Daily WHUFC News - 27th June 2012

Dev Squad back to work
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon and his players were back in pre-season training at Chadwell
Heath on Monday
26.06.2012

West Ham United Development Squad coach Ian Hendon welcomed his players back
for pre-season training on Monday. The young players were in a week earlier
than normal as they prepare to fly to Russia in early July for a prestigious
pre-season tournament, the VTB Lev Yashin Cup in Moscow. In order to make
sure the squad are in top condition to take part in the competition and the
followinggames they have back here in England, Hendon called the players
back to start off the 2012/13 campaign in earnest. "We are back a bit
earlier than what we would normally," Hendon confirmed, "but we want to be
properly prepared for what is a big tournament which is only in a couple of
weeks or so. It will be a busy pre-season for us and we want to get off on
the right foot and be in a good position fitness-wise."

The players arrived back at the club's Chadwell Heath training ground on
Monday morning to get their new Macron training gear and then underwent a
number of fitness tests. Hendon said: "They were put through it with lots of
tests to look at their body fat, mass and their weight, flexibility, things
like that. When they went off for a break at the end of last season, they
were all tested then and given a set of targets for the summer and these
tests will determine that they have kept themselves in good condition while
they have been away and not training. "The results of the tests will be
known in the next few days and then we will know whether they have done as
they have been told! A bit later on in the week, we will do some ball work
and training. They were all a bit quiet when they first came in, in the
morning, but they soon became their usual noisy selves, so all back to
normal! "It is nice to be back, the boys were in good spirits and now we
knuckle down to work hard and make sure we are prepared for the games
ahead."

The development squad are in Moscow to take part in the tournament between
12 and 15 July, which will be hosted by Russian Premier League club Dynamo
Moscow. The Hammers are one of six teams taking part, with Dynamo, Spanish
club Malaga and the Mexican Under-19 national team being among the others.
On their return, there are plenty of domestic fixtures to allow everyone
vital match action before the beginning of the new season, including games
with Ryman League Premier Division side Thurrock (21 July) and Blue Square
Bet Premier new boys Dartford (24 July). Welling will be the opposition (28
July) to see out the month before two more games at AFC Wimbledon and
Northampton Town (4 August and 7 August respectively) the following month.

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Daggers date for Dev Squad
WHUFC.com
Ian Hendon's side will make the short trip to face Dagenham and Redbridge on
Saturday 11 August
26.06.2012

Ian Hendon's West Ham United Development Squad face npower League Two side
Dagenham and Redbridge in a pre-season match on Saturday 11 August. The
Hammers' young professionals will make the short journey to Victoria Road
for what promises to be a keenly contested fixture, with kick-off at 3pm.
West Ham supporters will be seated in the Traditional Builders Stand, with
all Adult tickets priced at £12, Over-65s and Full-time Students at £8,
Juniors aged 8-18 at £6 and Under-8s at just £2. Full details of how to
purchase tickets for this fixture will be posted on whufc.com soon.

Hendon's squad is likely to include the likes of Eoin Wearen (pictured),
George Moncur, Callum Driver, Rob Hall, Pelly Ruddock and new professionals
Blair Turgott and Matthias Fanimo. The Dagenham date will complete a busy
pre-season for Hendon's side, who faced John Still's side three times last
season, drawing 4-4 and 2-2 and going down to a 4-3 defeat in a trio of very
competitive matches.

The Development Squad travel to the Russian capital of Moscow to take part
in VTB Lev Yashin Cup between 12-15 July, which will be hosted by Russian
Premier League club Dynamo Moscow. The Hammers are one of six teams taking
part, with Spanish club Malaga and the Mexican Under-19 national team being
among the others.

On their return, there are plenty of other domestic fixtures scheduled,
including games with Ryman League Premier Division side Thurrock (21 July)
and Blue Square Bet Premier new boys Dartford (24 July). Welling will be the
opposition (28 July) to see out the month before two more games at AFC
Wimbledon and Northampton Town (4 August and 7 August respectively) the
following month.

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Hey, West Ham, leave our kids alone
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 26th June 2012
By: Staff Writer

Birmingham City Chairman Peter Pannu has written to supporters to deny
rumours that 'wonderkid' Nathan Redmond is set for a move south - hours
after it was revealed that West Ham were interested in securing the services
of the 18-year-old. Local newspaper, the Birmingham Mail, claimed this
morning that the Hammers were interested in taking the financially-troubles
Blues' current Young Player of the Season, who plays predominantly on the
wing, to London in a cut-price £1million deal.

However that will only happen if United are to offer an 'eye-popping offer'
according to the former policeman and barrister, who was appointed to City's
board a year ago next month. "I'd like to make it clear that Jack Butland
and Nathan Redmond are not for sale unless we are subject to an eye-popping
offer," Pannu stated via Birmingham's website. "While the decision to sell
[Jordan] Mutch [to Cardiff] was not taken lightly, our intention is to keep
hold of other talented gems we have.

"Our supporters should be reassured that the club will not accept any
derisory financial offers for any of our key players, as has been suggested,
but equally we are required to make sound and balanced financial decisions
which we accept are not always going to be popular. After all, this is a
business."

18-year-old Redmond, who hails from Birmingham's Kitts Green district made
his first team debut at St Andrews in August 2010, becoming City
second-youngest ever player (behind Trevor Francis) by doing so. He has been
described by the club's former Academy manager Terry Westley as "one of
those wingers like Aaron Lennon or Ashley Young", whilst he prompted former
City boss Alex Mcleish to state: "Has he got a big future? It looks like it.
He's electric".

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West Ham win category one status
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 26th June 2012
By: Staff Writer

KUMB.com understands that West Ham United have been granted Category One
status in the Premier League's Elite Player Performance Plan. The news, when
confirmed by the club shortly, will be a massive boost to Tony Carr and his
team and their work with the club's Academy at Chadwell Heath. Newly
introduced for this season, the Premier League-driven scheme sees the
introduction of a four-tier system which, critics argue, will increase the
power of the country's elite clubs by ensuring that Football League clubs
receive just a fraction of the fees they can currently command for promising
youngsters.

Category One clubs like West Ham - to be known as 'Super Academies' - will
be able to offer young players vastly suprior training programs whereas
those clubs at the bottom of the scale - Category Four set-ups - will only
be able to take on players released by other teams. Additionally, selling
clubs will now only receive between £12,500 and £40,000 for ever year a
player has trained with them between the ages of 12 and 16 - whilst the
existing '90-minute rule' - a rule that states a player must live within an
hour-and-a-half of the club with whom he trains - will also be abolished.

Speaking last October about the battle to secure Category One status, Carr
said: "There are ten Key Performance Indicators and each has a points
system. We need to get 75 per cent of the points available to be categorised
as a Category One. "The Board have been fantastically supportive right from
the word go which means a lot more investment. We are putting that
investment in place by providing classrooms and employing more full and
part-time staff, so we're getting ready for next season."

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Blues won't part with stars
Pannu says Butland and Redmond are not for sale
Last Updated: June 26, 2012 12:30pm
SSN

Birmingham City's acting chairman Peter Pannu has sought to reassure
supporters that Nathan Redmond and Jack Butland will not be sold. The Blues
recently sanctioned the sale of Jordon Mutch to Championship rivals Cardiff
City, and further departures were feared to be on the cards. Birmingham are
desperate to avoid such a situation, as they look to build on last season's
play-off appearance and return to the Premier League. The appointment of a
successor to Chris Hughton as manager is a top priority, but so is the
retention of key playing staff. It has been suggested that Redmond and
Butland, who made England's squad for Euro 2012, are drawing plenty of
admiring glances from afar.

Talented gems

Redmond has been linked with West Ham United, while Butland is said to be
interesting another of this season's Premier League new boys, Southampton.
Birmingham, though, have no intention of parting with either. "I'd like to
make it clear that Jack Butland and Nathan Redmond are not for sale, unless
we are subject to an eye-popping offer," Pannu said in a statement released
on the club's official website. "While the decision to sell Mutch was not
taken lightly, it was felt replacements could be sought for the midfielder,
but our intention is to keep hold of other talented gems we have. "Our
supporters should be reassured that the club will not accept any derisory
financial offers for any of our key players, as has been suggested, but
equally we are required to make sound and balanced financial decisions,
which we accept are not always going to be popular. After all, this is a
business."

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West Ham take Diamanti case to CAS over claims of unpaid money from Brescia
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 23:04, 26 June 2012 | UPDATED: 23:04, 26 June 2012
Daily Mail

West Ham are going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport next week to try to
recoup £1.5million they claim Brescia owe them for forward Alessandro
Diamante following his £2m move in 2010. Italy international Diamanti, who
scored the winning penalty in the shootout victory over England in Kiev,
signed for the Hammers in August 2009 from Livorno for £6million. However,
he was allowed to move back to Italy after just one season in the English
Premier League. It is, though, the player's subsequent transfer to Bologna
in a co-ownership deal following Brescia's relegation to Serie B that has
left the Hammers incensed. In July 2011, West Ham asked for Diamanti's
registration by the Italian Football Federation to be suspended as they had
not yet been paid the latest installment of the £2million transfer fee.
West Ham co-owner David Gold said on Twitter: 'We sold Diamanti to Brescia
because he was desperate to return to Italy. 'He was then sold to Bologna.
We are suing Brescia for the money.'

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Mexican star set to end West Ham hell
By talkSPORT | Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Pablo Barrera is finally set to end his West Ham misery and make a move back
to Mexico to sign for Cruz Azul. Barrera, 25, has struggled to make any
impact at Upton Park following his £4m move back in 2010 and is desperate to
get his career back on track. Despite being a star performer for Mexico at
the Gold Cup last summer, when he scored a brace in the final against the
United States, he has failed to continue that form in English football and
was shipped out on loan to Real Zaragoza last season. Barrera has only
started six league games for West Ham and despite the club's promotion into
the Premier League, he has no future at Upton Park. Mexican side Cruz Azul
have confirmed they are close to agreeing a deal for the experienced
international and hope to clinch his signature in the next few days.

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Three leading English academies headline Mayo Super Cup - Canaries, Hammers
and Hornets confirm involvement in international tournament
TUESDAY, 26 JUNE 2012 14:47
Con-telegraph.ie

NORWICH City, West Ham United and Watford have confirmed their participation
in the inaugural Mayo International Super Cup which takes place in Castlebar
from August 24 to 26 next. The three leading English soccer academies will
compete in the event together with the best of local talent from the Mayo
Schoolboys/Girls and Youths League. Speaking at the official launch of the
tournament, Paul Byrne, the FAI's county development officer, said the
organising committee is adamant that the event is going to be a resounding
success. He said: "The fact we have three top academies from Norwich City,
Watford and West Ham taking part is a major boost at this stage. "Norwich
City, where former Irish international Chris Hughton has just been appointed
senior team manager is renowned for their development and care of young
footballers for decades. "Watford is possibly the top club in terms of the
tradition of its academy. This is a club that consistently brings its
academy players into the first-team squad and carefully nurture all players
throughout their careers. "What is most pleasing about Watford is the fact
they are pioneering an 18-hour weekly education element into the fostering
and development of players and we hope to use their experience and knowledge
to pass onto our own clubs during the course of the tournament.

"Our third visiting team is from what is widely regarded as the 'academy of
football', West Ham United. "Many fine players such as Frank Lampard, Rio
Ferdinand, Jermaine Defoe, Joe Cole and many others have come through from
the academies and pure football is second nature to this club."

Mr. Byrne thanked all the various sponsors, groups and partners which have
played a role over the past number of months in getting this tournament up
and running.
Gerry Gallagher, chairman of the organising committee, said the Mayo
International Cup is a golden opportunity for Mayo's talented players to
display their skill among the elite of the football world. "The visiting
academies will see how we look after and care for our young footballers in a
professional manner despite our meagre resources in terms of finance. "It is
our intention to expand and develop the tournament to cater for girls and
grassroots football by extending invitations to towns and cities that have
links in the Mayo area such as Höchstadt (Germany), Ballymena, Auray
(France), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and a number of other links in the U.K.
and Northern Ireland. "I have every confidence this competition will grow
and have a snowball effect with all the partners that we have on board. We
believe Mayo is a special place and we want to showcase the county and its
people."

He paid tribute to local sponsor Brendan Heneghan as well as Mayo County
Council and Castlebar Town council for their financial support and backing
for the event and hoped that they would continue to be partners in the years
ahead. Mr. Gallagher also paid special tribute to the Mayo Schoolboys/Girls
and Youths League and the Mayo League for their financial support for the
event.

The Mayor of Castlebar, Councillor Eugene McCormack, said the facilities in
Mayo are second to none and, as a former soccer player in my youth, he only
wished he had such facilities in his time. "I have no doubt the tournament
will grow and grow in the years ahead and this is only the start of
something big. The committee is setting a good foundation and, with their
efforts and the support of the sponsors and partners, it can go from
strength to strength."

In his dual role as a sponsor of the tournament and a member of Castlebar
Town Council, Brendan Heneghan paid tribute to the organising committee for
its innovative thinking. "I am delighted to be associated with an event
which has fantastic potential. It is most important that our young children
are catered for properly a tournament of this nature is a wonderful
opportunity for our local footballers to display their talent. "We have a
massive soccer tradition in Castlebar and in Mayo and I deeply admire those
who encourage the promotion and fostering of the game for young people."

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Birmingham City: West Ham want Nathan Redmond for £1m
by Colin Tattum, Birmingham MailJun 26 2012Comment (1) Recommend
Birmigham Post

Birmingham City wonderkid Nathan Redmond is being eyed up by West Ham
United. The club's young player-of-the-season could be ripe for the picking
due to Blues' financial problems, the Hammers believe. They are ready to
test the water with a £1 million offer plus a series of appearance-related
add-ons. West Ham reckon the winger is worth around £4 million-£5 million
but it is classic David Sullivan tactics not to front-load a proposal with a
sizeable down payment in the knowledge that a club are in need of cash.
Redmond, 18, made a major breakthrough last season, particularly lighting up
Blues' Europa League campaign. And with Blues failing to win promotion and
more warnings about player sales this summer, it's hardly surprising clubs
are sniffing around. Jordon Mutch, 20, was a surprise mover to Cardiff City
on Friday. Cardiff stumped up around £2.5 million with a further £500,000 in
add-ons for the midfielder. Blues, despite having no manager, felt it was
too good an offer to turn down. But if they transferred teenage idol Redmond
there would be an even bigger outcry than the one triggered by Mutch's
departure. Academy product Redmond is a Brummie and a Blues fan – one of the
St Andrew's faithful's own. And he showed his potential in 2011-12, making
his full debut in August.
In the Europa League play-off second leg against CD Nacional at St Andrew's,
Redmond dazzled and made the football world sit up and take notice.

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