KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 25th July 2011
By: Staff Writer
Three in four season ticket holders have renewed their seats for the
forthcoming Championship season. With West Ham facing a season in the
nation's second flight, season ticket numbers were expected to fall
dramatically. However a recent KUMB poll suggests that a whisker over 75 per
cent of existing season ticket holders booked their spaces ahead of the
club's extended deadline. With more than 15,000 supporters already signed
up, according to a club source, the club are well on course to beat the
number of season tickets sold last time United were relegated eight years
ago (some 17,000). However the figure of 24,000 tickets sold for last year's
Premier League season is extremely unlikely to be matched barring a late,
unexpected clamour for tickets. It had been feared that a good many of
supporters would refrain from renewing this year as a result of a string of
discounted tickets offered by the club and agency Viagogo last season.
However that particular concern appears to have failed to materialise.
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Hang the DJ
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 25th July 2011
By: Staff Writer
Long-term Hammers target DJ Campbell is set to sign for Queens Park Rangers.
Reports this afternoon suggest that the Blackpool striker, who scored 13
goals for the relegated club in the Premier League last season is set to
move to Loftus Road withink the next 48 hours. That news will come as a
major blow to West Ham, who have been tracking the striker for some
considerable time. United met Campbell's minimum fee release clause of
£1.25million several weeks ago and had been hoping that the former
Birmingham and Brentford striker would join the Hammers in the Championship.
However Campbell had made it clear earlier in pre-season that his preferred
choice would be to remain in the Premier League - and it appears that he has
managed to secure his move of choice. Meanwhile Danny Gabbidon, who left
West Ham at the end of his contract last month has also secured a move to
the Premier League's new boys. Gabbidon has signed a one-year deal with
Rangers.
The Welsh centre half becomes the second ex-Hammer to make the switch from
east to west London this summer, hot on the heels of fellow perennial
sicknote Kieron Dyer.
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Pair launch Puncheon bids
QPR and West Ham come in for out-of-favour Saints wideman
Last Updated: July 25, 2011 7:11pm
SSN
Skysports.com understands QPR and West Ham have both made bids for Jason
Puncheon. The 25-year-old Southampton winger is widely expected to be on the
move this summer having fallen out of favour at St Mary's. He spent the
second half of last season on loan to Blackpool and went on to score three
goals in 11 appearances for the Seasiders, but was unable to prevent Ian
Holloway's team being relegated from the Premier League. The former MK Dons,
Barnet and Plymouth player was linked with Portsmouth earlier this month,
but Pompey manager Steve Cotterill denied reports that he had made an
enquiry. But it now appears Puncheon could possibly make a quick-fire return
to the top flight with newly promoted QPR, who are keen to bolster their
ranks for the season ahead. And new West Ham boss Sam Allardyce seems to
have also targeted the wideman as he seeks to guide the Hammers back to the
Premier League at the first attempt.
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Rangers deal in Gabbidon
Warnock hands deal to defender
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: July
25, 2011 4:21pm
SSN
Skysports.com understands Queens Park Rangers have signed Danny Gabbidon
after he impressed on trial. Gabbidon arrives at Loftus Road on a free
transfer after seeing out his contract at West Ham earlier this summer. As
revealed by skysports.com last week, Gabbidon linked up with QPR for
pre-season training and the Wales international has impressed Rangers boss
Neil Warnock. Warnock has handed Gabbidon a one-year deal with the option of
another 12 months, as he sees the experienced defender as a key addition to
his squad. Gabbidon is QPR's third free transfer signing of the summer
following the arrivals of Jay Bothroyd and Kieron Dyer.
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Big Sam warns Spurs over star
No bids on the table for Parker
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo. Last Updated: July
25, 2011 8:32am
SSN
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has warned Tottenham not to wait too long if
they want to sign Scott Parker. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has never
hidden his interest in Parker, but conceded a deal could be difficult due to
the finances involved. Parker is expected to leave Upton Park this summer as
he seeks to stay in the Premier League following West Ham's relegation to
the Championship. However, Allardyce insists if Spurs leave it until the
last minute to swoop for Parker they will be left disappointed.
Worry
"It is a worry that Spurs might wait until the last minute because it would
be the wrong time to do it," said Allardyce. "There are no bids for Scott at
the moment so we continue to improve him as if he is going to start the
season in our team, until such time as somebody bids the right money that
would be acceptable to the club."
"So if Harry is listening, or anyone at Tottenham, watch out, don't be
waiting that long because you won't be able to do it." West Ham expect
Parker to move on before the close of the transfer window, but Allardyce
claims there are no bids on the table for the England international.
No bids
"There are no bids for Scott at the moment so we continue to improve him as
if he is going to start the season in our team, until such time as somebody
bids the right money that would be acceptable to the club," added Allardyce.
"It's like that for every player at ever club. There is speculation and that
will continue right through to the 31st of August unfortunately, but that is
the way it is. "We need to deal with it, it is very, very difficult indeed,
but there is not a lot we can do about it."
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QPR snap up Danny Gabbidon
Published: 25 Jul 2011
The Sun
DANNY GABBIDON has joined Premier League newcomers QPR on a free transfer.
Gabbidon, 31, was without a club after his West Ham contract expired earlier
this summer. The Welsh international had been training with Neil Warnock's
men in Cornwall and featured in three friendlies before being handed a
one-year deal. Gabbidon said: "I'm delighted to be here. It's a good club
and hopefully I can learn more about it in the coming weeks. "I had a good
week with the lads in Cornwall and I'm pleased to have signed. "My agent
spoke to the manager and he said to come down and train for a week, so it
went from there. "Warnock was a big part in me joining the club — I've been
quite impressed by him. "He's straight talking, which I like. If you're
doing something right I think he'll be the first to tell you and, if you're
not, he'll be the first to tell you again. "As a player, that's what you
want. I was impressed with what he had to say about the club and what he
wants to do this season." Warnock added: "I think he's just the type of
player we need — a quality defender with plenty of experience. "I hope I can
reinvigorate his career because a couple of years ago I thought he was one
of the best defenders in the country."
Gabbidon knows all about the harsh reality of relegation after seeing the
Hammers slip out of the top flight last season. But he believes QPR have
every chance of avoiding an instant return to the Championship. The
centre-back said: "I think we can do well. The lads showed last season that
they're already confident and hungry to do well in the Premier League.
"Hopefully I can bring experience to the table having played in the top
flight for a number of years. "I know the ins and outs of the league and
what's required. "There are a lot of good players here already but
hopefully, with my ability, I can add something to the team."
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Nolan desperate for West Ham to get back where they belong
London 24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Monday, July 25, 2011
11:00 AM
New Hammers midfielder Kevin Nolan is slowly returning to fitness in time
for the new season at Upton Park. West Ham captain-in-waiting Kevin Nolan
says he can't wait for the new season to start so he begin the task of
getting the Hammers and their fans back where they belong – in the Premier
League. The 29-year-old Liverpudlian played his first 90 minutes in claret
and blue at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday and he admits that he is slowly
getting back to something like fitness after a long break from football. "I
was just happy to get 90 minutes, it was my first of pre-season," admitted
Nolan, who was plucked from Premier League side Newcastle United in the
summer in a £3million deal. "I had an hour in Copenhagen the other day, so
just to get the 90 today helps with the old muscles and the sharpness coming
in."
Nolan missed the last two weeks of Newcastle's Premier league campaign with
injury and he admitted he was feeling the rust when he first returned to
training with West Ham. "My first 45 minutes against Basel I thought I was
going to die," laughed Nolan. "I hadn't done anything for eight and a half
weeks, I had about three football sessions so I really felt it. "To be where
I am now, 10 or 11 days later, it is a big thumbs up to the medical team, to
the staff and the fitness coaches and how they are working me, so hopefully
come two weeks time I will be hoping to be near enough there to be ready.
"You are never 100 per cent when you get back there, but hopefully I will be
at the top end, so we will be ready for Cardiff and get off to a bright
start."
Nolan played alongside footballer of the year Scott Parker at Wycombe on
Saturday, a mouthwatering prospect for all West Ham fans and the pair
eventually stamped their mark on the game, though it did take a while as
Nolan freely admits. "Against Wycombe I think the start was a bit lacklustre
for us, but I think throughout we made sure we were solid, we didn't concede
again which is a pleasing thing and as the game wore on I think we were the
stronger of the two sides which is very pleasing."
Nolan went close on a couple of occasions on Saturday, and West Ham fans are
only too aware from past experience, that the combative midfielder has a
habit of notching the goals. He scored 30 in 91 appearances for Newcastle
United and boasts a superb record against the Hammers of four goals both for
the Magpies and for Bolton. "I've played at Upton Park for a number of years
and scored a few goals against them and hopefully I will score a lot more
goals for them," said Nolan. "It has always been a nice ground for me, so
hopefully it will be in the future. "Against Wycombe on another day I could
have had a couple of goals and I'm putting that down to the fact that it was
my first 90 minutes. I said to the gaffer, 'wait till we get to competitive
games, that's when you can have a go at me over that'."
The competitive games are just around the corner and Nolan is already
champing at the bit. "I'm just really looking forward to the season now and
getting my teeth into it," he said. "I've moved down here, got my flat, so I
am right in the thick of things and looking forward to it." Nolan may have
moved from the north east to east London, but for him one thing is the same
and that is the passion of the fans. "This is a fantastic club," he said.
"There was never a doubt for me once I knew that West Ham were in for me and
all the personal terms were sorted. It was just a fantastic move for me.
"The passion and everything at the club is amazing. I think everyone I've
seen, every taxi driver, everyone is a West Ham supporter. "At Newcastle I
had a fantastic two and a half years. I was delighted to be captain there
and now to come here and you have got a set of fans who are exactly the
same. "I'm just hoping now that I can be as successful here as I was there
and make sure that I can help get this team and these supporters back where
they belong."
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Stoke ready to move back in for West Ham star Cole
TalkSPort
By Ian Abrahams
Monday, July 25
Stoke are poised to resurrect their interest in West Ham star Carlton Cole.
It looked as though the £6million move for the England striker had fallen
through last week, with the Potters unwilling to meet the former Chelsea
forward's wage demands. Cole is thought to be on around £40,000 at Upton
Park, and is also rumoured to be on a hefty goal bonus, and is unwilling to
take a signifcant pay cut. But Britannia Stadium boss Tony Pulis, who has
said he wants to sign five new players before the start of the season, is
considering a second approach to the 27-year-old as he looks to bolster his
striking options.
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Former Newcastle midfielder Nolan eager to impress for West Ham
1:40pm Monday 25th July 2011
Guardian Series
By Simon Mail »
New signing Kevin Nolan insists he had no doubts about dropping down to the
Championship with West Ham. The midfielder moved from Newcastle United this
summer and completed his first 90 minutes as captain for the Hammers in
their 0-0 draw at Wycombe on Saturday. Nolan said: "West Ham are a fantastic
club. Once I knew they were in for me there was never any doubt from me. It
was just a fantastic move for me. I've played here for a number of years and
scored a few goals against them. I hope to score a lot more goals for them
now. It was always a nice ground for me so hopefully it will be for me now.
"Everyone I've seen, even taxi drivers, has been a West Ham supporter. I
don't think I've met anyone else so I'm just really looking forward to
getting on with the season now and getting my teeth into it. I've moved down
here and got my flat so I'm looking forward to it. "I had a fantastic two
and a half years at Newcastle. The fans were terrific and I was delighted to
be captain there. "To come here, I'm just hoping I can be as successful here
as what I was there and make sure we get this team and supporters back to
where they belong, because they turned out again in great voice and deserved
to be in the Premier League."
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West Ham bid £8m for Reading striker Shane Long
West Brom also interested in player but yet to make firm offer
Midlands club close to taking Birmingham's Ben Foster on loan
Stuart James
guardian.co.uk, Monday 25 July 2011 23.46 BST
West Bromwich Albion are edging closer to signing Ben Foster on loan from
Birmingham City but are running the risk of missing out on another of their
targets after West Ham United entered the race to sign Shane Long by making
a £8m bid for the highly rated Reading striker. Roy Hodgson, the Albion
manager, is an admirer of Long and would like to add him to his squad but
the Midlands club have failed to turn their interest in the Republic of
Ireland international into a concrete bid. Several other Premier League
clubs, including Newcastle United, are also tracking Long, who scored 21
goals in the Championship last season. It is understood that West Ham's
offer values Long at about £5m, with the remaining £3m to follow in add-ons.
Reading are almost resigned to losing the 24-year-old, who has 12 months
remaining on his contract.
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QPR snap up Danny Gabbidon on free transfer from West Ham
Danny Gabbidon joins QPR after leaving West Ham
Wales defender had already been training with Rangers
guardian.co.uk, Monday 25 July 2011 15.53 BST
Queens Park Rangers have signed the Wales defender Danny Gabbidon from West
Ham United on a free transfer. The 31-year-old centre-half has signed a
one-year deal with the Premier League newcomers after his contract at Upton
Park expired this summer. Gabbidon had been training with QPR already and
played in three friendlies on the club's recent tour of Cornwall before on
Monday joining Jay Bothroyd and Kieron Dyer in signing for Neil Warnock's
side. Gabbidon told the QPR website: "I'm delighted to be here. It's a good
club. Hopefully I can learn more about it in the coming weeks. I had a good
week with the lads in Cornwall and I'm pleased to have signed. "My agent
spoke to the manager and he said to come down and train for a week. It went
from there. He [Warnock] was a big part in me joining the club. I've been
quite impressed by him. He's straight talking, which I like. If you're doing
something right I think he'll be the first to tell you and, if you're not,
he'll be the first to tell you again. "As a player, that's what you want. I
was impressed with what he had to say about the club and what he wants to do
this season. I think we can do well. The lads showed last season that
they're already confident and hungry to do well in the Premier League."
The Welshman added: "Hopefully, I can bring experience to the table having
played in the Premier League for a number of years. I know the ins and outs
of the league, and what's required. There are a lot of good players here
already but hopefully, with my ability, I can add something to the team."
Warnock said: "He's impressed me in the last 10 days or so that he's been
training with us. I think he's just the type of player we need – a quality
defender with plenty of experience.
"I hope I can reinvigorate his career, because a couple of years ago I
thought he was one of the best defenders in the country."
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