Thousands of Hammers fans enjoyed a West Ham United Fun Day at Upton Park on
Saturday.
Thankfully the rain held off, and supporters enjoyed plenty of fun,
including a range of inflatable activities for the youngsters, skill games
and much much more.
Alex Virrels, from Benfleet in Essex, was the lucky winner of a holiday for
four to Alicante, courtesy of our new principal partners XL.com, while other
prizes such as a signed shirt, signed footballs and VIP tickets to our
prestigious pre-season friendly against AS Roma on August 4 were also given
away.
The Stadium Store was open for supporters to purchase the brand new Umbro
home kit and, as displayed in our exclusive slideshow, loads of fun was had
by everyone!
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Stars sign up for 'Creating Chances' - WHUFC Official Site
24/06/2007 14:09
Notable names in football have been committing their support to Creating
Chances, the Premier League's flagship community programme. Sir Bobby
Charlton and Gabby Logan have both signed up as Creating Chances ambassadors
while charities and good causes across the country are applying for the
chance to win a Barclays Premier League player.
'Places for Players' will see 60 Barclays Premier League stars make
appearances for successful applicants during September this year. The
players' time has been donated by all 20 Premier League clubs to help
charities and good causes drive awareness of their projects and create
fundraising opportunities.
Sir Bobby Charlton says: "It gives me great pleasure to be an ambassador for
such a worthwhile initiative. I have always been heavily involved in charity
work and have utilised the universal influence of football to aid social
change, so I'm delighted the Premier League has launched Creating Chances to
showcase all the great work its member clubs do all year round."
Gabby Logan says: "I am delighted to be an ambassador for the Premier League
Creating Chances project. The initiative is a great way for the Premier
League and its clubs to showcase the community work they do
behind-the-scenes, and by offering players, a host of charities and
community groups have a real opportunity to make their voices heard."
Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of the Premier League, says: "We are
thrilled that Sir Bobby and Gabby have decided to support us as ambassadors
and that so many charities and good causes are applying for the chance to
win a player. With a week to go before the entry deadline, we are
encouraging all charities and good causes to make the most of this fantastic
opportunity and submit an application."
Local charities and good causes in the East London area are being invited to
apply for the opportunity to exclusively enjoy the benefit of a personal
appearance from a Hammers star. To apply simply download the pdf application
form at the top of the blue panel on the right hand side of this story or
alternatively click here
The closing date for all applications is Friday 29th June.
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Ticket Office information - WHUFC Official Site
25/06/2007 17:23
To assist supporters renewing season tickets before Friday's deadline, the
ticket office will be open from 9.00am to 7.00pm this week.
Supporters yet to renew are reminded that the renewal date of Friday 29th
June is just a few days away and are advised not to leave it until the
busiest periods to guarantee their seat for next season.
In addition to this, all supporters renewing by post are asked to be aware
of a possible postal strike on the renewal day itself. Obviously this may
affect your application getting to the ticket office and therefore we would
recommend you submit your application as soon as possible.
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Live The Dream at The Village - WHUFC Official Site
26/06/2007 09:39
Imagine a place where the sun shines 320 days every year. Where there are 36
holes of championship golf on your doorstep, and where Europe's leading
football clubs train in your back garden. A place where the neighbours to
your luxury apartment are the world's biggest sports stars.
THIS IS THE VILLAGE.
Endorsed by no fewer than 10 UK football clubs, including West Ham United,
The Village is an exclusive golf, health and leisure resort located on the
southern coast of Spain, that will become the warm weather training base for
a host of Europe's leading clubs.
The Village is the fastest-selling development in the region, and the number
one choice for Premiership footballers buying a home abroad, with features
including:
Top quality, fully-furnished apartments
Five star hotel
Two luxuriously appointed spas
State-of-the-art sports centre
Exquisite dining facilities
Paul Robinson Football Academy
36 holes of championship golf, endorsed by legend, Seve Ballesteros
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
Don't miss out on your chance to own a home in the sun and live the ultimate
celebrity lifestyle, whilst continuing to show your support for the club. We
are delighted to offer all Hammers fans personal consultations and the
opportunity to come and check out The Village for yourself.
To begin your very own European adventure, simply call 0870 066 3696 (24
hours) or email whufc@thevillagespain.com , or check out
http://whufc.thevillagespain.com for more information.
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Benayoun still waiting - Sky Sports
By Graeme Bailey - Created on 26 Jun 2007
Yossi Benayoun is still hoping he can secure a move to Liverpool.
The West Ham midfielder has agreed a new deal with the club, but Liverpool
have mounted a bid for his services.
Because of Liverpool's interest, Benayoun's new contract remains unsigned.
The player's agent Ronen Katzav admits that Benayoun's future is still not
decided.
"We are still waiting," Katzav told skysports.com.
"The deal is still in place with West Ham. We are waiting to see if the two
clubs can come to an agreement.
"I am not going to say Yossi is desperate for a move at all, but it is only
natural - any player in the world would be attracted by Liverpool."
Reports have also suggested that Sven Goran Eriksson could make a move for
Benayoun, if he takes charge at Manchester City.
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Arsenal interest excites Tevez - Sky Sports
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 26 Jun 2007
Carlos Tevez admits he is 'excited' by the possibility of interest from
Arsenal.
The striker is considering his future, with West Ham United hoping to hang
on to the Argentine after his influential end to last season.
He has been linked with Real Madrid and Internazionale, and has also
suggested he is looking to join a big club over the summer.
Rumours have now claimed that Arsenal could move for Tevez following the
departure of captain Thierry Henry to Barcelona.
Tevez, who is on Copa America duty with Argentina, concedes he would relish
the chance of a move to Emirates Stadium as he is keen to stay in the
Premier League.
"I know people are now talking about Arsenal and obviously that is something
I am excited about," said Tevez in the Sun.
"It's another big club and the good thing is I wouldn't have to move out of
London. I also already know English football and I like it.
"Arsenal's style is more technical than physical, so I could fit in no
problem.
"My transfer is being talked about a lot. It's beautiful to be wanted by
various clubs."
Meanwhile, Tevez told Gazzetta dello Sport that he would plump for Inter
ahead of Real, if he was given the choice.
He said: "Inter is a great club. There is a true possibility that I will
wear the Nerazzurri colours next season.
"It's also true that Real Madrid are interested in my services, but my agent
knows exactly how I feel about it - better Inter than Real."
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Hammers' Tevez keen on switch to Inter Milan - Soccernet
West Ham striker Carlos Tevez admits there is a strong possibility he will
move to Inter Milan this summer.
The Argentinian international, who is currently preparing for the Copa
America with his country, moved to Upton Park from Brazilian side
Corinthians at the start of last term along with international team-mate
Javier Mascherano.
In a season marred by controversy over the legality of the duo's transfer,
23-year-old Tevez ended on a high by scoring crucial goals to preserve the
Hammers' top-flight status - in the process attracting the attention of a
host of top clubs.
Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been linked
with a move for Tevez, but the South American favours a switch to Italy.
'Inter is a great club,' Tevez told Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello
Sport.
'There is a true possibility that I will wear the Nerazzurri colours next
season.
'It's also true that Real Madrid are interested in my services but my agent
knows exactly how I feel about it - better Inter than Real.'
Speculation that Tevez would leave West Ham increased after he preserved the
club's Premiership status by hitting the winning goal against Manchester
United on the final day of last season.
And the player admits that his fine end-of-season form came as no surprise,
revealing that he felt at home in the claret and blue shirt.
'I didn't have problems adapting at West Ham,' Tevez continued.
'I didn't speak English but nevertheless I made myself understood on the
pitch.'
Despite his claim that the language barrier did not hamper his start to life
in England, Tevez admits playing alongside compatriots Hernan Crespo, Julio
Cruz and Javier Zanetti at the San Siro would make for a smooth transition
to life in Serie A.
'Inter's team is like an Argentina colony,' he added.
'I wouldn't have language issues at Inter.'
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Looking For Goals - WHO
Alex V - Tue Jun 26 2007
West Ham need a top striker, and maybe they need two. By telling Harewood to
leave, Curbishley has basically set his sights on a top-quality striking
partnership at the club. But by my calculations we have one top striker just
off crutches, and another courting the top clubs in Europe for a transfer.
Where does Curbishley find his goal machine?
Obviously everybody wants Tevez to stay - presumably we have made him and
his 'advisors' know that we will match or even beat any offer for his
services. But when the rumoured suitors for his signature are clubs like
Real Madrid, Man Utd, Arsenal and Inter Milan, then the prospects for us
don't look too smart. The only reason that Tevez would stay is because of
the bond forged between him and the supporters, and possibly financially
because either the 'right' contracts couldn't be arranged with other clubs,
or that another year might be a way to make a lot of money out of West Ham
and still get the big sale at the end of next season. If he was obviously
going to move clubs then I think we'd know it by now - there must be a
chance he will stay. But if I was him, I wouldn't.
If he goes then we have a hell of a big hole to fill in the squad, but even
if he stays we must strengthen the striking department to stand any chance
of really making a splash in the league next season. We have Ashton, and
fingers crossed he is the player he was before his injury. Zamora and Cole
look likely to still be around - I think Zamora would be encouraged to leave
though if we are busy in the transfer market. I think basically that we need
one top striker if Tevez stays - if he goes we need TWO!
The players that we have been solidly linked with point to a certain
strategy from Curbishley - he wants proven Premiership strikers, players for
whom a certain level of performance is closer to being guaranteed. I totally
agree with this approach - too many clubs have spent big money on
foreign-based players with a lot of ability who have totally failed to
perform in this league. Or taken a year to settle in, as Tevez did.
There's no doubt that Darren Bent was the absolutely obvious choice for us
this Summer - missing out on him is a big blow. It's easy to say that he
wasn't worth £18 million, but given that there are no obvious options
elsewhere to buy a proven top-quality Premiership striker then it was a
no-brainer for West Ham. But he didn't come. Everton wouldn't sell Johnson,
Defoe scotched the idea in public pretty quickly. Suddenly Curbishley's
options look distinctly limited.
Craig Bellamy seems to be a player who comes with a lot of baggage - when
someone as tight-lipped as Shearer breaks ranks to criticise him then you
know there is something in the rumour that he is a very difficult
personality to deal with. There is absolutely no doubt that on the field,
playing at his best, Bellamy is a brilliant striker. It's the affect he may
have on the dressing room that will be putting Curbishley off, and ours is a
dressing room that proved pretty fragile last season. Maybe best left alone
I think, though I suspect Curbishley knows that he is an option and may turn
to him if other paths leads nowhere.
David Nugent is more of an option - we are rumoured to be one of the clubs
who have talked to the player. I think Nugent's scoring record is
fascinating given that when you watch him play he doesn't really seem to
have any great attributes to his game - not great in the air, and no great
pace or strength. The fact that he scores a lot of goals makes me think he's
a clever player, and he has age on his side. Any player brought in from that
level is a gamble, but of course Ashton was shunned as a prospect for many
years by Premiership scouts. If there is money to spare then I think we
would be wise to consider him as a purchase, but as a prospect not as the
finished article - he certainly can't be expected to be in the class of Bent
or Tevez.
Other than that, in this country, who could we buy? I don't see another
option really. Any other available prospect in this country seems unable to
improve us - the next best option may in fact be to keep Harewood! There are
a number of long-shot purchases that Curbishley may already have enquired
about - Yakubu at Middlesbrough, Martins at Newcastle, Anelka at Bolton,
McCarthy at Blackburn - but surely the clubs won't be selling those without
a fight to the death. One little outside shot might be Crouch at Liverpool,
if he could be persuaded to come.
But other than that Curbishley has to look abroad, and any signing comes
with a 'gamble' label attached. Ryan Babel looked awesome in the Under-21
tournament this Summer, and has already pledged himself to an Arsenal
future, typical! I certainly doubt how clued up Curbishley is about the
foreign market, he wasn't a big spender in that way at Charlton, I think he
will be relying on our scouts. Given that we are willing to splash the cash
on wages, I wonder if there isn't a big name perhaps the wrong side of 30
who could come in for a season and perform.
But unless something inspirational turns up elsewhere, I think Curbishley
will end up settling for a domestic player or players that don't quite fit
the bill. Nugent, at £6 million-ish, would be a safe signing for a good
prospect who could turn out to be a great one, but Curbishley would be
buying him thinking that he would prefer him on the bench. Let's hope that
something inspirational turns up, if he's called Tevez then all the better
:)
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Reo-Coker back on Villa radar - TeamTalk
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill will this week attempt to resurrect his
attempt to sign West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.
Villa have made contact with the Hammers and, although no formal bid has
been made, are understood to be ready to pay £7million for the England
Under-21 captain.
West Ham are looking for a larger offer for the player they bought from
Wimbledon for just £500,000 three and a half years ago.
But reports indicating they want £10-12million for Reo-Coker are believed to
be wide of the mark, with £8-9million a more realistic figure.
The 23-year-old, who led England to the semi-finals in the European Under-21
Championships in Holland earlier this month, has made it clear his days at
Upton Park are numbered.
Villa report back for pre-season training on July 4 and O'Neill is keen to
start bringing in new blood sooner rather than later with the war chest
promised him by owner Randy Lerner.
He wants time to blend any newcomers in with his current squad after having
only two weeks' preparation time last summer following his arrival as David
O'Leary's successor in early August.
But the Irishman is aware he could face competition from Manchester City for
Reo-Coker if Sven-Goran Eriksson takes charge at Eastlands.
O'Neill has already lost the services of one experienced midfielder in Gavin
McCann to Bolton, while there is a question mark over the future of Steven
Davis, who has been linked with a move to Fulham alongside former Northern
Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez.
Fringe midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba's days at Villa are also numbered, with
Benfica reportedly interested in the former Manchester United player, who
ended last season on loan at Burnley.
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Reds interest stalling Benayoun - TeamTalk
West Ham playmaker Yossi Benayoun is stalling on a new deal at Upton Park
because he is waiting for a dream move to Liverpool.
The Hammers midfielder has agreed a new contract with the club, but
Liverpool have mounted a bid for his services.
Because of Liverpool's interest, Benayoun's new contract remains unsigned.
The player's agent Ronen Katzav admits that Benayoun's future is still not
decided.
"We are still waiting," Katzav told Skysports. "The deal is still in place
with West Ham. We are waiting to see if the two clubs can come to an
agreement.
"I am not going to say Yossi is desperate for a move at all, but it is only
natural - any player in the world would be attracted by Liverpool."
Reports have also suggested that Sven-Goran Eriksson could make a move for
Benayoun if he takes charge at Manchester City.
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The Merry Go Round Includes Tevez And Gudjonsson For West Ham -
westhamfans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 26 June, 2007 - 14:11.
Eidur Gudjonsson is the latest name to be thrown into the transfer merry go
round situation as it has been made clear to the player that his future is
no longer with Barcelona following the arrival of Thierry Henry from
Arsenal. Without wanting to appear negative, recent reports continue to link
Carlos Tevez with moves to virtually every big club in Europe, and while it
pains me to say it, it is beginning to seem increasingly unlikely that the
Apache will be at the Boleyn next season.. Now it will not be a tragedy if
Carlitos does move on, and despite Mr Magnusson's protestations that the
Argentine hit man will be playing for the Hammers next season it does seem
that the writing is on the wall and that he will be off to Inter or AN
other! Gudjonsson would welcome a return to the Premiership but would
obviously prefer to go to a team that is in Europe, but his stock isn't
exactly high at the moment. Arsenal could be in for the Icelandic, but the
Icelandic theme might just be the key. Having talked a 'good enough game' to
lure Lucas Neill away from Blackburn and getting him to choose West Ham
ahead of Liverpool in the process, Eggert Magnusson might just be able to
swing the deal.. Of course Carlos Tevez might stay at the Boleyn for at
least another season, but it would be imprudent for manager and owner alike
to not have set up some form of contingency plan in case things go belly
up? - Ed
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Hammers target in demand - SkySports
By Tom Adams - Created on 26 Jun 2007
Reports in Portugal claim that Lazio could be ready to rival West Ham for
the signature of Nuno Gomes.
The Portuguese international has spent five years at Benfica but the club
and player are believed to be considering a potential exit this summer.
Gomes recently admitted he was ready for an 'English adventure', and any
potential interest from Upton Park could have been strengthened after Darren
Bent's decision to snub The Hammers.
However, Portuguese daily Record reports that Serie A side Lazio are also in
the hunt for the striker who will turn 31 in July.
Gomes spent two years with Fiorentina between 2000 and 2002, before their
bankruptcy, and could be offered a return to Italy with the Rome club.
Benfica are expected to decide on the striker's future during a meeting
later in the week.
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Nugent still waits on Everton switch - EatSleepSport
Tue, Jun 26 2007 15:20
Preston striker David Nugent is still keen on a switch to Everton despite
having two other bids accepted for him.Everton boss David Moyes has been
linked with the player for the past 18 months but he has made no move during
the close-season and West Ham and Sunderland now appear to be leading the
race.
However, the England striker is still hoping that a move to Goodison Park
will materialise and a source close to Nugent told The Sun: "He's a lifelong
Blues fan and dreams of playing at Goodison Park.
"No approach has been made yet by boss David Moyes, but David still hopes a
deal can be secured to take him there."
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McCarthy Could Arrive At West Ham Through Bizarre Circumstance -
westhamfans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 25 June, 2007 - 21:53.
Now here's a funny thing, Blackburn striker Benny McCarthy who nearly signed
for West Ham only for his club to renege on the deal at the midnight hour
could well end up at the Boleyn as a result of a Premiership merry go
round... Want away midfielder Yossi Benayoun's desire to complete a move to
Liverpool from West Ham seems set to trigger a triumvirate of movement.
According to our sources, Liverpool are willing to include Craig Bellamy in
a part exchange deal to sign Israeli International Benayoun, but the
interesting element in this proposed deal is that Hammers would then
immediately offer Bellamy to Blackburn in exchange for McCarthy with a cash
adjustment.. This report is NOT heresay, we value fans opinions and would
not take the mickey by publishing porkies. Step back a bit and this could be
a good deal for all concerned, West Ham offload a want away player at an
'undisclosed fee' to a club who transfer a player at an ' undisclosed fee'
to a club who part exchange a player at an 'undisclosed fee' to the final
club in the equation. The end result could be that Liverpool get Benayoun,
Blackburn get Bellamy back again and West Ham end up with McCarthy. Of
course there will be a few million pounds give or take in the final
settlement, but this deal could be a 'goer', the only stumbling block could
be Mark Hughes, but then again rumour has it that he is seeking pastures new
from Ewood Park. - Ed
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