WHUFC.com
David Sullivan and Karren Brady were present for the first meeting of the
club's new fan initiative
27.05.2011
More than 100 fans took part in the successful inaugural session of the
club's Supporter Advisory Board on Thursday night. Joint-Chairman David
Sullivan was in attendance in the Legends Lounge at the Boleyn Ground to
hear an open and honest exchange of views with the invited panel, who will
go on to consult and inform on key issues concerning West Ham United. The
aim is to increase communication at a crucial stage in the history of the
club. Thanking everyone for taking part and offering their time,
Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said the panel had complete Board support and was
all about the importance of listening to what fans had to say on all areas
of the club. After presentations including an update on the Olympic Stadium,
the gathered guests were invited to air their views on specific areas such
as matchday experience and retail. After a number of submitted questions
from the floor, the Chairman began the evening with an update on the
managerial situation and also dealt with squad matters for the new season.
Mindful of the ongoing process, he said: "The selection of the manager is of
critical importance. We are spending a lot of time on it but we have a
little bit of time to make a decision. "As you go down the list there are
pros and cons with a lot of people and we are looking for someone with a
proven track record in the Championship or higher or in the Premier League
who wants to come to us."
The Chairman said the club were hoping to appoint a British manager and that
key first-team decisions would not be made until an appointment was made -
save for contract negotiations that were open now. He added the 2011/12
Hammers would have "a core of homegrown players" and that funds would be
available for several signings to supplement them.
The fans who had signed up to be present on the evening had to be
recommended by five season ticket holders or members. With the aim to ensure
they represent the core fan base of the club. As such, the Board contained a
wide cross-section of supporters, from season ticket holders to corporate
members, corporate clients and Bondholders. On the night, fans came from far
and wide - one even flew in from Madrid to be involved. New Board member
Craig Hughes welcomed the opportunity to play a part in the club's future,
saying: "The Advisory Board is a fantastic platform to express our ideas and
opinions on matters that affect the club we all love. Every fan has their
own ideas and through this board we can advise the management on what real
fans think."
Fellow member Rachel Beagles shared those sentiments, adding: "Fans
typically complain that the management don't care. The Supporter Advisory
Board should represent an opportunity to ensure that the views of fans are
heard and that the matchday experience is improved for all."
Meetings will take place four times per year, while the club will also
contact the Board whenever they want to harness their opinion on important
issues.
The inaugural Supporter Advisory Board will consist of the following
members: Steve Burton, Dave Tate, Michael Crowhurst, Christopher Maslin, Sue
Hudson, Benjamin Lanyado, Paul Gibson, Graham Hatt, Tom Dowsett, Paul Fox,
Iain Dale, David Halston, Amanda Ross, Howard Skolnick, Marcus Clement,
Daniel Clement, Paul Reynolds, Ian Wearne, Satvir Atkar, Stuart Allen,
Darren Morgan, Robert Haseltine, John Farren, Jack Boteler, John Yewman,
Daniel Yallop, Ryan Marsh, Antoni Miziolek, John Walker, Nigel Salvage,
Sherrie Goldsmith, Benjamin Hawkes, Kishan Teli, Anthony Hyams, Eamon Quinn,
Dan Mason, Jason Zammit, Tricia Evans, Ian Jacques, Brian Shubrook, Ben
Surdeau, Sean Whetstone, Robin Burt, Wolfgang Berger, Cecilia O'Herlihy,
Jonathan Penfold, Pete Richardson, Leigh O'Connor, Victor Lindsell, Daniel
Bloom, Norman Collins, Dee England, Steve Marsh, Jack Hess, Jason Rose,
Richard Wood, Ian Anderson, Diane Keleghar, David Hall, Gary Portugal, Peter
Hunt, Colin Morris, Steven Barlow, Tony Harries, Steve Joyce, Rachel
Beagles, Carl Carey, Kevin Radley, Danny McGreevy, Norman McGuire, Craig
Hughes, Mark Tilley, Andy Connacher, Ashley Bean, Simon Thomson, Robert
Banks, Tony Barritt, Michael Evans, Barry Shelton, Rob Ford, Michelle
Gabriel, Colin Crowe, Stuart Slaney, Peter Bruce, Warren Kober, Peter
Whitelock, John Sussex, Terry Stokes, Lesley Craig, Stephen Todd, Craig
Grote, Richard Francis, Eleanor Tilley, Tim Boughen, Trevor Norton, Nigel
Kahn, Gary Davidson, Trevor Wisdom, Neil Duggan, Kirk Williams, Siobhan
McManus, Gerry McCarthy, Stuart Dean, Vince Parker, Kathryn Upton,
Anne-Marie White, Neil Martin, Stephen Trowers, Steve Ryder, Mark Taylor,
John Parry, Nick Scott, Samuel Goddard, Bernadette Connolly, Christine
Cowen, Gavin Dunstan, Ian Wicks, Victor Lindsell, Danny Meakin, Catherine
Bayford, Steve Medhurst, Kevin Markham, Kevin Dunckley, Mike Corbo, Gary
Boreham, Jill Dower, Ross McGlasson and Wallace Onnie.
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Dev calls for commitment
WHUFC.com
Alan Devonshire believes hard work is a must if West Ham United are to
regain their top-flight status
27.05.2011
Alan Devonshire believes instilling a positive attitude in the West Ham
United squad will be the main task for the club's new manager. The Hammers
are currently searching for the man to take the club forward and Devonshire,
who was appointed as manager of Blue Square Bet Premier new-boys Braintree
Town this week, knows the making the right appointment will be vital to the
club's future. Having endured two difficult seasons and been relegated to
from the Barclays Premier League, the former West Ham and England midfielder
has told West Ham TV that a change in mindset is needed if the Hammers are
to bounce back and be promoted at the first attempt. "When I played, you
trained as you played so it [working hard] became a habit. If you needed a
kick up the backside you got it, or if you needed an arm around you then you
got it. "I worked under good managers like John Lyall and bad managers and,
at the end of the day, they have to pick the best things.
"Man managing the players is the main thing. You've got to get inside their
heads and work out what makes them tick, do the right things for them to get
them out on the pitch in the right frame of mind. "I'm distraught about it,
to be honest."
Devonshire himself suffered the disappointment of relegation in 1977/78 and,
more than 30 years later, the feelings are just the same this time around.
The 55-year-old helped fire the Hammers back to the top-flight the following
season, enjoying an outstanding season in Division Two and winning the 1979
Hammer of the Year award. Just as West Ham showed back then, Devonshire
insists hard work is the pre-requisite to gaining promotion next term. "I'm
gutted, absolutely gutted. Half a dozen games before the end I thought we
were going to get out of it, but our performances haven't been good enough
all season and we're down. "I started in non-league but I was here from the
age of 20 and was brought up here and was here for a long time, for 14
years, and the one thing the fans want is commitment. They want players who
give 110 per cent. "Being a professional footballer is the best job in the
world, take it from me, and if you can't give 110 per cent then there is
something wrong with you. "It's just been a really disappointing season and
I'm just gutted for everyone at the club, especially the fans."
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Allardyce offered job?
KUMb.com
Filed: Friday, 27th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Fresh rumours are suggesting that Sam Allardyce has been offered the vacant
managerial position. Allardyce - who is thought to be in the North East
tonight attending an event at Sunderland - is said to have been given the
chance to become West Ham United's 14th full-time manager after a day in
which he went from an outsider to odds-on favourite to land the post with
the bookies. Following David Sullivan's revelation last night that he had
offered the job to two parties within the past 24 hours, speculation as to
their identities has been rife. However nothing has yet been forthcoming
from within Upton Park to offer any further indication of how negotiations
are progressing.
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Allardyce: Middle East - or the East End?
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce could be named as the 14th full-time manager of West Ham
United - if he rejects an offer to work in Abu Dhabi. The 56-year-old is
being hotly tipped to accept an offer from West Ham that was said to have
been made earlier this week - despite having previously expressed a desire
to move to the capital of the United Arab Emirates. News emerging late
Saturday night suggested that Allardyce had been swayed by West Ham's
overtures and was set to agree terms. But at the same time, the Arabic
press were claiming that the former Bolton manager was set to join Pro
League outfit Al Jazira. Allardyce, in a recent interview with Sport360 is
reported to have said: "I got an offer last summer for a job with Al Ahli
which is something I was interested in. "So when a job comes up in that part
of the world - and in particularly with Jazira - it is something I would
love to do."
Allardyce is said to have been offered a £1.25million contract with a
£1million plus bonus for achieving promotion next season with West Ham.
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How the mighty fall
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's United's captain at the 2006 FA Cup Final has been released by
Aston Villa on a free transfer. Nigel Reo-Coker, who once appeared to have
the football world at his feet was confirmed today as one of ten players the
Midlands club were not offering new contracts to. Reo-Coker's snub comes
exactly five years after he became West Ham's youngest captain to lead the
club into an FA Cup Final. That game - widely considered the greatest final
in recent years - was eventually won by Liverpool on penalties after the
teams played out a thrilling 3-3 draw. But less than a year later, Reo-Coker
was on his way to Villa in an £8.5million deal. Alan Pardew brought thr
former England under-21 captain to West Ham in January 2004, when he paid
the now defunct Wimbledon £500,000 for his services. Less than two years
later, and having returned to the Premier League via the Championship
play-offs at Cardiff the summer before Reo-Coker led his side out at the
same venue for that incredible 2006 Final. However his next - and final -
season at West Ham quickly turned into a nightmare. Having fallen out with
supporters by cupping his hand to his ear when scoring the winning goal
against Manchester United - and having been accused of membership of the
notorious 'Bentley boys' club by Alan Curbishley - Reo-Coker became the
focal point for the team's ills. Having accused - without foundation -
supporters of racial abuse, the writing was on the wall for the
Southwark-born player - and Martin O'Neill paid the inflated sum in July
2007 to take him to Aston Villa and end his Hammers nightmare.
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Zav on his way
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Zavon Hines is set to leave West Ham this summer having rejected the club's
offer of a contrcat extention. The England under-21 international is out of
contract this summer but with West Ham's relegation to the Championship,
looked set to extend his career in east London. However co-chairman David
Sullivan revealed last night that the 22-year-old striker had turned down
United's latest contract offer - and now seems certain to move on to
pastures new within the next few weeks. Hines, who has been unhappy at the
club for some time expressed his dissatisfaction with the selection policy
of former manager Avram Grant the day before West Ham's 3-2 defeat at Wigan
that confirmed the club's relegation. Talking via Twitter, he revealed that
he was "very frustrated with not being able to help my childhood club
because I'm not getting the chance to score the goals the club needs." The
young striker made his first team debut in a 4-1 Carling Cup win over
Macclesfield back in August 2008. Since then he has made just seven starts
for the first team.
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Report on first meeting of the Supporter's Advisory Board
May 27th, 2011 - 10:45 am by RobertBanks
West Ham Till I Die
Yesterday I attended the inaugural meeting of the Supporter's Advisory Board
(SAB). I was in two minds whether to attend. I have, as you know, been
sceptical about the whole thing but I have always taken the view "Don't
knock it until you've tried it." I went along to see if there was anything
there that might change my view.
David Sullivan and Karren Brady were in attendance and the meeting did start
with a few words from Sullivan. I don't know what it is about this man. I
simply don't trust him. David Gold, whatever your view of him, has the air
of a respectable business man (even if he does sell dildos) but I just can't
take Sullivan seriously and on top of that, everything he says and
everything he does rub me up the wrong way.
Having said that, everything he said made perfect sense. So I have to just
put it down to a personal prejudice on my part and for that I apologise. It
is a free country and people can behave as they wish and dress how they wish
(and it matters not one iota) – but he addressed us from the stage wearing a
"Raging Bull" t-shirt, with his son sitting next to him. For some reason I
just wanted to punch him. It's probably just the frustration of this season.
It struck me that this was not being taken seriously. I just kept listening
and thinking… he's David Brent. He's going to do a little dance in a minute.
Down to brass tacks, Sullivan said what I expected him to say. He accepted
the board took full responsibility for the appointment of Grant and that
they made a mistake. He said that they were determined not to make the same
mistake and they had a list of candidates but he could not disclose too much
to us. He did say the position had already been offered to someone at £1.25m
salary and a £1.25m promotion bonus but it had been turned down. He also
said that they had agreed a package with another individual and they hoped
he would take it because he would be a very good manager – but there was a
personal issue outside of football that meant he probably would not take it.
If that individual does take the role we will find out about it today.
The question was asked about youth players being retained and Sullivan
confirmed that was the aim. However Zavon Hines' contract had expired and he
was asking for silly money to stay. He could not disclose figures but he
said that is he told us what Hines had asked for we would all be shocked. So
it's safe to say he is on his way. Jordan Spence's contract is also up and
they have made him an offer he has accepted in principle he just wants to
wait to see who is appointed as manager and whether he would be in his
plans. Otherwise the Academy players would be retained.
Sullivan took personal credit for signing Demba Ba and blamed Zola and
Clarke 100% for the signing of Benni McCarthy. He said that Zola and Clarke
came to him and said, "get us McCarthy and we will stay up." This happened
of course – but not quite in the manner anticipated.
The search for a manager may be concluded today or it may take another 2-3
weeks. However he assured us no stone was being unturned. That was the only
thing he said that I 100% believed.
Tony Carr spoke to us about the Academy and distanced himself from the
manager's vacancy.
The SAB will be divided into sub groups with specialist roles, one of which
will be a forum relating to the Olympic Stadium move. Ian Tompkins, the
Olympic Project Director gave a very informative presentation. Those firms
that have been invited to tender for the conversion works have been asked to
come up with ideas for retractable seating. They want to have it – it's just
a question of whether a viable and cost-effective solution can be found.
The stadium will be West Ham's stadium – a 150 year lease is being
negotiated – possibly longer – but the stadium will also be used by other
sports other than football and athletics. Essex CCC may play some 20-20
games there which would make it the 4th biggest cricket venue in the world.
NFL and baseball are also being considered as well as concerts and tourism,
all of which will bring in revenue for the club in terms of spin-off sales.
There will be consultation on the best way to commemorate The Boleyn Ground
and what items should be taken to the new stadium (The Lyall gates, memorial
bricks etc.) There will be a new, bigger museum on site and an SAB member's
suggestion has already been included in the plans, to allow individual fans
to exhibit their own collections of memorabilia.
Season ticket information for 2011-12 will be announced today (Friday) and
will no doubt spark its own debate. It is understood there will be a package
of measures aimed at placating those fans who feel they miss out on one-off
match promotions such as 'kids for a quid' because they have committed to a
season ticket at the start of the season. There will be discounts in the
club shop etc.
Overall, an interesting evening but the SAB has to be taken at face value –
a consultative group. The SAB will not have any powers or influence over
team matters or management matters. The SAB will be consulted over
commercial and infrastructure decisions but the decision of the board is
final. There will also be confidentiality agreements signed by those members
involved in areas of commercial sensitivity.
It was noticeable that most of the people in attendance were very positive,
not just about the SAB but about the future and the Olympic Stadium move. I
have yet to be convinced about the future and it's not in my nature to be
optimistic – but I am prepared to give things a chance before being overly
critical.
I am disappointed that the group is so large at between 80 and 120 – I feel
this could make it a little unwieldy. However it is easy to criticise and be
sceptical about these bodies until the results have been seen. I will attend
the next meeting because I did not come away last night thinking that the
group was a complete waste of time – in life you get out what you put in and
whilst I'm not happy about "branding" and "corporate identities" you have to
accept they are here to stay and I'd rather be on the inside shouting than
outside throwing stones.
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West Sam United
By SHAUN CUSTIS
Published: Today
The Sun
SAM ALLARDYCE was last night finalising a deal to be the new manager of West
Ham. Big Sam was in Sunderland yesterday to watch Take That with pal Steve
Bruce.
But fans of the relegated Hammers no longer have to 'Pray' a big name will
take the reins at Upton Park. Allardyce wants in. The man who turned modest
Bolton into a Premier League force is relishing the chance to get the
Londoners back up from the Championship at the first time of asking. And
five months after being sacked by Blackburn, he is ready to return to
management as successor to Avram Grant. He has met Hammers' co-owner David
Sullivan and is promised a £1m bonus if he wins promotion. Allardyce was
hoping to get a job back in the top flight. But he is willing to spearhead
the Hammers' bid for a swift return to the Premier League.
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Newcastle trying to beat Sunderland to Hammers star
Published 23:00 27/05/11 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew wants to snap up Demba Ba from West Ham on a free
transfer as he tries to beat arch-rivals Sunderland to his signature. Pardew
has been alerted to the Senegalese striker's availability - and eagerness to
stay in the Premier League after the Hammers' relegation - and is putting a
lucrative deal together. Ba has a clause in his contract that allows him to
leave and is fielding offers from other clubs before informing the
relegated outfit that he wants out, as he is not keen on spending a season
in the Championship. Sunderland are also interested in Ba too, but he is
just one of several targets that Steve Bruce has earmarked for a summer
spend. Newcastle are more focused on landing him though, as they try to
replace Andy Carroll without spending a fortune. The Geordies have had a bid
for Lorient's Kevin Gameiro rejected and are unwilling to match the
£10million-plus asking price. However they would throw a lot of money at Ba
to land him without a transfer fee.
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Fiery Davies could be too hot for Hammers
Published 23:01 27/05/11 By John Cross
The Mirror
Billy Davies' fiery temper could be the stumbling block between him and the
West Ham job. Hammers co-owners David Gold and Sullivan are keen on the
Nottingham Forest boss because of his record in getting teams into the
play-offs in the Championship. But Davies, who is on the brink at Forest
after failing to get them up through the play-offs, has also gained a
reputation for publicly criticising the board. That could yet see West Ham
go for ex-Bolton, Blackburn and Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce, whose price
with some bookies went to odds-on yesterday. Allardyce could also create
problems for Gold and Sullivan as he wants to bring in his own backroom
staff and have control over transfers. His style of play is also unlikely to
be popular with West Ham fans. West Ham chief Sullivan even revealed at a
supporters' meeting on Thursday that the job had been offered to a British
manager but would not say who. West Ham are now trying to clinch a deal so
the new man can being the rebuilding job for next season.
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EXCLUSIVE: Irons set to name Allardyce as new boss after talks with
co-owners
By MATT LAWTON
Last updated at 1:38 AM on 28th May 2011
Daily Mail
Sam Allardyce is poised to become the new manager of West Ham. The former
Blackburn, Newcastle and Bolton boss was in talks with Hammers co-owners
David Sullivan and David Gold to tie up the finer points of an agreement.
Allardyce could be named as the successor to Avram Grant soon after
convincing the Upton Park board to back his ambitious plans to reshape the
club's squad and backroom structure. The 56-year-old has been out of work
since his shock sacking from Ewood Park in December after he fell out with
Blackburn's new Indian owners over transfer policy. But Sullivan and Gold
believe his record of delivering success on a budget makes him the right
candidate to take on the massive task of restoring West Ham to the Barclays
Premier League. They are ready to offer a salary package of £1.25million
with the same again as a bonus if he can win promotion, as he did when he
built his reputation at Bolton. Sullivan and Gold will want Allardyce to
make up the loss of revenue caused by relegation by selling players after a
disastrous season in which the club finished with just 33 points. But they
have reassured Allardyce they will support spending on fitness and analysis
infrastructure that have always been a crucial part of his methods. His
first job will be to resolve the future of Footballer of the Year Scott
Parker, goalkeeper Robert Green, defender Matthew Upson and striker Carlton
Cole. Sullivan has already warned the club would need to sell their high
earners and Allardyce will be charged with getting the best possible fees to
give himself money to replace them.
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West Ham to swoop for Sam Allardyce despite Al Jazira interest - report
By Ben Somerford
May 28, 2011 3:10:00 AM
Goal.com
Sam Allardyce has been heavily linked with the vacant managerial job at West
Ham despite indicating this week he's interested in coaching United Arab
Emirates (UAE) club Al Jazira. The Daily Mail reports 56-year-old Allardyce
is set to be appointed the new Hammers boss following the club's relegation
from the Premier League last week. Avram Grant was sacked as Hammers manager
after the 3-2 loss to Wigan in their penultimate game of the season which
confirmed their relegation. Earlier this week Allardyce, who hasn't worked
since being dismissed by Blackburn last December, told Sport360 he was
interested in the top job at UAE champions Al Jazira following the departure
of title-winning coach Abel Braga to Fluminense. "I am definitely
interested," said Allardyce. "I got an offer last summer for a job with Al
Ahli which is something I was interested in but unfortunately my club,
Blackburn, did not want me to leave so I couldn't move for forward with that
scenario. "So when a job comes up in that part of the world and in
particularly with Jazira it is something I would love to do. "Al Jazira have
been very successful so to take my 10 years Premier League experience into
the club would be a good match." Allardyce added: "There is no doubt that I
can bring plenty to Al Jazira to help them achieve greater success. "I can
make sure that the quality of performance that you need at all levels of a
football club, not just on the field but off the field are in place. "Once
you have seen it and done it like Al Jazira have this season then you can
look to the quality players to continue that success and ensure they improve
on what they have already achieved."
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