In support of African health charity AMREF, West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green
undertook the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Here he exclusively
tells the Independent of the mountainous task he decided to take on
By Robert Green
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Independent.co.uk Web
Leaving Kenya and making the short flight to Tanzania meant a flying
altitude of around twenty thousand feet. Twenty minutes before landing our
pilot cheerfully announced if we looked out of our windows we could see
Mount Kilimanjaro. Looking out of the window it was there, above the clouds,
looking at us eye to eye. I had seen the pictures and the video footage, but
this was massive. I cursed AMREF for their challenge.
I had felt an extra sense of pressure. I realised I was not an average
punter trying to climb Kilimanjaro. I had been on television, radio, in
newspapers and magazines trying to drum up sponsorship for the AMREF cause.
I wasn't just going home to my family and friends to tell them that I had
failed. I had put myself under severe pressure.
Our party consisted of fifteen people and one leader split fairly evenly
between experienced and novice climbers. I was firmly in the beginner
category. We were met by an army of forty porters to carry anything and
everything needed to complete the climb in relative comfort. This soon
became thirty nine as we watched one of the porters slip under the bus they
were travelling in and have his leg ran over. This was not the start we were
looking for.
Our five day climb consisted of rising at around 6.30 each day for breakfast
and hiking for five to eight hours. Starting at the base of the mountain the
terrain changed from the warmth of the glades, through to the exposed areas
of heath land, and finally the barren grounds of volcanic rock.
We were told in the briefing that no matter how fit you were, it was a
lottery as to whether your body would adapt to altitude. I knew from
experience that my body does not take too kindly to sea sickness. So I
assumed that it would be the same for altitude sickness. I was right.
After a fairly uneventful first few days I woke on the third morning knowing
I was in trouble. It was the sort of day where in a normal environment I
would have gone back to bed for the day and not move too far away from the
bathroom. Unfortunately for me this was not a normal day and I was stuck
half way up a mountain and only facing one direction, up. The eight hour
hike that followed was absolute torture. 'Slowly, slowly' was the cry from
the porters as a warning not only to fight the urge to rush up the mountain
too quick, but to say to the rest of the group that the tart of a footballer
was flagging way behind after stopping for his fifth toilet stop of the
morning.
In a strange way I was glad that I had got through that day as I knew
whatever the summit day could throw at me, it couldn't get much worse. I was
wrong.
Come the final ascent, the group had realised that the previous five days
had been purely preparation for the last push up the mountain. We had spent
our evenings, playing poker in the dark and having a joke and a laugh. There
wasn't any of that on the final evening. Nerves had really kicked in. It had
felt like a build up to a game for me. A weeks training and resting in
preparation for a Saturday, the tension, the build up, and the waiting for
it to arrive.
Our final climb started at midnight. Trudging off into the darkness away
from the warmth of our sleeping bags and disappearing into the freezing
night didn't seem like a great idea at the time. The hike was to last around
seven to eight hours, with at least being in pitch black. It was hell.
Physically it was a struggle to breath and there was still another thousand
metres to climb, it was cold enough to freeze my drinking tube within the
first hour of the climb and then all of my water that I was carrying by a
couple of hours. Mentally there was nothing I could do. There was no scenery
to take my mind off it and so it was back to staring at the pair of boots of
the person in front for the next seven hours.
It wasn't long before people of other groups started to drop out, and I
thought if someone in our group did the same, then they would drop like
flies. But hey, we had come this far.
Just after dawn the group had reached Stella Point, one hundred metres below
the peak. I was still twenty minutes behind, resting after each couple of
steps. Stumbling my way up the side of the mountain. There was nothing else
to think of but to where and when my next step would be. It was a slight
conciliation knowing that whatever came at me this coming season would be
nothing compared to this climb.
The last hundred metre climb between Stella Point and Uhuru Peak took me
about forty five minutes. To a man and woman our team had conquered the
5,895m mountain. I cannot remember one celebration from anyone. I was so
pleased to have done it but was in too much pain to think of anything else.
A quick photo, and head back down. The views were stunning, but it was all
too much, it was around minus fifteen-twenty degrees and the oxygen level
was below fifty percent of that at sea level.
The group started the descent but a few people started to wobble, and I was
one of them. Because of the lack of oxygen to the brain, combined with a
lack of water, diarrhoea and vomiting for two days, and a general inability
to adapt to altitude, my body gave up on me. With one of my last clear
thoughts I decided to call for help, it wasn't the time or the place to trip
of the edge of a mountain.
With the aid of two porters, I was guided down step by step for four hours
back to our camp. After two hours sleep I was checked over by one of the
group doctors. Each day we were given a medical to see if we could continue.
One of the tests checked the oxygen levels in our blood. If it was below 78
percent, then you were deemed unfit to continue. Mine was at 45 percent.
On my return flight home, looking up at Kilimanjaro looked a lot less
daunting having just reached its peak, but there was no way I would ever
return there. It was by far the most demanding thing I have ever done, much
like the first leg of the trip had been mentally demanding. In a similar
way, the people of Kibera and Dagoretti had been normal people living in
extraordinary conditions, I had been part of an ordinary group of people
doing something extraordinary. Apart from the frost bite still in the tips
of my fingers, and losing a stone in weight, I survived unscathed. It was an
experience I will never forget, and if I am lucky, did some good.
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Freshly Curdled Transfer Rumours - Just Like My Dreams
Here is the latest pool of transfer gossip and speculation; freshly
expressed for your delectation but probably already curdled by the time you
hit the final paragraph...
Eidur Gudjohnsen's agent today gave the broadest hint so far that the player
would be interested in a possible move to West Ham United. It does appear
certain the former Chelsea and Bolton forward will leave Barcelona this
summer after dropping down the pecking order at Camp Nou, and a host of
clubs are thought to be keen on luring the 29-year-old back to the Premier
League. While the Hammers, Manchester City and Portsmouth have all been
credited with an interest in the player, recent reports had put Aston Villa
as a likely destination.
The player's father and agent, Arnor Gudjohnsen, admitted the Iceland
international would be interested in a move back to England, but said he is
unlikely to be keen on a switch to Villa for personal reasons. "I have seen
some speculation about Eidur and Aston Villa, but I don't think he was very
keen on that," Gudjohnsen Snr told Sky Sports. "I think if he was to return
to England he would prefer to go to London or Manchester rather than
Birmingham. There are a few clubs interested, but there is nothing serious
at the moment. I think he will leave Barcelona and he is keeping his options
open at present."
Elsewhere, a journalist working for Portugal's top sports daily, A Bola, has
suggested that Luis Boa Morte could be on the verge of returning to home.
According to the source, Second Division team Foz do Arelho, financed by a
wealthy Russian benefactor, have put in a considerable bid for the player
who has struggled with both form and fitness since his move across London.
It is thought Boa Morte would certainly entertain the offer as he already
has family based in the area of Caldas Da Rainha.
You can tell it is a slow day when an unsubstantiated month-old rumour from
the BBC 606 site sparks off frenzied forum speculation about a player who is
clearly out of our reach. The story reports that the club are 'leading the
race' to sign rising French star Bafetimbi Gomis. The player's agent, Leve
Pierre, is quoted as saying: "As of now there is only one team to make a
serious offer for Bafetimbi. Yes they are from the Premiership but no not
any of the big four." Someone on the United board is supposed to have
confirmed Gomis as a top target with a fee of around £11.75 million
mentioned. Speaking prior to the recent European Championships, Pierre
apparently stated: "We will only discuss his future between ourselves after
the Championships, but he did say he'd be keen on a move to the
Premiership." Other clubs that have been linked with a move for the player
include AC Milan and Chelsea.
Finally, strangely, Aston Villa winger Shaun Maloney was briefly linked to
the club in a few dispatches this morning; while this afternoon the internet
was abuzz with the news that Roy Hodgson had suffered a brain fart and had
decided to include Jimmy Bullard in the already extortionate deal to secure
Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil. While computer-bound Hammers everywhere were
collectively spitting drinks over their keyboards, it took a categorical
denial from an incredulous Mr Bullard Snr (questioned by a Hammers fan while
he was enjoying an afternoon pint) to kill that particular fantasy dead.
Posted by Trilby at 22:55
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Galatasaray Lions still chasing Hammers' Aussie defender Lucas Neill -
Todays Zaman - Istanbul
Turkey champion Galatasaray, which signed striker Harry Kewell last week, is
now pursuing Australian defender Lucas Neill.
The club first approached English Premier League club West Ham United about
Neill last week amid reports the Hammers want to cut their wage bill.
And although Neill, who is captain of West Ham, said he did not want to play
in the Turkcell Super League, the Galatasaray are Lions are pushing on with
their bid and have offered about $9 million, according to reports in
Britain. And with manager Alan Curbishley under pressure to cut costs, $9
million could be too tempting to turn down.
The 30-year-old is a regular member of the Australian national team and was
a member of the Australian squad which competed in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Neill joined Millwall on a free transfer in November 1995, making his debut
on Feb. 17 against Luton Town in 1996. In almost six years at The Den, he
made 174 appearances in all competitions, scoring 13 goals.
In September 2001, Neill, by then the longest serving player at the club,
submitted a transfer request, and shortly after signed for Blackburn Rovers
for an initial fee of 600,000 pounds plus up to 400,000 pounds more
depending on appearances.
Neill played his first game for Blackburn in September 2001 against
Sunderland and scored his first Blackburn goal later that month against
Bolton Wanderers. Neill is a combative, versatile player. He has played in
all defensive positions during his professional career and is a key member
for both his club and the national team.
Neill was well-regarded by Blackburn Rovers supporters largely due to his
never-say-die, determined attitude. He was one of Blackburn Rovers' most
consistent performers and held the right back position for over five years
without any competition.
In October 1996, Neill became the second youngest player, after Kewell, to
debut for the Australian national team when he played in a friendly game
against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, aged 18 years and seven months. He also
competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney with the Australian men's
team, the Olyroos.
On Nov. 16, 2005, at Sydney's ANZ Stadium, Neill helped Australia qualify
for the 2006 FIFA World Cup by playing the entire game and scoring the
Socceroos' second penalty in a shoot-out against Uruguay, after aggregate
scores were tied at 1-1 following extra-time. He was named Man of the Match
for this game.
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West Ham avoid court battle with Terry Brown - Telegraph
By Richard Bright
Last Updated: 11:16pm BST 11/07/2008
West Ham have agreed an out-of-court settlement to end their legal dispute
with former chairman Terry Brown.
Brown sold his majority holding in the club to an Icelandic consortium in an
£85 million takeover in November 2006. But in the fallout of the Carlos
Tevez and Javier Mascherano transfer saga - which eventually saw the club
fined £5.5 million by the Premier League - certain contractual agreements
with Brown, such as a £1.2 million salary and seats in the directors' box at
Upton Park, were withdrawn, leading Brown to mount a legal challenge.
Yesterday West Ham chairman and owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson announced on
the club's website that the matter had been resolved. "It is time to move on
from old disputes and legal battles," he said.
"My focus, and that of the whole board, is on the future. Terry Brown has a
long history with West Ham United, as former chairman and leading
shareholder, and there is no reason for the club and Terry to be at odds. We
have settled our differences and Terry will be a welcome guest at the club
as we move forward into the new season."
Sheffield United expect to learn the outcome of their compensation claim
against West Ham over the Tevez affair in September.
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Transfer Rumour: Saint Etienne Striker Linked to West Ham - Cmon Yu Irons
July 11, 2008
Bafetimbi Gomis, 22, has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham from
French club Saint Etienne. The tricky forward would be a good addition to
the West Ham Squad and would fit in with Nani's new youth program, he would
also cost no more than 1-2million and would replace the Fulham bound Zamora.
The french international featured in the french euro 2008 squad and made a
single substitute appearance in the 4-1 defeat to Holland.
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Barca forward would 'prefer' move to London - Guardian
WEST Ham look to be facing a two-horse race with Manchester City for the
signature of Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen after his agent ruled out a
move to Aston Villa. The former Chelsea favourite looks certain to leave the
Nou Camp this summer, with a host of Premier League clubs - including the
Irons - closely monitoring the situation. However, according to his father
and agent Arnor Gudjohnsen, the 29-year-old Icelandic international would
prefer to relocate to London or Manchester - and not Birmingham. "I have
seen some speculation about Eidur and Aston Villa, but I don't think he was
very keen on that," Gudjohnsen told skysports.com. "I think if he was to
return to England he would prefer to go to London or Manchester rather than
Birmingham.
"There are a few clubs interested, but there is nothing serious at the
moment. "I think he will leave Barcelona and he is keeping his options open
at present." Gudjohsen - who made almost 200 appearances during six years
with Chelsea - has struggled to make an impact at the Catalan club following
his £8million switch from Stamford Bridge in 2006.
3:09pm Friday 11th July 2008
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Gudjohnsen: Villa? No. Hammers? Maybe - Goal.com
Eidur Gudjohnsen's agent has confirmed that the Iceland star is heading for
the exit at Barcelona, though Aston Villa boss Gareth Southgate will hardly
have been heartened by his latest comments. Villa are reportedly eager to
bring the ex Chelsea and Bolton forward back to the Premier League, but now
it very much seems that West Ham are the most likely to make that happen. I
have seen some speculation about Eidur and Aston Villa, but I don't think he
was very keen on that," his father and agent Arnor Gudjohnsen told
skysports.com. "I think if he was to return to England he would prefer to go
to London or Manchester rather than Birmingham. "There are a few clubs
interested, but there is nothing serious at the moment. "I think he will
leave Barcelona and he is keeping his options open at present."
West Ham had actually failed in their attempt to sign the 29-year-old last
summer, but manager Alan Curbishley should now more determined than ever to
snag the unsettled Barcelona man.
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
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Hammers eye Foxes ace16:24, July 11, 2008 - ESS
West Ham United are being linked with a move for Leicester's young England
star Joe Mattock. The highly-rated youngster has been attracting plenty of
interest and reports have claimed the Hammers could swoop after he has
played for England in the European under-19 championships. Bolton have also
been linked with a swoop for the player who could cost in the region of
£1.5million.
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