WHUFC.com
Karren Brady spoke to West Ham TV after the joint bid for the Olympic
Stadium moved a giant step closer
11.02.2011
West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady has told West Ham TV of her pride
and delight after the club's joint bid for the Olympic Stadium was
unanimously recommended by the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) Board.
Karren paid tribute to the hard work carried out over the past year by the
Hammers and their partners, the London Borough of Newham, that made the
success of the bid possible. With the OPLC recommendation to before to the
Legacy Company's founder members - the Mayor of London's Office and the
Government - for approval next week, the Vice-Chairmen said the process of
moving the club into the 60,000-capacity stadium had only just begun.
"It's a historic day - not only have we been made preferred bidder today,
but we've also been made unanimous bidder and I think it's real credit to
the things we've put into our bid and the things that we've promised," the
Vice-Chairman told West Ham TV. "It's now that the hard work really starts
because we've got to deliver on our promises."
West Ham and Newham's joint bid was praised by the OPLC for offering an
'all-round legacy in serving the needs of sport, culture, entertainment and
the local community', with plans afoot to stage football, cricket and
American football matches at the stadium, as well as community sports events
and pop concerts. Karren explained how the Olympic Stadium and the
surrounding Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City shopping and
entertainment complex would provide a focal point for the football club, the
Borough and the whole of east London and beyond. "Not only is the stadium in
our area but it's at the heart of our community in the East End of London
and it's a symbol for our area and that's why it was important that we got
it for our community, we got it for our football club and we got it for the
people of the East End. "Obviously you are being judged on five criteria and
all of those criteria were equally important in putting together a proposal
that deals with each one. It's been a long and complex process but we've
worked very hard with our partners to make each one of those processes as
smooth as possible. That's why I think we were announced as the unanimous
bidder today. "The important thing was that the athletics legacy was
promised and delivered. We believe we can be a conduit to that and we can
make that happen in the stadium alongside a number of other events like pop
concerts, cricket matches and, of course, football. "To bring those four
things together will benefit the community, create jobs and become the heart
of this area, which is what this process has been about for us. "This really
can change the face of east London and it will. Stratford is a great place
to come to, it's got fantastic transport links and it's very important to
all those West Ham supporters who have moved out to Essex and further afield
that they can get here, reignite with the football club, come back and come
home. "It's about new memories and making new dreams happen."
While the West Ham/Newham bid will provide a sporting legacy for decades to
come, the Vice-Chairman was quick to point out that the views and feelings
of Hammers supporters are as important as any as the club prepares to move
home in the summer of 2014. "The most important thing for us now is not just
deliver on the promises that we've made to the OPLC, but to really engage
with the supporters, take them to the stadium, show them what we're going to
do and explain to them how and why it is so good for us and really make them
a part of everything that we're going to do. "I think it's just
breath-taking. It's a historic day for this football club. It's really
important that we make it work and it's really important that the supporters
understandwhat it means for them, it's really important that we engage with
them and, together, we go on this journey. "Not only did West Ham supporters
want us to have it, but nearly 80 per cent of people across London wanted us
to get this stadium and I'm pleased on behalf of all the people in Newham
and at West Ham that we've been able to do that. The hard work starts now."
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Chairmen welcome OPLC decision
WHUFC.com
David Sullivan and David Gold have spoken of their pride after Friday's
Olympic Stadium recommendation
12.02.2011
West Ham United Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold have expressed their
pleasure after the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) Board decision to
unanimously recommend that the club and Newham Council take over the Olympic
Stadium. Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold discussed their pride at being named as
preferred bidders to move in following the London 2012 Games. The Chairmen
explained that, should the OPLC decision be ratified by the Government and
London Mayor Boris Johnson, the Hammers would be playing at the Olympic
Stadium at the beginning of the 2014/15 season. Mayor of Newham Sir Robin
Wales was equally delighted with the decision, outlining the amazing legacy
the stadium and surrounding Olympic Park complex would have for residents
throughout the Borough, the East End and beyond. Here is what Mr Sullivan,
Mr Gold and Sir Robin had to say on a historic day for West Ham United, the
London Borough of Newham and the whole of east London -
West Ham United Chairman David Sullivan
"I think it's a wonderful day for the club and it can take us to the next
level. I think it's very, very important. We need a bigger stadium to
compete with the bigger clubs. It is an iconic stadium and it will be
wonderful for the club. "It's a long a complicated process and the due
diligence has been enormous. Karren [Brady] and many others have put endless
hours into it and I can't thank them enough for that they have done for the
club. "Newham Council have been very supportive and we will be partners. We
will be renting the stadium from a company we jointly own with the council,
so we will own the stadium with the council and will be tenants. They are
very good people and want to do their best for the Borough."I'm absolutely
sure this is the right move. I think there has been a lot of scaremongering
by other clubs and people are obviously nervous about the move, but the
sightlines are better than at Wembley. The athletics track will be covered
so it won't look like an athletics track. Overall, it will look and feel
like a football stadium. There is an enormous amount of work to be done to
turn this from an Olympic Stadium into a multi-sports stadium. "This is
very, very good for east London and very good for London and for the
community and the legacy. I really believe as a neutral our bid was the best
bid and the best bid has won. "We can move in for the 2014/15 season. We're
not just going to roll across and open up. We're going to spend £95m which
will completely change the stadium and atmosphere and turn it into a
multi-sports stadium. We will give UK Athletics the same length of lease
that we have on the stadium, so while we will be there for 250 years they
will be there for 250 years. It will be a legally built-in guarantee that
the track will be there forever. "I think historically we're a top-six club
and we can be a top-six club again. Realistically, it's very hard to
challenge Manchester City and Chelsea - even Arsenal and Manchester United
will find that over the next couple of years - but we'll be knocking on the
door. I just can't wait for 2014 when we play our first match there."
West Ham United Chairman David Gold
"We are thrilled to have Newham Council as our partners and we are very
excited about what has happened today. It's nice to be on the winning side
and it's nice that the winning side is on the right side. That's what I feel
we represented - what is right, what is fair and what is honest. "It's a
great day for West Ham United Football Club, there is no doubt about that.
It's also a great day for Newham Council - my council where I was born many
years ago. It's also a great day for England and Great Britain because we're
keeping our promise. When Lord Coe gave a promise in 2005, it was on behalf
of us all, and it would have been a tragedy if that promise had been broken.
"For me, this is also an amazing day. I've come full circle. I started out
here when I was a young boy and I've come back to my home and when I look
over my shoulder and see this wonderful stadium, I can't tell you how proud
I am today. We're the preferred bidder. We're hopeful that will be endorsed
by the Government and the Mayor. "David Sullivan and myself have been in
business for a long time and our experience at Birmingham City is
well-documented. I believe this is a sound bid and the finances are in
place. We have done our own due diligence and we're satisfied that, come
what may, there will be absolutely no call on public money. "I think it's
important that this bid has been won by east London people. David and I, our
roots are in east London. I was born in east London and played for West Ham
Boys and I remember one day I hoped I'd win a Gold Medal. I remember when I
was 14 years of age running at a school camp. Three hundred boys set out
that day and I won and I was awarded a five shilling piece. It was a great
day. I remember going to my school - Burke Secondary Modern - and telling my
PE teacher I wanted to be a long-distance runner. My teacher said 'Gold,
don't be a silly sod. This is Burke Secondary Modern in the East End of
London and we don't do long-distance running'. Well, we do now. "This is not
just about football, it's about a community. This is about more than money
and football, it's about our kids and their future and what we can do. It's
very important, what we can do. "When David and I first came to West Ham, I
had my doubts, but once I'd been to the stadium and see the sight-lines, I
was won over immediately. This is an iconic stadium, this will be one of the
finest stadiums for football and the bonus is that all of the other stadiums
will be taking place there. "As a football stadium, I'm confident West Ham
fans will be thrilled and we've already set up programmes for them to come
and see it because we're so confident that they'll fall in love with it -
both because it's iconic and because it's a proper football stadium. There
is not a single seat in this stadium that will be worse than at Wembley.
"They have 90,000 fans go to Wembley and are thrilled by the experience.
There will be 60,000 fans coming here and they will be equally thrilled by
the experience."
Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales
"On behalf of West Ham United and Newham, I want to say that today's
announcement shows that people are the real winners in Newham, throughout
London and across the nation, as fans and participants in football,
athletics, cricket and many other sports, while also creating jobs and
opportunities in the East End with diverse and vibrant events for residents
and tourists alike. "We want to ensure the legacy of the London Olympics
inspires the people in the community and beyond for generations to come.
It's more than just bricks and mortar and talking of those bricks, we think
they work very well the way they are. "The games will be fantastic spectacle
but they will come and go in a few short weeks and the memories will fade.
So the challenge for us all is to ensure the impact is permanent and very
real. London won the right to host the Olympics with the promise lasting
legacy for our nation, a legacy for our children in sport, transforming
opportunities for our community in every sense. "West Ham United and Newham
share a vision for this venue as a fitting home for elite sporting events
for footballers, athletes, cricketers and rugby players competing at the
very highest level in a first-class stadium inspiring those who come to see
them, and where young people can try these sports for the very first time.
"Entrusted to us for the nation, this stadium will be the heart of our
vibrant local community. We will allow every member of our community to
access their Olympic Stadium. Our vision is for spectacular events to sit
alongside community activities. We want our kids to come along and see their
heroes perform in a concert and then sing in a community event on the same
stage the very next day. "It works both nationally and locally. We will help
benefit the wider community beyond the stadium walls. As Newham Council, we
will use the profits we make from these events to fund activities and
ground-breaking initiatives."Today's announcement means that, despite the
financial cuts imposed upon Newham, we will continue to invest in our young
people. "I do want to stress that this is only possible because of the
strong relations we have with our outstanding partners here with us today -
Live Nation, the world's biggest concert promoters; Essex County Cricket
Club with England players past and present; UK Athletics, who will nurture
future generations of medal winners at our Olympic Stadium; Westfield, a
world-class developer building Europe's largest retail mall here in the East
End. "Let me say something about West Ham United. Throughout this process
the club has shown imagination and commitment. Yes, the bid is good for the
club, but in David Sullivan and David Gold, they maintain a real vision of
the wider community benefit way beyond that of many others. They are a
pleasure to work with and really impressive partner. "This is not the end of
the bidding process, nor is it the end of our ambition for this venue and
the space around it. It's for everybody, this stadium and that's what we've
managed to achieve today. "We are delighted that the vast majority of the
British public shared our vision and back our bid. We are the preferred
bidder and we've still got a lot of work to do. The London Olympic bid
promised a legacy and together we promise to deliver that legacy and to
ensure that the true winners are the people of Newham, of London and of the
country as a whole. "I think the whole process has been carried out very
professionally and I'm very impressed with the way the OPLC has done its
business. "The loan we are taking is from something called prudential
borrowing (from the Treasury) and has nothing to do with anything else we're
doing. We couldn't take the money and spend it on services because it has to
be tied to an income stream. It won't cost us anything. We're loaning the
money to the SPB that is running the stadium and we will get that money
back."
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OPLC impressed by bid legacy
WHUFC.com
The OPLC says the West Ham United/Newham bid 'secures the best overall
legacy' for the Olympic Stadium
11.02.2011
The Olympic Park Legacy Company's (OPLC) Board has recommended the West Ham
United and the London Borough of Newham consortium as the preferred bidder
for the Olympic Stadium. The decision, following a thorough and rigorous
process supported by expert advisors, secures the best overall legacy for
the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Margaret Ford, Chair of the Legacy
Company, said: "Following a very robust process involving a huge amount of
work, the Board has made a clear and unanimous recommendation to select West
Ham United and the London Borough of Newham as the preferred long-term
tenant for our Olympic Stadium. "We are confident that this represents the
very best legacy for the Stadium - it's good for the community of East
London, it's great for Londoners, its excellent news for the UK taxpayer and
it's a good outcome for sport. "The whole purpose of starting this process
was to find a legacy that would improve upon the original plans for a 25,000
seat Stadium. We have now achieved that objective with this solution - one
that is credible and offers an all-round better legacy in serving the needs
of sport, culture, entertainment and the local community.
"The two proposals are very different. We recognise the passion and
commitment behind the bids but ultimately this is a decision about creating
a sustainable economic legacy that works best for the wider regeneration of
East London, and is integrated with our broader vision to make the Olympic
Park a leading destination. "West Ham and Newham with their partners,
including Westfield and Live Nation, will bring energy and dynamism into the
Park and into the East End and will provide a very strong anchor tenant for
the Stadium. These are organisations that have already invested heavily in
the area and are wedded to bringing benefits for the local community."
Five objectives have anchored the process for evaluating bids. Our decision
is based on the overall strength of this consortium's bid in meeting these
objectives. They are:
*To achieve a viable long-term solution for the Olympic Stadium that is
deliverable and provides value for money.
*To secure a partner with the capability to deliver and operate a legacy
solution for a venue of the Stadium's size and complexity.
*To re-open the Stadium for operational use as rapidly as possible following
the 2012 Games.
*To ensure that the Stadium remains a distinctive physical symbol supporting
the economic, physical and social regeneration of the surrounding area.
*To allow flexible usage of the Stadium, accommodating a vibrant programme
of events allowing year round access for schools, the local community, the
wider public and elite sport.
Baroness Ford said: "There has been an immense amount of time, work and
effort expended by both bidders and their teams, and I want to thank them
both sincerely. I also want to commend the diligence and focus of our
Stadium team whose level of dedication and excellence has been outstanding."
The process began in March last year when interested parties were invited to
make expressions of interest. Substantial interest in the Stadium was
received. This was followed up with a formal bidding process for the
long-term Stadium lease in August, before the two shortlisted consortia were
announced in October - West Ham United and the London Borough of Newham and
Tottenham Hotspur with AEG. Since then, the Legacy Company has been in
negotiations with both parties to better understand the merits of their bids
and the positive impact on the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The Board's recommendation will now go to the Legacy Company's founder
members - the Mayor's Office and the Government - for approval. If approval
is given, contractual negotiations will then begin in earnest with the
preferred bidder.
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Why West Ham was the right choice
BBC.co.uk
David Bond | 15:40 UK time, Friday, 11 February 2011
There will be plenty of people - and not just the board of Tottenham - who
will greet Friday's decision by the Olympic Park Legacy Company with a
measure of concern. There is concern at West Ham's lack of financial muscle
(compared to that of Spurs) and their precarious position in the Premier
League, concern at the plans to play football in a stadium with a running
track at a time when most clubs with similar arrangements across Europe are
ripping them up and concern at the amount of public money (£75m) being used
to finance their £95m project.
But when all things are taken into consideration, the vast majority will
probably feel that the OPLC have still made the right decision.
Why?
Because Britain made a promise to the International Olympic Committee back
in Singapore in 2005 to keep athletics at the core of the main stadium
post-2012. London was to be different: the first Games where the legacy
would be part of a clear, thought-out vision before the flame was even lit.
That was not only a vision to regenerate one of the poorest parts of the UK
but also to use the Olympics to inspire a new generation to get involved in
sport. It won London the Games.
Dismantling the iconic stadium at the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic
Park and replacing it with a football ground, while compelling financially,
was against the spirit of London's bid. And it would have become a recurring
theme in the build-up to the Games. Every press conference with the IOC
would have included a question about broken promises. As Lamine Diack, the
head of world athletics governing body the IAAF, said last month Britain's
reputation would have been dead.
In our interview on Friday, OPLC chairman Baroness Ford insisted again and
again that the decision was based on the five key criteria and there was no
political interference. On balance West Ham and Newham offered the better
option. But she did admit: "We said the whole way through that we wanted a
proposition here that met the spirit of the bid book."
West Ham offered that.
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West Ham delighted by Olympic Stadium bid verdict
BBC.co.uk
West Ham co-owner David Gold said the endorsement of their bid to move into
the 2012 Olympic Stadium represented a "great day for Great Britain".
The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) chose the east London club's bid over
a rival proposal from Tottenham. "We are very, very excited about what
happened today and it is nice to be on the winning side," Gold told
reporters at the Olympic site in Stratford. "We represented what is right,
what is fair and what is honest."
The OPLC board voted unanimously in favour of the proposal from West Ham and
their partners Newham Council, who had promised to retain the athletics
track at the stadium. The Spurs bid would have involved knocking down most
of the existing stucture to build a new one and expanding athletics
facilities at Crystal Palace, rather than keeping the sport in Stratford.
Gold said a victory for the Spurs bid would have broken the promise of
London 2012 chief Seb Coe, who had pledged to maintain a track and field
legacy at the stadium. "It is a great day for England and Great Britain
because we are keeping our promise," he added. "Lord Coe gave a promise on
behalf of us all and it would have been a tragedy if that had been broken."
The OPLC board's decision still needs to be ratified by London Mayor Boris
Johnson and two government departments. In a statement tinged with
resignation, Spurs accepted the OPLC's verdict but demanded that West Ham's
pledge to keep the running track at the stadium be legally binding.
Dismantling the iconic stadium was against the spirit of London's bid and it
would have become a recurring theme in the build-up to the Games
"Much has been made of the promise to keep the athletics track within the
Olympic Stadium and, therefore, we should all expect to see the retention of
this track firmly embedded and legally guaranteed by those entrusted with
this legacy commitment, today and in the future," the statement read. "The
OPLC's decision has still to be approved by two Government departments and
the Mayor's Office. We shall continue to monitor the bid process over the
coming weeks up until its final determination, whilst reviewing our position
and holding discussions with our advisors."
Assuming West Ham's move is rubber-stamped, Tottenham are expected to push
ahead with their plans to build a new £400m stadium on the site on their
current home at White Hart Lane.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp said West Ham would lose a lot of the atmosphere
of Upton Park if they move to a ground with a running track. "Good luck to
them if that's what the fans want [but] I wouldn't want to watch football
matches with a track around [the pitch]," said Redknapp, who West Ham
manager between 1994 and 2001. "There is no atmosphere."
News that their Olympic bid had fallen through was greeted with delight by
Spurs fans' group We are N17 which had staged protests against the proposed
move to a site five miles away from White Hart Lane. "It is probably the
only time in my life I have or will celebrate a victory for West Ham," said
We are N17 spokesman Tim Framp. "I actually feel a bit sorry for some of the
West Ham fans that are going to be sat in that stadium because I don't
actually think either bid was particularly great. "I don't understand why
both clubs were so desperate for that stadium. I don't feel like any club
has particularly won."
West Ham fans have generally been more ambivalent about the move, with the
club recently highlighting a Premier League poll showing that more than 50%
of Hammers supporters had positive feelings towards the proposed switch. But
Sam Haseltine, author of the West Ham Process blog, said the prospect of
sharing a multi-purpose ground with athletics, cricket, concerts and other
community events was a turn-off for many fans. He told BBC Sport the news
had left him with a "bittersweet" feeling. "It would have been worse for us
had Spurs got it," he said. "So I'm pleased about that, but I'm very dubious
about the plans. "West Ham fans want a legacy of football. I, and many
others, couldn't care less about protecting athletics, making sure we
provide for other sports. "We have compromised too much of what we actually
are. We are a football club, not a multi-sports arena. We [will] moved to a
stadium which suits everybody except for us. That frustrates so many fans."
West Ham's proposed move to the Olympic stadium could have a major impact on
League One club Leyton Orient, whose Brisbane Road home is only two miles
from the Stratford venue. Orient chairman Barry Hearn has said either club
taking over the Olympic stadium would contravene Premier League and Football
League rules over clubs moving into the "immediate vicinity" of other clubs.
But Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson told BBC Sport the league had
already approved the proposals. "In examining all our criteria set out in
our rules there was no reason why either club shouldn't move to the Olympic
stadium," he said. Johnson's assertion will not stop Orient fans fighting
against the decision. "We've got a meeting of the fans's trust on Saturday
where we will cement our plans," Doug Harper, chair of the Leyton Orient
Fans' Trust," told BBC Sport. "I'm sure we will be lobbying the Premier
League. It is just the start now. We will be working with the club and
others. "West Ham are not going to fill a 60,000-seat stadium and have said
they are going to offer cash incentives. That would stamp on our turf in
this day and age when money is tight. "It is OK in terms of the current
Leyton Orient fans but what about the younger ones? Which will they choose
if we have Swindon on a Wednesday and West Ham are playing Manchester
United?"
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West Brom v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
Barclays Premier League
Venue: The Hawthorns Date: Saturday, 12 February Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Watch highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live
and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
TEAM NEWS
West Ham captain Matthew Upson may miss out after suffering a recurrence of
an Achilles injury, while James Tomkins is sidelined with a calf problem.
On-loan striker Robbie Keane faces a fitness test on a calf problem, while
long-term absentee Thomas Hitzlsperger has a slim chance of making his
debut.
Graham Dorrans returns for West Brom after three weeks out with a twisted
ankle. Marek Cech may be available after recovering from a groin strain.
West Brom
Doubtful: Cech (groin)
Injured: Ibanez & Jara (both hamstring), Reid (knee)
West Ham
Doubtful: Gabbidon (unspecified), Hitzlsperger (fitness), Keane (calf),
Upson (Achilles)
Injured: Collison & Kurucz (both knee), Dyer (thigh), Stanislas (hernia),
Tomkins (calf)
MATCH PREVIEW
One man's misfortune is another man's opportunity, and so Roy Hodgson
returns to the Premier League frontline just five weeks after his exit from
Liverpool. West Bromwich Albion are delighted to announce they have
appointed Roy Hodgson as the club's new head coach. The 63-year-old former
Inter
Cast in the role of West Bromwich Albion's saviour, Hodgson has his work cut
out. The Baggies have lost 13 of their last 18 games, a downward spiral that
cost Roberto Di Matteo his job and leaves the club hovering a precarious two
points off the bottom of the table. Caretaker boss Michael Appleton will
pick the team for Saturday's crunch encounter with West Ham, who arrive at
the Hawthorns back on the bottom following last weekend's defeat to
Birmingham.
Avram Grant's side have repeatedly failed to capitalise on opportunities to
escape the drop zone, but with fellow strugglers Wolves and Wigan facing
Arsenal and Liverpool respectively, maximum points at the Hawthorns could
see the Hammers leapfrog West Brom out of the bottom three.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• These two teams have been very evenly matched over the years - West Brom
lead by 37 wins to 36, with 18 draws.
• The Baggies have the worst defensive record in the top flight, having let
in 48 goals. If they concede against West Ham they will set an unwanted club
record of 24 Premier League games without a clean sheet.
• They have kept just one clean sheet this season, fewer than any other team
in the Premier League.
• Albion are four points above their tally of 22 points from 25 games the
last time they were in the Premier League.
• They went fourth after beating Fulham on 23 October but have since taken
only 11 points from 16 matches (W3, D2, L11) - by far the worst record of
any Premier League team in that period.
West Ham
• West Ham have gone 21 Premier League away games without keeping a clean
sheet.
• They have used 32 players, more than any other team in the top flight.
• According to Opta Stats, West Ham have scored with just 10% of their
shots, the lowest percentage in the league.
• Scott Parker is anticipating a 100th league start for West Ham.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
West Brom
Odemwingie: 9 goals (9 league); Tchoyi: 4 goals (3 league)
West Ham
Piquionne: 8 goals (6 league); Obinna: 8 goals (3 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Lee Mason
Assistant referees: Stuart Burt & Billy Smallwood
Fourth official: Jon Moss
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
West Brom (L0-3 v Manchester City, a): Myhill; Reid, Scharner, Olsson,
Shorey, Morrison, Mulumbu, Brunt (Jara 69), Fortune, Odemwingie (Tchoyi 87),
Thomas (Vela 46). Subs not used: Carson, Pablo, Tamas, Cox.
West Ham (L0-1 v Birmingham, h): Green; Jacobsen, Reid, Upson (da Costa 46),
Bridge, O'Neil, Parker, Noble, Obinna, Piquionne (Cole 59), Keane (Ba 75).
Subs not used: Boffin, Kovac, Sears, Faubert.
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2012 Olympic Stadium verdict pleases young fans
BBC.co.uk
Two BBC School Reporters, who each support one of the teams who wanted the
Olympic Stadium, have expressed their delight at the decision made over the
future of the arena. Both West Ham supporter Nicholas of Little Ilford
School in Manor Park, and Tottenham fan Tommy of Northumberland Park School
close to White Hart Lane, said they were happy that the Hammers had been
chosen as the preferred bidder.
NICHOLAS'S WEST HAM VIEW
"I'm happy about it but there are positives and negatives towards it like
the running track, seating capacity and the atmosphere. "I suppose it will
make us a more high-profile club and could attract high-profile players and
it is also in the centre of Newham, which is where West Ham are originally
from. "Upton Park is kind of small, it creates more traffic and it is
madness down there on a Saturday. If we move to the Olympic Stadium there is
more open space so maybe there will be less traffic. "The atmosphere is up
to the fans. If there are a lot of supporters the atmosphere will be louder
and better. "We have got quality players like Parker, Keane, Obinna and
Green and we are going to stay up."
TOMMY'S TOTTENHAM VIEW
"I'm pretty happy because I'd prefer it if Tottenham stayed at their own
ground as it more of a Tottenham thing. "I don't know any Spurs fans that
wanted to move. "If Tottenham move to Stratford they can't really be
Tottenham then. "I don't think the club will be too happy over the decision
but I'm pretty sure they will accept the decision."
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Not your best day, Danny boy?
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 11th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is facing a second huge blow after it was
revealed that Harry Redknapp will face tax evasion charges. Levy - who saw
his club beaten in the race for the Olympic Stadium earlier today - was left
reeling when just hours later it was confirmed that Redknapp, along with
former Portsmouth colleagues Milan Mandaric and Peter Storrie, were being
hit with the charges. Redknapp - who managed West Ham between 1994 and 2001
- has been hit with two charges of evasion, said to be for an estimated
£40,000. He was first arrested in 2007 before being charged just last year.
Should Redknapp be found guilty, Tottenham would have little choice but to
part with a manager credited for their recent rivival. It would almost
certainly signal the end of his longstanding hopes of managing England.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The distance between us
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 12th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham may have won the battle for the Olympic Stadium - but the hard work
to win over the fans is only just beginning. Although a majority of
supporters backed the move to Stratford in a recent KUMB.com poll, a
considerable number remain concerned about the suitability of the stadium
for hosting football.
These new images* offer an indication of just how far away from the pitch
the stands will be come the 2014/15 season unless plans to reconcile the
exisiting infrastructure, as hinted at by both David Gold and Karren Brady
this week, are followed through with.
The first image below illustrates how the lower tier of the Olympic Stadium
dwarves West Ham United's current home, the Boleyn Ground. To offer some
indication of where the seats in the OS would be if situated at Upton Park,
the second image shows that the estimated 45-metre gap could leave you
sitting in Priory Road - and only if in the front rows!
The board of West Ham United have confirmed that supporters will be involved
in the entire process of renovating the Olympic Stadium in order to be ready
for use as a football stadium. Without doubt, the number one concern amongst
fans remains the distance between the stands and the pitch.
West Ham's once infamous, intimidating atmosphere was seriously dampened
when the new West Stand was completed in 2003. Due to the re-siting of the
stand behind its predecessor the pitch moved several metres away from the
Chicken Run, the area of the ground most notoriously feared by opposition
players over the years.
Some fear that it is a mistake that could be repeated ten-fold at the
Olympic Stadium if a solution to the stadium's oval configuration cannot be
found.
But with more than three years to go until West Ham United FC wave goodbye
to the Boleyn and move lock, stock and barrel to Stratford, the club have
plenty of time to explore any practical - and viable - options.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Golden pride
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 11th February 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham co-chairman David Gold has hailed today a 'great day for West Ham
United'. 73-year-old Gold, speaking in the aftermath of the OPLC's decision
to award West Ham 'preferred bidder status' added that the decision was the
'right' one. "We're very excited about what's happened today," he told a
press conference. "It's nice to be on the winning side and it's nice that
the winning side is the right side, that's what I think we represented. "We
represented what is right, what is fair and what is honest and it's a great
day for West Ham [United] Football Club, there's no doubting that. It's also
a great day for Newham Council - my council; this is where I was born many
years ago, I hasten to add. "It's also a great day for England and Great
Britain becasue we're keeping our promise. Lord Coe gave a promise in 2005;
it was widely written that it was written on behalf of the Queen. I actually
think it was written on behalf of all of us, every single person - and it
would have been a tragedy if that promise had been broken. "For me
personally this is also an amazing day. I've come full circle; I started out
here as a young boy and clawed my way out of poverty and the ravages of the
war. I've come full circle and I've come back to my home. When I look back
over my shoulder and I see this wonderful stadium I can't tell you how proud
I feel today."
However Gold's happiness certainly wasn't echoed by former Spurs owner Alan
Sugar, who appeared to suggest that Tottenham's bid never stood a chance of
winning. "I was disappointed when it was leaked," he moaned. "It's quite
interesting, humourous actually that yesterday, West Ham sent out a request
for a press conference in a restaurant quite near to the Olympic Stadium.
"Everybody can draw their own conclusions about this 'fair process'."
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West Brom v West Ham preview
Appleton leads Baggies into crucial relegation six-pointer
By Steve Pass Last updated: 11th February 2011
SSN
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 1-1
SKY BET odds: West Brom 10/1 Draw 13/5 West Ham 11/4
One to Watch: Victor Obinna
MATCH FACTS
The Baggies have kept just one clean sheet this season, fewer than any other
team in the Premier League - West Ham are 7/4 to score 2+ goals. Bet now.
West Ham have not kept a clean sheet in their last 21 Premier League away
games - both teams to score in the first half is 3/1. Bet now.
Caretaker head coach Michael Appleton will take charge of West Brom for the
crucial relegation six-pointer with West Ham at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
The 17th-placed Baggies parted company with Roberto Di Matteo last weekend
after just one win and one draw from their last 10 Premier League outings
left them sitting outside the drop zone on goal difference. Former Liverpool
boss Hodgson, sacked by the Reds last month, was chosen by the board on
Friday ahead of Chris Hughton to lead the Baggies' revival. The experienced
boss kept Fulham up in his first season in charge at Craven Cottage and the
Hawthorns faithful will be hoping for similar heroics here. But Appleton
will be at the helm against the Hammers, who have equal incentive for a
victory given Avram Grant's side can climb off the bottom and leapfrog the
Baggies in the table with a win. Grant's side go into the game needing to
bounce back after a 1-0 home loss to fellow strugglers Birmingham last time.
But the Hammers are in much the better form - with three wins and three
draws from their last 10 league outings. They will also be buoyed by
Friday's news that they have been chosen as the preferred bidder over
Tottenham in the race to take over the Olympic Stadium and will be desperate
to stay in the top flight to have more chance of filling it.
Team news
The Baggies have no new injury worries ahead of the clash, with Appleton
believing Marek Cech should be available after recovering from a groin
strain.
Graham Dorrans, who pulled out of the Scotland squad that played Northern
Ireland in midweek, should have shaken off his ankle knock in time. West Ham
will give a late fitness test to calf injury victim Robbie Keane before
deciding whether to include him in their squad, with widespread reports
suggesting he is facing several weeks on the sidelines. James Tomkins (calf)
and Matthew Upson (Achilles) are doubts but Manuel da Costa is available
after coming through last weekend's match unscathed despite missing the
previous four months with an ankle injury. Long-term absentee Thomas
Hitzlsperger (thigh) played an hour in the reserves this week but is
unlikely to be risked. Possible starting XIs
West Brom: Myhill, Jara, Olsson, Scharner, Cech, Mulumbu, Thomas, Morrison,
Brunt, Vela, Odemwingie.
West Ham: Green, Gabbidon, Bridge, Jacobsen, Reid, Parker, O'Neil, Noble,
Cole, Piquionne, Obinna.
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Gold joy at Olympic success
Hammers pledge to retain club heritage at new site
Last updated: 11th February 2011
SSN
West Ham's new home at the Olympic Stadium will be a "great place for sport
and most importantly for the community", club co-owner David Gold pledged on
Friday. Gold said he was "overwhelmed" by the Olympic Park Legacy Company's
decision to make the Hammers their official preferred bidder to become
tenants of the £537million venue after the London 2012 Games. Gold said the
club would work hard to maintain the heritage of the Hammers at their new
home. Replicas of the World Cup winners statue may be made and talks still
need to be held about whether the John Lyall gates are moved from Upton
Park. He said: "Keeping the heritage of West Ham will be a challenge but it
is doable. "The thing that we have here but do not have at West Ham is
space. I am not exactly sure what will happen, we still have to think about
the details and maybe a replica of the statue could be made to come here (to
the stadium). The one thing I can guarantee is that we will keep the
heritage of the football club."
Gold said: "It is overwhelming and I feel huge pride. It is a great honour
because it is such an iconic stadium. "This is going become world renowned.
I just feel really proud and I am having to pinch myself. I cannot really
believe that I am standing here." Overlooking the venue in Stratford, east
London, West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said: "We are absolutely
thrilled - not only to be named preferred bidder but also to be named
unanimously." They beat Tottenham, who launched a joint bid with sport and
entertainment giant AEG. They also need to try and beat relegation but Brady
insisted the club can still afford to move to the Olympic Stadium even if
they did not avoid the drop from the Premier League.
Heritage
"One of the criteria we were judged against was financial and obviously our
finances stack up," she said. "We do not aim to be relegated when we come
here." Gold said he believed the club had the backing of the fans, adding:
"This is exciting because it is historic and it will have heritage. "We are
only moving 1.5 miles away. It is just around the corner. I know that from
the boardroom I can see the stadium." West Ham midfielder Jack Collison said
the players were also thrilled with the result. He said: "I know that I am
happy and so are the players. I am really looking forward to the chance to
play there."
West Ham's plan, in a joint bid with Newham Council, is to convert the
80,000-seater stadium into a 60,000-capacity arena for football, athletics,
concerts and community use. Collison did not see any reason why the fans
would not flock to see the club at the stadium. He said: "I do not see why
not. We have got great spirit and we still get 34,000 at Upton Park. One of
the possibilities (of the move) is cheaper tickets. "The team has been
working really hard so I am sure they will come up with something good (to
avoid relegation). It is a very exciting time."
In an online message to fans, Brady stressed the bid was financially sound
and ensures the Olympic site in Stratford will not be a white elephant. She
told Hammers fans: "Today is a momentous day. We are proud to have been
passed the Olympic torch and fully embrace the responsibility we have for
keeping the flame alive. We have been working on this project for some time
now and are just at the starting line of the race to make this a stadium
that will really make the nation proud. "The club is run by supporters and
today is another great day in our proud history. This will be your stadium
and an atmospheric home for generations to come. Our vision is to move
forward always with an eye on the past. We have been granted a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grow our club in a way you deserve and to
really give something back to the community of which we are such an
intrinsic part. "The nation has kept its promise and we'll keep ours. I
promise."
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Keane facing spell out
Hammers striker could be sidelined for a month
Last updated: 11th February 2011
SSN
Avram Grant is confident West Ham will be able to cope without the services
of injured striker Robbie Keane. The Irishman only arrived at Upton Park on
loan from Tottenham at the end of January but quickly made an impact for his
new club, scoring on his debut against Blackpool. However, he suffered a
calf problem in last weekend's 1-0 loss to relegation rivals Birmingham and
it is now understood he could be out for around a month. Grant acknowledges
that Keane has performed well since signing but is backing the likes of
Demba Ba, Freddie Sears and Carlton Cole to fill the void during his
absence. "I must say in a very short time, he has had a big, big impact on
the team," the Israeli said. "He's very positive, his character, he's
intelligent in his game, and he's a good player."
Ba has taken longer to settle at West Ham since joining on loan from
Bundesliga side Hoffenheim last month but impressed when he replaced Keane
last weekend, rattling Ben Foster's bar and causing Birmingham's defence
problems throughou t his 15-minute cameo. Grant has had to contend with
injuries to other key players this season and he is confident that Ba and
the other strikers at his disposal will deliver if called upon at West Brom
on Saturday.
Grant said: "If he (Keane) is injured, we need to play with the players we
can play. We are used to this situation. "Demba Ba is almost there. We will
see how the situation is."
Pressure
West Ham were celebrating on Friday after learning they had beaten Spurs in
the race to move to the Olympic Stadium. A 13th defeat of the season at The
Hawthorns will undoubtedly quash those celebrations and shift much of the
media focus back on Grant's future. Sunday's defeat left the Hammers two
points off safety, with tricky games against Chelsea, Liverpool and
Tottenham on the horizon. Grant insists he is not worried about his future
and claims his side can climb the table. "You can't tell me where there is
no pressure in football," he said. "You see the pressure at Chelsea, Man
United... Everywhere there is pressure. "In this crazy league this season,
two wins takes you forward so you always have hope."
Hitzlsperger
Grant has received a boost this week with the news that Thomas Hitzlsperger
came through a game for the reserves following a lengthy lay-off. He has yet
to start a game for West Ham after picking up a serious thigh injury in
August, just weeks after signing from Lazio on a free transfer. And Grant is
not tempted to throw the former Aston Villa man into the team immediately
just to boost morale. "If I wanted morale I would put the cheerleaders out,"
Grant said. "The situation with Thomas is very dangerous. We want him fit,
but we don't want to risk him. "If it would be even 1% element of risk, we
would not risk him."
Da Costa
Manuel da Costa is likely to take his place in the heart of defence against
West Brom after getting through last weekend's substitute appearance
unscathed. The Portuguese picked up a serious ankle injury in October and
Grant admits his return could not have come at a better time. "In the last
week we missed three or four centre-halves, so it's good that he can play,"
Grant said. "He was great earlier in the season. He didn't play in the first
few games and then he was our best defender before he was injured."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Orient fans to fight decision
Last updated: 11th February 2011
SSN
Leyton Orient Fans' Trust have already vowed to fight the decision to allow
West Ham to move into the Olympic Stadium. The Olympic Park Legacy Company
(OPLC) on Friday afternoon officially announced the Premier League club as
the preferred bidder for the showpiece £537million venue which is situated
close to Orient's Brisbane Road. The decision still has to be rubber-stamped
by the Government and the London mayor's office, but it would be a major
surprise if it was not accepted. And in the aftermath of the verdict, Orient
Fans' Trust chair Doug Harper told BBC Sport: "We've got a meeting of the
fans' trust on Saturday where we will cement our plans. I'm sure we will be
lobbying the Premier League. It is just the start now. We will be working
with the club and others. "West Ham are not going to fill a 60,000-seat
stadium and have said they are going to offer cash incentives. That would
stamp on our turf in this day and age when money is tight. "It is okay in
terms of the current Leyton Orient fans but what about the younger ones?
Which will they choose if we have Swindon on a Wednesday and West Ham are
playing Manchester United?"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Harry fears loss of atmosphere
Spurs boss keen to congratulate rival bidders
Last updated: 11th February 2011
SSN
Harry Redknapp feels West Ham will lose their Upton Park atmosphere after
winning the Olympic Stadium bid. The Hammers were announced on Friday as
winners of the bid following a unanimous decision from the Olympic Park
Legacy Company (OPLC). The decision, expected to be rubber-stamped by the
Government and London Mayor, is believed to have edged out a rival bid from
Tottenham due to the Hammers' decision to keep the running track around the
pitch. Redknapp, who both played and managed West Ham over a seven-year
spell, has fond memories of Upton Park, leading him to strongly oppose the
idea of placing a track between fans and the pitch. He said: "Good luck to
them if that's what the fans want [but] I wouldn't want to watch football
matches with a track around it. "That's my view and I don't think most
people would. I would've thought those days were gone. "I wouldn't want to
watch a match with an athletics track around it. There is no atmosphere. "I
wouldn't want to watch football while sitting miles away from the pitch in a
stadium that holds 60,000 people that is half full - that wouldn't appeal to
me at all."
Sympathy
Redknapp backed a rival Tottenham bid that intended to remove the race track
in a bid to bring the action closer to the fans. With the Hammers expected
to move into their new home in time for the 2014-15 season, Redknapp
believes one of the best atmospheres in world football will soon be lost.
"As a person who knows what West Ham fans are like, not many places could
beat Upton Park on a good day when the crowd were in full flow singing
Bubbles and swaying as they used to back in the old days," he added. "They
will miss that for sure but if it's what they need to do and feel that it is
the right move and it takes the club forward then good luck to them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spurs fire warning shot to Hammers over Olympic running track
Published 23:00 11/02/11 By Mike Walters
The Mirror
First came the poisoned lasagna, now the sour grapes are all about the
£537million Olympic stadium. Once again, West Ham's celebrations after a
home win against Tottenham were tempered by the threat of legal action last
night. As the Hammers were confirmed as preferred tenants of the London 2012
hub yesterday, co-owner David Gold and vice-chairman Karren Brady held court
overlooking their prospective domain in Stratford as if they were waiting
for estate agents to hand over the keys. After a four-hour board meeting,
and to nobody's surprise, the Olympic Park Legacy Company officially
endorsed West Ham's proposals for £90m modifications of the stadium after
the Games which, crucially, include retention of the athletics track.
But no sooner had OPLC thrown out Tottenham's rival bid – which entailed
demolition of the existing stadium and replacing it with a purpose-built
football ground with no running track – than Spurs were demanding that Gold
and Brady's commitment to athletics should be enshrined in law. Five years
ago, Spurs called in the police and threatened to sue for £10m of lost
Champions League riches after 10 players were taken ill with food poisoning
hours before a 1-0 defeat at West Ham on the final day of the season cost
Martin Jol's side a top-four finish. Prime suspect for the outbreak was a
lasagna dish served for dinner the previous night. But unlike some of Jol's
sick brigade who were confined to bed, Spurs will not take this defeat by
the Hammers lying down.
In a club statement, they promised to force West Ham to honour their track
pledge, saying: "Much has been made of the promise to keep the athletics
track within the Olympic stadium, and therefore we should all expect to see
the retention of the track firmly embedded and legally guaranteed by those
entrusted with this legacy commitment, now and in the future. "The OPLC
decision has still to be approved by two Government departments and the
Mayor's office. We shall continue to monitor the bid process over the coming
weeks up until its final determination whilst reviewing our position and
holding discussions with our advisers."
Sports minister Hugh Robertson also warned the Hammers they will not be
allowed to rip up the track if they were unhappy with its impact on the
venue's atmosphere for football. He said: "The provision of the running
track is an integral part of West Ham's proposal, and OPLC will be seeking
guarantees that it will be delivered."
While former Tottenham chairman Lord Sugar branded the decision to hand over
the stadium to West Ham "weak and cowardly," the 14-strong legacy board's
unanimous verdict was welcomed last night by the British Olympic
Association, UK Athletics and 2012 bid chief Lord Sebastian Coe. Gold spoke
enthusiastically about how nice it was "to be on the winning side" – a rare
phenomenon for the rock-bottom Hammers under Avram Grant this season.
He added: "We represented what is right, what is fair and what is honest.
This is historic and will have heritage. "We are only moving from 1.5 miles
away from Upton Park, it is just around the corner. I know that from the
boardroom I can see the stadium. "It is a great day for England and Great
Britain because we are keeping our promise. Lord Coe gave a promise on
behalf of us all (to maintain a track and field legacy in the Olympic
stadium) and it would have been a tragedy if it had been broken."
In an online address to fans, Brady called it a "momentous day" and gushed:
"We are proud to have been passed the Olympic torch and fully embrace the
responsibility we have for keeping the flame alive. "We are just at the
starting line of the race to make this a stadium that will make the nation
proud... the nation has kept its promise and we'll keep ours. I promise."
And in an open letter to club members, the first lady of the East end
spelled out the five key pledges of the Hammers bid which she compared with
the five interlocking Olympic rings:
1. Our bid is financially sound.
2. Our bid ensures there is no 'white elephant'.
3. Our bid will honour the promise, made in our Queen's name, in Singapore
in 2005.
4. Our bid provides for an excellence in football and athletics, promoting
all sports and sport for all.
5. Our bid means there will be no demolition.
With £40m of taxpayers money pumped into West Ham's plans through Newham
council, the pressure is now on Grant more than ever to avoid relegation
this season. Brady insisted: "We do not aim to be relegated when we come
here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers face another "cup final" against Baggies
Published 23:00 11/02/11 By John Cross
The Mirror
West Ham defender Lars Jacobsen has described their relegation scrap at West
Brom as a "cup final." Jacobsen, 31, admits West Ham blew a great chance
against Birmingham last week and says it is "massive" they beat fellow
strugglers West Brom. Danish right back Jacobsen said: "It is another Cup
final against West Brom who are also near the bottom of the League. We have
to get something from that game, that is for sure. So, yes, a massive,
massive game. "We had a very, very big opportunity against Birmingham which
we blew - we were very disappointed about that."
Jacobsen was blunt enough to concede that, despite having a strong squad,
West Ham can have no complaints about being in desperate trouble. The right
back says they must cut out the basic defensive errors to stand any chance
of staying up this season. Jacobsen said: "I think the most frustrating
thing is that sometimes you play and it doesn't go your way. It happens. We
scored three against Blackpool. "Sometimes you do not score but the
frustrating thing was that we conceded a goal from a set-piece against
Birmingham - again. And then you lose a match. "This has been our luck
lately but we have to make sure we do not lose games - particularly at home.
It was a game we wanted to win so to lose is very hard mentally. "I think we
have lot a lot of quality into the team. People who have played in the
Premier League for ages and who have done very well. I think it is very good
for our squad to put those players in. "But when you look at the League
table, it doesn't lie. We are down there. It doesn't matter how much talent
you have, how much quality you have, we need to get the points and we
haven't been good enough to collect the points. "It is due to a lot of
thing. We probably have conceded too many stupid goals from set-pieces like
we did at the weekend. It is not because we cannot play football. We can
play decent football but we need to collect the point."
Jacobsen insists that the whole squad is still behind under-pressure manager
Avram Grant while he is also sweating on his own future at Upton Park. But
Jacobsen says after West Brom sacked their manager, it's important they
stick with Grant. "Of course it is very important. We do not want to be
uncertain with what will happen. Football is like that," said Jacobsen.
"Everyone at West Ham backs Avram Grant 100 per cent. As a team, I'm sure we
can secure another season in the Premier League. I am sure we can do it. "As
a player, it doesn't do you any good if you look at TV and read papers when
it is not going well. As a player, you need to keep it out the way and focus
on the football. "I do not know what will happen with my future. My contract
expires in the summer and we have to wait and see what happens. I'd be very
happy to play at West Ham. "I have played when I have been fit and have had
a decent season. It is a big honour to step on the pitch. "I definitely want
to stay up and stay at West Ham. That would be great. I have not discussed
anything - now is not the time. We have got to make sure we stay in the
Premier League."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Seats could cover stadium track
The Sun
By VIKKI ORVICE
Published: Today
WEST HAM were yesterday confirmed as the preferred club to move in to the
Olympic Stadium. And last night it emerged the Hammers WILL consider putting
retractable seats over the stadium running track in a bid to appease fans.
Their plan to keep the track in place was crucial in beating rival bidders
Tottenham. It also clinched the unanimous backing from the 14-strong Olympic
Park Legacy Company who said it best met demands. Hammers fans were worried
about watching football with an athletics track in place. Spurs manager
Harry Redknapp even claimed it would destroy the club. But last night West
Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady revealed they would now look at putting
retractable seating over the track. She said: "It's one of many options we
will now consider. "Obviously we only heard we were the preferred bidders
this morning. We'll work in the stadium with our designers on changes."
Brady believes it would be possible to put the seats in place for around
£10million of the £95m needed to overhaul the stadium ready for the start of
the 2014 season. She said: "It is not as much money as you would think,
around 10 per cent of the overall cost to give you a ballpark figure." The
stadium decision will now be rubber-stamped by the government and the Mayor
of London Boris Johnson as early as next week. Redknapp fears Spurs must
find bigger ground or face being left behind. He said: "It's hard to compete
in the transfer market unless we have a stadium that can attract 60,000
people."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
One word won us this stadium - LEGACY
KARREN BRADY - First lady of football
Published: Today
IT'S the one word wot won it - legacy. I understood straight away the
Olympic Stadium was crucial to the lasting success of the Games beyond 2012.
Not just hanging on to the bricks and mortar, but what it stood for as a
symbol to inspire future generations. While others froze in the starting
blocks, until the pound signs appeared in their eyes, I knew we had the
right case for West Ham United as the perfect fit to fulfil that legacy
vision. We could protect the Olympic Stadium and all it stands for and
preserve the future of the Hammers at the same time. We were up and running
early and haven't looked back. Throw in keeping Spurs out of our manor and a
win-win scenario became the ultimate hat-trick. To run a football club well,
you have to know you are merely custodians. You are just holding the keys to
the door for a moment in time and your success will be measured only by what
you leave behind when it is someone else's turn. That was the case at
Birmingham.
Nearly two decades of hard work saw us hand over a great club, a top-class
manager and a Premier League team. The fans went from singing the Blues to
singing for the Blues. Legacy to West Ham has to mean preserving our place
in a capital that is growing up fast. Canary Wharf and the City are looming
ever larger over London and to the west and north, other clubs have cast
admiring glances on our huge potential. First they wanted our players, now
they want our pitch. We owed it to our special supporters to not lose this
particular turf war. And, in another 20 years, just think how far we might
have taken West Ham. But this is going to be more of an Olympic marathon
than a sprint. We are nothing in this race without the fans and we have been
working behind the scenes to make sure it will be a home from home. Now we
can tell them more and we will - and finally let them look around. This is
the ultimate des-res and it is all about location, location, location. Rest
assured, we will bring the Upton Spark to Stratford.
Everywhere people will go, there will be reminders of The Boleyn Hammered
home. Marshgate Lane may not be Green Street, but it will be a West Ham Way
to evoke the best memories of the West Ham way. So what will change? Well,
it's all good. A family of four will be able to come along together for the
price of one current ticket. Supporters will be able to see the best in
sport, music and culture all on their doorstep. Our Academy will have the
ultimate venue to help keep the East End's finest from slipping out of our
grasp.
Elite players from the world over will be lured by such a grand stage. We'll
get the weekend out of the way and then it will be back down to work. No one
will be popping any champagne corks as we have to live up to the
responsibility we have been given. I know full well that many will be sad
today thinking that time is ticking away on the place where they grew up.
The place where generations before them gathered every other Saturday to
sing 'Bubbles' and hear the insistent echo of 'Come on you Irons' ring out
loud and proud. The Boleyn, after all, is where Bobby Moore strode like a
colossus, where Trevor Brooking glided from wing to wing. Those memories
will come with us to the Olympic Stadium. These dreams will not fade and
die. That is my promise.
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Grounds for excitement at West Ham
February 11, 2011
By Kevin Keegan
ESPN
ESPN analyst Kevin Keegan is one of English football's most respected
figures and he will be writing for ESPNsoccernet throughout the season. As a
player, Kevin represented Liverpool with distinction, winning numerous
titles in domestic and European football, and was twice named European
Footballer of the Year during his time at Hamburg. Kevin has managed
England, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Fulham and is one of the most
respected voices in the English game.
The news that West Ham have secured the Olympic Stadium site is hugely
significant as it could send the club soaring into another stratosphere. I
firmly believe that Sheikh Mansour would not have purchased Manchester City
had they not left Maine Road for the City of Manchester Stadium in 2003, and
edging out Tottenham to be given the keys to the Stratford site could be
akin to winning the lottery for West Ham and their supporters.
The right decision has been made as West Ham are a good fit. I think the
club submitted a very good bid, articulated their position and their
arguments very, very well and while the press made Spurs out to be the bad
guys in this scenario, the composition of their bid left them open to
criticism. The North Londoners wanted to do things too much their own way,
while West Ham have compromised and tried to find some middle ground.
Promises were made by the bid team regarding an athletic legacy and the
Hammers have been chosen because they included a running track and ticked
most of the boxes. Tottenham did not.
West Ham will now benefit from their foresight because the move to Stratford
will elevate their standing in the Premier League. It will put them level
with clubs like Tottenham, because when they run the numbers with their
enhanced corporate facilities and capacity to hold entertainment events,
David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady will be surveying a far more
favourable business landscape that they do at present. Upton Park was not
built with corporate income in mind.
I know from my own experience of moving from Maine Road to Eastlands in 2003
that however beneficial the move will ultimately prove to be, there will be
some initial teething problems. Our first priority at Manchester City upon
learning that we would have a new home in a few years was to ensure we
retained our Premier League status, and that is a challenge that will also
be imperative for the Hammers to meet. That demand induced pressure, and it
ensured everyone was focused. We knew we had to be in the Premier League
when we moved into that stadium if we were to fill it, and we had to be
playing attractive football if we were going to sell our season tickets.
When we eventually did take up residence in our new home we then struggled
to win games. It is a phenomenon that afflicts many clubs when they change
grounds and it does take time to adjust - even to seemingly minute details
such as how to actually get to the stadium and where to park. While the new
facilities were fantastic, and we had a separate warm-up area and a spacious
dressing room, you lost something in the move. The players were suddenly in
disparate areas of a cavernous space and you lacked the intimacy that we had
at Maine Road, where the treatment table was in the middle of the room
because that was the only place it would fit. You lose some tradition.
" There was a grieving period, if you can call it that, after leaving Maine
Road. There certainly was for me as I loved the place. " -- Kevin Keegan on
moving to Eastlands in 2003
There was a grieving period, if you can call it that, after leaving Maine
Road. There certainly was for me as I loved the place. I liked to look at
the old turnstile, I liked to go and visit the tea lady, Rose, who we saw
all the time. I used to have a routine where I would go upstairs and say
hello to all the directors, but that was no longer feasible at the new
ground as the boardroom was so far away you would never make it back in
time. A change of environment disrupted your routine and it took some
getting used to.
The atmosphere is also different in a bowl-shaped stadium. West Ham will
find out that those kinds of arenas do not have distinct ends that generate
banter between different groups of home supporters. Some fans didn't like
moving in 2003 as they had occupied their seats at Maine Road for 40 years
and had sat there with their dad, who had since passed away. That's the part
you can't replace: the nostalgia and the memories. The same will be true of
leaving Upton Park.
However, there is a key difference between Manchester City's move to the
City of Manchester Stadium and West Ham's planned departure to Stratford,
and it has received plenty of publicity in the media: the issue of the
running track. I am no fan of them and played many times at the old Wembley
which had a dog track around the perimeter. By the time you walked down the
tunnel, across the massive sandy track and to the centre circle, you have
already done your warm-up. As a manager, if I was playing at home I would
like my crowd to be close - as they are at Newcastle and Manchester United -
but with a running track, you lose that intimacy. Even if the fans are
reaching the same decibel levels as they did previously, it doesn't
translate onto the pitch in the same way. That is just common sense.
Our plan with the Commonwealth Games stadium was always to lose the running
track, but the Olympic bid demanded an athletics legacy in the stadium and
that is something that West Ham must now adjust to as best they can.
However, the pluses of a move certainly outweigh the minuses. I spent 18
months at Eastlands and by the time I left, it felt like home. There will be
a period of acclimatisation, but West Ham will eventually feel the same
about Stratford and the stadium which will take them onto another level.
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Olympic Stadium bid: West Ham victory will leave sour taste for football
By Henry Winter, Football Correspondent 9:43PM GMT 11 Feb 2011
Henry's Twitter
Anybody who believes football and athletics can mix is naive, a long-jumper
or a binoculars salesman. At the risk of going round in circles, it cannot
be stated enough that running tracks are anathema to football grounds. One
look at the Olympic Park Legacy Company board that agreed to let football
and athletics cohabit shows that only two of the 14 have had any significant
involvement with football. Keith Edelman is ex-Arsenal while Nick Bitel is
formerly of Wigan Athletic. The board needed more individuals with an
understanding of the unique dynamic of footballing park-life. West Ham
United are about to lose their long association as being home to a good
atmosphere. Sad.
As a schoolboy I was once smuggled into the Chicken Run at Upton Park to
watch Trevor Brooking in his pomp. The atmosphere was electric. All-seater
stadiums have lost a lot of their edge and a running track will further
deaden the noise. Of course, West Ham have every right to move to Stratford.
In the tribal world of football, the Olympic Stadium lies in their territory
(with a respectful nod to Leyton Orient). Yet a more sensible solution could
have been achieved than yesterday's flawed, foolish compromise that
certainly guarantees a legacy: problems for years to come. West Ham should
have been awarded the stadium, allowed to remove the largely redundant
running track, and ordered to build a 25,000-seat athletics arena close by.
Architects have already pointed out they could simply have expanded the
Olympic warm-up track.
Stratford could have been home to a southern version of Manchester's
successful SportCity at Eastlands. To make the athletics arena more
financially viable, West Ham's reserves and academy sides could have played
there. The Chadwell Heath training complex could have been relocated to
Stratford, just as Manchester City are planning to move their Carrington
operation to Eastlands – a wonderful multi-sport hub with spreading
commercial and residential developments. It would have been possible to
satisfy football's needs, honour the Olympic legacy and emolliate the
athletics lobby in a highly-politicised situation. Not now. Instead of
football and athletics contentedly living next door to each other, they will
now share a house with all the volatility of The Young Ones. This is another
reminder that the Olympics and the world's No1 sport go together like nitro
and glycerine. Football should not even be at the Olympics, which should be
the pinnacle for a sport. The selection process for the Great Britain
football team for London 2012 has become inevitably vexed. Tensions abound
between Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England. This is
country-versus-country, let alone the club-versus-country rows over star
youngsters, that will erupt next summer.
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West Ham warned to keep promise over athletics track at Olympic Stadium
'Not a great day for athletics,' says Denise Lewis
Club investigate plans for retractable seating
Owen Gibson
guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 February 2011 20.12 GMT
West Ham United have been given stark warnings that they must keep their
promise to athletics by retaining the track in the Olympic Stadium for the
long term, as they began examining plans to introduce retractable seating to
bring fans closer to the pitch. After West Ham were named as the preferred
bidders for the stadium following an acrimonious battle with Tottenham
Hotspur, attention will turn to how they will fill the 60,000-seat stadium
on a regular basis and coexist profitably with other sports, concerts and
community events. The Olympic Park Legacy Company board unanimously chose
West Ham's proposal to modify the existing stadium over Spurs' plans for a
new dedicated football ground and an alternative athletics legacy at Crystal
Palace.
"We are confident it's the very best legacy for the stadium, cracking for
the communities of east London, great for the taxpayer and a great outcome
for sports," Margaret Ford, OPLC's chair, said, rejecting claims that the
process had been subject to political influence. But amid scepticism fuelled
by Spurs about whether athletics and football can coexist, British Olympians
have served notice on West Ham to keep their promises to the sport.
"A good day for football but not a great one for athletics because football
was never on the agenda in the original bid," said Denise Lewis, who won
heptathlon gold at Sydney in 2000. "Let's see if there is an athletics track
present five years from now. This is not just about a promise being kept
today it's about a promise and legacy in 10, 20 and 30 years' time."
Daley Thompson, the gold medallist in the 1980 and 1984 decathlons,
underlined concerns that West Ham could fail to fulfil its promises if it
became clear the track was not viable. "Strong rules need to be put in place
so that West Ham cannot renege on the track staying in place. We don't want
to people coming back in years to come saying things have changed and that
suddenly the numbers don't add up so we can get rid of the track now," he
said.
Lord Coe, whose intervention on behalf of West Ham significantly raised the
political temperature around the decision, said he was "delighted". But
Darren Campbell, a relay gold medallist in 2004, said: "I've played
semi-professional football and, from experience, I know it does not work for
either sport to share the same stadium. Football loses all its atmosphere
for the fans and the players when played on a pitch inside a track and
athletics has no real use for that size of venue."
The West Ham co-owner David Gold floated the possibility of installing
retractable seating in the Guardian two weeks ago. It will cost £95m to
convert the stadium in time for West Ham to move in before the 2014-15
season and West Ham's vice-chairman, Karren Brady, said work on the roof and
the seating configuration would ensure it worked for both sports.
"The most important thing that will happen is that we will spend £95m to
improve the facility and we are looking at different ways to configure the
stadium inside and as and when we have something to say we will," she said.
Architects for Spurs are convinced that it would cost tens of millions of
pounds to reconfigure the stadium but Brady, said: "It is not as much money
as you would think, it's around 10% of the overall cost to give you a
ballpark figure, but the most important thing is that it works and we are
committed to make it work."
West Ham's other co-owner, David Sullivan, said the club would grow their
fanbase with the move and Brady said they would explore innovative pricing
models, such as a Club Wembley-style season ticket that allowed people to
watch all events in the stadium.
Sullivan said: "Every club – from Stoke to Derby to Arsenal – when you move
to a new stadium you do pick up support. I think this iconic stadium will
pick up a tremendous amount of support."
The special-purpose vehicle that will hold a 250-year lease will be jointly
owned by West Ham and Newham council. They said they would grant a 250-year
sublease to UK Athletics, meaning the track could never be ripped out. "Not
only do we know it can work, we'll make it work. As long we're there,
they'll be there," Brady said.
Spurs and Leyton Orient, who fear that cut-price tickets at West Ham will
harm their attendances, are still considering the prospect of legal action.
Spurs believe that West Ham should be held to their promises over the track.
"Much has been made of the promise to keep the athletics track within the
Olympic Stadium and, therefore, we should all expect to see the retention of
this track firmly embedded and legally guaranteed by those entrusted with
this legacy commitment, today and in the future," said the club.
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£10m Retractable Seating to Solve OS Running Track Issue!
West Ham Till I Die
Today's Daily Express includes an article in which Karen Brady is quoted as
stating that the club are looking at a £10m retractable seating solution to
cover the track for West Ham matches. The move is further verified in
another report in today's Daily Telegraph. That is excellent news and the
best possible solution for ameliorating the negative impact that the track
could have on the spectator experience at the OS.
As I have previously argued, retractable seating is the best available
method of successfully accommodating dual football/athletics use of the
stadium. It will move the fans in to much closer proximity to the pitch,
but preserve the running track for athletics events/meets. Ally that that
with the new stadium roof and possible high-tec giant screens (as seen at
the Stade de France and in USA Gridiron stadia) and the atmosphere in the OS
would be radically transformed for the better, allaying the major fears of
Hammers supporters.
Perhaps this explains the closeness of the crowd to the pitch (and visible
absence of the track) in the recently published artists impression. Lets
hope that they embrace this solution, it will be worth every penny of the
£10m expenditure! Allied to which, it will annoy the hell out of the Spurs
camp, who obviously hope that the presence of an uncovered track would
alienate Hammers fans and doom the club's tenancy! A 'white elephant,' I
think not if this report is true!
The other detail that was confirmed yesterday is that West Ham hope to sign
a 250 year lease on the OS. Now that is what you call a long-term, secure
tenancy!
SJ. Chandos.
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Brady: Hammers financially sound
Sat, 12 Feb 06:26:13 2011
Yahoo.co.uk
Karren Brady celebrated West Ham's victory in the race to take over the
Olympic Stadium and insisted the club's financial package will stack up even
if they are relegated. West Ham were the unanimous choice of the Olympic
Park Legacy Company (OPLC) board on Friday leaving Tottenham defeated.
Brady, West Ham's vice-chairman, said: "One of the criteria we were judged
against was financial and obviously our finances stack up [if we are
relegated]. But we do not aim to be relegated when we come here."
One of the guarantees West Ham will have to make is to keep the running
track at the stadium for the long term. Hugh Robertson, the minister of
sport and the Olympics, said the Hammers would not be permitted to scrap the
track after just a few years if they were unhappy with its impact on the
venue for football matches. Robertson also insisted there had been no
political pressure brought to bear on the OPLC to choose the West Ham bid
over Tottenham's, which would have seen a football-only stadium without a
track. Asked if the Hammers would have to provide guarantees that they would
not dispose of the track at a later date, Robertson said: "That would be a
clear danger so guarantees of that sort have been sought. "The provision of
the running track is an integral part of the West Ham-Newham, UK
Athletics-backed proposal and OPLC will be seeking guarantees that that will
be delivered."
The decision has to be ratified by the Government and London mayor Boris
Johnson, but it would be a huge surprise if they did not rubber-stamp the
recommendation next week. For their part, Tottenham will keep an eye on the
final verdict from ministers and the mayor. A club statement said; "We shall
continue to monitor the bid process over the coming weeks up until its final
determination, whilst reviewing our position and holding discussions with
our advisors."
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