The first Boleyn Cup in aid of AMREF and organised by Robert Green raised
money and awareness
15.05.2008
Robert Green is aiming to put his feet up for a little while after
organising a charity football day at the Boleyn Ground.
The newly-crowned Hammer of the Year staged the Boleyn Cup in support of the
African Research and Medical Foundation (AMREF) - a cause he has already
backed with a fundraising golf day featuring the country's leading
shot-stoppers last week that raised more than £11,000. He will continue to
support the organisation later this summer with a personal trip to Africa
including a climb of the continent's highest peak - Mount Kilimanjaro.
For the Boleyn Cup, five-a-side teams were invited to pay £1,000 to enter
and allowed to use the home and away dressing rooms and then take part in an
all-day tournament that proved to be enjoyable and competitive. Green then
presented the trophies at the end before being mobbed for autographs and
photos. "It went as smoothly as possible," he said. "It was a really good
day. We had beautiful weather again thankfully and it all worked out
perfectly in the end."
The 28-year-old was grateful for the support from West Ham United and the
stadium staff, describing their backing as "brilliant" before adding: "It
has been wonderful. The club has been fantastic and I can't thank them
enough." Although the aim of the day was very much on football and
enjoyment, the funds and awareness raised for AMREF was the most crucial
element.
Green said: "It is massive. They do some wonderful work throughout Africa.
Everything they do and all the awareness and the money - so much can go so
far." He will see for himself when he arrives in Kenya and Tanzania ahead of
the Mount Kilimanjaro climb between 20 June and 1 July. "I really don't know
what to expect," he added. "The enormity of it all could take me by surprise
to be honest. I am going to experience it and hopefully make a difference.
If I can, it will be tremendous and I am really looking forward to going."
AMREF has more than 600 people working throughout the Africa, attempting to
improve the lives of people in some of the harshest and poorest climates in
the world. If you would like to sponsor Robert on his climb, you can find
his page on www.justgiving.com/robertgreenkiliclimb.
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Chairman 'pleased with progress' - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 14th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United Chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has admitted that he is
unlikely to sanction major squad investments this summer. The club's
Icelandic owner echoed comments made by Alan Curbishley regarding his
existing squad, claiming that rather than investing heavily this summer 'the
squad he has assembled should be given a chance to play together'. In the
letter, sent to season ticket holders this week he also revealed that he was
happy with the club's progress last season - progress which amounted to an
extra eight Premier League points compared to the 06/07 season and an
improvement of five places. "Although certainly less eventful than the
previous season I have been pleased with our progress and it gives the club
a platform from which to progress further," he said. "I share the
frustration expressed by Alan [Curbishley] about the scale of our injuries
but endorse his view that the squad he has assembled should be given a
chance to play together while allowing the exciting young talents emerging
from our Academy the chance to establish themselves in the first team
squad."
However Gudmundsson warned Curbishley that he expected to see a major
improvement in the team's results next year. "When I first purchased the
club in December 2006 I was keen to emphasise my long term commitment to
building the club," he added. "It was always my intention to invest further
funds in the club to strengthen the first team squad. "To this end the club
has invested at net £40m in the squad since the takeover - and I hope that
next season we will finally see a settled side with a realistic chance of
competing for honours."
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Curbishley: no major changes - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 14th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
Alan Curbishley has told season ticket holders not to expect major changes
in personnel this summer. Curbishley's comments were included in the season
ticket holders renewal pack, which was distributed earlier this week. In it,
Curbishley admitted that the football produced by his team last season was
below par - but promised that it would be 'a different West Ham next
season'. However he warned supporters not to expect big signings this summer
- or until he had the opportunity to see his best XI in action. "Although
this season has lacked the drama of last season's relegation battle I hope
all of you will share my satisfaction with the progress we have made," he
wrote. "A top half finish has to be viewed as a considerable achievement,
especially after the high number of injuries we have experienced throughout
the season. "Following our escape last summer the chairman made significant
funds available for me to strengthen the squad in the close season. I was
able to bring in a number of exciting new players and it has been a major
frustration to me that so many of them have barely featured in the first
team. "It is for these reasons that I do not expect to make major changes
to the squad this summer. There is a need to consolidate this current squad
before assessing whether to bring in new faces. "I am aware that you are
accustomed to West Ham United teams playing attractive attacking football
but that our performances this season have not always met your expectations.
"Our back room team are focussing on making sure that all the key members of
our squad are available for the pre season and are ready to start next
year's campaign in peak condition. "It is an exciting prospect and, if we
can achieve this, I think you will see a different West Ham next season."
Despite Cubishley's comments the Hammers continue to be linked with a string
of players - details of which can be seen on our new transfer rumours page.
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Green fears for future - SSN
West Ham goalkeeper admits international concerns
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 14th May 2008
West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green fears he may not feature in the plans of
England manager Fabio Capello. Green failed to force his way into England's
final squad for the friendlies against Switzerland and France following the
arrival of Capello in January. And the shot-stopper has again been
overlooked for the forthcoming meetings with USA and Trinidad & Tobago on
28th May and 1st June respectively. Green admits that he has simply failed
to impress Capello and he fears he could be set to remain in the
international wilderness while the Italian is in charge of England. "There
is a distinct possibility," Green told Sky Sports News when asked if could
continue to miss out under Capello. "I'm failing to do so, so far. "It's
life. All I can do is focus on what I'm doing and, thankfully, I have had a
good season at West Ham and hopefully I'll improve on that next season."
Green has earned one England cap to date, which came when he appeared for 73
minutes in the friendly with Colombia in New Jersey in 2005 when the
national side was under the management of Sven Goran Eriksson.
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Boo boys may force Luis out of the club - Newham Recorder
14 May 2008
UNDER-FIRE West Ham winger Luis Boa Morte has admitted that he might be
hounded out of the club if he continues to be on the receiving end of taunts
from supporters, writes MIKE SIMMONDS. The former Fulham star has found
himself the target of the Hammers boo boys in recent weeks, after failing to
convince them since his big money £5million move from Craven Cottage 16
months ago. Now it has got to the point where Boa Morte might be forced to
play his football elsewhere if the abuse doesn't stop. "I've got two years
left at West Ham but of course I don't like the situation and we'll see what
happens in the summer," he revealed. "I will sit down with the chairman and
the manager and speak to them about it and find the best solution. Nobody
likes to work and get booed every single week when you're name is read out,
when you touch the ball, so of course it is not a good situation. "If the
supporters boo me then I have to play against them and the opposition.
"When I came here, I came in good spirits and to reach my targets and to
help the team achieve their targets as well, but when I get booed after 30
minutes then this is a situation that doesn't make me happy. "Nobody likes
to get booed when they touch the ball so I've just kept my character and
showed my strength but I've worked hard over the last eight weeks while
they've been booing me."
Any critics of Boa Morte can't have failed to be impressed with the way the
midfielder performed against Aston Villa on Saturday as he gave a display
crammed full of tenacity. A couple of fearsome challenges on former Hammers
skipper Nigel Reo-Coker went some way to rebuilding his reputation, but the
winger fears it might be too late. "It's 50/50, some people boo me and some
don't but I keep focusing with the help of my family. They all support me,"
he said. "It's not a good feeling you know. It makes me feel sad but I'm
never going to throw the towel in. "Before the match today (Saturday) it
was the same, some people cheered me and some people booed me. "That's the
situation, I don't like it. I went through tough times at Fulham but now I
came here with the same spirit to do my best because it was a new challenge
but that's football, it's not fair.
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Hammers keen on Dunne - Guardian Series
WEST Ham boss Alan Curbishley has joined the race to sign sought-after
Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne, according the media reports. The
Republic of Ireland defender (pictured) has become unsettled with life at
the City of Manchester Stadium over the impending sacking of boss Sven Goran
Eriksson. That has seen him linked with a move away from the club, with
Newcastle, Sunderland, Arsenal and Spurs all interested. But Curbishley is
ready to step in first. The Irons chief has been without injured centre
backs Danny Gabbidon, James Collins and Calum Davenport for the majority of
the season, while Anton Ferdinand has been dogged by a series of niggling
injuries. Now he sees Dunne as an ideal candidate to provide stability
alongside England defender Matthew Upson at the heart of the Hammers
defence. And it is believed that, under new FIFA regulations, the
28-year-old - in the last year of his contract at City - could be available
for as little as £1 million although, according to the Daily Star,
Curbishley is willing to offer Ferdinand in a part-exchange deal. Dunne -
who was sent off in City-s 8-1 hiding at Middlesbrough on Sunday - has been
a consistent at City this season. He has racked up over 250 appearances
following his £3 million switch from Everton in 2000.
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