28/06/2007 16:06
Lucas Neill will be one notable absentee when West Ham United players return
to pre-season training at Chadwell Heath on Monday.
The Hammers right-back is currently back home in Australia preparing with
his international team-mates for the Asian Cup tournament, which kicks off
in south-east Asia next week.
The Socceroos make their first appearance in the continental championship
after moving into the Asian confederation at the start of last year and go
into the competition as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
However, Lucas insists that they won't have a comfortable ride as they go up
against the best of Asian football, including defending champions Japan.
"I wouldn't say we're the favourites," he says. "I would say we're one of
the stronger teams.
"Japan are obviously favourites because they're more experienced at this
level and in this environment and we're coming here trying to challenge
teams such as them.
"So we have to approach it with a different mentality but we've still got a
lot to prove because we're the new kids on the block."
Australia face Oman on July 8, Iraq on July 13 and Thailand on July 16 in
their group matches and will qualify for the next phase by finishing in the
top two.
The final will be held in Indonesia on July 29.
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West Ham United Lottery Update - WHUFC - Official Site
29/06/2007 08:59
There's been a lot of activity at the West Ham United Lottery since we
announced our latest Prize Draw and this is a reminder that if you want to
be in there with a chance, you have to be playing the Lottery through the
West Ham United Syndicate System.
It really is FREE TO JOIN and gives you massively increased chances of
winning cash prizes on the Euromillions and UK Lotto.
JOIN NOW by going to www.westhamunitedlottery.com
Lottery update:
It's a Euromillions Rollover tonight with an estimated Jackpot of £17
Million! JOIN NOW and increase your chances of winning that Jackpot by
3600%!
This weeks UK Lotto Prize Fund is an estimated £4.6 Million! JOIN NOW and
increase your chances of winning that Jackpot by 702%!
It will only cost you a Fiver a week to play both UK Lotto Draws and/or a
Fiver a week to play the Euromillions.
JOIN NOW by going to www.westhamunitedlottery.com and follow the simple
sign-up procedure.
Finally.....don't forget to visit our Lowest Unique Bid Auction Site where
we give you your first Bid FREE OF CHARGE. Click here to get bidding
Good Luck to you all.
All proceeds go to the West Ham United Youth Academy
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Keith stepping down to take a break - WHUFC - Official Site
29/06/2007 11:01
Keith Peacock has revealed that he is stepping down from his role at West
Ham United to take a break from football after nearly half a century of
involvement in the game.
The former Charlton Athletic favourite is leaving Upton Park after spending
a year on the coaching staff working for both Alan Pardew and Alan
Curbishley, and admits the time is now right to step back from football's
'front line'.
"I've been very fortunate to have spent more than 45 years as a player,
coach and a manager and I feel that now is the right time to take a break,"
says Keith.
"Apart from a three-month spell back in 1991, I haven't really had a break
from the game during all that time, and in terms of coaching, it was always
my intention to take a step back at this stage of my life.
"I'm sure I will always have a connection with the game in some form or
another," he adds, "but I am certainly retiring from what I call the 'front
line' of football, when - as a player, coach or a manager - you are focused
so intensely on that result on a Saturday afternoon.
"I think it's time to reflect a little, take a nice long break and then
think about things from there. It will give me more time to spend with the
family and grandchildren, which is something I am greatly looking forward
to."
And despite only spending 12 months of that long-serving career at Upton
Park, Keith insists he will always have a special place in his heart for the
Hammers.
"It has certainly been a remarkable experience," he says. "I think West Ham
United probably packed more into last season than most clubs do in a five
year period!"
"It was certainly a dramatic campaign, but the main thing is that it
finished with a happy ending and, I've got to say, if you are looking to
finish on a high, then winning 1-0 at Old Trafford is definitely the way to
do it! That was a very special day.
"I've made a lot of friends at the Club and have really enjoyed my time
here. I wish West Ham United all the very best and look forward to following
the team from a distance in the future."
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Tevez rejects move to Inter Milan - BBC Sport
West Ham striker Carlos Tevez has turned down a move to Inter Milan after
the Italian champions imposed a deadline for him to make a decision.
The 23-year-old has been linked to several clubs in England and abroad but
is keen to stay in the Premier League.
A statement from Tevez's representative Kia Joorabchian said: "Inter put a
deadline on the decision and Carlos' heart is really in the Premier League.
"He was not prepared to meet that cut-off point put on him."
Tevez said in May that he was keen to move away from Upton Park saying: "I
want to join one of Europe's big clubs, that's what I've talked to my agents
about."
Joorabchian, though, insisted that the Hammers are in talks to keep the
Argentina international but played down reports of a £115,000 per week being
offered to convince him to stay.
The Iranian businessman added: "That is "absolutely not true".
"He has not been offered that sum of money to stay, but it is true we are
still talking and hope to come to some arrangement."
Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Inter were among the clubs strongly
linked with a move for Tevez but Inter have ruled themselves out of the
running due to their demands.
Inter president Massimo Moratti told his club website: "Tevez is no longer a
target, we are fine as we are in attack."
The forward was instrumental in the West Ham's successful battle to avoid
relegation last season after a difficult start to hi Upton Park career.
Tevez moved from Corinthians last summer but the Hammers were subsequently
fined a record £5.5m by an independent commission for breaching Premier
League rules.
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Blades may learn fate on Tuesday - BBC Sport
Sheffield United could learn their relegation fate from a Premier League
arbitration panel on Tuesday.
A verdict was expected before the end of June, but BBC Sport understands it
will be delivered next week.
The Blades claim West Ham should have been docked points for breaking
transfer rules over the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
West Ham stayed up at the Blades' expense on the final day of the season,
leading to Sheffield United's appeal.
West Ham had earlier been fined £5.5m by the Premier League for their
handling of the deals for the two Argentina internationals.
The arbitration tribunal can order a new disciplinary commission be set up
to review the West Ham case, or rule that the Premier League handled the
affair completely by the book.
A third option would be for the tribunal to declare that there are no
grounds to order a new disciplinary commission for West Ham but that
Sheffield United could have a case for compensation - but that verdict too
would open a can of worms by effectively saying that the original commission
acted inappropriately.
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Monaco hope for Giuly return - SkySports
By Patrick Haond - Created on 29 Jun 2007
Barcelona winger Ludovic Giuly appears reluctant to move to the Premier
League, but would consider a return to Monaco.
Giuly has previously stated he wants to stay at Camp Nou, but has been
linked with a ?5million (£3.4million) exit over the summer.
Speculation has claimed that Newcastle United and West Ham United want the
France international, who was formerly a target for Liverpool.
But his agent Alain Migliaccio is ruling out the English option, and also
concedes Barca's asking price is prohibiting a move back to Monaco.
"Ludo refused Benitez and Liverpool last year, so he won't join West Ham or
Newcastle now," said Migliaccio.
"Indeed, with Monaco we had a talk, but as long as Barcelona will ask for
such a fee, nothing will happen."
Monaco's sporting director Jean-Luc Ettori confirmed the interest in the
midfielder and hopes the pull of a return to Stade Louis II will persuade
Giuly to accept a wage cut.
Ettori told France Football: "I had a phone call with Ludo. He knows we want
him.
"He also knows we can't go far beyond certain financial conditions. Other
clubs could offer him better wages, but we have other assets.
"He knows the club and knows we appreciate him. It is the right year for his
comeback. We need him now."
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Tevez 'turns down' Inter - SkySports
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 28 Jun 2007
West Ham United striker Carlos Tevez appears to be leaning towards staying
in the Premier League after declining to meet Internazionale's deadline.
Tevez is weighing up his club future and has been linked with the likes of
Arsenal, Liverpool, Inter and Real Madrid.
Inter had expressed an interest in signing the Argentine, but president
Massimo Moratti revealed earlier on Thursday that Tevez was 'no longer an
objective'.
According to the forward's representative Kia Joorabchian, Inter had set a
deadline for the player to make a decision on a move to the Serie A
champions.
Joorabchian admits Tevez was not willing to meet that demand, particularly
as he seems keen to stay in English football.
"Inter put a deadline on the decision and Carlos' heart is really in the
Premier League, so he was not prepared to meet that cut-off point," said
Joorabchian in a statement.
Tevez, who has yet to rule out staying at West Ham next season, is currently
in Venezuela on Copa America duty with the Argentine national team.
Joorabchian also dismissed suggestions that Tevez has been offered a
£100,000-a-week contract to stay at Upton Park.
He added: "He has not been offered that sum of money to stay, but it is true
we are still talking and hope to come to some arrangement."
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Inter out of Tevez running - SkySports
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 28 Jun 2007
Internazionale have ended any interest in signing Carlos Tevez from West Ham
United.
The Argentine striker had emerged as a target for the Serie A champions as
he considers his future at Upton Park.
Tevez admitted he would prefer a move to Inter ahead of Real Madrid, who
have also expressed an interest in the forward.
But a switch to Giuseppe Meazza no longer appears to be an option for Tevez
after Inter captured David Suazo from Cagliari.
"He is no longer our objective," said Inter president Massimo Moratti in
reference to Tevez.
"We are fine as we are in attack."
Tevez's compatriot Hernan Crespo has already expressed his concern at the
number of strikers in Inter's squad, with the likes of Adriano, Zlatan
Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz also on the books.
Moratti feels Crespo may have a valid point, although the Inter supremo did
not rule out further comings and goings before the start of next season.
He added: "Crespo's declarations weren't interpreted well, but the Argentine
may be right when he says there are too many of us in attack.
"However, our buying and selling hasn't finished yet."
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Top clubs on alert as Tevez snubs Inter - Daily Telegraph
By Tim Rich
Last Updated: 1:50am BST 29/06/2007
Liverpool and Manchester United were last night put on alert when West Ham
striker Carlos Tevez turned down a move to Inter Milan and expressed his
desire to remain a Premiership player.
The 23-year-old Argentina international, who was instrumental in West Ham's
successful battle to avoid relegation, is expected to leave Upton Park in
the summer.
Inter and Real Madrid are among several clubs to have shown interest, but a
statement from Tevez's representative, Kia Joorabchian, said last night:
"Inter put a deadline on the decision and Carlos' heart is really in the
Premier League." That could tempt United and also Liverpool, who last season
signed compatriot Javier Mascherano.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are close to agreeing a fee for striker Fernando
Torres that would smash the club's transfer record.
advertisement
Atletico Madrid appear to have accepted Liverpool's offer of £20 million
plus Luis Garcia, who is apparently happy to return to the Vincente Calderon
Stadium where he spent a season before his transfer to Barcelona four years
ago. The cash-plus-player deal would satisfy the £27 million release clause
in Torres' contract.
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Nolan keen to stay on at Bolton - TeamTalk
Kevin Nolan has cooled speculation linking him with a move to West Ham by
insisting he is "excited" about playing under Sammy Lee at Bolton.
Nolan is thought to be on Hammers boss Alan Curbishley's summer shopping
list as a replacement for Nigel Reo-Coker, who is expected to seal a switch
to Aston Villa.
But midfielder Nolan insists he is focused on keeping his place in the
Trotters first team as he prepared to fly out for a week-long training camp
in Austria.
He told The Bolton News: "I'm really really excited about this season so
it's up to me to make sure that I am in the team week in, week out.
"It should be good. I'm looking forward to the pre-season and getting fit
and ready. Hopefully, I'll be raring to go come 11 August and have a good
start against Newcastle United."
Nolan also insisted he was prepared to prove himself to new boss Lee after
he replaced Sam Allardyce at the end of last season.
"It's going to be a test for me to prove myself to another manager," Nolan
added.
"Sam Allardyce knew what I was all about. He brought me into the team as a
17-year-old kid and at times you could rest on your laurels because he knows
what you can do.
"Sammy has only known me for a couple of years and has only known me as an
assistant manager really. Now he's the top man, I've got to impress him
because you don't always see eye to eye with your assistant manager.
"That wasn't the case with Sammy and I was delighted that he got the job. I
think he will be fantastic and hopefully we can take off and go even further
from where Sam left us.
"Given time, support and patience I am sure that he will be able to do
that."
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Cahill and Arteta stick with Toffees - TeamTalk
Everton have ended any uncertainty over the futures of Tim Cahill and Mikel
Arteta by agreeing new five-year contracts with the key pair.
The Toffees are believed to have put the midfield stars on parity with the
club's top earners.
Cahill is currently with the Australia squad preparing for the Asian Cup
having recovered from the broken foot injury that wrecked the end of his
last campaign, while Arteta will return to pre-season training with the
Toffees next week.
Boss David Moyes is particularly pleased to have tied Arteta to a long term
deal, saying: "We are delighted with how he (Arteta) has done. He has played
really, really well last season.
"We like his skills and ability but he has grown into the team ethic that we
have here and I think that has been the reason he has done so well."
Both players had three years of their current deals to go, but the arrival
of Andrew Johnson has seemingly created a wages gap between the England
striker and current key first team players.
Johnson and Joseph Yobo are believed to be the club's top earners on around
£45,000 a week, and now both Cahill and Arteta seemingly have been rewarded
with similar deals.
Everton have also ended any uncertainties over the futures of both players.
Arteta has been on the shopping list of several Spanish clubs, including
Atletico Madrid, and pointedly talked of acquiring a new deal at the end of
last season when he was voted Everton's Player of the Season.
And both he and Cahill had been the subject of speculation linking them with
West Ham earlier in the summer, as was striker Johnson.
At the time an angry boss David Moyes insisted that "West Ham couldn't
afford our players, any of them."
And now Everton have agreed new five-year deals with the pair, tying them to
the club until 2012.
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright is delighted to have concluded the
negotiations.
He told the club's website: "David Moyes and myself were keen to get these
important extensions wrapped up before the new season opens. We did it in
the Everton way - quietly, efficiently and away from the glare of the
spotlight.
"Negotiations have been ongoing for several weeks and have now been
satisfactorily concluded and I know the two lads are as happy as we are."
The formalities of the new deals are set to be completed next week, with
Moyes and the majority of his senior squad returning to pre-season training
on Monday.
Between them, Arteta and Cahill have monopolised the official Everton Player
of the Season award in recent years, with the Aussie free-scoring midfielder
receiving it in 2005 and the Spanish play maker picking up the accolade in
each of the last two seasons.
Cahill is currently preparing for the Asia Cup with Australia after
recovering from a broken foot.
Arteta will report back at Bellefield for pre-season training next week.
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One in, one out - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 29th June 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Keith Peacock has stepped down from his position as assistant manager -
after less than a year in the job.
Peacock - who was brought to West Ham from Charlton by former boss Alan
Pardew last July as head coach before replacing Peter Grant as Pardew's
number two in October - announced his decision to quit this morning.
Talking to whufc.com, Peacock explained his decision to quit the game after
45 years' involvement.
"I've been very fortunate and I feel that now is the right time to take a
break," he said.
"Apart from a three-month spell back in 1991, I haven't really had a break,
and it was always my intention to take a step back at this stage of my life.
"I think it's time to reflect a little, take a nice long break and then
think about things from there. It will give me more time to spend with the
family, which is something I am greatly looking forward to.
"It has certainly been a remarkable experience [at West Ham]. I think we
probably packed more into last season than most clubs do in a five year
period!
"But the main thing is that it finished with a happy ending at Old Trafford.
That was a very special day."
Peacock's successor is likely to be another former Charlton man, Glyn
Snodin, whose appointment as first-team coach was confirmed earlier this
week.
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O'Neill must pay £9m for midfielder - Eat Sleep Sport.com
Fri, Jun 29 2007 10:16
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has reportedly been told he must pay
£9million if he wants to sign West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.Reo-Coker
is one of O'Neill's main transfer targets during the close season this
summer and has already had a bid of £7million rejected by Hammers manager
Alan Curbishley.
O'Neill remains keen on bringing the 23-year-old former England Under-21
captain to Villa Park but he is said to have been told he must match West
Ham's valuation if he is to do so.
Manchester City are also understood to be interested in Reo-Coker, who has
made no secret of his desire to leave Upton Park before the start of the new
campaign.
O'Neill said: "We're looking to strengthen the squad in the next month and
we want to be in a position where we can challenge.
"But I don't want to talk about who those players are, because we seem to
have been linked with almost everybody.
"Supporters can be rest assured we'll be strengthening and we'll let them
know as soon as there's anything to report."
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Charlton And Ipswich Owe West Ham Big Time - WestHamFans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 28 June, 2007 - 19:59.
With the news that Darren Bent is about to sign for Tottenham for a fee
believed to be around the £15.5 Million mark, Charlton Athletic and Ipswich
Town are the benefactors of West Ham United's spread shot approach to
acquiring players. Although the lessons of 'the Bent Affair' have been well
and truly learned by Eggert Magnusson and those that matter at West Ham, it
seems that Bent's high price has shown just how extreme the shortage of
genuine available talent to premier league clubs is. Charlton are set to
make a massive £13 Million profit from the sale, and Ipswich get a 25% sell
on that will net them £2.75 Million. Having gone in 'Big' for Bent, Hammers
set the precedent for the players value, but realistically Bent might get a
few goals, but is far from the finished article.. Many fans are happy that
Hammers were not held over a barrel because of Bent, it is hoped that future
targets are more keenly thought out, after all, there is a lot of talent out
there, the Copa America is a freebie for the scouts. Hammers could be in the
frame for some exotic fare, it beats jellied eels you know!
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