WHUFC.com
Despite the best efforts of his youngsters, Alex Dyer's side had to settle
for sixth place in the Soccer Sevens
31.05.2009
West Ham United were runners-up in the Shield competition held at the Hong
Kong Soccer Sevens tournament this weekend with Alex Dyer more than content
with how his youngsters fared.
Dyer's youthful squad had qualified for the quarter-final of the main Cup
competition after their strong showing on Saturday. However, they were
beaten 2-1 in a close-fought match by Scottish side Rangers that featured a
Nick Barrett equaliser and therefore moved straight into the Shield
competition for the other beaten quarter-finalists from the main Cup.
The Hammers, skippered by Bondz N'Gala, quickly bounced back with a 2-0
defeat of Eastleigh, thanks to goals from Danny Kearns and Ashley Miller,
which moved them into the final against local side Citizen. After a
closely-fought contest that saw the sides frustrated by some resilient
defending and both fail to score, the game went to penalties.
In the shoot-out, the local side came out on top 4-3 to claim the Shield
after Conor Okus missed from the spot having seen Edgar, Miller and Kearns
all convert. Peter Kurucz, the highly-rated Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper on
loan from Ujpesti with a view to a permanent transfer, was unable to save
any of the four Citizen spot-kicks.
Despite the defeat, West Ham matched last year's effort by finishing sixth
in the overall reckoning of the competition with Rangers, their conquerors
in the Cup competition, going on to lose 1-0 in the Cup final to old rivals
Celtic. It was still a very creditable performance, particularly as the
Hammers side were all teenagers with the exception of Kurucz, who turned 21
on Saturday.
Dyer said: "After getting knocked out of the quarter-final of the main Cup,
we picked ourselves up to get through to the Shield final against an
experienced local team called Citizen. We only just lost on penalties but it
was still a good competition and we all enjoyed it. It was nice to come away
for this after a long season back home.
"We are sorry we didn't get further in the main competition but we lost to a
Rangers team that did very well. Overall I am pleased with how the boys
coped, it was tough for them at times but they worked very hard. I am sure
they will have all taken a lot out of it. It is all good experience which
will be invaluable for their development."
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Ladies need new recruits
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies are looking to add new players at senior and junior
level
31.05.2009
West Ham United Ladies are looking for experienced players for both their
senior and junior sides for next season and will be holding open trials on
Sunday 14 June 2009.
The senior first and reserve teams play in FA Tesco Womens Premier League
South with the first team having finished this season in a highest-ever
third place position and the second team having won the Divison Two
(Reserves) South title. This year a new Under-19 development side has been
formed to play in the Greater London Womens Regional League.
The junior sides play in Under-10, U12, U14 and U16 age groups in the Essex
County Girls Football League, this season winning league and cup doubles in
three age groups. The U16s notably made the National Finals of the Tesco
Cup. Matches are on Sundays with two training sessions per week.
For more information:
Seniors - andreawoodley@sky.com
Juniors - jimmaycock@hotmail.com
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No deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 31st May 2009
By: Staff Writer
Full-back Lucas Neill and goalkeeper Robert Green are both said to have
rejected new contracts. It was reported on Saturday that fans' favourite
Green, who was unhappy at not being allowed to enter contract negotiations
last summer has rejected United's initial offer. The England goalkeeper,
whose current deal still has two years left to run is said to be seeking
parity with the club's top earners. Meanwhile, today's Daily Mail are
reporting that club captain Lucas Neill has rejected a 'one-year deal on
reduced terms'.
Neill, who signed for the Hammers from Blackburn in January 2007 is out of
contract this summer and has been refused a longer deal because of his age,
according to an unnamed club source. Gianfranco Zola insisted last month
that the club would be doing their very best to keep the defender at the
club; talking after the season had concluded he said: "Lucas is very much
committed to what we're doing and he enjoys it very much. There's no
intention of letting him go, so I'm very very confident."
Neill, who was 31 in March is said to be considering quitting the UK in
order to concentrate on his A-League project with the Inspire Sports Group.
It was revealed a year ago this month that he was keen on ending his career
in the franchise with a new Sydney-based club, in which he would be a major
investor. There is still no word on Matthew Upson's situtation; West Ham are
keen to tie the England defender to the club with a new deal. His current
contract expires in 2011.
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Hammers suffer shootout heartbreak
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 31st May 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's Hong Kong Sevens tournament has ended in a penalty shootout
defeat. The Hammers reached today's quarter finals by virtue of finishing
second in Group B yesterday but came unstuck against a strong Rangers side
by the narrowest of margins. Having gone behind to an early goal, substitute
Nick Barrett restored parity shortly after with a superb individual effort.
However Rangers won the game 2-1 with the winning goal coming in the second
half. Defeat left Alex Dyer's Hammers out of the main competition but in
the Plate tournament (for the four defeated quarter final teams), where they
were to face Eastleigh in the semi-final. Eastleigh, beaten 3-0 in their
quarter final by Aston Villa were no match for United who won 2-0 through
goals from Daniel Kearns and Ashley Miller, who scored three in yesterday's
group competition. That victory put West Ham through to the Plate final
where they faced local outfit Citizens, a far more experienced team. Despite
plenty of chances the game finished goalless resulting in a penalty shootout
to decide the match. With Citizens ahead 4-3 after seven perfect penalties
Conor Okus saw his (and United's final) spot kick palmed away by the keeper,
giving the trophy to the Citizens. The Hammers ended up in sixth spot this
year - just as they did last year.
West Ham United Squad
Peter Kurucz, Bondz N'Gala, Ashley Miller, Matthew Fry, Callum McNaughton,
Conor Okus, Oliver Lee, Nick Barrett, Daniel Kearns, Anthony Edgar.
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McLeish keen to keep Bowyer
Birmingham boss eyes permanent deal for midfielder
Last updated: 31st May 2009
SSN
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish hopes to sign Lee Bowyer on a permanent deal
in the near future. The midfielder moved to St Andrews on loan from West Ham
in January and settled quickly into the Blues squad. He played a vital role
as Birmingham clinched promotion back to the Premier League for next season.
McLeish is already looking ahead to the 2009/10 campaign and is optimistic
of pushing through a deal for Bowyer. The 32-year-old, who has previously
spent time at Newcastle and Leeds, would be available on a free transfer.
"We are hoping to sign Lee," McLeish said in the News of the World. "We are
just waiting on answers from him."
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Hammers skipper Neill set to quit Upton Park after Aussie refuses to pen new
deal
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:17 PM on 31st May 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham captain Lucas Neill looks set to leave the club after turning down
a new one-year deal on reduced terms. The Australia defender has come to the
end of his £60,000-a-week contract and has refused to sign a new
performance-based package worth more than £2m. A West Ham source said: 'For
a 31-year-old, a one-year deal is the best they could do.' The defender has
been linked with a move to Newcastle, Olympiakos or Galatasaray.
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Creditors set to takeover West Ham
31.05.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United is poised to be taken over by its creditors in coming weeks.
The Sunday Times says sources close to the east London football club suggest
the huge debts of former owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and those of the club
itself have all but killed the chances of any rescue. This means it will
fall into the hands of Icelandic bank Straumur and a consortium of other
financial institutions. Straumur is owed about £100m by Gudmundsson, while
the club owes about £45m to a group of banks including RBS. The Icelandic
bank is expected to hold on to the club for between two and three years
before putting it up for sale.
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Neill set for West Ham exit
01.06.09 | Andrew Slevison
West Ham captain Lucas Neill looks set to leave the club. The Australian
defender turned down a new offer from the club which is believed to be
around the £2 million-mark for one year. "For a 31-year old, a one-year deal
is the best they can do," said Neill. Newcastle, Olympiakos and Galatasaray
are believed to be interested in his services.
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Neill turns down new West Ham contract
01.06.09 | Andrew Slevison
West Ham captain Lucas Neill has turned down a one-year deal offered by the
club. The Socceroos defender has come to the end of his £60,000-a-week
contract at Upton Park but decided not to take the one-year deal offered to
him. The new deal is believed to be worth £2 million but Neill said he
wanted more security than just one season.
"For a 31-year old, a one-year deal is the best they could do," he said. It
is believed that Newcastle United, Greek club Olympiakos and Turkish club
Galatasaray are interested in Neill.
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