Daily WHUFC News - 30th May 2013

Football comes to Stratford
WHUFC.com
Ex-Real Madrid star Luis Figo backs West Ham United's Olympic Stadium move
29.05.2013

Football came to Stratford last weekend when the UEFA Champions Festival
took place in the shadow of the Olympic Stadium. To help celebrate London's
staging of both the men's and women's UEFA Champions League finals, a
four-day free festival of football was held in the Olympic Park, drawing
visitors from across Europe. The highlight was an Ultimate Legends match
staged on the Saturday, which featured the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Luis
Figo, Edwin van der Sar and Michael Laudrup.

Hollywood stars Will Smith and son Jaden Smith were also in attendance as
supporters were given another taste of a top sporting event in the heart of
east London. Figo, a UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid, is
delighted that West Ham United will be making the iconic Olympic venue their
home from 2016. He told West Ham TV: "It's an amazing stadium, and will have
an atmosphere that all the players would love to play in. "For the Club it
is fantastic because it has amazing facilities and I'm glad that West Ham
have taken the decision to play in it following the Olympic Games."

Another of the participants was former England international Steve
McManaman, who also won Europe's top prize with Real, and he was happy to
play his part in the event, nearly a year on from the unforgettable London
2012 Olympics. He said: "It was a great occasion - many, many people have
come out, The Olympics were fantastic last year and we were lucky enough to
have the Champions League here again at the weekend."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Season in Seconds: Joe Cole
WHUFC.com
The Hammers Academy graduate, who returned to east London this season,
reviews 2012/13
29.05.2013

Joe Cole returned to West Ham United midway through the 2012/13 season, and
in doing so made the move back to his first club. West Ham TV caught up with
the 31-year-old to talk us through his Hammers campaign.

How would you sum up the season?

JC - "It's been a good season for the Club - a nice, positive step forward
for us. Now we need to keep working hard to keep that going."

What was your highlight of the campaign?

JC - "Probably the reception I got returning in the game against Manchester
United. That was a brilliant day for me and my family. I can't thank the
fans
enough for that and hopefully I can keep scoring goals to repay them."

What was your worst moment of the season?

JC - "The injuries. I was on a great little run, with the momentum picking
up, so the injuries are always frustrating for a footballer."

What was the funniest moment of the season for you?

JC - "That's a tough one on the spot. I think we've got a good group, we do
have a laugh every day. Some of Mark Noble's tight trousers are quite
funny."

What was your best performance this season?

JC - "My best performance was probably the Tottenham game, or the Manchester
United game - one of those two."

Finally, Joe, what are your plans for the summer?

JC - "Just spending time with my family, my kids, then working hard to try
to keep myself fit and nice and strong, so I can have a good pre-season."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Speculation Latest
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 29th May 2013
By: Staff Writer No.2

As the official opening of the summer transfer window on 1 July approaches,
there is more speculation linking the club with a number of players.

First on the list is the splendidly-named Bordeaux defender Ludovic Sane.
The Senegalese international was first linked with the club back in January
and has a year left on his contract with Les Girondins where he spent the
early part of his career acting as understudy to Alou Diarra.

Another defender linked with the Club is Barcelona centre back Marc Bartra.
The 22 year-old is seen as integral to Barca's future plans but the
Catalonian giants are said to be keen to see him gain first team experience
on loan. Bartra has been capped at age level by Spain, and, also has gained
representative honours for the Catalonian "national" side, though his
appearances do not officially count as international caps due to the
Cataonian region's lack of FIFA affiliation.

Meanwhile, David Gold has played down rumours that Andy Carroll has turned
down a permanent move to the Boleyn. Reacting to a comment on the rumours
made on Twitter, the Co-Chairman commented "it's news to me". Carroll is
currently on holiday recovering from a heel injury that has kept him out of
the England squad for the post-season friendlies against the Republic of
Ireland and Brazil.

As ever we'll keep you up to date as things develop..

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League clubs track Reading winger Jimmy Kebe
Last Updated: May 29, 2013 9:07pm
SSN

Sky Sports understands a number of Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on
Reading winger Jimmy Kebe. The pacey wide-man was one of Reading's shining
lights this season after scoring five goals in 18 Premier League appearances
for the relegated club. Following the Royals' drop back into the
Championship, it is understood that the club could be facing a fight to keep
hold of the Mali international. The former Lens attacker is thought to be
keen on staying in the Premier League after creating a favourable impression
in the top flight. He has a further year left on his contract at the
Madejski Stadium and Reading's resolve to keep the 29-year-old could be
tested if a sizeable offer comes in. West Ham United were linked with a move
for Kebe before he signed his current deal in January 2012, while Fulham and
Norwich City have been credited with an interest in the past. Kebe joined
Reading over five years ago and he is approaching 200 appearances for the
club.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham have been given the go-ahead to redevelop the Olympic Stadium
Last Updated: May 29, 2013 11:00am
SSN

West Ham have been granted permission to go ahead with their plans to
redevelop the Olympic Stadium. Plans for the conversion of the Stratford
site to a 54,000 all-seater stadium were ratified at a Planning Committee
meeting on Tuesday evening. The plans include the installation of
retractable seating on all four sides of the stadium to bring the fans
closer to the pitch and a transparent roof. "This is another key milestone
on our journey to Stratford and my Board and I are delighted with the
decision," vice chairman Karren Brady told the club's official website. "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."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com