Morrison keen to build on 'good year'
WHUFC.com
Ravel Morrison is back at West Ham United and eager to capitalise on a fine
loan spell at Birmingham City
04.07.2013
Ravel Morrison is back at West Ham United and eager to capitalise on a fine
season on loan at Birmingham City. The talented young midfielder, who joined
West Ham from Manchester United in January 2012, enjoyed a breakout 2012/13
season with the Blues in the npower Championship, making 30 appearances and
scoring his first three senior goals. Morrison's form saw Lee Clark's side
recover from a poor start to the campaign to finish in a comfortable 12th
place, with the 20-year-old producing a series of increasingly mature
displays - none more so than when he inspired Birmingham to recover from 3-0
down to draw at Millwall. He has caught the eye again during West Ham's
pre-season training camp in the Republic of Ireland, showing talent,
commitment and a mature attitude to his work. "Pre-season has been good and
I've enjoyed the whole trip so far," he confirmed. "I've just enjoyed the
work and the whole group has done well."
Looking back at last season, a smile appears on Morrison's face when his
loan spell at Birmingham is mentioned. Manager Clark regularly praised the
youngster, not just for his ability but also for his willingness to learn
off the pitch. That approach resulted in Morrison netting his first league
goal with a spectacular volley in a home defeat by Hull City in November
2012 and further strikes at Crystal Palace and at home to Blackburn Rovers.
"It was really good. I think I needed the year out and I think it went well,
because I enjoyed my year at Birmingham a lot," he confirmed. "I missed West
Ham a lot but it was still good in the Championship. "It was different to
the Premier League, obviously, but it was a good challenge. Lee Clark is a
great manager and he helped me through a lot. He talked me through my rights
and wrongs and he helped me through the season. "I probably enjoyed the game
against Millwall the most, when we came back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3. That
was probably the best game because the whole team worked hard. I also scored
a couple of good goals."
With Morrison being given the chance to impress in Cork, the player himself
is hoping to catch the eye and be given a chance to prove himself in claret
and blue this term. "Hopefully I can get an opportunity. I've just got to
carry on working hard in pre-season and show the manager what I can do."
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West Ham United meet the animals
WHUFC.com
West Ham United talked to the animals when they paid a visit to Fota
Wildlife Park in Cork
04.07.2013
West Ham United talked to the animals when they paid a visit to Fota
Wildlife Park in County Cork. The Hammers squad made the short trip from the
team hotel at Fota Island Resort to the east Cork attraction. Celebrating
its 30th anniversary this year, Fota Wildlife Park became the Republic of
Ireland's first such facility when it opened in 1983. Since then, it has
become one of the country's most-popular attractions, with hundreds of
thousands of people visiting every year. The Park's keepers showed the
players the giraffes, zebra and ostriches before the squad headed to the
cheetah enclosure to watch the big cats chase and catch their meat. Many of
the players marvelled at the speed shown by the cheetahs, suggesting they
would give winger Matt Jarvis a run for his money, while Mark Noble
suggested the giraffes would give team-mates Andy Carroll and James Collins
a hard time in an aerial duel! The West Ham squad also met representatives
from the Cork Association for Autism - a charity which supports adults
across County Cork with autistic spectrum disorder and works in partnership
with Sunday's pre-season match opponents Cork City.
James Tomkins and Jack Collison were among those to meet the charity's
representatives, while they were impressed by the range of animals on show
at Fota Wildlife Park, praising the wide open spaces they have to run around
in. The Academy graduates have also been enjoying their first week in
pre-season training. "Pre-season has started off well over in Ireland and
we've also come out to socialise with the public and the wildlife! It's nice
to take a little bit of time off because we have started off working quite
hard," Tomkins, who named the cheetah as his favourite animal, told West Ham
TV. "It's been brilliant here in Ireland. We're all really impressed with
the food at the hotel and the staff are friendly and cannot do enough for
us. Everyone we have met at the wildlife park has also been really nice."
For Collison, he has had the added bonus of training with his team-mates
after a number of pre-seasons when he has followed individual programmes due
to his previous knee problems. "Obviously it's nice to be in and around the
boys and it's much better to be working all together rather than doing my
own individual stuff.," said the No10. "We've worked quite hard over the
first couple of days and everyone is feeling it a little bit, so it's nice
to have a little bit of down time and to chill out. "We have our first game
on Sunday at Cork City and that's what it's all about - the gym work and the
early-morning bike rides and all that. At the end of the day it's all about
playing games and getting games under our belts and getting used to smashing
the ball about again."
Fota Wildlife Park head of marketing Stephen Ryan said everyone was
delighted to have West Ham visit the attraction. "The players got to see the
giraffes up close because we have a very open park here at Fota," he
confirmed. "We are lucky to be right next door to the Fota Island Resort
where the lads are training so they also got to see the cheetahs training
here as well. We do a cheetah run every day where they travel at up to 80mph
to catch their food and it's very good for them. "This is actually Cork's
most-popular attraction so the guys are very lucky that they got a bit of
time to visit. We also had a great reaction from our visitors, who got
photographs and autographs with Joe Cole, Kevin Nolan and Joey O'Brien.
"We're pleased to have West Ham visit us, who we hope will be the first of
many football clubs to drop in and see us this season."
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Gold makes O'Neil amends
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
David Gold has wished the departing Gary O'Neil well for the future - just
24 hours after co-owner David Sullivan's teenage son Jack was accused of
being disrespectful to the midfielder. Gold was asked to confirm earlier
today via social media website Twitter whether O'Neil had, as suggested by
Jack Sullivan 24 hours earlier, left the club. "Gary O'Neil has not signed a
new deal and we wish him well in his new endeavours," confirmed Gold, who
also revealed he was currently in France with Sullivan (Snr) on transfer
business.
That message came the day after David Sullivan's 13-year-old son Jack had
been heavily criticised by a number of West Ham supporters for his reaction
to O'Neil's departure. Yesterday, the Twitter account belonging to Sullivan
Jnr - who currently enjoys in excess of 26,000 followers - posted a message
confirming that O'Neil had left the club, despite it being previously
thought that he had agreed a new deal with West Ham. However it was four
short words at the end of the message that particularly annoyed the fans.
"Gary O'Neil has decided not to stay with us, despite agreeing a deal. Good
luck to him," said Sullivan's Tweet, before adding: "We'll now get better."
"Obviously I would now like to see us bring in a player better than Gary
O'Neil, I just don't think this tweet was the place to express that view,"
mused Hemel Iron on the KUMB Forums.
"Deal with his departure by being respectful and grateful to O'Neil's time
here, then deal with the acquisition of replacement players in a separate
tweet if and when they happen."
Those thoughts were echoes by fellow member BonzosBoots. "Regardless of his
[Jack Sullivan's] opinion of O'Neil or Chamakh, it's the one remaining
unprofessional thing at the club," he said.
"I guess with Sullivan now being majority shareholder he and his family can
do what they want. However, it doesn't do the image of the club any good. We
look cheap."
Though not all agree. "He's a kid who wished Gary O'Neil good luck and then,
in a new sentence, said that we would get better. Isn't that the idea?" said
Trap1.
"I don't care if he's the chairman's son, if people can't accept he will
make the odd comment that could have been worded better then they probably
need to get out a bit more."
However other feel that a certain degree of skullduggery is at work, with
accusations that Jack Sullivan's Twitter account is being used by agents
other than the teenager.
For evidence of foul play, critics point to a marked difference between
messages posted by the teenager to his friends and in those regarding West
Ham, in which, it is claimed, the grammar employed shows a remarkable
improvement.
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The kids are alright
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th July 2013
By: David Hautzig
Later this month my daughter is scheduled to have surgery. It's called
Turbenate Reduction surgery to relieve a constant feeling of nasal
congestion.
Poor kid can't breathe half the time and the medications available can only
do so much. When my wife and I started researching which Ear, Nose and
Throat surgeon to go see, reputation and experience obviously played an
important role.
On a lesser scale, but from the perspective of physical comfort close to
equally important, the air conditioning for the second story of our house
has been struggling with the seemingly hotter summers we have been
experiencing. Tough to keep those rooms cool when it's 95 degrees outside
and the air in the attic is probably close to 130 degrees.
There are a lot of heating and cooling "experts" in the phone book. But we
have hired someone that has been on the job for over 20 years and has far
more experience with our particular cooling system to make some changes.
In both cases, we obviously opted for experience.
I thought about that a bit earlier this week when it was announced that Rob
Hall was leaving the club to chase more first team football at Bolton
Wanderers. The majority of the reaction on Twitter was negative today to say
the least. I remember one Tweeter claiming to be near tears.
People were mourning the impending death of the Academy system, begging Sam
Allardyce to give the kids a chance to show what they can do. The latter has
been a theme on blogs and Twitter for quite a while now, actually. Rob Hall
just seemed to reignite the debate.
You don't need to be a brain surgeon, or even an Ear Nose and Throat
surgeon, to understand that choosing players for a professional football
team is a different animal than either of my choices above. But there are
similarities in principal.
There is a lot more at stake now because of the gargantuan sums of money in
football. And the landscape of the game has changed so much in just the past
few years. The choices available to a manager have increased almost
exponentially. It's like comparing the corner market of our youth to the
giant superstores we have now.
Lets create a hypothetical situation and work through some hypothetical
choices, all of which are completely plausible in today's game;
You are the manager, technical director, or director of football for KUMB
United. You need a new left back. The one you had last year has left on a
Bosman and pre-season is right around the corner. After consulting your
scouts, youth coach, and chairman you narrow it down to three choices.
1) You have a 19-year-old that has done well for the reserves and has played
well at times in training. Like any kid, they make the occasional mistake.
Going for a video highlight type of run instead of playing it safe. Or
something like that. He hasn't played that many games for the first team,
just a few substitute appearances in a cup match. He has promise for sure,
but not much experience.
2) There is a left back that plays for a team in the Norwegian league and
has 40 caps for his national side. He's 27 years old, has a very good record
in terms of injury, and is known as a particularly smart player. Very safe
on the ball, rarely gets rattled in tough spots. With one year left on his
contract, his club values him at £2.5million. Wages not an issue because the
player wants a move to England.
3) The starting left back for the Colombian National Team plays for
Argentinos Juniors in Buenos Aires. He came through their youth system,
which also happened to produce a player named Diego Maradona many years ago.
He is a physically dominating player with speed that is uncommon to say the
least for someone his size.
That physical presence has also seen him work well as an attacker on corner
kicks, hitting the back of the net five times this past season in Argentina.
Juniors are fighting relegation and need money, as well as wages off their
books if they go down. So a loan for one year with an option to buy is
available.
Based on those three choices, going into a new Premier League season, how
would you rank these three options? Id likely go for the Colombian, with the
Viking a close second. The youth team choice would be my third option here,
and I bet many of you are thrilled I have nothing to do with running our
club.
At this point I wanted to insert some research about the average age of
players in the Premier League over the past ten years or so. I looked, too.
Yet much to my dismay I couldn't find that info via Google, Bing, Yahoo, or
tea leaves. I thought it might show that the average player age has risen in
recent years, furthering my notion that first team opportunities for young
players are dwindling due in larger part to increased options than
prejudice. So if anybody finds these facts, please share them.
I caught the West Ham bug just as Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael
Carrick, and Joe Cole were coming of age and taking their places at Upton
Park. The first home game I ever attended in 1997 was against Chelsea.
Finished 1-1. And Joe Cole signed his first professional contract at
halftime.
Or maybe he was just introduced to the crowd? We were getting a few beers so
we only heard it over the loudspeaker. In any event, I understand the
importance of and the attachment to our youth system through the years. Not
as well as many of you I'm sure, but I do get it.
When I was single, living in my little apartment in Manhattan, I was willing
to take risks. My friend and I once had an idea to offer electronic,
web-based wedding albums that friends and family could access. We spent a
lot of money on advertising in big wedding planning magazines and on a
website. We were literally years ahead of what is now standard operating
procedure in quality wedding photography.
We failed miserably. The timing was all wrong.
Now, what little money I have after paying bills goes into boring,
diversified low-risk investments. There is too much at stake. If something
truly stunning came along, and after careful consideration and consultation
with people I trust saw it to be worth a risk, I'd take the plunge with a
small sliver of my pie. Maybe a company called Ravel Inc.?
So I can't criticise Sam and our owners for feeling the same way.
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Hammers to face Portuguese test
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's prestigious end-of-pre-season friendly this summer will be held
against Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira. In recent seasons, West Ham have
become accustomed to playing host to some of Europe's biggest teams at the
end of pre-season. Clubs such as Athletico Bilbao (2000), Olympiakos (2006),
Roma (2007) and Real Zaragoza (2011) have all visited the Boleyn Ground for
the traditional curtain-raiser. Therefore the announcement of Pacos de
Ferreira being United's final opponent of the 2013 pre-season campaign will
come as something of a surprise to Hammers fans, many of whom will no doubt
be sliently asking themselves "who?"
Officially formed in 1950 (although predecessor Sport Club Pacense has
already been running for 20 years), the Club have steadily risen through the
Portuguese ranks and having won the second division three times before
qualifying for Europe for the first time in their history in 2006/07. Last
season Pacos, under the watchful eye of Paulo Fonseca (who has since left to
become Porto's new manager) went one further and achieved their highest ever
finish - third place - in the Primeira Liga, granting them a place in next
season's Champions League play-offs. And all this despite playing in a
stadium with a capacity of just 5,255.
Although mostly unknown to fans of English soccer, PdF's squad - the
majority of which is homegrown - includes the likes of Peruvian
international Paolo Hurtado and Guinean international striker Cicero Semedo.
Notable former players include former Burnley defender Andre Bikey and
ex-Porto and Benfica star Marco Ferreira. The match will take place at the
Boleyn Ground on Saturday, 10th August. Kick off is at 3pm and tickets are
priced at £15 for season ticket holders and £20 for non-season ticket
holders.
Pacos de Ferreira: Honours
Third Division: 1973–74
Segunda Liga (Second Division): 1990–91, 1999–00, 2004–05
Portuguese Cup: Runner-up 2008–09
Portuguese League Cup: Runner-up 2010–11
Portuguese Supercup: Runner-up 2009
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Hall: why I left West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th July 2013
By: Staff Writer
Former Academy youngster Rob Hall says that the time was right to leave West
Ham, in the week he ended his 12-year association with the club. The England
youth international bid the Hammers "farewell" this week and signed for
Championship side Bolton Wanderers in order to play more first team
football. However Hall admitted that it was a huge wrench to leave London
for the North West. "I learnt a lot at West Ham - I just think it was my
time to move on from there," he said. "It was a very hard decision to leave
- a lot of people won't understand how hard it was. "I'll miss a lot of
people because I've been there since I was seven years old, but I think I'm
maturing into a man now and it's a man's game. It's a business. So for me to
progress, I think it was the right decision to move. "To be a first team
player is what I've wanted to do since I was a kid so to be able to come to
Bolton and be a part of something which looks positive is very nice."
Hall - who was once touted as the Academy's most promising prospect -
managed just one first team start during his time at West Ham. It's a
statistic he hopes to improve under the progressive Dougie Freedman at the
Reebok Stadium. "Dougie's a great manager and he's all about progressing
young players," added Hall. "I feel like I can only improve my game under
him, so I think it was a good decision. "He brought through a lot of young
players at Crystal Palace so I'd like to be another to break through under
him."
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West Ham transfers: We're trying to sign Bony, confirms Gold
SportReview.com
By TSR staff
Thursday 4 July 2013, 23:17 UK
David Gold has confirmed that West Ham United are trying to sign Wilfried
Bony from Vitesse Arnhem this summer. The Ivory Coast striker, who was last
season's top scorer in the Dutch Eredivise with 31 goals in 32 appearances,
has been linked with both Swansea City and the Hammers in recent days. And
West Ham co-chairman Gold believes that the east London side's pursuit of
the 24-year-old demonstrates that the club are moving in the right direction
following their 10th-place finish last season. "We are slowly building a top
team of top names and there is a strategic policy in place for that to
continue," Gold told SportsDirect News. "Kevin Nolan arrived as the first
marquee signing in 2011, followed by Matt Jarvis last season for what was a
record club transfer fee at £10m plus. "We smashed that by several millions
this season when we brought Andy Carroll to the club and it's now known that
we have also been trying to make the Wilfried Bony move happen. "The club
has debt, everybody realises that, but as owners, we are determined to build
a great team at this club and end the "selling club" image that we have
suffered for too long." Bony, who has scored 51 goals in 66 games since
joining Vitesse in 2011, said back in May that he thinks a move to England
would be "perfect". "I'm very interested in the Premier League and the
atmosphere in England, it's a wonderful league and we will see what
happens," Bony told BBC Sport in May.
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Palace prepare Premier League survival push by swooping for Cole and O'Neil
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 22:34, 4 July 2013 | UPDATED: 23:14, 4 July 2013
Daily Mail
Crystal Palace are considering a deal for free agents Carlton Cole and Gary
O'Neil. The 29-year-old Cole has attracted interest from Hull and QPR.
O'Neil, 30, is also free, though talks are ongoing over a new deal with
West Ham. Manager Ian Holloway is also continuing discussions with
ex-Watford man Umaru Bangura, 25, of FK Haugesund and free agent Jerome
Thomas.
Meanwhile, West Ham and Cardiff have been offered Malaga striker Javier
Saviola. Both clubs have already strengthened their striking departments
with the big money arrivals of Andy Carrol and Andreas Cornelius
respectively. But they may be tempted by the 31-year-old Argentinian
striker, who made a name for himself at Barcelona as a youngster.
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WEST HAM AND CARDIFF IN HUNT FOR FORMER MALAGA STAR JAVIER SAVIOLA
Daily Star
4th July 2013 By Gary Jones
WEST HAM and Cardiff are both in the hunt for former Malaga striker Javier
Saviola. Sources in Spain suggest the 31-year-old is close to a Premier
League, with both clubs interested in securing his signature. The Argentine
striker is a free agent since finishing his contract with Malaga on June 30.
It would be the first time Saviola has played in England, having featured
for teams in Argentina, France, Portugal and Spain. The International star
has played for a long list of big clubs like River Plate, Benfica, Monaco,
while being part of a select club of players who have turned out for both
Barcelona and Real Madrid. Cardiff have been busy in this summer's transfer
window with Malky Mackay looking to strengthen further, tabling a
£40,000-a-week pay deal for Tom Ince, 21. The Blue Birds also signed
completed the signing of Andreas Cornelius earlier this month from FC
Copenhagen.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, July 5
Thursday, July 4
Daily WHUFC News - 4th July 2013
Hammers take to the water
WHUFC.com
West Ham United headed for the pool on the second day of their pre-season
training camp in Cork
03.07.2013
West Ham United were up bright and early on Wednesday morning as the Hammers
continued their pre-season training camp in Cork. Having converged at 7am,
the squad was split into two halves, with one group enjoying a cycle ride
through the surrounding countryside and the other heading to the pool at the
Fota Island Hotel. There, under the guidance of physiotherapist Jon Urwin,
the players went through a series of movements in the main pool, hydropool
and walking river, designed to remove waste products from the body and
prepare them for the exertions of the day ahead. "In the main pool, the
depth of the water is more than 120cm - 1.2m - which is important because it
means the pressure of the water is potentially higher than the diastolic
(minimum) blood pressure in the players' bodies," Urwin explained.
"Basically, this means it helps to remove any waste products from the
training the previous day because it is really good for lymphatic drainage.
"We got them into the water as a first port of call and then we got them
moving. Generally, the first pool is a mobility and flexibility session and
it loosens them off from the previous day and gets them prepared for the
training session that starts a couple of hours later. "It's a lower tempo
than a warm-up and is a specific session set up to remove waste products
from the previous day and to set them up for the morning training session.
It's a preparation for their busy day ahead."
After spending 20 minutes in the main pool, Urwin took the group to the
hydropool and walking river. First, the players made use of the hydropool,
which contains nine different, specifically-designed areas to massage the
entire body. They then did a number of laps through the walking river, which
utilises different temperatures to reduce muscle fatigue. Urwin explained
that the different water temperatures and movements would again be
beneficial to the players ahead of a busy day of pre-season work on the
pitch. "We had a hot section in the hydropool and then a colder section in
the walking river. What we are trying to do there is to provide a contrast,
with the players spending a longer period of time in the warmer hydropool
and then walking through the colder section. "This again aids waste product
drainage, while the walking river also has a mobility aspect to it as well.
It's all preparing the lads for what they have got to do, not just today but
for the whole week and through the actual season. "We like to use pool
sessions as often as we can. The good thing about pre-season is that we have
the pool on-site, so the lads have ready access to it, so we will take
advantage of it as much as possible. We are going to do the same session
later in the week and get the lads into the pool as often as possible. "The
lads enjoy what they are doing, even though they aren't too keen on wearing
swimming caps and I wasn't too sure about some of their gear!"
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Hammers to play prestigious friendly
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will play Pacos de Ferreira on Saturday 10 August in aid of
the Bobby Moore Fund
03.07.2013
West Ham United are delighted to announce that Portuguese UEFA Champions
League qualifiers Pacos de Ferreira will provide the opposition for a
prestigious home pre-season friendly in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund for
Cancer Research UK. The Hammers will play host to Os Castores at the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday 10 August at 3pm, completing Sam Allardyce's side's
preparations for the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season. Pacos de
Ferreira finished third in the Portuguese Primeira Liga last term, earning a
place in the play-off round for the UEFA Champions League, and reached the
semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup. The Board have again shown their
commitment to making football affordable for all, with ticket prices set at
£15 and £5 for Adult and Under-16 Season Ticket Holders and £20 and £10 for
Adult and Under-16 non-Season Ticket Holders respectively. Season Tickets
for 2013/14 are available to buy now at seasontickets.whufc.com
With Romania captain Razvan Rat set to make his first appearance at the
Boleyn Ground and the possibility of Andy Carroll appearing for the first
time on home turf since making his move to east London permanent, demand for
tickets is expected to be high. Click here to buy your ticket now. To keep
ticket prices as low as possible, the Club is giving supporters the
opportunity to choose their own level of voluntary donation, with options of
£1, £5 or £10 to the Fund when they buy tickets online, by telephone or in
person. A number of exciting fundraising events will also be held around the
match itself.
This season's match beneficiaries will be the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer
Research UK, with 50p from the sale of every Official Programme being
donated to the charity founded in memory of the late, great West Ham and
England captain. The players' matchday shirts will also be donated to the
Fund for auction with educational messages about the risks of bowel cancel
displayed on the big screens and in the programme.
West Ham have already raised in excess of £55,000 for the Bobby Moore Fund
this year thanks to generous donations and contributions from the Board,
partners, sponsors, staff, players and the Club's loyal supporters. Of the
money already raised, Joint-Chairman David Sullivan started the fundraising
ball rolling by making a personal donation of £10,000.
Manager Sam Allardyce has also made a sizeable contribution, donating the
proceeds of his weekly column in the London Evening Standard newspaper.
The Club showed their outstanding support for the Fund at the Barclays
Premier League visit of Tottenham Hotspur in February, with fans helping to
raise more than £14,000 through the sale of special commemorative programmes
and the auction of the specially embroidered shirts worn by the Hammers
squad.
Now, that amazing fundraising total is set to be boosted yet further when
West Ham take on Pacos de Ferreira in this prestigious pre-season friendly.
Since being established in 1993 in memory of the legendary West Ham and
England captain by his widow Stephanie Moore MBE, the charity has raised
over £20m for bowel cancer research, as well as working to raise awareness
of the disease which took the life of the great centre-back at the age of
51.
In the two decades since Moore's passing, around 300,000 people have lost
their lives to bowel cancer in the UK alone, enough to fill the Boleyn
Ground more than 10 times over. For more details about the Fund and how you
can get involved, visit www.bobbymoorefund.org"
The stage is set for an exciting afternoon of football, as Pacos de Ferreira
are sure to give the Hammers a stern test ahead of the start of the new
season, having qualified for Europe's premier club tournament for the first
time.
They have been involved in European competition twice before in recent
years, with appearances in the UEFA Cup in 2007/08 and UEFA Europa League in
2009/10 to their name. Last season's third place finish was the best in the
northern Portugal-based club's history, and former Porto and Monaco
midfielder Costinha has recently taken up the managerial reins following
Paulo Fonseca's move to champions Porto.
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Reid-son to celebrate!
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid celebrated his 25th birthday with the new West Ham United
adidas home shirt!
03.07.2013
Winston Reid is a man who thought he had it all - the Hammer of the Year
trophy, the New Zealand captain's armband and a regular place in the West
Ham United starting XI - but he was wrong! On Wednesday, Reid celebrated his
25th birthday by becoming the first West Ham player to receive the new
2013/14 season adidas home shirt, which will go on sale to supporters from
9am on Thursday. The new claret and blue proved to be a popular gift for the
No2.
"Obviously I saw the shirt a couple of months back when we did the
photoshoot and I think it's a nice shirt," he told West Ham TV. "It's a
good-looking shirt and I'm looking forward to playing in it!"
Aside from his new home shirt, Reid's celebration options are rather limited
as he is currently in the middle of the Hammers' pre-season training camp in
Cork. However, he still plans to make the most of his birthday. Thankfully
for the centre-back, he was able to relax during the summer break, spending
time with family, friends and a number of his West Ham team-mates while on
holiday. "I might order some room service later tonight - a big cake, maybe
- but apart from that, everything is good!" he revealed. "I have been used
to having my birthday while I'm away so it's all cool. "I just went back to
Denmark to see my friends and family and then I went to the United States
for three-and-a-half weeks, where I saw a couple of mates and a couple of
boys from the team who were over there as well, which was good. I had a good
holiday."
Now, Reid and his colleagues are fully focused on the hard work required to
prepare for the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season, which starts with
the visit of Cardiff City to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday 17 August. The
defender was quick to praise the surroundings at the Club's base at the Fota
Island Resort in County Cork, where the players have on-site pitches,
swimming pools and gyms at their disposal. "I think I prefer pre-season when
it's not too hot and, so far, the weather and the facilities have been great
and hopefully that will continue. I think what you need as a footballer is
as little travel as possible and we've got everything here that we need, so
that's good."
Just a few days into their pre-season regime, the players have enjoyed some
sharp keep-ball sessions on the pitch, with banter and serious discussion
audible in equal measure. It is already clear that only the highest possible
standards will do as West Ham aim to start the new campaign the same way
they did in 2012/13. "I think the boys gave Macca [assistant manager Neil
McDonald] a little bit of stick because he shanked one and we lost the ball,
so I don't think we were too happy about that! "We want to start the same
way we did last year and, if we can do better, that would be good. We
acquitted ourselves well as a newly-promoted team and hopefully this year we
can do the same, if not better."
There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic, including the permanent
high-quality signings of Andy Carroll, Romania captain Razvan Rat and
Spanish goalkeeper Adrian. "They are exactly what you need and we obviously
want to try to improve and bring more quality into the side. We also have
players here who want to get better individually this year so we can push
even higher up."
Reid himself has achieved great things in a West Ham shirt, but he is not
going to rest on his laurels, despite being voted Hammer of the Year and
Players' Player of the Year and signing a new long-term contract earlier
this year. "I've got some other goals I want to reach. I want to get better
and to improve all the aspects of my game and try to develop more from last
year. I've got my goals and I'm looking forward to reaching them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham eye Wilfried Zaha as Sam Allardyce plots cheeky loan bid for
Manchester United new boy
13 Jun 2013 12:09
The Mirror
West Ham are set to launch an audacious loan bid for Manchester United
winger Wilfried Zaha. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has identified the England
Under-21 starlet as a key target as the Upton Park side as they look to
undergo their second season back in the top flight. Zaha has just returned
from the Under-21 European Championships, playing in England's final two
group games as the Three Lions crashed out after losing all three matches.
After a holiday, Zaha will join the Premier League winners for their
pre-season campaign. Allardyce hopes to secure the speedster's services
after he has completed the pre-season with the Reds. The 20-year-old was
signed from by Manchester United from Crystal Palace in the January transfer
window, but loaned back to the Eagles where he was instrumental in their
Championship Play-off win over Watford last month.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United headed for the pool on the second day of their pre-season
training camp in Cork
03.07.2013
West Ham United were up bright and early on Wednesday morning as the Hammers
continued their pre-season training camp in Cork. Having converged at 7am,
the squad was split into two halves, with one group enjoying a cycle ride
through the surrounding countryside and the other heading to the pool at the
Fota Island Hotel. There, under the guidance of physiotherapist Jon Urwin,
the players went through a series of movements in the main pool, hydropool
and walking river, designed to remove waste products from the body and
prepare them for the exertions of the day ahead. "In the main pool, the
depth of the water is more than 120cm - 1.2m - which is important because it
means the pressure of the water is potentially higher than the diastolic
(minimum) blood pressure in the players' bodies," Urwin explained.
"Basically, this means it helps to remove any waste products from the
training the previous day because it is really good for lymphatic drainage.
"We got them into the water as a first port of call and then we got them
moving. Generally, the first pool is a mobility and flexibility session and
it loosens them off from the previous day and gets them prepared for the
training session that starts a couple of hours later. "It's a lower tempo
than a warm-up and is a specific session set up to remove waste products
from the previous day and to set them up for the morning training session.
It's a preparation for their busy day ahead."
After spending 20 minutes in the main pool, Urwin took the group to the
hydropool and walking river. First, the players made use of the hydropool,
which contains nine different, specifically-designed areas to massage the
entire body. They then did a number of laps through the walking river, which
utilises different temperatures to reduce muscle fatigue. Urwin explained
that the different water temperatures and movements would again be
beneficial to the players ahead of a busy day of pre-season work on the
pitch. "We had a hot section in the hydropool and then a colder section in
the walking river. What we are trying to do there is to provide a contrast,
with the players spending a longer period of time in the warmer hydropool
and then walking through the colder section. "This again aids waste product
drainage, while the walking river also has a mobility aspect to it as well.
It's all preparing the lads for what they have got to do, not just today but
for the whole week and through the actual season. "We like to use pool
sessions as often as we can. The good thing about pre-season is that we have
the pool on-site, so the lads have ready access to it, so we will take
advantage of it as much as possible. We are going to do the same session
later in the week and get the lads into the pool as often as possible. "The
lads enjoy what they are doing, even though they aren't too keen on wearing
swimming caps and I wasn't too sure about some of their gear!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers to play prestigious friendly
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will play Pacos de Ferreira on Saturday 10 August in aid of
the Bobby Moore Fund
03.07.2013
West Ham United are delighted to announce that Portuguese UEFA Champions
League qualifiers Pacos de Ferreira will provide the opposition for a
prestigious home pre-season friendly in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund for
Cancer Research UK. The Hammers will play host to Os Castores at the Boleyn
Ground on Saturday 10 August at 3pm, completing Sam Allardyce's side's
preparations for the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season. Pacos de
Ferreira finished third in the Portuguese Primeira Liga last term, earning a
place in the play-off round for the UEFA Champions League, and reached the
semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup. The Board have again shown their
commitment to making football affordable for all, with ticket prices set at
£15 and £5 for Adult and Under-16 Season Ticket Holders and £20 and £10 for
Adult and Under-16 non-Season Ticket Holders respectively. Season Tickets
for 2013/14 are available to buy now at seasontickets.whufc.com
With Romania captain Razvan Rat set to make his first appearance at the
Boleyn Ground and the possibility of Andy Carroll appearing for the first
time on home turf since making his move to east London permanent, demand for
tickets is expected to be high. Click here to buy your ticket now. To keep
ticket prices as low as possible, the Club is giving supporters the
opportunity to choose their own level of voluntary donation, with options of
£1, £5 or £10 to the Fund when they buy tickets online, by telephone or in
person. A number of exciting fundraising events will also be held around the
match itself.
This season's match beneficiaries will be the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer
Research UK, with 50p from the sale of every Official Programme being
donated to the charity founded in memory of the late, great West Ham and
England captain. The players' matchday shirts will also be donated to the
Fund for auction with educational messages about the risks of bowel cancel
displayed on the big screens and in the programme.
West Ham have already raised in excess of £55,000 for the Bobby Moore Fund
this year thanks to generous donations and contributions from the Board,
partners, sponsors, staff, players and the Club's loyal supporters. Of the
money already raised, Joint-Chairman David Sullivan started the fundraising
ball rolling by making a personal donation of £10,000.
Manager Sam Allardyce has also made a sizeable contribution, donating the
proceeds of his weekly column in the London Evening Standard newspaper.
The Club showed their outstanding support for the Fund at the Barclays
Premier League visit of Tottenham Hotspur in February, with fans helping to
raise more than £14,000 through the sale of special commemorative programmes
and the auction of the specially embroidered shirts worn by the Hammers
squad.
Now, that amazing fundraising total is set to be boosted yet further when
West Ham take on Pacos de Ferreira in this prestigious pre-season friendly.
Since being established in 1993 in memory of the legendary West Ham and
England captain by his widow Stephanie Moore MBE, the charity has raised
over £20m for bowel cancer research, as well as working to raise awareness
of the disease which took the life of the great centre-back at the age of
51.
In the two decades since Moore's passing, around 300,000 people have lost
their lives to bowel cancer in the UK alone, enough to fill the Boleyn
Ground more than 10 times over. For more details about the Fund and how you
can get involved, visit www.bobbymoorefund.org"
The stage is set for an exciting afternoon of football, as Pacos de Ferreira
are sure to give the Hammers a stern test ahead of the start of the new
season, having qualified for Europe's premier club tournament for the first
time.
They have been involved in European competition twice before in recent
years, with appearances in the UEFA Cup in 2007/08 and UEFA Europa League in
2009/10 to their name. Last season's third place finish was the best in the
northern Portugal-based club's history, and former Porto and Monaco
midfielder Costinha has recently taken up the managerial reins following
Paulo Fonseca's move to champions Porto.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reid-son to celebrate!
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid celebrated his 25th birthday with the new West Ham United
adidas home shirt!
03.07.2013
Winston Reid is a man who thought he had it all - the Hammer of the Year
trophy, the New Zealand captain's armband and a regular place in the West
Ham United starting XI - but he was wrong! On Wednesday, Reid celebrated his
25th birthday by becoming the first West Ham player to receive the new
2013/14 season adidas home shirt, which will go on sale to supporters from
9am on Thursday. The new claret and blue proved to be a popular gift for the
No2.
"Obviously I saw the shirt a couple of months back when we did the
photoshoot and I think it's a nice shirt," he told West Ham TV. "It's a
good-looking shirt and I'm looking forward to playing in it!"
Aside from his new home shirt, Reid's celebration options are rather limited
as he is currently in the middle of the Hammers' pre-season training camp in
Cork. However, he still plans to make the most of his birthday. Thankfully
for the centre-back, he was able to relax during the summer break, spending
time with family, friends and a number of his West Ham team-mates while on
holiday. "I might order some room service later tonight - a big cake, maybe
- but apart from that, everything is good!" he revealed. "I have been used
to having my birthday while I'm away so it's all cool. "I just went back to
Denmark to see my friends and family and then I went to the United States
for three-and-a-half weeks, where I saw a couple of mates and a couple of
boys from the team who were over there as well, which was good. I had a good
holiday."
Now, Reid and his colleagues are fully focused on the hard work required to
prepare for the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season, which starts with
the visit of Cardiff City to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday 17 August. The
defender was quick to praise the surroundings at the Club's base at the Fota
Island Resort in County Cork, where the players have on-site pitches,
swimming pools and gyms at their disposal. "I think I prefer pre-season when
it's not too hot and, so far, the weather and the facilities have been great
and hopefully that will continue. I think what you need as a footballer is
as little travel as possible and we've got everything here that we need, so
that's good."
Just a few days into their pre-season regime, the players have enjoyed some
sharp keep-ball sessions on the pitch, with banter and serious discussion
audible in equal measure. It is already clear that only the highest possible
standards will do as West Ham aim to start the new campaign the same way
they did in 2012/13. "I think the boys gave Macca [assistant manager Neil
McDonald] a little bit of stick because he shanked one and we lost the ball,
so I don't think we were too happy about that! "We want to start the same
way we did last year and, if we can do better, that would be good. We
acquitted ourselves well as a newly-promoted team and hopefully this year we
can do the same, if not better."
There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic, including the permanent
high-quality signings of Andy Carroll, Romania captain Razvan Rat and
Spanish goalkeeper Adrian. "They are exactly what you need and we obviously
want to try to improve and bring more quality into the side. We also have
players here who want to get better individually this year so we can push
even higher up."
Reid himself has achieved great things in a West Ham shirt, but he is not
going to rest on his laurels, despite being voted Hammer of the Year and
Players' Player of the Year and signing a new long-term contract earlier
this year. "I've got some other goals I want to reach. I want to get better
and to improve all the aspects of my game and try to develop more from last
year. I've got my goals and I'm looking forward to reaching them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham eye Wilfried Zaha as Sam Allardyce plots cheeky loan bid for
Manchester United new boy
13 Jun 2013 12:09
The Mirror
West Ham are set to launch an audacious loan bid for Manchester United
winger Wilfried Zaha. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has identified the England
Under-21 starlet as a key target as the Upton Park side as they look to
undergo their second season back in the top flight. Zaha has just returned
from the Under-21 European Championships, playing in England's final two
group games as the Three Lions crashed out after losing all three matches.
After a holiday, Zaha will join the Premier League winners for their
pre-season campaign. Allardyce hopes to secure the speedster's services
after he has completed the pre-season with the Reds. The 20-year-old was
signed from by Manchester United from Crystal Palace in the January transfer
window, but loaned back to the Eagles where he was instrumental in their
Championship Play-off win over Watford last month.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 3
Daily WHUFC News - 3rd July 2013
West Ham United arrive in Cork
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have touched down in the Republic of Ireland for a six-day
training camp
02.07.2013
West Ham United have touched down in the Republic of Ireland ahead of a
six-day pre-season training camp in County Cork. The Hammers will train up
to three times each day before taking on League of Ireland Premier Division
side Cork City at Turner's Cross on Sunday, with sessions split between the
pitch, swimming pool and gym. A 6am start at the Boleyn Ground was followed
by an Aer Lingus flight from London Heathrow which left on schedule, but was
forced to circle Cork Airport for 30 minutes until fog on the ground had
cleared. On arrival, the players - sporting their new 2013/14 adidas
trainingwear - happily signed autographs and posed for photos with
supporters before boarding a coach for the drive to the team hotel a few
miles east of the city. There was an unforeseen detour due to the main road
to the team hotel being closed, but the squad and staff were soon able to
check-in and freshen up ahead of lunch.
The players were then given an hour or two to rest before walking the short
distance to the on-site training pitches for their first session in Ireland.
There, they went through a circuit of three activation drills with strength
and conditioning coach Mathew Monte-Colombo before doing some interval
running under the guidance of fitness coach Eamon Swift.
It was then time to swap the trainers for the boots for the first time as
assistant manager Neil McDonald led the outfield players through a keep-ball
session, during which he constantly encouraged every player to keep on the
move to help increase their fitness levels. Elsewhere, Jussi Jaaskelainen
and new team-mate Adrian worked with goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson
before the session finished with a stretch-off and a visit to the nearby
gymnasium. Exclusive coverage of the Hammers' first day on the Emerald Isle
is available on whufc.com, West Ham TV and the Club's official Facebook and
twitter pages.
West Ham kick-off the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season on Saturday 17
August, when newly-promoted Cardiff City are the visitors to the Boleyn
Ground.
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Taylor hooked on pre-season
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's avid fisherman Matt Taylor has swapped his rods and bait
for boots and shinpads
03.07.2013
Over the past few weeks, Matt Taylor has spent far more time on a riverbank
than on a football pitch. The West Ham United midfielder is a keen fisherman
who, when he was not at home or on holiday with his wife and three children,
spent his summer break hooking fish of various sizes at home and abroad.
While football is now back at the top of his agenda following West Ham's
return to training this week, Taylor admitted to enjoying his time pursuing
his second sporting passion. Last month, Taylor and two friends drove for
ten hours to Le Lac Fishibil in northern France, where he caught a 48lb
grass carp, among others. "I really enjoy my fishing and I was lucky enough
to manage to get a trip to France," Taylor told West Ham TV on the first day
of the Hammers' pre-season trip to Cork in the Republic of Ireland. "I
really enjoyed it and I think it is something I'll be making into an annual
holiday. "We got some nice fish, as well, which was good, but it was nice
just to get away with some friends. It was a social road trip as much as a
fishing trip so it was really good and I thoroughly enjoyed it. "I've always
fished at home but I'd never been to France. I got the opportunity to go
this year and I took it and will definitely be doing it again. It's
something I really enjoy it and my friends do too. The even better thing is
that I try to take my son as often as I can and get him into it."
Concentrating on his day job, Taylor said he and his team-mates were
enjoying being back out on the pitch after a six-week summer break. "We're
into the start of pre-season and it was good to starting touching the
footballs again. When you come away, it allows you to focus on the first
part of pre-season, which is obviously the most-important part because it is
when the fitness and conditioning comes into its own. "I'm really happy to
be back with the lads and we've got a good game coming up on Sunday which
we're all looking forward to." West Ham are staying at the Fota Island
Resort a few miles east of Cork city centre - a complex that has everything
the players and backroom staff need on-site, including first-class pitches,
a gym and swimming pool. "The facilities here are wonderful. The hotel is
really nice, I've used the gym and the pitches are wonderful. The match on
Sunday gives us something to look forward to and something to get fit for.
"The thing abour pre-season is that we have a lot of games in a short period
of time, so obviously you need to train and get ready for them, but also
hone your skills on the pitch. That's what the aim is. "We'll have a couple
of sessions a day, some of which will be physical and some football-based so
it'll be a case of gettting the balls out, getting fit and getting that
camaraderie back in the squad as well. The banter is flying about because
we've got a great group of lads here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On this day - 3 July
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid today celebrates his 25th birthday
03.07.2013
Anniversary
Name: Winston Reid
Born: North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand, 3 July 1988
Clubs: Midtjylland, West Ham United
International: New Zealand - 14 caps, one goal
Hammer of the Year Winston Reid turns 25 today as he prepares for another
season in West Ham United colours. New Zealand international Reid has been
with the Hammers since a 2010 move from Danish side Midtjylland and has
racked up 70 league appearances for the Club. He has enjoyed great success
in the last two years, helping West Ham win promotion from the Championship
in 2012, then going on to excel in the top flight and pick up the
prestigious Hammer of the Year award. Born in New Zealand, he moved to
Denmark at the age of ten and made his debut at 17 for FC Midtjylland. He
played his international football at age group level for Denmark, but chose
to represent New Zealand at senior level and was a member of their squad for
the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In 2013, he was named as captain of the All Whites.
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Hammers fan visits adidas
WHUFC.com
West Ham United fan Ed Kimber got his hands on the new home kit first at
adidas' global HQ
02.07.2013
Ed Kimber became the first West Ham United fan to get his hands on the new
adidas 2013/14 home kit this week when he travelled to the sportswear
giant's global headquarters in Germany as part of a unique prize. Ed won the
opportunity to visit the adidas base as an auction prize at the Club's
Player Awards dinner in May and enjoyed an unforgettable experience ahead of
Wednesday's exclusive kit event for Season Ticket holders. As well as
receiving the first Hammers kit, Kimber was also given an adidas campus
tour, including the Walk of Fame, which highlights past milestones and the
biggest successes of adidas
An excited Kimber told whufc.com: "It was a brilliant experience, right from
when we landed in Germany. We were taken around the adidas HQ, and it's a
fantastic brand for West Ham to be aligned with.
"I think there's a real synergy between adidas and West Ham, they are an
authentic sports brand and there's an historical relationship - one which
enjoyed successful times from the 1980s, and hopefully the new partnership
can help us relieve those days. "The place was full of creative energy and
great talent, and it was amazing to be the first West Ham fan to hold the
new shirt in my hands. "I won't forget that and the shirt is fantastic -
even better in the flesh than on the pictures I've seen on the website and I
can't wait to watch the team when they wear it for the first time in the
Premier League against Cardiff City. "We've renewed our Season Tickets and
hopefully we can get a better result than the last time we opened the season
against them!"
The new adidas home replica kit goes on sale from the Club's Stores at the
Stadium, Liberty Romford and Lakeside Thurrock (click here for opening
times) and online at www.officialwesthamstore.com from Thursday 4 July.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ginge relishing week in Ireland
WHUFC.com
James Collins is happy to be back in West Ham United colours for the start
of pre-season training
02.07.2013
James Collins has told West Ham TV of his pleasure at being back in a West
Ham United training kit for the start of pre-season training. Collins and
his Hammers squad-mates touched down in the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday
morning ahead of a six-day camp in County Cork, culminating with a fixture
with League of Ireland Premier Division side Cork City at Turner's Cross on
Sunday evening. It was as if 'Ginge' and his colleagues had never been away,
with the banter soon flying around ahead of the serious business of
pre-season preparation ahead of the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League opener
at home to Collins' old club Cardiff City on Saturday 17 August. The
29-year-old was in fine fettle as he sat down to speak to West Ham TV ahead
of the squad's first training session in Ireland on Tuesday afternoon.
Welcome to Ireland, Ginge! It doesn't seem like long ago that we were
beating Reading 4-2 to complete the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season,
so is it good to be back or could you have done with a longer break?
JC: "It's nice to back. I think it was enough of a break, really. You
obviously get time away with your family but then you start missing it.
We're back a week earlier than most Premier League clubs, which is a good
thing, I think. It's like being back on the first day of school. We kept in
touch over the summer with a little group-chat going on among the boys to
keep in contact. To get the actual banter going again is great because, as I
said, you do start missing them in a strange sort of way."
We were welcomed to Ireland by grey skies, fog and a bit of rain in the air,
but is that a good thing when you have to run around for six days?
JC: "I think it is a good thing to be able to start in more manageable
temperatures. It can be very hot sometimes when you go away for pre-season,
but the weather is not the best here and it will keep the boys cool. You
obviously get hot when you are doing all the running and all that, so it's a
bonus."
The facilities at the Fota Island Resort are all on-site and top-class, so
the players have no excuse if they do not have a productive week, do they?
JC: "It is spot-on, like you say. All the facilities are on-site and, if we
do get a bit of time off, there is a golf course here for the golfers in the
squad. Everything being on-site makes it easier than bussing here, there and
everywhere so we have no excuses if we don't have a good week. We have a
game coming up on Sunday, so we obviously need to get some training in
before it, so the boys are looking forward to it. It should be good."
Being an experienced professional, what do you look to get out of the first
week of pre-season training?
JC: "Obviously your body is not used to running about, so you have to get
back into it slowly and get your fitness. It's not like you don't come back
fit, because you have to look after yourself in the summer nowadays. All the
boys have been doing that, so it's all about getting back into it and
getting used to the football again."
With 22 players in Ireland, it is likely that everyone will play for 45
minutes at Cork City on Sunday. Are you looking forward to performing in
front of a passionate Irish crowd, having done so previously for Wales?
JC: "There is a massive amount of passion for football here, especially down
in Cork. I've got family living down here so I know how much it means to
them and how they love their football down here. The boys are looking
forward to it, looking forward to getting back on the pitch and pulling on
the strip again and building towards the start of the season. It's quite
early to have a game, but we'll have a half each just to get the boots and
pads back on and see how it
goes."
Among the 22 are three new faces in Razvan Rat, Adrian and Danny Whitehead,
while Andy Carroll has remained at Chadwell Heath for treatment. It's always
good to see fresh players in a squad, isn't it?
JC: "I met the new lads on Monday and they are nice lads. Obviously having
Andy back is great. He is great in the changing room and he gets on great
with
the lads. If he can start the season as he ended the last one, and we can
help the other lads settle in, they can all play a massive part for us."
For the second season in succession, we start at home to one of your old
clubs. Last season, it was Aston Villa. This year, it will be your first
club Cardiff City!
JC: "It will be good. I looked at it straight away and, with my family still
living down there, they were excited as well. It will be strange playing
against them in the Premier League, but they have done great to come up so
it's one I am looking forward to. The same as last year, we had Villa and we
got the three points against them, so fingers crossed we can do the same. I
think I played against Cardiff once when I was at Villa in the League Cup
[in September 2009] but it will be great to play against them in the league.
There are not too many faces there from my time any more, but they did give
me my start in football so I do
keep an eye on them. Like last year, though, I'll be playing as hard as ever
to get the three points."
Talking of the visit of Cardiff, it is that time of year when fans can snap
up Season Tickets and Memberships. We sold out the final 17 matches of last
season,
so how important would it be to the players to make that 18 when the
Bluebirds come to the Boleyn Ground?
JC: "It makes a huge difference, especially with our fans. We always try to
get off to a good start in games to give the fans something to get excited
about
early doors. Last year, they were unbelievable - the same as in all the
years I have been here. It's a tough time for everyone so it's unbelievable
what they do for us and they don't realise how much it does spur us on when
they do get behind us at home."
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David Sullivan gains control of West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd July 2013
By: Staff Writer
Co-chairman David Sullivan has become West Ham United's largest single
shareholder, having acquired a further 25 per cent stake in the club from CB
Holdings. Legal Week have revealed that Sullivan recently increased his
personal stake to 56 per cent, leaving him as West Ham United's largest
single stakeholder and giving him overall control of the Club. "DLA Piper is
among a number of law firms to have advised on a deal," read a report in
Legal Week. "Sullivan, a longstanding client of DLA, has now acquired a
further 25 per cent of shares in West Ham as part of a £25.5m restructuring
of the club's senior debt."
The news was confirmed by DLA Pipers's corporate partner Mel Sims, who
added: "We are delighted to have advised David on his latest investment in
the football club. It is an exciting time for West Ham, having had a solid
first year back in the Premier League and with the move to the Olympic
Stadium on the horizon."
Sullivan - who in conjunction with David Gold purchased a majority 51 per
cent share of West Ham when wrestling control from Icelandic bankers
Straumur in January 2010 - first increased his stake when the pair invested
in an additional ten per cent, costing £8million, just four months later.
That move increased their shareholding to 31 per cent each.
A plea for further, outside investment followed in February 2011 when
Sullivan and Gold - who have a three-year option to buy out the Icelandic
bank's remaining shares - advertised for potential partners to purchase the
remaining 35 per cent stake owned by Straumur/CBH.
"The club's value has been enormously increased and there is a unique
opportunity to buy the remaining 35% of the club for around £35-40 million,"
said Suliivan at the time. "Once all the shares are placed it is anticipated
that they'll increase enormously in value over the coming few years as the
club moves to the Olympic Stadium.
"There is a chance the value of the club could go from £100million to
£700million over five years when we move. There are only four big clubs in
London: Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham, and West Ham is by far the
cheapest. Yet it has great heritage and a huge fan base and, with the
Olympic Stadium, it can become a top-five club in the future."
However with no additional parties coming on board, Sullivan and Gold
continued to run the club with an even stake - until Sullivan's latest
purchase, which gives the 64-year-old a clear majority share.
So who owns West Ham in 2013?
(All figures approximate evaluations based on figures in public domain)
1. David Sullivan: 55.6%
2. David Gold: 30.6%
3. CB Holdings (formerly Straumur): 10%
4. John Harris, Daniel Harris and Terence Brown: 3.8%
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West Ham make £10million Bony bid?
KUMb,.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have made an eight-figure bid for Vitesse striker Wilfried
Bony, according to reports this afternoon. SSN report that West Ham have
made an offer worth in the region of £10million for the 24-year-old Ivorian
forward, who had looked set to join fellow Premier League club Swansea City
last week.
A player who has been on the club's radar for some time, Bony was initially
linked with a move to east London earlier this year. Back in March, agents
representing the striker met with Hammers chiefs in London in order to
strike a deal, but the two clubs failed to agree a transfer fee. Bony - who
trialled for Liverpool in 2007 but failed to land a contract at Anfield -
started his career in the Ivory Coast with Premier Division club Issia Wazi.
In 2007, he spent a season on loan with Sparta Prague before making that
deal permanent the following summer. During his three seasons in Prague, in
which he was part of the squad which won both the Gambrinus Liga and the
Czech Republic Football Supercup, Bony avergaed a goal every three games -
and it was that keen eye for goal which prompted Vitesse to pay £4million to
take his to the Netherlands. His first season - the 2011/12 campaign - ended
with his as Vitesse's top scorer with 12 goals (despite having only signed
in January, midway through the campaign). He ended last season as the
Eredivisie's leading goalscorer with his tally of 31 goals - five more than
his closest competitor, Feyenoord's Graziano Pellè.
Eredivisie 2012/13: Top Goalscorers
1 Wilfried Bony (Vitesse) 31
2 Graziano Pelle (Feyenoord) 27
3 Alfred Finnbogason (sc Heerenveen) 24
4 Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar) 23
5 Sanharib Malki (Roda JC Kerkrade) 17
6 Dries Mertens (PSV) 16
7 Jeremain Lens (PSV) 15
8 Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV) 14
8 Jacob Mulenga (FC Utrecht) 14
10 Luc Castaignos (FC Twente) 13
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Top bombing
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd July 2013
By: Staff Writer
Canning Town's Victoria Dock Road has been closed this afternoon due to the
discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb. The road has been shut off
between Connaught Bridge and Prince Regent Lane by Police whilst the entire
area has been cleared by Police. The East End was one of the most heavily
bombed areas in the UK during the 1939-1945 conflict, with its docks,
railways and industry targeted by the Germans. There are still thought to be
several similar unexploded bombs in and around the area. The Boleyn Ground
was famously bombed in August 1944 when a V-1 bomb landed in the south-west
corner of the ground, causing severe damage. As a result, West Ham were
forced to play their home fixtures at alternative venues until December 1944
whilst repairs were taking place. However it proved to be a fruitful spell
for the club as they embarked on a run of nine straight wins - before losing
their first game back at the Boleyn to neighbours Tottenham.
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West Ham have made a bid for Swansea target Wilfried Bony
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: July
2, 2013 1:44pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands West Ham have made a bid for Vitesse Arnhem hit-man
Wilfried Bony. Bony is expected to leave Vitesse this summer, with a host of
clubs across Europe chasing his signature. Swansea were thought to be
front-runners for Bony after tabling a bid for the Ivory Coast international
last week.
However, West Ham have now entered the race for Bony, with Sam Allardyce
keen to lure him to Upton Park. Allardyce has already brought in Andy
Carroll on a permanent basis from Liverpool and now he is understood to have
lodged a £10million bid for Bony. Bony is thought to be keen on a move to
England and he could have a choice over where he moves, with Swansea and
West Ham bidding for his services.
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Have West Ham Bid £10m for Wilfred Bony?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Reports have emerged today that West Ham have made a £10m bid for the
services of Viitesse's Wilfred Bony. If true, the club have moved quickly to
try to gazump a recent approach by Swansea City. The Ivory Coast striker was
last season's top scorer in the Dutch League with an impressive 31 goals.
Bony has interested the club for some time and it was reported back in March
that initial discussions had taken place with the player's
club/representatives, but a deal was not struck at that time. It would
appear that the Hammers may belatedly be renewing their interest.
There are other pieces of Hammers related transfer speculation abroad at the
moment. This first is that West Ham may have an interest in signing free
agent centre-back Titus Bramble. Bramble has joined the West Ham squad for
pre-season training and that has encouraged speculation that the
ex-Sunderland defender could join on a Bosman deal. Secondly, the Evening
Standard have reported that we may be interested in Crystal Palace's 24 year
old winger, Yannick Bolasie. Bolasie had a very good campaign in the
Championship last season and there are suggestions that Fulham, West Brom,
Swansea and Southampton might also be tracking his progress.
In terms of players exiting the club, it has been confirmed that Robert
Hall's contract expired on 30 June 2013 and that he has now moved to Bolton
Wanderers. Because he is under 24 years of age the final fee will go to an
arbitration panel and it is thought that West Ham want £1m and Bolton are
offering £500,000. Lets hope that this is not a departure that West Ham will
come to regret in time. Hall is a good prospect and a player that was highly
rated at the club's Academy. Will it be a case of Ray Houghton or Zavon
Hines? Only time will tell?
Finally, there have been a couple of reports circulating today that David
Sullivan has increased his stake holding in the club by 25% and consequently
he is now the majority stakeholder. That presumably means that the long
standing stake that Claret & Blue Holdings (the Icelandic banks) have had in
the club has been brought out or drastically reduced. If so, the
elimination/reduction of their interest can only be good news for the future
of the club.
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham cheer on Chelsea as they chase Edinson Cavani.. so they can borrow
Romelu Lukaku
2 Jul 2013 22:30
The Mirror
West Ham have their fingers crossed that Chelsea manage to buy Edinson
Cavani - as they hope his arrival will help their chances of signing the
Blues' Romelu Lukaku on loan. The Hammers are holding out for the Blues'
brilliant Belgian after having a £10.2million bid for Vitesse Arnhem striker
Wilfried Bony rejected.
Bony, 24, scored 31 goals in 30 games for Vitesse last season, and is
currently one of the hottest properties in Europe. But West Ham are unlikely
to increase their bid for him, with Swansea and Newcastle also in the hunt.
Instead, they are want to pair Chelsea marksman Lukaku, superb on a
year-long loan at West Brom last season, with £15m signing Andy Carroll - as
first revealed by MirrorFootball back in May. While new Blues boss Jose
Mourinho wants Lukaku to be part of his plans for next season, West Ham have
not given up hope of taking the 20-year-old Belgium international and
offering him regular first-team football in World Cup year. Chelsea have
already signed Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle, they are battling
with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City for Cavani. They also retain an
interest in unsettled Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have touched down in the Republic of Ireland for a six-day
training camp
02.07.2013
West Ham United have touched down in the Republic of Ireland ahead of a
six-day pre-season training camp in County Cork. The Hammers will train up
to three times each day before taking on League of Ireland Premier Division
side Cork City at Turner's Cross on Sunday, with sessions split between the
pitch, swimming pool and gym. A 6am start at the Boleyn Ground was followed
by an Aer Lingus flight from London Heathrow which left on schedule, but was
forced to circle Cork Airport for 30 minutes until fog on the ground had
cleared. On arrival, the players - sporting their new 2013/14 adidas
trainingwear - happily signed autographs and posed for photos with
supporters before boarding a coach for the drive to the team hotel a few
miles east of the city. There was an unforeseen detour due to the main road
to the team hotel being closed, but the squad and staff were soon able to
check-in and freshen up ahead of lunch.
The players were then given an hour or two to rest before walking the short
distance to the on-site training pitches for their first session in Ireland.
There, they went through a circuit of three activation drills with strength
and conditioning coach Mathew Monte-Colombo before doing some interval
running under the guidance of fitness coach Eamon Swift.
It was then time to swap the trainers for the boots for the first time as
assistant manager Neil McDonald led the outfield players through a keep-ball
session, during which he constantly encouraged every player to keep on the
move to help increase their fitness levels. Elsewhere, Jussi Jaaskelainen
and new team-mate Adrian worked with goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson
before the session finished with a stretch-off and a visit to the nearby
gymnasium. Exclusive coverage of the Hammers' first day on the Emerald Isle
is available on whufc.com, West Ham TV and the Club's official Facebook and
twitter pages.
West Ham kick-off the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season on Saturday 17
August, when newly-promoted Cardiff City are the visitors to the Boleyn
Ground.
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Taylor hooked on pre-season
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's avid fisherman Matt Taylor has swapped his rods and bait
for boots and shinpads
03.07.2013
Over the past few weeks, Matt Taylor has spent far more time on a riverbank
than on a football pitch. The West Ham United midfielder is a keen fisherman
who, when he was not at home or on holiday with his wife and three children,
spent his summer break hooking fish of various sizes at home and abroad.
While football is now back at the top of his agenda following West Ham's
return to training this week, Taylor admitted to enjoying his time pursuing
his second sporting passion. Last month, Taylor and two friends drove for
ten hours to Le Lac Fishibil in northern France, where he caught a 48lb
grass carp, among others. "I really enjoy my fishing and I was lucky enough
to manage to get a trip to France," Taylor told West Ham TV on the first day
of the Hammers' pre-season trip to Cork in the Republic of Ireland. "I
really enjoyed it and I think it is something I'll be making into an annual
holiday. "We got some nice fish, as well, which was good, but it was nice
just to get away with some friends. It was a social road trip as much as a
fishing trip so it was really good and I thoroughly enjoyed it. "I've always
fished at home but I'd never been to France. I got the opportunity to go
this year and I took it and will definitely be doing it again. It's
something I really enjoy it and my friends do too. The even better thing is
that I try to take my son as often as I can and get him into it."
Concentrating on his day job, Taylor said he and his team-mates were
enjoying being back out on the pitch after a six-week summer break. "We're
into the start of pre-season and it was good to starting touching the
footballs again. When you come away, it allows you to focus on the first
part of pre-season, which is obviously the most-important part because it is
when the fitness and conditioning comes into its own. "I'm really happy to
be back with the lads and we've got a good game coming up on Sunday which
we're all looking forward to." West Ham are staying at the Fota Island
Resort a few miles east of Cork city centre - a complex that has everything
the players and backroom staff need on-site, including first-class pitches,
a gym and swimming pool. "The facilities here are wonderful. The hotel is
really nice, I've used the gym and the pitches are wonderful. The match on
Sunday gives us something to look forward to and something to get fit for.
"The thing abour pre-season is that we have a lot of games in a short period
of time, so obviously you need to train and get ready for them, but also
hone your skills on the pitch. That's what the aim is. "We'll have a couple
of sessions a day, some of which will be physical and some football-based so
it'll be a case of gettting the balls out, getting fit and getting that
camaraderie back in the squad as well. The banter is flying about because
we've got a great group of lads here."
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On this day - 3 July
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid today celebrates his 25th birthday
03.07.2013
Anniversary
Name: Winston Reid
Born: North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand, 3 July 1988
Clubs: Midtjylland, West Ham United
International: New Zealand - 14 caps, one goal
Hammer of the Year Winston Reid turns 25 today as he prepares for another
season in West Ham United colours. New Zealand international Reid has been
with the Hammers since a 2010 move from Danish side Midtjylland and has
racked up 70 league appearances for the Club. He has enjoyed great success
in the last two years, helping West Ham win promotion from the Championship
in 2012, then going on to excel in the top flight and pick up the
prestigious Hammer of the Year award. Born in New Zealand, he moved to
Denmark at the age of ten and made his debut at 17 for FC Midtjylland. He
played his international football at age group level for Denmark, but chose
to represent New Zealand at senior level and was a member of their squad for
the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In 2013, he was named as captain of the All Whites.
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Hammers fan visits adidas
WHUFC.com
West Ham United fan Ed Kimber got his hands on the new home kit first at
adidas' global HQ
02.07.2013
Ed Kimber became the first West Ham United fan to get his hands on the new
adidas 2013/14 home kit this week when he travelled to the sportswear
giant's global headquarters in Germany as part of a unique prize. Ed won the
opportunity to visit the adidas base as an auction prize at the Club's
Player Awards dinner in May and enjoyed an unforgettable experience ahead of
Wednesday's exclusive kit event for Season Ticket holders. As well as
receiving the first Hammers kit, Kimber was also given an adidas campus
tour, including the Walk of Fame, which highlights past milestones and the
biggest successes of adidas
An excited Kimber told whufc.com: "It was a brilliant experience, right from
when we landed in Germany. We were taken around the adidas HQ, and it's a
fantastic brand for West Ham to be aligned with.
"I think there's a real synergy between adidas and West Ham, they are an
authentic sports brand and there's an historical relationship - one which
enjoyed successful times from the 1980s, and hopefully the new partnership
can help us relieve those days. "The place was full of creative energy and
great talent, and it was amazing to be the first West Ham fan to hold the
new shirt in my hands. "I won't forget that and the shirt is fantastic -
even better in the flesh than on the pictures I've seen on the website and I
can't wait to watch the team when they wear it for the first time in the
Premier League against Cardiff City. "We've renewed our Season Tickets and
hopefully we can get a better result than the last time we opened the season
against them!"
The new adidas home replica kit goes on sale from the Club's Stores at the
Stadium, Liberty Romford and Lakeside Thurrock (click here for opening
times) and online at www.officialwesthamstore.com from Thursday 4 July.
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Ginge relishing week in Ireland
WHUFC.com
James Collins is happy to be back in West Ham United colours for the start
of pre-season training
02.07.2013
James Collins has told West Ham TV of his pleasure at being back in a West
Ham United training kit for the start of pre-season training. Collins and
his Hammers squad-mates touched down in the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday
morning ahead of a six-day camp in County Cork, culminating with a fixture
with League of Ireland Premier Division side Cork City at Turner's Cross on
Sunday evening. It was as if 'Ginge' and his colleagues had never been away,
with the banter soon flying around ahead of the serious business of
pre-season preparation ahead of the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League opener
at home to Collins' old club Cardiff City on Saturday 17 August. The
29-year-old was in fine fettle as he sat down to speak to West Ham TV ahead
of the squad's first training session in Ireland on Tuesday afternoon.
Welcome to Ireland, Ginge! It doesn't seem like long ago that we were
beating Reading 4-2 to complete the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season,
so is it good to be back or could you have done with a longer break?
JC: "It's nice to back. I think it was enough of a break, really. You
obviously get time away with your family but then you start missing it.
We're back a week earlier than most Premier League clubs, which is a good
thing, I think. It's like being back on the first day of school. We kept in
touch over the summer with a little group-chat going on among the boys to
keep in contact. To get the actual banter going again is great because, as I
said, you do start missing them in a strange sort of way."
We were welcomed to Ireland by grey skies, fog and a bit of rain in the air,
but is that a good thing when you have to run around for six days?
JC: "I think it is a good thing to be able to start in more manageable
temperatures. It can be very hot sometimes when you go away for pre-season,
but the weather is not the best here and it will keep the boys cool. You
obviously get hot when you are doing all the running and all that, so it's a
bonus."
The facilities at the Fota Island Resort are all on-site and top-class, so
the players have no excuse if they do not have a productive week, do they?
JC: "It is spot-on, like you say. All the facilities are on-site and, if we
do get a bit of time off, there is a golf course here for the golfers in the
squad. Everything being on-site makes it easier than bussing here, there and
everywhere so we have no excuses if we don't have a good week. We have a
game coming up on Sunday, so we obviously need to get some training in
before it, so the boys are looking forward to it. It should be good."
Being an experienced professional, what do you look to get out of the first
week of pre-season training?
JC: "Obviously your body is not used to running about, so you have to get
back into it slowly and get your fitness. It's not like you don't come back
fit, because you have to look after yourself in the summer nowadays. All the
boys have been doing that, so it's all about getting back into it and
getting used to the football again."
With 22 players in Ireland, it is likely that everyone will play for 45
minutes at Cork City on Sunday. Are you looking forward to performing in
front of a passionate Irish crowd, having done so previously for Wales?
JC: "There is a massive amount of passion for football here, especially down
in Cork. I've got family living down here so I know how much it means to
them and how they love their football down here. The boys are looking
forward to it, looking forward to getting back on the pitch and pulling on
the strip again and building towards the start of the season. It's quite
early to have a game, but we'll have a half each just to get the boots and
pads back on and see how it
goes."
Among the 22 are three new faces in Razvan Rat, Adrian and Danny Whitehead,
while Andy Carroll has remained at Chadwell Heath for treatment. It's always
good to see fresh players in a squad, isn't it?
JC: "I met the new lads on Monday and they are nice lads. Obviously having
Andy back is great. He is great in the changing room and he gets on great
with
the lads. If he can start the season as he ended the last one, and we can
help the other lads settle in, they can all play a massive part for us."
For the second season in succession, we start at home to one of your old
clubs. Last season, it was Aston Villa. This year, it will be your first
club Cardiff City!
JC: "It will be good. I looked at it straight away and, with my family still
living down there, they were excited as well. It will be strange playing
against them in the Premier League, but they have done great to come up so
it's one I am looking forward to. The same as last year, we had Villa and we
got the three points against them, so fingers crossed we can do the same. I
think I played against Cardiff once when I was at Villa in the League Cup
[in September 2009] but it will be great to play against them in the league.
There are not too many faces there from my time any more, but they did give
me my start in football so I do
keep an eye on them. Like last year, though, I'll be playing as hard as ever
to get the three points."
Talking of the visit of Cardiff, it is that time of year when fans can snap
up Season Tickets and Memberships. We sold out the final 17 matches of last
season,
so how important would it be to the players to make that 18 when the
Bluebirds come to the Boleyn Ground?
JC: "It makes a huge difference, especially with our fans. We always try to
get off to a good start in games to give the fans something to get excited
about
early doors. Last year, they were unbelievable - the same as in all the
years I have been here. It's a tough time for everyone so it's unbelievable
what they do for us and they don't realise how much it does spur us on when
they do get behind us at home."
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David Sullivan gains control of West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd July 2013
By: Staff Writer
Co-chairman David Sullivan has become West Ham United's largest single
shareholder, having acquired a further 25 per cent stake in the club from CB
Holdings. Legal Week have revealed that Sullivan recently increased his
personal stake to 56 per cent, leaving him as West Ham United's largest
single stakeholder and giving him overall control of the Club. "DLA Piper is
among a number of law firms to have advised on a deal," read a report in
Legal Week. "Sullivan, a longstanding client of DLA, has now acquired a
further 25 per cent of shares in West Ham as part of a £25.5m restructuring
of the club's senior debt."
The news was confirmed by DLA Pipers's corporate partner Mel Sims, who
added: "We are delighted to have advised David on his latest investment in
the football club. It is an exciting time for West Ham, having had a solid
first year back in the Premier League and with the move to the Olympic
Stadium on the horizon."
Sullivan - who in conjunction with David Gold purchased a majority 51 per
cent share of West Ham when wrestling control from Icelandic bankers
Straumur in January 2010 - first increased his stake when the pair invested
in an additional ten per cent, costing £8million, just four months later.
That move increased their shareholding to 31 per cent each.
A plea for further, outside investment followed in February 2011 when
Sullivan and Gold - who have a three-year option to buy out the Icelandic
bank's remaining shares - advertised for potential partners to purchase the
remaining 35 per cent stake owned by Straumur/CBH.
"The club's value has been enormously increased and there is a unique
opportunity to buy the remaining 35% of the club for around £35-40 million,"
said Suliivan at the time. "Once all the shares are placed it is anticipated
that they'll increase enormously in value over the coming few years as the
club moves to the Olympic Stadium.
"There is a chance the value of the club could go from £100million to
£700million over five years when we move. There are only four big clubs in
London: Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham, and West Ham is by far the
cheapest. Yet it has great heritage and a huge fan base and, with the
Olympic Stadium, it can become a top-five club in the future."
However with no additional parties coming on board, Sullivan and Gold
continued to run the club with an even stake - until Sullivan's latest
purchase, which gives the 64-year-old a clear majority share.
So who owns West Ham in 2013?
(All figures approximate evaluations based on figures in public domain)
1. David Sullivan: 55.6%
2. David Gold: 30.6%
3. CB Holdings (formerly Straumur): 10%
4. John Harris, Daniel Harris and Terence Brown: 3.8%
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West Ham make £10million Bony bid?
KUMb,.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd July 2013
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have made an eight-figure bid for Vitesse striker Wilfried
Bony, according to reports this afternoon. SSN report that West Ham have
made an offer worth in the region of £10million for the 24-year-old Ivorian
forward, who had looked set to join fellow Premier League club Swansea City
last week.
A player who has been on the club's radar for some time, Bony was initially
linked with a move to east London earlier this year. Back in March, agents
representing the striker met with Hammers chiefs in London in order to
strike a deal, but the two clubs failed to agree a transfer fee. Bony - who
trialled for Liverpool in 2007 but failed to land a contract at Anfield -
started his career in the Ivory Coast with Premier Division club Issia Wazi.
In 2007, he spent a season on loan with Sparta Prague before making that
deal permanent the following summer. During his three seasons in Prague, in
which he was part of the squad which won both the Gambrinus Liga and the
Czech Republic Football Supercup, Bony avergaed a goal every three games -
and it was that keen eye for goal which prompted Vitesse to pay £4million to
take his to the Netherlands. His first season - the 2011/12 campaign - ended
with his as Vitesse's top scorer with 12 goals (despite having only signed
in January, midway through the campaign). He ended last season as the
Eredivisie's leading goalscorer with his tally of 31 goals - five more than
his closest competitor, Feyenoord's Graziano Pellè.
Eredivisie 2012/13: Top Goalscorers
1 Wilfried Bony (Vitesse) 31
2 Graziano Pelle (Feyenoord) 27
3 Alfred Finnbogason (sc Heerenveen) 24
4 Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar) 23
5 Sanharib Malki (Roda JC Kerkrade) 17
6 Dries Mertens (PSV) 16
7 Jeremain Lens (PSV) 15
8 Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV) 14
8 Jacob Mulenga (FC Utrecht) 14
10 Luc Castaignos (FC Twente) 13
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Top bombing
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd July 2013
By: Staff Writer
Canning Town's Victoria Dock Road has been closed this afternoon due to the
discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb. The road has been shut off
between Connaught Bridge and Prince Regent Lane by Police whilst the entire
area has been cleared by Police. The East End was one of the most heavily
bombed areas in the UK during the 1939-1945 conflict, with its docks,
railways and industry targeted by the Germans. There are still thought to be
several similar unexploded bombs in and around the area. The Boleyn Ground
was famously bombed in August 1944 when a V-1 bomb landed in the south-west
corner of the ground, causing severe damage. As a result, West Ham were
forced to play their home fixtures at alternative venues until December 1944
whilst repairs were taking place. However it proved to be a fruitful spell
for the club as they embarked on a run of nine straight wins - before losing
their first game back at the Boleyn to neighbours Tottenham.
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West Ham have made a bid for Swansea target Wilfried Bony
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: July
2, 2013 1:44pm
SSN
Sky Sports understands West Ham have made a bid for Vitesse Arnhem hit-man
Wilfried Bony. Bony is expected to leave Vitesse this summer, with a host of
clubs across Europe chasing his signature. Swansea were thought to be
front-runners for Bony after tabling a bid for the Ivory Coast international
last week.
However, West Ham have now entered the race for Bony, with Sam Allardyce
keen to lure him to Upton Park. Allardyce has already brought in Andy
Carroll on a permanent basis from Liverpool and now he is understood to have
lodged a £10million bid for Bony. Bony is thought to be keen on a move to
England and he could have a choice over where he moves, with Swansea and
West Ham bidding for his services.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Have West Ham Bid £10m for Wilfred Bony?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Reports have emerged today that West Ham have made a £10m bid for the
services of Viitesse's Wilfred Bony. If true, the club have moved quickly to
try to gazump a recent approach by Swansea City. The Ivory Coast striker was
last season's top scorer in the Dutch League with an impressive 31 goals.
Bony has interested the club for some time and it was reported back in March
that initial discussions had taken place with the player's
club/representatives, but a deal was not struck at that time. It would
appear that the Hammers may belatedly be renewing their interest.
There are other pieces of Hammers related transfer speculation abroad at the
moment. This first is that West Ham may have an interest in signing free
agent centre-back Titus Bramble. Bramble has joined the West Ham squad for
pre-season training and that has encouraged speculation that the
ex-Sunderland defender could join on a Bosman deal. Secondly, the Evening
Standard have reported that we may be interested in Crystal Palace's 24 year
old winger, Yannick Bolasie. Bolasie had a very good campaign in the
Championship last season and there are suggestions that Fulham, West Brom,
Swansea and Southampton might also be tracking his progress.
In terms of players exiting the club, it has been confirmed that Robert
Hall's contract expired on 30 June 2013 and that he has now moved to Bolton
Wanderers. Because he is under 24 years of age the final fee will go to an
arbitration panel and it is thought that West Ham want £1m and Bolton are
offering £500,000. Lets hope that this is not a departure that West Ham will
come to regret in time. Hall is a good prospect and a player that was highly
rated at the club's Academy. Will it be a case of Ray Houghton or Zavon
Hines? Only time will tell?
Finally, there have been a couple of reports circulating today that David
Sullivan has increased his stake holding in the club by 25% and consequently
he is now the majority stakeholder. That presumably means that the long
standing stake that Claret & Blue Holdings (the Icelandic banks) have had in
the club has been brought out or drastically reduced. If so, the
elimination/reduction of their interest can only be good news for the future
of the club.
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham cheer on Chelsea as they chase Edinson Cavani.. so they can borrow
Romelu Lukaku
2 Jul 2013 22:30
The Mirror
West Ham have their fingers crossed that Chelsea manage to buy Edinson
Cavani - as they hope his arrival will help their chances of signing the
Blues' Romelu Lukaku on loan. The Hammers are holding out for the Blues'
brilliant Belgian after having a £10.2million bid for Vitesse Arnhem striker
Wilfried Bony rejected.
Bony, 24, scored 31 goals in 30 games for Vitesse last season, and is
currently one of the hottest properties in Europe. But West Ham are unlikely
to increase their bid for him, with Swansea and Newcastle also in the hunt.
Instead, they are want to pair Chelsea marksman Lukaku, superb on a
year-long loan at West Brom last season, with £15m signing Andy Carroll - as
first revealed by MirrorFootball back in May. While new Blues boss Jose
Mourinho wants Lukaku to be part of his plans for next season, West Ham have
not given up hope of taking the 20-year-old Belgium international and
offering him regular first-team football in World Cup year. Chelsea have
already signed Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle, they are battling
with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City for Cavani. They also retain an
interest in unsettled Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, July 2
Daily WHUFC News - 2nd July 2013
The season starts here!
WHUFC.com
West Ham United were back to business on the first day of pre-season
01.07.2013
The countdown to the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League kick-off is officially
underway, as West Ham United's players and staff returned to their Chadwell
Heath training ground to signal the start of pre-season. The Hammers'
first-team squad were put through their paces under the watchful eye of
assistant manager Neil McDonald, ahead of Tuesday's trip to the Republic of
Ireland. Macca was delighted to get the group back together and hopes a
productive pre-season will pave the way for another fine start to the
campaign. He told West Ham TV: "We've had a good break. The boys are back in
for their first day, which is great and they all look in good nick.
Everybody's fighting fit, we've had a quick session and then we're off to
Cork, so it's off and running as quick as we possibly can. "We've got
several weeks to be ready for the Cardiff game and that's the most important
date. We started last season by getting 14 points out of the first eight
games, which set us up for a really good season. "So it's vitally important
that we hit the ground running. If we can push them on a little bit further
than we did last season then they'll all be in good shape for that first
game on 17 August."
As well as a whole host of familiar faces, the Hammers' ranks were boosted
by the summer's new recruits, with Razvan Rat, goalkeeper Adrian and
youngster Danny Whitehead among those on show. Andy Carroll was also present
as he continues his treatment for a heel injury, while Mohamed Diame was the
only absentee, having been given extra time to rest after spending part of
June on FIFA World Cup qualifying duty with Senegal. "It's always good to
get new players in as early as we possibly can," Macca continued. "We've
managed to get Adrian, we've got Rat and Andy Carroll as well. It just
freshens the whole place up, gives everybody a boost and there's competition
for places which is what the manager wants. "We're really pleased [that
Andy's signed], his contribution last season was great. Get him fit, put the
ball in the right areas and he'll score lots of goals for us, because he's a
fantastic player."
Meanwhile, head of sports medicine Andy Rolls explained what the players can
expect in the coming days, with the next six weeks already meticulously
planned. The Hammers are among the first clubs to get back to the training
field and Rolls expects the additional time to aid a smooth transition.
"The initial stage is basics really - height, weight and percentage of body
fat. We make sure no one has overindulged too much, which they won't have
done, because they're a good group. It's all about getting them in, getting
things organised and making sure things run smoothly. "We know we're back
in probably earlier than a lot of clubs, but we just use that time to our
advantage and just take a little bit of time on stuff. "On Tuesday we fly
to Cork and then pre-season will start more there. There will be three
sessions a day, an early morning session, a football session and then injury
prevention and gym session in the afternoon.
"It will be big spaces [to begin with]. Then over the six-week period the
pitches will become smaller and the intensity will become higher, as we
prepare for the Premier League season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobby's raring to go
WHUFC.com
West Ham United skipper Kevin Nolan is pleased to be back in pre-season
training
01.07.2013
Kevin Nolan believes the Hammers' early return to pre-season will help give
them a headstart on their Barclays Premier League rivals as the countdown to
the 2013/14 campaign begins. Nolan joined his teammates as they began their
pre-season preparations at the Club's Chadwell Heath training base on Monday
before heading off to a week-long training camp in Ireland, which begins on
Tuesday. West Ham United face their first game of the summer on Sunday when
they face League of Ireland side Cork City at Turner's Cross and Nolan is
sure the programme manager Sam Allardyce has put together will stand the
Londoners in good stead for the campaign ahead. He told West Ham TV: "I
think the first couple of weeks of pre-season are about consolidating,
getting a fitness base and making sure you don't pick up too many injuries
early on. "Looking at all the boys, we've done the bits and bobs we were set
out to do by the fitness team over the summer, and we've got our first game
on Sunday which we're looking forward to. "We've got to make sure that
step-by-step we get fitter and fitter, and are ready and raring to go when
we face Cardiff at the Boleyn Ground for the first game of the season. "I
think we're one of the first Premier League teams back with the season seven
weeks away. Sam's always done it this way, I've always found that he does it
the right way and the plan is that we get off to another fantastic start
this season."
As for the first day back, Nolan revealed it is not quite the shock to the
system as it was in years gone by. He added: "It's more of a meet-and-greet,
because obviously the hard work starts on Tuesday in Ireland. We had a bit
of a light jog, but nothing too heavy, like the old days when you'd come in
and run until you were sick. "It's not like that now, it's about building
fitness. This is the start of a seven-week period to get ready for Cardiff.
"They've got it spot on here. I've worked with the gaffer and Macca
[assistant manager Neil McDonald] for a long time and I know they get it
right. I'm looking forward to a good week in Ireland with the boys, catching
up on the banter and with what everyone's done over the last six weeks."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hall departs
WHUFC.com
England U19 forward Rob Hall has joined npower Championship side Bolton
Wanderers
01.07.2013
West Ham United can confirm that England U19 forward Rob Hall has joined
npower Championship side Bolton Wanderers on a three-year contract. Hall
departs the Boleyn Ground after spending 12 years with the Hammers, having
opted to move to the Reebok Stadium after his contract expired on 30 June.
Compensation will need to be agreed by the clubs in due course. After coming
through the Academy ranks, the 19-year-old made his senior made his
first-team debut in a 2-1 Championship defeat at Derby County on New Year's
Eve 2011. In total, he made seven senior appearances for West Ham. Having
previously enjoyed loan spells at League Two club Oxford United and League
One side MK Dons, Hall impressed at Championship level for Birmingham City
and Bolton last term, tempting Trotters boss Dougie Freedman to move for the
forward this summer. West Ham United would like to thank Rob for his hard
work and wish him every success in his future career.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Titus Bramble training with West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st July 2013
By: Staff Writer
Former Sunderland defender Titus Bramble was a surprise addition to the
first team squad who returned to training at Chadwell Heath this morning.
With the brief summer break over, Sam Allardyce's squad - including new
additions Adrian San Miguel del Castillo, Danny Whitehead plus club record
signing Andy Carroll - reported back to the club's training ground for their
first session of pre-season. But there was also one unexpected face in the
crowd who arrived shortly after 10am - that of 31-year-old Titus Bramble,
who is currently out of contract having been released by the Black Cats at
the end of last season.
Bramble, of course, has previously been linked with a move to east London as
a back-up for the first choice defensive partnership of James Collins and
KUMB.com Player of the Year Winston Reid. However the sight of the
error-prone defender at Chadwell Heath has met with a fairly resounding
chorus of disapproval from Hammers fans this morning.
Paolo Mulgrew, posting on Twitter said: "Please God, West Ham DO NOT sign
Titus Bramble!" - thoughts echoed by Carys Baker who retorted: "Today
couldn't get much worse - and now I find out Titus Bramble is training with
us."
Bramble began his career with home town club Ipswich Town, before making a
£6million switch to Newcastle United in 2002. At the end of his five-year
contract on Tyneside he joined Steve Bruce's Wigan Athletic on a free
transfer, signing a two-year deal. Rewarded for his good form at the DW
Stadium - where he was voted both Player of the Year and Player's Player of
the Year in 2009 - with an extended one-year contract, Bramble rejoined
Bruce at his new club Sunderland in 2010. But his return to the North East
proved to be a troubled one; in 2011, Bramble was fined by Sunderland for
bringing the club into disrepute after he was charged with sexual assault.
He later appeared in court charged with two counts of sexual assault and one
of urinating in a public place, before being cleared of all charges. Now 31,
Bramble was made a free agent at the end of the 2012/13 season when he was
released by new Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio - who he called "a strange
person who thinks he knows everything". Only last month he rejected the
opportunity to return to former club Ipswich.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The dangers in rushing to judgement
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st July 2013
By: David Hautzig
There is a pretty decent bar to watch some football near where I live called
Wolf's Biergarten. It's a Bayern Munich stronghold, but the beer is very
good as are the sausages. It doesn't hurt that the manager is a West Ham
supporter, so when I decide to watch a game away from home that's where I
end up. Which is not often.
I am very anxious during our games, so I don't make good company. I'm also
very superstitious, with far-fetched ideas that where I watch a game can
absolutely affect the outcome. But during the 2010 World Cup, while I wanted
the United States to do well I was able to watch the games without having a
defibrillator handy.
June 15, 2010. I'm sipping some ale the manager recommended while casually
watching Slovakia try to hang on to their 1-0 lead over New Zealand. The
Kiwis had looked like a pretty decent side if I remember correctly, and I
was probably rooting a bit more for them.
93rd minute, a ball is played into the box and headed home by some guy named
Winston Reid. A little cheer went up, more in surprise than any sense of
support. I thought this Reid fella took his chance well, and I remember some
guy sitting somewhere behind me commenting that he had played a relatively
good game.
Fast forward to the first game of the season in 2010. No need to waste time
going over what happened that day. We all know. And the rest of his season
wasn't much better, although I'm not sure it could have gotten much worse.
So when relegation was confirmed, I doubt many of us would have wanted
someone signed under the train wreck that was and likely still is Moron
Grant to stick around. At the time it was akin to saving a tumour in a glass
jar after removal.
Hit the fast forward button again. Hold it down a little longer, because we
are speeding through two seasons now instead of one. Mr. Reid has just
completed two stellar years on our back line. Voted Hammer of the Year.
Instead of Tweeting that he has to go, Tweeters are worrying about a top
four side coming in for him.
Before you start making a list of players and managers who were given far
more time than they deserved, let me throw my hands up and say "I know". But
there is a tendency now to rush to judgment on what constitutes success and
failure. Billions of pounds in real and potential revenue can do that to an
otherwise patient and rational person.
Take Matt Jarvis for example. Go to virtually any blog and you will find a
nation divided. Some are pleased with his first year, others bemoan how much
was supposedly spent on him. Can we really judge him to be either a success
or failure after one season? Every time he touched the ball I thought
something might come of it. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Andy Carroll
thought the same thing.
Personally, I don't give a toss how much we paid for him or any other player
for that matter. Not my money. And regardless of how you feel about our
chairmen as football people, anybody that denies they are clever business
people are delusional and in need of treatment. If they need to perform some
creative accounting to work the transfer market they will certainly do so.
The Andy Carroll transfer is still scrutinised by some, even criticised.
That's fine. The press is there to not only report but to analyse and help
lead public discussions on topics from healthcare to goalkeeping. But
handing down a verdict before any evidence is presented is ridiculous.
The guy is just starting a contract that could last eight years, yet if you
read Mark Alford of the Daily Mail you'd think you stepped into a time
machine, traveled a few years down a wormhole, and saw what a disaster the
signing had become. In his article recently arguing that Carroll is not
worth the money West Ham paid, he tries his hand at one liners.
"There are rumours that Andy Carroll is set to be given a new boot deal.
They might as well be glass slippers for the number of times he'll receive
the ball to his feet at West Ham," says Mr. Alford.
If Henny Youngman were still with us, he'd have little reason to feel
threatened.
We are at a very interesting and possibly exciting juncture in West Ham's
recent history. Even though I have only been supporting the club since the
early 1990s, my gut tells me something different is happening. Yeah, there
was euphoria when Eggy took the wheel, pushed the pedal down hard, and
started spending money like it came out of a board game.
I'm told doing cocaine can feel like that, but often with dangerous and self
destructive consequences.
Now there seems to be a plan for West Ham. Like a good chess player (such an
overused metaphor but it works) the two Davids and the one Karren are not
only seeing the next move, but the next five moves. They are being
methodical. They are showing patience. And in our case, it may be more than
a virtue.
It may be a jackpot.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Titus Bramble training with West Ham following Sunderland exit
Last Updated: July 1, 2013 5:51pm
SSN
Free agent defender Titus Bramble is training with West Ham as he continues
his search for a new club. The 31-year-old was not offered a new deal by
Sunderland and, with his contract expiring on Sunday night, he linked up
with the Hammers in a bid to maintain his fitness. Bramble made 51
appearances for the Wearsiders after being signed for £1m from Wigan by then
manager Steve Bruce during the summer of 2010. He has also been linked with
a move to Turkish club Besiktas. West Ham travel to Ireland on Tuesday for
an intensive training camp but it remains to be seen if Bramble will make
that trip. Their other high-profile signings were also at Chadwell Heath on
Monday morning, although Andy Carroll did not join keeper Adrian and
left-back Razvan Rat as he is still on a rehabilitation programme after
injuring his heel towards the end of last season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham winger Robert Hall completes Bolton switch
Last Updated: July 1, 2013 7:41pm
SSN
Bolton have signed winger Robert Hall on a three-year contract from Premier
League club West Ham. Wanderers are still in talks with West Ham over a
compensation package for the teenager after his contract recently expired at
the Boleyn Ground. The 19-year-old, who can also operate as a striker, spent
the final weeks of last season on loan at the Reebok Stadium and featured on
the final day against Lancashire neighbours Blackpool. An England youth
international, Hall has previously enjoyed loan spells at Oxford United, MK
Dons and Birmingham City before joining up with Dougie Freedman's side.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United were back to business on the first day of pre-season
01.07.2013
The countdown to the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League kick-off is officially
underway, as West Ham United's players and staff returned to their Chadwell
Heath training ground to signal the start of pre-season. The Hammers'
first-team squad were put through their paces under the watchful eye of
assistant manager Neil McDonald, ahead of Tuesday's trip to the Republic of
Ireland. Macca was delighted to get the group back together and hopes a
productive pre-season will pave the way for another fine start to the
campaign. He told West Ham TV: "We've had a good break. The boys are back in
for their first day, which is great and they all look in good nick.
Everybody's fighting fit, we've had a quick session and then we're off to
Cork, so it's off and running as quick as we possibly can. "We've got
several weeks to be ready for the Cardiff game and that's the most important
date. We started last season by getting 14 points out of the first eight
games, which set us up for a really good season. "So it's vitally important
that we hit the ground running. If we can push them on a little bit further
than we did last season then they'll all be in good shape for that first
game on 17 August."
As well as a whole host of familiar faces, the Hammers' ranks were boosted
by the summer's new recruits, with Razvan Rat, goalkeeper Adrian and
youngster Danny Whitehead among those on show. Andy Carroll was also present
as he continues his treatment for a heel injury, while Mohamed Diame was the
only absentee, having been given extra time to rest after spending part of
June on FIFA World Cup qualifying duty with Senegal. "It's always good to
get new players in as early as we possibly can," Macca continued. "We've
managed to get Adrian, we've got Rat and Andy Carroll as well. It just
freshens the whole place up, gives everybody a boost and there's competition
for places which is what the manager wants. "We're really pleased [that
Andy's signed], his contribution last season was great. Get him fit, put the
ball in the right areas and he'll score lots of goals for us, because he's a
fantastic player."
Meanwhile, head of sports medicine Andy Rolls explained what the players can
expect in the coming days, with the next six weeks already meticulously
planned. The Hammers are among the first clubs to get back to the training
field and Rolls expects the additional time to aid a smooth transition.
"The initial stage is basics really - height, weight and percentage of body
fat. We make sure no one has overindulged too much, which they won't have
done, because they're a good group. It's all about getting them in, getting
things organised and making sure things run smoothly. "We know we're back
in probably earlier than a lot of clubs, but we just use that time to our
advantage and just take a little bit of time on stuff. "On Tuesday we fly
to Cork and then pre-season will start more there. There will be three
sessions a day, an early morning session, a football session and then injury
prevention and gym session in the afternoon.
"It will be big spaces [to begin with]. Then over the six-week period the
pitches will become smaller and the intensity will become higher, as we
prepare for the Premier League season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nobby's raring to go
WHUFC.com
West Ham United skipper Kevin Nolan is pleased to be back in pre-season
training
01.07.2013
Kevin Nolan believes the Hammers' early return to pre-season will help give
them a headstart on their Barclays Premier League rivals as the countdown to
the 2013/14 campaign begins. Nolan joined his teammates as they began their
pre-season preparations at the Club's Chadwell Heath training base on Monday
before heading off to a week-long training camp in Ireland, which begins on
Tuesday. West Ham United face their first game of the summer on Sunday when
they face League of Ireland side Cork City at Turner's Cross and Nolan is
sure the programme manager Sam Allardyce has put together will stand the
Londoners in good stead for the campaign ahead. He told West Ham TV: "I
think the first couple of weeks of pre-season are about consolidating,
getting a fitness base and making sure you don't pick up too many injuries
early on. "Looking at all the boys, we've done the bits and bobs we were set
out to do by the fitness team over the summer, and we've got our first game
on Sunday which we're looking forward to. "We've got to make sure that
step-by-step we get fitter and fitter, and are ready and raring to go when
we face Cardiff at the Boleyn Ground for the first game of the season. "I
think we're one of the first Premier League teams back with the season seven
weeks away. Sam's always done it this way, I've always found that he does it
the right way and the plan is that we get off to another fantastic start
this season."
As for the first day back, Nolan revealed it is not quite the shock to the
system as it was in years gone by. He added: "It's more of a meet-and-greet,
because obviously the hard work starts on Tuesday in Ireland. We had a bit
of a light jog, but nothing too heavy, like the old days when you'd come in
and run until you were sick. "It's not like that now, it's about building
fitness. This is the start of a seven-week period to get ready for Cardiff.
"They've got it spot on here. I've worked with the gaffer and Macca
[assistant manager Neil McDonald] for a long time and I know they get it
right. I'm looking forward to a good week in Ireland with the boys, catching
up on the banter and with what everyone's done over the last six weeks."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hall departs
WHUFC.com
England U19 forward Rob Hall has joined npower Championship side Bolton
Wanderers
01.07.2013
West Ham United can confirm that England U19 forward Rob Hall has joined
npower Championship side Bolton Wanderers on a three-year contract. Hall
departs the Boleyn Ground after spending 12 years with the Hammers, having
opted to move to the Reebok Stadium after his contract expired on 30 June.
Compensation will need to be agreed by the clubs in due course. After coming
through the Academy ranks, the 19-year-old made his senior made his
first-team debut in a 2-1 Championship defeat at Derby County on New Year's
Eve 2011. In total, he made seven senior appearances for West Ham. Having
previously enjoyed loan spells at League Two club Oxford United and League
One side MK Dons, Hall impressed at Championship level for Birmingham City
and Bolton last term, tempting Trotters boss Dougie Freedman to move for the
forward this summer. West Ham United would like to thank Rob for his hard
work and wish him every success in his future career.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Titus Bramble training with West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st July 2013
By: Staff Writer
Former Sunderland defender Titus Bramble was a surprise addition to the
first team squad who returned to training at Chadwell Heath this morning.
With the brief summer break over, Sam Allardyce's squad - including new
additions Adrian San Miguel del Castillo, Danny Whitehead plus club record
signing Andy Carroll - reported back to the club's training ground for their
first session of pre-season. But there was also one unexpected face in the
crowd who arrived shortly after 10am - that of 31-year-old Titus Bramble,
who is currently out of contract having been released by the Black Cats at
the end of last season.
Bramble, of course, has previously been linked with a move to east London as
a back-up for the first choice defensive partnership of James Collins and
KUMB.com Player of the Year Winston Reid. However the sight of the
error-prone defender at Chadwell Heath has met with a fairly resounding
chorus of disapproval from Hammers fans this morning.
Paolo Mulgrew, posting on Twitter said: "Please God, West Ham DO NOT sign
Titus Bramble!" - thoughts echoed by Carys Baker who retorted: "Today
couldn't get much worse - and now I find out Titus Bramble is training with
us."
Bramble began his career with home town club Ipswich Town, before making a
£6million switch to Newcastle United in 2002. At the end of his five-year
contract on Tyneside he joined Steve Bruce's Wigan Athletic on a free
transfer, signing a two-year deal. Rewarded for his good form at the DW
Stadium - where he was voted both Player of the Year and Player's Player of
the Year in 2009 - with an extended one-year contract, Bramble rejoined
Bruce at his new club Sunderland in 2010. But his return to the North East
proved to be a troubled one; in 2011, Bramble was fined by Sunderland for
bringing the club into disrepute after he was charged with sexual assault.
He later appeared in court charged with two counts of sexual assault and one
of urinating in a public place, before being cleared of all charges. Now 31,
Bramble was made a free agent at the end of the 2012/13 season when he was
released by new Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio - who he called "a strange
person who thinks he knows everything". Only last month he rejected the
opportunity to return to former club Ipswich.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The dangers in rushing to judgement
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st July 2013
By: David Hautzig
There is a pretty decent bar to watch some football near where I live called
Wolf's Biergarten. It's a Bayern Munich stronghold, but the beer is very
good as are the sausages. It doesn't hurt that the manager is a West Ham
supporter, so when I decide to watch a game away from home that's where I
end up. Which is not often.
I am very anxious during our games, so I don't make good company. I'm also
very superstitious, with far-fetched ideas that where I watch a game can
absolutely affect the outcome. But during the 2010 World Cup, while I wanted
the United States to do well I was able to watch the games without having a
defibrillator handy.
June 15, 2010. I'm sipping some ale the manager recommended while casually
watching Slovakia try to hang on to their 1-0 lead over New Zealand. The
Kiwis had looked like a pretty decent side if I remember correctly, and I
was probably rooting a bit more for them.
93rd minute, a ball is played into the box and headed home by some guy named
Winston Reid. A little cheer went up, more in surprise than any sense of
support. I thought this Reid fella took his chance well, and I remember some
guy sitting somewhere behind me commenting that he had played a relatively
good game.
Fast forward to the first game of the season in 2010. No need to waste time
going over what happened that day. We all know. And the rest of his season
wasn't much better, although I'm not sure it could have gotten much worse.
So when relegation was confirmed, I doubt many of us would have wanted
someone signed under the train wreck that was and likely still is Moron
Grant to stick around. At the time it was akin to saving a tumour in a glass
jar after removal.
Hit the fast forward button again. Hold it down a little longer, because we
are speeding through two seasons now instead of one. Mr. Reid has just
completed two stellar years on our back line. Voted Hammer of the Year.
Instead of Tweeting that he has to go, Tweeters are worrying about a top
four side coming in for him.
Before you start making a list of players and managers who were given far
more time than they deserved, let me throw my hands up and say "I know". But
there is a tendency now to rush to judgment on what constitutes success and
failure. Billions of pounds in real and potential revenue can do that to an
otherwise patient and rational person.
Take Matt Jarvis for example. Go to virtually any blog and you will find a
nation divided. Some are pleased with his first year, others bemoan how much
was supposedly spent on him. Can we really judge him to be either a success
or failure after one season? Every time he touched the ball I thought
something might come of it. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Andy Carroll
thought the same thing.
Personally, I don't give a toss how much we paid for him or any other player
for that matter. Not my money. And regardless of how you feel about our
chairmen as football people, anybody that denies they are clever business
people are delusional and in need of treatment. If they need to perform some
creative accounting to work the transfer market they will certainly do so.
The Andy Carroll transfer is still scrutinised by some, even criticised.
That's fine. The press is there to not only report but to analyse and help
lead public discussions on topics from healthcare to goalkeeping. But
handing down a verdict before any evidence is presented is ridiculous.
The guy is just starting a contract that could last eight years, yet if you
read Mark Alford of the Daily Mail you'd think you stepped into a time
machine, traveled a few years down a wormhole, and saw what a disaster the
signing had become. In his article recently arguing that Carroll is not
worth the money West Ham paid, he tries his hand at one liners.
"There are rumours that Andy Carroll is set to be given a new boot deal.
They might as well be glass slippers for the number of times he'll receive
the ball to his feet at West Ham," says Mr. Alford.
If Henny Youngman were still with us, he'd have little reason to feel
threatened.
We are at a very interesting and possibly exciting juncture in West Ham's
recent history. Even though I have only been supporting the club since the
early 1990s, my gut tells me something different is happening. Yeah, there
was euphoria when Eggy took the wheel, pushed the pedal down hard, and
started spending money like it came out of a board game.
I'm told doing cocaine can feel like that, but often with dangerous and self
destructive consequences.
Now there seems to be a plan for West Ham. Like a good chess player (such an
overused metaphor but it works) the two Davids and the one Karren are not
only seeing the next move, but the next five moves. They are being
methodical. They are showing patience. And in our case, it may be more than
a virtue.
It may be a jackpot.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Titus Bramble training with West Ham following Sunderland exit
Last Updated: July 1, 2013 5:51pm
SSN
Free agent defender Titus Bramble is training with West Ham as he continues
his search for a new club. The 31-year-old was not offered a new deal by
Sunderland and, with his contract expiring on Sunday night, he linked up
with the Hammers in a bid to maintain his fitness. Bramble made 51
appearances for the Wearsiders after being signed for £1m from Wigan by then
manager Steve Bruce during the summer of 2010. He has also been linked with
a move to Turkish club Besiktas. West Ham travel to Ireland on Tuesday for
an intensive training camp but it remains to be seen if Bramble will make
that trip. Their other high-profile signings were also at Chadwell Heath on
Monday morning, although Andy Carroll did not join keeper Adrian and
left-back Razvan Rat as he is still on a rehabilitation programme after
injuring his heel towards the end of last season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham winger Robert Hall completes Bolton switch
Last Updated: July 1, 2013 7:41pm
SSN
Bolton have signed winger Robert Hall on a three-year contract from Premier
League club West Ham. Wanderers are still in talks with West Ham over a
compensation package for the teenager after his contract recently expired at
the Boleyn Ground. The 19-year-old, who can also operate as a striker, spent
the final weeks of last season on loan at the Reebok Stadium and featured on
the final day against Lancashire neighbours Blackpool. An England youth
international, Hall has previously enjoyed loan spells at Oxford United, MK
Dons and Birmingham City before joining up with Dougie Freedman's side.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Monday, July 1
Daily WHUFC News - 1st July 2013
Full steam ahead for Frank
WHUFC.com
Cork-born West Ham United star Frank O'Farrell could have been a train
driver rather than a footballer!
30.06.2013
Had things turned out differently, Frank O'Farrell could have ended up
driving steam trains across Ireland instead of driving the West Ham United
midfield.
Sixty-five years ago, the 20-year-old supplemented the wages he earned as a
fireman on the Cork-Dublin main line by playing semi-professional football
for five-times League of Ireland champions Cork United. As a schoolboy, the
young Irishman grew up dreaming of becoming a locomotive driver like his
father Patrick. He was stoking his way towards that dream when a West Ham
scout named Ben Ives spotted him playing at Cork United's Mardyke stadium in
1948.
The Hammers had already successfully brought Ireland international
midfielder Tommy Moroney over from Cork United in 1947 and a skilful
wing-half Danny McGowan from Dublin-based Shelbourne in early 1948, so
manager Charlie Paynter was quick to travel to Ireland to check out
O'Farrell personally. Now 85 and the oldest living former West Ham player,
O'Farrell is enjoying his retirement with wife Ann at home in Devon, but he
is happy to share his amazing story of how he ended up at the Boleyn Ground.
"West Ham has always been a favourite of the people of Cork since Tommy
Moroney, Danny McGowan and Noel Cantwell went over in the 1940s and 1950s,"
he confirmed. "They have a lot of support in the city. "Back then, Cork had
one of the best teams in Ireland . We used to play at the Mardyke at
University College Cork. Tommy and Danny had both gone over in 1947 at the
start of the season and they were the first Cork people to play for West
Ham. "They had people there to watch us and there was a scout called Ben
Ives who spotted me. Charlie Paynter came over and watched me and they came
to my house and asked me to sign. "I was a fireman on the railway and it had
always been in my heart to become an engine driver, driving the Cork to
Dublin express. I was earning £3 a week on the railways and £3 a week for my
football, so I didn't really want to go. I didn't need to. "I thought about
it long and hard and, eventually, I decided to sign for West Ham. As it
happened, steam was on the decline, so I may never have fulfilled my dream
of driving a steam engine anyway!"
O'Farrell clearly made the right decision, going on to play 210 times for
West Ham, many of them alongside fellow countrymen Moroney, McGowan and
fellow Corkman and Ireland international full-back Noel Cantwell. "Tommy was
one of the most talented players I ever saw. He played for Ireland and could
easily have been a rugby union international too, as he had excelled for
Presentation Brothers College and the Cork Constitution club. "Danny was
unlucky with injuries and his knee just wouldn't allow him to show his best,
so he didn't make the first team as much as he would have liked and he
returned to Ireland.
"I loved my time at West Ham. In 1957, the manager Ted Fenton wanted Eddie
Lewis from Preston North End and their manager, Cliff Britton, said he
wanted me if Eddie was going to join West Ham. "I went up there and we had a
great time, finishing second in Division One in 1957/58."
O'Farrell retired from playing with Preston in 1961 and embarked on a
successful managerial career that saw him coach, among others, Leicester
City, Manchester United, Cardiff City and the Iranian national team.
Nowadays, his responsibilities are rather less complicated. "I am keeping
well. I will be 86 in October but my health is good apart from a dodgy left
knee! "I still drive the car so I can take the wife shopping to Sainsbury's
and I am able to get up to Preston for the annual ex-players dinner, which I
enjoy. There seem to be less of us there every year, but that is life, I
suppose."
O'Farrell last returned to the Boleyn Ground in early 2012, when he joined
his former team-mates to pay his respects to long-serving goalkeeper Ernie
Gregory, who had died at the age of 90. He is planning to come back to east
London again soon, both to watch his old club and to catch up with his
relatives.
"I'd love to come back and I will do so this season. I have relatives living
in Colchester, so I'll be able to see my family too. "I think West Ham have
done well in the last two years. Obviously, it is very difficult to compete
with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United in terms of
resources and budget, but they have matched them on the pitch. "If the fans
keep supporting the club as they have done, there is no reason why they
can't do that again this coming season. If they do, then I think they can
challenge for the top six and that would represent a brilliant season."
O'Farrell grew up just yards from current League of Ireland side Cork City's
Turner's Cross stadium, where West Ham will contest a pre-season match on
Sunday 7 July. The proud Corkman was invited to the match and a special
dinner at the city's SilverSprings Moran Hotel the previous evening, but is
unfortunately unable to attend. "I was living in Turner's Cross when I grew
up in Cork, not far at all from where the stadium is now. I would love to
have gone back to watch the game, but I have got something else on and I
cannot make it over. "I have written a letter explaining that I am sorry I
will not be there and wishing all the best to everyone involved. I'm sure
it'll be a great weekend."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel Morrison returns to West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 30th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
Ravel Morrison is due to report to Chadwell Heath tomorrow when the first
team squad return to work following their brief summer break. The
19-year-old midfielder spent the entirety of last season on loan at
Championship club Birmingham City, but is due back at West Ham tomorrow
morning when the squad reconvenes for the start of pre-season. Despite
Morrison's immediate future remaining uncertain - with Birmingham City
hoping to take him on loan for a second successive season - the player
himself appears to be happy with his imminent return to east London.
Speaking via Twitter earlier today, he said: "I need to pack - back up to
London tonight [and] looking forward to my first day back. #whu"
Whether Morrison has done enough at Birmingham to convince Sam Allardyce to
give him a second chance remains to be seen, but City boss Lee Clark is keen
to take him back to St Andrew's should the opportunity arise. "There's a
possibility in regards to Ravel Morrison," said Clarke, speaking last week.
"We're still in dialogue with West Ham; I would really like to get him but
we've got to see."
Morrison will be joined at Chadwell Heath tomorrow by new arrivials Razvan
Rat and goalkeeper Adrian - plus striker Andy Carroll, who recently signed a
six-year contract with the club.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Cork-born West Ham United star Frank O'Farrell could have been a train
driver rather than a footballer!
30.06.2013
Had things turned out differently, Frank O'Farrell could have ended up
driving steam trains across Ireland instead of driving the West Ham United
midfield.
Sixty-five years ago, the 20-year-old supplemented the wages he earned as a
fireman on the Cork-Dublin main line by playing semi-professional football
for five-times League of Ireland champions Cork United. As a schoolboy, the
young Irishman grew up dreaming of becoming a locomotive driver like his
father Patrick. He was stoking his way towards that dream when a West Ham
scout named Ben Ives spotted him playing at Cork United's Mardyke stadium in
1948.
The Hammers had already successfully brought Ireland international
midfielder Tommy Moroney over from Cork United in 1947 and a skilful
wing-half Danny McGowan from Dublin-based Shelbourne in early 1948, so
manager Charlie Paynter was quick to travel to Ireland to check out
O'Farrell personally. Now 85 and the oldest living former West Ham player,
O'Farrell is enjoying his retirement with wife Ann at home in Devon, but he
is happy to share his amazing story of how he ended up at the Boleyn Ground.
"West Ham has always been a favourite of the people of Cork since Tommy
Moroney, Danny McGowan and Noel Cantwell went over in the 1940s and 1950s,"
he confirmed. "They have a lot of support in the city. "Back then, Cork had
one of the best teams in Ireland . We used to play at the Mardyke at
University College Cork. Tommy and Danny had both gone over in 1947 at the
start of the season and they were the first Cork people to play for West
Ham. "They had people there to watch us and there was a scout called Ben
Ives who spotted me. Charlie Paynter came over and watched me and they came
to my house and asked me to sign. "I was a fireman on the railway and it had
always been in my heart to become an engine driver, driving the Cork to
Dublin express. I was earning £3 a week on the railways and £3 a week for my
football, so I didn't really want to go. I didn't need to. "I thought about
it long and hard and, eventually, I decided to sign for West Ham. As it
happened, steam was on the decline, so I may never have fulfilled my dream
of driving a steam engine anyway!"
O'Farrell clearly made the right decision, going on to play 210 times for
West Ham, many of them alongside fellow countrymen Moroney, McGowan and
fellow Corkman and Ireland international full-back Noel Cantwell. "Tommy was
one of the most talented players I ever saw. He played for Ireland and could
easily have been a rugby union international too, as he had excelled for
Presentation Brothers College and the Cork Constitution club. "Danny was
unlucky with injuries and his knee just wouldn't allow him to show his best,
so he didn't make the first team as much as he would have liked and he
returned to Ireland.
"I loved my time at West Ham. In 1957, the manager Ted Fenton wanted Eddie
Lewis from Preston North End and their manager, Cliff Britton, said he
wanted me if Eddie was going to join West Ham. "I went up there and we had a
great time, finishing second in Division One in 1957/58."
O'Farrell retired from playing with Preston in 1961 and embarked on a
successful managerial career that saw him coach, among others, Leicester
City, Manchester United, Cardiff City and the Iranian national team.
Nowadays, his responsibilities are rather less complicated. "I am keeping
well. I will be 86 in October but my health is good apart from a dodgy left
knee! "I still drive the car so I can take the wife shopping to Sainsbury's
and I am able to get up to Preston for the annual ex-players dinner, which I
enjoy. There seem to be less of us there every year, but that is life, I
suppose."
O'Farrell last returned to the Boleyn Ground in early 2012, when he joined
his former team-mates to pay his respects to long-serving goalkeeper Ernie
Gregory, who had died at the age of 90. He is planning to come back to east
London again soon, both to watch his old club and to catch up with his
relatives.
"I'd love to come back and I will do so this season. I have relatives living
in Colchester, so I'll be able to see my family too. "I think West Ham have
done well in the last two years. Obviously, it is very difficult to compete
with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United in terms of
resources and budget, but they have matched them on the pitch. "If the fans
keep supporting the club as they have done, there is no reason why they
can't do that again this coming season. If they do, then I think they can
challenge for the top six and that would represent a brilliant season."
O'Farrell grew up just yards from current League of Ireland side Cork City's
Turner's Cross stadium, where West Ham will contest a pre-season match on
Sunday 7 July. The proud Corkman was invited to the match and a special
dinner at the city's SilverSprings Moran Hotel the previous evening, but is
unfortunately unable to attend. "I was living in Turner's Cross when I grew
up in Cork, not far at all from where the stadium is now. I would love to
have gone back to watch the game, but I have got something else on and I
cannot make it over. "I have written a letter explaining that I am sorry I
will not be there and wishing all the best to everyone involved. I'm sure
it'll be a great weekend."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel Morrison returns to West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 30th June 2013
By: Staff Writer
Ravel Morrison is due to report to Chadwell Heath tomorrow when the first
team squad return to work following their brief summer break. The
19-year-old midfielder spent the entirety of last season on loan at
Championship club Birmingham City, but is due back at West Ham tomorrow
morning when the squad reconvenes for the start of pre-season. Despite
Morrison's immediate future remaining uncertain - with Birmingham City
hoping to take him on loan for a second successive season - the player
himself appears to be happy with his imminent return to east London.
Speaking via Twitter earlier today, he said: "I need to pack - back up to
London tonight [and] looking forward to my first day back. #whu"
Whether Morrison has done enough at Birmingham to convince Sam Allardyce to
give him a second chance remains to be seen, but City boss Lee Clark is keen
to take him back to St Andrew's should the opportunity arise. "There's a
possibility in regards to Ravel Morrison," said Clarke, speaking last week.
"We're still in dialogue with West Ham; I would really like to get him but
we've got to see."
Morrison will be joined at Chadwell Heath tomorrow by new arrivials Razvan
Rat and goalkeeper Adrian - plus striker Andy Carroll, who recently signed a
six-year contract with the club.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, June 30
Daily WHUFC News - 30th July 2013
TC looking forward to new season
WHUFC.com
Tony Cottee discusses West Ham United prospects ahead of the new season
29.06.2013
West Ham United legend Tony Cottee believes manager Sam Allardyce needs to
bring in one more forward to complement his forward line ahead of the
2013/14 Barclays Premier League season. Cottee lauded the signing of England
centre forward Andy Carroll and believes Modibo Maiga, Ricardo Vaz Te and
Elliot Lee have parts to play. However, the 146-goal striker believes Big
Sam will delve into the market to bring in one more frontman before the big
kick-off at home to Cardiff City on Saturday 17 August.
"It was a good season for the Club last year, finishing tenth in our first
season back in the Barclays Premier League," Cottee told West Ham TV. "Right
at the end of last season, I felt we needed to strengthen up front. "The
Andy Carroll conundrom has been resolved and we obviously have Modibo Maiga,
Ricardo Vaz Te and Elliot Lee as the guys who are squad players. To have a
successful season in the Premier League you need to have four quality
strikers. "That is the aim as we come towards the start of the season. We
need to get a striker in. The signing of Andy is great for the Club, so if
we can keep Maiga and Vaz Te and get one more in, then I feel that is where
our priorities lie. "We're pretty good in midfield. We could maybe do with a
couple of players with a little bit of pace in the squad. At centre-half
we're fine and I think we're OK in the goalkeeping position, so it's mainly
the forward positions for me."
Cottee also said he believes Romania captain and left-back Razvan Rat will
add welcome experience to the back four before going on to set out his goals
for 2013/14. "I am just hoping for a five-year period of stability at the
Club. I got frustrated with the Club being a yo-yo and going up and down, up
and down, because I don't think that did anyone any good. "Under Sam
Allardyce I do think we will get a period of stability and that is exactly
what the Club needs. We're three years away from going into the Olympic
Stadium and we simply must retain our Premier League status. "I don't want
the fans to get carried away just because we finished tenth. I don't want
fans thinking we're going to qualify for the Champions League next season
because that is unrealistic. With the budget and squad we've got, that's not
going to happen.
"It wouldn't be a disaster if we finished 12th or 13th next year, but
hopefully we can improve. If we can finish ninth next year, I'll be
absolutely thrilled with that and then hopefully eighth and seventh. "Once
we get into the Olympic Stadium, it will give the Club more money and more
sponsorship and commercial opportunities to develop the squad and give Sam
the chance to compete for Europe. That's my ultimate dream - to see us
compete for a place in the Champions League."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Birmingham keen to bring Shane Ferguson and Ravel Morrison back
Last Updated: June 29, 2013 4:58pm
SSN
Birmingham are hoping to bring Shane Ferguson and Ravel Morrison back for
second loan spells, but will also promote from within. Discussions with
Newcastle United and West Ham United have been opened regarding further
season-long deals for Ferguson and Morrison. Blues boss Lee Clark will,
however, be exploring all avenues as he looks to piece together a
competitive squad for 2013/14. He is reluctant to block the path of academy
graduates, but also appreciates the need to get experienced bodies on board
for what will be another testing Championship campaign. Clark told the
Birmingham Mail when quizzed on his plans for the summer: "How many more
players? It's a tough one because as you know and as I've shown in the past,
I like to promote from within as well. "The scholars came in on Wednesday
and I've sat down with them to throw down the gauntlet - why not you take
the positions or have a go at taking the roles? "There's that possibility,
but there's also a possibility in regards Shane Ferguson and Ravel Morrison.
"We're still in dialogue with Newcastle United and West Ham United. I would
really like to get them, but we've got to see."
Opportunity
Clark added: "There are possibilities on both sides for promotion from
within, down to the young players. "I believe they're in an unbelievable
position because they've seen I'm not frightened to do it, they've seen the
position of the club and the position where you can get games, and lots of
games. "But ultimately it's up to them. I'm not just going to give them an
opportunity to be in the team and producing the goods as it's about the
whole package for me. It's about how they behave on and off the field."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jimmy Greaves on why West Ham fans shouldn't get too distressed by pictures
of Andy Carroll partying
29 Jun 2013 22:00
The Mirror
The football great tells the Sunday People's Dave Kidd that there used to be
a time when you'd fail a medical for having no alcohol in your bloodstream
Let's get one thing straight: Even at the height of my drinking, I never
dressed up as a giant chipmunk while sipping champagne in a Las Vegas
nightspot.
Nor did I climb on the shoulders of a fellow party-goer, bare-chested and in
a Superman cape while firing a smoke gun. But West Ham fans should not get
too distressed at photos of Andy Carroll, who has just cost the club
£15million, going ballistic in the Nevada desert at 4am, 36 hours before his
Hammers medical.
Because there was a time when you'd have failed a medical at West Ham if
they found out there was NO alcohol in your bloodstream. Not that new
signings had to undergo any sort of medical at English clubs in my playing
days. At least we were responsible drinkers down at West Ham.
When Bobby Moore, Clyde Best, Brian Dear and I were banned for a match after
Ron Greenwood discovered we had gone out for a few on the eve of an FA Cup
defeat at Blackpool, the fifth member of our party was club physio Robbie
Jenkins – how much more medically responsible could you get? We were banned
not because we went out boozing but because we went out boozing and then
lost 4-0. We had a far heavier session in Manchester the day before my
Hammers debut. I woke up feeling rough as a pair of sandpaper underpants,
yet we went to Maine Road and beat City, the champions of England, by five
goals to one. We never got banned after that one, funnily enough.
After Blackpool, we were suspended for what turned out to be a 4-1 home
defeat by Derby. The following week I scored the only goal at Coventry and
Bobby Moore ran half the length of the field to deliver a V-sign at Ron –
the most emotional I ever saw Bob on a football field. Earlier in my career,
when I signed for Tottenham, I made my debut in a reserve match at Plymouth.
I'd just come back from AC Milan, amid plenty of talk that I was a prima
donna who just wasn't up for it in Italy. So the best way I could endear
myself to my new team-mates was to go drinking with them before and during
the trip home on the sleeper from Devon.
On that journey we earned ourselves a real badge of honour when a Rugby
Football Union bigwig, on the same train, made an official complaint about
our rowdy behaviour. Those were the days when rugby players were regarded as
the most hardened drinkers of all, and it was a real feather in our caps. So
despite his strange taste in fancy dress, you certainly won't hear me
condemning Carroll for his heavy night in Vegas. It's a shame players cannot
go out drinking together more often – partly because of increased fitness
levels, which make them athletes first and footballers second and partly
because of the curse of mobile-phone cameras. They are missing out on a lot
of enjoyment and camaraderie, and I have always been convinced that,
whatever they earn, modern
players won't look back on their careers with the same sort of fondness as
we did. Summer holidays for top players have always been pretty brief – no
more than a month between the end of a post-season tour and the start of
pre-season training. For me, married with young kids, summer holidays were
generally a time to go away and do a little less drinking than I'd normally
do! Not so Carroll, it seems, who is an uncomplicated footballer and an
uncomplicated bloke.
He isn't a £35m player, or even a £15m one, and his status as a member of
the England squad shows how limited Roy Hodgson's striking options have
become. But Carroll is a big old-fashioned centre-forward who works hard on
the pitch and plays hard off it. Which makes him all right by me.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham among trio of clubs in hunt for Liverpool's Shelvey
PUBLISHED: 22:53, 29 June 2013 | UPDATED: 22:53, 29 June 2013
Daily Mail
Liverpool will let England Under-21 midfielder Jonjo Shelvey leave and
boyhood heroes West Ham, Swansea and Norwich are all interested. Norwich
are also fighting Hull for £5million Celtic striker Gary Hooper. Besiktas
are one of two Turkish clubs looking at signing striker Carlton Cole after
his release by West Ham. Cole, 29, is willing to consider a move abroad,
with Galatasaray interested, along with Premier League Hull.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Tony Cottee discusses West Ham United prospects ahead of the new season
29.06.2013
West Ham United legend Tony Cottee believes manager Sam Allardyce needs to
bring in one more forward to complement his forward line ahead of the
2013/14 Barclays Premier League season. Cottee lauded the signing of England
centre forward Andy Carroll and believes Modibo Maiga, Ricardo Vaz Te and
Elliot Lee have parts to play. However, the 146-goal striker believes Big
Sam will delve into the market to bring in one more frontman before the big
kick-off at home to Cardiff City on Saturday 17 August.
"It was a good season for the Club last year, finishing tenth in our first
season back in the Barclays Premier League," Cottee told West Ham TV. "Right
at the end of last season, I felt we needed to strengthen up front. "The
Andy Carroll conundrom has been resolved and we obviously have Modibo Maiga,
Ricardo Vaz Te and Elliot Lee as the guys who are squad players. To have a
successful season in the Premier League you need to have four quality
strikers. "That is the aim as we come towards the start of the season. We
need to get a striker in. The signing of Andy is great for the Club, so if
we can keep Maiga and Vaz Te and get one more in, then I feel that is where
our priorities lie. "We're pretty good in midfield. We could maybe do with a
couple of players with a little bit of pace in the squad. At centre-half
we're fine and I think we're OK in the goalkeeping position, so it's mainly
the forward positions for me."
Cottee also said he believes Romania captain and left-back Razvan Rat will
add welcome experience to the back four before going on to set out his goals
for 2013/14. "I am just hoping for a five-year period of stability at the
Club. I got frustrated with the Club being a yo-yo and going up and down, up
and down, because I don't think that did anyone any good. "Under Sam
Allardyce I do think we will get a period of stability and that is exactly
what the Club needs. We're three years away from going into the Olympic
Stadium and we simply must retain our Premier League status. "I don't want
the fans to get carried away just because we finished tenth. I don't want
fans thinking we're going to qualify for the Champions League next season
because that is unrealistic. With the budget and squad we've got, that's not
going to happen.
"It wouldn't be a disaster if we finished 12th or 13th next year, but
hopefully we can improve. If we can finish ninth next year, I'll be
absolutely thrilled with that and then hopefully eighth and seventh. "Once
we get into the Olympic Stadium, it will give the Club more money and more
sponsorship and commercial opportunities to develop the squad and give Sam
the chance to compete for Europe. That's my ultimate dream - to see us
compete for a place in the Champions League."
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Birmingham keen to bring Shane Ferguson and Ravel Morrison back
Last Updated: June 29, 2013 4:58pm
SSN
Birmingham are hoping to bring Shane Ferguson and Ravel Morrison back for
second loan spells, but will also promote from within. Discussions with
Newcastle United and West Ham United have been opened regarding further
season-long deals for Ferguson and Morrison. Blues boss Lee Clark will,
however, be exploring all avenues as he looks to piece together a
competitive squad for 2013/14. He is reluctant to block the path of academy
graduates, but also appreciates the need to get experienced bodies on board
for what will be another testing Championship campaign. Clark told the
Birmingham Mail when quizzed on his plans for the summer: "How many more
players? It's a tough one because as you know and as I've shown in the past,
I like to promote from within as well. "The scholars came in on Wednesday
and I've sat down with them to throw down the gauntlet - why not you take
the positions or have a go at taking the roles? "There's that possibility,
but there's also a possibility in regards Shane Ferguson and Ravel Morrison.
"We're still in dialogue with Newcastle United and West Ham United. I would
really like to get them, but we've got to see."
Opportunity
Clark added: "There are possibilities on both sides for promotion from
within, down to the young players. "I believe they're in an unbelievable
position because they've seen I'm not frightened to do it, they've seen the
position of the club and the position where you can get games, and lots of
games. "But ultimately it's up to them. I'm not just going to give them an
opportunity to be in the team and producing the goods as it's about the
whole package for me. It's about how they behave on and off the field."
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Jimmy Greaves on why West Ham fans shouldn't get too distressed by pictures
of Andy Carroll partying
29 Jun 2013 22:00
The Mirror
The football great tells the Sunday People's Dave Kidd that there used to be
a time when you'd fail a medical for having no alcohol in your bloodstream
Let's get one thing straight: Even at the height of my drinking, I never
dressed up as a giant chipmunk while sipping champagne in a Las Vegas
nightspot.
Nor did I climb on the shoulders of a fellow party-goer, bare-chested and in
a Superman cape while firing a smoke gun. But West Ham fans should not get
too distressed at photos of Andy Carroll, who has just cost the club
£15million, going ballistic in the Nevada desert at 4am, 36 hours before his
Hammers medical.
Because there was a time when you'd have failed a medical at West Ham if
they found out there was NO alcohol in your bloodstream. Not that new
signings had to undergo any sort of medical at English clubs in my playing
days. At least we were responsible drinkers down at West Ham.
When Bobby Moore, Clyde Best, Brian Dear and I were banned for a match after
Ron Greenwood discovered we had gone out for a few on the eve of an FA Cup
defeat at Blackpool, the fifth member of our party was club physio Robbie
Jenkins – how much more medically responsible could you get? We were banned
not because we went out boozing but because we went out boozing and then
lost 4-0. We had a far heavier session in Manchester the day before my
Hammers debut. I woke up feeling rough as a pair of sandpaper underpants,
yet we went to Maine Road and beat City, the champions of England, by five
goals to one. We never got banned after that one, funnily enough.
After Blackpool, we were suspended for what turned out to be a 4-1 home
defeat by Derby. The following week I scored the only goal at Coventry and
Bobby Moore ran half the length of the field to deliver a V-sign at Ron –
the most emotional I ever saw Bob on a football field. Earlier in my career,
when I signed for Tottenham, I made my debut in a reserve match at Plymouth.
I'd just come back from AC Milan, amid plenty of talk that I was a prima
donna who just wasn't up for it in Italy. So the best way I could endear
myself to my new team-mates was to go drinking with them before and during
the trip home on the sleeper from Devon.
On that journey we earned ourselves a real badge of honour when a Rugby
Football Union bigwig, on the same train, made an official complaint about
our rowdy behaviour. Those were the days when rugby players were regarded as
the most hardened drinkers of all, and it was a real feather in our caps. So
despite his strange taste in fancy dress, you certainly won't hear me
condemning Carroll for his heavy night in Vegas. It's a shame players cannot
go out drinking together more often – partly because of increased fitness
levels, which make them athletes first and footballers second and partly
because of the curse of mobile-phone cameras. They are missing out on a lot
of enjoyment and camaraderie, and I have always been convinced that,
whatever they earn, modern
players won't look back on their careers with the same sort of fondness as
we did. Summer holidays for top players have always been pretty brief – no
more than a month between the end of a post-season tour and the start of
pre-season training. For me, married with young kids, summer holidays were
generally a time to go away and do a little less drinking than I'd normally
do! Not so Carroll, it seems, who is an uncomplicated footballer and an
uncomplicated bloke.
He isn't a £35m player, or even a £15m one, and his status as a member of
the England squad shows how limited Roy Hodgson's striking options have
become. But Carroll is a big old-fashioned centre-forward who works hard on
the pitch and plays hard off it. Which makes him all right by me.
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West Ham among trio of clubs in hunt for Liverpool's Shelvey
PUBLISHED: 22:53, 29 June 2013 | UPDATED: 22:53, 29 June 2013
Daily Mail
Liverpool will let England Under-21 midfielder Jonjo Shelvey leave and
boyhood heroes West Ham, Swansea and Norwich are all interested. Norwich
are also fighting Hull for £5million Celtic striker Gary Hooper. Besiktas
are one of two Turkish clubs looking at signing striker Carlton Cole after
his release by West Ham. Cole, 29, is willing to consider a move abroad,
with Galatasaray interested, along with Premier League Hull.
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