WHUFC.com
Herita Ilunga has left West Ham United by mutual agreement after three years
at the club
West Ham United have mutually agreed with Herita Ilunga to terminate his
contract with immediate effect. The defender moved to the Boleyn Ground on
an initial season-long loan move on 3 September 2008, before making the
switch permanent in the summer of 2009 for a fee of £3m. He made 73
appearances for the club in total, scoring three goals. The club would like
to thank Herita for his service and wish him well for the future.
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Big Sam loving life
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce has spoken about how and his players have settled in to life
at West Ham United
27.01.2012
Big Sam is understandably pleased about how well his first seven months in
the job as West Ham United manger have gone. With his side sitting top of
the npower Championship for the first time this season and a three-point gap
to second-placed Southampton ahead of the visit to Ipswich Town on Tuesday,
fortunes on the pitch are certainly looking good. It is not just the results
and the league table that are pleasing the boss, however, as he feels his
team have been exceptional in the way they have developed a strong bond away
from the Boleyn Ground this season.
"As I have got to know the players and build the club within the football
fraternity, they have got more focused and ever more driven," Big Sam said.
"I think the team spirit among the players has got better. "They seem to be
more united among themselves and that makes my job a little bit more
enjoyable every time I come in."
Taking over a club with a following as big as West Ham's is no easy task,
particularly as the Hammers had just completed a difficult season that ended
in relegation from the Barclays Premier League. After dusting down and
regrouping, Big Sam has instilled a steely determination in his squad to
ensure that they are focused on just one thing - promotion back to the top
tier. "The pressures are no easier than I expected. The fact we are expected
to do what we are doing and be where we are, there is no real praise coming
from outside because that is what we are expected to be doing. "We are
working very hard for the ultimate goal and it is just a case of looking,
listening and making sure everyone stays focused"
The first few weeks in his new role were certainly not plain sailing for Big
Sam as he had to oversee a huge turnaround in playing staff. Several
high-profile players chose to leave the club following relegation to the
npower Championship and their places in the dressing room had to be filled
with new blood. "The start of the season was extremely difficult, the start
of the job was extremely difficult but doing everything as quickly as we
possibly could to get the squad together meant that we were able to get
results quicker than perhaps might have been expected from me. The players
have bonded very well and have grown as the season has gone on."
Due to the location of his new employers, Big Sam has had to quickly adjust
to life living in the capital.but just like his players this season, he has
taken to his new surroundings well. "I am really enjoying life in London so
far. One it is because I'm managing West Ham, two because we are winning and
three because I like where I live.'
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U18s ready for Arsenal test
WHUFC.com
West Ham United welcome the Gunners to Little Heath in their latest FA
Premier Academy League fixture
27.01.2012
West Ham United welcome Arsenal to Little Heath in their latest FA Premier
Academy League fixture on Saturday, with kick-off at 11am. The Hammers will
be eager to return to winning ways after seeing their perfect start to 2012
ended by a 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend. Nick Haycock's side
had begun the New Year by chalking up three consecutive wins, scoring league
victories at Chelsea (3-2) and at home to Norwich City (6-1) and an FA Youth
Cup fourth-round success against Brighton and Hove Albion (4-1) at the
Boleyn Ground. The Under-18s will be eager to shine with an FA Youth Cup
fifth-round trip to Chelsea to look forward to on Wednesday 15 February and
Haycock is expecting a big performance from his players. "The mood in the
camp is good," he said. "We play Arsenal on Saturday, Southampton the week
after and then it's Chelsea in the Youth Cup so there' s a lot to play for.
We're always looking for improved, consistent performances from the lads
that make the starting XI. It'll be a tough game against Arsenal, who are in
a good vein of form and are unbeaten this year. With the money they invest
they have they are always a strong side to face."
While the likes of Dan Potts and Rob Hall will miss the game to prepare for
Tuesday's npower Championship fixture at Ipswich Town, Haycock still has a
host of promising players to call upon this weekend. Among those to have
caught the eye in recent weeks has been Pelly Ruddock - a powerful presence
in the heart of the midfield. Haycock has been pleased with the impact made
by the teenager since his arrival from non-league football late last year.
While Ruddock has impressed, the U18s coach expects every one of his players
to perform against the Gunners. "Pelly Ruddock has been brought in from
Boreham Wood. The attitude and desire he has shown in the game so far have
been testament to Boreham Wood and the level that he's come from. We've had
him in and around the development squad with Ian Hendon and when he's
performed for the youth team he's always been one of the strongest
performers in there. "But without bringing out individuals, aside from a
poor first half against Crystal Palace the games since the new year, the
consistency of the players has been pleasing, hence the results and we're
pleased with Dan Potts and Rob Hall's progress in and around the first
team."
Saturday's fixture will kick-off at Little Heath at 11am. Admission and
parking are both free.
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Positive Guy
WHUFC.com
Guy Demel wants to make up for lost time after making his comeback from six
weeks on the sidelines
27.01.2012
Guy Demel has set his sights on making a first-team comeback after returning
to action in Tuesday's 1-1 Development Squad draw with Gillingham. The Ivory
Coast right-back looked strong and fit on his return from six weeks out with
a thigh injury suffered in the npower Championship defeat at Reading on 10
December. Having successfully come through a 45-minute run out at the Boleyn
Ground, the 30-year-old is targeting a place in Sam Allardyce's starting XI
before too long. "Of course it's a pleasure to be back and to play with the
boys in a friendly game and to be on the pitch," he told West Ham TV. I'm a
football player and my place is on the field, so of course I am happy to
enjoy football again and I hope it will be for quite long now. "It was good.
My team-mates helped me, but I got a good feeling and a good sensation. We
have our next game on Saturday, a friendly game, and I hope I will play
longer then. We will move forward step-by-step and keep going and hopefully
start playing for the first team. "It's hard for me but it's even worse for
the manager who just brought me here and needs every player and I couldn't
play my part. I know the situation for me and the rest of the team and the
manager and that's why I hope I will be back soon."
An added incentive to get fully fit for Demel is the opportunity to play his
part in winning promotion in his first season with the Hammers. While the
No20 has made just two appearances so far, he still believes he can get
involved in the club's quest to win the npower Championship title. "I think
this season could be something amazing and something historic - to be
promoted at the end of the season. I want to be a part of that. The boys are
really nice to me, but if you don't play you don't feel it. I have to help
my team-mates and be next to them. My place is on the field. "I don't want
to rush. I think I need these friendly games for my condition and also for
my body. When you get injured often in the same season you start to think
about it. These games are really important for me. I hope I will start
playing with the team in two weeks' time."
Demel's thigh injury ruled him out of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which
is currently being contested by the continent's 16 best teams in Equatorial
Guinea and Gabon. Ivory Coast made a winning start by defeating Sudan 1-0 on
Sunday and the right-back is backing his fellow countrymen to win the trophy
for the second time in their history. "I watched the match of course and I'm
really happy for them. I'm speaking to them every day but I think, right
now, my place is here in West Ham.
"I hope that we're going to win that competition and, if I'm doing well
here, I will be back in the national team so I'm not worried about that."
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Player Awards launched
WHUFC.com
The 2011/12 West Ham United Player Awards have been officially launched
26.01.2012
The star-studded 2011/12 West Ham United Player Awards in aid of the Academy
have been officially launched. The Hammer of the Year will be crowned to
climax an eagerly-anticipated evening of entertainment at the London Hilton
on Park Lane on Monday 30 April 2012. The prestigious event, which will see
ten awards presented to the club's brightest current and upcoming stars,
will be attended by the first-team squad, coaching staff and a host of
on-screen stars. Hosted by lifelong West Ham fan Ben Shephard and with 1000
guests in attendance, the event presents the perfect opportunity to
entertain in style and showcase your company. Tables for ten are available
from just £2,500 plus VAT or individual places are available for £275 plus
VAT per person. Click here for more information. In addition to a silent
auction, there will also be a live auction in aid of The Academy, with a
host of once-in-a-lifetime lots up for grabs. Guests can bid for a place in
the 2012/13 team photograph, the chance to be Chairman for the Day or
Assistant Manager for the Day or have a kick-around with your friends on the
Boleyn Ground pitch.
There is also opportunity to visit the Macron HQ in Italy and become the
first supporter to wear the 2012/13 replica kit or to play a round of golf
with Joint Chairman David Gold. If you or your company would like to go that
extra mile and sponsor one of the nine awards being presented on the night,
then a number of opportunities are still available. If you would like to
present the award for the Academy Player of the Year, Goal of the Season,
Best Team Performance, Save of the Season or the Signing of the Season, then
sponsorship is still available for as little as £5,000 plus VAT. More
exclusive silent auction lots are set to be announced between now and the
big night, so book your table now and make sure you and your guests do not
miss out on attending one of the events of the year.
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Julien feeling good
WHUFC.com
Julien Faubert is enjoying a successful season at the Boleyn Ground
28.01.2012
Julien Faubert has been through his fair share of ups and downs since
arriving at West Ham United, but he now he firmly believes that both he and
the club are in the ascent once more. Faubert's has experienced a top-ten
finish in the Premier League, a long-term injury lay off, a loan move to
Real Madrid and relegation to the npower Championship during his five years
at the club since arriving from FC Girondins de Bordeaux. Now the France
international is happy to be playing and having some consistency both on the
pitch and off it under the tutorship of Sam Allardyce. "I'm happy and my
confidence is coming back as I'm playing a lot of games," Faubert said. "I
like the manager, the assistants and the atmosphere inside the club now. It
is different now and is better than last season. "There is more respect,
more work and that is why things are going well. We are all pulling in the
same way and I feel very good this season."
With West Ham having no game this weekend, the break from playing gives
Faubert and his team-mates the chance to put in extra preparation ahead of
the tricky-looking trip to Ipswich Town on Tuesday night. The Hammers will
be hoping to further cement their position at the top of the table with a
win, although Faubert knows that being on top of the pile may bring its own
challenges. "We are top of the table and we are winning games. We don't
score too many goals but I think we are solid at the back. Southampton have
made a mistake and now we are first on our own. It is in our hands now if we
keep going like this; winning games away and being strong at home.
"We're pleased we're up there. Even from the start of the season everyone
wanted to beat us because we came from the Premier League and have Premier
League players. "Every game the other team seem to play the game of their
lives against us but really it is just about us. We can have pressure but we
are professional and we have to deal with it. It is good for us and good for
the club but it is not the end of the season so we can't celebrate anything
and we need to keep working hard."
The right-sided midfielder, who is also equally as comfortable at
right-back, has played in 24 of West Ham's 27 Championship games this season
and is flourishing under Big Sam. After not featuring as much last season,
Faubert is a big fan of the new mangers' straight-talking approach.
"It's different because I played one full season with Zola that was good but
this is one of my best. I play right-midfield or right-back but I don't mind
as I can play both positions. I'm happy to play because the atmosphere is
really good and the way we play is proper football so it is one of my best
seasons. "I am happy here now so it is different to last season and my
mentality is different because I think I had a good talk with the manger. He
is a straight-talking guy and so am I and we talked man-to-man so it is
good."
Faubert's determination and effort have won him many admirers among the
Boleyn crowd this season - any strong tackle or darting run is often greeted
by a chorus of 'Julien' - and Faubert was quick to praise the support of the
Hammers faithful. "It is good for me to have the fans' backing because I
play for myself but also for the fans as well because they are part of the
club. We have to give our best for them as they have paid for their ticket.
We are in the Championship now but they have stayed with us and are behind
us and push us on. "Sometimes I hear them singing my name but you can't do
anything about it on the pitch. It helps me to go forward, push and win the
battle. It is good for my confidence."
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A poem for Dylan
WHUFC.com
Poet Gary Steer has written a poem wishing Dylan Tombides well
28.01.2012
West Ham United fan and poet Gary Steer has written a poem to wish Academy
striker Dylan Tombides well as battles back from serious illness. Gary spent
time in hospital when he was younger and knows what a tough experience it
can be so he felt compelled to write this poem to show that he, like
everyone else at the club, is right behind the 17-year-old, who is having
treatment for testicular cancer. Dylan, who is currently recovering is
hospital after surgery to remove his Lymph nodes from his abdomen, recently
thanked West Ham United fans for their support after receiving over 400
messages from fans wishing him well. The first-team squad also showed that
they were thinking of Dylan at last Saturday's match with Nottingham Forest
by wearing special T-shirts during the warm up Captain Kevin Nolan said:
"We all want to show our support for Dylan - he and his family are going
through what must be a difficult time, but he is a strong lad and character
and we know that he can get through all of this."
Get well soon Dylan by Gary Steer
Everyone's behind you
Everyone in sport
Wishing you well
You have so much support
Our family club
Will help you through
So you're ready to return
To claret and blue
You will recover
Although it may hurt
We know you'll be back
in your Hammers shirt
We look forward to your return,
Hopefully not too long
Get well soon mate
Stay strong!
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So long, Herita
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
Herita Ilunga has left West Ham United 'by mutual consent'. The Congolese
left-back, who joined West Ham at the beginning of the 2008/09 has been
released by the club having made a total of 73 appearances for the club.
KUMB.com exclusively revealed last September how Sam Allardyce was keen to
offload the inconsistent defender who was initially signed on a season-long
loan from French club Toulouse before signing a permanent contract the
following summer. Wishing Hammers fans well for the future, Ilunga -
speaking via his Twitter account - said: "Just to say thanks to all West Ham
fans, you've been so great with me. "We'll support the Hammers together in
the Premier League next year." Ilunga - who was contracted to West Ham until
the summer of 2013 - spent three months on loan at Championship strugglers
Doncaster Rovers earlier this season before returning to West Ham at the
beginning of this month.
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Fill her up
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th January 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's average home gate is the eleventh largest in the country
so far this season, according to latest figures. Despite playing in the
nation's second flight this term having been relegated last year, Sam
Allardyce's side have managed to pack more supporters into the Boleyn Ground
on a weekly basis - some 30,029 - than half of the clubs in the Premier
League. Additionally, the Hammers have the highest average attendance in the
nPower Championship - some 4,000 more than their nearest rivals Derby County
- and the highest average fill rate (84.2%); the 14th highest in the
country.
All figures include the latest round of fixtures (to 25th January):
Overall - top twenty average gates
(Premier League unless otherwise stated)
1. Manchester Utd 75,451
2. Arsenal 59,972
3. Newcastle Utd 48,957
4. Manchester City 47,050
5. Liverpool 44,842
6. Chelsea 41,638
7. Sunderland 38,655
8. Tottenham 36,088
9. Aston Villa 34,396
10. Everton 33,321
11. West Ham Utd (Ch) 30,029
12. Stoke City 27,189
13. Norwich 26,441
14. Derby County (Ch) 25,989
15. Southampton (Ch) 25,734
16. Fulham 25,349
17. West Bromwich Albion 24,583
18. Leeds Utd (Ch) 23,665
19. Leicester City (Ch) 23,513
20. Bolton Wanderers 23,464
Championship - top five average gates
1. West Ham Utd 30,029
2. Derby County 25,989
3. Southampton 25,734
4. Leeds Utd 23,665
5. Leicester City 23,513
Championship - top five fill rate
1. West Ham Utd 84.2%
2. Brighton & Hove Albion 83.7%
3. Cardiff City 82.9%
4. Southampton 78.9%
5. Blackpool 77.5%
Premier League - top five average gates
1. Manchester Utd 75,451
2. Arsenal 59,972
3. Newcastle Utd 48,957
4. Manchester City 47,050
5. Liverpool 44,842
Premier League - top five fill rate
1. Norwich City 100%
2. Manchester Utd 99.5%
3. Tottenham 99.3%
4. Arsenal 99.2%
5. Chelsea 99.0%
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Jelavic sits out Hibs clash
In-demand Gers striker misses weekend fixture
Last Updated: January 27, 2012 4:05pm
SSN
Rangers manager Ally McCoist has confirmed star striker Nikica Jelavic will
miss Saturday's SPL clash with Hibernian. Jelavic, who has been the subject
of intense transfer speculation during the transfer window, is missing due
to illness. West Ham had a bid rejected for the Croatian ace this week and
McCoist insists his absence has nothing to do with a possible exit. The
Ibrox tactician insists it is factually correct Jelavic has been checked out
by a doctor and will play no part due to reasons stated.
Illness
"I just spoke to the doctor and he won't be available (against Hibs),"
confirmed McCoist. "He has a bug, a bit of sickness. The doctor went to see
him on Wednesday and he wasn't well, and went to see him again this morning.
"I believe the family has had it as well and one or two of our younger
players went down with it. "He won't play for that reason." On speculation
over Jelavic's future, McCoist added: "I believe there was a bid from West
Ham on Wednesday that was rejected. "But I can absolutely assure you that
the doctor has been to see him and he is not well enough to play and that's
a fact."
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Karren Brady's football diary
KARREN BRADY - First lady of football
Published: Today
The Sun
SAT JAN 21
WHAT a day! West Ham went top thanks to another home win and our manager Sam
Allardyce must take a lot of the credit, along with the players of course.
Sam has brought a real sense of determination and organisation to the club.
All the players know what their jobs are and all of them are doing it, even
though Sam is always striving for better. James Tomkins has signed a new
long-term deal, although you wouldn't know it according to some papers who
said he was leaving. He is a talented and loyal young man and I'm delighted.
SUN JAN 22
NOT so Super Mario Balotelli decided to use Scott Parker's head as practice
for his new job as a grape treader. OK, maybe not, but you know what I mean.
What exactly was bonkers Balotelli up to this time? And is this why they
call it Madchester? Scott Parker is a fine footballer and a terrific person.
His tackle at the Etihad was perfectly fair and then Balotelli reacted like
an idiot. Mind you, anyone who lets off fireworks in his own house for fun
must be short of a roman candle or two. I feel a lengthy ban is coming.
MON JAN 23
FOOTBALL and football fans never cease to amaze me. Southampton lost at home
in a shock result against Leicester City and got booed off the pitch. This
is the same Saints side who are second in the league and just went on a
lengthy unbeaten run, er, at home. I know fans have to pay a lot more for
watching their favourite team these days but there are two sides on the
pitch both wanting to beat each other and you cannot win every game.
Southampton have enjoyed a remarkable season so far with automatic promotion
a real possibility and yet by the reaction of some of their supporters
following that defeat, you wouldn't know it.
TUES JAN 24
CARDIFF CITY have made the Carling Cup final following a pulsating penalty
shootout triumph over Crystal Palace I know the League Cup has got its
detractors, especially when top Premier League sides put out their reserves,
but the reaction of the Bluebirds fans and players said it all. The Cardiff
keeper would have given Usain Bolt a run for his money after the final
penalty as he ran around the stadium like Forrest Gump at full pelt. That
kind of passion is exactly what you want to see and I am sure all Cardiff
fans are already checking out the train times for Wembley.
WED JAN 25
AT the National TV Awards tonight with Nick Hewer as The Apprentice was
nominated in the category of best reality programme. The walk down the red
carpet took nearly an hour as I was stopped to be asked an array of
different questions. Are you pulling out of bidding for the Olympic Stadium?
Do I prefer EastEnders or Corrie? Who is going to win the league? What's
your best beauty secret? Spotted Thierry Henry looking slightly
uncomfortable. Sadly we lost out to I'm a Celebrity, Get me out of here! Oh
well, at least we weren't beaten by Come Dine With Me!
THURS JAN 26
BACK to the day job and the transfer market has been pretty stagnant this
January. Trust me, here at Upton Park, it's not for trying. We have made
several offers for players but the valuations have been way too high. I
think the new financial fair play system which comes into effect next season
has a lot to do with what is going on now. It is designed to stop clubs
going horrendously into debt and I can understand that logic. But if a
multi-millionaire chicken farmer or wealthy banker wants to plough their
money into a football club, who is to stop them?
FRI JAN 27
REFS' chief Mike Riley is set to impose a get-tough policy on two-footed
challenges with players handed an instant red card if they commit such a
foul. There have been several instances lately of players diving in with two
feet and not even getting booked, with the usual defence that contact had
been made first with the ball.
Anything which helps to protect players from serious injury must be welcomed
but refs should not be pilloried if they simply don't see an incident — like
Howard Webb in the Mario Balotelli incident.
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EXCLUSIVE: Allardyce on the Rhodes again
Published 22:29 26/01/12 By Alan Nixon
The Mirror
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce made a new £3.25million bid for Huddersfield
hot-shot Jordan Rhodes as his striker search went frantic. Allardyce went in
again for Rhodes, the country's top marksman, after failing in an attempt to
land Nikica Jelavic from Rangers. Rhodes has been on the Hammers' radar for
weeks and this latest offer is the biggest guaranteed amount the
Championship promotion chasers have tabled after other installment-based
deals. Allardyce is getting desperate after Rangers said 'no' to a £5.5m
swap offer for Jelavic that included out-of-favour Frederic Piquionne.
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Ernie Gregory: Footballer who served West Ham for half a century
IVAN PONTING SATURDAY 28 JANUARY 2012
Latest in Obituaries
The Independent
There can hardly be any footballer, from any era, who gave more loyal
service to one club than did Ernie Gregory to West Ham United. As a big,
dominant, charismatic goalkeeper he was a linchpin of the Upton Park side
for a dozen seasons in the middle years of the 20th century, a reassuring
and often inspirational influence as the Hammers won the Second Division
title in 1958.
Later he served West Ham as a coach, offering sage guidance to fine keepers
such as Phil Parkes and Mervyn Day, and even after his 1987 retirement
brought an end to his remarkable 51-year official tenure at the club, he was
a regular visitor at the Chadwell Heath training ground, keeping an eye on
the new generation of young keepers and delivering typically shrewd scouting
assessments.
Though necessarily athletic, Gregory wasn't an overtly spectacular
performer; rather he specialised in canny positioning and safe, unshowy
handling. He was unfailingly courageous, too, in an era when referees
offered goalkeepers scant protection from fearsomely brawny centre-forwards,
the likes of Trevor Ford, Derek Dooley and Nat Lofthouse, who seemed to
bounce off him like lightweights when they encountered his muscular frame.
As a boy Gregory was a promising boxer, and on the football field he was a
defender, but one day his goalkeeper brother Bob broke his leg and Ernie
took his place between the sticks. Thereafter he progressed to the West Ham
Boys side, for whom he was playing in the English Schools Trophy final in
1936 when he was spotted by the Hammers manager Charlie Paynter.
He was approached, too, by Arsenal and Sunderland, but he was an east
Londoner to his boots and never contemplated joining anyone but West Ham,
which he did that year. While still unpaid he helped local amateurs
Leytonstone to win the Isthmian League title in 1938, then turned
professional with the Hammers in 1939.
Aged only 18 at the outbreak of the Second World War, Gregory served in the
Essex Regiment, also finding time to make half a century of appearances for
the Hammers in unofficial emergency competition. Having lost the first half
of his twenties to the conflict, he made his senior debut in a 4-1 Second
Division victory over Plymouth Argyle in December 1946, and by season's end
he was the club's first-choice goalkeeper, a position he retained, injuries
permitting, until 1959.
For much of that period West Ham, managed from 1950 onwards byTed Fenton,
were a moderate Second Division side, despite the presencein their rearguard
of such luminaries as Malcolm Allison, Noel Cantwelland John Bond, and they
owedplenty to Gregory's heroics for keeping them buoyant.
There was no shortage of observers, especially in the East End, who
maintained that he should be rewardedby full caps. But he was unable to oust
such formidable rivals as Manchester City's Frank Swift, Bert Williamsof
Wolves and the Birmingham City man Gil Merrick, though he was granted one
outing for England 'B', against France in 1952.
In 1957-58, during which he entered his 37th year, Gregory was still at the
top of his game as the Hammers lifted their divisional title, and he
remained a major force as Fenton's side performed wonders by finishing sixth
in the First Division. However, that spring he lost his place to the
talented young Irishman Noel Dwyer and he made the last of his 406 senior
appearances in a 2-1 home defeat by Leeds United in September 1959.
At that point, extraordinarily, Gregory was less than halfway through his
tenure with the Hammers, whom he served as a coach for the next 28 years,
through the managerial regimes of Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, helping with
the development of, for example, the club's trio of World Cup heroes, Bobby
Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters. He offered experience, continuity and
wisdom to wave after wave of Upton Park hopefuls, while setting a peerless
example of integrity and simple dignity – and, frequently, entertaining them
with his infectious brand of humour. He was summed up admirably by one of
his star pupils, the England goalkeeper Phil Parkes, who described his
mentor as the greatest servant West Ham have ever had.
Ernest Gregory, footballer and coach: born Stratford, London 10 November
1921; played for West Ham United 1946-60; married (wife deceased, and one
daughter, deceased); died 21 January 2012.
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West Ham suffer transfer setback
London 24
Friday, January 27, 2012
2:08 PM
Rangers manager Ally McCoist has revealed that the club have rejected an
offer from West Ham for star striker Nikica Jelavic. The Croatian has also
been linked with a move to Fulham, QPR and Liverpool but there have been no
formal offers other than the Hammers. "I believe there was a bid from West
Ham on Wednesday that was rejected," McCoist said. "I'm not sure confident
is the word because you never know what can happen but obviously I'm very
hopeful that he'll still be a Rangers player at 11 o'clock on Tuesday."
Jelavic has made 45 league appearances for Rangers, since joining from Rapid
Vienna in 2010, scoring 30 goals.
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ERNIE GREGORY
Leaguemanagersassociation.com
Ernie Gregory, who has died aged 90, was the goalkeeper for West Ham United
in the 1940s and 1950s and later served on the coaching staff; his
professional association with the club lasted for more than 50 years.
A Cockney born and bred, Gregory was a tall, rugged figure well capable of
withstanding the robust challenges to which goalkeepers were subjected in
the days before the laws of the game became more discriminating.
In his book West Ham United: The Making of a Football Club (1986), Charles
Korr remarks: "[Gregory] gave the impression of solid imperturbability,
although anyone standing close enough to the West Ham goal might have heard
some rather colourful language."
Ernest Gregory was born on November 10 1921 in Stratford, east London, and
as boy earned a reputation among his peers as a formidable streetfighter.
His career in football was sealed when West Ham's manager, Charlie Paynter,
saw him in goal for West Ham Boys against Preston in the final of the
English Boys' Trophy at Upton Park.
Paynter went to the boy's home, where Ernie's mother told the manager that
her son would soon be leaving school and would have to get a job — so he
would not be playing much football in future. Paynter assured her that, as a
member of West Ham's ground staff, her son would be earning a wage. The
Gregorys' neighbours were delighted by the news and clubbed together to buy
the boy a pair of shin pads.
Having joined West Ham in 1936, Gregory was briefly loaned to the east
London amateur club Leytonstone, helping them to win the Isthmian League
title in 1938. Although he served with the RAF during the Second World War,
Gregory was still able to turn out for some 60 games for West Ham between
1939 and 1945.
In 1946 he succeeded Harry Medhurst as West Ham's first-choice goalkeeper,
making his league debut that December against Plymouth Argyle, a game which
the Hammers won 4-1. In the 1947-48 season Gregory played in all 42 of the
club's league matches.
At this time West Ham were in the Second Division, where they would remain
until 1958. In August 1950 Paynter was replaced as manager by Ted Fenton,
who, according to Gregory, made a number of useful changes: "We were the
first team to eat steak before meals ... We used to train at Forest Gate
skating rink — it was narrow, so you could practise working in tight
situations."
Finally, in 1958, the club won promotion to the First Division ; but Gregory
would enjoy only a short period in the top flight — a year later he lost his
place as goalkeeper to the young Irishman Noel Dwyer. By now he was 38 years
old, and after West Ham went down 3-0 to Birmingham City in February 1959,
he was dropped. He played his last match, against Leeds United, in September
that year. He had made 481 appearances for the club, and had once made it on
to the international stage, for the England B side against France in 1952.
Gregory joined the club's coaching staff, where his first job was looking
after the reserves team. He was later appointed first-team coach with
special responsibility for goalkeeping, and among those he mentored was Phil
Parkes, who later recalled: "When I arrived at Upton Park I was 30, so I
knew how to keep goal, Ernie didn't need to tell me how to be a keeper. But
it was the mental side of the game that he knew so well and without him, my
career would not have lasted anywhere near as long as it did."
Gregory finally retired in May 1987, but he continued to be a familiar
figure at West Ham's home games at Upton Park.
Ernie Gregory died in a nursing home at Basildon. His wife, Yvonne, and a
daughter predeceased him.
Ernie Gregory, November 10 1921, died January 21 2012
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