WHUFC.com
Luis Boa Morte returned as West Ham United reserves were beaten 4-1 by a
very strong Wolves side
13.04.2010
Wolvehampton Wanderers reserves v West Ham United reserves
Barclays Premier Reserve League South
New Bucks Head, AFC Telford United
Tuesday 13 April 2010
Kick-off: 7pm
Final score - Wolverhampton Wanderers reserves 4-1 West Ham United reserves
Don't forget to keep a close eye on WHUTV for exclusive post-match reaction
from tonight's game. While West Ham United may have lost, the young players
will have enjoyed the experience of taking on what was essentially a Premier
League side. For an hour, they competed brilliantly well. Earlier, Luis Boa
Morte had played for the first time in more than eight months, and will be
delighted to have come through 45 minutes following his long-term knee
injury.
92 mins - Into the final minute and Hennessey has a free-kick inside the
Wolves half. Well done to McNaughton as, in the final seconds, he shepherds
Mendez-Laing wide before sliding in and winning the ball from the
substitute. That is Wolves' final home game and, following the final
whistle, the PA man thanks the club for holding their reserve-team fixtures
here in Telford. Good man.
91 mins - We're going to have at least two more minutes... Good news
elsewhere, as Chelsea are 1-0 up against Bolton Wanderers in the Premier
League. Bolton are just a point above the Hammers in the table.
90 mins - West Ham are ending the game on the front foot, and good on them.
They have largely competed well against a vastly more-experienced home side.
They are going to lose, but they are going to lose with their heads held
high.
88 mins - The attendance is announced as 404. A few of them let out an
'Ooooh' as Montano flashes a shot across goal and wide from the edge of the
box.
87 mins - Halford has a Delap-esque long throw. He uses it to good effect to
hurl the ball into the six-yard box, only for Mendez-Laing to sit on the
ball instead of putting it into the net. It pops out and Kurucz claims it.
Moments later, Wolves attack again, but Milijas shoots straight at Kurucz
from 20 yards.
86 mins - Unlucky. McNaughton slams the ball over the Wolves defence for
Montano to chase, but it is just too strong and Hennessey nips in to clear
ahead of the striker.
85 mins - Mendez-Laing shows a clean pair of heels to Sanchez before
stabbing the ball across the goalmouth. It flies out to Halford, who feeds
Milijas, who curls the ball into the empty Frank Naughton Stand.
84 mins - You can still hear Alex Dyer barking out his orders from the
dugout on the far side of the pitch. With ten men and Wolves three goals to
the good, we could do with the final few minutes ticking by rather quickly,
really.
83 mins - West Ham's task is made harder as Brown is forced off with an
injury. He's not going to be able to continue and hobbles around the pitch
to the bench. Driver comes across to left-back, with Sanchez going to
right-back in a flat back-four.
81 mins - Dave Davis brings down Wearen after the Irish youngster had
intercepted his pass.
78 mins - I don't know what you would put the scoreline down to, really,
other than the fact that Wolves have obviously scored four goals. They
haven't outplayed West Ham at all, but simply taken their chances when they
have come along. Edgar tries to get one back, beating Dunleavy for pace
before crossing low, but Stearman is there to hack the ball clear ahead of
Montano.
76 mins - GOAL! Oh dear. Halford curls the ball into the box again and
Stearman is able to stab it over the line from close-range.
75 mins - Wearen is on, wearing the No16 shirt. The poor PA man is confused.
He announces the arrival of Barrett in place of Dixon.
73 mins - Guedioura is off, replaced by the fantastically-named Dave Davis.
72 mins - The scoreline is a bit cruel on West Ham, but it's important that
they don't feel sorry for themselves. The first hour of tonight's game was
superb. As I type, Milijas gets free inside the box and flashes a shot
narrowly wide of the far post.
70 mins - GOAL! Mendez-Laing is fouled about 30 yards out. Halford curls in
a free-kick that eludes everyone, Sanchez misses the ball and it bounces
past Kurucz and inside the far post.
69 mins - Guedioura is back on.
68 mins - Double-change from Wolves. John Dunleavy and Nat Mendez-Laing are
on for Castillo and Ebanks-Blake.
67 mins - The Wolves fans get a bit excited as McNaughton and Guedioura
clash, leaving the midfielder in a heap. The ball is knocked out of play by
a Wolves player before Payne knocks it back to the referee, but only manages
to hit Milijas on the head! I would suspect Guedioura will be fine to
continue in a few moments.
66 mins - Frustration from Driver there, who sees his run into the penalty
area stopped by a challenge. He then gets back and fouls Ward by the
touchline.
65 mins - GOAL! That's a real shame. Ward cuts inside from the left wing and
beats one player before rifling a low, right-foot shot past Kurucz and into
the bottom right-hand corner from about 22 yards. Good finish.
63 mins - The home fans are getting a bit frustrated, but they have
something to get excited about as Ebanks-Blake shoots low across the face of
goal. Goal kick.
61 mins - A second change for the Hammers sees Lee replaced by Nicky
Barrett. The PA operator says it's Eoin Wearen, but it isn't, I can assure
you of that. Well, not unless Wearen's hair has changed colour since he got
off the team coach.
60 mins - Stearman joins Edgar in the book after blocking off Dixon.
Driver's free-kick is long and finds Brown on the left flank. He gets to the
by-line and cuts the ball all the way to the far post, where Driver hits it
flush on the volley, only to see his effort blocked by Ward.
58 mins - Well done Sanchez, this time at the defensive end. The young
Spaniard does superbly well to twice block shots from Ebanks-Blake. Seconds
later, Milijas shoots from long-range and Kurucz clutches the ball to his
chest.
56 mins - Is it too early to start counting down the minutes? Only 34 to go
and West Ham are holding firm. They have been, arguably, the better side.
Wolves have had a few chances, but the Hammers have passed the ball easily
as well as their more-experienced hosts.
53 mins - Controversy! A long ball hits McNaughton on the arm. The assistant
referee flags for a Wolves free-kick, but instead the referee awards a West
Ham free-kick, judging that the defender had been pushed by Keogh.
52 mins - Milijas shows his cannon of a left foot, getting past his marker
before shooting from 25 yards. I reckon Kurucz would have saved it, but it
only just cleard the bar.
51 mins - Spence was injured making that clearance and has the physio on, so
we have a short break in play. When we restart, a cross bounces to Brown at
the far post. He shoots from 20 yards, but it's just too close to Hennessey,
who holds on at the second attempt.
49 min - Edgar has been on the pitch less than four minutes but he's now
been booked for bringing down Halford down the Wolves right. Milijas curls
the ball in and Spence clears to Dixon, who finds Payne. He tries a
difficult pass to release Montano, but it is intercepted.
47 mins - West Ham's team, without Boa Morte, are now giving up exactly
1,900 games of league experience to their opponents. Only Spence, Payne and
Kurucz have played senior football. They're doing well, though. Driver
drills a free-kick into the penalty area, where McNaughton volleys
goalwards, but Hennessey has time to dive on the loose ball.
46 mins - We're back underway... Wolves go on the attack, but Brown snuffs
it out and wins a throw.
West Ham make a half-time change, with Boa Morte being replaced by Anthony
Edgar.
Right, I've done a bit of maths. The Wolves team tonight have played a total
of 1,957 senior league matches and 104 full internationals.
Half-time score - Wolverhampton Wanderers reserves 1-1 West Ham United
reserves
46 mins - We're going to have at least one added minute. Guedioura brings
proceedings to a close by smashing a shot that is closer to the David
Hutchinson Stand sign on the roof than it is to the goal. And I reckon the
David Hutchinson Stand is at least 12 metres tall.
44 mins - Vokes misses another great chance to put Wolves back in front.
Milijas's pass is deflected over Spence and the Wales striker has all day to
pick his spot from 12 yards, only to lob the ball over the top.
42 mins - GOAL! Sergio Sanchez! Boa Morte's corner is cleared at the near
post. Driver lofts the ball back in and Sanchez heads it past Hennessey and
against the base of the right-hand post before stooping to head the rebound
in from about five yards.
41 mins - Boa dummies and steps over the ball. Payne strikes it and it hits
the ball and goes behind.
40 mins - Another set-piece chance for Boa Morte. Lee shoots and is
challenged by Stearman. The midfielder needs the physio on. Payne and Boa
have a chat as the latter places the ball on the turf about 23 yards from
goal in a central position.
38 mins - The free-kick is played to Dixon inside the penalty area. He lays
the ball wide right to Lee, whose cross is headed behind by Ward. Boa
Morte's corner is claimed high above his head by Hennessey.
37 mins - It's all West Ham at present. Montano slides an intelligent ball
through for Boa Morte. He tries to cut inside Stearman, but the England
Under-21 defender intercepts. A short time later, Boa is at it again,
winning a free-kick 40 yards from goal from Milijas.
36 mins - Callum Driver is really coming on leaps and bounds. The wing-back
gets forward and cuts inside. Lee makes a clever decoy run to open up the
space inside and Driver makes another five yards before shooting low and
narrowly wide of the post with his less-favoured left foot.
34 mins - I know the 'West Ham way' is to play out from the back, but that
is ridiculous. Kurucz and Spence both employ a drag-back to beat Keogh. The
crowd ooooh and aaaah, but West Ham clear through Driver.
32 mins - Dixon should score. Brown crosses to the near post where Dixon
loses Castillo, but can only head powerfully wide. He is left with his head
in his hands.
30 mins - Wolves break up the other end and Lee makes a good block to deny
Milijas on the edge of the penalty area. Wolves win a throw down the left
and Kurucz comes and doesn't get there, but thankfully the ball bounces
outside the penalty area and is cleared.
29 mins - West Ham's youngsters are growing in confidence. Montano runs at
Stearman before spreading play wide left to Brown. He cuts the ball back to
Payne, who takes a touch before testing Hennessey with a bouncing effort
from 25 yards. Good handling by the goalkeeper.
28 mins - That would have been a fairytale! Boa Morte completely mis-hits
his free-kick, but it goes UNDER the wall and about a yard wide of the near
post. Hennessey was just standing there watching... Montano is back on.
26 mins - Driver's curling through ball is touched on by Montano, who goes
down under a challenge from Castillo and is left clutching his face. West
Ham have a free-kick about three yards outside the penalty area. Boa Morte
stands over it, but first Montano is receiving some treatment.
24 mins - Well done Josh Payne. He wins a crunching tackle in midfield
before swapping passes with Montano and finding Dixon. The forward's pass is
blocked back into Payne's path, and he beats a player before seeing his shot
blocked by Stearman. Driver picks up the clearance, but his cross flies over
the crossbar.
22 mins - Big chance for Vokes, but his touch lets him down. He had sprung
the offside trap there and should really have controlled Guedioura's through
ball. If he had, he was in acres of space inside the penalty area. As it is,
the ball goes harmlessly behind for a goal kick.
20 mins - Jordan Brown does well down the left, cutting inside his marker
before trying to find Montano inside the penalty area. Unfortunately, the
Colombian-born forward is offside.
18 mins - I should say that Alex Dyer has again chosen to go with a 3-5-2
formation tonight, with Boa Morte forming part of the central-midfield
three.
17 mins - West Ham have settled down now and, aside from Vokes' early
strike, Kurucz has not been tested. The challenge will be to find a way past
the experienced Wolves defence.
15 mins - Boa is clearly in the mood to get back in the swing of things,
sliding in on Guedioura and challenging the rotund Ebanks-Blake in the
midfield.
13 mins - Boa Morte to the fore, finding Lee with a superb 40-yard pass. He
then collects the ball from Brown before skipping around a challenge and
going down on the edge of the D. He claps his hands together in frustration
as the referee waves away his appeal for a free-kick.
11 mins - Great chance for Guedioura as he latches on to Vokes' knock-down,
but he can only lob the ball wide with just Kurucz to beat.
10 mins - Comedy of errors there. Stearman flicks on Kurucz's goal kick to
Dixon, who knocks it past Stearman. Hennessey plunges on the ball, but it
squirms out from under his body. Unfortunately no West Ham player is able to
take advantage and the Wales goalkeeper is able to grab it. Seconds later,
Boa Morte wins a free-kick out on the left, but he gets up unscathed.
9 mins - Ebanks-Blake ploughs forward down the right and wins a corner.
Spence clears at the near post before Guedioura's pass goes out for a goal
kick.
7 mins - Spence is standing up well to the challenge so far, winning a
couple of commanding headers and making a pair of important interceptions.
West Ham break and win a throw. Driver's throw-in eludes Stearman and falls
to Montano, who tries to pick out Boa Morte with a low cross. Instead the
ball goes behind the Portuguese and Wolves clear. Better.
6 mins - Guedioura gets down the left and combines with Vokes, but his cross
is sliced behind for a goal kick.
5 mins - West Ham's youngsters need to re-group and find their feet. They've
played very well in recent weeks and just need to use that belief and stay
in the game early on. Guedioura fouls Driver as the wing-back jumps to head
clear.
4 mins - GOAL! That's not the ideal start. The corner is not cleared and
drops to Sam Vokes, who guides a right-foot volley into the roof of the net
from six yards.
3 mins - Boa still hasn't touched it yet, but he's jogging around happily
enough. Jordan Brown challenges Greg Halford and concedes a right-wing
corner.
1 min - We had a bit of 'Hi-ho Wolverhampton' before kick-off. A cracking
tune if you ask me. Callum Driver announces his arrival to Stephen Ward with
a crunching challenge. Good start young man.
7pm - Wolves will get us underway...
6.59pm - Here are the two teams. A very decent-sized crowd has turned out to
cheer on their respective teams. Boa Morte is sporting some nice white boots
for his return. He goes around and shakes hands with his young team-mates
one by one. He is a popular figure at Chadwell Heath, is the midfielder, and
it is great to see him back.
6.57pm - The locals reckon it is going to rain! It's clouded over a bit, so
maybe they are going to be proved correct. It is eight months and two weeks
since Luis Boa Morte suffered his knee injury in China, I am reliably
informed by Pete Walker, the team coach driver.
6.56pm - Goodness knows why, but they're playing the tune they play at
Stamford Bridge before kick-off...
6.55pm - Both sets of players have returned to their dressing rooms for
last-minute preparations. I can tell you that Alex Dyer's youngsters are
relishing the chance to test themselves against a Wolves team full of
seasoned professionals. A week after shackling James Beattie, Callum
McNaughton is itching to get to grips with Wales international Sam Vokes and
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, the top scorer in the Championship in each of the last
two seasons. Make no mistake, this will be a huge challenge for the mixture
of Academy youngsters and first-year professionals. Luis Boa Morte has been
through his own special warm up and will be expected to lead the side
through the game alongside captain Jordan Spence. It will also be a big
night for goalkeeper Peter Kurucz, but the whole squad were in relaxed and
confident mood before arriving here in Shropshire.
6.50pm - Hello! Sorry for the delay, but I've had a few technical issues
getting on to the internet here at the New Bucks Head. It's got a bit cold
over the last hour or so, and is likely to get even chillier when the sun
goes down. The home of AFC Telford is a neat, modern stadium is
seven-years-old and very smart, I must say. The stadium is equipped with a
hotel, brasserie and gymnasium. Not bad for a Blue Square North club!
Good evening from Shropshire.
Luis Boa Morte is set to make his eagerly-awaited return from injury in
tonight's Barclays Premier Reserve League South meeting with Wolverhampton
Wanderers at the New Bucks Head in Telford.
The Portugal midfielder is due to be back in competitive action for the
first time since a serious knee injury - including anterior cruciate
ligament damage - in the Barclays Asia Trophy meeting with Tottenham Hotspur
in Beijing, China, on 29 July last year.
Boa Morte could form part of a three-man midfield alongside Olly Lee and
Josh Payne. At the back, the only change from last week's goalless draw at
Stoke City sees Jordan Brown replace Davide Ferrari, whose loan spell from
Brescia Calcio has ended. Up front, Academy scholar Cristian Montano will
again partner Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Terry Dixon.
Wolves have named one of the strongest reserve sides I've ever seen, with
all eleven players having started in the Barclays Premier League this
season. Seven of the home team are full internationals, and six of them
started for Wolves in the Premier League meeting with West Ham at Molineux
on 15 August.
West Ham United reserves: Kurucz, Driver, Sanchez, Spence, McNaughton,
Brown, Lee (Barrett 61), Payne, Boa Morte (Edgar 46), Montano, Dixon (Wearen
75)
Subs: Cowler, Abdulla
Wolverhampton Wanderers reserves: Hennessey, Halford, Stearman, Castillo
(Dunleavy 68), Ward, Keogh, Guedioura (Davis 72), Milijas, Surman,
Ebanks-Blake (Mendez-Laing 68), Vokes
Subs: McCarey, Bennett
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Ferdinands ready for Testimonial
WHUFC.com
Anton Ferdinand is looking forward to joining forces with big brother Rio
for the first time on 5 May
13.04.2010
Anton Ferdinand has never had the chance to line up alongside big brother
Rio in a claret and blue shirt - until now. The England defender, 31, left
West Ham United a little less than three years before his younger sibling
made his debut at Preston North End in August 2003. Anton, 25, followed his
brother up the A1 in the summer of 2008, when he joined Sunderland. On
Wednesday 5 May, the graduates hope to join forces in the All-Star team put
together by Academy Director Tony Carr for his eagerly-awaited Testimonial
match against a West Ham squad. "It would be the first time we'd have played
together in a match," said Anton. "That's something I'm sure the West Ham
fans would love to see and something that my family would love to see. "Our
manager [Steve Bruce] has OK'd it and hopefully I'll be able to play some
part in the game. Tony deserves it with the amount of stuff he's done for
this club. The number of players who have come through says it all. If it
wasn't for him, some of the best players who have come through into the
England team wouldn't be doing what they're doing. "If you're not
comfortable on the ball then you're not a West Ham player - it's as simple
as that. You have to have confidence on the ball and I try to show that
myself. "I grew up in the club and there are a lot of people here who have a
lot of love for me, and I have a lot of love for them. It was nice to be
back and see them last Saturday [when Sunderland lost 1-0 at the Boleyn
Ground]."
The brothers will be among a star-studded cast of players to pull on the
claret and blue shirt Carr has had specially-designed for the match.
Sponsored by Ricoh, the kits have been manufactured by Umbro and will be
auctioned off following the big night. Carr has received agreement in
principle for a host of international stars to take part, including Rio's
Manchester United team-mate Michael Carrick and Anton's Sunderland sidekick
Kieran Richardson. Chelsea trio Frank Lampard, John Terry and Joe Cole all
plan to be involved, alongside the likes of Nottingham Forest's Chris Cohen,
Coventry City's Freddy Eastwood and Derby County goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.
Tickets for the Testimonial start at £15 for adults and £10 for Over-65s and
Under-16s. Executive boxes are also available priced at £750 for ten people.
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Ilan doing well
WHUFC.com
With two goals in two games, Ilan is settling in well into life in east
London
13.04.2010
Ilan has spoken about his happiness at his goalscoring form for West Ham
United and echoed the togetherness in the camp. The Brazilian forward struck
the crucial winning goal against Sunderland on Saturday to go with his late
equaliser the week before against Everton. Things are going well for him and
speaking at Chadwell Heath, the 29-year-old stressed he was fully committed
to the cause - contrary to certain reports suggesting otherwise. He said he
had only spoken positively about his life at West Ham since joining from AS
Saint-Etienne in February. "I was really shocked when someone in France
asked me about the quotes," he said. "I expected something like that - I'm a
foreign player here, I've scored a couple of goals, so it's a good moment to
come up with something and cause some mischief. "I have spoken to Gianfranco
Zola and there is no problem. He's a great person and really cool, you can
speak to him whenever you need to. I spoke to the players and they're fine -
they've seen this kind of thing before. We are really strong together as a
group. "The important thing right now is we are together as a group, we're
in the same boat and we're confident we'll get out of trouble. "The manager
is very open and you can talk to him about anything. There's no need to
explain his career but it is easy to speak to him because he knows straight
away what a player feels."
Ilan said the mood at the training ground was positive, with everyone
pulling in the same direction. "We really needed the win and to get the
goal, I was really happy," he said. "Of course, it was a very important
goal. "We needed the points and we had to give something back to the
supporters so it could not have come at a better moment. It's all I could
have asked for - to get a goal and a home win."
He is particularly happy to be playing alongside Carlton Cole, who has
himself paid tribute to Ilan's forward play. "He's the type of player who
complements me - he is big, he's strong, he does a fantastic job up front.
"I try to follow him, to pick up the second ball. At half-time he said to
me, 'Get behind me, I'll give you some knock-downs'. Five minutes later we
linked up for the goal, he won the header and I scored."
Having agreed a short-term contract with an option for a further season, it
remains to be seen what the future holds. Like all of his colleagues, the
only aim is to get survival assured and then think about the next steps.
"We've produced a good performance at Everton and got a home victory. We've
got some momentum, we're more together, more confident about getting out of
this situation. "I will do everything I can to help West Ham and then when
the season is over we will sit down and talk about the future.
"Frankly, I am really positive. We think we can get out of it. As I said the
way we have played has given us more belief and confidence and if we can get
a draw at Liverpool, that would be great and set us up for the last couple
of home games. We should aim for a point at least at Liverpool - I think
we're capable of getting that."
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Lee aiming for big finish
WHUFC.com
Olly Lee is looking forward after recovering from a frustrating bout of
glandular fever
13.04.2010
Olly Lee is determined to finish 2009/10 a high after shaking off the
effects of the illness which threatened to ruin his whole season. A bout of
glandular fever laid the 18-year-old midfielder low before Christmas,
restricting his opportunities to shine after signing his first professional
contract last summer. Lee began the campaign well, starting two of the
Hammers' opening three Barclays Premier Reserve League South fixtures in
September, only to be sidelined for the next three months by the virus. The
youngster returned in January, being named among the substitutes for the FA
Cup third-round meeting with Arsenal, and has made a further eight
reserve-team appearances for Alex Dyer's side.
Speaking ahead of tonight's final away fixture at Wolverhampton Wanderers,
Lee is happy to be healthy and back among his team-mates at Chadwell Heath.
"It's been a tough season, to be honest. It's not gone how I wanted it to
go, but so far, so good. I've got a few games under my belt now and I'm
going from strength to strength now and I'll be looking to push on next
season. "This season has been a bit of a write-off, so I'm just looking to
make the most of the last few games and look ahead. "Glandular fever is not
nice. It keeps you in bed but it also knocks back your confidence and
morale. You know all your team-mates are out training and you are stuck at
home for six weeks. "In a way, it's worse than being injured because it's
got nothing to do with football. At least when you're injured, you're still
around the banter and around your mates, but with this I didn't see anyone."
The Academy graduate has been rewarded with a new contract, and is eager to
repay the club's faith in him by fulfilling his undoubted potential in
2010/11. "Considering the year that I've had when I haven't played many
games and haven't been training much, it's great that they have the faith in
me that maybe I can push on and become the next one in the first team. "It's
been brilliant that Alex has chucked me straight back into the reserve team,
too."
Lee has shown his versatility in recent weeks, lining up as a right
wing-back at Arsenal before resuming in his favoured central midfield
against Aston Villa and Stoke City. "I'll play wherever Alex wants me to,
but centre-mid is my position and obviously I want to be playing there most
of the time. I just want to be on the pitch, though, because it's better
than being sat at home ill! I'll play anywhere when called, but centre-mid
is where I want to be."
Wherever he has played, Lee has made up for lost time by producing
eye-catching performances, coming close to scoring his second goal of the
season at Stoke a week ago.
"We've hit a nice bit of form and been really good in recent matches. It's
all been based on working really hard and letting the quality come through
from there, so hopefully we can push on in the last two games and win them.
"I've had my break so I'll have a short holiday and get straight back and
ready for next season, ready to push on."
Kick-off at AFC Telford United's New Bucks Head stadium is at 7pm. Admission
is £4 for adults and £1 for concessions.
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Keen looking to Thursday
WHUFC.com
The first-team coach is inviting Hammers fans along to a special charity
game on 15 April
13.04.2010
Check out WHUTV today to see Kevin Keen talking exclusively about a special
charity match being staged this Thursday.
The fixture will see Kevin Keen's All Star team take on a Wycombe Wanderers
Legends team at the Chairboys' Adams Park stadium. It is all being staged in
memory of Kevin's dad Mike, who did following a short illness in April 2009.
He was a popular figure in his hometown in Buckinghamshire, managing
Wanderers, running a sports shop for more than two decades and helping to
form the local youth football leagues.
As a player, he lifted the League Cup and Division Three championship trophy
as Queens Park Rangers in 1967, while also helping his son to forge a
successful career in the game.
"My Dad passed away on 11 April last year. He played quite a big role in my
footballing career, and he's also a big hero at Queens Park Rangers, as he
lifted the League Cup for them as captain in 1967 - the only major trophy
the club has won.
"All the money raised is going to Cancer Research. West Ham fans would be
interested to hear that Gianfranco has agreed to play, as has Steve, along
with Clive, Paul and Martin Allen - I don't know when the last time those
three kicked a ball together!
"Malky Mackay, who is now managing Watford and was here for a little while,
is playing, as is Teddy Sheringham, so it should be a good night. Any West
Ham fans would be more than welcome."
Tickets for the game, priced at £10 each, can be bought from Wycombe
Wanderers FC on 01494 441118 or online at www.wwfc.com
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I'm no Denis Law
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 13th April 2010
By: Staff Writer
Carlos Tevez has referred to the possibility of one of his goals condemning
West Ham to relegation as 'unthinkable'. Former Hammer Tevez - who was part
of the team that achieved the 'Great Escape' to avoid relegation in 2006/07
- returns to the Boleyn Ground on the final day of the Premier League season
when his current side, Manchester City visit London. It is a game that the
Citizens may have to win in order to guarantee a Champions League spot - and
also one that West Ham may need to win in order to avoid relegation. But
should it come to that, Tevez insists that his will not be the goal to send
United into the Championship. "It is unthinkable that I will score a goal
that will send West Ham to relegation," he told the Daily Mail. "To score
such a goal against them would change my history with them. "Their
supporters feel football; they are passionate, these people invested great
support in me. When the game comes, I hope City have already secured fourth
place and West Ham are safe. That is the best I hope for."
Tevez, who has scored 22 league goals in 28 starts for City this season -
also revealed during the interview that he would love to return to the
Boleyn one day as a player. "I wish to play for West Ham again before I
finish my career," he admitted. "I have some unfinished business there."
* Denis Law is famously credited as being the player who condemned former
club Manchester United to relegation in 1974 after he switched sides to join
Man City (although had he not scored the only goal in City's 1-0 win United
would still have been relegated).
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Green: I'm not simply the best
The Sun
Published: 13 Apr 2010
ROB GREEN may be Fabio Capello's first choice but the West Ham keeper claims
he will never call himself England's No1. Green looks set to start in goal
when the Three Lions kick off their World Cup campaign against the USA on
June 12. But the Hammers ace insists he will never take his position for
granted — especially with the likes of David James and Joe Hart breathing
down his neck. Green, 30, said: "I'd never say I was England's No1, not
until there wasn't a goalkeeper left wearing gloves and an England shirt
anywhere in the world. "It's strange, although it sounds great on a personal
level. "But I take it with a pinch of salt because whoever isn't in goal for
England is usually the man people want."
If Green does go to South Africa as Capello's preferred goalie, it will cap
a remarkable change of fortunes for the man who once joked he was only
England's No6. He added: "It was an ongoing joke with the West Ham fans and
the manufacturers of my gloves thought it would be funny to put No6 on the
wristband of my gloves. "I wasn't worried that I wouldn't get picked because
of it. After all, they weren't picking me anyway! It was all in jest and if
you don't laugh, you'll cry."
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Tevez: I still love Hammers
The Sun
Published: 13 Apr 2010
CARLOS TEVEZ admits it will break his heart if his goals send West Ham down.
Tevez returns to Upton Park on May 9 when Manchester City wrap up their
Premier League season. Depending on how results go between now and then,
City may need a win to secure a champions League place while West Ham could
be desperate for three points to avoid the drop. Tevez, 26, saved the
Hammers from relegation in 2007 during a season-long loan. And while the
Argentine's heart is now firmly with City, he would hate to see his old club
condemned to life in the Championship. Tevez said: "It is unthinkable that I
will score a goal that will send West Ham to relegation. "Their supporters
feel football — they are passionate, these people invested great support in
me. "I wish to play again for West Ham before I finish my career. I have
some unfinished business there.
"To score such a goal against them would change my history with the club.
"When the game comes, I hope City have already secured fourth place and West
Ham are safe. That is the best I hope for."
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Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez hopes to play for West Ham United again
Striker has special bond with the club and fans...
By Alex Dimond
13 Apr 2010 17:56:00
Goal.com
Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez says he hopes to one day play for West
Ham United again. The Argentine international enjoyed a controversial stay
at Upton Park during the 2006/07 season, with the signing of him and Javier
Mascherano getting the Hammers into trouble with the FA over third-party
ownership — although his winning goal on the last day against Manchester
United did keep the Hammers up at the expense of outraged Sheffield United.
Now enjoying life at Eastlands after two seasons at Old Trafford, Tevez has
admitted he still has a soft spot for his former club and, with the two
sides set to face each other on the last day of the season, doesn't want to
be put in a position to harm them as they face another battle with the drop.
"It is unthinkable that I will score a goal that will send West Ham to
relegation," Tevez told the Daily Mail. "Their supporters feel football;
they are passionate, these people invested great support in me." I wish to
play again for West Ham before I finish my career," he continued. "I have
some unfinished business there. To score such a goal against them would
change my history with them. "When the game comes, I hope City have already
secured fourth place and West Ham are safe. That is the best I hope for."
City are currently four points clear in the race for Champions League
qualification, although challengers Tottenham Hotspur have a game in hand.
At the other end of the table, the Hammers are currently four points above
the relegation zone in 16th.
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West Ham United striker Carlton Cole urges England manager Fabio Capello to
be patient
Carlton Cole has urged Fabio Capello to recognise his all-round game and be
patient as he regains his fitness.
Telegraph.co.uk
By John Ley
Published: 7:30AM BST 13 Apr 2010
The West Ham striker has scored twice, in 13 appearances since returning
from a serious knee injury, but made the goal, for Ilan, on Saturday as West
Ham beat Sunderland 1-0. Capello is tracking Bobby Zamora and Darren Bent,
who will compete with Emile Heskey and Cole for a place on the plane to
South Africa. Sport on television Cole said: "I took a lot of pleasure out
of setting up the goal against Sunderland; that's what I was known for. That
was my main thing. "Then I started scoring goals and everyone was labelling
me as a goalscorer. I don't see myself as either really, I see myself as
just playing the game and trying to help the team. I've always been a team
player and I am just so happy that I contributed on Saturday and at Everton,
to a good team performance. "I've got to start again from base because I had
a bad injury, came back, tried hard, it wasn't working out, so I have just
got to graft and get my fitness back to where it is supposed to be. "The
injury came at a bad time. I took two months out, I had to reset my button
and now I can start blossoming and start concentrating on my goals."
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