Aldershot match postponed
WHUFC.com
The Carling Cup tie against Aldershot Town will be rearranged for a later
date
08.08.2011
West Ham United have been asked by the police to postpone the Carling Cup
first-round tie with Aldershot Town tomorrow night (Tuesday 9 August). The
club were contacted this evening and told that all major public events in
London were to be rearranged because of the need to focus police resources
elsewhere. Whilst neither the club or police anticipate any issues around
the game itself, the club has to comply with the police request. No date has
yet been set for the rearranged match, but the club will be in contact with
the Football League and Aldershot. There will be a further update for
supporters on Tuesday when more information is available.
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Carew down to work
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's newest recruit is back at the Boleyn this week and looking
forward to a fresh start
08.08.2011
John Carew returned to London on Monday ready to start his new career at
West Ham United. The Norwegian international had flown back to Oslo after
the signing was completed over the weekend but is now up and running as the
club's new No11. Although he has been working on his personal fitness, the
plan is to put him through an intensive mini pre-season to get him ready for
the rigours of the Championship. With the dust having settled since
confirmation of his arrival at the weekend, the big striker revealed he
cannot wait to get going. "It is a new challenge which I am very excited
about," said Carew. "I am just looking forward to starting here, West Ham is
a great club, we have some great players here, I am sure with the team the
manager is establishing we can get back up."
He played with Abdoulaye Faye at Stoke City and said he was looking forward
to getting to know all his new team-mates. "I know of some of the players
from playing against them so it is nice to be here on the same side." Carew
said he thrives on a good bond with supporters, and is hoping to give them
plenty to cheer over the coming campaign. "I know the West Ham supporters
are passionate, backing their team and trying to lift them up in a game, so
it will be good to be part of that. It is a fantastic stadium and we have
fantastic fans so hopefully I can help make them happy and perform well for
the team. "West Ham is a great club, a club with its fan base is for the
Premier League and I am very confident even now that we can get back up very
soon, so I wanted to come here and it felt good for me. "This season to get
back up is the aim and we will work towards that. For me, it would be
fantastic to be part of all that, that achievement. I am very much looking
forward to the season ahead. "The bigger part I can play, the happier I will
be. It will be fantastic to do of all this and be in a team that can do well
- the feeling is here. Playing towards going back up to the Premier League
is an exciting challenge I can't wait to start."
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Internationals take centre stage
WHUFC.com
Some of the club's experienced names - along with a few youngsters - are set
for national-team duty
08.08.2011
A number of West Ham United players could be in international action this
week. Pablo Barrera, Jack Collison and Marek Stech have all been called-up
by their respective nations, while Robert Green and Scott Parker are in the
squad for England's home friendly with Netherlands. Barrera will join-up
with Mexico for their friendly meeting with United States in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania on Wednesday 10 August.
Collison has been included in the Wales squad for an international friendly
with Australia at the home of weekend visitors Cardiff City, while Stech is
hoping to be included in Czech Republic's UEFA European Under-21
Championship qualifier against Andorra on the same evening.
Meanwhile, Green and Parker have been named by Fabio Capello for Wednesday's
meeting with the Dutch at Wembley. It promises to be a high-profile fixture,
given that the visitors finished runners-up in the last FIFA World Cup.
Young centre-back Leo Chambers has also continued his good progress with the
U18s by being named in the England U17 squad for a three-game FA
International Tournament. The Young Lions will take on Italy on 24 August at
Cambridge United, Czech Republic on 26 August at Bishop's Stortford and
Portugal at Northampton Town on Sunday 28 August.
Finally, first-year professional Eoin Wearen helped Republic of Ireland to
reach the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Romania.
Wearen made two substitute appearances as the Irish reached the last-four
before being eliminated by eventual winners Spain.
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Potts back in the fold
WHUFC.com
There is a familiar face in the Academy set-up with Steve Potts taking up a
coaching position
08.08.2011
West Ham United legend Steve Potts has joined the club's Academy. Potts, who
made 505 first-team appearances during a 17-year playing career at the
Boleyn Ground, will coach the Hammers' Under-16 squad on a part-time basis.
The former full-back, now 44, is a welcome addition to the coaching staff.
Potts' son Danny, also a defender, is a second-year scholar and recently
made his debut for the United States Under-20 national team, taking
advantage of his father's birthplace of Hartford, Connecticut.
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Faye knows the way
WHUFC.com
A solid team that is feared by others is what Abdoulaye Faye is hoping to
help West Ham United become
08.08.2011
Abdoulaye Faye is looking forward to his West Ham United debut and is eager
to start as he means to go on. The imposing Senaglese international defender
was an unused substitute for Sunday's league opener having just returned
from a minor hamstring problem, but has been back in training for a week.
The centre-back is looking to bring a strong mentality to the team and help
make Hammers a side that others fear as well as one the fans love to watch.
"I signed for Stoke and now everybody is scared of playing against them.
When I left Newcastle, they went down!" he said. "It would be nice if
everybody was scared of playing West Ham. We have a good team, but we need
to be strong and hard. Stoke don't have the players like West Ham, but they
are very strong. Everybody at Stoke was a very good player, but they also
have good, strong mentalities. "We have very good players here, so we can be
the same."
Faye will bring plenty of experience to the dressing room and will be a big
help to Allardyce's young guns, with the likes of Junior Stanislas and Frank
Nouble also in line for their first competitive run-outs this campaign. He
will look to set the right example but also play his part every single week.
"I'm 33, but I still feel good. I am fit because I look after my body. I'm
not one for going out every night. Sometimes I do go out, like every person,
but not a lot! "Throughout my career, I have always played. I don't stay on
the bench. Last year, I had a little problem at Stoke City, but I've never
had any other problems in my career so I've always played. "I'm ready to do
a good season. I know this is not going to be easy but I like the
challenge."
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West Ham-Aldershot Carling Cup tie postponed on police advice
Page last updated at 22:00 GMT, Monday, 8 August 2011 23:00 UK
BBC.co.uk
West Ham's Carling Cup game against Aldershot on Tuesday has been postponed
on police advice. Some sports events have been affected by the continuing
riots in London. The Hammers said on their website: "The club were told that
all major public events in London were to be rearranged because of the need
to focus police resources elsewhere. "Neither the club nor police anticipate
issues around the game itself, but the club has to comply with the request."
The statement added: "No date has yet been set for the rearranged match but
the club will be in contact with the Football League and Aldershot." A
statement from Aldershot read: "We understand many supporters will be
disappointed with this announcement but confirm that the matter is out of
the control of both West Ham United and Aldershot Town Football Club."
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Panic on the streets of London: Aldershot game vetoed
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 8th August 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have been forced to cancel tomorrow night's Carling Cup tie with
Aldershot. The first round tie would have given Sam Allardyce the
opportunity to run the rule over some of the fringe members of his first
team squad. However due to Police advice, United have postponed the game as
a result of the continuing outbursts of petty thieving and general
lawlessness that have erupted in and around London during the past 72 hours.
The club confirmed tonight that they had little alternative but to comply
with the police request. "We were contacted this evening and told that all
major public events in London were to be rearranged because of the need to
focus police resources elsewhere," read an update on whufc.com "Whilst
neither the club or police anticipate any issues around the game itself, the
club has to comply with the police request. No date has yet been set for the
rearranged match, but the club will be in contact with the Football League
and Aldershot."
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Luis completes switch
WHUFc.com
Filed: Monday, 8th August 2011
By: Staff Writer
Luis Boa Morte has completed his move to Greek club Larissa. The 34-year-old
combatative midfielder left West Ham by mutual consent last month, one year
into a two-year contract after been told that he was surplus to requirements
at the Boleyn Ground. And according to reports tonight he has finalised his
free transfer to the Super League club, who finished just two places above
the relegation zone in the First Division last season. Larissa are currently
managed by Chris Coleman, who worked alongside Boa Morte at Craven Cottage
in the early noughties. The two played together for two seasons at Fulham
before Coleman took the managerial reigns. It was he who sold Boa Morte to
West Ham for £5million in January 2007. The former Portuguese international,
who enjoyed a full pre-season at West Ham prior to the decision to allow him
to leave was made could go straight into the team when AEL 1964 begin their
Super League campaign later this month.
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An old favourite returns
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 8th August 2011
By: Staff Writer
Steve Potts has returned to West Ham to take up a coaching role. The former
Irons centre half, now 44, made 399 first team appearances for West Ham
between 1985 and 2002. He has joined the Academy coaching team at Chadwell
Heath where he will take control of the club's under 16 squad on a part-time
basis. Pottsy - who started his new job today - famously scored just the one
goal in his entire career at West Ham, against Hull back in 1990. A popular
figure with supporters, he was unusual for a centre half in that he was just
5'8" tall - but that didn't stop him winning Hammer of the Year on two
occasions. Meanwhile 17-year-old striker Dylan Tombides - who was diagnosed
with testicular cancer just last week - has signed his first professional
contract with West Ham. The young Australian is considered to be one of the
brightest prospects amongst Tony Carr's current group of youngsters.
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Hammers and Charlton games off
Cup games fall foul of disturbances in London
Last Updated: August 8, 2011 11:39pm
SSN
West Ham and Charlton have announced that Tuesday's Carling Cup matches,
against Aldershot and Reading respectively, have been postponed after a
request from the police due to ongoing riots in London. Violent scenes have
blighted the capital for the last three days, after the fatal shooting of
Tottenham resident Mark Duggan last Thursday prompted rioting and looting in
the area at the weekend. The disturbances, which have since spread to other
parts of London and also Birmingham, have thrown many of this week's
sporting fixtures into doubt with West Ham and Charlton's matches the first
two to be called off. A statement on West Ham's official website said: "West
Ham United have been asked by the police to postpone the Carling Cup
first-round tie with Aldershot Town tomorrow night. "The club were contacted
this evening and told that all major public events in London were to be
arranged because of the need to focus police resources elsewere.
Request
"Whilst neither the club or police anticipate any issues around the game
itself, the club has to comply with the police request. "No date has yet
been set for the rearranged match, but the club will be in contact with the
Football League and Aldershot." Addicks chief executive Stephen Kavanagh
confirmed the Charlton match at The Valley has been postponed on the club's
official website. He said: "We've been monitoring the situation as it's been
developing all evening and have been in constant contact with the police.
"Clearly the most important factor is people's safety. The police have told
us they believe the match should be postponed on safety grounds, and
obviously we have taken that advice." Crystal Palace are also thought to be
in talks with police over whether their cup game against Crawley will go
ahead. A decision is expected on Tuesday morning. The situation also raises
serious doubts over whether England's scheduled international friendly
against Holland at Wembley will take place as planned on Wednesday evening.
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Carew eyes instant promotion
Norway striker is ready to shoot Hammers back to the top-flight
Last Updated: August 8, 2011 4:44pm
SSN
West Ham's new signing John Carew is targeting an instant return to the
Premier League for the club. The powerful Norway striker, who was laoned to
Stoke last term, has secured a deal with the Championship club following his
release from Aston Villa. The Hammers were relegated at the end of last term
but the former Lyon and Valencia marksman has designs on playing in Europe's
elite division again. "West Ham is a great club, a club with its fan base is
for the Premier League," he told the club's official website. "I am very
confident that even now, we can get back up very soon, so I wanted to come
here and it felt good for me. "This season to get back up is the aim and we
will work towards that. For me, it would be fantastic to be a part of all
that, that achievement. I am very much looking forward to the season ahead."
Fantastic
In Carlton Cole and Carew, Sam Allardyce has a strike force at his disposal
that would strike fear into many Premier League defences, let alone
Championship ones.
At 31, Carew could have opted for an easier move at this point of his career
but he wanted and accepts this challenge. "The bigger part I can play, the
happier I will be," he added. "For me, it would be fantastic to do all and
be in a team that can do well - the feeling is here. Playing towards going
back to the Premier League is an exciting challenge. I can't wait to start."
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'Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose'!
August 8th, 2011 - 1:04 pm by S J Chandos
'The more it changes, the more it stays the same' (Jean Baptiste Alphonse
Karr)
West Ham Till I Die
At the final whistle I was reminded of this 19th century French proverb. A
new Manager, new signings, even a new division, but the same old failings,
that proved once again to be our undoing. We dominated possession for long
periods, carved out numerous opportunities but just could not covert them.
Then in the final minutes we go for the winner, in a fashion akin to the
charge of the light brigade, and get well and truly sucker punched. As Sam
Allardyce stated, in his post-match conference, there comes a point in the
very closing stage of a match when you may need to defend what you have, in
this case, a clean sheet and a point! It is about professionalism, and Sam
Allardyce will undoubtedly drill that lesson in to the players, on the back
of this unfortunate episode!
It was disappointing, but lets not be too despondent. I would be far more
worried if the display had not been positive in so many aspects. Apparently
we carved out 14 good goal scoring opportunities, that included hitting a
post, the cross bar and having a header cleared off the line. On another
day we would have been at least 3-0 up when Cardiff City scored; and
Miller's goal would have just been scant consolation!
Generally, we defended well, although I was disappointed that, on occasions,
we fell back into our old habit of defending too deep. Green made one or
two excellent saves, although he probably should have saved the goal; while
Illunga, O'Brien, Tomkins and Reid all did well. Particularly Illunga, who
looked back to something approaching his best. Yes, he slipped up when we
conceded, but this is a player who has had very little first team action
recently. If Illunga continues to improve then he can become a fixture at
left-back. The same goes for this defensive unit as a whole, they can only
gel and get better as they get more game time. And lets not forget that
Faye is on the way back to fitness and, hopefully he will push Reid for the
slot alongside the impressive, and rapidly maturing, James Tomkins.
Nolan had a relatively quiet game, but showed enough to suggest that he will
be influential this season. It should not be forgotten that Nolan was
injured, whilst playing for Newcastle Utd, towards the end of last season
and he may be a bit 'rusty' as a result. The same scenario applies to Mark
Noble, who did well on Sunday and will improve in the coming weeks. With
regard to Scott Parker, pre-match, I was interested to see whether he would
play or if the prospect of a pending transfer would result in him sitting
out the match. Scott Parker only knows how to play one way and that is with
110% commitment. However, psychologically one could question whether he is
mentally a tuned to the challenge currently facing the club? In contrast,
Jack Collison is 100% committed and ready to fight to get the Hammers
promoted. Personally, I would have probably started with Jack today and
left Scotty on the bench!
Out wide, Matt Taylor had a great debut. He worked hard, posed a constant
threat down the left flank and, it has to be said, that the presence of a
natural left footer improved the balance of the team. Taylor is excellent
at set pieces and possesses that valuable ability to hit the target from
distance; he is a very good signing and is going to be a major asset this
season. On the right flank, Allardyce started with Freddie Sears, who was
industrious and pacy, but generally let himself down with his final ball in
the box. I would have started with Barrera, who performed magnificently for
Mexico this summer. And when Barrera eventually entered the fray, he did
not disappoint, forcing the Cardiff City keeper into three decent saves.
Paulo Barrera must start against Doncaster Rovers, no question about it!
Up front, I would also have started with Charlton Cole. Piquionne worked
reasonably hard and was unlucky not to score. However, he did not dominate
up front, in winning and holding up the ball. When Cole came on, you could
see the difference, as his physical presence and power began to unsettle
City's central defenders. Unfortunately, I felt that he came on too late in
the game to have maximum impact. He appeared to be just warming up at the
final whistle. He is another that should, ideally, start against Doncaster
Rovers.
It is not yet clear whether Piquionne or Cole will exit as a result of
signing of John Carew. However, it may be the case that Piquionne would be
better employed as a second striker, playing off Cole or Carew, or on the
right flank in a 4-3-3. I would, however, still like to see Shane Long or
Nicky Maynard signed this coming week. It could be that the sale of Scott
Parker will have to finance the deal for a new striker. Sacrilege, I know,
but unfortunately it is a proposition that needs careful consideration. As
previously stated, we have to ask if psychologically Scott is 100% committed
to the task at hand, or whether his mind is on a return to the PL and
retaining his England place?. We have a ready-made replacement in Jack
Collison and Sam Allardyce will then have to decide whether we have
sufficient central midfield cover, if Parker does actually exit.
The alternative to signing Long or Maynard is, of course, is to resurrect
the deal with Chelski for Parker's services and try to secure Daniel
Sturridge in exchange. Apparently, Chelski are asking for a £3m fee to loan
Sturridge this season. Yet, we have a midfielder that they want and they
have a striker that we need! It looks like the basis of a deal to me,
whether as a permanent exchange deal or a season long swop-loan agreement?
Of course, the big variable is whether Sturridge can be persuaded to drop
down to the Championship and chose West Ham over Bolton and other PL
suitors, but as the old saying goes, 'if you do not ask, you do not get.'
I previously warned supporters not to get too critical or down hearted if we
faltered in the opening match. Allardyce spoke at length on the challenges
of forging a new team and getting it firing on all cylinders from the
outset. But many of the indicators were very positive on Sunday and
Allardyce and his coaching team will undoubtedly learn from it and put
matters right. I well remember leaving Upton Park totally deflated, after a
opening day, home defeat to Luton Town in 1980-81, and we all know how that
turned out! I also remember West Ham in the 1992-93 promotion season
misfiring in the early games, until it all come together in an evening match
at Bristol City, with a resounding 5 goal victory! If we need further
historical reassurance, look no further than Malky McKay's post-match press
conference, when he reminded us that Cardiff City also beat Norwich City at
Carrow Road, on the opening day, last season. Norwich City bounced back, to
gain promotion, and so can we!
Anyway, I am always a bit uneasy when things start too well! In literature,
I am frequently reminded of the common structure underpinning classical
Greek tragedy, where things start off brilliantly and the doomed figure(s)
are then plunged in to a vicious circle of ever declining fortunates that
ultimately leads to his/their destruction! Better to start poorly and then
improve rapidly, I say!
No, seriously, we will get things back on track! We just need a bit of
patience and some faith at this juncture. I have no doubt that it will be
amply rewarded. It is certainly too early to start pressing the panic
button. Sam Allardyce will have learnt a lot about his players on Sunday,
the type of things that are only tested in competitive league matches He
will take those lessons and set about rectifying the problems, on the
training ground, including inculcating a far more ruthless aproach in front
of goal.
If Cardiff City were lucky beneficiaries of our early season dislocation on
Sunday, lets make Doncaster Rovers the victims of the resultant 'coming
together' next week!
SJ. Chandos
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Allardyce lines up Sunderland defender
Published 22:29 08/08/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
West Ham are set to bring George McCartney back to Upton Park. McCartney,
30, enjoyed a successful two-year spell with the East London side before he
was sold back to former club Sunderland in September 2008. The Northern
Ireland international has failed to find his best form in the North East and
was sent on loan to Leeds last season. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is keen
to bolster his defence and sign another left-back after on-loan Wayne Bridge
returned to parent club Manchester City during the summer. Hammers are
hoping that a deal can be finalised this week so McCartney can be available
for their next league game against Doncaster on Saturday.
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West Ham winger on verge of La Liga switch
TalkSport
By Marc Isaacs
Monday, August 8
West Ham midfielder Pablo Barrera is set to complete a move to Real
Zaragoza. Barrera has struggled to find his best form in England following
his £4m move to Upton Park last summer. The Mexico international was a star
performer for his country at the Gold Cup during the summer and is
determined to get his career back on track. Reports in Spain suggest that
the La Liga side are hopeful that a deal can be finalised in the next 24
hours and he can start training with his new team-mates on Wednesday.
Barrera appeared as a late substitute for West Ham during their 1-0 defeat
against Cardiff on Sunday but he appears to have no long-term future under
Sam Allardyce.
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Benni McCarthy labels West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady 'the devil
with a set of t**ts'
Telegrpah.co.uk
By Emily Gosden7:29PM BST 08 Aug 2011
In an extraordinary interview with the Johannesburg-based Sunday Times, the
33-year-old South African also launched a stinging attack on European clubs,
accusing them of victimising and intimidating African players. McCarthy left
West Ham with a £1.5 million pay-off in April after a disastrous 16 months
in which he made only 14 appearances, failed to score a single goal and was
fined £200,000 for failing to lose weight. On his departure Brady used her
newspaper column to dismiss him as a "big fat mistake" and said he had cost
the club more than £5 million. She wrote that McCarthy had apologised and
hugged her when he left and that she had "no hard feelings" – but also
labelled him "a player devoted to filling his belly more than filling the
net". Asked about Brady's comments, McCarthy said: "It makes me want to
throw up. There's the devil with a set of tits."
McCarthy, who at one stage weighed more than 15 stone (95kg), said he had
lost five kilograms and was determined to get fitter. "I am conditioned and
can last for 90 minutes, but I'll push myself more to get in even better
shape," he said. The striker joined West Ham from Blackburn Rovers for £2.2
million in January 2010, having previously played for Ajax, Celta Vigo and
Porto. But in a blistering parting shot after 15 years in Europe, McCarthy
blamed "European clubs [that] don't respect African players" for his
relatively low turnout – 79 appearances – for South Africa. He claimed that
"every club" he played for, with the exception of Ajax, "victimised and
intimidated" African players. "They get them for peanuts and sell them for
big bucks. And, when it comes to releasing you for the national team, they
give you problems," he said. "They don't give a rat's ass what happens to
you and your country. They say if you want to save your career, sign this
statement that says you want to concentrate on your club career."
McCarthy refused an offer of £1 million to leave West Ham at the start of
2011, eventually settling for the £1.5 million deal to forfeit the remaining
year and 10 weeks on his £38,000-a-week contract – which was worth nearly
£2.5 million. In his newspaper interview McCarthy insisted: "Money is not
everything." He said wealth had transformed his life after a childhood
"playing soccer on the streets" of Cape Town where, he admitted, he
"sometimes robbed people in the train". However, he added: "You can afford
luxury and the good life but, money don't buy you ---- happiness." McCarthy
signed for Johannesburg side Orlando Pirates last week and said he was
determined to improve his reputation. "I ain't going out a loser," he said.
"I have a point to prove. It's unfinished business."
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Official: Larissa sign former West Ham midfielder Luis Boa Morte
Aug 8, 2011 11:47:00 PM
By Luis Mira
Goal.com
Larissa have announced they have signed Portuguese midfielder Luis Boa Morte
on a free transfer. The Portugal international became a free player last
week after West Ham decided to terminate his contract, bringing an end to a
four-year association. Boa Morte, who has signed a two-year contract with
Larissa, took part in the club's training session on Monday morning already
and will be officially unveiled on Tuesday. The 34-year-old joins Larissa
together with Brazilian midfielder Cesinha, who arrives from Dinamo
Bucharest after four years in Romania. Boa Morte, who began his career
abroad in 1997 with Arsenal, had spells at Southampton and Fulham before
signing for West Ham in 2007.
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West Ham and Charlton postpone Carling Cup fixtures after rioting
Both London games called off at request of the police
West Ham v Aldershot and Charlton v Reading postponed
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 9 August 2011 00.14 BST
West Ham United and Charlton Athletic have postponed Carling Cup home
matches which were due to take place on Tuesday night on the request of
police after three days of rioting in London. The Hammers were set to host
Aldershot at Upton Park while Reading were scheduled to travel to Charlton.
However, both games have been called off, with the police needing to
concentrate their resources elsewhere. Crystal Palace are also set to play
Crawley at Selhurst Park on Tuesday. That may also be affected, given the
stadium is close to scenes of disorder in Croydon. England are due to play a
friendly international against Holland on Wednesday night at Wembley, a
match which may also be impacted by the trouble in the capital. West Ham's
game was the first to go, with the Championship side saying on their
website: "West Ham United have been asked by the police to postpone the
Carling Cup first-round tie with Aldershot Town tomorrow night. "The club
were contacted this evening and told that all major public events in London
were to be rearranged because of the need to focus police resources
elsewhere. Whilst neither the club or police anticipate any issues around
the game itself, the club has to comply with the police request. "No date
has yet been set for the rearranged match but the club will be in contact
with the Football League and Aldershot."
A statement from Aldershot read: "We understand many supporters will be
disappointed with this announcement but confirm that the matter is out of
the control of both West Ham United and Aldershot Town Football Club."
A statement on Charlton's website said: "Given the events in London, the
police have taken the sensible decision and postponed the match at The
Valley, with Greenwich Borough Police Commander Richard Wood advising the
Addicks at 10.55pm on Monday that the match should be called off on safety
grounds."
Charlton's chief executive, Stephen Kavanagh said: 'We've been monitoring
the situation as it's been developing all evening and have been in constant
contact with police. Clearly the most important factor is the people's
safety. The police have told us they believe the match should be postponed
on safety grounds and obviously we have taken that advice."
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London-born Ferdinand calls for Army to patrol riot-torn streets of the
capital
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 7:46 AM on 9th August 2011
Daily Mail
Peckham-raised England defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed shock at the
rioting which has escalated in London and spread to other cities. England's
friendly against Holland at Wembley On Wednesday could come under threat as
a result of the trouble, which had affected Peckham and many other districts
of the capital. Already Carling Cup matches at West Ham and Charlton have
been postponed, on the instructions of police. West Ham were due to play
Aldershot while Charlton were scheduled to face Reading. The England match
remained on and planning was continuing as normal. Events on the streets of
London have made it inevitable police will look closely at the fixture
though, given the resources which will be required for a match expected to
be attended by around 70,000 spectators. It is understood the Football
Association will leave any decision to the Metropolitan Police. Ferdinand,
32, was watching television pictures of the violent scenes on Monday night
which saw vehicles and property go up in flames and shops looted, and
suggested the Army should be brought in to quell the disorder. He wrote in
three consecutive messages on Twitter: 'The scenes on Sky news right now are
shocking..what is this all in aid of?? Innocent peoples [sic] homes +
livelihoods have gone up in smoke-why? 'It seems these kids/people have no
fear or respect for the police....maybe the army will get that respect??
'And I am not saying bring violence, I am saying the presence of the army
may make these kids/people think twice about continuing this??' Ferdinand's
England and Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney pleaded for the trouble
to stop. Rooney wrote on Twitter: 'These riots are nuts why would people do
this to there [sic] own country. Own city. This is embarrassing for our
country. Stop please.' Crystal Palace are scheduled to play Crawley at
Selhurst Park tonight. That may also be affected, given the stadium is close
to the scenes of the disorder in Croydon.
West Ham announced the postponement of their match against Aldershot in a
statement on their website. It said: 'The club were contacted this evening
and told that all major public events in London were to be rearranged
because of the need to focus police resources elsewhere. 'Whilst neither the
club or police anticipate any issues around the game itself, the club has to
comply with the police request. 'No date has yet been set for the rearranged
match but the club will be in contact with the Football League and
Aldershot.'
Charlton followed with confirmation their match against Reading would have
to be rescheduled. A statement on Charlton's website said: 'Given the events
in London, the police have taken the sensible decision and postponed the
match at The Valley, with Greenwich Borough Police Commander Richard Wood
advising the Addicks at 10.55pm on Monday that the match should be called
off on safety grounds.' Charlton chief executive Stephen Kavanagh said: 'The
police have told us they believe the match should be postponed on safety
grounds and obviously we have taken that advice.'
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