Daily WHUFC News - 29th May 2013

Legends roll back the years
WHUFC.com
An Ex-West Ham United XI triumphed 6-4 in a charity match for Great Ormond
Street Children's Hospital
28.05.2013

Hammers heroes of years gone by rolled back the years as an Ex-West Ham
United XI triumphed 6-4 in a charity match for Great Ormond Street
Children's Hospital. Iain Dowie netted a hat-trick, while Rob Lee scored
twice and Stuart Slater once as the former West Ham stars roared into an
early 3-0 lead. The Great Ormond Street team fought back, but the
ex-professionals showed their class to run out winners at the end of an
entertaining 90 minutes. On a night where the famous London hospital was the
real winner, a host of former Boleyn Ground favourites returned to east
London for a thrilling evening of football.
Managed by Tony Cottee, the Ex-West Ham United XI included Boys of '86 stars
Frank McAvennie, Alan Dickens, George Parris and Alan Devonshire, as well as
Steve Potts, Martin Allen, Paul Allen, Lee Bowyer, Don Hutchison, Kenny
Brown, Ian Pearce, Allen McKnight, Dowie, Lee and Slater. McAvennie spent
most of last week at the Boleyn Ground, first running his popular annual
pitch event before pulling on the claret and blue one more time for Friday's
charity match.
"I do my pitch event every year, which runs over three days and it great,"
he explained. "Then I got to play in the Great Ormond Street, which was for
a brilliant cause. I got to run about - I dpn't know how far or for how
long, but I went out there and had some fun! "It was good to see a few of
the lads from the 1986 side, so it was good fun."

Julian Dicks took charge of the Great Ormond Street side, which was made up
of supporters, with the two teams taking to the pitch to the strains of
'Bubbles' and cheers from friends and family members sitting in the Alpari
Stand. A charity raffle held following the match saw a large funds raised
for the charity. For those who missed out on Friday's match, there are still
more opportunities to play on the Boleyn Ground pitch this summer with
Football for Fans. An Adults 5-a-side tournament will take place on Sunday 2
June, while West Ham favourite Parris will host his eighth annual
Mini-Soccer Children's Tournament on Saturday 15 June.

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Stadium conversion approved
WHUFC.com
The Olympic Stadium planning application was given the green light at a
special meeting on Tuesday night
28.05.2013

West Ham United's historic move to the Olympic Stadium has taken another
major step forward after the E20 LLP were granted planning permission to
commence the stunning conversion of the Olympic Stadium at a Planning
Committee meeting in Stratford on Tuesday evening. The Club can now work
closely with the E20 partnership to commence the developments that will see
the Stadium upgraded to a 54,000 all-seater UEFA category 4 football Stadium
- the highest category of football stadium possible in the world. Approval
has also been granted for the installation of an innovative retractable
seating solution on all four sides of the ground bringing fans closer to the
action and the atmospheric, transparent roof that, at 84m, will become the
largest-spanning tensile roof in the world. The approved, ambitious
proposals also include first-class hospitality suites, the relocation inside
the turnstile line of key facilities such as the concessions and toilets (as
at other traditional football stadia), landscaping and a distinctive new
building that is set to become the Hammers' exclusive ticket office and
flagship Club Store. The presence of these buildings will ensure that
supporters continue to enjoy their direct relationship with the Club in new
and enhanced facilities in the surrounds of the stunning Queen Elizabeth
Olympic Park. West Ham United Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "This is
another key milestone on our journey to Stratford and my Board and I are
delighted with the decision. "We always knew that the innovative plans for
the Olympic Stadium could create a globally-recognised football stadium and
we were confident that planning permission would be granted to allow the
conversion work to begin.
"For me and my team the hard work is only just beginning. This is an
incredible opportunity to create a world-class stadium for West Ham
supporters that will exceed their expectations and the chance to really
deliver a lasting legacy for London."

The approved planning application will now be referred to Mayor of London,
Boris Johnson, for final ratification before work on the stunning
transformation can get underway later this year. Architectural drawings of
West Ham United's new home at the Olympic Stadium post-conversion were
revealed and presented in person to supporters by the Vice-Chairman on
whufc.com back in April.

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Reid is the players' pick
WHUFC.com
Winston Reid was delighted to scoop the Players' Player of the Year award
for 2012/13
28.05.2013

Winston Reid was not only chosen as West Ham United's Hammer of the Year by
the Club's supporters, but he was also voted as the Players' Player of the
Year. The centre-back was rewarded for being a model of consistency and
professionalism by receiving the endorsement of his squad-mates. "It is
quite an accolade to be voted Player of the Year by your colleagues and I'm
very proud of it," said the No2, who was presented with his award by sponsor
Ark Build PLC's Joseph Finlay. "When you are voted by your team-mates for
doing a good job throughout the season, it's a very humbling thing and I'm
very pleased about it."

Reid said his job had been made easier by his central defensive colleagues
James Collins and James Tomkins, in particular, as well as his team-mates
all over the pitch. "We have got some good centre-halves at the Club and,
whoever plays, they can do the job. No matter who I play with, it makes my
job a lot easier.
"This season, everyone has done really well. When you get players playing
well, it's going to help the Club and last year we were fortunate enough to
get back to the Premier League and this year we've been fortunate enough to
stay there."

Reid is currently enjoying a well-earned summer break at home with friends
and family in Denmark - the country he moved to with his mother as a child.

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Olympic Stadium: Another Hurdle Cleared
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 28th May 2013
By: Staff Writer No.2

Planning permission has been granted for the E20 partnership's conversion
plans for the Olympic Stadium. The plans to transform the Olympic Stadium
into a 54,000 seater football ground were approved by the borough of
Newham's planning committee on Tuesday evening. Included in the plans is the
installation of retractable seating over the running track, the creation of
hospitality facilities, the moving of concessions and toilet facilities to
within the stadium turnstiles and the construction of an 84 metre span roof.
Other facilities to be constructed include club offices and ticketing
facilities as well as a new stadium merchandising store. The plans will have
to be sent to Boris Johnson for the Mayor to give his final ratification
before the construction work can commence. Final ratification is expected to
take place in time for the work to start later during 2013.

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It's oh so quiet.....
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 28th May 2013
By: Staff Writer No.2

Although the Club is, no doubt, beavering away behind the scenes to tie up
new signings for the 2013/14 season, it's a bit quiet out there on the
speculation front. The transfer window doesn't officially open until 1 July,
although clubs can announce deals that have been agreed before that date. So
far defender Razvan Rat is the only player confirmed as coming in for next
term, whilst Carlton Cole has been told that he won't be offered a new deal.
The most high-profile deal on the table is, of course, the bid to convert
Andy Carroll's loan to a permanent deal. With the clubs having agreed a fee
it is now down to the player to decide whether he wants to stay, though with
him being on holiday for a week or two yet we'll have to be patient for that
one to be concluded.

In amongst the paper talk we've also been linked with a move for Liverpool
midfielder Jonjo Shelvey. Shelvey was on the Club's books as a kid before
leaving for Charlton where he became the club's youngest ever player and
youngest ever goalscorer. We're sure that things will hot up over the next
few weeks and we'll be aiming to bring you news as soon as it happens.

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A number of clubs are weighing up moves for Tottenham's David Bentley
Last Updated: May 28, 2013 3:33pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands David Bentley is set to leave Tottenham this summer
with a number of clubs chasing his signature. Bentley spent this season out
on loan at Russian side FC Rostov and Blackburn after finding himself down
the pecking order at White Hart Lane. The former Blackburn and Arsenal man
decided to go out on loan in a bid to get some regular first-team action.
The 28-year-old is unlikely to find himself in Andre Villas-Boas' plans next
season and it seems both parties are considering a parting of the ways. A
number of clubs are thought to be monitoring Bentley's situation and are
ready to move for him this summer. The likes of West Brom, West Ham and
Wigan are all believed to be admirers of Bentley, and are keen on signing
him if he does leave Tottenham.

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Mad about you: West Ham poised to move for Bordeaux and Senegal defender
Ludovic Sane
28 May 2013 22:29
The Mirror

West Ham are set to make a move for Bordeaux defender Ludovic Sane. Sam
Allardyce is keen to strengthen and add more experience to his backline.
Sane, 26, has played over 60 games for the French club and has been one of
their star performers. The Senegal international fancies a move to the
Premier League and reports in France claim he could leave the club after
Friday night's French Cup Final clash with Evian. The Hammers' co-owner
David Sullivan has already stated that they could bring in up to five new
signings during the summer. Romania defender and captain Razvan Rat has
already completed a move to Upton Park, and Sane could be the next big
arrival in east London. Here's Sane being all 6ft 3in tall and scoring with
a header (and there we were expecting him to be the Senegalese Alan
Wright!)...

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Carlton Cole set to snub Southampton, Stoke and Hull for MLS
23 May 2013 22:30
The Mirror

Carlton Cole is turning his back on the Premier League for a future in Major
League Soccer. The former Chelsea and England hit-man, freed by West Ham
after seven years at Upton Park, is heading for America - despite interest
from the top flight. Southampton, Stoke and newly-promoted Hull are all keen
to offer Cole, 29, deals following his release by the Hammers. Leeds and
relegated QPR, who will be Championship rivals next season, also want to
sign the Croydon-born striker. But Cole, who notched 57 goals in 237 outings
for the Hammers, has decided to continue his career in the United States. DC
United, San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo are all ready to tempt Cole
with a lucrative contract offer, but LA Galaxy is his preferred destination.
David Beckham's old club are favourites to land Cole and are expected to
open talks with him in the next 24 hours.

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Crystal Palace, West Ham United want Marc Bartra?
C PA Photos
By Paul Gorst, Reporter
Filed: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 03:15 UK
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 03:17 UK

Crystal Palace and West Ham United are reportedly set to battle it out to
sign Barcelona defender Marc Bartra on loan this summer. Barca will allow
the 22-year-old centre-back to leave the club to further his first-team
experience and both London clubs keen on taking him, according to talkSPORT.
Bartra has made eight starts for the Liga champions this season and is
considered to be a long-term successor to the 35-year-old Carles Puyol. The
defender made his debut for the Catalan giants in a 2-1 defeat to Atletico
Madrid in 2010.

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