WHUFC.com
West Ham United's home matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool will
both be on TV
09.07.2009
West Ham United can confirm the club are due to be on television four times
in the first wave of fixtures to be broadcast by Sky Sports and ESPN.
They are:
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur at 1.30pm on Sunday 23 August - ESPN
West Ham United v Liverpool at 5.15pm on Saturday 19 September - ESPN
Manchester City v West Ham United at 8pm on Monday 28 September - ESPN
West Ham United v Arsenal at 4.15pm on Sunday 25 October - Sky Sports
Meanwhile, the game at Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday 15 December will kick-off
at 8pm with the Monday 28 December match at Tottenham due to be played at
1pm.
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Jimenez excites Gale
WHUFC.com
Tony Gale is looking forward to seeing Chile forward Luis Jimenez in action
for West Ham United
10.07.2009
Tony Gale is hoping Luis Jimenez can thrill West Ham United's fans in the
same way fellow South American Carlos Tevez did three seasons ago. Argentina
forward Tevez became a cult hero during the 2006/07 campaign, ending the
season by being voted Hammer of the Year. Fast forward to 2009/10 and West
Ham have brought in another exciting prospect in Chile forward Jimenez, who
has joined the Hammers on a season-long loan from Italian champions
Internazionale. While Gale does not want to place any unwanted pressure on
the 25-year-old, he believes Jimenez could prove to be a shrewd capture for
manager Gianfranco Zola. "It's important for the fans to have new signings
to look and Luis Jimenez is certainly one of them," said Gale. "From all the
sources that I've spoken to at Sky and at the club, he's an excellent
player. "He can play up-front, in the hole or in any of the roles in
midfield that Gianfranco and Steve Clarke want to play him. He will be a
very good signing. "Tevez was excellent when he was here and he will always
be a hero at Upton Park, especially when you consider he was only here for a
short space of time. He didn't even play a full season, and was only a
regular in the run-in. "It was a joy watching Carlos when he was at his
best."
While Jimenez is a welcome addition, Gale is also pleased to see a number of
the club's injured players returning to action. Wales defender Danny
Gabbidon is back after 18 months on the sidelines, while England midfielder
Kieron Dyer is in full training after missing the tail-end of last season
with a hamstring strain. Both could feature in Saturday's opening pre-season
friendly at Grays Athletic - a fixture being attended by Gale and fellow
ex-Hammers Tony Cottee, Alan Devonshire, Steve Lomas and Don Hutchison, as
well as new Grays chairman John Moncur. "There will be more [new signings],
there's no doubt about that, but I'm also excited about seeing some of the
injured players coming back - Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer - because they
are class players who will add to what is a very good squad," said Gale.
"I'm really hopeful ahead of the new season and Jimenez makes it even
better, and there will be some more coming. The likes of Savio, who needed a
bit of bedding in and acclimatisation to living in a different country, I
believe we could see more from next season."
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Sir Trevor honoured
WHUFC.com
Sir Trevor Brooking is to be inducted into the National Football Museum Hall
of Fame
09.07.2009
West Ham United legend Sir Trevor Brooking is to be inducted into the
National Football Museum Hall of Fame. Brooking famously scored the Hammers'
winning goal in the 1980 FA Cup final, making a total of 635 first-team
appearances for the only professional club he represented during a
glittering 19-year career. The former England midfielder, now 60, was
delighted to be honoured alongside 1966 FIFA World Cup winner George Cohen,
former Hammers and England forward Teddy Sheringham, Arsenal legends Cliff
Bastin and Frank McLintock, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Ossie Ardiles,
Sunderland great Len Shackleton and Arsenal and England Ladies star Marianne
Spacey.
The eight inductees join such luminaries of the game as World Cup heroes Sir
Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore OBE and Martin Peters, as well as former Hammer
Jimmy Greaves, Manchester United greats George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton
and West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola. "It was a wonderful surprise and great
honour to hear I have been voted into the National Football Museum Hall of
Fame," said Sir Trevor. "To be selected by a panel led by my heroes Sir
Bobby Charlton and Sir Tom Finney is very special. I am particularly
delighted to be joining my West Ham team-mates Bobby Moore, Sir Geoff Hurst
and Martin Peters along with England team-mate Kevin Keegan in the Hall of
Fame."
Brooking was chosen to be inducted by a special panel including Sir Alex
Ferguson, Gary Lineker and Professional Footballers Association Chief
Executive Gordon Taylor. He will be honoured at a special ceremony in
central London in September. A true 'one-club man', Brooking signed for West
Ham United as an apprentice in July 1965, playing his final first-team game
in May 1984. A modern midfield player, Brooking was born in Barking on 2
October 1948, growing up as a West Ham supporter and joining the club
straight from Ilford County High School. An England Youth international, he
made his senior debut for the Hammers in a 3-3 Division One draw at Burnley
on 29 August 1967. Brooking's most famous moment in a West Ham shirt came on
10 May 1980, when he stooped to head the only goal of the game as Arsenal
were beaten 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley. The winner would earn
Brooking a second winner's medal following the Hammers' victory over Fulham
in 1975. At international level, Brooking won 47 caps for England, scoring
five goals and appearing at the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Following his
retirement, Brooking joined the BBC as a pundit before returning to the
Boleyn Ground in 2003 as caretaker manager, losing just one of his 14
matches in charge. Away from West Ham, Brooking has become an important
figure in sports administration, chairing the Eastern Region Council for
Sport and Recreation and later Sport England. In December 2003, he was
appointed as the Football Association's Director of Football Development.
The following year, 2004, he was knighted for his services to sport.
Sponsored by the PFA, North West Regional Development Agency and New
Football Pools, the National Football Hall of Fame is situated at Deepdale,
the home of Preston North End.
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Is that it?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 9th July 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are set to feature in just four live games in the pre-Christmas TV
schedules. The Hammers will be featured live three times on new Premier
League channel ESPN, whilst Sky will be broadcasting just one of United's
games - the home fixture with Arsenal.
The new dates - and details - are as follows:
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur: Sunday, 23th August (1:30pm) ESPN
West Ham United v Liverpool: Saturday, 19th September (5:15pm) ESPN
Manchester City v West Ham United: Monday, 28th September (8:00pm) ESPN
West Ham United v Arsenal: Sunday, 25 October (4.15pm) Sky Sports
* Only three other Premier League clubs feature just once in Sky's pre-xmas
schedules - those being Birmingham City, Hull City and Wigan Athletic.
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Davis explains change of heart
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 9th July 2009
By: Staff Writer
Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis has been explaining the reasons behind
his decision to reject the opportunity to move to West Ham. The 32-year-old
Saints skipper had looked like moving to London where he would have
effectively replaced Jan Lastukva as Rob Green's understudy, after he agreed
terms with United. However a late change of circumstances at the League One
club - the takeover led by Swiss businessman Markus Liebherr giving the
cash-stricken club a vital injection of funds. "The decision for me was
between the opportunity of first-team football at Southampton or the chance
to play Premier League football and I have made my choice to stay at
Southampton," explained Davis. "After speaking to Gianfranco Zola and Ludek
Miklosko at West Ham, they were both very understanding of my position and I
hold them both with the utmost respect. "I got the call yesterday and the
new people at Southampton were quick to offer me a new contract and were
very clear in what they want to achieve for the football club. "I always
said from the end of last season that League One football does not scare me
and I obviously feel as responsible as anyone for the club's position."
Davis, who had spent a couple of days at Chadwell Heath training with the
Hammers is set to retain the captaincy that he would have relinquished had
he moved to London.
As a result of Davis' about-turn West Ham will now consider fast-tracking
either Marek Stech or new signing Peter Kurucz to understudy Rob Green, who
has not missed a Premier League game in over two seasons.
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Bye bye Bajner
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 9th July 2009
By: Staff Writer
Balint Bajner has returned to Hungary having failed to impress at West Ham.
The 18-year-old striker, who began his career with FC Sopron before joining
Liberty moved to London last July as one of several young foreign imports
and went on to score a number of goals for Tony Carr's youth team, including
a brace against Crystal Palace back in March. However the youngster was
deemed not to have done enough to earn a further year at the Academy and has
already returned home to parent club Liberty Oradea; something confirmed by
Carr who told whufc.com: "Balint's loan period ended at the end of last
season and we decided not to take that further. We wish him well in the
future."
West Ham appeared to have achieved something of a coup by landing Bajner,
who was interesting a number of Italian clubs at the time. At the time of
his signing, the Hungarian under-19 international said: "I was on trial at
Lazio and Inter Milan but I had the chance to go to West Ham. The atmosphere
and conditions were great at all the places, but English football had the
biggest affect on me."
However having failed to impress in East London, it's back to square one for
Bajner.
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Jack the lad
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 8th July 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have announced the signing of young centre half Jack Lampe.
17-year-old Lampe becomes the latest youngster to be drafted into the Tony
Carr's Academy after signing a 12-month pro contract with the Hammers. The
Cheshunt-born defender - who signs from Ryman League outfit Harlow Town
having impressed during a recent trial - told whufc.com: "Joining West Ham
is a dream come true. I've always wanted to be in an Academy playing with
good players and to a good standard. "Now, I hope to become a regular in the
reserves this season and earn another contract. I can't wait to start
working at West Ham. The move has come about quite quickly and I can't wait
to get going."
Academy boss Carr added: "Jack impressed during a trial period during the
end of last season and we decided to offer him a contract. "We hope to
develop him further to see how far his talent could take him. He looked
composed and as if he had played at that level before and we felt it was
worth giving him a season to see what he can do."
Lampe will now challenge the likes of Bondz N'Gala and Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson
for a spot in Alex Dyer's reserve side next season.
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Quashie cools Cardiff link
Midfielder only focused on securing regular playing time
By Chris Galea Last updated: 10th July 2009
SSN
West Ham United midfielder Nigel Quashie insists he has not received an
approach from Championship outfit Cardiff City. The former Scotland
international has struggled with injury in recent years after breaking his
foot against Tottenham in March 2007, but he made a return to football last
season with successful loan spells at both Birmingham and Wolves. The
30-year-old has one year left on his current deal at Upton Park and he told
skysports.com that he does not mind where his future lies as long as he is
given the chance to play regular football. He said: "I've not been
concerning myself with those stories really because I'm focused on getting a
good pre-season under my belt, but I have heard the speculation flying
around about that. "All I want to do is play football really, whether that
is at West Ham or if something materialises at either Cardiff or another
club then it will be good for me to get back to giving 100 per cent on the
pitch for a football club again. "West Ham have been great with me whilst
I've been on the sidelines and it will obviously be up to them whether I
remain at Upton Park or not."
The former Southampton and Nottingham Forest man has begun pre-season
training with the Hammers and, following his injury nightmare, is keen to
play as long as his body allows him to. He added: "Last season was all about
getting fit again really and the loan spells I had with both Birmingham City
and Wolves helped me to do that.
"That worked well for me, but I'm back at West Ham now and starting to get
back into the thick of things with the boys. "I've got another year left on
my deal here and it's all about my desire to play regularly now really
because I need to be playing. "I've been playing for 14 years now and I'm
approaching the age of 31, so I need to be playing regularly. "If I need to
go out on loan again to do so, or even move somewhere permanently then so be
it because the main thing for me is to be playing football."
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Pulis puts Ashton hunt on hold
Potters boss in market for a new striker
Last updated: 9th July 2009
SSN
Stoke City boss Tony Pulis admits following up an enquiry for West Ham
United striker Dean Ashton is currently at the 'back of his mind'. Potters
chairman Peter Coates revealed last month that former Crewe forward Ashton
was among Pulis' summer transfer targets. Pulis confirmed he has shown an
interest in Ashton, who has struggled with injuries during the past two
seasons. However, he admits that he has been enquiring about a host of
players as he seeks the right signings to add to his squad for the new
campaign. "It's one of many enquiries we've made," Pulis told Sky Sports
News. "I think the situation is the same with most clubs. You enquire about
what's out there and what's not, and then you take a view, and we've taken a
view on about 15 players. "You just wait and see what comes up and what
doesn't come up. It changes every day. "Other clubs go out and buy players,
and certain players then become available and certain players drop off the
radar for all sorts of reasons - whether they are too expensive, whether you
are worried about them settling into your football club and whether the
value of the player is too much for what you can afford and what you can do.
"There's all different situations that you come across and you have to make
sure the players are right for your football club."
Expanding on Ashton, he added: "We've made an enquiry and I think, at the
moment, that's at the back of our minds as there are other things going on
that are more relevant and that could happen a lot quicker."
Benjani Mwaruwari is another forward to have been linked with a move to the
Britannia Stadium, but Pulis did not confirm any interest in the Manchester
City man. He said: "You can ask about 15, 16 players that we've spoken to
other clubs about or we've enquired about."
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Davis snubs Hammers offer
Keeper opts for regular football at Saints after signing new deal
By Richard Bailey Last updated: 9th July 2009
SSN
Kelvin Davis has rejected an approach from West Ham in favour of signing a
new three-year deal with Southampton. The out-of-contract goalkeeper was
expected to sign for the Hammers after spending the last few days training
with Gianfranco Zola's side. However as soon as Swiss businessman Markus
Liebherr completed his takeover of the South Coast club on Wednesday he made
sure he offered Davis, who was Saints' player of the year last term, a new
contract. To the delight of everyone at Southampton, the 32-year-old opted
for regular first-team football in League One over warming the bench as
understudy to Robert Green at Upton Park. "The decision for me was between
the opportunity of first-team football at Southampton or the chance to play
Premier League football and I have made my choice to stay at Southampton,"
he told the club's official website. "After speaking to Gianfranco Zola and
(goalkeeping coach) Ludek Miklosko at West Ham, they were both very
understanding of my position and I hold them both with the utmost respect."
The former Wimbledon shot-stopper revealed that the new owners outlined
their plans for the new season and that was enough to get him to extend his
stay at St Mary's.
"I got the call yesterday and the new people at Southampton were quick to
offer me a new contract and were very clear in what they want to achieve for
the football club," he added. "I always said from the end of last season
that League One football does not scare me and I obviously feel as
responsible as anyone for the club's position."
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West Ham United stand by promise to bring stron squad to Grays
3:46pm Thursday 9th July 2009
Premier League side West Ham United have kept their word by lining-up a
strong squad for Sunday's pre-season friendly at Blue Square Premier Grays
Athletic (3pm).
The Irons' travelling party includes their top summer signing Luis Jimenez,
who has arrived at Upton Park on a season-long loan from Inter Milan. Other
top names who could be in action include England striker Dean Ashton, who
missed most of last season through injury.
The full squad is: Peter Kurucz, Marek Stech, Danny Gabbidon, James Collins,
Bondz N'Gala, Jordan Spence, Tony Brookes, Matt Fry, Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson,
Julien Faubert, Jack Collison, Josh Payne, Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker, Oliver
Lee, Daniel Kearns, Junior Stanislas, Luis Jimenez, Savio, Anthony Edgar,
Zavon Hines and Dean Ashton.
A number of former Hammers will be greeted on the pitch at the New Rec prior
to kick-off.
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Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Hull set for major cash boost
10 July 2009 | By Adam Fraser | SportsProMedia.com
Three English soccer clubs are set for a lucrative pre-season as tickets go
on sale for the Barclays Asia Cup. Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Hull City
will travel to China to compete in the tournament. With each ticket for the
four-team, two-day competition in Beijing priced at US$55, the event can
expect to make almost US$3 million in basic ticketing revenue, guaranteeing
significant appearance fees for the three Premier League clubs and their
hosts, Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan. The three clubs'
participation in the competition, held as part of the Beijing International
Football Festival, has been hailed by the director of the Beijing Football
Association as a chance to make Beijing "the capital of Asian football".
Spurs, meanwhile, will receive another pre-season cash injection due to
their participation in the Wembley Cup, which will also feature Scottish
giants Celtic, European champions Barcelona and Egyptian club Al Ahly.
The competitions are more evidence of an increasing trend that has seen
pre-season matches, formerly used merely as training exercises to boost
players' fitness ahead of the new season, develop into lucrative commercial
exhibitions. Spurs' fierce local rivals, Arsenal, host the Emirates Cup,
which will see Paris St Germain, Rangers and Atletico Madrid visit north
London in August. Premier League champions Manchester United, meanwhile,
will travel to Germany, where Bayern Munich will also welcome Boca Juniors
and AC Milan in the Audi Cup.
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Sir Trevor Brooking inducted into National Football museum Hall of Fame
Sir Trevor Brooking, the former West Ham and England midfielder, has been
inducted into the National Football museum Hall of Fame.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley
Published: 10:38AM BST 10 Jul 2009
Brooking, 60, joins fellow former West Ham players such as Bobby Moore, Sir
Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Jimmy Greaves and Teddy Sheringham, along with
George Cohen, Cliff Bastin, Frank McLintock, Ossie Ardiles, George Best and
Gianfranco Zola. Sir Trevor said: "It was a wonderful surprise and a great
honour to hear I have been voted into the National Football museum Hall of
Fame. Sir Trevor Brooking heads for the exit at the Football Association"To
be selected by a panel led buy my heroes Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Tom
Finney is very special. I am particularly delighted to be joining my West
Ham team-mates Bobby Moore, Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters, along with
England team-mate Kevin Keegan."
Keegan was chosen by a panel that also included Gary Lineker and PFA chief
executive Gordon Taylor. Brooking grew up as a West Ham supporter and after
leaving Ilford County High School moved to Upton Park where he went on to
make 635 first team appearances in a 19-year spell. Brooking, who has acted
as caretaker manager at West Ham, won 47 caps for England and is now the
Football Association's Director of Football Development.
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West Ham take gamble on Harlow teenager Jack Lampe
West Ham have taken a chance on a non-league defender by signing Jack Lampe
from local non-league outfit Harlow Town.
Telegraph
By John Ley
Published: 9:10AM BST 09 Jul 2009
While West Ham continue to look for ways to boost their squad with
experienced players, they have turned to the Essex-based Ryman League club
to sign Lampe, a 17-year-old defender, on a one-year contract. The teenager
impressed at Upton Park after spending time with the Premier League club on
trial and now he has been given the incentive of a one-year contract to make
his mark. West Ham United: Premier League end-of-season reportHe said:
"Joining West Ham is massive for me. It's just a dream come true. I've
always wanted to be in an Academy playing with good players and to a good
standard. "Now, I hope to become a regular in the reserves this season and
earn another contract. I can't wait to start working at West Ham now. The
move has come about quite quickly and I can't wait to get going."
But one youngster leaving Upton Park is Hungarian forward Balint Bajner. He
has returned to his club Liberty Oradea after a year in the Under-18 set-up.
"Balint's loan period ended at the end of last season and we decided not to
take that further," said West Ham academy director Tony Carr. "We wish him
well in the future."
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And just for a laugh.....
Spurs to fail in Joe Cole bid
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Joe Cole is set to sign a new deal with Chelsea - ending Tottenham Hotspur's
audacious bid for the midfielder. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp - who managed
Cole at West Ham - had been hopeful of luring the player to White Hart Lane,
reports today's Evening Standard. Redknapp had been hoping to tempt Cole
with the promise of guaranteed first-team football and the key role in the
Spurs midfield. Redknapp's hopes were raised when Cole was told by Chelsea
to wait until this summer for contract extension talks, even though his deal
runs out next year. But the Blues are ready to offer Cole a new four-year
deal. Cole missed much of last season with a knee injury but has been taking
part in pre-season training, yet is unlikely to be fully fit for the start
of the season.
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Lee Bowyer: I feel right at home at Birmingham City
Jul 10 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
BLUES' new signing Lee Bowyer said he felt comfortable in his Blues
surroundings, which partly explains why he chose to join them on a free
transfer from West Ham United. Bowyer, who spent five months on loan at St
Andrew's last season, was courted by other clubs. "Basically, everybody was
so nice to me when I was here," the Londoner said, outlining his reasons for
opting for Alex McLeish's outfit. "The club has gone into the Premier
League, which is where I want to play, and it's a new challenge for myself.
"Birmingham are moving in the right direction. Everybody I came across, they
were driving to be in the Premier League. "Yes, there was interest
elsewhere. Like I said, I enjoyed my time here, everybody made me feel
welcome and it's not too far from home, so everything seemed right. "The
manager and players were really good to me, so were the fans. It was all
nice, and it helps when you know people like you." "I thought that we did
well to get promotion, and we deserved it," Bowyer added. "Over the season
that tells, who does and who doesn't deserve to go up. "Everything was good
and I just wanted to stay here and be part of the challenge in the Premier
League."
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