Mark Noble should figure when England U21s play a major match at the
national stadium in September
23.06.2008
Mark Noble could be representing England at Wembley in September after it
was announced England will play their final 2009 European Under-21
Championship qualifier at the stadium.
The 21-year-old midfielder , with ten caps and three goals, has been a
mainstay of Stuart Pearce's side as they look to qualify for next summer's
tournament in Sweden. With six wins and a draw, the Young Lions are almost
certain to qualify from Group 3 even before Portugal visit the rebuilt venue
for the high-profile fixture on Friday 5 September. The Portuguese are six
points adrift with two games to play.
Speaking to theFA.com, England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce said: "We want
the transition to the seniors to be as smooth as possible. Taking this game
to Wembley is part of that. A lot of the Under-21 players will never have
played there before and the experience of playing this game there will help
them as and when they step up to the seniors."
In the UEFA qualifying competition, only the ten group winners are certain
to reach the 14-team play-offs, with the four best runners-up also making it
through to the two-legged ties set for October. Noble, who was part of the
squad that reached the 2007 U21 Euro semi-finals, should also be involved
when the U21s warm-up with a friendly against Slovenia on Tuesday 19 August
in Hull. England could also boast James Tomkins and Freddie Sears in their
ranks - especially if the duo impress for the U19s at July's European U19
Championship.
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Extended ticket office hours - WHUFC
There will be more time for season ticket holders to renew before the
much-anticipated 2008/09 campaign
24.06.2008
Season ticket holders are advised the ticket office will be operating
extended opening hours to cope with demand in the lead up to the renewal
deadline.
Fans have until Tuesday 1 July to secure their seat for the coming campaign
and can do so by booking online or alternatively by calling 0871 222 2700.
The ticket office will be open as follows:
Saturday 28 June - 9am to 5pm
Monday 30 June - 9am to 7pm
Tuesday 1 July - 9am to 7pm
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Collison praise for captain - WHUFC
Lucas Neill played a significant role in helping Jack Collison to thrive on
his extra responsbility last season
23.06.2008
Jack Collison has paid tribute to Lucas Neill as the Wales midfielder
reflected on his own fine first season as captain of West Ham United's
reserve team.
Kevin Keen gave the youngster the armband a year ago and the Watford-born
midfielder grabbed the opportunity with both hands - leading by example as
the second string turned in a succession of good displays and challenged all
season at the top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League. From there,
Collison made his senior bow and also earned Welsh recognition at Under-21
and full international level - and he put much of his success down to the
confidence placed in him.
Collison said: "To captain the reserves was a great honour. I have really
enjoyed captaining them and it helped me improve as a player and also off
the pitch as well with the added responsibility. I am a player who thrives
off that responsibility." The 19-year-old said club captain Neill was a key
influence on his game and that he had paid close attention to how the
Australian right-back had earned the respect of all of his colleagues.
"I learnt a lot off Lucas Neill, watching the way he captains the first
team," added Collison. "I think he did a really good job this season. I am
just hoping to take a bit of that into what I do with the reserve team. On
and off the pitch, he sets a good example. He does a lot of work that not
many people get to see. He organises a lot of team-building things, has a
lot of meetings and makes sure everyone knows what is going on. It is good
to have a captain like that. He is someone to look up to."
Collison will hope to get more experience of playing in the same team as
Neill in the new campaign and admitted he would relish the chance of one day
following in his footsteps and leading out the players in front of a full
house at the Boleyn Ground. "I think that is a few years down the line," he
said with a smile when asked whether he dreams of skippering the senior
side. "That would be a great honour one day to captain the first team at
West Ham. That's what dreams are made of, isn't it?"
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It's just a Roma - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 23rd June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Freddie Ljungberg's agent has once again spoken to dismiss reports linking
him with a move to Serie A outfit Roma. Claes Elefalk, replying to recent
reports linking the United winger with a £2 million move to the Italian
giants told Setanta Sports: "I met with Scott Duxbury and the new general
manager Gianluca Nani and they explained Fredrik is very important for the
future. "He is one of their most important players so they don't want to
lose him." Ljungberg was part of the Swedish squad that bowed out of the
Euro 2008 Championships at the group stage last week following a
disappointing campaign.
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New deal for ex youth star - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 23rd June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Former Hammers full-back Adam Newton will play for Brentford next season
after ending his six-year spell at Peterborough. The 27-year-old full-back
was part of the double-winning West Ham youth team of the late 90s and was
widely tipped to make it at the highest level along with then team-mates Joe
Cole and Michael Carrick. But serious injury curtailed Newton's development
at the Boleyn and he was eventually allowed to join the League One side on a
free transfer. Six years on and he has agreed to terminate his contract at
London Road after losing his first team slot last year. A deal with
Brentford has now been confirmed. "It is a sad time but it is a chance for a
fresh challenge and one I am looking forward to," Newton told theposh.com.
"My six years at London Road have been colourful, there have been plenty of
ups and downs and it is great to be able to leave Peterborough on a high
after promotion last term. "It was a big decision when I left West Ham and I
feel I made the right choice with Peterborough. I am still at a good age and
it is a new start for me."
Where are they now?
The 1999 double-winning team ...
Stephen Bywater (Goalkeeper): Currently with Derby despite spending the last
half of the 07/08 season on loan at Ipswich.
Adam Newton (Defender): Recently signed for Brentford after six years with
Peterborough.
Sam Taylor (Defender): Left football after being released by West Ham.
Current whereabouts unknown.
Terrell Forbes (Defender): At Yeovil since June 2006, his fourth club since
leaving the Hammers. Has also spent time with QPR, Grimsby and Oldham.
Izzy Iriekpen (Defender): Left East London after his five year deal ended in
2003. Spent four years at Swansea before joining Scunthorpe on a free last
summer.
Stevland Angus (Defender): Joined Cambridge on a free after his United deal
ended in 2001. Spent time on loan at Hull and Scunthorpe before leaving
pro-football to join Grays in 2005. Currently playing for League Two outfit
Barnet after spending the previous year at Torquay.
Michael Carrick (Midfielder): Joined current club Manchester United from
Tottenham in 2006 for £18.6 million - two years after West Ham sold him for
£2.75 million.
Joe Cole (Midfielder): Joined Chelsea in 2003 after the Hammers were
relgated. Still at Stamford Bridge and a major fixture in Fabio Capello's
England squad.
Richard Garcia (Midfielder): Aussie winger who was released by the Hammers
in Spetember 2004. Spent three years at Colchester before joining Premier
League new boys Hull City last summer.
Bertie Brayley (Striker): Gifted striker who drifted out of pro-football
after spells with QPR and Swindon. Currently plying his trade for Chelmsford
City and, occasionally, the England learning disabilities team.
Michael Ferrante (Striker): Left West Ham in 2001 to try his luck in Italy.
After three years there with Stabia and Benevento he returned to Australia
to join Fawkner Blues. A year with the Blues was followed by a two-year
stint at Melbourne Victory. Now plays for A-League outfit Wellington
Phoenix.
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Gift of the Gab - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 22nd June 2008
By: Staff Writer
John Paintsil's Ghana secured a vital win in Accra against Gabon to keep
their World Cup hopes alive. The Black Stars - featuring the Hammer, who
played a full 90 minutes - won 2-0 thanks to goals from Al-Ittifaq's Prince
Tagoe and Portsmouth's Sulley Muntari last night to return to the top of
their Group Five qualifying group. The win leaves Ghana neck and neck with
Libya on nine points from four games. It was an important result for the
Stars, who had been surprisingly beaten 2-0 by the same opponents eight days
earlier in the return fixture. Ghana's final two group games come against
Libya (a) in September and Lesotho (h) in October. The first of those is
likely to decide who qualifies from the group for the 2010 World Cup finals
in South Africa.
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An early start - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 21st June 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's Premier League fixture at Portsmouth on Boxing Day will
now kick off at 1pm. The fixture had been scheduled for a 3pm kick off, but
has been moved forward to fit the traditional lunchtime slot. Last Christmas
the Hammers endured an Xmas hangover by only managing to draw at home to
ten-man Reading, who were subsequently relegated. The last meeting between
the two sides at Fratton Park ended in a 0-0 draw last October thanks to Rob
Green's injury-time penalty save - whilst Nico Kranjcar's 81st minute winner
was the difference at the Boleyn last April
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West Ham won't sell Ferdinand for less than £8m - metro.co.uk
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
West Ham have slapped an £8million price tag on central defender Anton
Ferdinand who is reported to be a target for Aston Villa. Villa manager
Martin O'Neill is understood to be weighing up whether to firm up his
interest in the Hammers player. West Ham are not looking to offload
Ferdinand, the brother of Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand. The fact
Ferdinand's agent has not been in contact with the club looking for a new
contract has been interpreted as a signal that the player may look for fresh
pastures. But West Ham would be unwilling to let Ferdinand go on the cheap.
And, if reports that Villa are preparing to make a £6million bid prove
correct, the figure will fall well short of their valuation of the player.
O'Neill is keen to bring in a new centre-back following the departure of
Olof Mellberg to Juventus and with Curtis Davies not likely to have
recovered from his ruptured Achilles until September-October time. That
leaves the former Celtic boss with only two experienced centre-backs in
Martin Laursen and Zat Knight. A source close to the Hammers said: 'West Ham
don't want Anton to go but his agent has not been in looking for a new
contract so something might happen. 'They certainly would not let him go for
£6million and would not be interested in any figure under £8million.' West
Ham's determination to get a substantial price for Ferdinand may be swayed
by the fact they had to pay Birmingham £9million for Matthew Upson 18 months
ago.
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West Ham slap £8m price tag on Anton Ferdinand - The Mirror
By Mirror.co.uk 24/06/2008
West Ham have slapped an £8million price tag on central defender Anton
Ferdinand - a target for Aston Villa. Martin O'Neill has only two
experienced centre-backs in Martin Laursen and Zat Knight and fancies
Ferdinand at £6m. But a source close to the Hammers said: "West Ham would
not be interested in any figure under £8m. "They don't want Anton to go but
his agent has not been in looking for a new contract so something might
happen."
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Ljungburg staying with West Ham
tribalfootball.com - June 23, 2008
Freddie Ljungburg's agent has told setantasports.com that his client will
remain at West Ham this summer, despite suggestions to the contrary in
recent weeks. The midfielder, who captained Sweden in their group round exit
at Euro 2008, struggled to make the desired impression during his first
season with West Ham as he scored just two goals following a £3 million move
from Arsenal 12 months ago. However, his agent Claes Elefalk has met with
members of the East London club's hierarchy and has been reassured that his
client remains very much part of the furniture at Upton Park, despite talk
of a move to Italy. "I met with (chief executive) Scott Duxbury and the new
general manager Gianluca Nani and they explained Fredrik is very important
for the future," Elefalk told setantasports.com. "He is one of their most
important players so they don't want to lose him."
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