WHUFC.com
The Richard House children's hospice has been visited by West Ham United this Christmas
21.12.2011
Mark Noble has spoken of his passion for the Richard House children's hospice after the club's Christmas visit. The homegrown Hammer is a patron of the Beckton-based hospice which helps life-limited children and their families all year round. West Ham United's players always visit at this time of year and Noble was joined by Marek Stech, Joey O'Brien, Abdoulaye Faye Winston Reid, John Carew, Carlton Cole and Frederic Piquionne. They gave out Hammers goody bags including footballs and giant teddies, while Noble handed over a sizeable donation after captain Kevin Nolan organised a collection among the squad. Half the money went to the King George hospital in Goodmayes attended by the rest of the first-team players. Richard House, which relies on generous donations from supporters for much of its annual budget, has a special place in the heart of Noble, given he was brought up in the area and is a proud father of two. "I have been coming here since I was 17 and I try and come here four or five times a year just to see how the place is going," he told West Ham TV. "They wanted to make me a patron which I was honoured to be. "It is a place which puts life into perspective. You come here and see what people do for these kids and it is fantastic."
The Hammers will extend their partnership with Richard House in 2012, with the home match against Southampton on 14 February provisionally scheduled to be their annual awareness game.
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Callum's Christmas cheer
WHUFC.com
Loanee Callum McNaughton is ready for a big Boxing Day date with AFC Wimbledon
23.12.2011
Callum McNaughton is hoping to take centre-stage on Boxing Day when AFC Wimbledon take on Oxford United live on Sky Sports. The lunchtime kick-off will see the Dons host the U's at Kingsmeadow in a big League Two fixture, although the centre-back will not be lining up against fellow West Ham United loanee Rob Hall as he has been recalled to the Boleyn. The 20-year-old, who was recently back at Chadwell Heath for treatment to a minor leg injury, has made 15 appearances in all competitions since joining AFC Wimbledon on loan in early September. "It's been nice to play a lot of games. I think the experience has been really good for me. I've learnt a lot so I'll take a lot of things out of it and I hope it continues. "I think I've settled in well and have grown with every game I've played. It's certainly been a new experience playing league football and has been a challenge. "I think it has put me in really good stead for the future."
McNaughton said his positive time at Kingsmeadow had helped to erase the memory of being sent-off on his West Ham debut in the Carling Cup defeat by Aldershot Town in August. "It has definitely helped me to have a positive experience after what happened on my debut. It's what you want - a lot of games and as many good experiences as you can. "I'm glad it has happened quickly and to have got so much experience in the time I've been at Wimbledon has made me really happy."
Looking ahead, McNaughton will hope to regain his place for the big Boxing Day fixture after missing the 1-0 defeat at Rotherham on 17 December. Should he be picked by Dons manager Terry Brown, the defender is likely to partner the experienced former Charlton Athletic, Millwall and Southend United man Jamie Stuart.
"I think the highlight has just been the enjoyment of playing regular football. I look back and I'm happy with the time I've spent there. "I haven't managed to score yet, but I enjoy every victory. I'd say the best feeling was after my first win there against Cheltenham. To get a first league win with the boys meant there was a really good atmosphere after the game. "My regular partner is Jamie Stuart who is a really experienced player. He has helped me along and talks to me a lot. He's been great and is a nice man as well. I've really enjoyed playing alongside him. "My loan ends on 4 January but I hope I can stay longer if possible. We'll see when the time comes and make the decision from there. "I think my time at Wimbledon has been good and we'll see what happens."
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Boxing Day travel update
WHUFC.com
Fans should allow plenty of time for travel if meeting the official club coaches on Monday
23.12.2011
Fans travelling with the club to the Boxing Day encounter at Birmingham City should take note of travel disruption in London. London Underground is set to be affected by a Tube drivers' strike on Monday 26 December. It is likely to cause severe disruption to all Tube lines, including the District and Hammersmith & City lines serving Upton Park station. Supporters are advised to make sure they are at the Boleyn Ground at least 30 minutes before the scheduled 1pm departure time as, in order to make the 5.30pm kick-off at St Andrews, the coaches cannot wait for any latecomers.
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TC takes pride in Pottsy
WHUFC.com
One of the club's most famous 17-year-old debutants Tony Cottee is well placed to reflect on Dan Potts
22.12.2011
When it comes to being 17 and making your debut, Tony Cottee is something of an expert. On 1 January 1983, the teenaged Cottee made his debut at home to Tottenham Hotspur and promptly scored in a 3-0 victory. It set him on the path to a fantastic career, including 146 goals in 336 games over two spells in the claret and blue. Back at Chadwell Heath this week, Cottee was prompted to recall his Boleyn bow with everyone still buzzing about Dan Potts making his debut in the 1-0 win against Barnsley at the age of 17. He was drafted into the side at short notice when Abdoulaye Faye limped out of the warm-up. "It brought back the memories," he told whufc.com. "I only played because Paul Goddard was injured. Where it was also similar was Dan didn't know until about ten minutes to kick-off that he was playing. I was the same, I didn't find out until about an hour and a half before. "The worst thing would be if you had two weeks and it was building up and everyone was talking about it. When it just goes 'bang' like that, you go out and you put the shirt on and as soon as you cross the white line, you go into professional mode. "It would have been like playing in a reserve game for Dan but with the crowd. Of course, you are playing with better players but you are up against better players and you have to step your game up to that level. "Everyone I have spoken to said how well he has done. What would have been good is he didn't have time to get nervous. He probably didn't even have time to ring his dad. It was just 'go and play' and that probably helped."
Cottee said an overriding emotion from his New Year's Day debut was a sense of achievement, having craved such a chance while coming through the ranks. "It was an incredible feeling to go out there and perform in front of the fans that you have grown up standing alongside and to play with the players you used to watch. "He will have grown up with the club. Two or three years ago, Dan would have been watching Mark Noble play and I couldn't believe I was on the same pitch as people like Phil Parkes, Ray Stewart and Alvin Martin. "All of a sudden you are playing with those players and the hard part is to take it all in. I am absolutely delighted for him and know how he will be feeling this week."
Cottee is still good friends with Potts dad Steve, another former team-mate, and was particularly delighted for the family because of the youngster having overcome leukaemia in his early teens. "I text Pottsy and said 'Well done, you must be so proud'. As a dad there can't be anything better than watching the son play for the club you played for. "It is a fulfilment of an ambition. When you start out in football as a five, six or seven-year-old you want to play in the first team. "It was a fulfilment but once you have had a taste, you have the bug and you want to establish yourself as a player first and foremost. "Once I had established myself, I wanted to be top scorer, then you want to play for England and you keep setting new goals."
Cottee achieved much for club and country but said it was important for Potts to keep his feet on the ground. "The most important thing is to not think you have made it. Don't think 'I am a big superstar' and go out and buy a flash car. But the great thing for Dan is his dad is one of the most level-headed people you will ever come across and will help him keep his feet on the floor. "It is great for the family and i am so pleased, bearing in mind the problems he has had as well. It is fantastic."
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Hall recalled
WHUFC.com
Rob Hall has been recalled from his loan spell at League Two club Oxford United
21.12.2011
West Ham United have recalled Rob Hall from his second loan spell at Oxford United. England Under-19 forward Hall has been in outstanding goalscoring form for Oxford, netting six times in 14 appearances during two periods with the U's this season. The youngster, who celebrated his 18th birthday on 20 October, has helped Oxford to make a strong claim for a place in the League Two Play-Offs. Hall was originally recalled from his first loan spell at the Kassam Stadium at the end of October. He was named among the substitutes for the goalless npower Championship draw with Bristol City on 1 November before travelling with the first-team squad to Hull City four days later. The teenager, who returned on Oxford on 16 November, was also part of the Hammers side that defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 in the FA Youth Cup third round earlier this month. Hall will return to Chadwell Heath for training on Friday
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Brian flying says Hendon
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon hailed his Development Squad after a convincing 3-1 win at Colchester United on Tuesday
21.12.2011
Ian Hendon was full of festive cheer after his Development Squad completed 2011 with a fine 3-1 win at Colchester United. West Ham United's second-string came from a goal down to complete a convincing victory highlighted by an 80-minute run out for Gary O'Neil and an outstanding goal from Paraguay Under-20 forward Brian Montenegro (pictured). The Hammers started slowly, falling behind to Steven Gillespie's low strike, before launching a superb comeback through George Moncur's penalty before half-time and Montenegro's turn and low finish and Eoin Wearen's powerful header in six minutes after the break. "It was very good," said Hendon. "To be honest, the lads were on their way to getting a rocket at half-time after the opening 20 minutes, but they worked their way into the game and played some good football in difficult conditions. "We gave Colchester too much time and space in the early stages but once we tightened up we started to put them under pressure and create plenty of chances. "We got our equaliser and then the way we came out after half-time and scored twice so quickly was really pleasing."
Montenegro's 49th-minute goal was the signature moment of a cold and wet night at Maldon and Tiptree FC. The South American took advantage of a clever dummy by new signing Pelly Ruddock before turning and unleashing an unstoppable low drive into the bottom right-hand corner. Two minutes later, Wearen completed the scoring by nodding in O'Neil's swinging free-kick to net for the second game in succession. "We did a bit of work on the morning of the game on finishing and set-plays and Brian looked sharp and he's scored another great goal - a good finish with his left foot. "Pleasingly, we got another goal from a set piece and Eoin has now got two in two games. We work on these things in games and when it works in the games it is very pleasing. It was not just the goalscorers who pleased Hendon. Youngster Ruddock caught the eye with his pace, power and industry, while O'Neil resembled his old self with an energetic performance. "Pelly is a strong lad for his age and he's going to develop. I don't think he's used to full-time football yet, but his attitude and enthusiasm for the game are great and he did well. "Gary was fantastic. We played him out on the right and his delivery into the box and his set-plays were superb. He looked really good on the ball and is looking stronger and sharper with every game. The good sign was that he was disappointed when he came off because he wanted to stay on and play the full 90 minutes, but the medical team specified that he should only play 75 or 80 minutes. "We swapped Gary and Blair Turgott over and players find little niches in games - when they're not causing one full-back a problem they might cause the other full-back a problem and that's exactly how it turned out. The midfield players pushed up and put more pressure on them and, as a group, it was a good performance.
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West Ham end Robert Hall's Oxford United loan
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 15:42 GMT, Wednesday, 21 December 2011
West Ham United have recalled striker Robert Hall from his loan at Oxford United, just one day after allowing him to extend his stay at the Kassam. Hall, 18, was in his second loan spell at the League Two side having initially joined the U's in September. The England Under-19 international notched six goals in 14 appearances but failed to score in his last five games. Manager Chris Wilder told the club website: "It is a blow because Rob has shown what he can do in front of goal."
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Hall loan cancelled - after 24 hours
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 21st December 2011
By: Staff Writer
Robert Hall has been recalled from his short-term loan at Oxford - just 24 hours after extending his stay at the Kassam Stadium. Oxford boss Chris Wilder revealed yesterday that Hall had agreed to stay with the League Two club for another month having initially joined them back in September. "It speaks volumes about our set-up that West Ham are happy to let him continue his footballing development with us," he said yesterday. However less than a day later it has been confirmed that Hall - who will return to training with West Ham on Friday - has been recalled. "It is a blow because Rob has shown what he can do in front of goal," Wilder said today in reaction to West Ham's change of heart. "But we always knew how highly regarded he is at West Ham and that this could happen."
This is the second time that Hall has been recalled from loan since joining Oxford. The 18-year-old was previously called back to Chadwell Heath in October, but returned to the League Two club shortly after.
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West Ham considering legal moves against Football League's plans for financial fair play rules
By Jason Burt10:00PM GMT 22 Dec 2011 Comment
Telegraph.co.uk
The planned introduction of financial fair play rules for the Football League from next season has caused some angst for at least one of the clubs chasing promotion from the Championship. Indeed so annoyed are West Ham United that they are understood to be considering taking the matter to judicial review. Their argument, according to one club insider, is that the rules are not being properly introduced and will penalise those who are ambitious and want to spend. In practice, West Ham claim, it means that clubs won't be able to buy players, meaning that prices will fall and the gap between the Premier League and the lower leagues will be even greater.
The Football League clubs agreed in principle, at their annual meeting in Cyprus last summer, to introduce financial fair play from the 2012-13 season. This means that Championship clubs will only be allowed to spend what they earn while League One and Two clubs will not be permitted to spend more than 55 per cent of their turnover on player wages. Clubs who transgress are likely to be handed a transfer ban as a first sanction with possible points deductions for major offenders. The vote was hailed by the Football League, who are concerned that debt among the 72 clubs totals more than £700 million, but it has annoyed some of their members.
West Ham were relegated from the Premier League last May and did not take part in the vote, and are planning on taking legal action because they claim the rules are being brought in without adequate notice. West Ham took on significant overheads last summer, signing the likes of Kevin Nolan in the hope of pushing for promotion and while they are on course to go up, if they do miss out they could act. At the very least it is understood they want the rules to be delayed or phased in over the next two to three years so the clubs are given time to adjust. The Football League could equally argue that clubs, who voted for the measure, should not be encouraged to overspend.
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Hammer time for Buddle as West Ham weigh up an offer to trialling USA striker
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:30 PM on 22nd December 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham are ruuning the rule over USA international striker Edson Buddle who has been on trial at the club. The USA international has previously had tentative interest from Stoke and Birmingham City, while Sheffield Wednesday made him an offer that was turned down in 2010.
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Talent scout: Daniel Potts
By Joe Ridge
Daily Mail
Potts, you say? That's a name familiar to West Ham fans. Any relation?
Yes, he's the son of former Hammers defender Steve Potts. Potts Snr made 399 appearances for the club in a 17-year spell (they don't make them like that anymore, do they?) and became something of a fans favourite. He captained the Hammers from 1993 to 1996 - so he was the club's skipper when Daniel was born in 1994.
Is he a similar sort of player to his old man?
He's a defender, so that's one box ticked. But Daniel is known for his sweet left foot and marauding runs from full-back, whereas right-sider Steve, it's fair to say, was better known for his no nonsense style.
I see he made his debut at the weekend. How did that go?
Potts put in a calm and composed performance in the 1-0 win over Barnsley, which is particularly impressive given that he was thrown in at the last minute when Abdoulaye Faye picked up an injury in the warm up.
I hear that his debut caps a remarkable couple of years for the young man. Is that right?
That's right. Potts was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 12, but was given the all clear in 2010. To be making his professional debut so soon after is quite remarkable.
Big Sam must be a fan then?
He clearly is. Hammers boss Allardyce was confident enough in Potts' abilities to let Herita Ilunga join Doncaster on loan, leaving Potts as the understudy to first choice left-back George McCartney. Allardyce reserved special praise for Potts after the Barnsley game, saying: 'It was a great debut from Pottsy both in defence and attack.'
Can we expect to see him keep his place?
McCartney is the first choice, so, for now at least, Potts' appearances will mostly be when the Ulsterman is injured or suspended. However, there is an injury crisis at West Ham at the minute, and over the Christmas period you may see Allardyce use McCartney in the heart of the defence again, allowing Potts to start at left-back.
Potts of talent: The left-back signed a new contract this month
Have they got him tied down a long deal, then?
Potts signed a new deal the day before he made his debut. Although he may wish he had waited now, as his performance would have probably put a few more pennies on his weekly salary.
It's good to see the West Ham academy is still producing top young talent, are there any more to look out for?
As ever, West Ham's youth teams are littered with talent. Potts is the star pupil at the moment, and he's not the only son of a former Hammer to be under Tony Carr's wing. Keep your eye out for George Moncur and Oliver Lee, sons of former Hammers midfielders John Moncur and Rob Lee.
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West Ham weighing up move for US striker
By talkSPORT
Wednesday, December 21
West Ham could make a move for American international forward Edson Buddle. Buddle, 30, is currently on a week's trial with the east London club and is hoping to make a move into English football. The experienced forward is currently playing for German side Ingolstadt and is the club's leading scorer this season with six goals.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is keen to bolster his forward line and has already missed out on a deal for Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka. Buddle has a wealth of experience having played with David Beckham at Los Angeles Galaxy and wants to show he can compete at the highest level.
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Double injury boost for West Ham
By talkSPORT
Wednesday, December 21
West Ham hope to receive a double injury boost for the Boxing Day clash against Birmingham with Julien Faubert and Abdoulaye Faye set to declare their fitness for the game. Faubert was forced to limp out of the 1-0 win over Barnsley last week with a hamstring injury and there were fears he could miss the busy festive period.
Faye also suffered a setback just minutes before kick-off when he picked up a calf injury during the warm-up and pulled out of the starting line-up. But both players have responded well to treatment and are expected to take their place for the game at St Andrews. West Ham will also welcome back defender Joey O'Brien from suspension following his one-match ban.
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