WHUFC.com
West Ham United Chaplain Rev Alan Bolding with a thought for the festive
season
25.12.2011
"I'd like to tell you a story about a Bishop who moved to new area and who
thought it would be a good idea to visit all the local factories to see what
was going on.
"One day, he visited a chicken pie factory, where he was taken on a tour of
the facility by the staff. He was really impressed by the process of
manufacturing a chicken pie. "What impressed him was that every person knew
exactly what they were doing and why they were doing it, but they didn't
know the stages before or after their step in the process. "There was one
man, the managing director, who knew every process in minute detail, except
one thing - he didn't know what it was like to be a chicken. "God created
everything - the world, human beings and other animals - but he didn't know
what it felt like to be a human being. "So, He came into the world on that
first Christmas as baby Jesus to experience what it was like to suffer, to
feel happiness, pain, joy and disappointments. "I would like you to remember
that a lot of people are suffering at the moment, both physically or due to
the recession. We're told it's going to get worse, so it's nice to know that
God has experienced these feelings and that when we suffer, He knows what
we're going through. "I always find that reassuring because life is not
always happy for any of us. In our moments of pain and suffering, I know we
are not alone. He is with us, sharing those feelings, and I hope this brings
some relief to you if you are suffering. "I would like to close by wishing
you all a happy Christmas and a really good New Year.
"God bless you all and Come on you Irons!"
Rev Alan Bolding
West Ham United Chaplain
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The Rev's Christmas message
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th December 2011
By: Staff Writer
Former Club Chaplain of West Ham United FC and now Archdeacon of West Ham,
Elwin Cockett returns to share his annual Christmas message with the readers
of Knees up Mother Brown...
...or the 'ex-Rev', to be more precise. Because, dear KUMB readers, I've
hung up my boots after nearly two decades as Club Chaplain at West Ham
United – not, I hasten to add, for any bad reasons, but simply because I'm
too busy in my 'day job' in the C-of-E as Archdeacon of West Ham to give the
role the attention it deserves, and because my friend and colleague Alan
Bolding is doing a great job in my place.
I remember the day I first walked through the gates of the training ground
at Chadwell Heath back in 1992, to be greeted by the wonderful Eddie Gillam,
one of the unsung heroes at this club. It was transfer deadline day and
Billy Bonds was busy signing Clive Allen, so Shirley-the-cook plied me with
tea and Eddie introduced me to all and sundry.
There were some great people among them - Tony Gale, Alvin Martin and Ludo,
along with the likes of Ronnie Boyce and Jimmy Neighbour in the offices, all
members of what felt like a real family club. Then there was Tom Finn, once
the youngest club secretary in the league, and one of the finest people in
football. He was a real loss to West Ham United, it has always seemed to me.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since those days. I had the
privilege of being there for some great moments at West Ham as well as
sharing in some deeply sad and personal times for individuals and for the
club. Inevitably, at Christmas, it is 'absent friends' who come to mind,
like Ian Jackson, the groundsman whose death shook everyone at Chadwell
Heath, Frank Lampard Senior's wife, Pat, and numerous others who were part
of the club in one way or another, not forgetting the great Bobby Moore.
At this time last year, we were already staring relegation in the face,
fearing the worst. And yet, it wasn't the end of the world, was it? Given
all the other bad news that 2011 brought us, a season spent vying for
promotion and – dare I say it – winning a few games in the process doesn't
seem such a hardship. We've even learned to love Sam Allardyce, who would
hardly have been on the average Irons fan's Christmas card list a year ago,
but who seems to be doing things the West Ham way and giving us plenty to
cheer.
And so, it's Christmas. And apart from too much turkey and a trip to
Birmingham for some, what does it mean? I guess that, whether you're a
believer or not, it's a time for showing some love and compassion to the
people around us. For forgiving each other's failures and looking forward
with hope and optimism to a new year. And for recognising that people matter
more than things, even things like football.
So, friends, whether you're remembering absent friends or enjoying being
with new ones, whether you're heading up to Birmingham on Boxing Day or just
chilling out with your kids, remember that you're part of a world-wide West
Ham family this Christmas. And, as that great Irons fan*, Jerry Springer,
puts it, 'take care of yourselves and each other.'
Elwin 'the Rev'
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Brady: no to ground share
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th December 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United vice chair Karren Brady has insists that West Ham United
will not consider ground sharing with a rugby team. Last week, Olympic Park
Legacy Company Chief Executive Andrew Altman admitted that his organisation
were looking into the possibility of combining several sports - including
football and rugby - when naming a tenant/tenants for the Olympic Stadium
post next summer's games. However that suggestion has been unequivocally
dismissed by Brady, who insists that it is unworkable due to
freshly-introduced Premier League rules. "Any prospective tenants who wish
to express an interest in using the Olympic stadium have been told they must
do so by March next year," Brady said via her column for the Sun. "London's
rugby teams can also bid for its use. While all of us at West Ham would be
happy to share with athletics at the Olympic stadium, there is no way we
would go into a ground-sharing agreement with a rugby club. It is a complete
non-starter for us. "Impossible, actually, as soon it will be a breach of
Premier League rules to share your ground with rugby."
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Big Sam targets 25
Hammers boss draws up extensive shopping list
Last Updated: December 24, 2011 9:43am
SSN
West Ham co-owner David Gold says manager Sam Allardyce has identified 25
players he would like to sign in January. The Hammers are currently battling
for promotion back to the Premier League and Allardyce is keen to reinforce
his squad. The club are a point behind Championship leaders Southamptonand
two points clear of third-placed Middlesbrough. Allardyce does not want to
rest on his laurels and has already submitted his New Year shopping list to
the club's co-owners.
"I understand that Sam has identified 25 targets," Gold told Sky Sports
News. "Just the 25," he smiled. "What Sam is saying is 'these are the kinds
of players that I monitor all the time'. "He watches them all the time. When
I say watches, these are the players he likes. "If the opportunity arises
then he'll come to us and say look 'I'd like to add this player to our
squad'. "Or he might come to us and say look 'We're having problems in this
area, we need to strengthen'. "Then he'd come to us and say 'This is the
player I'd like to bring in to solve to that problem'. "To help to achieve
what we all want, whether it be David Sullivan, myself, the players, the
fans, Sam himself, we all want promotion."
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Doncaster aim to keep trio
Saunders looking to secure defenders for the rest of the season
Last Updated: December 24, 2011 3:22pm
SSN
Doncaster Rovers manager Dean Saunders is hoping to agree deals to keep
defensive trio Habib Beye, Pascal Chimbonda and Herita Ilunga at the club
until the end of the season. Beye joined Rovers on a three-month loan from
Aston Villa in November, while Ilunga is on a similar arrangement from West
Ham United having arrived at the Keepmoat Stadium in October. Experienced
full-back Chimbonda, meanwhile, is on a short-term contract, but has
recently been sidelined by a hip injury. Saunders completed deals for Damien
Plessis, Habib Bamogo and Mamadou Bagayoko on Friday, in addition to
persuading El Hadji Diouf to agree an extension. The Rovers boss is now
turning his attention to his squad's defence and is optimistic he can hang
on to the experience of Beye, Chimbonda and Ilunga.
"I'm hoping to tie up deals with those defenders," said Saunders. "If we are
capable of that then we know where we are at until the end of the season."
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A Happy Hammers Christmas
December 25th, 2011 - 10:13 am by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
A very happy Christmas to all WHTID readers. May you get all the presents
you want, especially a win tomorrow at St Andrews! And if you have nothing
better to do this afternoon, do listen to me on LBC 97.3 (you can get the
programme on DAB and the internet at LBC.co.ukas well as on FM in London) –
I'm doing the 3pm-7pm programme. No politics today, but I am sure I will
sneak a West Ham mention in somewhere along the way. I wonder how many of
you were given my book for Christmas. Quite a few, I imagine. Well it will
give you something to read while your family gorge themselves on the
Christmas Downton Abbey.
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Would We Really Want Zamora Back?
December 24th, 2011 - 7:13 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
The Daily Mail has a story today that we are looking to buy back Bobby
Zamora from Fulham. Apparently he has fallen out with Martin Jol. I'd be all
in favour of this providing we would only have to pay £2-3 million. But it
seems Fulham want £8 million, which is a joke. Bear in mind we only got £5
million for Scott Parker. IIf we pay anywhere near £8 million we'd be mad. I
like Zamora, and in the Championship he'd be a really good signing. But I
remain to be convinced that he would be an asset to us if we get promoted.
Wouldn't we be better to concentrate on younger talent? Surely we have our
ration of older strikers with Piquionne and Carew?
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Spector raring for tilt at West Ham
Published 20:49 25/12/11 By James Nursey
The Mirror
Jonathan Spector has West Ham in his sights today and admits he just loves
gunning down his old clubs. The versatile American star, 25, left the
Hammers on a free transfer in the summer after new boss Sam Allardyce did
not renew his contract. The former Manchester United trainee lines up
against his past employers today for new side Birmingham. Spector has a
reputation for downing old clubs after netting twice in the Hammers' famous
4-0 Carling Cup win over Manchester United last term. And he is keen to show
Big Sam what the Irons are missing in the battle of the two clubs relegated
to the Championship. He said: "Scoring twice against United was a highlight
for me. "It was against a former club. It meant a lot and it was great to
get those goals. "We were hoping that win would kick-start our season, which
unfortunately didn't happen for us. "I enjoyed my time at West Ham. They are
a good club and supporters, but I am proud to be a Birmingham City player.
"I wish West Ham well, but not at our expense."
Spector joined the Hammers in June 2006 from Charlton and made over 100
appearances for the east London club. He was often used as a defender, but
insists his favourite position is in the centre of the park, where Blues
boss Chris Hughton has played him in the League. And the USA ace insists
leaving Upton Park for St Andrew's has worked out well under the
ex-Newcastle chief, who is eyeing a play-off spot. Spector added: "There was
negotiating back and forth in the summer when West Ham didn't have a
manager. "Eventually the decision was made for me to move on after Sam
Allardyce took over. "But I am proud to say that we parted amicably to start
afresh. And Birmingham City gave me that opportunity. "I prefer playing in
midfield and it is one of the reasons I decided to come to Birmingham City.
"That is where I have played the majority of the games, except in the Europa
League where I have played right-back. "Playing in midfield was a big
attraction for me to join the club. "And so was the experience the manager
has had of getting teams promoted, as we want to be back in the Premier
League."
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Big Sam will thrive on promotion pressure, says Chris Hughton
Published 12:50 24/12/11 By James Nursey
The Mirror
Chris Hughton reckons Sam Allardyce thrives on pressure after he publicly
admitted he must take West Ham straight back up. Hughton is preparing his
Birmingham side for Boxing Day's home game with the high-flying Hammers in a
clash of two relegated clubs. Second-placed West Ham are already looking
likely to bounce back to the top-flight immediately. And Hughton is not
surprised after Allardyce insisted when he arrived in June that only taking
West Ham back up this term would be a success. Brum boss Hughton said: "I
know Sam quite well. "There is no doubt he is a top class manager. "He has
been involved in the game and has a lot of experience. "I think that
experience shows. "He is quite happy at this moment to take on the
responsibility of being with a team that expects to go up. "He is quite
happy accepting that. "Most of us managers try and keep things quite level
and play things down. "But Sam is quite accepting that anything short of
getting promotion is not a good season for them."
Cash-strapped Birmingham face losing more players in January as Newcastle
want Liam Ridgewell, Wigan like Jean Beausejour and Man City fancy teenage
winger Nathan Redmond. But Hughton has vowed not to quit and is eying a
play-off spot. He said: "We need to push on in this second half of the
season. "We need to start picking up points. We have been disappointing on
the road of late." *Hughton was speaking at Birmingham Children's Hospital
as part of 'Blues Give A Gift' campaign.
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