Steve Nicol will be the coach of the MLS All-Stars against West Ham United
on Thursday 24 July
29.06.2008
Alan Curbishley will pit his wits against Steve Nicol in the Major League
Soccer All-Star Game after the former Liverpool midfielder was handed
coaching duties for the prestigious fixture.
Nicol won the right to lead the MLS representative side against Curbishley's
West Ham United at Toronto's BMO Field on Thursday 24 July because his New
England Revolution were the league's most dominant side in the first half of
the season. As head coach of the MLS All-Star team, Nicol will select five
players and his coaching and training staff. If players selected for the
All-Star First XI, likely to include David Beckham, are unavailable due to
international duty, injury or other commitments, Nicol may decide on
replacements.
The 46-year-old Scot previously led the MLS All-Stars to a 2-0 victory
against Celtic last summer and has been in charge of the New England
Revolution since November 2002. During an illustrious playing career in
England, he played 467 times for Liverpool and scored 46 goals. He won four
league titles, three FA Cup winners' medals and the 1984 European Cup. He
was also capped 27 times by his country and appeared at the 1986 World Cup.
The MLS All-Star First XI will be announced on 10 July. The First XI are
determined by online fan balloting comprising 25 per cent of the total vote,
with MLS coaches and general managers (25 per cent), media (25 per cent) and
players (25 per cent) accounting for the remainder. On 15 July, Nicol and
his staff will select five All-Stars who will join two league commissioner's
selections to complete the MLS 18-man squad.
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United set to face Euro stars - WHUFC
Spain are the European champions and a trio of their number could soon be
taking on West Ham United
29.06.2008
West Ham United may be welcoming three European champions to the Boleyn
Ground on 9 August when Villarreal arrive for a prestigious pre-season
friendly.
The Primera Division runners-up last season had a trio of players in action
for Spain in their 1-0 victory against Germany in the European Championship
final on Sunday night. Joan Capdevila, Marcos Senna and substitute Santi
Cazorla all played their part in the Euro triumph, secured by Fernando
Torres' superb solitary strike, and will no doubt be on a high when they
return to club duties with Villarreal for the 2008/09 campaign. If selected
to face Alan Curbishley's side, they will be up against a strong squad that
may well be reinforced by some big-name returnees like Kieron Dyer and Craig
Bellamy.
The Yellow Submarine, who will be in Champions League action next season,
boast several other high-profile international names in their ranks - not
least Turkey striker Nihat Kahveci, also a revelation in Switzerland and
Austria, and former Premier League performers Robert Pires and Jon Dahl
Tomasson. Some new faces are also due including Brazilian international
Edmilson and US prodigy Jozy Altidore. For ticket information click here and
to read more about the game, which will be the only home fixture before the
big Barclays Premier League kick-off against Wigan Athletic on 16 August,
click here.
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Ljungberg ends Sweden service - WHUFC
Freddie Ljungberg has brought his illustrious international career to a
close after ten years
27.06.2008
Freddie Ljungberg has retired from international football to concentrate on
his playing commitments with West Ham United.
The Sweden captain revealed the news on Friday, citing the physical demands
of combining his national-team career with his club duties. In a message
aimed at Sweden fans, he thanked them for their support but said it was time
for someone else to wear the No9 shirt. "I will carry on playing soccer at
the highest level in the Premier League for several more years and I love
this sport more than anything," he said. "I have come to the decision to
concentrate on playing for my club West Ham United, and that is where my
focus will be in the future."
After making his debut in January 1998, Ljungberg won 75 caps for his
country, scoring 14 goals, and played at five major finals for his country -
including the 2008 European Championship this month. Although the
Scandinavian nation was eliminated after the group stage, Ljungberg was
widely regarded as being the team's most influential player in his attacking
role on the left-hand side of midfield.
The 31-year-old midfielder moved to the Boleyn Ground last summer after
spending nine years at Arsenal where he won league and FA Cup winners'
medals and appeared in the 2006 Champions League final. He has made 28
league and cup appearances, scoring two goals, for West Ham United.
Ljungberg's final game for Sweden was the 2-0 defeat by Russia on 18 June.
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Ljungberg to quit internationals - BBC
Sweden captain Freddie Ljungberg has quit international football to focus on
playing for his club side West Ham. "The physical strain of playing for the
national team and in club football for such a long time has finally taken
its toll," said the midfielder. "I have loved every match, especially the
outstanding support that you the fans have always given us players."
Ljungberg, 31, was handed the captain's armband for Euro 2008 but an ageing
Sweden went out at the group stage. After recording only one win in Group D
- over 2004 champions Greece - it was predicted that a number of Sweden's
older players would call time on their international career and Ljungberg is
the first to make that move official. "I will carry on playing football at
the highest level in the Premier League for several more years and I love
this sport more than anything," added Ljungberg, who made his announcement
in a letter released via the website of Swedish newspaper Helsingborg
Dagbladet. Vittsjo-born Ljungberg earned 75 caps and scored 14 goals for his
country. He joined West Ham prior to the start of last season after spending
nine trophy-laden years at London rivals Arsenal but has suffered a number
of injuries recently, including a cracked rib in April. He has three years
left on his contract with West Ham.
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Collins eyes shock Wales recall - BBC
James Collins is targeting Wales's World Cup qualifiers in September to make
a return after a shock recovery from serious knee ligament damage. West Ham
defender Collins, 24, suffered the injury in January and was told he'd be
out for a year. He said: "I hoped to come back for the start of the Wales
campaign. The way I'm going it looks do-able so as long as I keep
progressing. I feel strong. "I don't see a reason why I can't have a chance
of playing in those games." He added: "If someone had told me when I did it
I'd be back playing again at the start of September I'd have taken it."
Collins hopes to get back into action with the Hammers reserves, the team he
was playing for against Portsmouth when he suffered the injury as he
recovered from a groin problem. "I may play a few reserve games in the
middle to the end of August and then be available for full first team games,
probably at the start of September."
Wales manager John Toshack has spoken of Collins as a potential captain and
will welcome the news as they prepare for the qualifying campaign.
Azerbaijan visit the Millennium Stadium on 6 September and Wales travel to
Russia four days later.
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Hammers get the Örn - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 28th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are set to confirm the signing of highly-rated teenager Hólmar Örn
Eyjólfsson, according to reports. The Hammers were first linked with a move
for the young centre-half back in February, and reports then suggested that
United had agreed terms with the player. But despite Eyjólfsson confirming
that he had received a proposal from the Hammers, there was no further news
on a deal - until this morning, when Icelandic website mbl.is announced that
the two parties had finally agreed terms. West Ham are set to confirm the
signing early next week. Eyjólfsson made his debut for HK in the Icelandic
Premiership aged just 16, and is already a regular for his nation's under
21s although he also featured for the under 17s and under 19s last season.
In addition to featuring regularly at international level he was named in
UEFA's team of the tournament at last year's under 17s Championship where he
was deployed in a defensive midfield role, a position he is equally
comfortable in. Eyjólfsson - who initially spent a week on trial with United
back in February - will become United's first signing of the summer.
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JC's miracle - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 28th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
James Collins could be set to return to action as early as September -
despite suffering cruciate knee ligament damage in January. The 24-year-old
centre-half - nicknamed the Ginger Pele - tore ligaments during the 1-0
reserve team win against Portsmouth.on January 23rd after falling awkwardly
in the centre circle. Now, just seven months later, has targetted Wales'
World Cup qualifiers in September as a return date. "I hoped to come back
for the start of the Wales campaign," he said last night. "The way I'm going
it looks do-able so as long as I keep progressing I don't see a reason why I
can't have a chance of playing in those games. "If someone had told me when
I did it I'd be back playing again at the start of September I'd have taken
it. I may play a few reserve games in the middle to the end of August and
then be available for full first team games, probably at the start of
September."
News of Collins' brisk recovery is further good news for Alan Curbishley,
who is relishing the opportunity of working with a full squad of fit players
for the first time since taking the managerial reigns.
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£63 to watch West Ham - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 27th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United supporters wishing to watch the Irons take on the cream of
the Premier League from the best seats in the house next season will be
charged a whopping £63 to do so. The club yesterday released details of the
2008/09 match ticket prices and those wishing to watch Category A games in
Band 1 seats will be charged an incredible £63 - a figure that equates to
£1260 over the course of the season*.
However it isn't just the best seats that will cost you a small fortune -
the cheapest seats (Band 4) will still be sold at £45 each (or £900 per
season*) for Category A matches. This year there will be just two price
categories - A and B. Category B prices - which will allow you to see
fixtures against the likes of Stoke, Hull and Middlesbrough - start at £35
(£700 per season**) for Band 4 seats and rise to £51 (£1020 per season**)
for Band 1 seats.
Seats for a family of four could therefore cost up to £195*** per game for
non-season ticket holders; a figure that will once again price many ordinary
families out of attending live matches.
Details of all 2008/09 ticket prices can be seen here.
* Based on 18 league games, one FA Cup tie and one Carling Cup tie against
Cat A opposition.
** Based on 18 league games, one FA Cup tie and one Carling Cup tie against
Cat B opposition.
*** Based on two adult Category A, Band 1 seats and two junior Category A,
Band seats.
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Bow in bouyant mood - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 27th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Lee Bowyer is looking forward to the start of the 2008/09 season having
hopefully put his injury woes behind him. The former Charlton and Leeds
midfielder - now 31 - has manged just 42 appearances for United since Alan
Pardew signed him on a free transfer from Newcastle in the summer of 2006
(22 appearances in 06/07 and just 20 last season). But with his niggling
groin problems now hopefully behind him, Bowyer is hoping that he will be
just one of a number of players that missed much of last season to push on
this term. "It is exciting because there are so many good players coming
back," he told whufc.com. "If everyone can stay fit we will have a very
strong squad. "Kieron only played three games last season; Scotty Parker
[had] a stop-start campaign and towards the end you were only really getting
to see just what he can do. Bellars also only played a handful of games but
in those he showed his pace and ability." Poplar-born Bowyer is one of a
number of players whose future is thought to be under threat with Alan
Curbishley under instruction to reduce the size of his burgeoning squad. His
current contract has one more year to run.
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New twist in Blades' Tevez saga - Sheffield Star
Published Date: 27 June 2008
By James Shield
THE Carlos Tevez Affair took a new twist today when it emerged that the
Football Association will not force Sheffield United and West Ham to reveal
the outcome of their latest arbitration before domestic competition resumes
in August. The two clubs are locked in a bitter dispute over the Argentine
striker's role during the 2006-07 Premiership campaign. Officials at Soho
Square have told The Star that, despite reports to the contrary, they have
played no part in the latest hearing which retired to consider its verdict
earlier this month. Despite failing in a previous bid to overturn the FAPL's
initial decision not to impose a points deduction on West Ham for breaching
transfer regulations when they signed Tevez , United are pressing ahead with
their bid for compensation.
Tevez's goal at Manchester United, the team he later joined, on the final
day of the season helped condemn the Bramall Lane club to relegation. "This
is a private arbitration between two parties at which the FA has no
involvement," an FA spokesperson told The Star. "It would be up to the
parties to decide as and when they wanted to announce any outcome."
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Aston Villa in £10million swoop for West Ham's Anton Ferdinand - The Mirror
Exclusive by Steve Stammers 29/06/2008
Aston Villa are closing in on a £10million move for West Ham's Anton
Ferdinand. The 23-year-old has emerged as a prime target for Villa manager
Martin O'Neill, who is looking to reinforce his defence following the
departure of Olof Mellberg to Juventus. O'Neill wants a player of proven
experience and Ferdinand fits the bill. Villa have also enquired about
Getafe's 29-year-old defender Cata Diaz. He was one of the stars in La Liga
last season and has been checked by Barcelona and Tottenham. But because of
his age none of the clubs chasing him is prepared to meet Getafe's £6m
price. Despite being born in Argentina Diaz has a Spanish passport, which
would allow him to play in the Premier League without any work permit
requirements. Diaz said: "I'd love the chance to play in England but I am
under contract at Getafe until June 2012 so my future is in their hands."
Ferdinand - brother of England and Manchester United star Rio - has been
plagued by injuries over recent seasons and West Ham are now ready to cash
in to provide manager Alan Curbishley with money to strengthen his squad.
The defender could be one of several players to leave Upton Park this
summer.
Also on his way could be former Arsenal man Freddie Ljungberg, who is paid a
reported £80,000 a week. He could be joined by the likes of Bobby Zamora. To
replenish their strike force, West Ham are ready to make a £7.5m bid for
Reading's Kevin Doyle, who was the subject of regular checks by Curbishley's
scouting team last season. Reading could also cash in on midfielder James
Harper, a target for Middlesbrough and Fulham. West Ham will hold showdown
talks with club captain Lucas Neill over his future. Neill joined in January
2007 but his deal runs out next summer and the West Ham board will be
reluctant to let him leave on a free transfer. The Australian was handed the
captain's armband last season. Midfielder Kieron Dyer is hoping Neill will
stay. He said: "He is by far the best captain I have ever had. As a player
if you have got a problem, he will sort it out. He is a great man."
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Fredrik Ljungberg leaves national team
Published: 28 Jun 08 11:11 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/12708/
Sweden's national team captain Fredrik Ljungberg has announced his
retirement from international football. In an emotional letter to fans
published on Friday, the 31-year-old former Arsenal midfielder said it was
becoming physically too difficult to play for both West Ham and the national
team. Ljungberg played his first match for his country back in 1998. His
final game for Sweden was the 2-0 loss to Russia which marked Sweden's exit
from Euro 2008.
"I have decided to concentrate on my football with West Ham. This is where
my priority now lies," Ljungberg said. He competed in three European
championships and two World Cups with the Swedes, before being named captain
after the 2006 World Cup. "The moment has come to let some other player take
the number 9 jersey. Sweden has a lot of talented players and I am sure my
place will be taken by someone who has the same passion for sport as me," he
added. "I have played in the Swedish midfield for almost 11 years. I can
honestly say that I have loved every match, especially the boundless support
that you, the fans, have always given us, the players..."
Ljungberg played 75 games for Sweden scoring 14 goals.
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Nani sends West Ham crocks to Milan
tribalfooball.com - June 29, 2008
West Ham are flying their crocked players to Italy. The People says the
Upton Park club's technical director Gianluca Nani has insisted on the new
measure, which is unpopular as players must spend time away. Italian Nani,
who took over his new role this month, is so impressed by medics at a
private clinic based at AC Milan's training ground he insists any injured
Hammers player must go during their rehab. West Ham's Welsh international
defender Danny Gabbidon was there last week for treatment on a groin injury.
Chair man Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson ordered a review of medical facilities
after a spate of long-term injuries at the club.
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Ex-West Ham star Berkovic enters coaching
tribalfooball.com - June 29, 2008
Former West Ham and Southampton midfielder Eyal Berkovic is moving into
coaching. Berkovic, 36, is set to become manager of Israel's Under-17s side.
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Stoke to move for West Ham's Gabbidon
By Ian Ferris - June 29, 2008
Stoke City boss Tony Pulis is ready to test West Ham's resolve to keep
centre-half Danny Gabbidon at Upton Park by making a £2million bid. The
Potters boss is desperate to sign an experienced defender to play at the
heart of his defence and has already been linked with out-of-favour
Tottenham centre-back Anthony Gardner. Gabbidon, 28, joined the Hammers in
July 2005 but has only made 57 Premier League starts during his time at the
club and has been troubled by a niggling groin strain over recent months.
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West Ham want talks with skipper Neill
tribalfooball.com - June 29, 2008
West Ham are seeking talks with skipper Lucas Neill. The News of the World
says the Australian international has settled in quickly to his new
surroundings in London and was handed the captain's armband by Alan
Curbishley at the start of last season. Neill came under fire when he
rejected the chance to sign for Liverpool and opted for a lucrative move to
Upton Park last year. The former Blackburn defender is reported to be
earning £60,000 a week and there has been speculation that the club are
looking to reduce their wage bill. But Neill's agent Paddy Dominguez
recently dismissed reports that he would leave West Ham during the summer
and is happy to remain at Upton Park. Dominguez said: "It doesn't make sense
that a manager who brought Lucas to the club and has installed him as
captain would look to sell him. "It would be very strange. Lucas'
relationship with Alan is good and he is relishing the role of captain."
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West Ham move for Grasshoppers striker Bobadilla
tribalfooball.com - June 27, 2008
Grasshoppers Zurich striker Raul Bobadilla is a target for West Ham United.
The Mirror says Argentinian Bobadilla, 21, scored 18 goals last season for
Grasshoppers Zurich and the striker is the sort of player new football chief
Gianluca Nani is under orders to sign. He would cost £3million.
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West Ham continue Palermo talks over Cavani
tribalfooball.com - June 27, 2008
West Ham United have maintained talks with Palermo over young Uruguayan
striker Edinson Cavani. The Times says the Hammers have asked about taking
Cavani on loan. The 21-year-old Uruguay player scored five goals in 33
league matches last season.
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