02/09/2007 09:58
What a difference 243 days makes! Eight months after being hit for six by
Reading, West Ham United returned to the Madejski Stadium, where they gave
their hosts a right Royal hammering. "We never really spoke too much about
New Year's Day because last season was last season," revealed Alan
Curbishley after seeing two-goal Matthew Etherington and Craig Bellamy give
his side a stunning 3-0 victory over Steve Coppell's men. "It was a case of
defending properly from the start and my two centre-halves were strong,
while the full backs helped them out, too, alongside Robert Green in goal.
"And Craig Bellamy's early goal settled it all down for us, too. "Today has
shown that I've got a decent squad and although a few of my injured players
are missing, others have taken their chances and proved to me that they can
come in and step up to the plate. "Compared to last season, a totally
different side turned up against Reading and it was a great result for us,"
concluded Curbs."Our recent injuries have tested us but we put on a decent
display and it was an important game to win because if we'd come away with
nothing we would've found ourselves in the bottom reaches of the
Premiership. "But we're in the top half now and, hopefully, we can push on
from here."
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Bent quashes Curbs talk - SSN
Spurs switch was a career decision
By James Pearson Last updated: 3rd September 2007
Tottenham's Darren Bent has quashed suggestions he rejected a summer move to
West Ham in order to avoid working under Alan Curbishley again. The Hammers
agreed a deal with Charlton for the striker's services, although the
23-year-old opted for a move to White Hart Lane. It had been claimed Bent
rejected West Ham as he did not fancy renewing his acquaintance with
Curbishley, although that theory has been branded 'rubbish'. "That's a load
of rubbish," he told Sky Sports News. "I don't know where that's come from
because I didn't speak to anyone about my situation until a couple of weeks
ago.
"It was nothing to do with Curbs. He's a fantastic manager. He did wonders
for me and made me the player I am today by giving me my opportunity.
"It's nothing to do with him. It was just a career decision and I chose to
join Tottenham." After missing out on a place in the 2006 World Cup to Theo
Walcott, Bent is hoping to turn the experience into a positive and play in
Euro 2008. "Obviously there's no mistaking the hurt I felt not going to the
World Cup, but I used that as a positive and score as many goals as I can
and get into the next one," he concluded.
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Reading 0-3 West Ham - West Ham Online
Biscuits - Sun Sep 2 2007
Reading were never in more danger of conceding in this game than when they
were in West Ham's half. Foolish as that may sound, they consistently left
themselves open to the swift counter attacks of the away side- and the acres
of space were eagerly capitalised upon by Matthew Etherington and Craig
Bellamy.
West Ham's New Year's Day hangover was compounded by a 6-0 drubbing here
last season, but any thoughts of a repeat were fanciful. Reading's support
may have taken delight in reminding their visitors of that but it was merely
mild recompense for what unfolded on the pitch. Really that scoreline could
have been repeated in West Ham's favour and perhaps should have been.
It was just as the ground was filled with chants of "6-0" that the Hammers
struck early on. Lee Bowyer won possession off Brynyar Gunnarson in the
middle of the park and fed Bellamy, who had moved vitally away from Ivar
Ingimarsson. From just outside the area, the Welsh striker's low drive into
the far corner was too good for Marcus Hahnemman. In Bellamy, West Ham could
have a new hero to putt their faith in.
Reading were rocked by that setback and seemed unsure how to haul themselves
back into the game. With referee Howard Webb unwilling to recognise Leroy
Lita's somewhat wobbly legs, they struggled to build any momentum. Despite
nine corners in the opening period, they struggled to pierce the West Ham
defence.Their best chance arrived midway through the half, Kevin Doyle
knocking the ball down and Stephen Hunt measuring a precise shot on to the
top of the bar.
It was not long after the restart before West Ham doubled their lead. From
an unsuccessful Reading corner, Etherington led the charge upfield. He found
Hayden Mullins on the right side who played it back to the left winger. From
there, he exchanged a quick one-two with Bellamy and faced with Hahnemman,
his finish into the top corner was unerring. The speed and economy of
football was quite brilliant to watch.
More goals should have followed. Ashton and Bellamy combined to play in
Bowyer, whose placed shot lacked the necessary accuracy. Carlton Cole sent
Etherington haring away but, perhaps stuck in two minds, the finish was weak
and Hahnemman gathered. Then Cole was through, only to strike too near
Hahnemman again- he would not have appreciated the sieve-like nature of
those in front of him.
Would West Ham pay for their profligacy? One goal would certainly have
lifted Reading's spirits and when Robert Green upended Dave Kitson in the
area, it seemed they might get it. But given the chance to redeem himself,
Green read Kevin Doyle's intentions, diving the right way to keep out his
penalty and that really was time for the home side.
West Ham have long pursued Reading left-back Nicky Shorey- unsuccessfully.
But in stoppage time, Cole released Etherington on the counter attack again.
This time he gave Hahnemman no chance. As his shot whistled into the far
corner, Shorey slumped to the floor. The West Ham fans had chanted "You
should have joined West Ham" all game. He was probably thinking the same
thing.
Green- A comfortable game mostly for Green. He relieved pressure during
aerial onslaughts and made up for his foul by saving Doyle's penalty. 8
Neill- Poor against Bristol Rovers, he was a strong presence yesterday. Adds
a bit of nastiness to the side- but he can defend as well. 8
Ferdinand- Imperious. He was woeful in last year's 6-0 and scored an own
goal. No chance of that yesterday. Lita was in his back pocket. 9
Upson- Rarely troubled on the ground, but Doyle is not an easy striker to
contend with. Upson thrived on the challenge. 8
McCartney- Desperate to show there was no need for a new left-back, he
defended well and attacked with ambition. 8
Bowyer- Followed up last week's goal with a decent, industrious performance.
Missed a sitter but set up Bellamy's goal well. 7
Noble- Not eye-catching but endeavoured to ensure Reading stamped no
authority and his passing was quietly effective. 7
Mullins- In the absence of Parker and Dyer, he's been given a chance to make
his mark. A bustling display suggests he's getting back to his best. 8
Etherington- Well. Fantastic. Two great goals, took the full-back on, full
of running. Even got a knock and got up straight away. 9
Ashton- His first start and understandably rusty. But he was better than
Zamora and we need that. Looks like he can build an intelligent and
dangerous partnership with
Bellamy. Booked for doing up his shoe laces, the ingrate. Needs match
fitness. 7
Bellamy- I was initially unsure but this has won me over. Pace in abundance
and got what he needed- service. Good finish and a good assist for
Etherington's first. 9 MOTM
Cole- On for Ashton, he was average- which is a compliment. It got to his
head a bit and he tried a backheel to Etherington. It was interesting. 6
Spector- Play him in the hole, we'll reap the benefits. 6
Boa Morte- On too late to make any impression. 6
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West Ham fired up by Bellamy's passion - Telegraph
By Oliver Brown
Last Updated: 1:33am BST 03/09/2007
Reading (0) 0 West Ham United (1) 3
Since West Ham are distinguished this season by the art of turning defence
into attack, it pays to discover a little more about the motivation of Craig
Bellamy, the man whose relentless running has engineered the change. Three
breakaways, three goals - with the Welshman leading the line, Alan
Curbishley has finally created a team whose force is in their flair.
Reading were unravelled with such ease that the contrast with the same
result last season, when West Ham succumbed 6-0 on New Year's Day at the
nadir of Curbishley's management, could scarcely have been more stark. Eight
months on, a nine-goal swing is the strongest sign yet that a revival is
stirring, with or without the luckless Kieron Dyer.
While not exactly a rhapsody in claret and blue, the performance inspired by
Bellamy showcased every quality that West Ham have lacked - the pace,
penetration and, most pertinently, the passion.
After a fine individual goal within six minutes, he set up Matthew
Etherington for an emphatic second and dictated the distorted balance of
this game. For Curbishley, who dismissed rumours of a dressing-room rift
with his star striker as "fictitious", this was a timely payback for the
efforts made to sign such a temperamental talent.
Wary of stating the theory that mavericks in Bellamy's mould fit in best at
West Ham, the manager countered: "We worked hard to bring him in. The one
thing I said to him was, West Ham fans would love him for his endeavour, his
finishing - they would carry him around the Boleyn Ground. So I asked, 'Why
don't you be remembered for that'?" The message has been absorbed, for
Curbishley admitted: "He's a better player than I thought. He drives you mad
a bit when he keeps dropping off, always on the last man. But I have never
had a minute's problem with him."
To the untrained eye, West Ham's sheer dynamism could have concealed their
doggedness, yet this was a victory fashioned just as much from the defence.
It was telling that goalkeeper Robert Green, the poor unfortunate who was
hit for six at the Madejski Stadium last time, achieved several crucial
saves, including one from Kevin Doyle's second-half penalty, while Anton
Ferdinand - another veteran of that aberrant match - appeared transformed at
centre-half.
advertisement"We could have come away with a 6-0 win ourselves if we had
taken our chances," Green argued. "Everyone was so determined after the low
point last season. To be turned over in that fashion does hurt. You can't
get much lower - we were nearly bottom of the league. It made us think that
everyone wanted to see us relegated. People talk about a siege mentality,
but it does instil that."
Etherington, the executor of two lethal finishes, has profited from this
same attitude, sharpening his skills on the left wing since the signing of
Luis Boa Morte last January jeopardised his place. The opposite was true of
England left-back Nicky Shorey, who, unusually, played like a man stricken
by a gnawing anxiety.
Steve Coppell, having seen his Reading side so brutally filleted, conceded:
"We got caught cold chasing the game; it was suicidal."
Man of the match
Matthew Etherington (West Ham)
Scored two from three attempts
Created three chances
79% pass success rate
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Curbs delighted with Bellamy form - TeamTalk
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley admits he underestimated the talents of Craig
Bellamy - but now believes he can become an Upton Park legend. The
£7.5million summer recruit from Liverpool has three goals to his name after
netting the first in the Hammers' comprehensive dismantling of Reading at
the Madejski Stadium, where they had been thrashed 6-0 last season. The
Welshman had been a doubt before the game with a groin problem but was still
too quick for the home defence when he opened the scoring in the sixth
minute, with Matthew Etherington adding two more in the second half.
Curbishley revealed Bellamy had needed plenty of persuading to come to a
club that had almost been relegated last term, but insisted the forward had
already exceeded expectations. He said: "Liverpool moved on this summer and
made big changes and as soon as I knew he was available we had to work hard
to get him in - and we did have to work hard. "I had to sell the club to him
and promise I was getting other players in. And the one other thing I said
to him was that the West Ham fans would love him for his endeavour, his
passion and his finishing. "I told him his career could lift off at West Ham
and we are delighted he decided to come. "He drives you mad at times when he
keeps dropping off because he is so dangerous on the last man but he is a
better player than I first thought when he came here. "I haven't had a
minute's problem with him and we are all delighted with him. He is a
talented, talented player." Reading attacked relentlessly and forced corner
after corner but were constantly caught on the counter-attack to the horror
of manager Steve Coppell, who described their defensive display as "naive"
and "without structure". The Royals - who now find themselves in the bottom
three - also passed up an opportunity to get back into the game at 2-0 when
Kevin Doyle saw his penalty smartly saved by Robert Green and Curbishley
believes his goalkeeper must receive an England recall sooner or later. He
added: "When I came here he was in the side but I took him out after the 6-0
defeat here. "I gave Roy Carroll a go but within a few weeks he was back in
and he has not done anything wrong for me. I know the England boys watch all
the games so he must be getting good reports."
Curbishley made two deadline-day signings to boost an injury-hit squad with
Nolberto Solano joining from Newcastle and Henri Camara leaving Wigan on
loan. He said: "Solano can play anywhere on the right wing and Camara,
whenever he has played against us, has been a threat. Somewhere along the
line he has lost his way so we will see what he can do for us."
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Home hammering worries Coppell - TeamTalk
Reading boss Steve Coppell says he now has a lot of "soul-searching" to do
after his side were comprehensively beaten 3-0 at home by West Ham. Craig
Bellamy gave the Hammers an early advantage and Matthew Etherington scored
two breakaway efforts in the second half to wrap up the points. Reading were
denied even a consolation goal by goalkeeper Robert Green's penalty save
from Kevin Doyle but Coppell admitted his side had been far too cavalier
when going forward as West Ham had scorned a handful of other chances on the
break. He said: "It's the first time since I have been here when I have been
frightened when we attacked. It was naive to say the least. Every time we
got forward in numbers they hit us on the break. "We spoke about it at
half-time but in the second half it was doubly so. Of their three goals two
of them came from our corners and the first was the result of scavenging off
a loose ball in midfield. "With the international break coming up we have to
do a lot of thinking to redirect what we are about. "I'm all for attacking
football and I tell players to commit forward but we had no structure. The
number of times they broke, particularly down the left side, really hurt us.
They could easily have scored a couple more. "First and foremost we have a
lot of soul-searching to do and then evaluate. One result has seen us
hitting the alarm bells I must admit. We have a lot to do before our next
game."
West Ham had been beaten 6-0 in the corresponding fixture last season but
manager Alan Curbishley insisted there had been little desire for revenge.
Instead, he had been pleased his players had been so dominant with so many
first-choices out injured, with Kieron Dyer the latest to be sidelined after
suffering a broken leg in midweek. He said: "We never spoke too much about
last year. I'm delighted for the boys who have come in because we have been
hit by injuries again and some of them stepped up to the plate today. "We
have a few injuries at the moment and it has tested us but we put on a
decent display. This was an important result because if we hadn't got
anything we would have been in the bottom reaches. Now we find ourselves in
the top half."
Dean Ashton made his first start for more than a year and lasted 65 minutes.
Curbishley said: "I have said all along we have been managing him so we are
delighted he had 65-odd minutes. Now he has got to push on."
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Freddie not ready for Danish clash - TeamTalk
Freddie Ljungberg has pulled out of Sweden's squad for the Euro 2008
qualifier against Denmark next Saturday because of injury. The 30-year-old
midfielder has been struggling with a groin problem and tests have confirmed
the West Ham player will not be fit in time for the Group F clash with their
Scandinavian neighbours. Ljungberg is the second player to pull out of the
Sweden side this weekend, with Matias Concha also forced out by a thigh
injury. Mikael Dorsin has been called up as a replacement for the defender.
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He's the real thing
Eggert Magnusson is West Ham's public face, but he is just 'the Coca-Cola
sign' according to the true owner, a fellow Icelander whose life was
colourful long before recent controversies
Jamie Jackson
Sunday September 2, 2007
The Observer
Downtown Reykjavik on a blustery August morning. Rock, scrubland and the
Atlantic Ocean surround the capital of Iceland. This is, by some measures,
the fifth wealthiest country in the world, a land of geysers, glaciers,
volcanos, fish, and rain. And money. Icelanders are gaining an ever bigger
stake in British business, especially on the high street where they already
control House of Fraser, H Samuel, Hamleys, Whittard of Chelsea, Oasis,
Mappin & Webb, and of course the frozen-food chain Iceland.
At the central offices of Landsbanki, Iceland's oldest bank, Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson sips mineral water in a plush suite. He is chairman of the board
and a billionaire. His son, Thor, is the major shareholder. Gudmundsson, the
world's 799th richest man according to Forbes magazine, has lived a rich
life in more ways than one.
The 66-year-old is a former footballer, furniture packer and law student, a
recovering alcoholic of 30 years, and an old-fashioned philanthropist. In
the 1990s he was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years,
for bookkeeping offences. He went to Russia, defied the St Petersburg mafia,
remade his fortune and returned triumphant to Iceland, where he has
interests in shipping, publishing, food, communications and property. These
reach throughout Europe and into Asia and the Americas. If you buy seafood
from Tesco or Marks & Spencer, the chances are Gudmundsson enjoys a cut of
the profit.
And, despite the frequent sightings last season of Eggert Magnusson, with
his bald head in despairing hands, it is Gudmundsson who has owned West Ham
since last November, not the Elmer Fudd lookalike. 'The club's win against
Manchester United at Old Trafford must be my single most joyous moment in
football. It was a fantastic finish to an exceptional season,' says
Gudmundsson, describing West Ham's escape from relegation on the final day.
Following the takeover, Alan Pardew was sacked and replaced as manager by
Alan Curbishley. Tales of gambling on the team coach, unhappy players and
dressing-room cliques featured almost daily in newspaper headlines. And West
Ham kept losing. There was also the on-going Carlos Tevez affair (see panel
below). But in April the club escaped a points deduction for their failings
in his controversial signing and, once the Argentine started scoring, the
seemingly impossible began to happen.
Following months of negotiation, Observer Sport has been invited to Iceland
for Gudmundsson's first interview with a British newspaper. There are nine
Premier League clubs with foreign owners. They give few interviews and
consequently little is known about the characters who, effectively, control
nearly half of the world's richest football league. They can appear a little
distant. At Old Trafford on West Ham's great day, Joel, Avram, and Bryan
Glazer, the sons of Manchester United owner Malcolm, failed to acknowledge
Gudmundsson and his entourage when they sat together in the directors' box.
It was only later, as both parties waited at the airport to board private
jets, that the wife of one of the brothers offered a greeting.
As well as Glazer, Gudmundsson is joined by Roman Abramovich, who bought
Chelsea in 2003; Mohamed Fayed, who has owned Fulham for a decade; and a
group of others who have also acquired clubs in the past couple of years:
Randy Lerner at Aston Villa, George Gillett and Tom Hicks at Liverpool,
Alexandre Gaydamak at Portsmouth, Thaksin Shinawatra at Manchester City and
Niall Quinn's Irish consortium at Sunderland.
Why did Gudmundsson buy West Ham? Was it to join this exclusive band and
gain the status that comes with owning a club in a league watched and envied
around the world? 'Well, the Premier League is considered the mecca of
football and it should be treated in that way,' he says. 'So to be able to
participate there is something that I never expected, and it is a privilege.
Also, I am at the stage of life where I'm fortunate to be able to do
whatever I like - I can get more out of this really than earning more
money.'
Gudmundsson's impeccable manners, gentle demeanour and boyish humour ensure
he holds the attention. 'I have interests in companies all over the world.
Our operations in Iceland are minimal. Most of our money comes from abroad.
'And I think I've been involved in most areas of Icelandic culture - a
symphony orchestra, young rock stars, I have supported most of them. We have
a fund that is assisting young students. West Ham is a very little part of
my interests.'
Football, though, is a passion. Last season he attended nearly all of the
club's matches at Upton Park and watches about one in three of West Ham's
away games, though was not at Reading yesterday. He and his associates also
have boxes at Chelsea and Arsenal.
Gudmundsson was a youth-team player at KR, Iceland's most successful club.
He was chairman during the 1990s and later on the day we meet watches his
grandson, a striker for KR, play. One favourite football memory, he says, is
when the club won the championship in 1999 'for the first time in 30 years'.
Magnusson, the chief executive and chairman, has shielded Gudmundsson
throughout West Ham's problems. This is why the former biscuit manufacturer
is perceived as the owner. 'Yes, Eggert is in the forefront, managing the
whole thing, but we can't let him have all the attention. Though anyway, I'm
more silent behind him.' Why? 'I'm occupied with all my businesses so we
discuss things on the phone. Think of Eggert as the Coca-Cola sign!'
When Observer Sport arrives at the bank, Gudmundsson has asked Magnusson to
sit in for a while because: 'I think it's more interesting to listen to both
of us. We're in this together. And we're going to make it together. We have
very similar views, similar ideas. This is how West Ham came about. We met
last year and were discussing life. Eggert told me perhaps he would be
leaving Uefa and he was wondering what to take up next. And when West Ham
came on the table I thought perhaps it could fit into Eggert's way of
thinking. That's how it started.
'It all came through the Landsbanki in London and I was considering this
investment opportunity - obviously I had to think how to run it, who would
be responsible for the operation. Then I remembered my conversation with
Eggert and I called him.' This friendship is also reflected in what appears
a productive business relationship. Surviving last season must have helped.
'We just didn't expect the hurdles waiting for us, beginning with Pardew
leaving,' Gudmundsson admits.
Following the club's survival, Curbishley allowed Nigel Reo-Coker, Marlon
Harewood, Paul Konchesky and Yossi Benayoun to leave. Craig Bellamy, Kieron
Dyer, Freddie Ljungberg, Scott Parker and Julien Faubert came in at the cost
of £22.1million, though at least £11m has been recouped from sales. 'Now the
atmosphere in the dressing room is optimistic because the characters we have
are different,' Gudmundsson says. What of the colourful Bellamy? 'Boris
Johnson is colourful and he might be soon be running your country's
capital,' is his reply.
Does Curbishley choose whom to buy? 'He has to convince, because there's
money involved, but of course he is the one that sells us the [idea of
signing] a player.'
Some have wondered whether the growing influence of foreign owners is good
for the English game. As well as stressing how he and Magnusson 'consider
ourselves as semi-English', Gudmundsson disputes the premise of such
questions. He uses the case of Dyer, injured during the week at Bristol
Rovers and whose transfer was held up after Newcastle United suddenly upped
their price. 'There is this worry about foreigners coming into the Premier
League and [English people] dealing with them. Well, these were not
foreigners at Newcastle. We were dealing with British gentlemen!'
It is said with a twinkle. Gudmundsson can see the humour in most
situations. In 1961 he began two years at law school but 'I became
interested in business, so decided that perhaps I would be the person to
give the jobs to lawyers'.
Gudmundsson is adamant that his commitment to West Ham is long term. Would
he go through something like the Tevez saga all again? 'We are very much not
speculating at what could have happened. We know what happened. And we are
here today and we are preparing for the future. Yesterday is only part of
the past. But to do this again? I mean, we are experts on this. Problems,
problems - it's just solving them and starting fresh. I would not hesitate
to go through it again. No hesitation at all.'
Gudmundsson knows how to fight. Two years ago he pulped thousands of copies
of a book due to be published by his own publishing house, Edda, because of
a section about his wife. Gudmundsson is married to Thora Hallgrimsson, 11
years his senior, and a member of a widely respected Icelandic family. Her
father was head of Shell Iceland; one uncle was an ambassador to the United
States in the 1940s, while another the prime minister on five occasions up
to 1963. Her former husband, George Lincoln Rockwell, with whom she had four
children, founded the American Nazi Party in 1959 before he was assassinated
eight years later.
Edda's book on the history of Thora's family, The Thors, contained some
pages that offended Gudmundsson, leading to the pulping of the original. The
author agreed to a rewritten version with just a single mention of that
first marriage. 'This was unfairly done,' Gudmundsson says. 'What they were
trying to do was involve my wife and her first husband 50 years ago. I mean,
you don't do this to innocent people. This was a book about the family and
all of a sudden they were trying to picture, feature her history, as the
main thing of the family. It was irrelevant to the whole story.'
As a side effect of this saga, Gudmundsson and Thor, his and Thora's only
child, attempted to buy DV, a daily Icelandic tabloid, simply to close it
down because of its coverage. One front-page headline read 'The Missing
Chapter'. But the public were not impressed by the paper's coverage,
underlining Gudmundsson's popularity. 'I'm not interested in controlling
things,' he says. 'But we have press in Iceland that is exactly the same as
in England. There are people that want to scoop something - I'm used to this
as I'm a very public figure.'
Gudmundsson believes he also suffered unjustly over his conviction for five
minor book-keeping offences. Many in Iceland believe he and his fellow
executives, faced with around 450 charges the overwhelming majority of which
failed, were the victims of a political battle between rival shipping
companies: Gudmundsson's Hafskip, which he took over in 1979, and Eimskip
(which he has now bought). The country's then finance minister was a
shareholder and former chairman of Hafskip, which became insolvent in 1985,
prompting politicians to call for an investigation. The case dragged on for
six years.
After his conviction, Gudmundsson focused on restoring his fortune and the
standing of his name. 'The fight was to recover. To regain my strength in
business. And money-wise. I was left almost broke, so I think I took the
right decision to put emphasis on my family, and to re-establish my status.
But this case doesn't ever go away, it doesn't go away.'
Was it politically motivated? 'People say so, but I'm not going to comment
on that. I'll say two things. Number one, I'm sure that a case like this
could never happen again in Iceland today.' Why? 'Because this society now
is so different. Then it was much more closed. Since we became involved in
Europe, everything changed.
'Secondly, my feeling is much healthier than the authorities who were
dealing with the case. I know I wouldn't change places. I'm not mentioning
conscience or anything like that, but inside myself I have nothing to hide
and I feel so confident. So if you ask anyone in Iceland, I have regained
everything I had before, including respect. But I would say that regarding
those involved from the authority side... well, I would never change places
with them today.
'In business you prepare for the best and the worst, especially when you
have been through all of that. We have seen it all and the main thing is we
are stronger than ever.'
In 1991, Gudmundsson and Thor, who became Iceland's first billionaire in
2005 and is ranked more than 500 places higher than his father on Forbes'
list, made that move in St Petersburg with partner Magnus Thorsteinsson.
There they began Bravo, a soft-drinks company that became a brewery and was
eventually bought by Heineken.
This was perhaps an unusual career move for a recovering alcoholic.
Gudmundsson's battle with drink moved him to found Iceland's first
drug-and-alcohol rehabilitation programme at a time when there was little
sympathy for substance-abuse problems. 'I've been doing that for 30 years.
We run treatment and family centres - it's a very strong movement here and
I'm very happy to do so.'
Of the business venture in Russia, he says: 'We came at the right time and
went to the right place. St Petersburg was the city closest to the West, and
to Finland, which we knew very well - it was the window during the communist
years.'
Asked if he understands Russian, Gudmundsson says: 'Very little. But my son
and Magnus can. They were there for 10 years. It was very tough and we never
knew if we would go down or up. We did everything right, we did everything
right in the end. And we were supported by and had investors from
institutions and banks in the West. Heineken is Dutch. This was their entry
into the country. So we got paid in Holland or England. But somehow people
like to talk about those who have been working in Russia as it being mafia
or Russian money. It's no such thing. We delivered one of the best
companies. And Heineken have really taken off, are flying higher and higher.
They are so grateful they managed to acquire the business.'
Thor has commented about that time: 'People will think twice about messing
with you if you are actually a government representative.' This was a
reference to his status as honorary consul for Iceland. Gudmundsson has the
same role in Bulgaria where, as in the Czech Republic, the family have
interests in telecoms. So, were there any threats from the mafia? 'Of
course. In every country, if you stay to your principles you can survive
there. It's only when you give in that you're in trouble. And I can tell you
one thing, that if we had any contact with dubious people Heineken would
never have bought the company. They are still so grateful that they managed
to acquire the business.'
West Ham seem to mean more to Gudmundsson than the brewery did. 'I am aware
of the greatest moments in the club's history over the last 40 years. I know
how it's said that West Ham won the World Cup for England in 1966 because of
the goals from Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst, and the immense contribution
from Bobby Moore. And I have also met Billy Bonds, who was captain when the
club won the FA Cup.
'There is also a good response from the local council,' he says of the
proposed move to a new stadium at a site half a mile from Upton Park. 'I
believe we can become one of the top English clubs, and in Europe, again. We
want Champions League football and believe we can win the Premier League in
time. Why not? Of course we do not think it will happen tomorrow, it will
take some years. But definitely we are heading there. And I think we now
have all that's needed for that.'
It might, after all, not be the worst time to support West Ham.
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Humble Pie Eaten With Pleasure By West Ham Fans - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 2 September, 2007 - 22:11.
Alan Curbishley's sanguine approach will always be a PR man's nightmare,
quiet in defeat and subtle in victory he is capable of being annoying and
yet forthright at the same time. If he had been given elocution lessons as a
youngster he might have come across as a new breed of manager in the Arsene
Wenger mould. Despite being one of the Premier League's longest serving
managers Curbs had never been in the spotlight before he was interviewed for
the England manger's job after having left Charlton.
Curbishley could have been forgiven if he had been a little more jingoistic
about his team's total domination of Reading that saw a 3-0 win, a victory
that could so well have ended with a 6-0 scoreline! But instead he chose to
give credit where it was due and refused to be too cock a snoop at his
opposing manger Steve Coppell who was left to ponder the dreaded second
season syndrome as he tried to comprehend such a resounding defeat.
At the risk of invoking fans displeasure, Alan Curbishley will NOT be the
manager to take West Ham United into the Champions League, what he will do
is ensure that steady progress is made during the remainder of his contract
to ensure that Hammers WILL progress to 'another' level.
By the time his contract is up Curbs will have overseen a Hammers revival
similar to that which saw Charlton go from being ground sharing oiks to
being a brave and well supported organisation, during this time he will
deliver West Ham at the doorsteps of the Champion's League. In three or four
years time West Ham's financial clout along with progressive results will be
a big enough incentive to lure a 'top' european manager to finally take West
Ham back where they deserve.
Curbs will not eventually be the man, but he could definitely provide the
spring board. - Ed
Humble Pie factor 7*
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Reading 0, West Ham United 3: Bellamy runs riot in aid of Curbishley's solid
crew - The Independent
By James Corrigan
Published: 03 September 2007
Assembling a cast that now includes the likes of Craig Bellamy and Lee
Bowyer and demanding a low-key production might well be akin to hosting a
chimps' party and putting up a sign reading "no spillage", but that is
exactly what Alan Curbishley is after. In short, he wants a "solid" season
for West Ham, a "nice season". Dare one suggest it, a "boring" season, even.
"The last four years as a West Ham fan you've had a play-off final and lost,
a play-off final and won, an FA Cup final and lost and a relegation battle
and won," explained the manager. "It's been really topsy-turvy. So I just
think we need a nice solid season to lay the foundations for pushing on."
Bellamy could just be unwilling in this regard, as the Welshman does solid
like a rock does fluid. On afternoons such as Saturday's he is everything in
motion; fleet-footed, sharp-shooting, quick-witted. His early strike was
evidence of the first two qualities, while the latter was given the perfect
airing in the sumptuous one-two for Matthew Etherington's first goal. That
Bellamy did not figure in the left-winger's second deep into injury time was
probably only due to the fact he had just been substituted.
"Since he's been here I haven't had a minute's problem with him," said
Curbishley. In contrast, Reading had just experienced 90 of the blighters.
This was West Ham's ninth league win in the last 13 games, form that not
even the Champions League qualifiers can boast. No wonder that Curbishley
was happy enough to sit in the same chair where eight months ago he
complained about the "baby Bentley culture" and this time thank his
patched-up side for an effort that was a veritable charabanc in its unity.
He understood that the exorcism of that New Year's Day 6-0 reversal would be
the central theme and that the forwards would be receiving all the credit.
But Curbishley was keen to stress the importance of a defence that did not
buckle and, in particular, of the goalkeeper, Robert Green, whose saving of
Kevin Doyle's penalty was the highlight of a faultless performances.
"Not conceding on the road is what it's all about," remarked Curbishley. He
said so in the realisation that, very soon, it is highly likely the home
teams will start figuring out his burgeoning away-day specialists and try to
curb West Ham's counter-attacking mayhem.
As Curbishley said, "there is still plenty of pace left on the treatment
table" and when Julien Faubert returns, and much, much later, the hapless
Kieron Dyer, those incisors will be sharpened still further.
Even when Reading eventually got wise, there was not a lot they could do
about it and others will similarly struggle. The sights of a full-strength
West Ham should be set on the top-half of the table.
In the neighbouring dug-out, Steve Coppell muttered about "alarm bells
ringing early" and was surprisingly candid about his team's shortcomings.
Naturally, the second-season theory is being bandied around, although, in
all truth, if anything has unsettled this once happy ship, it has been those
rough waters of the transfer market.
Reading might have remained all but inactive in terms of the actual dealing,
but in the wheeling they were full, if unwilling players. Ironically, it was
West Ham's "derisory offer" for Nicky Shorey which apparently stoked the
discontentment. While welcoming the retention of the England left-back, a
few individuals began questioning the club's ambition, which in turn led
Coppell to start wondering why.
Whatever, he is simply relieved to have this two-week gap to the next game
to haul it all back on track and "to put these last two 3-0ers behind us".
West Ham have proved that things can be fixed and be fixed rather quickly.
Mind you, millions of pounds do help, as can a friendly Football Association
ruling. And the occasional Bellamy, of course. Solid he will never be, an
Upton Park hero he already is. One of football's lost boys could have at
last found his home.
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Curbishley: West Ham best place for Bellamy
tribalfooball.com - September 02, 2007
Alan Curbishley believes his striker Craig Bellamy can become a West Ham
United legend. The £7.5million summer recruit from Liverpool has three goals
to his name after netting the first in the Hammers' comprehensive
dismantling of Reading at the Madejski Stadium, where they had been thrashed
6-0 last season.
And Curbs said: "Liverpool moved on this summer and made big changes and as
soon as I knew he was available we had to work hard to get him in - and we
did have to work hard. "I had to sell the club to him and promise I was
getting other players in. And the one other thing I said to him was that the
West Ham fans would love him for his endeavour, his passion and his
finishing. "I told him his career could lift off at West Ham and we are
delighted he decided to come.
"He drives you mad at times when he keeps dropping off because he is so
dangerous on the last man but he is a better player than I first thought
when he came here. "I haven't had a minute's problem with him and we are all
delighted with him. He is a talented, talented player."
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West Ham No1 Green shrugs off England snub
tribalfooball.com - September 02, 2007
West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green has shrugged off his latest England
snub. "That is totally out of my hands," he said. "I keep getting told I'm
in the best form of my career yet I have been dropped. It is not my way to
slag people off so I shall just continue to do my best and see if it counts
for anything."
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West Ham boss happy with Solano, Camara captures
tribalfooball.com - September 02, 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is delighted with his deadline day
deals for Nobby Solano (Newcastle) and Henri Camara (Wigan). He said:
"Solano can play anywhere on the right wing and Camara, whenever he has
played against us, has been a threat. Somewhere along the line he has lost
his way so we will see what he can do for us."
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Villa's Young: West Ham wasn't right club for me
tribalfooball.com - September 02, 2007
Aston Villa winger Ashley Young is confident he made the right decision to
turn down West Ham last season. "I just didn't think it was the right club
to go to," Young told the Sunday Times. "I thought Villa was the much better
option and that's all there was to it really. I think it's paid off so far."
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