10/09/2007 13:54
Over the last few months Givemefootball.com readers, as part of the PFA's
Centenary celebrations, have been voting for their teams of the century
across three different eras: 1907-1976; 1977-1996 and 1997 to the present
day. This unique and massive poll clearly caught your imagination as
football fans of all generations have been voting in their thousands, and
now we have the results. You've seen the teams from three different eras,
now here's the overall Team of the Century...as voted for by you!
Peter Schmeichel
The Great Dane joined Manchester United from Brondy in the summer of 1991 in
a £600,000 deal. His shot-stopping skills and authoritative presence soon
helped United become the dominant force in English football. Voted the Best
Keeper in the World on two occasions, and now his son Kasper is following in
his illustrious footsteps.
Alan Hansen
During 14 glorious years at Liverpool, this elegant defender won seven
Championships, three European Cups, two FA Cups and four League Cups -
making him the only person to have won all of the honours available at club
level at least twice. He made 621 appearances for the Reds, captaining the
team between 1985 and 1990. He was also capped 26 times by Scotland between
1979 and 1986.
Bobby Moore
One of the finest players ever to have graced a football field, anywhere in
the world, and not only was he the perfect pro, he was also the perfect
gentleman respected by all. And, of course, the late great Bobby is still
the only Englishman to have lifted the World Cup in 1966 when he was one of
three West Ham legends - along with Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst - to
triumph on that famous day.
Stuart Pearce
When you talk about hard men, they didn't come much harder than Stuart
Pearce - who didn't earn his nickname 'Psycho' for nothing. A fantastic and
supremely consistent full back, Stuart had one of the best left foots in the
business...and used it on many occasions to devastating effect, mainly from
dead ball situations. A fiercely patriotic man, who could forget his
reaction when he scored in the penalty shoot-out against Spain at Euro 96?
Tony Adams
Spent his entire playing career of 22 years at Arsenal and is considered one
of the club's greatest players of all time by the fans. He joined the
Gunners in 1980, debuting in 1983 and becoming the club's youngest-ever
captain at the age of 21; he would remain club captain for the next 14
years. Together with Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn and Steve Bould, Adams was
part of Arsenal's defensive 'famous four' under George Graham.
George Best
No dream team would be complete without the mercurial 'Boy from Belfast' who
tormented defenders during the late 60s and early 70s. Widely regarded as
one of the game's greatest ever players, he helped inspire Manchester
United's European Cup triumph in 1968. One of the original golden boys of
British football, his fame stretched worldwide.
Roy Keane
Arguably Brian Clough's greatest-ever signing when the former Forest boss
brought him to England from Cobh Ramblers as an 18 year old but, in1993,
Manchester United paid a then club and English record fee for him of £3.75
million. Missed the 1999 Champions League Final, but won many honours during
his time at the heart of United's midfield. Voted PFA Players' Player of the
Year in 2000. Won 66 caps for the Republic of Ireland.
Bobby Charlton
Like Bobby Moore, another gentleman of the game whose respect spanned the
glove. Sir Bobby, who was renowned for his thunderous shot, was Player of
the Tournament at the '66 World Cup and he went on to win 106 England caps.
A Manchester United legend and now director, he was instrumental in the Red
Devils' historic European Cup triumph in 1968, scoring two of the four goals
against Benfica.
Eric Cantona
One of the Premiership's finest foreign imports, he won the league title
with Leeds in 1992 before being allowed to join deadly rivals Manchester
United for just £1.2m. In 2001 he was voted United's player of the century,
and to this day United fans refer to him as 'The King'. He won four
Premiership titles in five years, including two league and FA Cup doubles.
Crowned Footballer of the Year in 1994 and PFA Player of the Year in 1996.
Alan Shearer
Perhaps the greatest striker to have graced the Premier League, his 34 goals
in season 1994-95 led Blackburn to their first championship for 81 years and
he was voted PFA Player of the Year. In 1996, he joined Newcastle for
£15million and, in the next three seasons, his goals helped the Magpies to
two FA Cup finals and a second-placed finish in the Premier League. In a
14-year Premier League career, he found the net 260 times, and he scored 30
goals in 63 England appearances.
Thierry Henry
After being converted into a striker by Arsene Wenger, Thierry developed
into a lethal goal scorer and was the second quickest player to reach a
century of Premiership strikes! He surpassed Ian Wright to take over as
Arsenal's all-time leading scorer with over 200 goals for the club. In 2006,
Henry became the first player to score more than 20 goals in five
consecutive seasons. Voted PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2003. Now with
Barcelona.
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Youths in six-goal thriller with Spurs - WHUFC
10/09/2007 15:11
West Ham United 3 Tottenham Hotspur 3
A high tempo game saw West Ham United's Under-18's battle for a hard-fought
point against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. Both teams went
out to attack from the start and it was the Hammers who got in front in the
first half, thanks to a goal from Freddie Sears. Ben Hunt had started the
move by dispossessing his marker and drove the ball into the box. It shot
across the path of the Spurs keeper, hit the post and came out, landing
nicely for Sears to strike in the rebound. Spurs equalised, but Tony Carr's
young charges were soon back in the lead, thanks to a well-worked move that
has been honed on the training pitch at Little Heath. Oliver Lee made a
break deep at the back, releasing the ball to Sears on the left-hand side
and, while Spurs appealed in vain for off-side, Sears carried on his run and
squared the ball low and sharp to Junior Stanislas who side-footed it into
the net. West Ham had a couple of chances to increase the lead before the
break, but it remained 2-1 at half-time. In the second half, Hammers found
themselves on the back foot as Spurs pushed forward. Hammers failed to clear
a corner and Spurs made the most of confusion in the box to shoot home. The
home side battled on, but it was the North Londoners who found their feet
again and toe-poked their third into the net after David Blackmore, making
his first start of the season, just lost his hold on the ball. Tottenham
dominated the next half-hour of the match, but the Hammers got stronger
again in the last quarter and made it count as they grabbed another goal to
make it all-square. Jordan Spence, also making his first appearance of the
season following his duties for the England U-17 team in the World Youth Cup
finals in South Korea, made a surging run and from the right-hand side
crossed the ball into a crowded goalmouth for Sears to catch the ball on the
volley and send it flying into the top corner of the net. As the minutes
ticked away, it was Hammers who nearly snatched the winner. Sears again had
the ball and decided to shoot, but this time didn't hit the target. It
finished with the teams on level terms and for Tony and the team it was a
good point gained. "Although we let Spurs back in after scoring early on and
then conceded disappointing goals, we battled back and I think from that, we
certainly didn't deserve to lose," Tony said. "We had a strong first half,
but Spurs dominated the second and we struggled to get possession at times.
Yet we didn't give up and the pleasing thing for me was that we hung in
there and when we got the opportunity to hit back we did. "It was a fast
game between two teams who set their stall out to attack and we nearly
snatched in the end, but it wasn't to be on this occasion."
West Ham United: Blackmore, Miller, Blackwell, Payne, Spence, Harvey,
Stanislas, Lee, Hunt, Hines, Sears
Subs: Ashman, O'Neill, Kearns (Harvey, 70m), N'Gala (Miller, 80m), Fry (Lee,
75m)
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Neill shrugs off club pressure - SSN
Skipper committed to play for country
By Stephen Bramley Last updated: 10th September 2007
Lucas Neill has reiterated his commitment to the national team despite
increasing pressure from West Ham. The defender will lead the Socceroos in
Tuesday's re-arranged friendly against Argentina at the MCG. But he admits
there is growing pressure from his club not to make the long trip home to
play in friendlies.
"As always there's pressure. But it's the ultimate goal to play for your
country in games like this one," Neill told Sportal. "I've been looking
forward to this game for a while. As we all know, it was meant to be in
June. It's a no-brainer to be asked to come back and play against Argentina
in front of hopefully 80,000 people. "Even if it was against the Solomon
Islands in front of 15,000, it's the same, you want to play for Australia."
Neill takes over the captain's armband from the unavailable Mark Viduka. He
is also expected to line-up alongside some new blood as coach Graham Arnold
looks ahead to the 2010 World Cup qualifiers that kick-off in February. "For
12 months now we've looked at bringing in lesser known players," added the
former Blackburn defender. "They are not fazed by the situation and with the
confidence and belief that they've shown in themselves, they have fitted
straight in."
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Curbs eyes Nic - The Mirror
10/09/2007
WEST Ham boss Alan Curbishley will make a move for Arsenal's unhappy Danish
striker Nicklas Bendtner in the next transfer window. Bendtner signed a new
deal with the Gunners after a loan spell at Birmingham had created huge
interest with some of Europe's leading clubs. But the ambitious young
forward is upset at being overlooked this season.
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West Ham's Parker making comeback today
tribalfooball.com - September 10, 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley will run his eye over fit-again Scott
Parker today. Parker lines up for West Ham in a behind-closed-doors game
with Colchester today as he bids to return from a knee injury.
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Ljungberg back in West Ham training
tribalfooball.com - September 10, 2007
Former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg is set to return to full
training with West Ham on Wednesday. Ljungberg was sidelined by a thigh
injury which kept him out of Sweden's goalless draw with Denmark on
Saturday.
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Lucas Neill: I Wasn't Up To Scratch At Asian Cup - Goal.com
Lucas Neill has admitted that he wasn't at his best during Australia's
ill-fated Asian Cup campaign in the summer. The Socceroos exited at the
quarter-final stage of their first continental competition, one that was
especially tough for the West Ham defender. Neill was sent off during the
team's 3-1 defeat at the hands of Iraq in the group stage and was at the
centre of reported rifts in the Australian camp over his alleged desire to
be captain. "I'm a footballer and I am there to be criticised," Neill told
The Australian. "I set a standard for myself and if I don't reach that
standard every week then people are entitled to an opinion. "I can look
myself in the mirror. I know I wasn't up to scratch (during the finals).
But, I've put it behind me. I've moved on. What happened, happened." "I'm
thick-skinned. I don't need you guys to tell me how good or bad I am. I
know," he said. "Did I let it affect me? No. Will I learn from it? Yes."
The former Blackburn Rovers star will don the captain's armband for
Australia's first game since the Asian Cup – a friendly against Argentina in
Melbourne on Tuesday evening."It's a fantastic honour to lead the team in a
game such as this, not that you need any extra incentives," Neill added.
"It's a great responsibility and I hope I can lead the team to a great
result." -
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Craig Bellamy lifts Wales for Slovakia game - telegraph
By John Ley in Bratislava
Last Updated: 2:07am BST 11/09/2007
Wales received an unexpected boost yesterday when Craig Bellamy travelled
with the party to Bratislava. The West Ham striker was expected to miss the
Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovakia tomorrow night because his newly born
daughter had spent the weekend in hospital.
However, his daughter, Lexi, is now out of danger having been admitted,
along with mother Claire, on Thursday when the infant suffered minor feeding
problems. Bellamy, 28, missed the 2-0 defeat by Germany and, according to
manager John Toshack, had "not been eating or sleeping very well". With the
youngster in better health, the forward decided he was in the right frame of
mind and will captain his country for the first time since taking the
armband from Ryan Giggs. Bellamy's 13 goals in 46 games and Saturday's squad
averaging less than 24 years of age will mean that his return is a welcome
boost.
"It's great to have him back," said Fulham's Simon Davies. "He's our captain
and has proven he's a class player. He was a big loss for us against
Germany."
The news was countered by the withdrawal of another senior player. Wigan
claimed Jason Koumas (foot) was unfit to travel, though Toshack insisted
injury was not the reason for his substitution last Saturday. Wales have
also lost Wrexham's Mark Jones, with a high temperature, but have included
fit again club-mate Steve Evans, Wycombe's Jermaine Easter, and David
Vaughan, of Real Sociedad. Oldham's Neal Eardley and Luton's David Edwards
have also been added as Wales seek to keep alive their slim hopes of
qualifying.
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West Ham's Noble: U21 Euros best decision I've made
tribalfooball.com - September 10, 2007
While Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Bentley snubbed a call-up to last
summer's U21 European Championships, West Ham's Mark Noble says the decision
to go to Holland was the best he's ever made. "It was probably the best
decision I ever made not going to Mexico," said the West Ham youngster. "It
was tempting to be on a sunny beach somewhere but when your country calls
and you have the chance to play in a massive tournament, there was only one
thing I was ever going to do and that was play. "My mates said they had a
great time - about three hours sleep in two weeks! I'm sure they watched all
the games out there with a cold beer in their hand and their feet up - I was
running my n**s off in 100 degrees with the roof of the stadium shut." Noble
has also backed Bentley to silence his critics. "He really wants it and I'm
sure with his performances he will overcome that," said the 20-year-old.
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Blades legal bill hits £1m - Daily Mail
Last updated at 22:35pm on 10th September 2007
Sheffield United's legal bill for fighting West Ham has hit £1million — but
chairman Kevin McCabe will keep on bankrolling the campaign. McCabe has
loaned the club £10m to help United win compensation over the Carlos Tevez
affair. The loan is to ensure the cost of the battle does not affect
transfer funds.
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Hammers skipper Neill insists: Playing for Australia is always a top
priority - Daily mail
Last updated at 15:55pm on 10th September 2007
West Ham captain Lucas Neill has confirmed his commitment to Australia
despite "the usual pressure" from his club not to make long trips home to
play in friendly matches. The full-back will lead the Socceroos in
tomorrow's rearranged clash with Argentina in Melbourne but admitted: "As
always there's pressure (not to play)." He added: "I can understand the
club's feelings but it is the ultimate goal to play for your country in
games like this one." Manager Alan Curbishley walked into an injury crisis
when he took over at West Ham last December but despite their escape from
relegation and a vast investment in new players, the problems continue.
Neill missed the first two games of the season with a knee injury. Striker
Dean Ashton has just returned after a broken ankle, new French signing
Julien Faubert has yet to make his debut after rupturing an Achilles tendon
and midfielder Scott Parker has been sidelined by a knee injury. Now Kieron
Dyer is out with a broken leg after just three appearances for the Hammers.
But Neill, 29, said: "I've been looking forward to this game (against
Argentina) for a while. As we all know, it was meant to be in June. "But it
is a no-brainer to be asked to come back and play against Argentina in front
of hopefully 80,000 people. "And even if it was against the Solomon Islands
in front of 15,000, it's the same, you want to play for Australia." Neill
takes over the captain's armband from the unavailable Mark Viduka,
Newcastle's new signing from Middlesbrough, while Curbishley frets at Upton
Park over the possibility of yet more injuries suffered on international
duty. And it certainly will not come as good news to the Hammers boss as he
prepares to field a side for the home match against Middlesbrough on
Saturday that Nolberto Solano, his latest free transfer signing from
Newcastle, has announced his international comeback for Peru after a
two-year absence. The 32-year-old midfielder wants a last chance of playing
in a World Cup finals in 2010 and will retire after that.
Former Arsenal player Freddie Ljungberg is set to return to full training
with the Hammers on Wednesday after being sidelined by a thigh injury which
kept him out of Sweden's goalless draw with Denmark on Saturday.
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Reading confident Shorey will remain a Royal - Daily Mail
Last updated at 13:08pm on 10th September 2007
Director of football Nick Hammond believes defender Nicky Shorey will stay
at Reading even if West Ham are still interested by January. He said:
"Traditionally not as much money is spent in January as in the summer."
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West Ham move for Arsenal striker Bendtner
tribalfooball.com - September 10, 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is set to bid for unsettled Arsenal
striker Nicklas Bendtner in January. The Mirror says Bendtner signed a new
deal with the Gunners after a loan spell at Birmingham had created huge
interest with some of Europe's leading clubs. But the ambitious young
forward is upset at being overlooked this season.
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Liverpool, West Ham keep tabs on Mancini talks
tribalfooball.com - September 10, 2007
Liverpool and West Ham United are monitoring closely Amantino Mancini's new
contract talks with Roma. Both Premiership clubs made enquiries after the
Brazilian winger over the summer and are aware that Olympique Lyon made a
late bid for him in the final week of the summer market. Mancini's agent,
Gilmar Veloz, expects to hold talks over an improved deal next month and
Liverpool and West Ham are keeping tabs on developments, says the Daily Star
Sunday.
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Neill ignores Hammers' pleas -TeamTalk
Australia defender Lucas Neill has reiterated his commitment to the national
team despite increasing pressure from West Ham. The versatile star will lead
the Socceroos in Tuesday's re-arranged friendly against Argentina at the
MCG. But he admits there is growing pressure from his club not to make the
long trip home to play in friendlies. "As always there's pressure. But it's
the ultimate goal to play for your country in games like this one," Neill
told Sportal. "I've been looking forward to this game for a while. As we all
know, it was meant to be in June. "It's a no-brainer to be asked to come
back and play against Argentina in front of hopefully 80,000 people. "Even
if it was against the Solomon Islands in front of 15,000, it's the same, you
want to play for Australia." Neill takes over the captain's armband from the
unavailable Mark Viduka. He is also expected to line-up alongside some new
blood as coach Graham Arnold looks ahead to the 2010 World Cup qualifiers
that kick-off in February. "For 12 months now we've looked at bringing in
lesser known players," added the former Blackburn defender. "They are not
fazed by the situation and with the confidence and belief that they've shown
in themselves, they have fitted straight in."
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West Ham set to swoop for Arsenal striker Bendtner - Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:29am on 10th September 2007
West Ham will make a move for unhappy Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner in
January. The Danish forward signed a new deal with the Gunners in the
summer after spending last season on loan at Birmingham City but is unhappy
at being overlooked so for this term and could now be ready to switch clubs
for good.
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