Having had to watch on from the sidelines last season, Kieron Dyer is out to
play a key role next time around
25.06.2008
Kieron Dyer is fully focused on a big season both personally and for West
Ham United and is relishing the prospect of being back in the first-team
picture.
With just three appearances before he suffered a season-ending double
leg-break last August, Dyer has worked tirelessly to recover in time for the
new campaign. Should he prove his fitness to Alan Curbishley, the England
international is eager to be part of a progressive West Ham United side.
"You look at the likes of Everton and Aston Villa and I do believe that we
can finish ahead of them if we can keep everyone fit," he said at a recent
fans forum. "The key to their success has been they have had the same
starting eleven. Let's see if we can get everyone fit and if we can go for a
run."
Dyer is particularly looking forward to being involved again with the squad
on a daily basis. He is already well used to working alongside former
Newcastle United colleagues Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy and predicts
having them and him back together "will be like three new signings". He has
also been impressed by the leadership shown by Lucas Neill, who he describes
as "by far the best captain I have ever had". He added: "As a player, if you
have got a problem, he will sort it out. He is a great man. He thought the
players were low [after the 4-1 defeat at Manchester United] and suggested a
get together to build team spirit up ... that's the kind of man he is."
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Bellamy giving back - WHUFC
Craig Bellamy is committed to making a difference to underprivileged
youngsters in Sierra Leone
24.06.2008
Craig Bellamy has returned from his summer trip to Sierra Leone and the
successful launch of the Craig Bellamy Foundation.
The Wales striker had been visiting the African country's capital Freetown
as part of his plan to use football as a vehicle for positive social
development. Among the launch events were the first soil being cut at the
site of his new football Academy, a beach soccer event involving the
country's national team and a reception at the British High Commission.
Speaking before his departure, Bellamy told a West Ham United fans forum
about his interest in helping the underprivileged in Sierra Leone by
establishing a multi-league football system and developing community
projects. He revealed he first went to the country a year ago and it was to
leave a lasting and profound impression.
"It was breathtaking to be honest," he said. "It was more than I could ever
have expected. What I was doing was if I saw a group of kids playing in the
street, I would stop off and play with them ... to give something back that
is the only way I can do it. I only know football." He added that he thought
then about setting up an academy to help the underprivileged and that is
what has taken him back to the country this month.
While such football targets spur him on, he will continue to take a strong
personal interest in his charitable work for the rest of his life. "It is
something I am able to do, I am very privileged. I am very lucky to do it.
For me personally, it is the most rewarding thing I can do for a group of
people who really deserve it. I am going to be kept busy and it is something
I am looking forward to."
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Wembley chance for Noble - WHUFC
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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Price named - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 24th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Anton Ferdinand could be the subject of a tug-of-war between Newcastle and
Aston Villa, according to reports in today's tabloids. West Ham United are
reported to have placed a figure of £8 million on the head of the former
academy trainee, whose place in the squad is under threat. Alan Curbishley
is said to have run out of patience with the young centre-half who was
reprimanded last year after flying to the USA for a friend's party when he
had claimed to be visiting a sick relative instead. Ferdinand was also
involved in a major court case a year ago from which he was later acquitted.
Additionally he has suffered a number of injury problems this term. An
unnamed club source quoted in today's Daily Mail said: "West Ham would not
be interested in any figure under £8 million for Ferdinand. They certainly
would not let him go for £6 million. "They don't want Anton to go but his
agent [Jeff Watson] has not been in looking for a new contract so something
might happen."
Tottenham, who were previously linked with Ferdinand have dismissed rumours
of possible interest leaving Villa and Newcastle as front-runners to land
the younger brother of former Hammer Rio. Villa specifically are in the
market for a new central defender after losing Olaf Mellberg earlier in the
summer.
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Winger bid dead - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 24th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Wolves winger Michael Kightly has signed a new four-year deal at Molineux,
ending speculation linking him with West Ham. The deal was confirmed earlier
today; Kightly told the club website: "I'm really pleased that the deal has
been completed. I hope it will stop all of this talk about me wanting to
leave.
"I've really enjoyed myself at Wolves; I wear the shirt with pride and will
continue to do so".
United's apparent interest in the Championship winger first emerged at the
beginning of May. Kightly was linked with a move to East London after Grays
Chairman Mick Woodward claimed that the player was on his way out of
Molineux. The 22-year-old Basildon-born midfielder began his career with
Southend United. He spent two years with the Blues before being picked up by
Grays on a free transfer after being released by the League One side.
Kightly spent a short period on trial with Wolves during November 2006
before being signed on a permanent contract for a fee in the region of
£100,000 at the start of the 2007 January transfer window.
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HAMMERS TALK: Noble could be the leading man for his country - Guardian
Series
WEST Ham midfielder Mark Noble is a leading contender to lead out England's
Under 21s at Wembley later this year, writes Iain Liddle.
The FA have announced that the team's final qualification game ahead of the
2009 European Championships is to be played at the historic stadium and
Noble could be in line to captain the side.
Stuart Pearce's men are almost certain to qualify for the tournament, which
is to be held in Sweden, and will play Portugal in the fixture. The visitors
are currently six points behind England with two games left to play.
"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." Pearce told the
FA.com Twenty one-year-old Noble has scored three goals in ten appearances
for the Under 21 side since making his debut in June 2007 against the Czech
Republic, The energetic midfielder has also previously captained the England
Under 18 side in and was a member of the Under 19 team which lost to France
in the final of the 2005 European Championships.
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England star keen on Hammers switch - Clubcall
20080625 09:16
West Ham target Andy Johnson is said to have revealed he will only consider
a move to Upton Park if Everton agree to sell him. Johnson has been linked
with several big money moves away from Goodison Park with Aston Villa, Wigan
and Middlesbrough all said to be interested in signing him as well as West
Ham. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley and Villa manager Martin O'Neill appear
to be the front runners to sign the England striker, who cost £8.6 million
from Crystal Palace two years ago. But West Ham look to be in pole position
if Everton make him available as Johnson is said to have told reporters
during a recent visit of former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson
to Birmingham that he would only consider a move to West Ham should the
Toffees agree to sell him.
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