10/10/2007 15:37
West Ham United offer their sincere condolences to the family and friends of
Rizwan Darbar who was fatally stabbed at the weekend in West Ham Park
following a dispute over a mobile phone. 17-year old Rizwan was an avid West
Ham fan and was standing up to muggers who were trying to steal his friend's
mobile phone when he was attacked. He has been described by his family as a
popular, well-behaved and vibrant young man who was devoted to his family.
The directors, players and staff of West Ham are united in their sadness at
the loss of one of the club's young fans. Captain Lucas Neill said: "The
thoughts of the manager, coaches, staff and all the players are with
Rizwan's family and friends at this difficult time. Life is put into
perspective when you hear news like this."
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Bellars reports for Wales duty - WHUFC
10/10/2007 14:37
Craig Bellamy has today joined up with the Welsh international squad after
recovering well from surgery on his groin last week. The club is happy with
the progress Craig has made since having the operation last Thursday out in
Germany and has fully supported his wish to make himself available for
Wales' two Euro 2008 qualifiers, against Cyprus and San Marino.
Bellamy has been in light training with West Ham over the last couple of
days and participated in full training with his Welsh team mates today in
Cardiff before flying out to Cyprus for the first match. If he plays in
either of the qualifiers, it would mean him getting important match action
under his belt ahead of West Ham's next league match, at home to Sunderland
next weekend.
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Dailly set to return to West Ham - BBC
Southampton manager George Burley says defender Christian Dailly is likely
to return to West Ham when his one-month loan deal finishes next week.
Dailly, 33, has made four starts for the Saints but the arrival of Phil Ifil
from Tottenham and Middlesbrough's Andrew Davies could end his spell. Burley
told BBC Radio Solent: "He's available for the Cardiff game and we'll look
at it from there. "But he's back in the Scotland squad and I'm pleased he
has achieved that."
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Bellamy return boosts Wales side - BBC
Bellamy has scored 15 goals from 47 appearances for Wales
Cyprus v Wales
Neo GSP Stadium, Nicosia
Saturday, 13 October
Kick-off: 1715 BST
West Ham striker Craig Bellamy has been passed fit for Wales' Euro 2008
qualifiers against Cyprus on 13 October and San Marino on 17 October.
Bellamy had groin surgery last Thursday and was expected to be out for 12
days but has made a speedy recovery. However, Wigan midfielder Jason Koumas,
who sat out the last qualifier with a foot injury, is suffering from thigh
and hip problems and will miss out. Tranmere keeper Danny Coyne is set to
take over from injured Wayne Hennessey.
Bellamy's availability will come as a relief to manager John Toshack as it
had been thought he would be limited to playing in the clash with San
Marino. But he trained with the squad on Wednesday morning and has been
given the blessing of his club to play in both games.
Football Association of Wales spokesman Ceri Stennett said: "Craig had a
groin operation last week and we were aware that he was training with West
Ham. "The intention was to wait to see how he went and then, if he was okay,
fly him out to Bologna on Monday to join up with the party heading for San
Marino. "But Craig has always said to us that he wanted to travel for both
matches, and now West Ham are happy for him to do so and for him to be
available for both matches. "He has not played for West Ham in five weeks
and they clearly are happy for him to have some match practice under his
belt. Obviously our medical team will keep a very close eye on him, nobody
wants him breaking down.
West Ham defender James Collins was due to link up with the Wales squad on
Tuesday after a trip to the dentist, but he needed an extra day to recover
from the surgery.
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Deano's (latest) disaster - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 9th October 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Dean Ashton has been ruled out of action for the next six weeks after
straining knee ligaments during last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa. It
was confirmed immediately after the game - West Ham's third successive
Premier League defeat - that Ashton has once again broken down and was
almost certainly out of this weekend's England matches in which he was
expected to make his full international debut. But the worst-case-scenario
was confirmed earlier today by head physio George Cooper, who told
whufc.com: "We received the results of Dean's scan and they were what we
expected - which is that he had sprained the upper third of his medial
ligament. "In the majority of cases it will take up to six weeks for full
recovery."
Ashton - who joined the Hammers from Norwich City in January 2006 has made
just 24 appearances in his 21 months with West Ham, scoring nine goals in
the process
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Bellars belief - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 10th October 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Craig Bellamy has been declared fit for Wales' forthcoming European
Championship qualifiers against Cyprus and San Marino.
The Welsh striker - who has missed the last four United fixtures - underwent
surgery to cure a niggling groin injury last week.
And so pleased has Bellamy been with his progress since that he has declared
himself fit to appear for his country this weekend. FAW Spokesman Ceri
Stennett said this morning: "Craig has not played for West Ham in five weeks
and they are clearly happy for him to have some match practice under his
belt. "He had a groin operation last week and we were aware that he was
training with his club. "Obviously our medical team will keep a very close
eye on him, nobody wants him breaking down. "The intention was to wait to
see how he went and then, if he was okay, fly him out to Bologna on Monday
to join up with the party heading for San Marino. "But Craig has always
said to us that he wanted to travel for both matches, and West Ham are happy
for him to do so."
James Collins - who missed training yesterday after a visit to the dentist -
is also expected to feature in both games, as is his defensive partner Danny
Gabbidon.
Full Wales squad
Coyne (Tranmere), Price (Derby); Bale (Tottenham), J. Collins (West Ham),
Eardley (Oldham), S. Evans (Wrexham), Gabbidon (West Ham), Morgan
(Peterborough), Nyatanga (Barnsley), Ricketts (Hull), Crofts (Gillingham),
S. Davies (Fulham), Ledley (Cardiff), Robinson (Toronto), Vaughan (Real
Sociedad), Bellamy (West Ham), Earnshaw (Derby), Easter (Wycombe), Eastwood
(Wolves).
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Boost for Wales and West Ham as Bellamy gets green light to play - Daily
Mail
Last updated at 11:28am on 10th October 2007
Craig Bellamy has been given the green light to travel with the Wales squad
for their forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers. The West Ham striker underwent
surgery for a groin injury last Thursday at the same German practice visited
by Michael Owen a week previously, and he was able to train with the rest of
John Toshack's squad this morning. He has now been passed fit to travel for
the matches in Cyprus, on Saturday, and San Marino and has the blessing of
his club to play in both matches. It had been thought that he would be
limited to the clash with San Marino a week today. Bellamy's availability
will come as welcome news to Toshack who has already lost midfielder Jason
Koumas (hip and thigh) and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey (hip), while the other
strikers in his squad have been lacking match practice with their clubs of
late.
The national captain travelled from London to join up with the squad in
Cardiff before they leave later today. Wales had an indication he would be
there late last night, but no confirmation from West Ham. Welsh FA spokesman
Ceri Stennett said: "It has been something of a surprise. "Craig had a groin
operation last week and we were aware that he was training with West Ham,
and the intention was to wait to see how he went and then, if he was okay,
fly him out to Bologna on Monday to join up with the party heading for San
Marino. "Craig has had the same operation that Michael Owen has had, and
Owen was back playing in just a few days. We were prepared to wait a little
longer and for him to be monitored by West Ham. "But Craig has always said
to us that he wanted to travel for both matches, and now West Ham are happy
for him to do so and for him to be available for both matches. "Obviously
our medical team will keep a very close eye on him, nobody wants him
breaking down. But West Ham are happy now for him to travel and for him to
play in both matches."
He added: "It is a huge boost for everyone, Craig is a very important part
of our squad and the last time he played for us he scored twice in a fine
5-2 win in Slovakia. "We will hope that he can do something like that again.
He has not played for West Ham in five weeks and they clearly are happy for
him to have some match practice under his belt."
Luton's David Edwards, initially selected to step up from the under-21s to
replace Wrexham's Mark Jones, has picked up a hamstring injury. Leicester's
Andy King has joined the youngsters as cover.
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Noble vows to fight for starting spot -The Local Guardian
By Tess McDermott
MARK Noble missed out on a place in West Ham's starting line-up for the
first time this Premier League season against Aston Villa, but the spirited
midfielder remains fully committed to the club's cause. He said: "The gaffer
just pulled me in and said he was going to go a different way. "He's the
manager so you have to accept it. Obviously I wanted to play and was gutted
because I didn't. "I didn't see it coming, but that's football and you've
just got to get on with it. "I got ten minutes and wanted to come on and get
a goal, but it wasn't to be."
Noble who was dropped in favour of Hayden Mullins' greater experience and
Lee Bowyer's attacking threat, added: "There's always another time."
He is away with the England U21s and is set to face Montenegro and the
Republic of Ireland this week. But Noble is hoping that West Ham's game
against Sunderland on his return will be a chance not only to put himself
back centre-stage, but for the Hammers to get their season back on track
after consecutive league defeats to Newcastle, Arsenal and Villa. "I
wouldn't say we're worried because it's still early in the season, but for
confidence it's not very good," he said. "We could have got something out of
all three of those games, but we haven't. "We are not scoring enough goals
at the moment and we're not keeping cleansheets, and when that happens you
get punished. "The Sunderland game is live on Sky Sports so that's an extra
incentive to do well and crack on and get a result at home because we need
that."
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Freddie out to avenge loss - SSN
Ljungberg keen to erase memory of Windsor Park defeat
By Kent Hedlundh Last updated: 10th October 2007
Sweden's Freddie Ljungberg is eyeing revenge ahead of the Euro 2008
qualifier against Northern Ireland. Lars Lagerback's men travel to
Liechtenstein on Saturday and then host the Irish on 17th October. The West
Ham United midfielder is hoping for payback time following Northern
Ireland's shock 2-1 win at Windsor Park in March. "It will be nice to face
Northern Ireland at home and take revenge," he told Sportbladet. "The most
important thing is how we play. If we play technically, we should be able to
win." Ljungberg also confirmed his availability for the back-to-back Group F
games despite struggling with rib injury.
"I have a rib problem, but I have had it before and I have been able to
play," he added. Sweden are currently level on points with Spain but have a
game in hand, while the Irish sit third, three points off the joint leaders.
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Bellamy of the Hammers , not Roy Of The Rovers - givemefootball.com
By Mark Shail 10-10-07
Wales' boss John Toshack says he won't rush back Craig Bellamy in the way
Michael Owen has been hurried back into action by Newcastle and England.
German doctor Ulrike Muschaweck performed similar groin operations on both
players in the last fortnight and Owen remarkably returned for the Magpies
just eight says after surgery – scoring a goal after coming on as a
substitute in the victory against Everton on Sunday. Bellamy could still
feature in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Cyprus and also in the
game against San Marino four days later, but Toshack is concerned about the
West Ham strikers lack of recovery time. "I can speak from my own experience
of playing with stitches in. It doesn't seem right to me. In Craig Bellamy's
case, I thought the San Marino game might come a bit too soon," said
Toshack. "It (the situation with Michael Owen) must be driving Sam
Allardyce mad. To see these people after operations having stitches and
coming on and scoring goals – it's fantasy football, all Roy of the Rovers'
stuff. "We have spoken with Craig and with the West Ham people. He's going
quite well but you have to be sensible. We don't want anything silly that is
going to set him back again."
He added: "If he has to miss a match for us, you can be sure there is
something up with him. You can't say that about all of them, but you can
with him."
Meanwhile, Dr Muschaweck has no doubts Bellamy can play in both games,
saying: "The operation was a major success and allows him to make a quick
return to full activity, which is what he wanted. At the present moment,
Craig Bellamy is not out of those games and the risk of re-injury is next to
zero."
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West Ham concern over Ferdinand court date
tribalfooball.com - October 10, 2007
West Ham United are concerned over a lengthy absence for defender Anton
Ferdinand. The Times says Hammers boss Alan Curbishley could be without
Ferdinand for six weeks. The defender has a hamstring problem, but the club
are also concerned about a criminal trial for alleged assault next month.
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Upson: 'There is no need to panic' - Newham Recorder
10 October 2007
MATTY UPSON doesn't have a lot of luck at Villa Park. Last season it was the
scene of his West Ham debut where he fell awkwardly and limped off after
just 30 minutes, writes DAVE EVANS. This time round he managed to survive
the full 90 minutes, but only to see the Hammers surrender to a 1-0 defeat -
their third on the bounce. It has been tough being a West Ham player this
season. Upson, Rob Green and George McCartney are the only three men to have
started all eight Premier League matches so far. And while Upson has not
quite hit the heights of his game yet, he still believes in both himself and
the rest of the West Ham team. "It's no time to panic at all," he said
following Saturday's defeat. "We were really disappointed not to get
something out of the game, as we were at Newcastle and against Arsenal," he
insisted. "We need to be a bit more clinical and things just need to go our
way a little bit more."
West Ham certainly didn't take their chances at Villa Park, and Upson also
felt that they were unlucky at the other end of the field. "I thought we
were hard done by with the decision for the free kick that led to their
goal, but we need to start games better, which the manager has been
highlighting," he said. "We were okay for the first five minutes, but then
we had a little lull and were coming out second best in a lot of challenges
and loose balls which cost us."
Upson himself has blown hot and cold this season. He was brilliant on his
return to St Andrews against Birmingham, while on other occasions, he has
been shown to be a little lacking in pace - Manchester City star Elano
easing past him on the opening day being a case in point. The former England
international knows there is room for improvement: "I feel really good and
fit, but I still think there is another level of fitness that I can reach,
but that will come in time," he said. "The team will stick to what we're
trying to do and keep playing the way we have been and believing in
ourselves."
So far Upson has played alongside Anton Ferdinand, James Collins and now
Danny Gabbidon in the middle of defence, so it is little wonder that the
Hammers have struggled for some consistency during this campaign. "We'll
keep at it, there's no emergency button being pressed," he said. "We've got
some players to step back in who will hopefully make the team and the squad
stronger so maybe things will turn around for us."
Upson certainly feels that with a little bit of good fortune the last three
games could have been very different. "We could have ended up with four more
points from those three games if things had turned our way," he insisted.
"We just needed a little bit of help with the ball bouncing differently or
decisions going the other way, and then who knows. "We need to get better at
certain things, but other than that I think a lot of positives have come out
of the game."
West Ham haven't lost three games on the trot since last March when they
went down in four consecutive Premiership matches, and Upson is determined
that the team does not suffer that fate again. Next up for the Hammers is
the visit of Roy Keane's Sunderland to Upton Park, a team that gave Arsenal
a real scare last Sunday. Upson knows only too well the significance of this
match. "It's massively important for us to get back on track against
Sunderland," he said. "We'll be revved up for it and it's up to us to play
well and score some goals too."
There are many West Ham fans who would rather see Collins or Gabbidon start
for the Hammers in place of Upson, but Curbishley regards the former
Birmingham man as his number one choice, and an in-form Upson, will
inevitably mean a West Ham team getting positive results again.
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Craig's op gives glimmer of light - newham Recorder
10 October 2007
WEST HAM striker Craig Bellamy should be back in claret and blue for the
clash with Sunderland at Upton Park next week, after undergoing the same
'miracle op' that had Michael Owen back playing, writes DAVE EVANS. But that
will depend on whether he survives two possible games for Wales in the next
week as the international captain looks to make a speedy comeback. The
28-year-old, who has 44 Welsh caps to his name, has been missing from the
West Ham team since limping off against Middlesbrough last month. But after
going under the knife of celebrated German surgeon Dr Ulrike Muschaweck last
week, he incredibly returned to training the very next day! "Craig had the
same surgeon as Michael Owen and after having the op on Thursday he did a
little bit of running on Friday," confirmed manager Alan Curbishley, who is
naturally wary of bringing him back too early. "It's a difficult situation.
If he's fit does he play for Wales, so that he's got a game in before he
plays for us? Or what happens if he breaks down? "We just want him back."
The return of Bellamy will be one glimmer of hope amid a sea of injury
misery for Curbishley, who has watched as half his expensively assembled
squad have been left on the treatement table. Julien Faubert, with a
ruptured Achilles tendon and Kieron Dyer, with a double fracture of his leg,
will struggle to make any impression this season, while Scott Parker, Bobby
Zamora, Anton Ferdinand, Nigel Quashie, Calum Davenport and now Dean Ashton
and Henri Camara have been added to that list. "We've just got a growing
catalogue of injuries at the moment and it's making things very difficult
for us," revealed the manager. "We are really stretched at the moment and
are copping it right now. "Henri Camara got his chance because of all the
injuries and then he hurt his hamstring, while George McCartney took a knock
and Luis Boa Morte picked up a dead leg.
"It's just incredible what we are going through. We're not going to use it
as an excuse, but we've got £27million worth of players out at the moment
and that's a big hit which not many teams could cope with."
West Ham have lost their last three games, but when asked if he would rather
get his team straight back out there, rather than have the international
br-eak, there was no doubting the manager's feelings. "We need this two week
break because I don't even know whether we have got 11 fit players at the
moment," confessed the manager, who saw England prospect Ashton break down
in the last couple of minutes at Villa Park on Saturday. "At least he's
walking around, whereas Scott Parker did the same thing last week and he
couldn't even do that," said Curbishley through clenched teeth. "We'll have
to wait and see but I'd imagine that a comeback within a week or a fortnight
is looking tight. Deano's worked ever so hard and this latest set-back just
sums us up."
Ashton pulled out of the England squad on Monday, and even on Saturday after
the game, he was fearing the worst. "At the moment I am out, but hopefully
the scan will not be too bad," said the striker. "It's almost as if there's
something against me, it's frustrating. "If the scan is not good and I
cannot play, I will be devastated because I feel like I'll have missed my
chance again to show what I am about for England."
With Chadwell Heath looking more and more like an episode of Holby City,
West Ham are being forced to dig deeper and deeper into their squad. But if
Bellamy can return to face the Black Cats on October 21, then it would be a
step in the right direction. Don't count on it though. The way things are
going, he may be the only fit player by then!
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Rob-bed of a spot - Newham Recorder
10 October 2007
WHILE Dean Ashton's fateful call-up to the England squad was being heralded
on television and radio, spare a thought for his West Ham team-mate Rob
Green - he found out he wasn't included on Teletext! - writes DAVE EVANS As
he was finalising his squad, England coach Steve McClaren and goalkeeping
coach Ray Clemence were at Upton Park to see Green put in a superb
performance ag-ainst Arsenal. They then went down to White Hart Lane last
Monday night to see Paul Robinson and Scott Carson let in four goals apiece
in the Spurs v Villa clash. No doubt they also watched a tape of David James
conceding four against Reading, but it made little difference to England's
final squad selection. For 27-year-old Green, it was a bitter blow and one
that he couldn't understand. "I'm obviously some way down the pecking
order," he said. "You try and work logic and sense into these things and the
only thing you can say is that they don't regard me as good enough for the
side."
If that is true then it would fly in the face of the opinions of almost
every West Ham fan who has seen Green make the number one spot at Upton Park
his own since his arrival from Norwich City in a £2million deal back in
August 2006.
Only this week, Green has been linked with a move to Arsenal and even if
there is little truth in such a rumour, it means that the stopper is now one
of the highest profile goalkeepers in the Premier League. "When I was at
Norwich in the Championship I was told I was good enough. Now I am at West
Ham in the Premier League and playing well, I've been told I'm not good
enough," said an incredulous Green, who was beaten by just a deflected free
kick at Aston Villa on Saturday. England face Estonia at Wembley on Saturday
before travelling to Moscow to take on the Russians in a vital European
Championship qualifier next Wednesday, and it seems that McClaren has put
his trust in Robinson to put his error-strewn form both for club and
country, behind him. "It's not my job to call myself up," said Green
sarcastically. "The summer before last I was in the squad and got told that
my position was there to lose, and I lost it through not playing a game. "If
people want to find out why, they need to bring it up with England but for
me, I am playing as well as I have done in my career."
He certainly is. Despite some shaky performances by his defence, Green has
conceded just eight goals in eight games, which compares favourably to
Robinson (18) and James (12), with only Carson (six) faring better at Villa.
Former West Ham goalkeeper James has certainly had a resurgence in form
since being dropped by England, after a nuber of errors led to him being
given the nickname 'Calamity James'. Green thinks that James deserved his
recall: "It's not that players are getting picked regardless of form,
because David James got picked on good form, while I lost my place on good
form. "It is certainly frustrating, but there isn't a lot I can do about
it."
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley revealed that the England set-up had made
inquiries about Green as well as about midfielder Scott Parker in the last
few weeks, but the West Ham goalkeeper certainly didn't hear about it. "I
found out I wasn't picked on Teletext," revealed Green. "There was no
contact from England." That seems to be an incredible revelation from Green,
who won his only England cap against Colombia back in 2005. Can England
trust Robinson to do the job, and if not would James or Carson be a better
bet than calling up Green for two vital games? We shall see, and we can only
hope England don't suffer because of it.
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Freddie's playing through the pain - Newham Recorder
10 October 2007
IN HIS Arsenal days, one defeat would have been considered a crisis for
Freddie Ljungberg and his then team-mates - so three losses on the trot must
be something of a nightmare! But the Swedish international winger is staying
positive and confident that the Hammers will quickly find their form again.
"We didn't put the ball into the net on Saturday, it's as simple as that,"
explained the 30-year-old who signed from the Gunners in a £3million deal
during the summer. "We created the chances, but just couldn't put it in
there and then of course it doesn't make it any easier when you see Villa
get a free kick just outside the box that isn't a free kick - he slipped."
After injuring himself against Manchester City on the opening day of the
season, Ljungberg is now beginning to show his sharpness and skill. Saturday
was probably his best game in a West Ham shirt and he was the inspiration
behind a lot of Hammers' attacks, especially in the second half. "I think
someone said we had at least 70 per cent possession of the ball in the
second half. We created some really good chances that we probably should
have put away, but we didn't," he said. "At the same time I think we should
take confidence from it and if we keep playing like we did in the second
half, we'll batter a lot of teams!"
Injuries of course have decimated the West Ham squad, but Ljungberg doesn't
think they can use that as an excuse. "There is always going to be
injuries," he insisted. "That's why we strengthened the squad a bit, but I
think the boys that played today showed that they could play good football
and to be honest, I think we could have taken the three points with a bit of
luck."
Ljungberg himself has been no stranger to injury in the last couple of
seasons, and confessed he is still not 100 per cent. "I got battered a bit
on my rib against Arsenal so I had injections to play today, but that's the
way it is," he said. He is beginning to show his form, but it seems that the
best is yet to come from the Swedish captain, who will join up with his
national team this week for vital European games in Liechtenstein on
Saturday and at home to Northern Ireland next Wednesday.
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ENGLAND LEGEND OPENS NEW £4M SPORTS SITE IN CHESHIRE - NonLeagueDaily.com
10/10/2007
Former England and West Ham midfielder Sir Trevor Brooking will join local
youngsters to officially open UniBond League Division One South club
Nantwich Town`s new £4m changing pavilion and artificial turf pitch on
Wednesday at the Weaver Stadium.
The outstanding new sports facilities were funded with a Football Foundation
grant of £709,995 as part of the Community Club Development Programme
(CCDP). CCDP is a Government funded scheme, managed by Sport England,
specifically earmarked to develop links between the country's leading junior
clubs and their local communities, providing quality coaching and safe
environments for young people to enjoy the national game.
The new changing accommodation comprises four team-changing rooms,
officials' changing rooms, male female and disabled toilets, a football
development office and first aid & medical room on the ground floor. The
upstairs will house the community activity and function room. This
newly-developed changing pavilion will service the new artificial pitch and
three grass pitches on the adjacent school playing field.
The new sports site will have a huge impact on the area's sports provision
which was previously not sufficient to deal with local demand. In addition,
the total population within a twenty-minute drive time of Kingsley Fields is
estimated at 274,439 and will have grown to 285,000 by 2010 so sports
provision would soon have been even less satisfactory.
The new facilities will also enable the Nantwich Town FC to forge stronger
links with Malbank School and enhance pupils' extra curricular activity,
whilst maximising use of Malbank School's playing fields. 400 girls and boys
between the ages of 6 and 16 will directly benefit from the new site. The
new facilities will also help develop girls' and women's football, as well
as local disabled football groups.
Nantwich chairman Clive Jackson said: "We are delighted to have finally been
able to achieve our dream! This project demonstrates clearly what can be
achieved when partner agencies work together towards a common goal for the
benefit of a whole community. I would personally like to thank all the
people who have worked alongside me during this project without whose help
and support this successful completion would have not been possible. We
would additionally say a huge thank you to the organisations which have
helped fund the project – namely, the Football Foundation, the Football
Association, Sport England, Nantwich Town Council and Crewe and Nantwich
Borough Council."
Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: "I am
delighted that a great club like Nantwich Town Football Club is now playing
a vital role in developing the grassroots game in their area. The CCDP
funding partnership between the Football Association, the Football
Foundation and Sport England is strengthening the bond between local clubs
and the communities they serve."
Stewart Kellett, Regional Director, Sport England, said: "This facility is
key to the local development of football and we are committed to making sure
that the club continues to provide access for the community. The Community
Club Development Programme represents a new way of working for Sport England
whereby national governing bodies are involved in the initial selection of
possible projects for funding, based on their own strategic plans. Nantwich
Town Football Club was identified by the Football Association for investment
and this investment through the Football Foundation will have such a
positive effect on the development of the sport at all levels in this area."
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Arsenal Can **** Right Off - West Ham Till I Die
The Sun reports this morning that Arsenal want to sign Robert Green and will
offer £6 million. They allege that Green is unsettled because he has failed
to get back into the England squad and that he thinks a move to a top 4 club
would secure that place. I can see why Arsenal need a new goalkeeper, but
they can keep their thieving hands off. Mind you, their need is not as great
as that of Spurs….
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Gunners boss keen to go Green - TeamTalk
West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green could be handed the chance to become
Arsenal's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper in January. Arsene Wenger has
been a long-term admirer of Green, who kept clean sheets home and away
against the Gunners in last season's Premier League meetings. According to
The Sun, Wenger wants to end the uncertainty surrounding the number one
jersey at the Emirates Stadium by bringing in Green for around £6million.
Spanish shot-stopper Manuel Almunia has conceded just four goals in nine
appearances for Arsenal since replacing Jens Lehmann towards the end of
August. Lehmann has recently been out with an elbow injury but several
error-strewn performances early on in the campaign mean his days in north
London appear numbered, while Wenger is said to be 'unconvinced' by Almunia.
The Hammers have Richard Wright as back-up yet would be loathe to sell
Green, who they recruited from Norwich for £2million in summer 2006. But the
27-year-old would be keen to move in order to boost his England chances,
having won just one cap for his country - as a half-time substitute in the
3-2 win over Colombia in New Jersey in May 2005.
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Lift for 'devastated' Ashton - Daily Mail
Last updated at 09:51am on 10th October 2007
Steve McClaren today assured Dean Ashton he would get another chance to pull
on an England jersey. The West Ham striker was forced to withdraw from the
England squad for the Euro qualifiers against Estonia and Russia with a knee
ligament injury that is likely to keep him out for six weeks. "I spoke to
him on Monday and he was devastated," said the England manager. "I watched
him play against Aston Villa on Saturday and when I left with five minutes
to go he looked okay." The former Norwich striker had only just won back his
place in the West Ham team and was determined to force his way into the
England squad. He was initially called up by McClaren for his first match as
manager - the 4-0 win over Greece 14 months ago. But Ashton missed the
chance to make his debut because he broke an ankle in training the day
before the game and was ruled out for the entire season. McClaren said:
"It's terrible for him to miss out again but I've told him not to worry.
Once he gets his fitness and form back he'll be in contention for a place."
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