Mervyn Day has paid tribute to the efforts of the West Ham United players
and staff in working to instigate an impressive turnaround to stay in the
Premiership; an achievement he believes they have not received due credit
for.
The Hammers assistant manager says: "We were very mindful about things that
were being said about us as a Club, not so much about us as individuals, but
about what had gone on behind the scenes before we came and you can't
influence that.
"I think what has happened since we beat Man United in the final game has
been nothing short of scandalous and derogatory. The players have not been
given enough credit for the achievement of winning seven out of nine games.
Most people seem to have failed to grasp the fact that Tevez's registration
was always correct, that wasn't the issue.
"I feel sorry for the players for the fact that they haven't been the credit
for what was arguably an even better escape than Portsmouth managed to pull
off last season."
According to Merv, one vital ingredient in effecting the turnaround was to
ensure the Hammers took an early lead.
"I think a feature of the team over the last few games was that, when we did
have something to hang onto, they worked their socks off, made blocks and
made tackles.
"Yossi Benayoun made two goal line clearances in the last couple of games
and he's been enormous for us. It was a very committed, good team
performance. We showed lots of spirit and that's what we've got to hang onto
and build for next season.
"As Alan said, we went about our business very quietly and just came up on
the rails, in Lester Piggot-fashion. We just overtook the others right at
the finishing line."
Merv also admitted the inclusion of several key players in what became a
settled side gave the Hammers a distinct advantage.
"In the final run-in we usually fielded the same side," he said. "Players
were getting to know each other, getting confident with each other. I think
a big plus was Lucas Neill coming back in. Mark Noble's performance over the
last 10 games was enormous. James Collins came back in and his partnership
with Anton, apart from perhaps the Sheffield United game, was fabulous.
"Robert Green was excellent over the last couple of months. They were all
excellent, all the players were phenomenal. In the last nine games we had
five or six clean sheets. If you make sure things are good at the back we
always knew we had the ability to go forward and score one or two. That's
how it panned out."
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Learning Zone launches Blowing Bubbles scheme - WHU Official Site
West Ham United Learning Zone launched the Building Bubbles Education Pack
last week with an exciting event hosted by local historic figures spanning
the 110 years of the Club's History and celebrated the work produced by the
many young people, families and schools who have taken part.
Traditional Pie and Mash was served and the Education Packs were given out
to every school in Newham. Special guests include Historian Brian Belton,
ex-players and the Upton Pearly King and Queen.
Building Bubbles has been a year-long project run by the West Ham United
Learning Zone and has been made possible by a £50,000 grant from the
Heritage Lottery Fund. It has brought together young people and families
from Newham in a series of workshops to investigate the shared history
between the West Ham United Football Club and its Local Community.
'The project has been a great success and the launch provided a good
opportunity to thank all partners and schools involved in the project.
Hopefully schools can now continue to look at the rich heritage of our local
area though using our Education Pack as tool to help raise achievement and
motivation for their young people.' says Centre Manager Jamie McGachy
Participants, from many diverse groups, have documented their experiences
through recorded reminiscences, literature, photography, poetry and
animation and activities have aimed to raise attainment in Numeracy,
Literacy, Key Skills and ICT by engaging young people and families in a
positive experience of learning.
The project has also been filmed by students from NewVic Sixth form college
and Newham College who as part of the 'Building Bubbles' project have worked
together to produce a DVD and Education Pack which has then been used by
local schools within the borough to develop their own Heritage Projects.
West Ham United Learning Zone is a Playing for Success project which
operates within Learning Community Services, Extended Services, Children and
Young People's Services, Newham Council who provide funding in partnership
with the DfES and the Football Club. It aims to raise standards in Numeracy,
Literacy, ICT and Key Skills.
For further information about this project please contact Jamie McGachy at
the West Ham United Learning Zone. Jamie.mcgachy@whulearningzone.co.uk.
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2007-08 Pre-Season friendlies confirmed - WHU Official Site
can confirm that our pre-season friendly schedule prior to the 2007-08
Barclays Premier League campaign is almost complete.
After returning from their summer break on July 2, Alan Curbishley's men
will kick-off the pre-season preparations on Saturday, July 14 with a short
trip to local neighbours and the Football League's newest members, Dagenham
& Redbridge, for a testimonial in honour of former QPR and Wales goalkeeper
Tony Roberts.
The squad will then head off to an overseas destination - yet to be
finalised - for a week before returning to carry on their build-up on home
soil with another testimonial match at nearby rivals - this time for Leyton
Orient manager Martin Ling at Brisbane Road on Tuesday, July 25.
A mixture of senior and younger players will then be used the following
evening, Wednesday, July 25, for a match against MK Dons, now managed by
former Hammer Martin Allen.
On Saturday, July 28, Hammers will travel to Roots Hall for a friendly clash
against Southend United that will form part of the Essex club's Centenary
celebrations, before heading to East Anglia on Tuesday, July 31 to face
Norwich City - managed by our former Assistant Manager Peter Grant.
Following the trend of recent years, the Club will then round off its
pre-season preparations with a prestige friendly at Upton Park on the
weekend of Saturday, August 4 - seven days before the Premier League
campaign kicks off, with opposition yet to be confirmed.
For a list of the first team and reserve team pre-season friendlies already
confirmed, please see below.
Team Date Opponents H/A Kick-Off
First team Sat 14 Jul Dagenham & R A 3.00pm
First team Tue 24 Jul Leyton Orient A 7.45pm
First team Wed 25 Jul MK Dons A 7.45pm
First team Sat 28 Jul Southend Utd A 3.00pm
Reserves Sat 28 Jul Lewes A 3.00pm
First team Tue 31 Jul Norwich City A 7.45pm
Reserves Wed 1 Aug Thurrock A 7.45pm
First team Sat 4 Aug TBC H 3.00pm
WHU XI Tue 7 Aug Welling A 7.45pm
Please note, all fixtures are subject to change.
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Sign up for 2007-08 Club Membership - WHU Official Site
19/05/2007 17:00
Following the launch of two brand new Club Membership schemes for the
2007-08 campaign, supporters of all ages can now take advantage of exclusive
benefits tailored to their specific requirements.
The Academy is the new membership scheme for adult supporters, replacing the
Hammers Club.
For just £30 a year, you will receive some amazing benefits and an exclusive
insight into the Club.
All existing Hammers Club members will automatically receive details on how
they can enrol to their new-look Membership scheme. Alternatively, to
receive further information or apply, please contact 0870 112 2700 or visit
our online Ticket and Membership website by clicking here
Membership to The Academy includes:
. Welcome Pack
. 3-month WHUTV subscription
. Ticket priority
. Pre-match e-newsletter
. Exclusive website members area
. Amazing shop offers and discounts
The club are also pleased to announce that a new membership scheme has been
introduced specifically for supporters aged 16 to 21. Within The Academy
membership scheme will be a young adult category - this will replace the
previous scheme open to Students of all ages and will focus specifically on
this age group.
As well as receiving all the great benefits listed within The Academy, these
supporters will be entitled to reduced price match tickets for all home
fixtures.
Youth Academy is the new membership scheme for junior supporters aged
between six to 16, replacing the Junior Hammers Club.
For just £20, our young fans will receive some fantastic benefits and enjoy
superb savings on tickets - including one match free of charge!
All existing Junior Hammers members will automatically receive details on
how they can enrol to their new-look Membership scheme. Alternatively, to
receive further information, please contact 0870 112 2700.
Membership to The Youth Academy includes:
. Welcome Pack and Bag
. Ticket priority
. Chance to apply for a free match ticket
. Priority on Community coaching courses
. Pre-match e-newsletter
. Exclusive YA website members area
. Amazing shop offers and discounts
. Ticket discounts
PLUS, look out for our brand new exclusive online membership, Fan@tic,
enabling you to enjoy unique benefits, feel part of the team and follow the
Club from wherever you are, anywhere in the world. Details to be announced
on whufc.com soon.
For more information on any of the Club's new Membership schemes, simply
call 0870 112 2700.
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Bobby Moore Stadium petition - Hammers Mad
Story by Barney French
21 May 2007
Petition to name new stadium after Irons' legend
We currently have running a petition for our new stadium to be named The
Bobby Moore Stadium when we do inevitably move from Upton Park.
The petition can be found here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/whufcbms/petition.html
Due to an influx of false signatories over the last 24 hours signatures must
now be approved so you may not see your signature for a few hours.
Please sign it and pass it on to anyone who is likely to be interested.
Thanks.
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West Ham boss Curbishley draws up unwanted list
tribalfooball.com - May 20, 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley has drawn up a long list of senior
players he wants to offload this summer.
The People says the list includes skipper Nigel Reo-Coker, Anton Ferdinand,
Yossi Benayoun, Marlon Harewood, Matt Etherington, Roy Carroll and Teddy
Sheringham. Fringe players Paul Konchesky, Christian Dailly, Carlton Cole,
John Pantsil and Shaun Newton are also expected to go.
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West Ham want Chelsea target - all3points
By Staff Writer
West Ham are plotting a late bid for Chelsea target Steve Sidwell according
to reports over the weekend.
Sidwell looks likely to join Chelsea this week and is set to sign a £45,000
a week contract with the Blues.
The News of the World claims that West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has made
a late bid for Sidwell and offered to improve on the contract currently
being offered by Chelsea.
The paper claims that Curbishley has warned Sidwell that he will only be a
bit part player at Chelsea and instead should join West Ham where he will be
guaranteed first team football.
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Benayoun on brink of signing new deal - The Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:13am on 21st May 2007
Yossi Benayoun will decide this week whether to accept a new five-year
contract and stay at West Ham next season.
The Israeli international captain was believed to be ready to hand in a
transfer request, but has now had a change of heart.
Benayoun has two years left on his current deal but was offered improved
terms last Friday at a meeting with West Ham officials.
The midfielder and his agent, Ronen Katzav, will meet for talks again in the
coming days but several clubs, including Tottenham, Portsmouth and
Newcastle, are thought to be interested in signing Benayoun.
Meanwhile, West Ham have rejected an audacious £3million offer for Matthew
Etherington from Wigan.
Their chairman Dave Whelan has been most vociferous in his condemnation of
West Ham in the Carlos Tevez affair and has joined forces with relegated
Sheffield United in threatening legal action.
The Premier League have now referred the independent commission's ruling to
arbitration.
Whelan spoke to West Ham deputy chief executive officer Scott Duxbury about
Etherington who rejected the offer out of hand.
Despite this, Etherington looks certain to be one of a number of departures
from Upton Park over the next few weeks.
West Ham have confirmed several pre-season friendlies including visits to
newlypromoted League side Dagenham & Redbridge on 14 July, and Leyton Orient
on 24 July.
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West Ham reject Birmingham offer for Konchesky
tribalfooball.com - May 20, 2007
West Ham have rejected a bid from Birmingham City for left-back Paul
Konchesky.
The Sunday Mirror says the Hammers received an offer in the region of £3
million for the England cap.
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Duo in Hornets swoop link - Eat Sleep Sport.Com
Mon, May 21 2007 10:59
Defender Adrian Mariappa is reportedly being targeted by Premiership duo
West Ham and Portsmouth following Watford's relegation.
The 20-year-old Finnish stopper has impressed greatly for the Hornets in the
past season, despite them dropping out of the top-flight and back into the
Championship. And that has resulted in speculation linking both the Hammers
and Pompey to possible bids for the youngster.
However the fact that Mariappa has only recently signed a new two-year deal
at Vicarage Road suggests there is very little substance in this link. He
also admitted boss Aidy Boothroyd's decision to sign a new improved
three-year contract persuaded him to stay and help the club secure promotion
back to the Premiership at the first attempt.
On signing the deal earlier this month, he told the club's website: "I am
very excited to sign for another two years and I'm looking forward to next
season, getting out there and playing.
"Aidy Boothroyd is the one who's had the faith in me. He didn't have to put
me in the team but he's stuck with me and given me the opportunity of
another two years."
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Sidwell to seal Chelsea switch - ClubCall
Steve Sidwell is this week expected to wrap up his move to Chelsea - despite
late interest from West Ham.
Sidwell's free transfer from Reading to Stamford Bridge hit the buffers when
it was reported the highly-rated midfielder was uneasy about committing to a
long-term contract in case he failed to get a regular shirt.
That alerted the Hammers, with manager Alan Curbishley reportedly ready to
beat the £45,000-a-week salary Sidwell has been offered by Chelsea.
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Rangers in talks with West Ham's Konchesky
tribalfooball.com - May 21, 2007
Rangers are planning a cut-price bid for West Ham United fullback Paul
Konchesky.
The Daily Record says the Ibrox club are weighing up a £500,000 offer for
the England international as Walter Smith starts his rebuilding plans.
And Konchesky was in Glasgow at the end of last week to have a look around
the city.
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Duo stepping up bid for Hammers star - Clubcall
Chelsea and Real Madrid have reportedly stepped up their efforts to sign
West Ham's Argentinian forward Carlos Tevez this summer.
Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson revealed over the weekend that they were
confident of keeping the former Corinthians man at Upton Park ahead of the
new Premiership campaign, despite Tevez confirming on Friday he wanted to
"join a European giant".
However, despite West Ham's confidence that, after staving off relegation
and promising a much more successful future in East London, a report in the
Independent has now revealed that Chelsea and Real Madrid are the two sides
who have made inquiries about the 23-year-old.
It appears that it could come down to a straight choice for Tevez between
staying put, moving across London to Stamford Bridge and continuing his
Premiership adventure or trying his hand in the Spanish Primera Liga.
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Blackburn, West Ham join Barnes battle
tribalfooball.com - May 21, 2007
Blackburn Rovers and West Ham are being linked with Derby County midfielder
Giles Barnes.
Barnes insists he's happy to stay at Pride Park next season, even if they
fail in their promotion playoff against West Brom this weekend.
Tottenham have been long-term suitors, but the News of the World says
Blackburn and West Ham are now battling for the youngster.
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Hammers wait on star's decision - Eat Sleep Sport.Com
Mon, May 21 2007 12:05
Israeli star Yossi Benayoun is set to decide whether to stay at West Ham,
while Wigan's bid for Matthew Etherington has been snubbed.
Midfielder, Benayoun, was widely tipped to be on his way out of Upton Park
this summer following an indifferent campaign under Alan Curbishley in which
the Hammers just about survived relegation to the Championship. However it
has been revealed in the Mail that he has been offered a new
five-year-contract to pledge his long-term future to the east Londoners.
Therefore the Israeli skipper will discuss his future with agent Ronen
Katzav this week and decide whether to stay put or make a move to pastures
new. Tottenham, Portsmouth and Newcastle are all reportedly interested in
signing him.
Meanwhile the Hammers have reportedly snubbed a £3million offer for
Etherington from Wigan.
Deputy chief executive officer Scott Duxbury has reportedly admitted that
Latics chairman Dave Whelan, who has condemned West Ham in the Carlos Tevez
affair and joined forces with relegated Sheffield United in threatening
legal action, made an enquiry about Etherington's availability.
However, despite turning down Whelan's offer, Etherington is still expected
to be offloaded by the club in the summer squad rebuilding programme.
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