchester United topped the table with 56.5 per cent).
However Allardyce's team were equally poor when in possession of the
football, scoring a pass success rate of just 73.9 per cent on their travels
- higher than that of Stoke and Reading - but not so bad in the air where
the Hammers won an average of 20.3 aerial challenges per game, a figure
bettered only by Tony Pulis' Stoke City.
Despite winning 50 per cent of their home league fixtures, West Ham proved
almost as poor statistically at the Boleyn. United's possession rate of 43.2
per cent was lower than their score away from home (44.3 per cent) and lower
than every other club bar relegated Reading.
Once again, West Ham proved profligate in possession, with just 74.5 per
cent of passes finding their target (Norwich, Reading and Stoke were the
only teams with worse records at their respective home grounds). But once
again West Ham's success in aerial duels (21.9 per home game) was only
bettered by the Potters.
Having performed so poorly in possession and with the ball at their feet
(United's 25 goals from open play in 2012/13 was the PL's sixth lowest
tally) it is evident than West Ham replied heavily upon other methods by
which to hit the target last season.
Set pieces proved hugely important, with United's 12 goal tally being the
eighth highest total in the division during 2012/13 - the remainder of goals
coming from counter attacks (two), penalties (four) and own goals (another
two).
So from the figures above we can gradually see a picture forming, in which
West Ham clearly forsook possession in order to get the ball into the danger
area - the opposition's penalty box - at the earlist possible opportunity.
This is borne out by statistics that show West Ham leading a table for shots
from inside the central third of the penalty area. 51 per cent of all West
Ham's efforts on goal last season came from within this tiny, yet vitally
important area of the field.
A further 17 per cent of West Ham's shots came from the other areas of the
penalty box (the left and right side) with just 32 per cent from outside the
18-yard area - the lowest in the division by some considerable margin
(interestingly perhaps, Man Utd were second lowest with just 34 per cent).
But it is within the penalty box - the very area that Allardyce appears to
have asked his players to target - that West Ham produced the poorest
results, with just 31 per cent of shots hitting the target. Once again this
is the league's lowest figure (the average was 38 per cent).
With this in mind, it's quite clear to see why Carlton Cole was allowed to
leave on a free transfer - and why Modibo Maiga's future remains uncertain.
Although specific figures were unavailable at the time of writing, Allardyce
clearly believes that Andy Carroll + AN Other are clearly a far more potent
option inside the danger area.
Here's a list of stats used for the above article...
2012/13 Premier League Possession Table (Home)
18. Norwich City 43.9%
19. West Ham Utd 43.2%
20. Reading 40.8%
2012/13 Premier League Pass Success Rate Table (Home)
16. Queens Park Rangers 76.6%
17. West Ham Utd 74.5%
18. Norwich City 73.8%
2012/13 Premier League Aerial Duel Success Rate Table (Home)
1. Stoke City 31.1
2. West Ham Utd 21.9
3. Everton 19.7
2012/13 Premier League Possession Table (Away)
13. West Bromwich Albion 44.6%
14. West Ham Utd 44.3%
15. Aston Villa 44.0%
2012/13 Premier League Pass Success Rate Table (Away)
17. Norwich City 74.1%
18. West Ham Utd 73.9%
15. Stoke City 71.8%
2012/13 Premier League Aerial Duel Success Rate Table (Away)
1. Stoke City 26.7
2. West Ham Utd 20.3
3. Aston Villa 19.1
Total Shots Inside Centre of Penalty Area
1. West Ham Utd 51%
2. Stoke City 46%
3. Reading/Manchester United 46%
Total Shots Inside Centre of Penalty Area on Target
15. Swansea/Everton/Aston Villa 36%
18. Liverpool/Queens Park Rangers 34%
20. West Ham Utd 31%
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Diame keen to extend West Ham stay
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's Mo Diame says he is looking forward to a second campaign
at the club. Diame, who joined the Irons a year ago on a free transfer from
relegated Wigan Athletic has constantly been linked with a move away from
east London. However nothing could be further from the truth according to
the player himself, who told reporters at the weekend that he was committed
to remaining at West Ham. Speaking after Senegal's 1-1 draw with Angola in a
Group J World Cup qualifier on Saturday night, Diame - who celebrates his
26th birthday later this week - said: "I've settled really well [in London]
and I'm pleased with how the season went. "I played an important part in
the setup and have faith that we can finish even higher [next season]. I
understand that my performances have been inconsistent; that's what I need
to work on in the future."
Much of the confusion over Diame's future has arisen over a minimum fee
release clause that he and agent Willie Mackay insisted on including in his
original contract. Attempts by West Ham to persuade him to sign a new deal
have thus far proved fruitless, although David Gold, speaking via his
Twitter account recently hinted that a new deal may be on the cards. "I am
hopefully Diame will be with us next season," he said. "I expect us to come
to an agreement that will keep Mohamed at the club."
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Mixed messages from West Ham over Andy Carroll's proposed permanent transfer
10 Jun 2013 22:30
The Mirror
Andy Carroll has been told to forget about the £100,000-a-week he wants out
of West Ham - despite Sam Allardyce's desperation to sign him. The England
striker representatives made the eye-watering six-figure demand - the
requested salary would represent a £20,000-a-week pay-rise for Carroll -
last week.
But Hammers are adamant they cannot afford that, despite their willingness
to complete a £15.5million deal with Liverpool for the Geordie after his
successful season on loan at Upton Park. It comes as Allardyce confirmed
that Carroll - still yet to confirm he wants to remain in London - is the
club's no.1 target.
Big Sam said of the striker, who joined from hometown club Newcastle for
£35m in 2011: "At this moment in time, our first priority is signing Andy
Carroll, if we can. "We have nearly finished our planning for pre-season and
the players have all had their programmes given to them to take away to
start training while they are relaxing at home or on their holidays. "They
are asked to do some active work while they are away so, when they come back
on 1 July, they are ready to go and we won't have too many tight muscles.
"We want them to be able to cope with the demands we put on them from the
very beginning.
"Then, it's about the recruitment of the other players who we want as
quickly as we possibly can. That will be the most difficult part of this
summer."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, June 11
Monday, June 10
Daily WHUFC News - 10th June 2013
West-minster Ham United
WHUFC.com
Poplar and Limehouse MP Jim Fitzpatrick is one of a host of Hammers to be
found in Parliament
09.06.2013
Glasgow-born Poplar and Limehouse MP Jim Fitzpatrick adopted West Ham United
40 years ago. One of a host of Hammers to be found in Parliament,
Fitzpatrick was initially elected as MP for the since abolished constituency
of Poplar and Canning Town in 1997. The Labour Party member has held a
number of political offices since his arrival in Westminster, serving as
Minister for London under Prime Minister Tony Blair and later as
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport and Minister of State
for Farming and the Environment under Gordon Brown. In the first of an
occasional series of interviews with Westminster-based Hammers, the
61-year-old discusses his love for the Club. "I came to London in 1973 and
one of the first things I did as a Londoner was go around the football clubs
- I went to Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal, but the place I felt most
comfortable was at Upton Park, even though I was living in south west
London. "I've been going to the Boleyn Ground for 40 years now. I joined
London Fire Brigade in 1974 and was a firefighter for 23 years and got
elected to Parliament in 1997, so I've been here for 16 years now. "It was a
transition. Through being a firefighter, I got involved with the Fire
Brigades Union and through the Union I got involved with the Labour Party.
Over the course of 23 years I moved from putting out fires to political
firefighting, but it's less dramatic than it sounds. "I played for the
Parliamentary football team at Wembley, Celtic, Newcastle and at Old
Trafford, as well as at the Boleyn Ground three times! As a West Ham
supporter, it was dream stuff, raising money for charities. "Apart from
scoring at both ends at Upton Park, my biggest achievements in Parliament
have been representing Poplar and Limehouse - it used to be Poplar and
Canning Town, which included the area where Thames Ironworks used to be -
which contains the Canary Wharf business district, as well as communities
with lots of unemployment, large chunks of poverty, and people striving to
make their way in the world. "It's hugely exciting, because the area has
changed so much over the last 30 years, as anybody living in the East End
has seen. To be part of that is really rewarding. "I've got 75,000
constituents and I get a couple of hundred emails every day asking to
support certain causes, just as I'm sure Sam Allardyce gets emails and
letters telling him to pick certain players. It's impossible to satisfy
everybody, so all you can do is give it your best shot, work as hard as you
can and my experience is that people are very forgiving and generous as long
as you've tried your best. "As for my own personal ambitions, there are
policies that I would like to see followed. River crossings are a big issue
for east London and would help all those Hammers in north Kent to get to
matches more easily. "East London has been the engine for this great capital
city and that will continue, so things like the Jubilee line, the extension
of the Docklands Light Railway and Crossrail coming in are positives. "We're
going to keep this capital city going and West Ham is very much a big part
of that.
"I've always been a supporter of the Olympic bid and West Ham being the main
tenants of the Stadium after the Games. From a fan point of view, we all
know how difficult it is to get in and out of the Boleyn Ground. "I was
lucky enough to go to the Olympic Games last year it was easy for 80,000
people to get in and out - five Tube lines, Docklands Light Railway, City
Airport and soon the Eurostar stopping at Stratford. For accessibility, it's
going to be so much better. "It's got to be good for Stratford, for the Club
and for us who go to watch matches. "I've been to so many great games myself
but, as every West Ham fan knows, it's been a rollercoaster! Some of those
great games will be ones we've lost, like one I remember when we were 3-0 up
against Wimbledon and lost 4-3. "I remember the FA Cup finals in 1975 and
1980. In 1975, I was serving in Battersea fire station on Cup final day and
managed to get my seat in front of the TV. On my watch there was a guy
called Bob Barrett, whose brother Les was playing outside left for Fulham
that day. "I was in south west London with my West Ham rosette, scarf and
socks on and, just before kick-off, they jumped on me and threw my stuff out
of the window! I went down to get it and they locked me out of the TV room,
so I missed the first half and Alan Taylor's first goal. "Those cup
victories were great but we want to do even better. We want to be up there
challenging for Europe and I think the Olympic Stadium gives us the platform
to get the revenue and support to move the Club on to a new phase."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers Girls win Kickz National Cup
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Girls won the Kickz National Cup in style at the Boleyn
Ground
09.06.2013
West Ham United Girls won the 2013 Kickz National Cup on a memorable evening
at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers won six and drew one of their seven
matches to finish top of the eight-team group ahead of runners-up and
pre-tournament favourites Newcastle United. The Kickz National Cup
celebrates the work of Kickz, a Premier League Creating Chances social
inclusion project involving more than 40 Premier League and Football League
clubs across England.
Launched in 2006 by the Premier League and the Metropolitan Police, Kickz
has the aim of using football to bring communities together and engage with
young people. It has since expanded nationwide to include more than 100
projects run by more than 40 Premier League and Football League clubs.
Coached by West Ham United Community Sports Trust Kickz co-ordinator George
Chukwuma, the winning Girls squad of captain Megan Burrows, Katie Bottom,
Sophie Reed, Tayla Everett, Chana Martins, Holly Flynn and Sally Duggan were
in top form all night, scoring 22 goals and conceding just three. Burrows
and Bottom - who also plays for West Ham United Ladies - were the stars of
the show, linking up superbly in attack to leave their opponents chasing
shadows. Bottom scored eight times, while Burrows scored five goals. Martins
also added a fantastic hat-trick in a 7-0 win over Barnet. Indeed, only a
late Newcastle equaliser prevented the Hammers from enjoying a perfect night
on home turf. Reed scored the only goal from the penalty spot in an opening
1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers before a Bottom brace and one from
Burrows saw off Fair Play trophy winners Millwall 3-1. Burrows and Bottom
scored again in a 2-1 win over Everton and Bottom's goal looked to have also
overcome an impressive Newcastle team, only for the Magpies to snatch a late
leveller following a defensive error.
Chelsea were defeated 6-0 thanks to a Bottom hat-trick before Martins'
treble saw West Ham comfortably brush aside the challenge of Barnet. Results
elsewhere left the Hammers knowing they needed to beat Brighton to make sure
of the title and, following a nervous start, Burrows and Bottom combined
again to score a goal apiece in a 2-0 win. The victory sparked celebrations
among the players, coaching staff, family, friends and Trust volunteers,
apprentices and trainees who supported the evening as administrators,
stewards and ball boys. All in all, it was a fantastic Friday evening for
the West Ham United Community Sports Trust. The Hammers' Under-14 Boys
competed in their own tournament at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, alongside
the Under-16 and Under-18 National Cup finals.
More than 45,000 youngsters take part in Kickz projects every year, earning
thousands of educational qualifications and valuable lifeskills. Each week,
players take part in two nights of football (coaching and competition) and a
third 'flexible' session focusing on anything from other sports to music or
developmental activities such as drug awareness, healthy eating,
volunteering, career development and anti-weapons workshops. One of the
main aims of Kickz is to encourage volunteering and create routes into
education, training and employment. More than 4,200 young people have
volunteered at projects, with more than1,000 football-specific
qualifications achieved in the process. Nearly 400 people have gone on to
gain employment with clubs, including a number at West Ham. Two of the
Hammers' young volunteers, Philip Brown and Jeremiah Kamanzi, were honoured
at the 2013 Kickz Awards in April.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Foreign flutters - or keeping a domestic disposition?
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 9th June 2013
By: Jason Eves
Our forays into the transfer market have proven to be a 'lucky dip' in
recent seasons, whilst the majority of clubs have instead opted against
paying a premium for domestic-based talent in the hopes of unearthing a
foreign gem.
This gamble has paid off for various clubs, such as Swansea - who bagged
Spanish striker Michu for as little as £2million - and Aston Villa, who paid
around £7million for their Premier League lifesaver Christian Benteke.
In Aston Villa's case this was an exceptional bit of business compared to
when they paid almost treble that price for England international Darren
Bent, who has now been frozen out at Villa Park and replaced by the
up-and-coming Belgian.
West Ham United, on the other hand, have rarely been applauded for their
foreign flings in the transfer market. This remains the case with the only
stand-out signing from abroad in recent years being New Zealand
international Winston Reid. Carlos Tevez, signed for a single season in
2006/07 should also be noted, but a player of his pedigree was always going
to shine through.
The latest striker to be brought in from abroad was Malian international
Modibo Maiga who was signed from FC Sochaux. Maiga failed to impress last
season, with his meagre return on West Ham's £5million investment being four
goals from 19 appearances (though it can be noted 15 of these came from the
bench.)
It should always be noted that foreign signings rarely hit the ground
running (especially in our case!), with Winston being a prime example of
this. With the summer break working wonders for him, so judgement is
reserved on Modibo who can hopefully find his shooting boots after some time
off.
West Ham United's website currently has no information on their scouting
department, which is a bit worrying to say the least. My impression is that
if it wasn't for his World Cup outings, what were the odds of us signing
Winston Reid on the back of his performances for Danish side FC Midtylland?
Slim to none I reckon. (If anyone can shed anymore light on our scouting
squad please let me know, because as far as I know I don't completely trust
Football Manager for our staff listing)
I fear as though we may have become too old-fashioned in our approach for
signings; it's a safe bet to pluck for domestic-based talent. But this
usually comes with the sticking point of bloated wages and transfer fees,
Premier League clubs don't usually want to sell to a rival team and that
usually drives up the price (to the sound of £50million for Fernando
Torres).
As much as I love Big Sam at the helm, we need to adopt a new transfer
policy. With the impending Financial Fair Play rules set to impact the
Premier League this season, we may be hard-pressed to continue to be
committed to signing British-based talents.
Though this formula has worked wonders for us, solidifying our Premier
League status was always a major factor and his signing of experienced
players was the catalyst for this. But with the inclusion of the
less-than-impressive debut campaigns for Maiga, Diarra and, to a lesser
extent, the loan signings of Emmanuel Pogatetz and Wellington Paulista, this
may have put Sam and, more so, the Davids off putting their hands in their
pockets for overseas talent.
Although, with recent transfer news, I could be soon eating my own words ie.
the recent signings of Romanian captain Razvan Rat and goalkeeper Adrian (I
look forward to hearing 'Get your Rat out for the lads' chants around the
Boleyn). On top of this suspected bids for Spanish International Alvaro
Negredo, have left me hoping we will embark upon bringing a more cultured
way of football to the East End.
I'm certain we will give 100 per cent effort in trying to sign Andy Carroll
- and don't get me wrong, it would be a fantastic signing but also one that
would majorly impact upon our transfer kitty. So here's hoping we can
recruit a Michu of our own and not a Savio, so to speak.
And with some Premier League teams again hiring a Director of Football to
assist in transfer dealings, would it be crazy for us to adopt that sort of
approach? I can't help but feel that if Sam gets to choose his man to help
secure transfers, it could alleviate some pressure and allow him to get on
with what he does best, which is managing a football club.
Of course, this all depends upon Allardyce getting the final say before the
player puts pen to paper. I remember all too well when we last had a
Director of Football (Gianluca Nani, now at Watford, hired under the
Icelandic regime to assist our then manager Gianfranco Zola). That
relationship with the Boleyn faithful soon soured.
But needless to say, we cannot refrain from embracing the future just
because it hasn't worked out in the past. This figurehead signing has
benefitted various European clubs and is slowly becoming commonplace in the
Premier League. It might just be a sign of the times.
Finally, please take a moment to remember the Boleyn Ground's much-loved,
former favourite Benni McCarthy whose ankles, it transpires, could no longer
support his huge frame - a situation that subsequently led to the South
African announcing his retirement.
We'll never forget your efforts in claret and blue Benni, which were spent
not fighting for our survival - but fighting to avoid shopping at Jackamo...
*Jason Eves may also be found on Twitter at twitter.com/jason_eves.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Poplar and Limehouse MP Jim Fitzpatrick is one of a host of Hammers to be
found in Parliament
09.06.2013
Glasgow-born Poplar and Limehouse MP Jim Fitzpatrick adopted West Ham United
40 years ago. One of a host of Hammers to be found in Parliament,
Fitzpatrick was initially elected as MP for the since abolished constituency
of Poplar and Canning Town in 1997. The Labour Party member has held a
number of political offices since his arrival in Westminster, serving as
Minister for London under Prime Minister Tony Blair and later as
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport and Minister of State
for Farming and the Environment under Gordon Brown. In the first of an
occasional series of interviews with Westminster-based Hammers, the
61-year-old discusses his love for the Club. "I came to London in 1973 and
one of the first things I did as a Londoner was go around the football clubs
- I went to Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal, but the place I felt most
comfortable was at Upton Park, even though I was living in south west
London. "I've been going to the Boleyn Ground for 40 years now. I joined
London Fire Brigade in 1974 and was a firefighter for 23 years and got
elected to Parliament in 1997, so I've been here for 16 years now. "It was a
transition. Through being a firefighter, I got involved with the Fire
Brigades Union and through the Union I got involved with the Labour Party.
Over the course of 23 years I moved from putting out fires to political
firefighting, but it's less dramatic than it sounds. "I played for the
Parliamentary football team at Wembley, Celtic, Newcastle and at Old
Trafford, as well as at the Boleyn Ground three times! As a West Ham
supporter, it was dream stuff, raising money for charities. "Apart from
scoring at both ends at Upton Park, my biggest achievements in Parliament
have been representing Poplar and Limehouse - it used to be Poplar and
Canning Town, which included the area where Thames Ironworks used to be -
which contains the Canary Wharf business district, as well as communities
with lots of unemployment, large chunks of poverty, and people striving to
make their way in the world. "It's hugely exciting, because the area has
changed so much over the last 30 years, as anybody living in the East End
has seen. To be part of that is really rewarding. "I've got 75,000
constituents and I get a couple of hundred emails every day asking to
support certain causes, just as I'm sure Sam Allardyce gets emails and
letters telling him to pick certain players. It's impossible to satisfy
everybody, so all you can do is give it your best shot, work as hard as you
can and my experience is that people are very forgiving and generous as long
as you've tried your best. "As for my own personal ambitions, there are
policies that I would like to see followed. River crossings are a big issue
for east London and would help all those Hammers in north Kent to get to
matches more easily. "East London has been the engine for this great capital
city and that will continue, so things like the Jubilee line, the extension
of the Docklands Light Railway and Crossrail coming in are positives. "We're
going to keep this capital city going and West Ham is very much a big part
of that.
"I've always been a supporter of the Olympic bid and West Ham being the main
tenants of the Stadium after the Games. From a fan point of view, we all
know how difficult it is to get in and out of the Boleyn Ground. "I was
lucky enough to go to the Olympic Games last year it was easy for 80,000
people to get in and out - five Tube lines, Docklands Light Railway, City
Airport and soon the Eurostar stopping at Stratford. For accessibility, it's
going to be so much better. "It's got to be good for Stratford, for the Club
and for us who go to watch matches. "I've been to so many great games myself
but, as every West Ham fan knows, it's been a rollercoaster! Some of those
great games will be ones we've lost, like one I remember when we were 3-0 up
against Wimbledon and lost 4-3. "I remember the FA Cup finals in 1975 and
1980. In 1975, I was serving in Battersea fire station on Cup final day and
managed to get my seat in front of the TV. On my watch there was a guy
called Bob Barrett, whose brother Les was playing outside left for Fulham
that day. "I was in south west London with my West Ham rosette, scarf and
socks on and, just before kick-off, they jumped on me and threw my stuff out
of the window! I went down to get it and they locked me out of the TV room,
so I missed the first half and Alan Taylor's first goal. "Those cup
victories were great but we want to do even better. We want to be up there
challenging for Europe and I think the Olympic Stadium gives us the platform
to get the revenue and support to move the Club on to a new phase."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers Girls win Kickz National Cup
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Girls won the Kickz National Cup in style at the Boleyn
Ground
09.06.2013
West Ham United Girls won the 2013 Kickz National Cup on a memorable evening
at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers won six and drew one of their seven
matches to finish top of the eight-team group ahead of runners-up and
pre-tournament favourites Newcastle United. The Kickz National Cup
celebrates the work of Kickz, a Premier League Creating Chances social
inclusion project involving more than 40 Premier League and Football League
clubs across England.
Launched in 2006 by the Premier League and the Metropolitan Police, Kickz
has the aim of using football to bring communities together and engage with
young people. It has since expanded nationwide to include more than 100
projects run by more than 40 Premier League and Football League clubs.
Coached by West Ham United Community Sports Trust Kickz co-ordinator George
Chukwuma, the winning Girls squad of captain Megan Burrows, Katie Bottom,
Sophie Reed, Tayla Everett, Chana Martins, Holly Flynn and Sally Duggan were
in top form all night, scoring 22 goals and conceding just three. Burrows
and Bottom - who also plays for West Ham United Ladies - were the stars of
the show, linking up superbly in attack to leave their opponents chasing
shadows. Bottom scored eight times, while Burrows scored five goals. Martins
also added a fantastic hat-trick in a 7-0 win over Barnet. Indeed, only a
late Newcastle equaliser prevented the Hammers from enjoying a perfect night
on home turf. Reed scored the only goal from the penalty spot in an opening
1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers before a Bottom brace and one from
Burrows saw off Fair Play trophy winners Millwall 3-1. Burrows and Bottom
scored again in a 2-1 win over Everton and Bottom's goal looked to have also
overcome an impressive Newcastle team, only for the Magpies to snatch a late
leveller following a defensive error.
Chelsea were defeated 6-0 thanks to a Bottom hat-trick before Martins'
treble saw West Ham comfortably brush aside the challenge of Barnet. Results
elsewhere left the Hammers knowing they needed to beat Brighton to make sure
of the title and, following a nervous start, Burrows and Bottom combined
again to score a goal apiece in a 2-0 win. The victory sparked celebrations
among the players, coaching staff, family, friends and Trust volunteers,
apprentices and trainees who supported the evening as administrators,
stewards and ball boys. All in all, it was a fantastic Friday evening for
the West Ham United Community Sports Trust. The Hammers' Under-14 Boys
competed in their own tournament at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, alongside
the Under-16 and Under-18 National Cup finals.
More than 45,000 youngsters take part in Kickz projects every year, earning
thousands of educational qualifications and valuable lifeskills. Each week,
players take part in two nights of football (coaching and competition) and a
third 'flexible' session focusing on anything from other sports to music or
developmental activities such as drug awareness, healthy eating,
volunteering, career development and anti-weapons workshops. One of the
main aims of Kickz is to encourage volunteering and create routes into
education, training and employment. More than 4,200 young people have
volunteered at projects, with more than1,000 football-specific
qualifications achieved in the process. Nearly 400 people have gone on to
gain employment with clubs, including a number at West Ham. Two of the
Hammers' young volunteers, Philip Brown and Jeremiah Kamanzi, were honoured
at the 2013 Kickz Awards in April.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Foreign flutters - or keeping a domestic disposition?
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 9th June 2013
By: Jason Eves
Our forays into the transfer market have proven to be a 'lucky dip' in
recent seasons, whilst the majority of clubs have instead opted against
paying a premium for domestic-based talent in the hopes of unearthing a
foreign gem.
This gamble has paid off for various clubs, such as Swansea - who bagged
Spanish striker Michu for as little as £2million - and Aston Villa, who paid
around £7million for their Premier League lifesaver Christian Benteke.
In Aston Villa's case this was an exceptional bit of business compared to
when they paid almost treble that price for England international Darren
Bent, who has now been frozen out at Villa Park and replaced by the
up-and-coming Belgian.
West Ham United, on the other hand, have rarely been applauded for their
foreign flings in the transfer market. This remains the case with the only
stand-out signing from abroad in recent years being New Zealand
international Winston Reid. Carlos Tevez, signed for a single season in
2006/07 should also be noted, but a player of his pedigree was always going
to shine through.
The latest striker to be brought in from abroad was Malian international
Modibo Maiga who was signed from FC Sochaux. Maiga failed to impress last
season, with his meagre return on West Ham's £5million investment being four
goals from 19 appearances (though it can be noted 15 of these came from the
bench.)
It should always be noted that foreign signings rarely hit the ground
running (especially in our case!), with Winston being a prime example of
this. With the summer break working wonders for him, so judgement is
reserved on Modibo who can hopefully find his shooting boots after some time
off.
West Ham United's website currently has no information on their scouting
department, which is a bit worrying to say the least. My impression is that
if it wasn't for his World Cup outings, what were the odds of us signing
Winston Reid on the back of his performances for Danish side FC Midtylland?
Slim to none I reckon. (If anyone can shed anymore light on our scouting
squad please let me know, because as far as I know I don't completely trust
Football Manager for our staff listing)
I fear as though we may have become too old-fashioned in our approach for
signings; it's a safe bet to pluck for domestic-based talent. But this
usually comes with the sticking point of bloated wages and transfer fees,
Premier League clubs don't usually want to sell to a rival team and that
usually drives up the price (to the sound of £50million for Fernando
Torres).
As much as I love Big Sam at the helm, we need to adopt a new transfer
policy. With the impending Financial Fair Play rules set to impact the
Premier League this season, we may be hard-pressed to continue to be
committed to signing British-based talents.
Though this formula has worked wonders for us, solidifying our Premier
League status was always a major factor and his signing of experienced
players was the catalyst for this. But with the inclusion of the
less-than-impressive debut campaigns for Maiga, Diarra and, to a lesser
extent, the loan signings of Emmanuel Pogatetz and Wellington Paulista, this
may have put Sam and, more so, the Davids off putting their hands in their
pockets for overseas talent.
Although, with recent transfer news, I could be soon eating my own words ie.
the recent signings of Romanian captain Razvan Rat and goalkeeper Adrian (I
look forward to hearing 'Get your Rat out for the lads' chants around the
Boleyn). On top of this suspected bids for Spanish International Alvaro
Negredo, have left me hoping we will embark upon bringing a more cultured
way of football to the East End.
I'm certain we will give 100 per cent effort in trying to sign Andy Carroll
- and don't get me wrong, it would be a fantastic signing but also one that
would majorly impact upon our transfer kitty. So here's hoping we can
recruit a Michu of our own and not a Savio, so to speak.
And with some Premier League teams again hiring a Director of Football to
assist in transfer dealings, would it be crazy for us to adopt that sort of
approach? I can't help but feel that if Sam gets to choose his man to help
secure transfers, it could alleviate some pressure and allow him to get on
with what he does best, which is managing a football club.
Of course, this all depends upon Allardyce getting the final say before the
player puts pen to paper. I remember all too well when we last had a
Director of Football (Gianluca Nani, now at Watford, hired under the
Icelandic regime to assist our then manager Gianfranco Zola). That
relationship with the Boleyn faithful soon soured.
But needless to say, we cannot refrain from embracing the future just
because it hasn't worked out in the past. This figurehead signing has
benefitted various European clubs and is slowly becoming commonplace in the
Premier League. It might just be a sign of the times.
Finally, please take a moment to remember the Boleyn Ground's much-loved,
former favourite Benni McCarthy whose ankles, it transpires, could no longer
support his huge frame - a situation that subsequently led to the South
African announcing his retirement.
We'll never forget your efforts in claret and blue Benni, which were spent
not fighting for our survival - but fighting to avoid shopping at Jackamo...
*Jason Eves may also be found on Twitter at twitter.com/jason_eves.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, June 9
Daily WHUFC News - 9th June 2013
That Was The Season That Was 2012/13 - Part One
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 8th June 2013
By: Gordon Thrower
It's that time of year again when we send Gordon Thrower down to the basement to trawl his way through the archives of the season just finished. In this, the first part of his review, he looks at the pre-season months of June and July 2012. Euro2012, pre season tours and transfer speculation are the order of the day. Anyone who enjoys the music of England Supporters Band might care to skip part one and wait for part two though.....
June
As we start our review, it's worth taking a brief stock take of where we were as June opened. The play-off trophy was safely stored in the cabinet. The club had attempted to go back on a promise to give a 20% discount to long-term season ticket holders but quietly changed their minds when it transpired that they were on somewhat dubious ground legally speaking and five out of contract players were on their toes as Carew, Bouba Diop, Faye, Lee (O), and the on loan Henri Lansbury all left the club.
First through the in door is, technically speaking, 'keeper Stephen Henderson who spent the last two months on loan from Pompey.
All the real fun and games though is to be found north of the border as Rangers' financial meltdown continues. It is finally agreed that there will be a new company as HMRC pursue the club on two separate fronts (I actually understand the technicalities of both tax cases but trust me they would bore the pants off you. They bore the pants off me and I'm a tax professional). The decision means that Rangers' league position next season will depend on the wishes of the other clubs in the Scottish League system. Manic laughter is heard coming from the corridors of Celtic Park.
On the sporting front the few hours that pass for close season these days are occupied by Euro 2012 and both Olympics and Paralympics. And, of course, all the transfer speculation, which sees us, as a newly-promoted team, linked with every player going. And most of those who aren't.
Rob Green seems set on one last payday. QPR, whose millions mean that they are happy to meet his wage demands, lead the chase for the 'keeper's signature whilst he is away on England duty. Green's departure seems to be confirmed by the arrival of Jussi Jaaskaleinen (henceforth to be known in these parts as JJ), who agrees to sign on 1 July on the expiry of his contract with relegated Bolton Wanderers. As part of the 'keeper merry-go-round 19 year old Sam Cowler leaves the club for Barnet, where he spent some time on loan the previous season.
Euro 2012 gets under way and the Irish are soon up against it against Croatia, eventually going down 3-1. Still they've only got Spain and Italy to beat to qualify for the quarters.
England battle to a 1-1 draw against France in their opening match. Lescott opens the scoring. A Frenchman equalises for France.
The big story of the match has the Ukrainian security forces showing a surprisingly sensitive streak, proving their love of music by confiscating the England Supporters' Band's instruments. A ludicrous press release is put out by the pie manufacturers who sponsor the "band" bemoaning the confiscation. The sponsor's true motives are clear, however, as cynics like myself note that the pie manufacturers manage to mention the name of the pie manufacturers no fewer than four times in the first 35 words of the release.
All hopes that the security forces might crush the instruments and deposit the resulting mangled cube of metal into the most radioactive part of Chernobyl shouting "if you want them go get them" are dashed as the instruments are returned to the "band" in pristine condition.
Niclas Bendtner scores a brace for Denmark and cheekily lowers his shorts to reveal a pair of underpants bearing the name of a well-known bookies. The well-known bookies just happens not to be one of UEFA's own "strategic partners" for Euro2012. Worse still the undies are bright green. UEFA's disciplinary hit squad go into full and fearless action and fine Bendtner €100,000. While they're at it the same people fine the Croatian FA €80,000 over racist chanting. Glad to see that the authorities are taking the evil of players sponsored undies so seriously.
In the aftermath of "y-frontgate" UEFA receives dozens of letters pointing out that the sponsors of the England Supporters Band are also most emphatically NOT one of their strategic partners and suggesting similar sanctions. UEFA, however, refuse to act other than to tell me that unless I stop writing to them they'll call the police.
On the box, without a car window to speak through, Harry Redknapp seems ill at ease as a Euro 2012 pundit. He denies that he's about to leave Spurs, saying that he has plans to sit down and talk with Daniel Levy "when the time is right". A few days later Harry Redknapp sits down and talks with Daniel Levy and leaves Spurs. Back on familiar territory speaking through a car window, Redknapp claims that he'd have been on his way whether or not they'd qualified for the So-called Champions League. Redknapp's discomfort is complete when he is handed a P45 and told "it's a tax form". Meanwhile Spurs players are found checking their contracts to see whether their bonuses depended on finishing 4th or on So-called Champions League qualification with the canny Spurs management having noted the subtle but important difference.
Having earlier messed up on a potential payday by messing Liverpool about, the scrupulously honest and in no way shape or form "dodgy" Dave Whelan starts to hawk Roberto Martinez about again in a none-too-subtle manner. "I would not stand in his way if Spurs asked to talk with him" says Dave. Martinez maintains a dignified silence despite his Chairman's apparent keenness to cash in. Spurs, for their part, carry on looking in the direction of that bloke who managed Chelsea for a few minutes last season.
On the transfer speculation front we are linked with West Brom's Jonas Olsson and ex-Real Madrid favourite Guti, who was last seen not plying his trade in Turkey. Speculation also links us with a move for Palace's Wilfried Zaha, with Sam Baldock possibly going the other way in part-exchange. Both Palace and the Baggies deny any thoughts of a move, though Glaziers' boss Dougie Friedman admits he'd be interested in Baldock if he were to come on the market.
Back in (what used to be part of) the USSR and Poland, Euro 2012 moves on as, in the Group of Debt, Ireland get a 4-0 tonking from Spain. Ireland are so outclassed that even Fernando Torres is able to help himself to a brace. The gulf in playing strength is emphasised as the Irish bring on Stoke's Jon Walters as a sub, just before Cesc Fabregas comes on for the Spanish.
The England Supporters' Band's sponsors negotiate with the security services and ensure that there is no confiscation of instruments for the Sweden match. Unfortunately. Somewhere in between the 14th rendition of "God Save the Queen" and fifteenth of "The Great Escape" England take a 1-0 lead through Andy Carroll and look comfortable at the interval. The second half is a bit daft as Carroll undoes his good work by giving away a free-kick from which Mellberg (assisted by Glen Johnson's attempted clearance) equalises. Four England markers are caught not marking as Mellberg makes it 2-1 to the Swedes as tabloid writers start to dust off those turnip headlines. Sub Walcott equalises with a shot that appears to deceive the 'keeper by not swerving all over the place and Walcott is also on hand to set up a brilliant/lucky/both brilliant & lucky back-heel from Welbeck to seal the points for England and send the Swedes packing.
Had I bothered to listen to the press conference that the England Supporters' Band's sponsors probably held, they'd have told us how the win had been down to the band's renditions of "God Save The Queen", "England 'Til I Die", "Rule Britannia" and "the Great Escape". However, if there was a press conference I didn't tune in. The band doesn't seem to bother so why should I?
Back home the latest round of tv rights negotiations are concluded with Sky and BT shelling out a reported £3bn for the privilege of ruining supporters travel plans' from 2013/14 onwards. For a while I have a vision of clubs using the extra dosh to reduce silly amounts of debt and cut ticket prices for spectators. However, I then wake up and realise that it'll just mean hyperinflated salaries paid to players as usual. The prospect of having Maureen Lipman doing the half-time summaries does not improve the mood ("the boy's got an 'ology in finishing").
Out come the fixtures and we're at home to Villa on the opening day. Or night. Or following day. Or following Monday. In Scotland the basket case that is Rangers is currently going through liquidation with the new company that is taking over far from certain that it will be allowed back into the SPL. The Scottish fixtures are released with Rangers' place being listed as "Club 12" which is either the football team equivalent of "A N Other" or the Scots have allowed a team from a Glasgow nightclub to enter. Either way Celtic fans cover themselves by getting T-shirts printed bearing the slogan "we only hate Club 12".
Back in the Euros, the Group of Debt comes to its conclusion with Italians muttering darkly about the potential for a spot of match fixing in the Spain v Croatia match, from which a 2-2 draw will eliminate them. Funny how the Italians seem to be able to work out all the potential fixes in their heads. Years of practice I suppose.
In the end Spain win 1-0 and the Italians send the Irish home pointless with a 2-0 win to qualify for the quarter finals. Italy's second comes from Man City nut-job Balotelli who volleys home a Diamanti corner. That's the Diamanti who we flogged to Brescia a while back by the way. Any time you'd like to send the money over Brescia feel free.
Unlike the Spain/Italy group, where a certain combination of results would have left the final positions being decided by the reading of tea leaves or something, England's group is relatively straightforward and a draw will be enough to see us through. Ukraine dominate possession but we take the lead early in the second half when a poor cross from Gerrard is mis-hit by a defender and dropped by a 'keeper for Rooney to nod home from about two inches. Commentators immediately pronounce Gerrard's cross as "world class". ITV's Jamie Carragher proves he's as poor a pundit as he is a player by gazing lovingly at the replays of Gerrard's "masterstroke".
Ukraine appear to equalise later on when Hart can only partly save a shot which John Terry clears from a few feet over the line. The extra official behind the line refuses to break with tradition by actually doing anything about it. Carragher claims that the ball stayed out thanks to the "warmth of Stevie G's wonderfulness, or something". Others point out a marginal offside in the build-up that wasn't given. In the end France's 2-0 defeat to Sweden renders the whole debate academic and England top the group.
Predictably, post-match sees a renewed clamour for the introduction of technology for such occasions. An England supporter said: "we can put men on the moon and clone sheep so surely it should be possible to come up with something to nullify the racket of that bloody band?"
Back on the transfer radar and Wigan midfielder Mohamad Diame agrees to sign for the club on expiry of his contract at the end of July. Diame comes in as a free agent on a three-year deal. No transfer fee there Dave – any luck flogging Martinez yet?
Rob Green's future is decided as QPR are confirmed as his next club. He'll get a round of applause from me anyway when he returns to the Boleyn – and I suspect I won't be alone.
News round-ups and the Sun proves once more that it's ahead of the pack when it comes to serious investigative journalism by uncovering the brand of hair-gel worn by Wayne Rooney during the Ukraine match. If you're that interested go away and look it up. Actually if you're that interested just go away.
More daftness as a primary school in Hull bans pupils from playing football in break time during Euro 2012 on the grounds that the kids are "putting in dangerous tackles and fighting in school. Stoke City immediately dispatch their chief scout to have a look.
We pull Italy in the quarter finals of the Euros and, to be frank, they murder us 0-0. ITV's desperate attempts to have Steven Gerrard canonised plumb new depths as the midfielder is left chasing shadows for the whole match. The real nadir is reached as an Italian pulls a shot wide when it would have been easier to score. "Gerrard just did enough there" comments a hopeful commentator, though the replay shows that Gerrard isn't even in the picture as the hapless Italian panics with only Joe Hart to beat.
England go out in traditional style in a penalty shootout, something that now happens so often whoever missed for England (no, I can't remember either) doesn't even get a pizza advert in consolation.
Serial irritant Barry Hearn is at it again. Hearn is irritating is because, unlike the England Supporters Bloody Band, you never know what tune he will be playing, even though the chorus will, you suspect, see Barry Hearn personally earn a lot of money. Not wanting West Ham United on his doorstep, despite the fact that we've been there for years anyway, Hearn's latest melody sees him deciding that he will, graciously, allow us to share the Olympic Stadium with them should we be awarded it. "Gosh. Thanks Barry. Mind if we get back to you on that one" says nobody at all. Meanwhile, in similar vein, I'd be willing to share the proceeds of any multi-rollover lotto jackpots should any of you win one.
Spurs are always good for a laugh as the club shop slashes the price of Champions League commemorative mugs, their value being somewhat limited by the fact that Chelsea's win in the other match that took place 19 May meant that Spurs would have to make do with the Happy Shopper Europa League. Three mugs for £2 is the offer, or perhaps a description of their fanbase.
Over at Wigan, Dave Whelan continues to hear the happy sound of cash registers chiming and reminds all and sundry to the effect that he still wouldn't stand in Roberto Martinez's way if a bigger club were to come in for him. Say, Spurs, for example. The powers that be at White Hart Lane cop a deaf 'un to Whelan and finally appoint Anders Villas Boas to the role, marking a return to London for football's least convincing set of facial hair.
July
The month opens with the conclusion of Euro 2012. The Spanish add the European title to their World Cup win with a comprehensive 4-0 defeat of England's conquerors Italy.
Mo Diame's signing is confirmed, as Dave Whelan is seen crying his eyes out on the realisation that it's a free transfer. Our Staff Writer greets the Senegal international in time-honoured kumb-punning style thusly: "Your In Diame Now". He doesn't get out much.
Another 'keeper departs. Marek Stech is off to scrumpy country where he'll sign for Yeovil. Saddest goodbye, perhaps, is the departure of Freddie Sears to Colchester. An early career that seemed to promise so much sadly petered out at the Boleyn. A loan deal to a Palace side managed by Neil "Colin" Warnock seemed to ruin him. That's something else to dislike the gormless hypocrite for, then.
Rumours start to appear that we are in for Andy Carroll on a possible loan deal as Brendan Rodgers makes it clear that he doesn't fancy the player. We all rack our heads trying to work out the last time that we were linked with a £35m player. The rumours are given a boost by the presence of Carroll's mate Kevin Nolan at the Boleyn, and the fact that Nolan, Allardyce and James Tomkins are all represented by controversial agent Mark Curtis.
Rookie striker Christian Montano rejects a new deal and states that he is looking for a new deal abroad. Or Oldham as it transpires. Geography not Montano's strong suit then.
As one moves out another comes in. Modibo Maiga arrives on a deal worth a potential £7m from Sochaux, which, unlike Oldham, is proper abroad. France I think you'll find. One of those places anyway. "I hope that this is the start of a beautiful friendship" the former Casablanca striker ought to have said. But didn't.
A West Ham side takes home either the first trophy of the season or the last one of the previous year depending on which way you look at it. The Supporters Veterans XI come away with the team of the tournament trophy at the annual Worldnet tournament. Despite going out in the first knockout stage the organisers are impressed by the team's sporting spirit and by the team motto of "we're only here because Dignitas was shut". Which basically means we (yes I was there) were too old and slow to kick anyone.
John Terry is acquitted of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in the magistrates court as it becomes clear that the evidence against him is not strong enough to give a "beyond reasonable doubt" verdict. With the court case done the FA's own proceedings commence with a "balance of probability" test determining Terry's guilt or otherwise.
Real Mallorca centre-back Ivan Ramis, who I'm sure was the chap with glasses in Ghostbusters, you know, the one that wasn't Bill Murray or Dan Ackroyd, is linked with a move to the Boleyn. For a while anyway.
Guti turns up at the Austrian training camp where we're spending pre-season but ends up not signing. Eventually he opts for retirement, just to be on the safe side should Spurs make an offer.
Meanwhile official bids for Andy Carroll seem to be getting nowhere. Maybe Brendan Rodgers is too busy getting into the age-old Liverpool tradition of illegal transfer dealings as Fulham make official complaints about the less than subtle tapping up of Clint Dempsey.
James Tomkins joins up with the GB Olympic team as the games open up the road. Speaking as one who usually hates sporting ceremonies I am impressed by the Danny Boyle-produced event which, apart from being surprisingly entertaining also contains decent slabs of music and, the crowning moment, Bubbles. The England Supporters Band are, thankfully, nowhere to be seen, or , more accurately, are thankfully nowhere to be heard. The games themselves go marvellously well despite all the gloom and doom merchants and the host nation perks up the country no end with a bumper hall of medals.
The team includes three trialists on a trip to Germany where Rot Weiss Efurt fail to put in sufficient, er, efurt, as we beat them 3-0. Colin Kazim-Richards, Bilel Moshni and Dutchman Michael Lamy all spend some time on the pitch but we don't end up signing any of them, none of which stops our Staff Writer sticking up a headline entitled "Taking The Michael".
The tour continues with a 3-0 defeat by Dinamo Dresden and a 2-2 draw with Energie Cottbus. The fact that the Cottbus side are called "Energie" is the only fact that anyone knows about the town of Cottbus. One wonders if the Cottbus equivalent of Sheffield United is called "Lethargy" Cottbus?
Don't worry - the season finally gets to start in part two.....
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The Case For Signing Darren Bent
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Regardless of whether we end up signing Andy Carroll (and his delay in giving an answer is beginning to feel downright rude) there is little doubt that we will be signing at least two or even three new strikers over the summer. I trust we will keep Rob Hall and use him from the bench, but he seems to be happier playing on the wing rather than through the middle.
Darren Bent is a striker I have always rated. He scores goals wherever he goes, and that's what we need next season. He turned us down once before, which is a black mark against him, but we shouldn't be so petty as to let that stand in the way of someone who could play for us or four seasons and score 60 or 70 goals.
He's had a torrid time at Villa under Paul Lambert and clearly wants to get away. I reckon Sam could get the best out of him. And he's a complete player - can score with both feet and his head. Look at his record- 362 apperances, 150 goals - that's 1 goal per 2.41 games. When did we last have a striker who was that prolific? He's also capable of playing in a 4-5-1 formation as well as a 4-4-2. He can also play on the wing if he has to.
I reckon Villa would sell him for £6-8 million. Whaddaya reckon? Worth a punt?
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West Ham join the chase for Wigan's Arouna Kone as part of squad re-moulding
8 Jun 2013 23:00
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce is ready to do battle for Arouna Kone's signature with the forward's old boss Roberto Martinez, writes the Sunday People's Tom Hopkinson .
Kone is one of several Wigan players tipped to follow Martinez to Goodison Park after the Spaniard joined Everton last week. However, West Ham gaffer Allardyce is also keen to snap him up, and will urge co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold to rival any Everton offer as he re-moulds his squad ahead of the new campaign. The Ivory Coast international was one of the few shining lights at the DW Stadium last season. Although Wigan were relegated from the Premier League his form did not go unnoticed as he scored 11 goals for Martinez's doomed side. Kone joined the Latics from La Liga side Sevilla in a £2.7million, three-year deal last summer after spending a season on loan at Levante.
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West Ham Swoop for Liverpool Striker Andy Carroll In Balance Reveals Chairman David Gold
Insidefutbol.com
Saturday, 8th June, 2013
West Ham United chairman David Gold has revealed that the odds of the club signing Andy Carroll on a permanent basis from Liverpool have shrunk, with the move now being in the balance. The Hammers have been pushing to take Carroll on a permanent basis from the Reds after the England striker spent last season on loan at Upton Park. Gold had insisted that the odds were in West Ham's favour over keeping the former Newcastle man, rating it at 60/40. However, Gold has now reduced that, explaining that the odds are now firmly 50/50. Responding to a fan question via his Twitter account, when asked what odds he would give the move happening now, he replied "50/50". Carroll managed 26 appearances for West Ham in the Premier League last season, scoring seven goals in the process. His campaign was disrupted by injury, but the striker showed manager Sam Allardyce enough to warrant an effort being made to keep him at the club.
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Lukaku staying with Chelsea
Football365
Romelu Lukaku will play his football at Chelsea next season after holding productive talks with Jose Mourinho. The 20-year-old scored 17 Premier League goals while on loan at West Brom last term and previously said he would like to stay at The Hawthorns for another year. But a conversation with Mourinho has convinced the Belgium striker he can compete for a place with the likes of Fernando Torres and Demba Ba and still fulfil his dream of going to next summer's World Cup finals. "I always said my ambition was to play for Chelsea," said Lukaku, who cost £18m when he arrived from Anderlecht in August 2011. "Now I will go back to Stamford Bridge and try and play even more games than I did at West Brom. If I can score a few early on, it can turn into a really good season for me. "I have had a good conversation with Jose Mourinho, and I know it's up to me to show I'm worth a place. "It is the World Cup next year, and I need to be playing. But if I don't get in the Chelsea team often enough, then I won't deserve to be in the national squad. "I am not afraid of that. I am determined to succeed with Chelsea next season. I want to prove myself. "People will compare me with Didier Drogba, and he was always my hero. But I am my own man, and I want to be known for what I do."
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West Ham turn sights on Wilfried Bony after fearing snub from Andy Carroll
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt10:00PM BST 08 Jun 2013
West Ham are considering a £12 million bid for Vitesse Arnhem striker Wilfried Bony after growing less confident of signing England striker Andy Carroll. The London club have agreed a £15.5 million fee with Liverpool for Carroll, who spent last season on loan at Upton Park. But the player is understood to be unsure as to whether to make the deal permanent, even though he has been informed by Liverpool that he has no future under manager Brendan Rodgers. Carroll is on holiday in the United States, but is due to return soon. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce had hoped to hear from Carroll last week but now fears that he will not be joining them, even though it is unlikely he will receive a better offer elsewhere. Newcastle United, Carroll's former club, remain interested but will not pay anywhere near the valuation Liverpool have placed on the 24-year-old, even though it is almost £20 million less than he was sold for in January 2011.
West Ham, who failed with a bid for Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo last week, have already held talks with Bony's representatives about a possible move, although they are not the only Premier League club interested in the prolific 24-year-old Ivory Coast international, who was the Eredivisie's top-scorer last season with 31 goals. Stoke City had been thought to be favourites to sign Bony. The departure of Tony Pulis as manager may have changed their plans, although his replacement, Mark Hughes, is in the market for a striker.
If West Ham fail to secure Bony, they have also given consideration to making bids for either Stuttgart's Martin Harnik, an Austrian international who can play on the wing, and Eintracht Frankfurt's Algerian international Karim Matmour. Harnik, 25, has three years left on his deal and West Ham considered making a move for him last January. Matmour, whose contract expires this month, with an option to extend, has already claimed to have received three offers, including at least one from the Premier League. Fulham have previously been linked to the 27-year-old. West Ham are also weighing up a move for former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, who left Stamford Bridge when his contract expired last summer. The Ivory Coast international is keen to return to England after just a season in France with Lille. Greek side Olympiakos are interested in signing him.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 8th June 2013
By: Gordon Thrower
It's that time of year again when we send Gordon Thrower down to the basement to trawl his way through the archives of the season just finished. In this, the first part of his review, he looks at the pre-season months of June and July 2012. Euro2012, pre season tours and transfer speculation are the order of the day. Anyone who enjoys the music of England Supporters Band might care to skip part one and wait for part two though.....
June
As we start our review, it's worth taking a brief stock take of where we were as June opened. The play-off trophy was safely stored in the cabinet. The club had attempted to go back on a promise to give a 20% discount to long-term season ticket holders but quietly changed their minds when it transpired that they were on somewhat dubious ground legally speaking and five out of contract players were on their toes as Carew, Bouba Diop, Faye, Lee (O), and the on loan Henri Lansbury all left the club.
First through the in door is, technically speaking, 'keeper Stephen Henderson who spent the last two months on loan from Pompey.
All the real fun and games though is to be found north of the border as Rangers' financial meltdown continues. It is finally agreed that there will be a new company as HMRC pursue the club on two separate fronts (I actually understand the technicalities of both tax cases but trust me they would bore the pants off you. They bore the pants off me and I'm a tax professional). The decision means that Rangers' league position next season will depend on the wishes of the other clubs in the Scottish League system. Manic laughter is heard coming from the corridors of Celtic Park.
On the sporting front the few hours that pass for close season these days are occupied by Euro 2012 and both Olympics and Paralympics. And, of course, all the transfer speculation, which sees us, as a newly-promoted team, linked with every player going. And most of those who aren't.
Rob Green seems set on one last payday. QPR, whose millions mean that they are happy to meet his wage demands, lead the chase for the 'keeper's signature whilst he is away on England duty. Green's departure seems to be confirmed by the arrival of Jussi Jaaskaleinen (henceforth to be known in these parts as JJ), who agrees to sign on 1 July on the expiry of his contract with relegated Bolton Wanderers. As part of the 'keeper merry-go-round 19 year old Sam Cowler leaves the club for Barnet, where he spent some time on loan the previous season.
Euro 2012 gets under way and the Irish are soon up against it against Croatia, eventually going down 3-1. Still they've only got Spain and Italy to beat to qualify for the quarters.
England battle to a 1-1 draw against France in their opening match. Lescott opens the scoring. A Frenchman equalises for France.
The big story of the match has the Ukrainian security forces showing a surprisingly sensitive streak, proving their love of music by confiscating the England Supporters' Band's instruments. A ludicrous press release is put out by the pie manufacturers who sponsor the "band" bemoaning the confiscation. The sponsor's true motives are clear, however, as cynics like myself note that the pie manufacturers manage to mention the name of the pie manufacturers no fewer than four times in the first 35 words of the release.
All hopes that the security forces might crush the instruments and deposit the resulting mangled cube of metal into the most radioactive part of Chernobyl shouting "if you want them go get them" are dashed as the instruments are returned to the "band" in pristine condition.
Niclas Bendtner scores a brace for Denmark and cheekily lowers his shorts to reveal a pair of underpants bearing the name of a well-known bookies. The well-known bookies just happens not to be one of UEFA's own "strategic partners" for Euro2012. Worse still the undies are bright green. UEFA's disciplinary hit squad go into full and fearless action and fine Bendtner €100,000. While they're at it the same people fine the Croatian FA €80,000 over racist chanting. Glad to see that the authorities are taking the evil of players sponsored undies so seriously.
In the aftermath of "y-frontgate" UEFA receives dozens of letters pointing out that the sponsors of the England Supporters Band are also most emphatically NOT one of their strategic partners and suggesting similar sanctions. UEFA, however, refuse to act other than to tell me that unless I stop writing to them they'll call the police.
On the box, without a car window to speak through, Harry Redknapp seems ill at ease as a Euro 2012 pundit. He denies that he's about to leave Spurs, saying that he has plans to sit down and talk with Daniel Levy "when the time is right". A few days later Harry Redknapp sits down and talks with Daniel Levy and leaves Spurs. Back on familiar territory speaking through a car window, Redknapp claims that he'd have been on his way whether or not they'd qualified for the So-called Champions League. Redknapp's discomfort is complete when he is handed a P45 and told "it's a tax form". Meanwhile Spurs players are found checking their contracts to see whether their bonuses depended on finishing 4th or on So-called Champions League qualification with the canny Spurs management having noted the subtle but important difference.
Having earlier messed up on a potential payday by messing Liverpool about, the scrupulously honest and in no way shape or form "dodgy" Dave Whelan starts to hawk Roberto Martinez about again in a none-too-subtle manner. "I would not stand in his way if Spurs asked to talk with him" says Dave. Martinez maintains a dignified silence despite his Chairman's apparent keenness to cash in. Spurs, for their part, carry on looking in the direction of that bloke who managed Chelsea for a few minutes last season.
On the transfer speculation front we are linked with West Brom's Jonas Olsson and ex-Real Madrid favourite Guti, who was last seen not plying his trade in Turkey. Speculation also links us with a move for Palace's Wilfried Zaha, with Sam Baldock possibly going the other way in part-exchange. Both Palace and the Baggies deny any thoughts of a move, though Glaziers' boss Dougie Friedman admits he'd be interested in Baldock if he were to come on the market.
Back in (what used to be part of) the USSR and Poland, Euro 2012 moves on as, in the Group of Debt, Ireland get a 4-0 tonking from Spain. Ireland are so outclassed that even Fernando Torres is able to help himself to a brace. The gulf in playing strength is emphasised as the Irish bring on Stoke's Jon Walters as a sub, just before Cesc Fabregas comes on for the Spanish.
The England Supporters' Band's sponsors negotiate with the security services and ensure that there is no confiscation of instruments for the Sweden match. Unfortunately. Somewhere in between the 14th rendition of "God Save the Queen" and fifteenth of "The Great Escape" England take a 1-0 lead through Andy Carroll and look comfortable at the interval. The second half is a bit daft as Carroll undoes his good work by giving away a free-kick from which Mellberg (assisted by Glen Johnson's attempted clearance) equalises. Four England markers are caught not marking as Mellberg makes it 2-1 to the Swedes as tabloid writers start to dust off those turnip headlines. Sub Walcott equalises with a shot that appears to deceive the 'keeper by not swerving all over the place and Walcott is also on hand to set up a brilliant/lucky/both brilliant & lucky back-heel from Welbeck to seal the points for England and send the Swedes packing.
Had I bothered to listen to the press conference that the England Supporters' Band's sponsors probably held, they'd have told us how the win had been down to the band's renditions of "God Save The Queen", "England 'Til I Die", "Rule Britannia" and "the Great Escape". However, if there was a press conference I didn't tune in. The band doesn't seem to bother so why should I?
Back home the latest round of tv rights negotiations are concluded with Sky and BT shelling out a reported £3bn for the privilege of ruining supporters travel plans' from 2013/14 onwards. For a while I have a vision of clubs using the extra dosh to reduce silly amounts of debt and cut ticket prices for spectators. However, I then wake up and realise that it'll just mean hyperinflated salaries paid to players as usual. The prospect of having Maureen Lipman doing the half-time summaries does not improve the mood ("the boy's got an 'ology in finishing").
Out come the fixtures and we're at home to Villa on the opening day. Or night. Or following day. Or following Monday. In Scotland the basket case that is Rangers is currently going through liquidation with the new company that is taking over far from certain that it will be allowed back into the SPL. The Scottish fixtures are released with Rangers' place being listed as "Club 12" which is either the football team equivalent of "A N Other" or the Scots have allowed a team from a Glasgow nightclub to enter. Either way Celtic fans cover themselves by getting T-shirts printed bearing the slogan "we only hate Club 12".
Back in the Euros, the Group of Debt comes to its conclusion with Italians muttering darkly about the potential for a spot of match fixing in the Spain v Croatia match, from which a 2-2 draw will eliminate them. Funny how the Italians seem to be able to work out all the potential fixes in their heads. Years of practice I suppose.
In the end Spain win 1-0 and the Italians send the Irish home pointless with a 2-0 win to qualify for the quarter finals. Italy's second comes from Man City nut-job Balotelli who volleys home a Diamanti corner. That's the Diamanti who we flogged to Brescia a while back by the way. Any time you'd like to send the money over Brescia feel free.
Unlike the Spain/Italy group, where a certain combination of results would have left the final positions being decided by the reading of tea leaves or something, England's group is relatively straightforward and a draw will be enough to see us through. Ukraine dominate possession but we take the lead early in the second half when a poor cross from Gerrard is mis-hit by a defender and dropped by a 'keeper for Rooney to nod home from about two inches. Commentators immediately pronounce Gerrard's cross as "world class". ITV's Jamie Carragher proves he's as poor a pundit as he is a player by gazing lovingly at the replays of Gerrard's "masterstroke".
Ukraine appear to equalise later on when Hart can only partly save a shot which John Terry clears from a few feet over the line. The extra official behind the line refuses to break with tradition by actually doing anything about it. Carragher claims that the ball stayed out thanks to the "warmth of Stevie G's wonderfulness, or something". Others point out a marginal offside in the build-up that wasn't given. In the end France's 2-0 defeat to Sweden renders the whole debate academic and England top the group.
Predictably, post-match sees a renewed clamour for the introduction of technology for such occasions. An England supporter said: "we can put men on the moon and clone sheep so surely it should be possible to come up with something to nullify the racket of that bloody band?"
Back on the transfer radar and Wigan midfielder Mohamad Diame agrees to sign for the club on expiry of his contract at the end of July. Diame comes in as a free agent on a three-year deal. No transfer fee there Dave – any luck flogging Martinez yet?
Rob Green's future is decided as QPR are confirmed as his next club. He'll get a round of applause from me anyway when he returns to the Boleyn – and I suspect I won't be alone.
News round-ups and the Sun proves once more that it's ahead of the pack when it comes to serious investigative journalism by uncovering the brand of hair-gel worn by Wayne Rooney during the Ukraine match. If you're that interested go away and look it up. Actually if you're that interested just go away.
More daftness as a primary school in Hull bans pupils from playing football in break time during Euro 2012 on the grounds that the kids are "putting in dangerous tackles and fighting in school. Stoke City immediately dispatch their chief scout to have a look.
We pull Italy in the quarter finals of the Euros and, to be frank, they murder us 0-0. ITV's desperate attempts to have Steven Gerrard canonised plumb new depths as the midfielder is left chasing shadows for the whole match. The real nadir is reached as an Italian pulls a shot wide when it would have been easier to score. "Gerrard just did enough there" comments a hopeful commentator, though the replay shows that Gerrard isn't even in the picture as the hapless Italian panics with only Joe Hart to beat.
England go out in traditional style in a penalty shootout, something that now happens so often whoever missed for England (no, I can't remember either) doesn't even get a pizza advert in consolation.
Serial irritant Barry Hearn is at it again. Hearn is irritating is because, unlike the England Supporters Bloody Band, you never know what tune he will be playing, even though the chorus will, you suspect, see Barry Hearn personally earn a lot of money. Not wanting West Ham United on his doorstep, despite the fact that we've been there for years anyway, Hearn's latest melody sees him deciding that he will, graciously, allow us to share the Olympic Stadium with them should we be awarded it. "Gosh. Thanks Barry. Mind if we get back to you on that one" says nobody at all. Meanwhile, in similar vein, I'd be willing to share the proceeds of any multi-rollover lotto jackpots should any of you win one.
Spurs are always good for a laugh as the club shop slashes the price of Champions League commemorative mugs, their value being somewhat limited by the fact that Chelsea's win in the other match that took place 19 May meant that Spurs would have to make do with the Happy Shopper Europa League. Three mugs for £2 is the offer, or perhaps a description of their fanbase.
Over at Wigan, Dave Whelan continues to hear the happy sound of cash registers chiming and reminds all and sundry to the effect that he still wouldn't stand in Roberto Martinez's way if a bigger club were to come in for him. Say, Spurs, for example. The powers that be at White Hart Lane cop a deaf 'un to Whelan and finally appoint Anders Villas Boas to the role, marking a return to London for football's least convincing set of facial hair.
July
The month opens with the conclusion of Euro 2012. The Spanish add the European title to their World Cup win with a comprehensive 4-0 defeat of England's conquerors Italy.
Mo Diame's signing is confirmed, as Dave Whelan is seen crying his eyes out on the realisation that it's a free transfer. Our Staff Writer greets the Senegal international in time-honoured kumb-punning style thusly: "Your In Diame Now". He doesn't get out much.
Another 'keeper departs. Marek Stech is off to scrumpy country where he'll sign for Yeovil. Saddest goodbye, perhaps, is the departure of Freddie Sears to Colchester. An early career that seemed to promise so much sadly petered out at the Boleyn. A loan deal to a Palace side managed by Neil "Colin" Warnock seemed to ruin him. That's something else to dislike the gormless hypocrite for, then.
Rumours start to appear that we are in for Andy Carroll on a possible loan deal as Brendan Rodgers makes it clear that he doesn't fancy the player. We all rack our heads trying to work out the last time that we were linked with a £35m player. The rumours are given a boost by the presence of Carroll's mate Kevin Nolan at the Boleyn, and the fact that Nolan, Allardyce and James Tomkins are all represented by controversial agent Mark Curtis.
Rookie striker Christian Montano rejects a new deal and states that he is looking for a new deal abroad. Or Oldham as it transpires. Geography not Montano's strong suit then.
As one moves out another comes in. Modibo Maiga arrives on a deal worth a potential £7m from Sochaux, which, unlike Oldham, is proper abroad. France I think you'll find. One of those places anyway. "I hope that this is the start of a beautiful friendship" the former Casablanca striker ought to have said. But didn't.
A West Ham side takes home either the first trophy of the season or the last one of the previous year depending on which way you look at it. The Supporters Veterans XI come away with the team of the tournament trophy at the annual Worldnet tournament. Despite going out in the first knockout stage the organisers are impressed by the team's sporting spirit and by the team motto of "we're only here because Dignitas was shut". Which basically means we (yes I was there) were too old and slow to kick anyone.
John Terry is acquitted of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in the magistrates court as it becomes clear that the evidence against him is not strong enough to give a "beyond reasonable doubt" verdict. With the court case done the FA's own proceedings commence with a "balance of probability" test determining Terry's guilt or otherwise.
Real Mallorca centre-back Ivan Ramis, who I'm sure was the chap with glasses in Ghostbusters, you know, the one that wasn't Bill Murray or Dan Ackroyd, is linked with a move to the Boleyn. For a while anyway.
Guti turns up at the Austrian training camp where we're spending pre-season but ends up not signing. Eventually he opts for retirement, just to be on the safe side should Spurs make an offer.
Meanwhile official bids for Andy Carroll seem to be getting nowhere. Maybe Brendan Rodgers is too busy getting into the age-old Liverpool tradition of illegal transfer dealings as Fulham make official complaints about the less than subtle tapping up of Clint Dempsey.
James Tomkins joins up with the GB Olympic team as the games open up the road. Speaking as one who usually hates sporting ceremonies I am impressed by the Danny Boyle-produced event which, apart from being surprisingly entertaining also contains decent slabs of music and, the crowning moment, Bubbles. The England Supporters Band are, thankfully, nowhere to be seen, or , more accurately, are thankfully nowhere to be heard. The games themselves go marvellously well despite all the gloom and doom merchants and the host nation perks up the country no end with a bumper hall of medals.
The team includes three trialists on a trip to Germany where Rot Weiss Efurt fail to put in sufficient, er, efurt, as we beat them 3-0. Colin Kazim-Richards, Bilel Moshni and Dutchman Michael Lamy all spend some time on the pitch but we don't end up signing any of them, none of which stops our Staff Writer sticking up a headline entitled "Taking The Michael".
The tour continues with a 3-0 defeat by Dinamo Dresden and a 2-2 draw with Energie Cottbus. The fact that the Cottbus side are called "Energie" is the only fact that anyone knows about the town of Cottbus. One wonders if the Cottbus equivalent of Sheffield United is called "Lethargy" Cottbus?
Don't worry - the season finally gets to start in part two.....
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The Case For Signing Darren Bent
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
Regardless of whether we end up signing Andy Carroll (and his delay in giving an answer is beginning to feel downright rude) there is little doubt that we will be signing at least two or even three new strikers over the summer. I trust we will keep Rob Hall and use him from the bench, but he seems to be happier playing on the wing rather than through the middle.
Darren Bent is a striker I have always rated. He scores goals wherever he goes, and that's what we need next season. He turned us down once before, which is a black mark against him, but we shouldn't be so petty as to let that stand in the way of someone who could play for us or four seasons and score 60 or 70 goals.
He's had a torrid time at Villa under Paul Lambert and clearly wants to get away. I reckon Sam could get the best out of him. And he's a complete player - can score with both feet and his head. Look at his record- 362 apperances, 150 goals - that's 1 goal per 2.41 games. When did we last have a striker who was that prolific? He's also capable of playing in a 4-5-1 formation as well as a 4-4-2. He can also play on the wing if he has to.
I reckon Villa would sell him for £6-8 million. Whaddaya reckon? Worth a punt?
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West Ham join the chase for Wigan's Arouna Kone as part of squad re-moulding
8 Jun 2013 23:00
The Mirror
Sam Allardyce is ready to do battle for Arouna Kone's signature with the forward's old boss Roberto Martinez, writes the Sunday People's Tom Hopkinson .
Kone is one of several Wigan players tipped to follow Martinez to Goodison Park after the Spaniard joined Everton last week. However, West Ham gaffer Allardyce is also keen to snap him up, and will urge co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold to rival any Everton offer as he re-moulds his squad ahead of the new campaign. The Ivory Coast international was one of the few shining lights at the DW Stadium last season. Although Wigan were relegated from the Premier League his form did not go unnoticed as he scored 11 goals for Martinez's doomed side. Kone joined the Latics from La Liga side Sevilla in a £2.7million, three-year deal last summer after spending a season on loan at Levante.
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West Ham Swoop for Liverpool Striker Andy Carroll In Balance Reveals Chairman David Gold
Insidefutbol.com
Saturday, 8th June, 2013
West Ham United chairman David Gold has revealed that the odds of the club signing Andy Carroll on a permanent basis from Liverpool have shrunk, with the move now being in the balance. The Hammers have been pushing to take Carroll on a permanent basis from the Reds after the England striker spent last season on loan at Upton Park. Gold had insisted that the odds were in West Ham's favour over keeping the former Newcastle man, rating it at 60/40. However, Gold has now reduced that, explaining that the odds are now firmly 50/50. Responding to a fan question via his Twitter account, when asked what odds he would give the move happening now, he replied "50/50". Carroll managed 26 appearances for West Ham in the Premier League last season, scoring seven goals in the process. His campaign was disrupted by injury, but the striker showed manager Sam Allardyce enough to warrant an effort being made to keep him at the club.
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Lukaku staying with Chelsea
Football365
Romelu Lukaku will play his football at Chelsea next season after holding productive talks with Jose Mourinho. The 20-year-old scored 17 Premier League goals while on loan at West Brom last term and previously said he would like to stay at The Hawthorns for another year. But a conversation with Mourinho has convinced the Belgium striker he can compete for a place with the likes of Fernando Torres and Demba Ba and still fulfil his dream of going to next summer's World Cup finals. "I always said my ambition was to play for Chelsea," said Lukaku, who cost £18m when he arrived from Anderlecht in August 2011. "Now I will go back to Stamford Bridge and try and play even more games than I did at West Brom. If I can score a few early on, it can turn into a really good season for me. "I have had a good conversation with Jose Mourinho, and I know it's up to me to show I'm worth a place. "It is the World Cup next year, and I need to be playing. But if I don't get in the Chelsea team often enough, then I won't deserve to be in the national squad. "I am not afraid of that. I am determined to succeed with Chelsea next season. I want to prove myself. "People will compare me with Didier Drogba, and he was always my hero. But I am my own man, and I want to be known for what I do."
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West Ham turn sights on Wilfried Bony after fearing snub from Andy Carroll
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt10:00PM BST 08 Jun 2013
West Ham are considering a £12 million bid for Vitesse Arnhem striker Wilfried Bony after growing less confident of signing England striker Andy Carroll. The London club have agreed a £15.5 million fee with Liverpool for Carroll, who spent last season on loan at Upton Park. But the player is understood to be unsure as to whether to make the deal permanent, even though he has been informed by Liverpool that he has no future under manager Brendan Rodgers. Carroll is on holiday in the United States, but is due to return soon. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce had hoped to hear from Carroll last week but now fears that he will not be joining them, even though it is unlikely he will receive a better offer elsewhere. Newcastle United, Carroll's former club, remain interested but will not pay anywhere near the valuation Liverpool have placed on the 24-year-old, even though it is almost £20 million less than he was sold for in January 2011.
West Ham, who failed with a bid for Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo last week, have already held talks with Bony's representatives about a possible move, although they are not the only Premier League club interested in the prolific 24-year-old Ivory Coast international, who was the Eredivisie's top-scorer last season with 31 goals. Stoke City had been thought to be favourites to sign Bony. The departure of Tony Pulis as manager may have changed their plans, although his replacement, Mark Hughes, is in the market for a striker.
If West Ham fail to secure Bony, they have also given consideration to making bids for either Stuttgart's Martin Harnik, an Austrian international who can play on the wing, and Eintracht Frankfurt's Algerian international Karim Matmour. Harnik, 25, has three years left on his deal and West Ham considered making a move for him last January. Matmour, whose contract expires this month, with an option to extend, has already claimed to have received three offers, including at least one from the Premier League. Fulham have previously been linked to the 27-year-old. West Ham are also weighing up a move for former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, who left Stamford Bridge when his contract expired last summer. The Ivory Coast international is keen to return to England after just a season in France with Lille. Greek side Olympiakos are interested in signing him.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, June 8
Daily WHUFC News - 8th June 2013
On this day - 8 June
WHUFC.com
West Ham United lifted the Football League War Cup at Wembley on this day in
1940
08.06.2013
Classic match
West Ham United 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
Football League War Cup final
Saturday 8 June 1940, Wembley Stadium, London
West Ham United won their first Wembley final on this day in 1940, edging
out Blackburn Rovers 1-0 to lift the inaugural Football League War Cup.
Sam Small was the hero of the day, following up after Alec George Foreman's
shot had been parried by Blackburn goalkeeper James Barron to score the only
goal of the game on 35 minutes. A crowd of 42,300 braved the war-time
bombing of London to attend the final at Wembley Stadium, but they were not
rewarded with a classic match. West Ham began the game as favourites and
they held the upper hand for much of what was described by The Times as a
'grim' game. When West Ham did get things right, they troubled Rovers, with
Foreman, Len Goulden, Stanley Foxall and Archie Macaulay all heavily
involved.
The best move of the match culminated in Small's all-important goal. Foxall
and Goulden combined to find Foreman, whose shot looked certain to find the
net until Barron flung out a hand to make the save. However, the Blackburn
stopper was unable to recover quickly enough to prevent winger Small
finishing into the net.
Both teams came close in the second half, but West Ham goalkeeper Herman
Conway and his defenders were largely untroubled by their opponents and the
Londoners held on to win. The trophy was presented to the winning team by
A.V.Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty, while the crowd was made up in
part by servicemen. Following the final, a number of players from both sides
immediately returned to their service units in the various Armed Forces.
Anniversary
England 2-0 Soviet Union
UEFA European Championship third-place play-off
8 June 1968, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
While the 1966 and 1970 FIFA World Cup finals will live long in the memory
of every West Ham United and England supporter, the 1968 UEFA European
Championship finals tournament remains relatively unknown. England had
qualified for the four-team tournament by topping a qualifying group that
included Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland before overcoming Spain 3-1 on
aggregate in a two-legged tie. EURO 1968 was held in Italy, with England
joining the host nation, Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. As world champions,
England were expected to do well, only to lose 1-0 to Yugoslavia in Florence
in the semi-finals, with Dragan Džajić scoring an 87th-minute winner. Italy
and the Soviets drew 0-0 after extra-time, with the hosts going through to
the final on a coin toss - no penalty shootouts in those days!
The third-place play-off was held in Rome on this day in 1968 and England
boss Alf Ramsey named three West Ham players in his starting XI - captain
Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst. Fellow 1966 FIFA World Cup
winner Bobby Charlton opened the scoring on 39 minutes before Hurst netted
his tenth goal for England 18 minutes after half-time to ensure England
would finish in third place. Moore and Hurst were later named in the Team of
the Tournament.
Complete record
1940 West Ham United 1-0 Blackburn Rovers (Football League War Cup final)
Played 1, Won 1, Drawn 0, Lost 0, Scored 1, Conceded 0
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Adrian keen to emulate pal Reina
WHUFC.com
Adrian would love to follow compatriot Pepe Reina by becoming a success in
English football
07.06.2013
New West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian is hoping to emulate his friend Pepe
Reina by becoming a success in the Barclays Premier League. The Hammers'
capture from Spanish Primera Division side Real Betis Balompie would love
nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of Reina, who has accomplished
great things since joining Liverpool in 2005. Adrian hails from the city of
Seville the southern province of Andalusia, just 75 miles from Reina's
family home in Cordoba, and the 26-year-old revealed that the Reds stopper
has supported his career since the pair met in Madrid in the summer of 2012.
"Pepe Reina is also from Andalusia and his family is from Cordoba,"
explained Adrian, who will join West Ham on a free transfer on 1 July. "I
bumped into him in Madrid and we talked about goalkeeping. "He did a
brilliant thing when I made my first-team debut of sending me a text and
congratulating me, which was very touching."
A tall and powerful figure, Adrian earned a reputation in Spain for his
dominating and agile displays between the posts for newly-promoted Betis.
Indeed, his outstanding displays helped the Seville club to qualify for the
UEFA Europa League in their first season back in the Primera Division.
However, when asked what his best characteristics as a goalkeeper are,
Adrian himself chose to keep his cards close to his chest. "I'm not one for
blowing my own trumpet and I'm of the opinion that being a 'keeper is just
one area of a team. A game of football is teamwork. "The fans will have an
opportunity to make their own thoughts on how they rate me as a 'keeper, but
I will just be going in and doing my work on a daily basis and putting my
best into everything for the team."
Unlike in England, it is not unusual for a player to wait patiently for a
first-team debut with his club, as he has the opportunity to play
professionally for their B or C teams in the lower divisions. That was the
case with Adrian, who spent six seasons with Betis B before earning his
call-up last season. "It was always my dream to play for Betis since I
joined the club as a ten-year-old," said the goalkeeper, whose father Manolo
is a big Betis fan. "My dream was always the first team and I've been strong
and patient because I knew the opportunity would come. "I had to be both
mentally and physically prepared for when that opportunity arrived so I
could grab it. That opportunity came last year against Malaga and I made
sure that once it came, there was no turning back.
"I'm a home-grown boy and Betis is my family's club and my club."
Adrian's loyalty and hard work paid off when he was handed his first call-up
to the senior squad for the visit of UEFA Champions League qualifiers Malaga
on 29 September 2012. After just eleven minutes, regular No1 Casto was
sent-off and the rookie was thrown into the action. While ten-man Betis lost
the game 4-0, the new goalkeeper impressed sufficiently to start the next
league game at home to Real Sociedad, where he kept a clean sheet in a 2-0
victory. By the end of the campaign, Adrian had kept eleven clean sheets in
32 appearances and inspired Betis to home wins over Real Madrid, Malaga,
Valencia and Real Sociedad. "I had two highlights of the season. The first
was receiving my first call-up to travel with the first-team squad for the
match at Malaga. Unfortunately for him, my colleague was sent-off and I made
my debut. "The other highlight at the same level was when I made my home
debut [against Sociedad] and the reaction of the fans seeing one of them and
singing my name was amazing."
Having enjoyed such a close relationship with the Betis supporters, Adrian
is excited about the prospect of performing in front of an equally
passionate West Ham fanbase. "I knew about West Ham being one of England's
legendary clubs. It's a very historical team and I am aware of the
home-grown players like Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole. "What
took me back was when I made my first visit to the Club and seeing the
historical background of Club in players like Bobby Moore and Sir Trevor
Brooking. They are part of the Club's history. "With the help of everybody,
I will give it my best shot to become one of those players who West Ham fans
remember for years to come."
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Diame delights in winning strike
WHUFC.com
Mohamed Diame was thrilled to see his goal against Manchester United win
Goal of the Season
08.06.2013
It was a goal worthy of the prize. West Ham United midfielder Mohamed Diame
collected one of his three gongs at the Hammers' Player Awards for his
stunning strike against Manchester United in the 2-2 Boleyn Ground draw in
the Barclays Premier League. His goal was voted by supporters as their Goal
of the Season, and it was certainly one that will live long in the memory.
Receiving possession from Guy Demel on the right flank, Diame lost the
attentions of Wayne Rooney with a deft drop of the shoulder before taking
aim with his left foot and arcing a perfect shot beyond David de Gea. Diame
was only too happy to relive the goal - his third of the season - for West
Ham TV. "It was a very great honour for me to win this prize," he said.
"When you work hard all season and receive a trophy, you are happy. "I
linked up with Guy Demel and Ricardo Vaz Te on the right hand side of our
attack. When I received the ball from Guy, I saw the Manchester United
player on my back, but took him away with my first touch and then I struck
with my left foot. I was happy for the team that it went in. "Of course it
makes it even more special when it's against Manchester United. When you
play against the big teams you always want to do well, and I'll remember
that night all of my life."
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Sadlier on target as Ireland draw
WHUFC.com
West Ham United forward Kieran Sadlier scored as Republic of Ireland U19s
drew 2-2 with Switzerland
07.06.2013
West Ham United forward Kieran Sadlier scored as Republic of Ireland drew
2-2 with Switzerland in their opening UEFA European U19 Championship Elite
Round Group 2 qualifier in Serbia. Sadlier, who finished as the leading
scorer in the Hammers' Under-18 side, scored Ireland's second goal as they
roared into a 2-0 lead within 23 minutes at FK Obilic in Belgrade. The West
Ham teenager fired in an unstoppable free-kick after Manchester United's Sam
Byrne had put his nation in front on 16 minutes with a strong header that
bounced in off the crossbar. Unfortunately, Paul Doolin's team were unable
to maintain their advantage and Switzerland halved their deficit two minutes
before half-time through captain Michael Frey. And the Swiss drew level
seven minutes after the break when Samuele Campo fired low past Ireland
goalkeeper Ian Lawlor. Substitute Kenny McEvoy of Tottenham Hotspur - who
scored twice against West Ham in the FA Youth Cup last season - almost
snatched a win for Ireland late on, but they had to settle for a point.
Sadlier's club-mate Sean Maguire was an unused substitute. Next up for
Sadlier and Maguire is a clash with Slovakia on Saturday before facing hosts
Serbia on Tuesday. Serbia thrashed Slovakia 4-0 in the other Group 2 opener
in Jakovo on Thursday.
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Free transfer list announced
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
The Premier League today published a full list of the 154 players released
by member clubs at the end of the 2013/14 season. As mentioned earlier in
the week, West Ham have provided six players for the list - although Gary
O'Neil, who is included, remains hopeful of securing a new contract with the
club.
Carlton Cole, Jake Larkins (now with Orient), Jack Powell, Jami Rafati and
Eoin Wearen are the remaining five players not to be offered a contract by
the club.
Notable names on the list which may interest Sam Allardyce include Danny
Simpson (Newcastle), William Gallas (Tottenham), Franco Di Santo (Wigan) and
Roque Santa Cruz (Man City).
Meanwhile former Hammers Thomas Hitzlsperger (Everton), Yossi Benayoun
(Chelsea), David Bentley (Tottenham), Elliott Ward (Norwich City), Tal Ben
Haim (Queens Park Rangers), Wayne Bridge (Manchester City), Matthew
Kilgallon (Sunderland) and Matthew Upson (Stoke City) are also included.
West Ham United's list of retained players for 2013/14 is as follows:
Professionals: Leo Chambers; Joe Cole; James Collins; Jack Collison; Guy
Demel; Mohamed Diame; Alou Diarra; Callum Driver; Matthias Fanimo; Robert
Hall (offer made); Stephen Henderson; Juusi Jaaskelainen; Matt Jarvis;
Elliot Lee; Sebastian Lletget; Sean Maguire; Modibo Maiga; Paul McCallum;
George McCartney; George Moncur; Ravel Morrison; Pelly Ruddock; Mark Noble;
Kevin Nolan; Joey O'Brien; Danny Potts; Winston Reid; Kieran Sadlier; Jordan
Spence; Raphael Spiegel; Matt Taylor; Dylan Tombides; James Tomkins; Blair
Turgott; Ricardo Vaz Te.
Scholars: Sam Baxter (Extended); Nana Boakye-Yiadom (Retained); Kieran
Bywater (Retained); Josh Cullen (Retained); Robert Girdlestone (Retained);
Thomas Gogo (Retained); Gines Guzman Rosique (Retained); Jamie Harney
(Retained); Courtney Homans (Retained); Dymon Labonne (Extended); Moses
Makasi (Retained); Ben Marlow (Retained); Nathan Mavila (Retained); Taylor
Miles (Extended); Amos Nasha (Retained); Lewis Page (Retained); Frazer Shaw
(Extended); Taylor Tombides.
Goodbye: the 154 released players
Arsenal: Arshavin, Andrey; Bihmoutine, Samir; Charles-Cook; Reice Jordan;
Denilson; Eastmond, Craig Leon; Hajrovic, Sead; Henderson; Conor Alan Meade;
Jernade Ronnel; Oldfield, Spence-Neita Nigel Paul; Rees, Joshua; David
Roberts; Philip James; Shea, James; Squillaci, Sebastien; Watt, Herschel
Oulio Sanchez.
Aston Villa: Barrett, Calum Alastair; Barton, Joshua; Cameron, Courtney Lee;
Devine, Daniel Patrick; Lichaj, Eric Joseph; Marshall, Andrew John.
Chelsea: Affane, Amin; Benayoun, Yossi; Deen-Conteh, Abdul Aziz; Ferreira,
Paulo Renato Rebocho; Hilario, Meireles Alves Sampaio Henrique; Malouda,
Florent Johan; Nkumu, Archange; Turnbull, Ross.
Everton: Hammar, Per Johan Gustav; Hitzlsperger, Thomas; Kelly, Sam;
Alexander Mucha, Jan; Neville, Phil.
Fulham: Baird, Christopher; Davies, Simon; Diarra, Mahamadou; Donegan,
Thomas David ;Gameiro, Corey James; Karagkounis, Georgios; Musa, James
Mzamo; Peniket, Richard James; Petric, Mladen; Schwarzer, Mark; Smith, Alex;
Somogyi, Csaba.
Liverpool: Belford, Tyrell; Carragher, James Lee; Stephens, James Edward;
Wilson, Daniel.
Manchester City: Bridge, Wayne; Mancini, Filippo; McGivern, Ryan; Santa
Cruz, Roque Luis; Toure, Kolo.
Manchester Utd: Brown, Reece; Cofie, John Erzuah; Fornasier, Michele;
Giverin, Luke; Hendrie, Luke John; McCullough, Luke; Scholes, Paul; Van
Velzen, Gyliano; Veseli, Frederic.
Newcastle Utd: Harper, Stephen Alan; Moyo, Yven Rochild Victor; Simpson,
Daniel Peter.
Norwich City: Adeyemi, Thomas Oluseun; Camp, Lee; Durojaiye, Olumide Scott;
Francomb, George; Jackson, Simeon Alexander; Martin, Christopher Hugh;
Sheriff, Ramil; Smith, Korey Alexander; Tierney, Marc Peter; Ward, Elliott
Leslie
Queens Park Rangers: Ben Haim, Tal; Campbell, Dudley Junior; Cerny, Radek;
Champion, Frederick; Francis, Adam Royston Lawrence; Hewitt, Troy Roger;
Hulse, Robert; Nelsen, Ryan; Parmenter, Taylor Louis; Trani, Tommaso.
Reading: Bignall, Nicholas Colin; Church, Simon Richard; Harte, Ian; Hunt,
Noel; Losasso, Charlie Carrington; MacDonald, Angus Lees; Pearce, Alexander
James; Shorey, Nicholas; Tabb, Jay Anthony; Webb, Joshua; Richard Charles
Darren Morgan; Williams, Brett Anthony.
Southampton: Butterfield, Daniel Paul; Dickson, Ryan Anthony; Forecast,
Tommy Stephen; Hoskins, Samuel Tobias; Reeves, Benjamin Neil; Richardson,
Frazer; Seaborne, Daniel Anthony; Seidi, Alberto Adulai.
Stoke City: Clarkson, Michael Thomas; Delap, Rory; Gledhill, Matthew
Benjamin; Hall, Jadan; Lund, Matthew Charles; Musungu, Andrew; Nash, Carlo
James; Owen, Michael James; Pennant, Jermaine Lloyd; Rigg, George Benjamin;
Sidibe, Mamady; Upson, Matthew James; Whitehead, Dean.
Sunderland: Bramble, Titus; Callaghan, Anthony; Joyce, Wade Lewis;
Kilgallon, Matthew; Noble, Ryan; Reed, Adam Michael; Wilson, Ben.
Swansea City: Gower, Mark.
Tottenham Hotspur: Barthram, Jack Patrick; Bentley, David; Bostock, John
Gallas, William; Munns, Jack Frederick; Nicholson, Jake Charlie.
West Bromwich Albion: Fortune, Marc-Antoine; Gera, Zoltan; Jara Reyes,
Gonzalo Alejandro; Sawyers, Romaine Theodore; Thomas, Jerome.
West Ham Utd: Cole, Carlton; Larkins, Jake; O'Neil, Gary Paul; Powell, Jack
Patrick; Rafati, Jami; Wearen, Eoin Patrick.
Wigan Athletic: Aylmer, Peter; Crusat Domene, Albert; Di Santo, Franco;
Jones, David Frank Llwyd; Lopez Rodriguez, Adrian; Lynch, Jonathan Paul;
Morris, Callum Neil; Orsula, Filip; Stam, Ronnie; Sumner, Joshua Andre
Watson, Ryan.
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Hard to say goodbye
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's new goalkeeper Adrian bid a tearful farewell to his former
team mates at Real Betis yesterday. Adrian, who has been with the Andalucian
club since the age of 10 was given the opportunity to read out a farewell
message to the club's supporters in a specially arranged press conference.
However the 26-year-old, who will start the new season as back-up to
existing number one Jussi Jaaskelainen broke down towards the end of his
speech and was forced to pause several times after becoming overwhelmed. "I
don't expect everyone to understand because I know there will be all sorts
of opinions. But Real Betis is where I was formed, as a person and a
sportsman, and I'll never forget what I owe this club," he said. "I think of
this break as purely professional and from now on I'll just be another fan
cheering on the team that's given me everything. I say from the bottom of my
heart that the fans of Real Betis are the best in the world and I will be
eternally grateful for the kindness they have shown me both on and off the
pitch. "Nobody should have the slightest doubt that the feeling is mutual.
I wish all my team-mates who are staying the very best of luck in their new
journey into Europe and may they defend the verdiblanco colours in the way
the fans and this great club deserve."
Adrian last week agreed a three-year deal with West Ham United, whom he will
officially join at the beginning of July.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United lifted the Football League War Cup at Wembley on this day in
1940
08.06.2013
Classic match
West Ham United 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
Football League War Cup final
Saturday 8 June 1940, Wembley Stadium, London
West Ham United won their first Wembley final on this day in 1940, edging
out Blackburn Rovers 1-0 to lift the inaugural Football League War Cup.
Sam Small was the hero of the day, following up after Alec George Foreman's
shot had been parried by Blackburn goalkeeper James Barron to score the only
goal of the game on 35 minutes. A crowd of 42,300 braved the war-time
bombing of London to attend the final at Wembley Stadium, but they were not
rewarded with a classic match. West Ham began the game as favourites and
they held the upper hand for much of what was described by The Times as a
'grim' game. When West Ham did get things right, they troubled Rovers, with
Foreman, Len Goulden, Stanley Foxall and Archie Macaulay all heavily
involved.
The best move of the match culminated in Small's all-important goal. Foxall
and Goulden combined to find Foreman, whose shot looked certain to find the
net until Barron flung out a hand to make the save. However, the Blackburn
stopper was unable to recover quickly enough to prevent winger Small
finishing into the net.
Both teams came close in the second half, but West Ham goalkeeper Herman
Conway and his defenders were largely untroubled by their opponents and the
Londoners held on to win. The trophy was presented to the winning team by
A.V.Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty, while the crowd was made up in
part by servicemen. Following the final, a number of players from both sides
immediately returned to their service units in the various Armed Forces.
Anniversary
England 2-0 Soviet Union
UEFA European Championship third-place play-off
8 June 1968, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
While the 1966 and 1970 FIFA World Cup finals will live long in the memory
of every West Ham United and England supporter, the 1968 UEFA European
Championship finals tournament remains relatively unknown. England had
qualified for the four-team tournament by topping a qualifying group that
included Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland before overcoming Spain 3-1 on
aggregate in a two-legged tie. EURO 1968 was held in Italy, with England
joining the host nation, Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. As world champions,
England were expected to do well, only to lose 1-0 to Yugoslavia in Florence
in the semi-finals, with Dragan Džajić scoring an 87th-minute winner. Italy
and the Soviets drew 0-0 after extra-time, with the hosts going through to
the final on a coin toss - no penalty shootouts in those days!
The third-place play-off was held in Rome on this day in 1968 and England
boss Alf Ramsey named three West Ham players in his starting XI - captain
Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst. Fellow 1966 FIFA World Cup
winner Bobby Charlton opened the scoring on 39 minutes before Hurst netted
his tenth goal for England 18 minutes after half-time to ensure England
would finish in third place. Moore and Hurst were later named in the Team of
the Tournament.
Complete record
1940 West Ham United 1-0 Blackburn Rovers (Football League War Cup final)
Played 1, Won 1, Drawn 0, Lost 0, Scored 1, Conceded 0
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Adrian keen to emulate pal Reina
WHUFC.com
Adrian would love to follow compatriot Pepe Reina by becoming a success in
English football
07.06.2013
New West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian is hoping to emulate his friend Pepe
Reina by becoming a success in the Barclays Premier League. The Hammers'
capture from Spanish Primera Division side Real Betis Balompie would love
nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of Reina, who has accomplished
great things since joining Liverpool in 2005. Adrian hails from the city of
Seville the southern province of Andalusia, just 75 miles from Reina's
family home in Cordoba, and the 26-year-old revealed that the Reds stopper
has supported his career since the pair met in Madrid in the summer of 2012.
"Pepe Reina is also from Andalusia and his family is from Cordoba,"
explained Adrian, who will join West Ham on a free transfer on 1 July. "I
bumped into him in Madrid and we talked about goalkeeping. "He did a
brilliant thing when I made my first-team debut of sending me a text and
congratulating me, which was very touching."
A tall and powerful figure, Adrian earned a reputation in Spain for his
dominating and agile displays between the posts for newly-promoted Betis.
Indeed, his outstanding displays helped the Seville club to qualify for the
UEFA Europa League in their first season back in the Primera Division.
However, when asked what his best characteristics as a goalkeeper are,
Adrian himself chose to keep his cards close to his chest. "I'm not one for
blowing my own trumpet and I'm of the opinion that being a 'keeper is just
one area of a team. A game of football is teamwork. "The fans will have an
opportunity to make their own thoughts on how they rate me as a 'keeper, but
I will just be going in and doing my work on a daily basis and putting my
best into everything for the team."
Unlike in England, it is not unusual for a player to wait patiently for a
first-team debut with his club, as he has the opportunity to play
professionally for their B or C teams in the lower divisions. That was the
case with Adrian, who spent six seasons with Betis B before earning his
call-up last season. "It was always my dream to play for Betis since I
joined the club as a ten-year-old," said the goalkeeper, whose father Manolo
is a big Betis fan. "My dream was always the first team and I've been strong
and patient because I knew the opportunity would come. "I had to be both
mentally and physically prepared for when that opportunity arrived so I
could grab it. That opportunity came last year against Malaga and I made
sure that once it came, there was no turning back.
"I'm a home-grown boy and Betis is my family's club and my club."
Adrian's loyalty and hard work paid off when he was handed his first call-up
to the senior squad for the visit of UEFA Champions League qualifiers Malaga
on 29 September 2012. After just eleven minutes, regular No1 Casto was
sent-off and the rookie was thrown into the action. While ten-man Betis lost
the game 4-0, the new goalkeeper impressed sufficiently to start the next
league game at home to Real Sociedad, where he kept a clean sheet in a 2-0
victory. By the end of the campaign, Adrian had kept eleven clean sheets in
32 appearances and inspired Betis to home wins over Real Madrid, Malaga,
Valencia and Real Sociedad. "I had two highlights of the season. The first
was receiving my first call-up to travel with the first-team squad for the
match at Malaga. Unfortunately for him, my colleague was sent-off and I made
my debut. "The other highlight at the same level was when I made my home
debut [against Sociedad] and the reaction of the fans seeing one of them and
singing my name was amazing."
Having enjoyed such a close relationship with the Betis supporters, Adrian
is excited about the prospect of performing in front of an equally
passionate West Ham fanbase. "I knew about West Ham being one of England's
legendary clubs. It's a very historical team and I am aware of the
home-grown players like Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole. "What
took me back was when I made my first visit to the Club and seeing the
historical background of Club in players like Bobby Moore and Sir Trevor
Brooking. They are part of the Club's history. "With the help of everybody,
I will give it my best shot to become one of those players who West Ham fans
remember for years to come."
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Diame delights in winning strike
WHUFC.com
Mohamed Diame was thrilled to see his goal against Manchester United win
Goal of the Season
08.06.2013
It was a goal worthy of the prize. West Ham United midfielder Mohamed Diame
collected one of his three gongs at the Hammers' Player Awards for his
stunning strike against Manchester United in the 2-2 Boleyn Ground draw in
the Barclays Premier League. His goal was voted by supporters as their Goal
of the Season, and it was certainly one that will live long in the memory.
Receiving possession from Guy Demel on the right flank, Diame lost the
attentions of Wayne Rooney with a deft drop of the shoulder before taking
aim with his left foot and arcing a perfect shot beyond David de Gea. Diame
was only too happy to relive the goal - his third of the season - for West
Ham TV. "It was a very great honour for me to win this prize," he said.
"When you work hard all season and receive a trophy, you are happy. "I
linked up with Guy Demel and Ricardo Vaz Te on the right hand side of our
attack. When I received the ball from Guy, I saw the Manchester United
player on my back, but took him away with my first touch and then I struck
with my left foot. I was happy for the team that it went in. "Of course it
makes it even more special when it's against Manchester United. When you
play against the big teams you always want to do well, and I'll remember
that night all of my life."
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Sadlier on target as Ireland draw
WHUFC.com
West Ham United forward Kieran Sadlier scored as Republic of Ireland U19s
drew 2-2 with Switzerland
07.06.2013
West Ham United forward Kieran Sadlier scored as Republic of Ireland drew
2-2 with Switzerland in their opening UEFA European U19 Championship Elite
Round Group 2 qualifier in Serbia. Sadlier, who finished as the leading
scorer in the Hammers' Under-18 side, scored Ireland's second goal as they
roared into a 2-0 lead within 23 minutes at FK Obilic in Belgrade. The West
Ham teenager fired in an unstoppable free-kick after Manchester United's Sam
Byrne had put his nation in front on 16 minutes with a strong header that
bounced in off the crossbar. Unfortunately, Paul Doolin's team were unable
to maintain their advantage and Switzerland halved their deficit two minutes
before half-time through captain Michael Frey. And the Swiss drew level
seven minutes after the break when Samuele Campo fired low past Ireland
goalkeeper Ian Lawlor. Substitute Kenny McEvoy of Tottenham Hotspur - who
scored twice against West Ham in the FA Youth Cup last season - almost
snatched a win for Ireland late on, but they had to settle for a point.
Sadlier's club-mate Sean Maguire was an unused substitute. Next up for
Sadlier and Maguire is a clash with Slovakia on Saturday before facing hosts
Serbia on Tuesday. Serbia thrashed Slovakia 4-0 in the other Group 2 opener
in Jakovo on Thursday.
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Free transfer list announced
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
The Premier League today published a full list of the 154 players released
by member clubs at the end of the 2013/14 season. As mentioned earlier in
the week, West Ham have provided six players for the list - although Gary
O'Neil, who is included, remains hopeful of securing a new contract with the
club.
Carlton Cole, Jake Larkins (now with Orient), Jack Powell, Jami Rafati and
Eoin Wearen are the remaining five players not to be offered a contract by
the club.
Notable names on the list which may interest Sam Allardyce include Danny
Simpson (Newcastle), William Gallas (Tottenham), Franco Di Santo (Wigan) and
Roque Santa Cruz (Man City).
Meanwhile former Hammers Thomas Hitzlsperger (Everton), Yossi Benayoun
(Chelsea), David Bentley (Tottenham), Elliott Ward (Norwich City), Tal Ben
Haim (Queens Park Rangers), Wayne Bridge (Manchester City), Matthew
Kilgallon (Sunderland) and Matthew Upson (Stoke City) are also included.
West Ham United's list of retained players for 2013/14 is as follows:
Professionals: Leo Chambers; Joe Cole; James Collins; Jack Collison; Guy
Demel; Mohamed Diame; Alou Diarra; Callum Driver; Matthias Fanimo; Robert
Hall (offer made); Stephen Henderson; Juusi Jaaskelainen; Matt Jarvis;
Elliot Lee; Sebastian Lletget; Sean Maguire; Modibo Maiga; Paul McCallum;
George McCartney; George Moncur; Ravel Morrison; Pelly Ruddock; Mark Noble;
Kevin Nolan; Joey O'Brien; Danny Potts; Winston Reid; Kieran Sadlier; Jordan
Spence; Raphael Spiegel; Matt Taylor; Dylan Tombides; James Tomkins; Blair
Turgott; Ricardo Vaz Te.
Scholars: Sam Baxter (Extended); Nana Boakye-Yiadom (Retained); Kieran
Bywater (Retained); Josh Cullen (Retained); Robert Girdlestone (Retained);
Thomas Gogo (Retained); Gines Guzman Rosique (Retained); Jamie Harney
(Retained); Courtney Homans (Retained); Dymon Labonne (Extended); Moses
Makasi (Retained); Ben Marlow (Retained); Nathan Mavila (Retained); Taylor
Miles (Extended); Amos Nasha (Retained); Lewis Page (Retained); Frazer Shaw
(Extended); Taylor Tombides.
Goodbye: the 154 released players
Arsenal: Arshavin, Andrey; Bihmoutine, Samir; Charles-Cook; Reice Jordan;
Denilson; Eastmond, Craig Leon; Hajrovic, Sead; Henderson; Conor Alan Meade;
Jernade Ronnel; Oldfield, Spence-Neita Nigel Paul; Rees, Joshua; David
Roberts; Philip James; Shea, James; Squillaci, Sebastien; Watt, Herschel
Oulio Sanchez.
Aston Villa: Barrett, Calum Alastair; Barton, Joshua; Cameron, Courtney Lee;
Devine, Daniel Patrick; Lichaj, Eric Joseph; Marshall, Andrew John.
Chelsea: Affane, Amin; Benayoun, Yossi; Deen-Conteh, Abdul Aziz; Ferreira,
Paulo Renato Rebocho; Hilario, Meireles Alves Sampaio Henrique; Malouda,
Florent Johan; Nkumu, Archange; Turnbull, Ross.
Everton: Hammar, Per Johan Gustav; Hitzlsperger, Thomas; Kelly, Sam;
Alexander Mucha, Jan; Neville, Phil.
Fulham: Baird, Christopher; Davies, Simon; Diarra, Mahamadou; Donegan,
Thomas David ;Gameiro, Corey James; Karagkounis, Georgios; Musa, James
Mzamo; Peniket, Richard James; Petric, Mladen; Schwarzer, Mark; Smith, Alex;
Somogyi, Csaba.
Liverpool: Belford, Tyrell; Carragher, James Lee; Stephens, James Edward;
Wilson, Daniel.
Manchester City: Bridge, Wayne; Mancini, Filippo; McGivern, Ryan; Santa
Cruz, Roque Luis; Toure, Kolo.
Manchester Utd: Brown, Reece; Cofie, John Erzuah; Fornasier, Michele;
Giverin, Luke; Hendrie, Luke John; McCullough, Luke; Scholes, Paul; Van
Velzen, Gyliano; Veseli, Frederic.
Newcastle Utd: Harper, Stephen Alan; Moyo, Yven Rochild Victor; Simpson,
Daniel Peter.
Norwich City: Adeyemi, Thomas Oluseun; Camp, Lee; Durojaiye, Olumide Scott;
Francomb, George; Jackson, Simeon Alexander; Martin, Christopher Hugh;
Sheriff, Ramil; Smith, Korey Alexander; Tierney, Marc Peter; Ward, Elliott
Leslie
Queens Park Rangers: Ben Haim, Tal; Campbell, Dudley Junior; Cerny, Radek;
Champion, Frederick; Francis, Adam Royston Lawrence; Hewitt, Troy Roger;
Hulse, Robert; Nelsen, Ryan; Parmenter, Taylor Louis; Trani, Tommaso.
Reading: Bignall, Nicholas Colin; Church, Simon Richard; Harte, Ian; Hunt,
Noel; Losasso, Charlie Carrington; MacDonald, Angus Lees; Pearce, Alexander
James; Shorey, Nicholas; Tabb, Jay Anthony; Webb, Joshua; Richard Charles
Darren Morgan; Williams, Brett Anthony.
Southampton: Butterfield, Daniel Paul; Dickson, Ryan Anthony; Forecast,
Tommy Stephen; Hoskins, Samuel Tobias; Reeves, Benjamin Neil; Richardson,
Frazer; Seaborne, Daniel Anthony; Seidi, Alberto Adulai.
Stoke City: Clarkson, Michael Thomas; Delap, Rory; Gledhill, Matthew
Benjamin; Hall, Jadan; Lund, Matthew Charles; Musungu, Andrew; Nash, Carlo
James; Owen, Michael James; Pennant, Jermaine Lloyd; Rigg, George Benjamin;
Sidibe, Mamady; Upson, Matthew James; Whitehead, Dean.
Sunderland: Bramble, Titus; Callaghan, Anthony; Joyce, Wade Lewis;
Kilgallon, Matthew; Noble, Ryan; Reed, Adam Michael; Wilson, Ben.
Swansea City: Gower, Mark.
Tottenham Hotspur: Barthram, Jack Patrick; Bentley, David; Bostock, John
Gallas, William; Munns, Jack Frederick; Nicholson, Jake Charlie.
West Bromwich Albion: Fortune, Marc-Antoine; Gera, Zoltan; Jara Reyes,
Gonzalo Alejandro; Sawyers, Romaine Theodore; Thomas, Jerome.
West Ham Utd: Cole, Carlton; Larkins, Jake; O'Neil, Gary Paul; Powell, Jack
Patrick; Rafati, Jami; Wearen, Eoin Patrick.
Wigan Athletic: Aylmer, Peter; Crusat Domene, Albert; Di Santo, Franco;
Jones, David Frank Llwyd; Lopez Rodriguez, Adrian; Lynch, Jonathan Paul;
Morris, Callum Neil; Orsula, Filip; Stam, Ronnie; Sumner, Joshua Andre
Watson, Ryan.
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Hard to say goodbye
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's new goalkeeper Adrian bid a tearful farewell to his former
team mates at Real Betis yesterday. Adrian, who has been with the Andalucian
club since the age of 10 was given the opportunity to read out a farewell
message to the club's supporters in a specially arranged press conference.
However the 26-year-old, who will start the new season as back-up to
existing number one Jussi Jaaskelainen broke down towards the end of his
speech and was forced to pause several times after becoming overwhelmed. "I
don't expect everyone to understand because I know there will be all sorts
of opinions. But Real Betis is where I was formed, as a person and a
sportsman, and I'll never forget what I owe this club," he said. "I think of
this break as purely professional and from now on I'll just be another fan
cheering on the team that's given me everything. I say from the bottom of my
heart that the fans of Real Betis are the best in the world and I will be
eternally grateful for the kindness they have shown me both on and off the
pitch. "Nobody should have the slightest doubt that the feeling is mutual.
I wish all my team-mates who are staying the very best of luck in their new
journey into Europe and may they defend the verdiblanco colours in the way
the fans and this great club deserve."
Adrian last week agreed a three-year deal with West Ham United, whom he will
officially join at the beginning of July.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, June 7
Daily WHUFC News - 7th June 2013
Hammers set Germany dates
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are happy to announce two further pre-season matches in
Germany
06.06.2013
West Ham United are happy to announce meetings with German Bundesliga sides
FSV Mainz 05 and Eintracht Braunschweig as part of the Club's 2013/14
pre-season schedule. Sam Allardyce will take his Hammers squad to Germany
for an eleven-day tour, during which they will play three matches against
high-quality opposition.
West Ham will kick-off their German tour by taking on Thomas Tuchel's Mainz
at their former Bruchwegstadion home, which the Bundesliga club vacated in
2011. The match will take place on Saturday 20 July at 6pm local time. Big
Sam's men will then take on Hamburger SV in Flensburg on the German-Danish
border on Tuesday 23 July at 6.45pm before taking on newly-promoted
Bundesliga side Eintracht Braunschweig on Saturday 27 July.
Before leaving for Germany the Hammers will travel to the Republic of
Ireland to face Cork City on Sunday 7 July. Closer to home, the Club have
also organised a trip to the south coast to face AFC Bournemouth in a
Testimonial for Academy of Football graduate and long-time Cherries
full-back Stephen Purches, along with a trip to Essex to take on Colchester
United.
West Ham will also be making a return to Blue Square Bet South club Boreham
Wood, having been worked hard during a pre-season fixture at Meadow Park in
July 2012.
Ticket details for all pre-season matches will be posted here as and when
they are confirmed.
2013 Pre-season fixtures
Sunday 7 July v Cork City, Turners Cross Stadium, Cork City, Republic of
Ireland, 6pm
Wednesday 10 July v Boreham Wood, Meadow Park, Borehamwood. 7.30pm
Saturday 13 July v AFC Bournemouth, Goldsands Stadium, Bournemouth, 3pm
Tuesday 16 July v Colchester United, Weston Homes Community Stadium,
Colchester, 7.45pm
Saturday 20 July v FSV Mainz 05, Bruchwegstadion, Mainz, Germany, 6pm
Tuesday 23 July v Hamburger SV, Flensburg Stadium, Flensburg, Germany,
6.45pm
Saturday 27 July v Eintracht Braunschweig, Eintracht-Stadion, Braunschweig,
Germany, 3.30pm
(*all kick-offs stated are local times)
SV Mainz 05
Formed in 1905, Mainz have risen from the regional leagues to reach the
Bundesliga for the first time in their history in 2004 under the guidance of
manager and former player Jurgen Klopp - the man who has since gone on to
huge success with Borussia Dortmund. Under Klopp, Mainz qualified for the
UEFA Cup in 2005 before being relegated to Bundesliga 2 after three seasons
in the top flight in 2007. However, Die Nullfünfer (the O-Fives) returned to
the Bundesliga in 2009 and finished in a club record high of fifth two years
ago. Coach Tuchel has put together a squad that contains a number of players
who may be familiar to English fans, including former Bolton Wanderers and
Croatia striker Ivan Klasnic, Austria internationals Julian Baumgartlinger
and Andreas Ivanschitz and Macedonia centre-back Nikolce Noveski. The Club
moved to a new home, the Coface Arena, in 2011. However, the Hammers' visit
will be held at Mainz's previous home at the 20,300-capacity Bruchwegstadion
nearer the city centre.
Hamburger SV
Hamburg are one of Germany's biggest and best-supported clubs. Founded in
1887, the Rothosen won the European Cup in 1983 and European Cup Winners'
Cup in 1977, have been crowned German champions six times and won the
Germany Cup on three occasions. Thorsten Fink's star-studded squad includes
Netherlands and former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Rafael van der Vaart,
Germany left-back Marcell Jansen, South Korea starlet Heung-Min Son and
ex-Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne. West Ham right-back Guy Demel spent
six seasons with Hamburger SV between 2005 and 2011, making 200 appearances,
never finishing outside the Bundesliga's top-eight and winning the UEFA
Intertoto Cup in 2007. The Hamburg fixture will take place in the town of
Flensburg in the north of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein - the
northernmost town in Germany just south of the border with Denmark.
Eintracht Braunschweig
Eintracht Braunschweig may not be well-known to West Ham supporters, but the
club from Lower Saxony were one of the founder members of the Bundesliga in
1963 and will return to the top flight after a 28-year absence next season.
Like West Ham, Braunschweig were formed in 1895, quickly becoming one of
Germany's most-successful clubs, winning the Northern German championship in
1908 and 1913. Following the Second World War, the club was relaunched as
Braunschweiger TSV Eintracht von 1895 and continued to enjoy success in the
top division of football in northern Germany, the Oberliga Nord. This
success resulted in the club being one of 16 chosen to be members of the
inaugural Bundesliga in 1963. Four years later, manager Helmuth Johannsen
led Braunschweig to the national title for the first and only time in their
history. The club also produced a number of players for the West Germany
national team.
In 1973, Braunschweig became the first Bundesliga side to sport a sponsor
logo on their jerseys - that of liquor producer Jägermeister - and came
close to a second Bundesliga title in 1977, when they finished third. Since
being relegated in 1985, Braunschweig have played at the second and third
tiers of German football, but two promotions in the previous three seasons
under manager Torsten Lieberknecht have seen the club rise back to the
Bundesliga again. In 2012/13, Braunschweig drew an average gate of 20,454 to
the Eintracht-Stadion, with DR Congolese striker Domi 'Dominck' Kumbela
leading the scoring charts with 19 goals.
Cork City
Based in Ireland's second-largest city, League of Ireland Premier Division
side Cork City are two-time Irish champions and FAI Cup winners. The Rebel
Army have competed regularly in European competition down the years and the
city itself has long been a hotbed of Irish football, with Hammers greats
Sir Trevor Brooking and Sir Geoff Hurst both turning out for Cork Celtic at
the end of their illustrious careers.
AFC Bournemouth
Purches' Testimonial at AFC Bournemouth comes after a hugely-successful
season for the Cherries, who have gained promotion to the Championship under
manager Eddie Howe, whose team have won their last eight League One matches.
West Ham Academy graduate Purches, now 33, has unfortunately missed the
entire season after suffering a broken leg while playing against Rochdale in
February 2012. The full-back has enjoyed a successful career, making nearly
450 appearances for Bournemouth and Leyton Orient.
Colchester United
Colchester United secured their npower League 1 status with a 2-0 victory at
Carlisle United on the final day of the season. The U's victory ensured
Scunthorpe United would finish below them and drop down to League 2, and Joe
Dunne's men include former Hammer Freddie Sears in their ranks.
The Club will announce further pre-season fixtures as and when dates and
kick-off times have been confirmed with opposition clubs.
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Benni McCarthy retires from football at the age of 35
BBC.co.uk
South Africa's all-time leading scorer Benni McCarthy has retired from
football at the age of 35. McCarthy has been playing for Orlando Pirates
since 2011 after leaving West Ham by mutual consent. In a statement on the
Premier Soccer League website, McCarthy said: "Football has been good to me
- it has provided special moments and enabled me to be in a position to have
improved the lives of my family members.
Benni McCarthy's clubs
Orlando Pirates (S Africa)
West Ham (England)
Blackburn Rovers (England)
FC Porto (Portugal)
Celta Vigo (Spain)
Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Cape Town Spurs (S Africa)
Seven Stars (S Africa)
Cape Town-born McCarthy played in the top leagues in the Netherlands, Spain,
Portugal and England, winning the Eredivisie with Ajax and the Portuguese
title and 2004 Champions League with FC Porto under Jose Mourinho. "I have
been so blessed to have enjoyed a remarkable career that took me from the
township fields of Nyanga Stadium, to winner's medals in the Uefa Champions
League and World Club Cup - the highest levels that a player can achieve in
club football," he added. He retires as South Africa's leading scorer with
31 goals in 80 games. Although he was dropped from the final squad when the
country hosted the 2010 World Cup, McCarthy scored goals for Bafana Bafana
at the 1998 and 2002 tournaments. He returned to South Africa after spells
with Blackburn and West Ham in England's Premier League, joining Soweto
giant Orlando Pirates in 2011. He won four trophies with Pirates in 2012,
including the league title after scoring on debut, and then twice in the
title-clinching game. "It has been a 17-year professional career that
surpassed even my own expectations," McCarthy said.
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Larkins signs one-year deal
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
Former Academy goalkeeper Jake Larkins has joined League One Leyton Orient
on a free transfer. The 19-year-old goalkeeper, who hails from Dagenham was
snapped up by the O's less than 24 hours after West Ham confirmed that he
was not being offered a new contract when releasing their list of retained
players on Wednesday afternoon. O's goalkeeping coach Kevin Dearden told
leytonorient.com: "Jake is someone that I've watched personally on a number
of occasions and have been impressed with him. "I had a good conversation
with Martyn Margetson, the goalkeeping coach at West Ham and he came highly
recommended so we got him in to train with us towards the end of the season
and he did very well. "The Gaffer and I liked what we saw. We believe Jake
will be a valuable member of the squad and be able to push Jamie [Jones] for
a starting place straight away."
Larkins, who has signed a one-year contract with West Ham's east London
neighbours left West Ham this summer without making a single appearance for
the first team. However he did at least make the bench in December 2010
when, at the age of just 16, he was named as back-up to Ruud Boffin in a 1-1
draw.
A first year scholar at Tony Carr's world-famous Chadwell Heath Academy in
2009, Larkins signed a further two-year contract in May 2010 on the advice
of then-goalkeeping coach Jerome John. The young 'keeper was in the same
intake as the likes of Danny Potts, Dylan Tombides and Robert Hall. Earlier
this year he suffered a major scare after being involved in a road accident
on the A12, but was fortunate enough to escape with minor neck and head
injuries and was released from hospital within a day. KUMB would like to
wish Jake the very best of luck with his new club.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Two new dates for pre-season
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have added two new dates to their pre-season fixture list.
Sam Allardyce's squad were already set to face German opposition this
summer, but they will now face three German teams when they visit mainland
Europe next month.
With a clash against Hamburg already pencilled in for 23rd July, West Ham
will also be taking on Mainz 05 and Bundesliga newcomers Eintracht
Braunschweig, who won last season's Bundesliga 2 to return to the top flight
for the first time in 28 years.
Allardyce and his squad fly out to Germany following the friendly at the
Weston Homes Community Stadium against Colchester on Tuesday, 16th July.
Their first fixture on the tour comes against Mainz 05 the following
weekend.
Mainz, who ended last season in 13th place in the Bundesliga will host West
Ham in their former Stadion am Bruchweg home, a ground they left in 2011 and
a venue which is now used as a multi-purpose arena. With a capacity of just
over 20,000 there should be plenty of tickets available for travelling fans.
Three days later and the Irons travel north to the German/Danish border when
they face Hamburg SV at the Flensburg Stadium. Situated some 100 miles north
of Hamburg, the club regularly return to the town for pre-season friendlies
due to the extensive local fanbase and will be hosting West Ham in the tiny
stadium.
The last leg of the tour takes place on Saturday, 27th July when United
visit the Eintracht Stadion in order to face Eintracht Braunschweig. The
stadium, who has a capacity of just over 25,000 also plays host to American
Football (the New Yorker Lions) and is one of the few left in Germany to
feature a running track.
* For more details of the KUMB.com German tour package, visit the KUMB
forum.
2013/14 (Current) Pre-Season Fixture List
7th July: Cork City (Turners Cross Stadium, 6.00pm)
10th July: Boreham Wood (Meadow Park, 7.30pm)
13th July: AFC Bournemouth (Dean Court, 3.00pm)
16th July: Colchester Utd (Colchester Community Stadium, 7.45pm)
20th July: Mainz 05 (Bruchwegstadion, 6.00pm)
23rd July: Hamburg SV (Flensburg Stadium, 6.45pm)
27th July: Eintracht Braunschweig (Eintracht-Stadion, 3.30pm)
* Please note that all kick-offs stated are local times.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hello Adrian, Goodbye Wellington!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
So, the rumour has been confirmed and Spanish keeper Adrian will join West
Ham on a free transfer from 1 July 2013. The 6 foot 3 inch former Real Betis
stopper had an outstanding campaign last season, securing 11 clean sheets in
31 league appearances, which assisted his club to secure European
qualification. Adrian has hitherto been a one club man, joining local club
Real Betis at the age of 10 and progressing through the youth system. He is
excepted to start the season as No. 2 to Jussi, but is expected to rapidly
progress to make the custodian position his own by the end of the season.
At the same time as Adrian enters, we bid Wellington Paulista farewell via
the summer transfer revolving door. It has been confirmed that Paulista has
left West Ham and is set to be loaned by his club Cruzeiro to Série A club
Criciúma until the end of the Brazilian season in December. Paulista scored
regularly for the West Ham Development Squad after joining the club on loan
in January, but failed to be selected to play for the first team. One can
only guess why the club even bothered with this deal? Some have even
postulated that Manager Sam Allardyce did not sanction the deal and would
not play Paulista as a result. That seems very far fetched, the truth is
more likely to be that the Manager had Paulista over to assess his ability
and was not overly impressed. Of course, it is not the first time that a
South American player has joined has joined the club on loan and stagnated
in the Development Squad, the season before last we had the Paraguay U-21
international, Brian Montenegro-Martinez. They were similar in that both
players shone at the lower level but did not really impact on the first
team. Although at least BMM got in a brief FA Cup appearance in the 1-0 away
defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
I saw Paulista play and score for the Development Squad on a number of
occasions. And he looked well worth a game or two from off the first team
substitutes bench. Especially as the club's other strikers, apart from
Maiga, were all very similar in playing style. Indeed, whereas BMM was a
younger, inexperienced player, Paulista had performed well at the top level
of Brazilian league football and boasted a reasonable goal scoring record.
Yet, it appears that the player divided opinion. Whereas some were
impressed, other commentators were decidedly underwhelmed by his Development
Squad performances. I guess the only judge that really mattered, Sam
Allardyce, was ultimately in the latter category. However, now we will never
know, for a fact, how he would have performed in the PL? Good luck to
Paulista with his new loan deal, lets hope that this time he gets a proper
chance to show what he can do.
This time of the year is heart breaking for some young footballers, as they
come to terms with being released by the club. This post-season period is no
different, with the club announcing the release of a number of young
prospects. Yet amidst this, there was one story that stood out. Young
professional, Dylan Tombides, has won a two year contract with the club,
following his recovery from testicular cancer. Dylan is a Australian youth
international and an outstanding forward prospect. Congratulations to Dylan
on his new deal and best wishes for getting his career firmly back on track.
And well done to the club for giving the youngster such consistent support
and assistance during the period of his illness and treatment.
Finally, it appears that the appointment of ex-Hammers captain, Steve Lomas,
to the Manager's position at Millwall FC has caused some angst down in South
London. Why? Lomas is a promising young Manager, who has previously achieved
some notable success with Kilmarnock, in the SPL. Surely it cannot be
because of his Hammers past can it? Thankfully, West Ham fans are obviously
more enlightened about these matters. Current Hammers Manager, Sam
Allardyce, may still not be universally popular amongst all sections of the
support, but none of his critics have ever, to my knowledge, cited his
Millwall past as a cause for consternation!
SJ. Chandos
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are happy to announce two further pre-season matches in
Germany
06.06.2013
West Ham United are happy to announce meetings with German Bundesliga sides
FSV Mainz 05 and Eintracht Braunschweig as part of the Club's 2013/14
pre-season schedule. Sam Allardyce will take his Hammers squad to Germany
for an eleven-day tour, during which they will play three matches against
high-quality opposition.
West Ham will kick-off their German tour by taking on Thomas Tuchel's Mainz
at their former Bruchwegstadion home, which the Bundesliga club vacated in
2011. The match will take place on Saturday 20 July at 6pm local time. Big
Sam's men will then take on Hamburger SV in Flensburg on the German-Danish
border on Tuesday 23 July at 6.45pm before taking on newly-promoted
Bundesliga side Eintracht Braunschweig on Saturday 27 July.
Before leaving for Germany the Hammers will travel to the Republic of
Ireland to face Cork City on Sunday 7 July. Closer to home, the Club have
also organised a trip to the south coast to face AFC Bournemouth in a
Testimonial for Academy of Football graduate and long-time Cherries
full-back Stephen Purches, along with a trip to Essex to take on Colchester
United.
West Ham will also be making a return to Blue Square Bet South club Boreham
Wood, having been worked hard during a pre-season fixture at Meadow Park in
July 2012.
Ticket details for all pre-season matches will be posted here as and when
they are confirmed.
2013 Pre-season fixtures
Sunday 7 July v Cork City, Turners Cross Stadium, Cork City, Republic of
Ireland, 6pm
Wednesday 10 July v Boreham Wood, Meadow Park, Borehamwood. 7.30pm
Saturday 13 July v AFC Bournemouth, Goldsands Stadium, Bournemouth, 3pm
Tuesday 16 July v Colchester United, Weston Homes Community Stadium,
Colchester, 7.45pm
Saturday 20 July v FSV Mainz 05, Bruchwegstadion, Mainz, Germany, 6pm
Tuesday 23 July v Hamburger SV, Flensburg Stadium, Flensburg, Germany,
6.45pm
Saturday 27 July v Eintracht Braunschweig, Eintracht-Stadion, Braunschweig,
Germany, 3.30pm
(*all kick-offs stated are local times)
SV Mainz 05
Formed in 1905, Mainz have risen from the regional leagues to reach the
Bundesliga for the first time in their history in 2004 under the guidance of
manager and former player Jurgen Klopp - the man who has since gone on to
huge success with Borussia Dortmund. Under Klopp, Mainz qualified for the
UEFA Cup in 2005 before being relegated to Bundesliga 2 after three seasons
in the top flight in 2007. However, Die Nullfünfer (the O-Fives) returned to
the Bundesliga in 2009 and finished in a club record high of fifth two years
ago. Coach Tuchel has put together a squad that contains a number of players
who may be familiar to English fans, including former Bolton Wanderers and
Croatia striker Ivan Klasnic, Austria internationals Julian Baumgartlinger
and Andreas Ivanschitz and Macedonia centre-back Nikolce Noveski. The Club
moved to a new home, the Coface Arena, in 2011. However, the Hammers' visit
will be held at Mainz's previous home at the 20,300-capacity Bruchwegstadion
nearer the city centre.
Hamburger SV
Hamburg are one of Germany's biggest and best-supported clubs. Founded in
1887, the Rothosen won the European Cup in 1983 and European Cup Winners'
Cup in 1977, have been crowned German champions six times and won the
Germany Cup on three occasions. Thorsten Fink's star-studded squad includes
Netherlands and former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Rafael van der Vaart,
Germany left-back Marcell Jansen, South Korea starlet Heung-Min Son and
ex-Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne. West Ham right-back Guy Demel spent
six seasons with Hamburger SV between 2005 and 2011, making 200 appearances,
never finishing outside the Bundesliga's top-eight and winning the UEFA
Intertoto Cup in 2007. The Hamburg fixture will take place in the town of
Flensburg in the north of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein - the
northernmost town in Germany just south of the border with Denmark.
Eintracht Braunschweig
Eintracht Braunschweig may not be well-known to West Ham supporters, but the
club from Lower Saxony were one of the founder members of the Bundesliga in
1963 and will return to the top flight after a 28-year absence next season.
Like West Ham, Braunschweig were formed in 1895, quickly becoming one of
Germany's most-successful clubs, winning the Northern German championship in
1908 and 1913. Following the Second World War, the club was relaunched as
Braunschweiger TSV Eintracht von 1895 and continued to enjoy success in the
top division of football in northern Germany, the Oberliga Nord. This
success resulted in the club being one of 16 chosen to be members of the
inaugural Bundesliga in 1963. Four years later, manager Helmuth Johannsen
led Braunschweig to the national title for the first and only time in their
history. The club also produced a number of players for the West Germany
national team.
In 1973, Braunschweig became the first Bundesliga side to sport a sponsor
logo on their jerseys - that of liquor producer Jägermeister - and came
close to a second Bundesliga title in 1977, when they finished third. Since
being relegated in 1985, Braunschweig have played at the second and third
tiers of German football, but two promotions in the previous three seasons
under manager Torsten Lieberknecht have seen the club rise back to the
Bundesliga again. In 2012/13, Braunschweig drew an average gate of 20,454 to
the Eintracht-Stadion, with DR Congolese striker Domi 'Dominck' Kumbela
leading the scoring charts with 19 goals.
Cork City
Based in Ireland's second-largest city, League of Ireland Premier Division
side Cork City are two-time Irish champions and FAI Cup winners. The Rebel
Army have competed regularly in European competition down the years and the
city itself has long been a hotbed of Irish football, with Hammers greats
Sir Trevor Brooking and Sir Geoff Hurst both turning out for Cork Celtic at
the end of their illustrious careers.
AFC Bournemouth
Purches' Testimonial at AFC Bournemouth comes after a hugely-successful
season for the Cherries, who have gained promotion to the Championship under
manager Eddie Howe, whose team have won their last eight League One matches.
West Ham Academy graduate Purches, now 33, has unfortunately missed the
entire season after suffering a broken leg while playing against Rochdale in
February 2012. The full-back has enjoyed a successful career, making nearly
450 appearances for Bournemouth and Leyton Orient.
Colchester United
Colchester United secured their npower League 1 status with a 2-0 victory at
Carlisle United on the final day of the season. The U's victory ensured
Scunthorpe United would finish below them and drop down to League 2, and Joe
Dunne's men include former Hammer Freddie Sears in their ranks.
The Club will announce further pre-season fixtures as and when dates and
kick-off times have been confirmed with opposition clubs.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Benni McCarthy retires from football at the age of 35
BBC.co.uk
South Africa's all-time leading scorer Benni McCarthy has retired from
football at the age of 35. McCarthy has been playing for Orlando Pirates
since 2011 after leaving West Ham by mutual consent. In a statement on the
Premier Soccer League website, McCarthy said: "Football has been good to me
- it has provided special moments and enabled me to be in a position to have
improved the lives of my family members.
Benni McCarthy's clubs
Orlando Pirates (S Africa)
West Ham (England)
Blackburn Rovers (England)
FC Porto (Portugal)
Celta Vigo (Spain)
Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Cape Town Spurs (S Africa)
Seven Stars (S Africa)
Cape Town-born McCarthy played in the top leagues in the Netherlands, Spain,
Portugal and England, winning the Eredivisie with Ajax and the Portuguese
title and 2004 Champions League with FC Porto under Jose Mourinho. "I have
been so blessed to have enjoyed a remarkable career that took me from the
township fields of Nyanga Stadium, to winner's medals in the Uefa Champions
League and World Club Cup - the highest levels that a player can achieve in
club football," he added. He retires as South Africa's leading scorer with
31 goals in 80 games. Although he was dropped from the final squad when the
country hosted the 2010 World Cup, McCarthy scored goals for Bafana Bafana
at the 1998 and 2002 tournaments. He returned to South Africa after spells
with Blackburn and West Ham in England's Premier League, joining Soweto
giant Orlando Pirates in 2011. He won four trophies with Pirates in 2012,
including the league title after scoring on debut, and then twice in the
title-clinching game. "It has been a 17-year professional career that
surpassed even my own expectations," McCarthy said.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Larkins signs one-year deal
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
Former Academy goalkeeper Jake Larkins has joined League One Leyton Orient
on a free transfer. The 19-year-old goalkeeper, who hails from Dagenham was
snapped up by the O's less than 24 hours after West Ham confirmed that he
was not being offered a new contract when releasing their list of retained
players on Wednesday afternoon. O's goalkeeping coach Kevin Dearden told
leytonorient.com: "Jake is someone that I've watched personally on a number
of occasions and have been impressed with him. "I had a good conversation
with Martyn Margetson, the goalkeeping coach at West Ham and he came highly
recommended so we got him in to train with us towards the end of the season
and he did very well. "The Gaffer and I liked what we saw. We believe Jake
will be a valuable member of the squad and be able to push Jamie [Jones] for
a starting place straight away."
Larkins, who has signed a one-year contract with West Ham's east London
neighbours left West Ham this summer without making a single appearance for
the first team. However he did at least make the bench in December 2010
when, at the age of just 16, he was named as back-up to Ruud Boffin in a 1-1
draw.
A first year scholar at Tony Carr's world-famous Chadwell Heath Academy in
2009, Larkins signed a further two-year contract in May 2010 on the advice
of then-goalkeeping coach Jerome John. The young 'keeper was in the same
intake as the likes of Danny Potts, Dylan Tombides and Robert Hall. Earlier
this year he suffered a major scare after being involved in a road accident
on the A12, but was fortunate enough to escape with minor neck and head
injuries and was released from hospital within a day. KUMB would like to
wish Jake the very best of luck with his new club.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Two new dates for pre-season
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have added two new dates to their pre-season fixture list.
Sam Allardyce's squad were already set to face German opposition this
summer, but they will now face three German teams when they visit mainland
Europe next month.
With a clash against Hamburg already pencilled in for 23rd July, West Ham
will also be taking on Mainz 05 and Bundesliga newcomers Eintracht
Braunschweig, who won last season's Bundesliga 2 to return to the top flight
for the first time in 28 years.
Allardyce and his squad fly out to Germany following the friendly at the
Weston Homes Community Stadium against Colchester on Tuesday, 16th July.
Their first fixture on the tour comes against Mainz 05 the following
weekend.
Mainz, who ended last season in 13th place in the Bundesliga will host West
Ham in their former Stadion am Bruchweg home, a ground they left in 2011 and
a venue which is now used as a multi-purpose arena. With a capacity of just
over 20,000 there should be plenty of tickets available for travelling fans.
Three days later and the Irons travel north to the German/Danish border when
they face Hamburg SV at the Flensburg Stadium. Situated some 100 miles north
of Hamburg, the club regularly return to the town for pre-season friendlies
due to the extensive local fanbase and will be hosting West Ham in the tiny
stadium.
The last leg of the tour takes place on Saturday, 27th July when United
visit the Eintracht Stadion in order to face Eintracht Braunschweig. The
stadium, who has a capacity of just over 25,000 also plays host to American
Football (the New Yorker Lions) and is one of the few left in Germany to
feature a running track.
* For more details of the KUMB.com German tour package, visit the KUMB
forum.
2013/14 (Current) Pre-Season Fixture List
7th July: Cork City (Turners Cross Stadium, 6.00pm)
10th July: Boreham Wood (Meadow Park, 7.30pm)
13th July: AFC Bournemouth (Dean Court, 3.00pm)
16th July: Colchester Utd (Colchester Community Stadium, 7.45pm)
20th July: Mainz 05 (Bruchwegstadion, 6.00pm)
23rd July: Hamburg SV (Flensburg Stadium, 6.45pm)
27th July: Eintracht Braunschweig (Eintracht-Stadion, 3.30pm)
* Please note that all kick-offs stated are local times.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hello Adrian, Goodbye Wellington!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
So, the rumour has been confirmed and Spanish keeper Adrian will join West
Ham on a free transfer from 1 July 2013. The 6 foot 3 inch former Real Betis
stopper had an outstanding campaign last season, securing 11 clean sheets in
31 league appearances, which assisted his club to secure European
qualification. Adrian has hitherto been a one club man, joining local club
Real Betis at the age of 10 and progressing through the youth system. He is
excepted to start the season as No. 2 to Jussi, but is expected to rapidly
progress to make the custodian position his own by the end of the season.
At the same time as Adrian enters, we bid Wellington Paulista farewell via
the summer transfer revolving door. It has been confirmed that Paulista has
left West Ham and is set to be loaned by his club Cruzeiro to Série A club
Criciúma until the end of the Brazilian season in December. Paulista scored
regularly for the West Ham Development Squad after joining the club on loan
in January, but failed to be selected to play for the first team. One can
only guess why the club even bothered with this deal? Some have even
postulated that Manager Sam Allardyce did not sanction the deal and would
not play Paulista as a result. That seems very far fetched, the truth is
more likely to be that the Manager had Paulista over to assess his ability
and was not overly impressed. Of course, it is not the first time that a
South American player has joined has joined the club on loan and stagnated
in the Development Squad, the season before last we had the Paraguay U-21
international, Brian Montenegro-Martinez. They were similar in that both
players shone at the lower level but did not really impact on the first
team. Although at least BMM got in a brief FA Cup appearance in the 1-0 away
defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
I saw Paulista play and score for the Development Squad on a number of
occasions. And he looked well worth a game or two from off the first team
substitutes bench. Especially as the club's other strikers, apart from
Maiga, were all very similar in playing style. Indeed, whereas BMM was a
younger, inexperienced player, Paulista had performed well at the top level
of Brazilian league football and boasted a reasonable goal scoring record.
Yet, it appears that the player divided opinion. Whereas some were
impressed, other commentators were decidedly underwhelmed by his Development
Squad performances. I guess the only judge that really mattered, Sam
Allardyce, was ultimately in the latter category. However, now we will never
know, for a fact, how he would have performed in the PL? Good luck to
Paulista with his new loan deal, lets hope that this time he gets a proper
chance to show what he can do.
This time of the year is heart breaking for some young footballers, as they
come to terms with being released by the club. This post-season period is no
different, with the club announcing the release of a number of young
prospects. Yet amidst this, there was one story that stood out. Young
professional, Dylan Tombides, has won a two year contract with the club,
following his recovery from testicular cancer. Dylan is a Australian youth
international and an outstanding forward prospect. Congratulations to Dylan
on his new deal and best wishes for getting his career firmly back on track.
And well done to the club for giving the youngster such consistent support
and assistance during the period of his illness and treatment.
Finally, it appears that the appointment of ex-Hammers captain, Steve Lomas,
to the Manager's position at Millwall FC has caused some angst down in South
London. Why? Lomas is a promising young Manager, who has previously achieved
some notable success with Kilmarnock, in the SPL. Surely it cannot be
because of his Hammers past can it? Thankfully, West Ham fans are obviously
more enlightened about these matters. Current Hammers Manager, Sam
Allardyce, may still not be universally popular amongst all sections of the
support, but none of his critics have ever, to my knowledge, cited his
Millwall past as a cause for consternation!
SJ. Chandos
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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