Fans have until 7pm on Tuesday night to renew their season tickets with demand already high
30.06.2008
Supporters are reminded that the deadline for season ticket renewals is 7pm on Tuesday 1 July for online, counter and telephone sales.
Sales have already surpassed the number reached at this stage last summer and demand is also expected to be high throughout the final day. Any season tickets not renewed after the deadline will then be made available to those on the waiting list with information automatically being sent to them about how they can apply. As last year, season ticket sales will be capped at 26,000 for the 2008/09 season and the ticket office expects this number to be reached before the start of the Barclays Premier League campaign on 16 August.
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Collison eager to get started - WHUFC
With Euro 2008 drawing to a close, Jack Collison has spoken of his ambitions of playing at a major finals
30.06.2008
Jack Collison is looking to "really push on next season" with West Ham United and Wales and show he has what it takes to build a successful playing career.
After appearing twice for Alan Curbishley last season and also getting two full caps for Wales, the 19-year-old midfielder has been left wanting more. He said: "Those little sniffs have just made me even hungrier for next season. I am going to go back in pre-season and do my best and fight for my place. I want to get as close as I can to the team and start playing more regularly. That is the aim. I am just going to do everything I can between now and the start of the season to come back in shape."
The reserve-team captain has not had too much time off as he closed out the last campaign with a first taste of top-level international football. He played in a 2-0 friendly defeat by the Netherlands just before Euro 2008. That defeat saw Craig Bellamy also feature with a second-half run-out and Collison believes the duo will soon be complemented for club and country by James Collins and Danny Gabbidon as they look to return from knee and abdominal injuries respectively.
"It would be great to play at a World Cup," said Collison when asked about the prospect of getting to the South Africa finals in 2010. "Hopefully Ginge and Gabbs will be back, while Bellars looks like he is fully recovered now. I think he just needs games. It will be nice for all four of us to be involved and hopefully we can qualify for the World Cup. That is the aim. We feel we have got a decent enough squad to get there or thereabouts so we just need to see how the games go really."
Wales will have it all to do though as they have been drawn in European qualifying Group 4 - alongside Euro 2008 revelations Germany and Russia. The rest of the section is rounded out by Finland, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein - all teams that Wales can feel confident against. John Toshack's men will get going on 6 September away to the Azeris in Baku before a trip to Russia four days later. It remains to be seen whether Collison will be involved or with the Under-21s for a match in Romania that could decide involvement in October's play-offs for the 2009 U21 Euros.
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World Cup moves into focus - WHUFC
Alan Curbishley's squad boasts many players who will look for club form to lead to international recognition
30.06.2008
The conclusion of Euro 2008 has focused minds on the 2010 World Cup qualifiers with many of the West Ham United squad dreaming of making it to South Africa.
Lucas Neill, Jonathan Spector and John Pantsil are all up and running already with Australia, Ghana and the United States each flying in their respective qualifying zones. Neill's Australia and Spector's US have made it through the first stages in Asia and North and Central America already while Pantsil's Ghana are top of their section in Africa. The club's European contingent will get under way from September with the UEFA qualifying campaign although Freddie Ljungberg will not be involved after the Sweden captain retired from international football.
England
Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker and Dean Ashton have all been capped before and will have ambitions of being part of Fabio Capello's set-up. Green, Upson and Ashton have caught the Italian coach's eye previously and may figure in the 20 August friendly against the Czech Republic. In qualifying Group 6, England have been drawn with Croatia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra - getting started against the latter nation in Barcelona on 6 September before travelling to Euro 2008 rivals Croatia four days later. Under-21 regular Mark Noble will also feel he could play some part in the qualifying campaign.
France
Julien Faubert's stop-start first season at West Ham United hampered his Euro 2008 hopes but he will surely be aiming for the World Cup. The flying winger made his Les Bleus debut against Bosnia-Herzegovina two summers ago and scored the last-gasp winner in a 2-1 victory that was also memorable for him being the first to wear the No10 after Zinedine Zidane's retirement. Whether Faubert will prove his fitness in time for the friendly away to Sweden on 20 August remains to be seen but he will target the qualifying Group 7, alongside Serbia, Romania, Austria, Lithuania and the Faroe Islands. It all gets started in Austria on 6 September.
Wales
James Collins, Danny Gabbidon, Jack Collison and captain Craig Bellamy are all set to be instrumental to the principality's hopes of following up a strong Euro 2008 qualifying performance. Defensive duo Collins and Gabbidon are hopeful of joining Collison and Bellamy for the start of qualifying Group 4 at home to Azerbaijan on 6 September but the pool also boasts Germany, Russia, Finland and Liechtenstein. Wales will prepare with a friendly at home to Georgia on 20 August although Collison may find himself on Under-21 duty as the country are riding high in qualifying for the 2009 Euro with the reserve-team captain a key part of the squad.
Northern Ireland
George McCartney has been a fixture for Nigel Worthington since returning to international football last August. The left-back played every game for his club last season and will be eager to do so again next time for his country as well in qualifying Group 3. The country have been drawn with the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and San Marino. Their first match will be away to the Slovakians on 6 September although there is a friendly in Scotland on 20 August. With the finals two years away, the Northern Irish squad's fortunes will also interest highly-rated youth-team midfielder Daniel Kearns, who turns 17 on 26 August.
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United set to face Euro stars - WHUFC
Spain are the European champions and a trio of their number could soon be taking on West Ham United
29.06.2008
West Ham United may be welcoming three European champions to the Boleyn Ground on 9 August when Villarreal arrive for a prestigious pre-season friendly.
The Primera Division runners-up last season had a trio of players in action for Spain in their 1-0 victory against Germany in the European Championship final on Sunday night. Joan Capdevila, Marcos Senna and substitute Santi Cazorla all played their part in the Euro triumph, secured by Fernando Torres' superb solitary strike, and will no doubt be on a high when they return to club duties with Villarreal for the 2008/09 campaign. If selected to face Alan Curbishley's side, they will be up against a strong squad that may well be reinforced by some big-name returnees like Kieron Dyer and Craig Bellamy.
The Yellow Submarine, who will be in Champions League action next season, boast several other high-profile international names in their ranks - not least Turkey striker Nihat Kahveci, also a revelation in Switzerland and Austria but who will miss the trip to London through injury, and former Premier League performers Robert Pires and Jon Dahl Tomasson. Some new faces are also due including Brazilian international Edmilson and US prodigy Jozy Altidore
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And so it begins - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 1st July 2008
By: Staff Writer
The summer transfer window officially opens for business today.
Whilst a number of deals have already been struck none can be finalised until today as July 1st marks the opening of the Premier and Football League's transfer window. League clubs now have just under nine weeks in which to strengthen their squads for the forthcoming 2008/09 campaign.
Whilst close neighbours Tottenham have already been busy preparing for the new season, landing key targets such as Dos Santos and Modric, West Ham United are yet to announce any new signings - despite having been linked with literally scores of players since the end of the 2007/08 season. But despite cautionary words from the board in recent weeks, that looks set to change with strong rumours regarding at least one or two possible new arrivals.
With no new arrivals in the last transfer window (January) it is now 10 months since the Hammers signed a player (Nobby Solano and Henri Camara on 31st August 2007, both no longer with the club). But while a number of new players are likely to join the club, Alan Curbishley will be looking to offload even more in order to trim his burgeoning squad.
The transfer window closes on August 31st. You can catch up on all the latest Hammers transfer rumours here.
Alan Curbishley's signings
Craig Bellamy (Liverpool): £7.5m
Scott Parker (Newcastle): £7m
Julien Faubert (Bordeaux): £6.1m
Kieron Dyer (Newcastle): £6m
Matthew Upson (Birmingham): £6m
Luis Boa Morte (Fulham): £5m
Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal): £3m
Calum Davenport (Tottenham): £3m
Nigel Quashie (WBA): £2m
Lucas Neill (Blackburn): £1m
Nobby Solano (Newcastle): Free Transfer
Richard Wright (Everton): Free Transfer
Henri Camara (Wigan): Loan
Kepa Blanco (Seville): Loan And so it begins
Filed: Tuesday, 1st July 2008
By: Staff Writer
The summer transfer window officially opens for business today.
Whilst a number of deals have already been struck none can be finalised until today as July 1st marks the opening of the Premier and Football League's transfer window. League clubs now have just under nine weeks in which to strengthen their squads for the forthcoming 2008/09 campaign.
Whilst close neighbours Tottenham have already been busy preparing for the new season, landing key targets such as Dos Santos and Modric, West Ham United are yet to announce any new signings - despite having been linked with literally scores of players since the end of the 2007/08 season. But despite cautionary words from the board in recent weeks, that looks set to change with strong rumours regarding at least one or two possible new arrivals.
With no new arrivals in the last transfer window (January) it is now 10 months since the Hammers signed a player (Nobby Solano and Henri Camara on 31st August 2007, both no longer with the club). But while a number of new players are likely to join the club, Alan Curbishley will be looking to offload even more in order to trim his burgeoning squad.
The transfer window closes on August 31st. You can catch up on all the latest Hammers transfer rumours here.
Alan Curbishley's signings
Craig Bellamy (Liverpool): £7.5m
Scott Parker (Newcastle): £7m
Julien Faubert (Bordeaux): £6.1m
Kieron Dyer (Newcastle): £6m
Matthew Upson (Birmingham): £6m
Luis Boa Morte (Fulham): £5m
Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal): £3m
Calum Davenport (Tottenham): £3m
Nigel Quashie (WBA): £2m
Lucas Neill (Blackburn): £1m
Nobby Solano (Newcastle): Free Transfer
Richard Wright (Everton): Free Transfer
Henri Camara (Wigan): Loan
Kepa Blanco (Seville): Loan
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Ex-Scouser to lead select - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 30th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Former Liverpool star Steve Nicol has been selected to lead the MLS AllStars when they take on West Ham United in this summer's prestige friendly.
United face the best of America's Major League Soccer on Thursday, 24th July. Due to Nicol leading the current MLS coach ratings he has been selected to lead the side when the teams meet in Toronto. It is the second successive year in which Nicol - manager of New England - has been selected to lead the AllStars in their mid-season friendly. Last year he led the MLS to a 2-0 win over Scottish Champions Celtic, whilst he was also in charge when they met Real Madrid two years earlier in 2005. Nicol, one of MLS' most highly-rated young managers began his career with Ayr before moving to Liverpool. During his spell at Anfield he won four league titles plus a number of Cups and also represented Scotland at the World Cup Finals in 1986. West Ham's clash with the AllStars is the second of two games they will play on their tour of the USA. They kick off the North American tour with a clash against Columbus Crew on Sunday, 20th July, returning to England the following weekend.
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Season shape-up - SSN
We look at how sides are gearing up for the new campagn
Last updated: 1st July 2008
WEST HAM TRANSFER ACTIVITY
INS: None
OUTS: Nobby Solano (released)
Having claimed their fair share of transfer headlines last season, things have been eerily quiet at West Ham this year. In the latest part of our Shaping up for the Season series, Tony Curts looks at whether the Irons can keep hold of Anton Ferdinard or if they need to cash in to bolster their squad. Last season, you couldn't keep the Hammers out of the headlines. The long drawn-out transfers of Carlos Tevez, Marlon Harewood and Yossi Benayoun kept them in the spotlight, while the departure of the trio was offset by the arrivals of Craig Bellamy, Freddie Ljungberg, Scott Parker and Keiron Dyer.
This time around, though, West Ham have been largely subdued with their transfer activity. The credit crunch has not helped the club, particularly with Eggert Magnússon taking his money elsewhere. The new owners have charged director of football Gianluca Nani with scouring Europe for young talent in a bid to pick up a bargain or two, with highly-rated HK midfielder Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson apparently catching the eye. Manager Alan Curbishley, though, is determined to bring in a big-name striker to bolster a frontline that returned just 42 goals in 38 Premiership matches last season. Andy Johnson and Kevin Doyle are believed to be at the top of Curbishley's shopping list, while Eidur Gudjohnsen's desire to return to London could work in West Ham's favour.
However, to free up funds for a serious assault on the transfer market, Curbishley may have to part with one of his most prized assets - with Spurs and Aston Villa both linked to a £10m-plus move for Anton Ferdinand. Fellow defender Danny Gabbidon is also attracting interest from Stoke, while West Ham may decide to cash in on Ljungberg - with Roma keen to sign the Swede. The pressure is also on Curbishley to turn the club around - with former player and Croatia manager Slaven Bilic already being linked to a return to Upton Park.
Forwards, forwards and more forwards... The Hammers struggled to find the net last season, although injuries to Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy did not help. Barcelona striker Gudjohnsen would be a welcome addition, especially if he can rediscover the scoring form that made him a hit across the capital at Chelsea. However, cash remains the key to Curbishley's hopes of adding the required firepower - and should the Hammers decide to cash in on Ferdinand and Gabbidon, then they may also decide to bolster their options at the back. Eyjolfsson seems most likely to sign on the dotted line at Upton Park having impressed during a week-long trial, while Nani's bargain-spotting skills will be tested. Reading's relegation from the top-flight means that Kevin Doyle - as well as James Harper - could be tempted to switch to Upton Park. Ferdinand, though, is likely to leave - with his behaviour off the field doing little to endear him to the West Ham faithful. Add in the fact that £10m would bolster the transfer kitty, then expect Ferdinand to be shown the exit. And should West Ham fail to get off to a good start, then a new manager by Christmas!
Fan's view - Rob Elliott
I think West Ham have an outside chance of Europe this season if - and it's a big if - they can keep their squad fit. Outside of the first 11, too many of the squad are not Premier League quality and we will suffer should too many go down with injuries. Tenth was respectable last year given the problems we had but we won't push on unless Alan Curbishley makes some signings. Our squad may be large but quantity gets you nowhere; we need depth in more or less every position.
We desperately need more choice up front. I'm so sick of negative one up front football - you need to be world class in the Premier League to do that job well and none of the current squad have the talent to manage it. If we have more strikers we might have two fit at the same time and can play 4-4-2!
In terms of who should be shown the door, time is up for Luis Boa Morte, Carlton Cole and Lucas Neill. If we are too improve we must make sure we keep our important players such as Matthew Upson, Rob Green and Dean Ashton. Don't sell the youth either - how many former Hammers have gone on to better things? We need to stop feeding the bigger clubs!
What do you think to the Hammers' pre-season transfer activity? Let us have your thoughts using the form below.
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Hammer to end career in Australia - Setanta
by Ben Blackmore, 30 June 2008
Lucas Neill's agent has confirmed the West Ham captain will finish his career back in Australia. Agent Paddy Dominguez has spoken of Neill's passion and determination for starting a new Sydney-based club to play in Australia's A League. Such news may well concern Alan Curbishley, who will be well aware that Neill has just one year left on his current contract. By then Neill will be 31, the right age to leave the 'lasting legacy' that Dominguez speaks of. "As far as Lucas is concerned, he has a huge emotional attachment to this. When he eventually quits Europe he'll come back here (to Australia) to play for the franchise," explained Dominguez. "As far as Lucas is concerned, he is determined to put something back into the game in this country. "Lucas has shown with his player scholarship scheme in the Manly district that he wants to make a significant contribution. He wants to leave a lasting legacy for Australian soccer. "I can tell you that some of the names we are dealing with at the moment will blow your mind. But the real aim of the club is to develop and foster local football. "Our charter is to have, within three or four years of our existence, a starting line-up made up of at least eight local players. That's the dream, that's the intention."
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West Ham Join Gudjohnsen Chase - Gaol.com
It was again reported yesterday that Portsmouth were eager to bring the Icelander back to the Premier League, but now it seems as though they have competition in the form of the Hammers. The Boleyn Ground outfit were said to have had an approach rebuffed for the ex-Chelsea man last season, but with new coach Josep 'Pep' Guardiola set to rebuild the forward line it is possible that they may allow him to leave for a relatively low fee. Being under contract until 2010, though, recouping some of their outlay is paramount for the Camp Nou men. Ergo the original offers from the two English clubs, said to be in the region of €6.3m, may prove insufficient. Should it not, however, then Eidur may be tempted by factors such as wages, or the likelihood of European football. The 29-year-old, who turns 30 on September 15, spent six years with Chelsea and two with Bolton Wanderers.
Steve Michaels, Goal.com
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No to Bresciano - Sheffield Star
By Jamie Furniss Monday, 30th June 2008
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell has confirmed that Palermo midfielder Mark Bresciano will not become a Blade... The 28 year old has received a lot of interest from English clubs with rivals West Ham being one. Blackwell has told the Sheffield Star that "the figures quoted are way beyond us."
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Another Hammer off to Brum? - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 30th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Aston Villa have emerged as the latest front-runners to sign Anton Ferdinand. Alan Curbishley - a former Villa player - is thought to be willing to part company with the errant centre-half, who has been at the club since joining as a schoolboy. The Villains are rumoured to be prepared to pay up to £10 million for the former England under-21 defender, who upset Hammers chiefs by lying in order to take a trip abroad last year. He also fell foul of his employers by becoming involved in a high-profile court case (from which he was found not guilty) which followed a fracas outside Faces nightclub. Whilst opinion over Ferdinand amongst the club's fans is split, it seems clear that he remains very highly-rated outside of West Ham United and its followers.
A move to Villa would give him the opportunity to team up once again with former Hammers Marlon Harewood and Nigel Reo-Coker, both of whom played alongside Ferdinand in the 2006 Play Off Final and the 2007 FA Cup Final.
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New boys in Hammer link - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 29th June 2008
By: Staff Writer
Premier League new-boys Stoke City have been linked with a move for United's Danny Gabbidon. The Welsh centre-half, who was signed by Alan Pardew for £2 million two years ago has failed to appear for the Hammers since last December due to an ongoing groin problem. Rumours of a falling-out with manager Alan Curbishley have led to speculation that he is a likely candidate to leave the club this summer.
Elsewhere, Alan Curbishley has been linked with a move for Reading striker Kevin Doyle. The weekend press claimed that the Hammers were prepared to pay up to £7.5 million (surely a misprint) for the Irish international.
* Former Hammer Gavin Williams has moved from Ipswich Town Bristol City for an undisclosed fee. Williams has signed a two-year deal with the Championship outfit.
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HAMMERS TALK: Gabs going to Pot? - Guardian Series
WEST HAM defender Danny Gabbidon could be heading out of Upton Park with Stoke City a likely destination. The newly-promoted Potters are looking for proven talent to help their bid for Premier League survival next season and the 28-year-old centre-back fits the bill. Stoke manager Tony Pulis is ready to offer £2 m for the Welshman and believes that the chance of regular first-team football may be enough to convince Gabbidon to leave the capital. There has been much speculation surrounding defenders at the Boleyn Ground with Anton Ferdinand also being touted as another possible departure. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley looks set to cash in on either one or both of the players. The closing stages of last season saw new talent being given a chance, including centre-back and England youth international James Tomkins. The signs do not look good for Gabbidon who has made only 57 starts for West Ham since his move to the club in July 2005. He has recently been troubled by a persistent groin injury and a switch to the Brittania Stadium could come as a welcome opportunity to reignite his career.
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Portsmouth, West Ham battle for Barcelona's Gudjohnsen
tribalfooball.com - June 30, 2008
Portsmouth and West Ham United are battling for Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen. DiarioSport says both Premiership clubs are willing to pay £5 million for the Iceland international.
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West Ham's Collison wants more action
tribalfootball.com - June 30, 2008
After making his Premiership debut last season, West Ham midfielder Jack Collison is determined for more action this term.
He told whufc.com: "Those little sniffs have just made me even hungrier for next season. I am going to go back in pre-season and do my best and fight for my place. I want to get as close as I can to the team and start playing more regularly. That is the aim. I am just going to do everything I can between now and the start of the season to come back in shape."
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Villa to offer £10M for West Ham's Ferdinand
tribalfootball.com - June 30, 2008
Aston Villa are closing in on a £10 million deal for West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand. The Sunday Mirror says the 23-year-old has emerged as a prime target for Villa manager Martin O'Neill, who is looking to reinforce his defence following the departure of Olof Mellberg to Juventus. O'Neill wants a player of proven experience and Ferdinand fits the bill.
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West Ham United plan £5million La Liga swoop - FansFC.com
06:25 July, 1, 2008
West Ham United Football Club are keen on Eidur Gudjohnsen. The former Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea forward has had an indifferent time in Spain following his move to Barcelona, and is expected to leave the Camp Nou this summer. Alan Curbishley is looking to bolster his squad in an attempt to turn the Hammers into a top-six side, and he will make an offer of £5million for the Icelandic international. The Upton Park chief believes the former Stamford Bridge hero, who won the Premier League with the Blues, could form a superb strike pairing with Dean Ashton.
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