WHUFC.com
West Ham United and Newham Council are progressing on a Premier solution for the Olympic Stadium
18.08.2010
West Ham United and Newham Council are delighted to be moving forward to the next stage of the bidding process that will determine the future of the 2012 Olympic Stadium. The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) has confirmed it wants to receive all firm proposals for the site in Stratford by the end of next month. West Ham and Newham would like to place on record their thanks to the OPLC for the professional way it has handled the process and the strong cooperation received to this point. We remain convinced our exciting plans are the best way forward for a viable and lasting legacy after the 2012 Games. Since confirming our joint-bid in March, we have been working behind the scenes on the football and financial aspects as well as the wider benefits for sport, community and business - locally, nationally and internationally. We are busy developing our ideas further with the designers, technical experts and partners and will put forward a winning proposition.
We have listened to key sporting and political figures such as Lord Coe and sports minister Hugh Robertson and are confident we can deliver a lasting legacy where everyone wins. The next steps will also include engaging with West Ham's loyal supporters and addressing their needs and expectations, not least in terms of the state-of-the-art stadium's set-up, seating and sightlines.
Karren Brady, West Ham United vice-chairman, said: "We are incredibly excited to have reached this point in the process. The club has invested time and money to make sure the Olympic Stadium is the right choice for us and we are certain this is the case. "Put simply, we believe we would be the best anchor tenant for the Olympic Stadium and it would also provide the best chance for West Ham United to grow and evolve in a way that fits with our proud traditions and history. "We would not only incorporate Premier League football but are talking to athletics, cricket, rugby and other sporting institutions. It would be a true home for British excellence and provide the long-lasting conditions to create elite sportsmen and women of the future. "The real danger is if the stadiums and the facilities don't get used. From our point of view we are really interested in giving usage not only to the Olympic Stadium but the whole Park so that it has a future beyond the Olympic Games. We offer a natural and logical solution."
Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales, a long-time Hammers supporter, said: "We see West Ham United moving to the Olympic Stadium as the key to unlocking a proper legacy tied into Premiership football with flexible community use that will benefit residents and the wider area.
"West Ham United is a massive part of East End life and deserves the chance to be the best and beat the best. We have always argued the Olympic Stadium needs a top-flight football team and that has to be the Hammers."
As well as providing a proper home for Barclays Premier League football in the East End of London and a potential 2018 FIFA World Cup finals venue, West Ham United and Newham Council's bid also includes plans for a national institute for sports science and sports medicine, along with a visitor centre for tourists and sports museum. Together with the other attractions in the Olympic Park and the neighbouring Stratford City shopping centre, it could become one of the nation's favourite destinations. Many key people and organisations have welcomed our bid, including UK Athletics, Essex Cricket, Westfield Stratford City, the Canary Wharf Group and the University of East London. The proposal would be to make the venue a vibrant centre of sport, culture and education, featuring both football and athletics. Open all year round, it would have an active community use, inspiring learning and achievement and helping to create a better quality of life for tens of thousands. The plan will generate a number of major social and economic benefits for the local area - and not just in the immediate vicinity of the Olympic Park. A busy Olympic Stadium would create many new jobs and West Ham - which is already a significant employer in the area - would work with closely Newham to make sure these go to local people. The relocation of West Ham to the Olympic site would also offer the opportunity for the club's current Boleyn Ground stadium site to form part of a regeneration scheme that would include new homes, shops and community facilities.
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Edgar's Oxford aim
WHUFC.com
Anthony Edgar is eager to be involved in the Carling Cup second-round tie after scoring twice for the reserves
17.08.2010
Anthony Edgar is hoping his two-goal show in the reserve victory over Crystal Palace will earn him a chance to shine in Avram Grant's first team. The gifted 19-year-old winger has enjoyed a superb pre-season, scoring the winner at Peterborough United before joining Grant's squad at their training camp in Germany.
With the first-team manager watching from the stands at Thurrock FC's Ship Lane, the second-year professional provided an impressive showcase of his extensive all-round talents, scoring one fine individual goal before doubling his tally with a smart first-time finish. Having done so well, the east London-born youngster is targeting a place in Grant's squad for next Tuesday's Carling Cup second-round meeting with League Two outfit Oxford United. It promises to be a bumper Boleyn night with tickets at just £5 for kids and £10 for adults. "I think the game went really well," Edgar told WHUTV. "Up front in the final third we looked really sharp and with better decision-making we could have scored a few more goals and created a few more chances. "I don't know if I've done enough but if I've done enough to be in his thoughts then great. Every day, I just wake up and have tunnel vision. I just go on the training pitch and try to show what I can do and try to express myself - that's all I can do. "It would be nice, of course, but I've just got to keep working hard and if I'm in his thoughts then I'll play and show the crowd what I can do."
Edgar enjoyed a loan spell at League Two club AFC Bournemouth last season before making his first-team debut as a substitute in the FA Cup third-round defeat by Arsenal in January this year. Having had a taste of the big time, the diminutive wideman is itching to be involved again at senior level. On Tuesday, he did his chances no harm whatsoever, scoring two impressive goals. The first, which came just a minute after Palace had taken the lead, saw Edgar burst between three defenders before slotting a powerful low shot into the far corner. The second, which proved to be the winner, saw the teenager calmly slot the ball into the net after Junior Stanislas had mis-kicked at Kieron Dyer's right-wing cross. "I got the ball and I knew what I was going to do. I knew I was going to go straight through their defence and I knew when I was going to hit the ball. I hit it and thank God it went in. "To be honest, I asked Junior if he really meant to leave the ball for me and he said he didn't, but I was alert to it and placed the ball into the corner where the goalkeeper couldn't get to it."
If he continues to do the same, then Anthony Edgar could be a name that West Ham United supporters are hearing a lot more of over the coming season.
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Everybody in
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 18th August 2010
By: Staff Writer
Karren Brady has been speaking about the various organisations expected to share the Olympic Stadium with West Ham United in the event of a successful bid.
The process to find a tenant for the Stratford stadium post-2012 Games began today, with the future of the oval-shaped stadium to be determined by the end of the year. West Ham's vice-chairman fired the opening salvos for West Ham's bid this afternoon when she spoke effusively about the benefits to both the club and the community as a whole. "We've made no secret of the fact that we feel it is a natural and logical solution for West Ham United to move there," she said. "It really is breathtaking; they've done a wonderful job in the design and the quality of the build and I think when you're in there you get a real sense of just how magnificent it is. Until you've been there it's very hard to understand."
Brady, who joined West Ham earlier this year added that despite West Ham holding the tenancy they would be obliged to share the stadium with a number of other organisations - but would still be looking to hook up with further revenue-stream partners. "Certainly UK athletics, certainly with Essex county cricket club," she added. "Certainly with an events company because it's a wonderful stadia to put events on [in] and perhaps with the NFL - we're having some discussions with them - and LiveNation. So anybody who's interested in making it a vibrant, successful, used stadium is exactly the kind of partner we want to work with."
Despite the positive messages emanating from West Ham's boardroom with regards to the switch, the majority of the club's supporters, according to a recent KUMB.com poll, remain against moving to the stadium mainly as a result of the extended distance between the seats and playing field which is, based upon estimates given by the club, said to be similar to 'sightlines' at the new Wembley stadium.
Meanwhile many others have expressed their concerns about the club selling its famous 106-year-old home in order to take up a leasehold at a stadium not purpose-built for football. One of most fans' key criteria when discussing any potential stadium move has been that the stands be moved closer to the pitch in order to restore the Boleyn's formerly-intimidating atmosphere, which was lost when the new West Stand was built in 2002 yet often referred to by opposition players recalling visits to Upton Park.
Other European clubs - such as Italian giants Juventus - are moving from bowl-shaped stadiums in favour of tighter, more compact stadia in order to improve the supporters' match-day experience. West Ham United's new owners seem unconcerned by this, and remain determined to buck the trend by moving in the opposite direction.
Keeping everybody happy - who will use the stadium and when
West Ham United FC
An absolute minimum of 19 games per season (excluding the now traditional prestige August home-friendly). Usage between August and May.
UK Athletics
No more than a handful of (all day) events per year. Unlikely to impact greatly on the pitch.
Un-Named Events Company
Would stage various corporate/charity events throughout the year.
NFL (National Football League)
American Football's international league - imaginatively titled NFL Europa - was disbanded in 2007 after making heavy losses (around $30million per season) but the franchise is keen to continue to stage one-off games overseas. Matches at Wembley Stadium have proved successes in recent years and West Ham are keen to cash in.
Live Nation Entertainment
The self-styled 'largest live entertainment company in the world', currently promoting Kasabian, Arcade Fire and the V Festival in the UK, amongst many others. Expect all-year-round large-scale events should talks prove fruitful.
Essex County Cricket Club
The OS has been touted as a possible venue for Essex's 20/20 games, which take place in June and July. Of all its other uses, regular cricket is likely to have the greatest impact on the pitch as it would usually be relaid during this period in preparation for the new football season.
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Caicedo at the Boleyn
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 18th August 2010
By: Staff Writer
Felipe Caicedo is currently awaiting ratification of his move to West Ham having successfully completed a medical. The 21-year-old Ecuadorian, who was spotted at the Boleyn Ground this lunchtime, is set to join the Hammers imminently although details of the deal remain undisclosed at present. A season-long loan deal with an option to buy had initially been mooted for the young striker although it has also been suggested that the Hammers may have decided to make the deal permanent. Caicedo made his name as a teenager with FC Basel in Switzerland before being snapped up by Mark Hughes on transfer deadline day 2008 for €7million. However he failed to hold down a regular starting berth at Eastlands and was allowed to join Sporting CP on a season-long loan prior to the start of the 2009/10 season. Unfortunately the move soon turned sour and in January 2010, after just seven starts, Caicedo - who was first linked with an £8million move to West Ham last summer - returned to Manchester City only halfway through his loan spell. Within a week he was off again; having rejected the chance to join (then) Premier League outfit Hull he joined Malaga on loan for the remainder of the campaign where he went on to score four times in 18 appearances. Caicedo will become West Ham's sixth signing of the summer following the arrival of Thomas Hitzlsperger, Frederic Piquionne, Winston Reid, Tal Ben Haim and Pablo Barrera. Plans for a seventh capture - that of Ajax's Miralem Sulejmani - fell through after the Serbian winger was refused a work permit last week.
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West Ham's Olympic dream
Brady keen for club to move into new stadium
Last updated: 18th August 2010
SSN
Karren Brady believes West Ham represent the ideal candidates to be given the long-term lease to the Olympic Stadium. The Hammers are bidding to move into the brand new venue following the 2012 Games in London and are one of a number of interested parties. The Premier League club, who have been at their Boleyn Ground home since 1904 now have six weeks to finalise their proposal before a decision is reached. The initial market testing phase attracted over 100 participants and they all backed plans for a multi-use stadium, including a running track. Brady, West Ham's vice-chairman, has revealed the club have worked alongside other sports in producing their plans for the move. "We are incredibly excited to have reached this point in the process," she told the club's official website. "The club has invested time and money to make sure the Olympic Stadium is the right choice for us and we are certain this is the case. "Put simply, we believe we would be the best anchor tenant for the Olympic Stadium. "It would also provide the best chance for West Ham to grow and evolve in a way that fits with our proud traditions and history. "We would not only incorporate Premier League football but we are talking to athletics, cricket, rugby and other sporting institutions. "It would be a true home for British excellence and provide the long-lasting conditions to create elite sportsmen and women of the future. "The real danger is if the stadiums and the facilities don't get used. "From our point of view we are really interested in giving usage not only to the Olympic Stadium but the whole Park so that it has a future beyond the Olympic Games. We offer a natural and logical solution."
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Hammers give Reid NZ go ahead
Upton Park new boy cleared to play in All Whites friendlies
By Edwin Chong Last updated: 18th August 2010
SSN
West Ham have granted new signing Winston Reid permission to play two New Zealand friendly matches in October. The 22-year-old arrived at Upton Park from Danish club Midtjylland earlier this month and is expected to play a key role in manager Avram Grant's plans this season. However, the Premier League club have given the defender clearance to feature in the All Whites' first internationals since their unbeaten run at the World Cup in South Africa this summer.
New Zealand Football chief executive Michael Glading insists the presence of Reid and other foreign-based stars such as Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen is crucial for the friendlies. "We have to go back to what is the purpose of this game," Glading told Radio Sport. "It's to start a new campaign, and it's to pay homage to and pay thanks to the support the New Zealand people gave to this team. "I think that's reason enough to say if that request did come to actually turn it down, frankly. "On the positive front we've already had clearance from West Ham."
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Remy nears Marseille move
Nice striker set to join French rivals
Last updated: 18th August 2010
SSN
Nice striker Loic Remy appears set to join Ligue 1 rivals Marseille after 'sudden' developments over his future. Remy had been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League earlier this summer, with West Ham, Stoke, Liverpool and Tottenham all showing an interest. German club Hoffenheim and Marseilleentered the race later on and it now seems he will be on his way to Stade Velodrome. Remy held talks with Marseille boss Didier Deschamps on Wednesday afternoon and reports in France suggest the two clubs are close to concluding a €15million (£12.4m) deal. Marseille's sporting director Jose Anigo and managing director Antoine Veyrat are in Nice to try and tie up the deal in time for Remy to make his debut against Lorient on Saturday.
It is thought that Hoffenheim are prepared to offer more money but Nice president Gilbert Stellardo does not want to go against the player's wishes. Remy is pleased that the uncertainty surrounding his future seems to be coming to an end. He said: "I am extremely happy and proud that Marseille are interested in me. After having waited a long time for my transfer, things have really speeded up this afternoon. "It's very sudden, I was surprised. Rather than time for reflection I need a little time to adapt to the situation, but it's looking good." He added: "Didier Deschamps telephoned me this afternoon to say that I needed to work very hard and that he would be there to support me."
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Hammers give Reid NZ go ahead
Upton Park new boy cleared to play in All Whites friendlies
By Edwin Chong Last updated: 18th August 2010
SSN
West Ham have granted new signing Winston Reid permission to play two New Zealand friendly matches in October. The 22-year-old arrived at Upton Park from Danish club Midtjylland earlier this month and is expected to play a key role in manager Avram Grant's plans this season. However, the Premier League club have given the defender clearance to feature in the All Whites' first internationals since their unbeaten run at the World Cup in South Africa this summer.
New Zealand Football chief executive Michael Glading insists the presence of Reid and other foreign-based stars such as Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen is crucial for the friendlies. "We have to go back to what is the purpose of this game," Glading told Radio Sport. "It's to start a new campaign, and it's to pay homage to and pay thanks to the support the New Zealand people gave to this team. "I think that's reason enough to say if that request did come to actually turn it down, frankly. "On the positive front we've already had clearance from West Ham."
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Bidding process launch leaves West Ham six weeks to decide on Olympic stadium plans
West Ham have six weeks in which to finalise their plans for moving into the Olympic Stadium following Wednesday's launch of the formal bidding process.
Telegraph.co.uk
Published: 8:11AM BST 18 Aug 2010
The Premier League club are among a group of interested parties hoping to win a long-term lease of the venue after the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The Olympic Park Legacy Company are open to ideas for the stadium to be reduced from its Games-time capacity of 80,000 to anywhere between 25,000 and 60,000.
The initial market testing phase of the process attracted over 100 participants and they all backed plans for a multi-use stadium, including a running track.
London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics included the guarantee that the iconic centre-piece of the Games would retain an athletics legacy. Those organisations now wishing to formalise their interest have until noon on September 30 to make a formal bid by completing a questionnaire. The OPLC will select preferred bidders from this phase in the autumn and begin formal negotiations with the aim of signing a lease agreement by March 31, 2011.
Margaret Ford, chairman of the OPLC, said: "The stadium is at the heart of the Olympic Park and securing the most appropriate solution is crucial to our long-term aspirations for the area. "We have generated a great deal of interest by working with the market to understand how they would use this iconic venue.
"I am delighted that organisations with a serious interest all want a mixed usage - this is in-line with our promise to meet the bid commitments, and our vision for the Stadium to be a focal point for sport and community use. "We aim to have selected an anchor tenant by the end of the financial year." West Ham United are finalising plans on how to fund the post-Olympics conversion of the stadium into a year-round multi-purpose venue. The club plan to meet with representatives from the Melbourne Cricket Ground - a similarly adaptable venue - and they have already been holding talks with UK Athletics, Saracens rugby club and Essex County Cricket Club.
West Ham's Olympic Projects Director Ian Tompkins is aware that not all of their supporter base is behind the club's proposed move from their traditional home at Upton Park. Fans are concerned about the impact on atmosphere of having a running track around the pitch and that seats will be too far away from the action. But West Ham are confident that will not be a problem. The furthest seats from the pitch, those up high behind the goal, would be taken out and replaced by big screens as part of the conversion. The club plan to invite a group of supporters into the stadium to witness first hand what the venue will be like. West Ham are working on their bid in conjunction with Newham Council - and both are excited by the potential knock-on beneifts of the club moving into the Olympic Stadium. "An important part of our bid is the domino effect," said Tompkins. "The proposal Newham is developing in conjunction with ourselves is for the warm-up track to be a community facility. "We have spoken with Newham and Essex Beagles (athletics club), London Marathon and others about how that would work. "If Essex Beagles were to use the community track that would free up their existing facilty. "Newham have talked about expanding cricket facilities in the area. That has led to discussions with Essex, who are equally keen on developing a presence in East London. "The other double benefit of West Ham United moving is that our existing Upton Park site would open the door to a much-needed wider regeneration of the surrounding area, which Newham is exploring as part of our overall bid. "We have six weeks to officially respond to a number of questions they will be asking. We are confident that at the end of the day, ours can be a viable solution. We can make it work."
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West Ham front runners in Olympic stadium race
Footballeconomy.com
Submitted by WG on Wed, 18/08/2010 - 08:05
As the formal bidding process for moving into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 games begins, West Ham United look like the front runners. There have been around 150 expressions of interest, but some of these are undoubtedly not very serious and bidders now have six weeks in which to finalise their plans. Spurs have expressed an interest, but this is thought to be primarily a tactical manoeuvre to exert leverage on Haringey Council in relation to their plans to develop White Hart Lane.
West Ham would reduce the capacity from 80,000 to 60,000 which is a relatively straightforward process given that the seats are on runners. The seats furthest from the pitch behind the goals would be taken out and replaced by giant video screens. They would also increase the roof cover from just a third of the stadium to all of it to give fans protection against the weather. The need to maintain an athletics track has been seen as an obstacle, but West Ham plan to cover this with astro turf. Of itself this does nothing more than improve the aesthetics, but the stadium has been well designed and the sight lines are better than at Wembley.
The club plan to meet with representatives from Melbourne Cricket Ground, a similarly adaptable (if even larger) venue which is used for Australian rules games. They have been holding talks with UK Athletics, Saracens rugby club and Essex County Cricket club. Newham Council are also backing the bid. One of its benefits would be that West Ham moving out of Upton Park would open the door to a much-needed wider regeneration of the surrounding area.
Not all the Hammers fans are keen on the idea and there are still question marks about whether West Ham could afford the cost which would be in the region of £125m. However, it is difficult to see a more viable bid being submitted.
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Roque Santa Cruz wanted by West Ham as Avram Grant eyes season loan for Manchester City striker
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 9:53 AM on 18th August 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham are hoping to sign Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz on loan for the season. Boss Avram Grant is keen to pair the Paraguay international with Carlton Cole and the Hammers are willing to pay Santa Cruz's £75,000-a-week wages. An Upton Park source said: 'The club want him on a 12-month loan with an option to buy next summer. We are keen to add a striker despite the financial restrictions. 'Had it not been for injuries, which have meant we cannot move players on at the moment, we might have tried to do a permanent deal.' Mark Hughes signed Santa Cruz from Blackburn for £17.5million last summer and the Welshman, now in charge at Fulham, is keeping a close eye on the situation. Santa Cruz's progress at Eastlands has been hampered by injury and he was left out of City's Europa League squad following the arrival of Mario Balotelli from Inter Milan.
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Liverpool reignite interest in signing West Ham's Scott Parker
Liverpool have renewed their attempts to sign West Ham midfielder Scott Parker with a deal understood to be dependent on whether Javier Mascherano makes his Anfield exit.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff
Published: 10:26AM BST 18 Aug 2010
Recent reports suggest Parker is delaying putting pen to paper on a new five-year contract with West Ham fuelling speculation he is holding out on a move to Liverpool who have already had a bid rejected. According to the Mirror, Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has been monitoring Parker all summer and despite having an earlier offer knocked back, remains eager to sign the 30-year-old. The paper adds that a deal for Parker is only likely to come to fruition if Liverpool come across the right circumstances under which to off load Mascherano. The Argentine has made no secret of his desire to leave the club and has been heavily linked with joining up with former manager Rafael Benítez at Inter Milan. With that deal yet to get off the ground, Barcelona are also believed to be monitoring Mascherano's movements with his compatriot Lionel Messi encouraging the Spanish club to make a bid. Meanwhile, Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has signed a two-year extension to his contract and is now committed to Anfield until 2014. Following the announcement, Skrtel said: "Before I came here a lot of people thought I wasn't good enough to play for Liverpool, but I think I have shown I am. "I'm happy to try and carry on giving good performances and doing my best for the club. "Signing a new contract gives me confidence and I will work hard in training every day to play as many games as possible. "You can always improve. I know the good and bad parts of my game and I will keep working."
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West Ham United rue missing out on loan deal for Craig Bellamy
West Ham United offered to pay two-thirds of Craig Bellamy's £90,000-a-week wages to take the striker back to Upton Park on loan for the season.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Published: 4:39PM BST 18 Aug 2010
Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy has joined hometown club Cardiff City on a loan deal until the end of the season, despite West Ham's interest. It emerged on Wednesday that Stoke City had also missed out on the 31 year-old, who joined Championship club Cardiff City, while Celtic claimed that they had agreed terms with City to take Bellamy. West Ham are disappointed that their bid failed and although Bellamy has insisted that he wanted to join Cardiff, and also be closer to his family, there is a sense that Manchester City were determined that he would not remain in the Premier League even if it meant they took a financial hit.
Cardiff are paying a significant portion of Bellamy's salary but it is around £20,000 a week – more than £1 million a year — less than West Ham offered. Tottenham also wanted to sign Bellamy but realised they would not be able to take him on loan as City were not prepared to sell to a rival for a top-four spot.
Fulham, managed by Mark Hughes, had believed they had the best chance of securing the striker due to Bellamy's good relationship with former Wales manager. Sunderland and Everton were also thought to be interested.
Although West Ham missed out on the player they sold to City for £14 million in January 2009, the club are close to announcing the signing of another City striker, Felipe Caicedo, on a season-long loan with an option to buy. A deal for the 21-year-old Ecuadorean, who underwent a medical yesterday, means he will become the club's sixth signing of the summer.
He will not, however, be joined by yet another City striker, Roque Santa Cruz, with West Ham dismissing suggestions that they want to sign the Paraguayan.
Most importantly to West Ham supporters, Scott Parker is understood to be extremely close to signing a new contract at the club. Terms have been agreed on an extension and a draft contract is in the hands of his lawyer.
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Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo's loan move to West Ham thrown into doubt
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Last updated at 10:39 PM on 18th August 2010
Daily Mail
West Ham's bid to sign Felipe Caicedo on loan from Manchester City is on hold. They already have Tal Ben Haim on loan from Portsmouth and under Premier League rules can only sign two UK-based players on temporary deals. Manager Avram Grant wants a striker and a right back and is reviewing his options.
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KARREN BRADY ON TRACK WITH WEST HAM'S OLYMPIC BID
Daily Express
Thursday August 19,2010
By Daily Express Reporter
KARREN BRADY says West Ham's proposal to move into the Olympic Stadium is the most logical solution to concerns over the future of the area. The Hammers have six weeks in which to finalise their proposal to be given the long-term lease of the venue after the 2012 Olympic Games. They were among a group of interested parties when the formal bidding process was launched yesterday. Initial market testing attracted more than 100 participants and they all backed plans for a multi-use stadium that includes a running track. Brady, West Ham's vice-chairman, has revealed the club worked alongside other sports in producing their plans. "Put simply, we believe we would be the best anchor tenant for the Olympic Stadium," she said. "We are talking to athletics, cricket, rugby and other sporting institutions. It would be a true home for British excellence and provide the long-lasting conditions to create elite sportsmen and women of the future. "The real danger is if the facilities don't get used. We are really interested in giving usage not only to the Olympic Stadium but the whole Olympic Park so that it has a future beyond the Olympic Games." West Ham's proposal has the full support of Sir Robin Wales, mayor of Newham – the London borough that is home to the stadium. "In my eyes, the Hammers are the only obvious choice," he said.
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Eggert Magnusson's shock Sheffield Wednesday bid: West Ham's former chairman prepares rescue mission
By ALAN BIGGS
Last updated at 7:38 AM on 19th August 2010
Daily Mail
Former West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson is heading for a surprise return to English football after mounting a rescue bid for Sheffield Wednesday. The Icelandic businessman is fronting a consortium who are in advanced takeover talks with the ailing Yorkshire club. Wednesday have confirmed only that they are in serious negotiations with an unnamed party as they look to bale out from debts of £26million that have left the club fighting a winding-up order from the taxman. But Magnusson's name emerged last night as a potential saviour - nearly three years after he quit Upton Park following an ill-fated spell as West Ham's chairman. The 63-year-old Icelander attended a Hillsborough game last season but slipped under the media radar having apparently received little encouragement from former chairman Lee Strafford.
Now that Wednesday have bottomed out - relegated to League One and with an initial asking price of just £5m - Magnusson has stolen the lead from American group, Club 9 Sports, whose bid has broken down irretrievably. He has been back to the club for talks behind the scenes. For a man who led a takeover worth £85m at Upton Park in November, 2006, it is a relatively modest enterprise. Wednesday's stipulation to new backers is for a 'minimum figure' of £5m at the outset and the ability to invest further. With the club's supportive bank, the Co-operative, ready to write-off an unspecified slice of the £20m they are owed as part of a takeover, it is estimated that Wednesday's fortunes could be completely turned around for as little as £15m. Even without a cash injection, they are hotly fancied for instant promotion back to the Championship after signing nine players during the summer. The need for an extra transfer outlay is minimal at this stage, meaning that Magnusson's group could concentrate on building funds for a push to reclaim the Premier League status Wednesday relinquished a decade ago.
Their potential is undoubted after 23,000 watched their opening day home win over Dagenham and Redbridge, the third biggest of the weekend behind only Leeds and Norwich. It was a bigger turn-out than even Championship neighbours Sheffield United managed at Bramall Lane last weekend. The assignment looks almost smooth beside the stormy events of Magnusson's reign at Upton Park where he promptly sacked Alan Pardew as boss and brought in Alan Curbishley. But Hammers escaped relegation, albeit in controversial circumstances amid the Carlos Tevez affair that provoked a successful compensation claim from the other half of Sheffield. Magnusson, the wealthy former owner of a bread and biscuit manufacturing company, stood down as executive chairman within 10 months of his arrival but did the job in a non-executive capacity before selling his 5 per cent stake to majority owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson at the end of 2007.
Billionaire banker Gudmundsson was then bankrupted by the collpase of world markets as West Ham again changed hands, but Magnusson appears to have emerged relatively unscathed from the credit crunch. 'Eggy', as he was nicknamed by West Ham fans, has a genuine interest in football. He is a former president of the Icelandic FA and was on the UEFA executive committee. It is unclear whether he will commit a large portion of his own funds to Wednesday or, as at Upton Park, play more of the frontman for other investors. But his interest will represent a ray of hope for long-suffering Owls fans. They have experienced many false dawns with former Everton director Paul Gregg, among others, fighting shy of taking control. Now, with pressure mounting on Hillsborough's old guard to stand aside to safeguard the future of a famous old club, Wednesday are ripe for the picking as a potential Premier League outfit with a downmarket price tag.
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