Another away match in early August has been added to the club's busy summer
friendly programme
25.06.2008
The 2008/09 pre-season campaign will now end with a West Ham United XI in
action against Tilbury on Monday 11 August.
The fixture at the Essex club's Chadfields ground will come two days after
the traditional high-profile curtain-raiser for the first team at the Boleyn
Ground, which has yet to be finalised. Another highlight of the summer
programme will be the North American tour between 18-25 July when the club
will play Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew in Ohio, USA on Sunday 20
July before travelling across the Canadian border to face the MLS All-Stars
in Toronto on Thursday 24 July. The new season begins on 16 August at home
to Wigan Athletic.
Ticket information for all games as and when available is in the ticket
office section.
2008/09 pre-season schedule
Thursday 17 July, 7.30pm - Hampton & Richmond Borough v West Ham United
Saturday 19 July, 3pm - Billericay Town v West Ham United XI
Sunday 20 July, 5pm - Columbus Crew v West Ham United (Columbus, USA)
Thursday 24 July, 7pm - MLS All-Stars v West Ham United (Toronto, Canada)
Saturday 26 July, 3pm - Thurrock v West Ham United XI
Tuesday 29 July, 7.45pm - Peterborough United v West Ham United
Wednesday 30 July, 7.45pm - Cambridge United v West Ham United XI
Friday 1 August, 7.45pm - Southampton v West Ham United
Saturday 2 August, 3pm - Grays Athletic v West Ham United XI
Monday 4 August, 7.45pm - Ipswich Town v West Ham United
Tuesday 5 August, 7.30pm - Bishop's Stortford v West Ham United XI
Saturday 9 August, 3pm - West Ham United v TBC
Monday 11 August, 7.45pm - Tilbury v West Ham United XI
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Gudjohnsen - talks held? - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 25th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Reports tonight suggest that West Ham United have held talks with
representatives of Barcelona with regard to a deal for striker Eidur
Gudjohnsen.
KUMB understands that a party from the Spanish giants - led by
vice-president Marc Ingla - met Hammers chiefs last week to discuss a fee
for the 29-year-old Icelandic international, who joined Barca two years ago
this summer. Should the Hammers land their man it will end a 12-month
pursuit of the former Chelsea player, who was first linked with a move to
United during last summer's transfer window. Gudjohnsen - who is known to
have visited London last week - is thought to be keen on a return to the
Premier League, where he spent eight years with Bolton and Chelsea.
Barcelona are willing to sell a player they landed for around £6 million for
a similar fee. As always, we'll bring you more news on this as it happens.
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Ince eager for Hammers trip - SSN
New Blackburn boss relishing Upton Park return
Last updated: 26th June 2008
New Blackburn manager Paul Ince is relishing the return to former club West
Ham in his third Premier League game at the helm. The former Upton Park
midfielder is guaranteed a hostile reception in the East End of London with
fans still bitter over the manner of his departure for Manchester United in
1989.
But Ince, who is in his first top-flight job after two seasons in League Two
with Macclesfield and MK Dons, cannot wait. Ex-England international Ince,
the first black British manager in the history of the Premier League, was
confirmed as Mark Hughes' successor at the weekend. He said: "I looked at
the fixtures and noticed straight away that West Ham was the third game.
"The trip to Upton Park was the one that stood out to me for some reason. I
can't think why! "But we've got Everton and Hull to play before then it will
be an exciting time for me. "Not long ago I was thinking about games against
Darlington and Rochdale, no disrespect to them. "Now here I am looking at
when we are going to be playing against Manchester United and Chelsea - and
West Ham, of course."
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Pantsil plans Hammers stay - SSN
Ghana ace claims interest from other clubs
Last updated: 25th June 2008
West Ham defender John Pantsil says he plans to stay at Upton Park despite
attracting interest from other clubs. The Ghana international struggled to
hold down a regular place in the Hammers starting XI last season, but
impressed after getting a run in the side at the back end of the campaign.
The 27-year-old claims other clubs have expressed an interest in signing
him, but Pantsil says he is happy at West Ham. "Some clubs have made
attempts to lure me," Pantsil told ModernGhana. "But what I can say for now
is that I am happy at West Ham United and I am prepared to stay on. "My
manager Alan Curbishley is highly impressed with my output so far and is not
prepared to let me go - therefore I will stay at the club."
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Ipswich make Wright move - SSN
Magilton hopes to bring shot-stopper back to Portman Road
By James Dall Last updated: 25th June 2008
Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton has revealed the club have made an
approach to West Ham United for goalkeeper Richard Wright. Wright began his
career at Portman Road before signing for Arsenal in 2001 for a fee of
£6million. The switch proved an unsuccessful move for Wright after he only
made 12 Premier League starts for The Gunners. The 30-year-old then
transferred to Everton before agreeing a switch to his current side West Ham
in 2007.
Wright has struggled for regular first-team football at Upton Park and was
sent out on loan to Southampton during the latter stages of last season.
Magilton, though, is keen to bring the shot-stopper back to Ipswich in a bid
resurrect the former England international's career. He told the Evening
Star: "Richard is a very good goalkeeper and I feel he would be at his best
playing for Ipswich Town. "There is no secret that I wanted him 12 months
ago, but it did not happen possibly because something was lost in
translation. "You will have to ask him if he made the right decision to move
to West Ham, who were of course in the Premier League. "An approach has been
made but it is early days and if it does not happen then we have other irons
in the fire."
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A Marked man? - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 25th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Mark Bresciano has told the Australian media that he hopes to be playing in
the Premier League next season. The Australian winger currently plys his
trade with Palermo in Serie A and was part of the team that knocked West Ham
out of the UEFA Cup two seasons ago. However after playing little more than
a bit part role this season under new manager Francesco Guidolin, the
27-year-old has indicated that he feels it is time to move on. In an
interview with Australia's Channel 10 last night Bresciano reiterated his
desire to move to the Premier League - and mentioned West Ham as a possible
destination.
However the club remain insistant that they will not be spending big mony
this summer - and with the Melbourne-born midfielder likely to command a fee
in the region of £5 million, that would surely put him out of the picture.
A set-piece specialist, Bresciano plays mostly on the left side of midfield
but can also play as a forward and in central or right midfield roles.
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Keeper farmed out? - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 25th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Ipswich Town have enquired about the possibility of signing Hammers reserve
keeper Richard Wright on a permanent basis. The 30-year-old former England
goalkeeper joined the Hammers on a free transfer last summer as cover for
number one Robert Green. But having barely featured for the first team in
the 2007/08 season the Ipswich-born stopper is looking to move on in order
to secure regular first team football. His most likely destination had
appeared to be Southampton, where Wright spent three months on loan at the
end of last season helping the Saints to avoid relegation to League One.
However Ipswich boss Jim Magilton has made a late bid to scupper that
possible move. Speaking earlier today, he said: "Richard is a very good
goalkeeper and I feel he would be at his best playing for Ipswich Town.
"There is no secret that I wanted him 12 months ago, but it did not happen
possibly because something was lost in translation. "You will have to ask
him if he made the right decision to move to West Ham, who were of course in
the Premier League. "An approach has been made but it is early days and if
it does not happen then we have other irons in the fire."
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HAMMERS TALK: West Ham could be targets first choice - Guardian Series
EVERTON frontman Andy Johnson has reportedly said that he would only
consider a move to West Ham if he is shown the door at Goodison Park, writes
Trevor Vidler. It is thought that the Toffees are ready to listen to offers
for the Bedford born forward, who is attracting interest from a number of
Premier League clubs, including the Hammers. Johnson, an £8.6m signing from
Palace two seasons ago, apparently told reporters at a recent visit by Mike
Tyson in Birmingham that West Ham were the only club he would consider
joining should Everton wish to sell him. It is no secret that Hammers boss
Alan Curbishley is an admirer of the 27-year-old striker, who has been
capped eight times by England.
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HAMMERS TALK: Boro look set to sign Hammers target - Guardian Series (
Phew! - PeterR )
WEST Ham target James Harper is reportedly the subject of £3.5million bid by
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate, writes Trevor Vidler. The 'Boro'
manager hopes his move for the Reading midfielder will stave off competition
from other Premier League clubs, including the Hammers. Harper was one of
the Royals best players last season in their unsuccessful battle to beat the
drop. He played in every one of their 38 league games, scoring six goals.
The former Arsenal man has recently admitted his disappointment at dropping
out of the Premier League but did pledge to stay loyal to Reading for next
season if they chose to keep him.
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Dyer hails 'best ever captain' Neill - Setanta
by Chris Stanton, 25 June 2008
Kieron Dyer has given his backing to Lucas Neill after a season in which the
West Ham captain came in for heavy criticism. Neill's form last season was
disappointing and, with The Hammers often failing to sate their home fans,
the captain became a scapegoat. However Dyer, who like Neill is hoping for a
much better season next time around following his return from injury has
described his skipper as 'the best captain I have ever had.' "As a player,
if you have got a problem, he will sort it out," said Dyer. "He is a great
man. "He thought the players were low [after the 4-1 defeat at Manchester
United in May] and suggested a get together to build team spirit up. That's
the kind of man he is." Meanwhile, John Paintsil, the understudy to Neill at
right back, has reiterated his commitment to the club despite claiming to
have received offers from elsewhere. "Some clubs have made attempts to lure
me, but what I can say for now is that I am happy at West Ham United and I
am prepared to stay on," he told ModernGhana. "My manager Alan Curbishley is
highly impressed with my output so far and is not prepared to let me go -
therefore I will stay at the club."
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Ipswich want to re-sign West Ham keeper Richard Wright - The Mirror
By Mirror.co.uk 26/06/2008
Ipswich manager Jim Magilton wants to bring back keeper Richard Wright from
West Ham. "Richard is a very good goalkeeper and I feel he would be at his
best playing for Ipswich Town," said Magilton, a former Portman Road
team-mate. "An approach has been made but it is early days."
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Ince Can't Wait For Upton Lark - The Sun
By MARTIN BLACKBURN
PAUL INCE admits his first trip back to West Ham as a boss is the game of
the season for him. Blackburn's new Guv'nor picked out the August 30 trip to
Upton Park on August 30 ahead of Premier League giants Manchester United and
Liverpool.- his other two old clubs. But the new Rovers chief has been
warned to expect another white hot reception from Hammers fans with long
memories. Ince made his name at the Hammers but the manner of his move to
Old Trafford 19 years ago still rankles with some West Ham fans. So it could
be a long 90 minutes for the Guv'nor stood in the technical area in front of
the Main Stand at the Boleyn Ground. He said: "I looked at the fixtures and
noticed straight away that West Ham away was the third game in. "The trip to
Upton Park was the one that stood out to me for some reason, I can't think
why! "But we've got Everton and Hull before then and it will be an exciting
time for me at the start of the season. "Not long ago I was looking at the
fixtures and thinking about Darlington and Rochdale - no disrespect to them.
"Now here I am looking at when we are going to be playing against Manchester
United and Chelsea - and West Ham, of course."
Ince admits he can still fly off the handle but claims he has calmed down
considerably since his playing days came to an end. He said: "I'll lose my
rag if I have to but I am a bit more mellow these days than I was as a
player." But he may not find the Hammers fans have changed much and still
remember how he was pictured in a United shirt before the deal was done.
Gordon Thrower - co-editor of the Knees Up Mother Brown fans website - said:
"Ince says he's looking forward to it but I think a lot of West Ham fans
will be looking forward to letting him know he's not been forgotten.
"There's no doubt there will be booing when he comes back - a lot of West
Ham fans have long memories. "Ince behaved very unprofessionally during his
last couple of months and a lot of people were unhappy about it. "There's
some who want to move on and forget about it but they'll stay quiet so the
booing is what you will hear. "It's quite exposed in the technical area at
Upton Park and I think every time he stands up he'll get stick. "But to be
honest I don't think it will worry him one bit, in a strange way he might
even relish it a bit. "It won't be the first time he's been jeered by
Hammers fans and I'm pretty sure it won't be the last either."
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Villareal will be friendly opponents - Newham Recorder
25 June 2008
SPANISH side Villareal are set to be be West Ham's opponents when they
complete their pre-season friendly programme at Upton Park on May 9. The La
Liga outfit finished runners-up behind Re-al Madrid last season to qualify
for the Champions League, so they should provide tough opposition. They
include Robert Pires in their ranks as well as Spanish Euro 2008 stars Joan
Capdevila and Santi Cazorla.
* WEST HAM duo Freddie Sears and James Tomkins have both been selected in
England under-19s squad for next month's European Championships. Sears
grabbed two goals and Tomkins helped England to three clean sheets in the
final qualifying group back in May, and now they face hosts Czech Republic,
Italy and Greece in their group matches. The tournament is on between July
14 and 26. Spain, Germany, Hungary and Bulgaria are in the other group at
the finals.
* WEST HAM defender John Pantsil played the full 90 minutes as Ghana stayed
top of their World Cup qualifying group with a 2-0 win over Gabon on Sunday.
* THE HAMMERS Boxing Day clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park has been
moved to a 1pm kick off.
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Ljungberg is assured that he is staying at West Ham - Newham Recorder
25 June 2008
SWEDISH international Freddie Ljungberg will be at Upton Park next season
according to his agent. The 31-year-old winger, who has 75 caps to his name
after Sweden's disappointing showing at Euro 2008, had been linked with a
move to Serie A side Roma, but that was disputed this week. His agent Claes
Elefalk met with West Ham officials recently in what proved to be a fruitful
meeting. "I met with [chief executive] Scott Duxbury and the new technical
director Gianluca Nani and they explained Fredrik is very important for the
future," he said. "He is one of their most important players so they don't
want to lose him."
Ljungberg signed from Arsenal in a £3million deal last summer, but it was
the hefty salary that the Swede is being paid that has prompted speculation
that the club may try to remove him from the wage bill. However, the once
injury prone player chalked up a useful 28 appearances last season, and when
he did manage a run of consecutive games, he looked to be finding some of
his best form for many a year. His ability to play on both the right and
left wing is also valuable and manager Alan Curbishley sees him as an
important and vitally experienced player for the coming campaign.
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Ince set for hot welcome - Newham Recorder
25 June 2008
THERE are few things you can depend on these days, writes DAVE EVANS. Taxes
is one obviously. High petrol prices, the UK flopping in the Eurovision Song
Contest and West Ham never winning at Liverpool all spring to mind. But one
thing that is more predictable than a Zimbabwean Presidential election, is
the fact that Hammers' fans will boo Paul Ince when he brings Blackburn to
Upton Park on August 30. Despite the fact it has been nearly 20 years since
the talented midfielder left West Ham for Manchester United, the animosity
towards the 40-year-old shows no sign of diminishing. West Ham fans seem to
have a list of hated ex-players longer than just about every other team
around, a situation that is a puzzling one. Frank Lampard has never been
forgiven for leaving Upton Park for Chelsea and criticising the club as soon
as he had left, while Jermain Defoe made the huge mistake of asking for a
transfer 48 hours after West Ham had been relegated. Former manager Glenn
Roeder was also on the end of a vicious onslaught from a small section of
fans when he returned to Upton Park with his Newcastle United team the
season before last, and all Roeder had done to the club was got them
relegated - something that even the great John Lyall managed to do. It is
unclear what sort of reception Alan Pardew would get if his Charlton side
come to Upton Park, but his captain during his time at the Hammers - Nigel
Reo-Coker - certainly felt the wrath of fans when he arrived for the final
game of last season. Ince though, seems to be the orginal 'Judas', a label
that has stuck over the years and will no doubt be brought out again when
the Ilford-born star returns as the first black manager of a Premier League
team. It was a long time ago, so perhaps many supporters are unclear as to
the nature of the England international's falling out with the West Ham
faithful. It all stems from the fact that Ince was photographed in a
Manchester United shirt while he was still a West Ham United player, and a
full three months before he finally moved to Old Trafford. The player
defended himself in an interview 10 years after that fateful event. "My
agent Ambrose Mendy suggested that as I was going to Malta, I should have my
picture taken in a Man U top, just in case a deal was completed while I was
on holiday," he explained. "I didn't really want to have my photo taken, but
I went along with it and I was assured that the picture would remain in the
photo library of the Daily Star and that if I decided to stay at West Ham,
it would be torn up." He continued: "Some geezer at the Daily Express - I
didn't realise they were in the same building - heard that my move to
Manchester United was about to go through. He went into the shared photo
library and stumbled on that picture. "That's how it came to appear in the
Express - it caused murders!"
Whether he was poorly advised, or just naive, Ince has never been forgiven
for that indiscretion, and even one of his best mates at West Ham - Steve
Potts - found it difficult to understand why he had gone through with it.
"You just wouldn't do it would you?" said West Ham legend Potts. "I honestly
think he was misguided over the Manchester United business. "He was young
and John Lyall had guided him very well, but when Lou Macari took over and
he was pictured in the paper in that red shirt, it was always going to be a
hard one to turn round."
It certainly was, but whatever West Ham fans may think of the Goodmayes-born
footballer, he has certainly had a magnificent career as a player and a
budding one as a manager. Two seasons ago he saved Macclesfield from
relegation in League Two; last term he earned MK Dons the League Two and
Johnstone's Paint Trophy double, and now he has the chance to show what he
can do in the top flight of English football. Another former West Ham star
in Tony Cottee believes that Ince will make a good job of his first
assignment in the Premier League. "I've known Paul for years and he is a guy
with so much commitment and passion," said Cottee. "Back when he was a young
player at West Ham, you could always see he had this drive to succeed. He
was a winner. "That has continued as he has made the move into management
and it is no surprise to me that he now finds himself in the Premier
League."
Ince's first job must be to persuade star players David Bentley and Roque
Santa Cruz that their futures are at Ewood Park, his second will be to
follow in the not inconsiderable footsteps of Mark Hughes as manager. One
thing is for sure. West Ham's early fixtures did look to be an uninspiring
collection. Now with the arrival of Ince on the scene, there promises to be
some real fireworks.
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Johnson is linked again - Newham Recorder
25 June 2008
EVERTON striker Andy Johnson has once again been linked with a move to Upton
Park after stories suggesting that he is looking to return to London, writes
DAVE EVANS. The 27-year-old marksman, who scored 10 goals for the Toffees
last term, was earmarked for a move to West Ham last summer, but the clubs
could not agree the price and the Hammers opted for Craig Bellamy instead.
However, Bellamy's injury crisis, as well as Bobby Zamora being out for much
of last season, has prompted manager Alan Curbishley to look for more cover
in that position. Aston Villa and Middlesbrough are also said to be
interested in signing the England international, but if London is his
preferred destination and they can secure his services for a cut-price
£5million, West Ham may well try to land their man. Villa and Newcastle are
said to be leading the race to sign West Ham centre half Anton Ferdinand
this summer. However, they will have to stump up the princely sum of around
£8million for the former England under-21 international defender, who was in
and out of the West Ham defence last season. Curbishley is not committed to
selling the player however, and if they do not meet the price, he is likely
to stay at Upton Park for at least another season.
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Anton's into Africa for charity mission - Guardian Series
ANTON Ferdinand has joined the growing band of West Ham players spending
part of their off-season in Africa by visiting the PRO-LINE Soccer Academy
in Uganda this week. Defender Ferdinand followed team-mates Robert Green,
Craig Bellamy and John Pantsil to the continent this summer. Green is in
Tanzania and Kenya raising awareness of health charity AMREF, Bellamy has
been in Sierra Leone promoting a new football academy he is funding in the
former war-torn country, while Pantsil has been playing in World Cup 2010
qualifiers for his native Ghana. Ferdinand's visit, which started yesterday,
saw the 23-year-old follow in the footsteps of older brother Rio, the former
Irons centre-back, who helped to launch the PRO-LINE during a visit to the
country last year. The Ferdinand family has since been heavily involved in
promoting the academy, which is managed by former Uganda international Mujib
Kasule and aims to prepare young African footballers for life in Europe both
on and off the pitch.
The player's father, Julian, is a patron of the academy and has travelled to
Uganda with his son, as has another family member, scout Max, and youth
scout Gavin Rose. The Irons stopper first met PRO-LINE's aspiring young
players during a visit to London earlier this year, when the academy's side
took on Millwall and Portsmouth in friendly matches. It is hoped that any
Ugandan players who show sufficient potential will be brought to West Ham's
own prestigious Academy in London for coaching. l John Pantsil helped Ghana
to go top of World Cup 2010 African Qualifying Group Five with a 2-0 win
over Gabon in Accra on Sunday. The Black Stars, whose goals were scored by
Prince Tagoe and Portsmouth's Sulley Muntari. And Pantsil is determined to
help his country qualify for their second straight finals after reaching the
Second Round in Germany in 2006. "We were ready to give everything and we
went all out for victory," said the right-back, who turned 27 last week.
"Gabon were fantastic but we were ready for the game. "From now on, we have
to maintain our discipline and play for the win every time we play. We want
to qualify."
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Hammers to take on Villarreal in friendly - Guardian Series
WEST Ham are close to finalising a pre-season friendly against La Liga
runners-up Villarreal CF. The Irons are expected to welcome the Spaniards to
Upton Park on Saturday, August 9, as the club complete their preparations
for the new season with their now annual prestige fixture. The Hammers had
originally been expected to line-up against Portuguese champions FC Porto,
but it now appears that Villarreal will be the visitors a week before the
start of the new Barclays Premier League season. Under the management of
Chilean Manuel Pellegrini, the team from a small town just outside Valencia
have qualified for next season's UEFA Champions League after beating
Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla to second place behind champions Real
Madrid. Pellegrini, who has been in charge at El Madrigal since 2004, led
Villarreal to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2006, where The
Yellow Submarine' lost to Arsenal. Led by former Gunners star Robert Pires
and long-serving captain Josico, the Spaniards have a multi-talented squad
at their disposal.
Spain Euro 2008 stars Joan Capdevila and Santi Carzola, Turkey striker Nihat
Kahveci and Danish veteran Jon Dahl Tommasson are all expected to appear at
the Boleyn Ground, while new signings Brazilian Edmilson and American star
Jozy Altidore could also be in the Villarreal line-up. In last season's
corresponding fixture, a fit-again Dean Ashton scored his first Upton Park
goal in more than a year as West Ham beat Italians AS Roma 2-1. Alan
Curbishley's side have a busy pre-season schedule to look forward to, with
the club flying to North America for a two-match tour in mid-July. The Irons
will take on the Columbus Crew (July 20) and MLS All-Stars in Toronto (July
24) during a week-long stay, before heading back to England for friendlies
at Peterborough United (July 29), Southampton (August 1) and Ipswich Town
(August 4) before Villarreal come to the East End.
9:50am today
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