Daily WHUFC News - 9th May 2013

Reid crowned Hammer of the Year
WHUFC.com
Central defender Winston Reid has been named as the 2013/14 Hammer of the
Year
08.05.2013

Winston Reid has been crowned 2012/13 Hammer of the Year sponsored by Alpari
(UK). The defender rounded off an outstanding campaign by collecting the
prestigious award, as voted for by West Ham United supporters. Reid
collected his prize from Alpari (UK) Chief Commercial Officer Mushegh
Tovmasyan and Chief Marketing Officer Dave Hodge at the Club's fifth annual
Player Awards Dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane. The
24-year-old Reid polled a convincing 45 per cent of the vote to fend off
strong competition from second placed Jussi Jaaskelainen and Mohamed Diame
in third. "I think every single player tries to do their best for the team
and I do the same," said Reid. "As an individual it's nice to pick up this
award. "It is quite an accolade to be named Hammer of the Year. Like I said
on stage, I have basically been here nearly three years at the Club and I
feel at home, so it's nice to feel appreciated. Other players have done
well, too, so it's been really good. "I think every single player believes
in themselves and believes they can do well, but you obviously have to have
a bit of luck and fortune now and then throughout the season, but when you
work hard you get the things you deserve - I'm not saying that in a selfish
way because there are a lot of other players who have done well this season.
"I am really pleased with the season that I have had and I'm looking forward
to my holiday and then I'm looking forward to the new season!"

Central defender Reid has been a model of consistency in the heart of the
Hammers' defence this term, starting 34 of the Club's 36 Barclays Premier
League fixtures to date and notching in the 3-0 Boleyn Ground victory over
Fulham in September. As part of the back four for ten of the Hammers' eleven
clean sheets this season, Reid has played a central role to helping Sam
Allardyce's men not only establish themselves back in the top flight, but
push for a top half finish.
Resolute displays against the likes of Manchester City, who left E13 without
being able to score, and Chelsea, who were defeated 3-1 at the Boleyn
Ground, characterised their strong start to the season, while an equally
impressive finish, which has seen West Ham lose just one of their last seven
fixtures, means the Hammers can look back on 2012/13 as one of considerable
progress. That applies to Reid too, who is now in his third season with the
Club, but started only three league fixtures in their last Premier League
campaign. With 34 starts under his belt this time, there can be no doubting
that Reid has earned the right to be crowned Hammer of the Year.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bonzo honoured at Awards Night
WHUFC.com
West Ham United legend Billy Bonds MBE has received the Club's first
Lifetime Achievement Award
08.05.2013

West Ham United have had many great players down the years, but only a few
can be considered as true Hammers legends. One man who is definitely in that
category is the one and only Billy Bonds MBE. At the 2012/13 Player Awards,
Bonds was honoured with the Club's first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award,
sponsored by Locke Lord. Here, Bonds speaks at length with Evening Standard
correspondent Ken Dyer about his glittering career in claret and blue. In an
era where some players seek a loyalty bonus if they see out their three-year
contract, no-one deserves West Ham's first Lifetime Achievement Award more
than William Arthur Bonds MBE. 'Bonzo', as he is affectionately known, spent
most of his working life at the club, first as a player between 1967-88 and
then coach and manager from 1988-94. During a playing career spanning more
than two decades, Bonzo made 793 senior appearances for the Hammers, ran a
million miles, launched himself into a zillion tackles - and had a few
fights. He played the game as he lives his life - straight down the line, no
messing, honest and trustworthy. If you happened to be in the Blackwall
Tunnel at just after 5pm on a Saturday afternoon between the mid-1960s and
the end of the 1980s you might have caught a glimpse of Bill, hair still wet
from a quick shower, driving back home after a game to his first love - his
family. They are with him tonight, his wife Marilyn plus daughters Claire
and Katie. We Hammers fans were lucky to have Bill at our club for what is
certainly, in football terms, 'a lifetime.' He played under four managers
during a 24-year playing career. "I played under two managers at Charlton,
Frank Hill and Bob Stokoe. At West Ham, I was lucky because I had two great
coaches - Ron Greenwood and John Lyall. I have them to thank for making
every day such a pleasure. "They both taught me so much. They improved
players on the training ground and that was a real skill. "They planted
little ideas in your head. Ron, for example, used to say 'Your eyes are like
a camera, always look around and get pictures in your head so that when that
ball arrives, you know where everyone is.' It's commonplace now, I suppose
but back then it was ground-breaking stuff. "One day he said to me 'If the
space isn't in front, it must be behind.' I hadn't thought about it before
but he was right - if the opposition were playing a high line I could play
the ball into the space behind them. "Ron also talked about being sideways
on, always being on the half-turn, either as a midfield player receiving the
ball or as a defender marking. "I wouldn't have achieved what I did without
the other players either. I thank them all because, in their own way, they
all played their part."

At 66, Bill still looks as though he could jog the London Marathon and then
do five hundred sit-ups. His fitness, commitment and energy are legendary,
as they needed to be for someone who was still playing at the top level past
his 41st birthday. "I spent most of my working life at West Ham," he says,
"and I wouldn't have changed a thing. I enjoyed every minute of it and would
love to do it all again. "This is a lovely award and a nice honour. I've
never been one for too much pomp or anything like that but I really
appreciate what the club have done tonight."

So what are the highlights of his playing career, his cherished memories?
Bill's answer is typical. "There's so many. Every day was special to me. I
was in a job that most people would have loved to have been doing. "I played
until I was 41 but, if I had been a Sunday morning footballer, I would have
probably gone on until I was 50, I loved the game so much. "Obviously FA Cup
finals still stick in the memory, as do the four League Cup ties with Stoke
in the early 1970s. We also had some great European nights at Upton Park. "I
made my league debut for Charlton in 1965 and played my last game for West
Ham in 1988 so I had a good run for my money."

Happy days then - but there must have been disappointments too? "There
aren't that many really. When we were relegated in 1978 was one and another
was when John Lyall left the club". There have inevitably been one or two
anxieties and dramas along the way. "Before the 1975 FA Cup final against
Fulham, I was only about 70 per cent fit. I was having cortisone injections
for a groin problem and as soon as the season finished I went straight into
hospital for an operation. "I honestly thought I might not play again. We
were even beginning to talk about what we would do if I had to pack up so
I'm thankful to the surgeon because he gave me another 13 years. "I had
another worry just before the 1980 final when, in a game against Birmingham,
me and Colin Todd had a bit of a set-to. We were both sent off and I
remember I was sitting in the bath when someone came in and told me that I
could miss the final. "'What have I done?' I thought. I don't know what I
would have done if I had missed that final - it would have slaughtered me.
"Luckily for me Ron Greenwood, who was by then England manager, put in a
good word for me, they allowed me to play in the final and we beat Arsenal."

So many more memories come flooding out. "I've played against many other
great players in those 800 games. With Liverpool, for example, I've been up
against three generations of strikers - Ian St John and Roger Hunt in the
'60s, Kevin Keegan and John Toshack in the '70s followed by Kenny Dalglish
and Ian Rush in the '80s. "George Best was one of the best. They tell me
there's a video of me trying to tackle him in one game. I've tried to tackle
him once but he's hurdled me. Then I get back to him and have another try
but he gets away again. I think I have two more tries but he just keeps
going! "I played full-back, midfield and centre half but I loved playing in
midfield. It suited my game. I could get amongst everything. "Someone
recently asked me what it was like being a holding midfield player but I
never played in that position. Neither Ron nor John ever asked me to sit in
front of the back four. "If I wanted to run beyond Trevor Brooking - I
would. I finished with 13 goals one season." Bill stayed at the club when he
eventually retired, first as a coach and then, from 1990-94, as manager. "I
enjoyed my early time as a West Ham manager," he says. "We went 25 games
unbeaten early on - still a club record I believe. I remember Terry Venables
ringing me and asking me how I was enjoying it. 'It's OK,' I said. "'Come on
Bill,' Terry said. 'It doesn't get any better than that.' "He was right, it
didn't. No long after that the club launched the ill-famed Bond scheme and
that was the worst year of my life. "Not only were things difficult because
of that but I lost my dad and my father-in-law. It was a bad year."

Fast forward to the present day and Bonds understands the reasons for the
Club's move to the Olympic Stadium. "I have spoken with David Gold and he
has explained to me why they need to move. I'll be sad like all old-timers
but it's a nostalgia thing because all my fond memories are connected with
Upton Park - Brooking taking Eintracht Frankfurt apart in the European Cup
Winners' Cup, Bobby Moore nicking the ball off an opponent, Geoff Hurst
taking a ball on his chest, Martin Peters - all great players."

Add Bonzo to that list.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Awards Dinner as it happened
WHUFC.com
All the winners and reaction from West Ham United's 2012/13 Awards Dinner in
aid of the Academy
08.05.2013

West Ham United 2012/13 Awards Dinner in aid of the Academy

11.00pm - That's it for tonight. Thanks for sharing a fantastic evening
with us.
10.50pm - Now the Hammer of the Year sponsored by Alpari (UK) will be
announced.
It's Winston Reid! The defender has beaten off competition from Jussi
Jaaskelainen in second and third placed Mohamed Diame to land the
prestigious award.
10.45pm - It's time for a very special award...Billy Bonds is the recipient
of the Club's first ever Lifetime Achievement Award. Read more about it
here.
10.35pm - Auctioneer Jonny Gould is back on stage inviting bids for our
fantastic lots, and we'll be back shortly with the big one...Hammer of the
Year.
10.30pm - Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold have picked Andy
Carroll as their Player of the Year, and the big Geordie is now on stage to
take the prize from S.14 (2012) Limited Director Michael Pryke.
The England striker, who joined the Hammers on a season-long loan from
Liverpool last August, is currently the Club's joint top scorer with Kevin
Nolan despite missing a large chunk of the campaign with injury.
Since returning to the fold in January, Carroll has been in sparkling form
with six goals from his last eleven games.
With an important winner against Swansea City and crucial double against
West Bromwich Albion amongst those strikes, his value to the Hammers is
unquestioned.
10.25pm - Higgins Group Chairman Richard Higgins now presents Mohamed Diame
with his third award of the night after the Senegal international was chosen
by supporters as the Signing of the Season.
Diame, a summer 2012 arrival from Wigan Athletic on a free transfer, took
42% of the vote to knock Andy Carroll into second. Goalkeeper Jussi
Jaaskelainen is third.
The 25-year-old's drive from midfield has been a real feature of the
Hammers' play this season, and he has supplemented his 32 league appearances
with three goals - a stunning effort against Manchester United which won the
Goal of the Season prize, along with spectacular strikes against Arsenal and
Chelsea.
Diame's arrival added to a squad fresh from their triumph in the
Championship Play-Offs last term and he has certainly played a key role in
the Hammers' successful return to top flight football.
10.20pm - The West Ham United first team squad have chosen defender Winston
Reid as their Players' Player of the Year, and he collects his trophy from
Ark Build Plc Managing Director Michael Finlay.
New Zealander Reid, who took over the captaincy of his national side this
season, has shone in the heart of the Hammers' backline this season, only
missing two Barclays Premier League fixtures through injury.
The 24-year-old's performances have been marked by their consistency - a
fact recognised by his fellow players.
We've got some reaction to the prize from Winston's teammates.
Matt Jarvis: "He's been exceptional all season, a real rock at the back for
us. He puts himself about on the pitch, diving around in front of all sorts
to stop the ball going in the back of the net.
"He's a leader, pulling us all back into shape and making sure that
everyone's doing their jobs. He leads by example."
Joe Cole: "He's solid, a proper centre half and I've been very impressed
with him since he's come back. He's had a great season and deserves the
award."
James Collins: "He's been bang on in every game, made very few, if any,
mistakes and is a great lad to have around as well.10.18pm First of all we
have the Best Team Performance sponsored by Call Print.
10.20pm - The resounding winner of the fan vote for the Best Team
Performance is the Hammers' memorable victory over European champions
Chelsea at the Boleyn Ground.
The three goalscorers from the night - Carlton Cole, Mohamed Diame and
Modibo Maiga - plus captain Kevin Nolan take to the stage to collect the
award from Call Print Managing Director Steve Cheek.
Sam Allardyce's men roared back from a goal down to claim all three points
in a storming second half against the Blues. Trailing to Juan Mata's early
opener, West Ham were not overawed by the size of their task and left the
west Londoners stunned.
Carlton Cole levelled on 63 minutes, getting up above Branislav Ivanovic to
nod Matt Jarvis' cross home, and Mohamed Diame made it 2-1 four minutes from
time with a fierce strike.
Modibo Maiga wrapped it up at the death, and it was this game that shone for
the supporters, with 65% picking it as their standout performance. The 2-2
draw with Manchester United was second, while the early-season 3-0 win over
Fulham was third.
10.16pm - On to the second half of our awards for this evening and we are
about to discover who the supporters have picked as the winner of Best
Individual Performance - sponsored by Mulalley & Co Limited

Mohamed Diame collects his second trophy of the evening thanks to his
match-changing performance in the 3-1 Barclays Premier League victory over
Chelsea at the Boleyn Ground in December.
Diame, who won 49 per cent of the vote for his outstanding show against the
Blues, receives his award from Mulalley & Co Limited Director Eamon
O'Malley.
James Collins finished in second place with 18 per cent of the vote for his
two-goal show in the 2-2 FA Cup with Budweiser third-round draw with
Manchester United in January, while goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen came third
with 17.8 per cent for his virtuoso display against Tottenham Hotspur in
February.
10.15pm - We're back with the next set of awards...
9.15pm - We've just caught up with Elliot Lee after he picked up the Academy
Player of the Season award.
He told us: "Brilliant, I'm delighted. I couldn't be any happier. It has
just capped off a great season and to get this at the end of the campaign is
brilliant. I love scoring goals!"

Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan receive their Top Goalscorer award sponsored by
England Environmental Services and Southern Asbestos Services
9.00pm - That concludes the first set of awards, and the guests are now
bidding for some fantastic auction prizes before they tuck into their
deserts. We'll be back shortly with the next batch of awards. Remember we
still have to crown this season's Hammer of the Year!
8.55pm - We are onto award number five and the winner, or rather winners,
can again be safely predicted!
Captain Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll have been vying for the Top Goalscorer
award, sponsored by England Environmental Services and Southern Asbestos
Services, for much of the season.
The close friends have each netted seven goals, all in the Barclays Premier
League, and are level pegging with two fixtures still to be played.
The pair, who both scored in the Mitchell Cole Benefit Match at Stevenage FC
on Tuesday evening, join Directors John England and Peter Drayton on stage
to collect their awards.
8.53pm - Tonight's fourth award is unquestionably the most predictable of
the evening - Save of the Season, sponsored by Thomas Fredrick Willetts
Foundation.
Jussi Jaaskelainen is the sole nominee, with five of the flying Finn's top
stops being nominated for the award, which will be presented by Thomas
Fredrick Willetts Foundation Board member and Trustee Raphael Sukaj.
All five saves were outstanding in their own way, but it is no surprise to
learn that it was Jaaskelainen's amazing fingertip stop to deny Tottenham
Hotspur's Gareth Bale on 25 February that has won the day with 51 per cent
of the vote.
The 38-year-old's reaction stop to push Romelu Lukaku's deflected free-kick
onto the post against West Bromwich Albion in March ranked second with 21
per cent, while his full-length save to deny Wayne Rooney in the Barclays
Premier League fixture at Manchester United in November was voted into third
place with 14 per cent of the vote.
8.50pm - George Moncur, Sebastian Lletget and Dan Potts are the three
players nominated by Academy Director Tony Carr MBE for our third award of
the evening - Young Hammer of the Year, sponsored by Scan Print.
Midfielders Moncur and Lletget have been regulars for the Development Squad
this season, amassing 50 Barclays U21 Premier League appearances and four
goals between them, while defender Potts has continued his development by
making six first-team appearances and enjoying a productive loan spell at
League One club Colchester United.
Carr has selected Moncur as his Young Hammer of the Year, with the central
midfielder impressing many with his strong all-round game.
The 19-year-old arrives on stage and is wearing a broad grin as he collects
his award from Scan Print's Financial Director Paul Yelland and poses for
photographs to mark his big night.
8.45pm - Now it's time for our second award, which is Academy Player of the
Year - sponsored by Shore Capital
Our second award this evening is Academy Player of the Year, sponsored by
Shore Capital, with Academy Director Tony Carr MBE selecting prolific
striker Elliot Lee, Republic of Ireland U19 attacking midfielder Kieran
Sadlier and Development Squad left-back Frazer Shaw as his three nominees.
While Sadlier has finished as leading scorer for the Under-18s and Shaw has
been promoted to the Club's Under-21s while still a scholar, it is no
surprise to learn that Lee is the winner.
The young forward has enjoyed another prolific campaign, capped by a
first-team debut in the FA Cup with Budweiser third-round replay at
Manchester United in January.
Shore Capital Director Rupert Armitage is the man to present Lee with his
award, with the 18-year-old beaming ear to ear as he receives his trophy.
8.40pm - The first award to be handed out is Goal of the Season - sponsored
by Carbon Neutral Investments
Our first winner of the night is midfielder Mohamed Diame, who collects the
Goal of the Season award from sponsor Carbon Neutral Investments' Managing
Director Ed Carlton.
Diame had two nominations for the award - one for his individual strike
against Arsenal in October and the other for his curling rocket against
Manchester United in the 2-2 league draw at the Boleyn Ground in April.
And it is the Senegal captain's outstanding goal against the newly-crowned
Barclays Premier League champions that has won the day, scooping 49 per cent
of the vote.
Andy Carroll's superb controlled volley in the 3-1 home victory over West
Bromwich Albion in March ranked second, receiving 25 per cent of the vote,
while Diame's finish against the Gunners came third with 18 per cent.
8.35pm - We're just about to get the awards part of the evening underway!
7.10pm - The players and guests have arrived at the Grosvenor House Hotel
here on London's Park Lane. The stage is set for what promises to be a
thrilling evening, with 12 awards to be presented, capped by a Lifetime
Achievement Award for the great Billy Bonds MBE and the crowning of the
Hammer of the Year! We will keep you updated throughout the evening here on
whufc.com and on our official twitter feed @whufc_official. You can also
enjoy an exclusive Facebook gallery that we will be updating continually
throughout the evening.

Good evening and welcome to the Grosvenor House Hotel in London's Park Lane
for tonight's West Ham United 2012/13 Awards Dinner in aid of the Academy.
It promises to be another memorable event in Hammers history as Sam
Allardyce's squad vie for most prestigious title in football - that of
Hammer of the Year, sponsored by Alpari (UK).
With a total of 12 awards up for grabs, there will be plenty of reasons to
celebrate as West Ham come to the end of a fine first season back in the
Barclays Premier League.
Hammers legend Billy Bonds MBE, who was crowned Hammer of the Year himself
on no fewer than four occasions, will be the recipient of the Club's
first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Locke Lord. Bonzo, of
course, played nearly 800 times in claret and blue between 1967 and 1988 and
later spent three seasons in the Boleyn Ground dugout as manager during the
early 1990s.
We also already know that Jussi Jaaskelainen will take home the Save of the
Season award, sponsored by Thomas Fredrick Willetts Foundation, while the
Top Goalscorer award, sponsored by England Environmental and Southern
Asbestos Services, will be shared - for now - by Andy Carroll and Kevin
Nolan.
However, there are nine other awards up for grabs, including the coveted
Players' Player of the Year, sponsored by Ark Build PLC, Best Team
Performance, sponsored by Call Print, and Best Individual Performance,
sponsored by Mulalley and Company Limited.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'He has had an unbelievable career'
WHUFC.com
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce pays his tribute to retiring Manchester United
manager Sir Alex Ferguson
08.05.2013

Sam Allardyce has paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson following the Manchester
United manager's announcement that he will retire at the end of the season.
The West Ham United boss has enjoyed many duels with Sir Alex down the
years, while also striking up a friendship with his long-time managerial
adversary.
Big Sam admitted to being shocked by news that the Red Devils boss is to
move into a new role as a director and ambassador at Old Trafford after more
than 26 years in the dugout. "I spoke to Sir Alex recently and I had no
inkling that he was considering retiring from his position at Manchester
United," said the Hammers manager. "So, like for everyone else, it has come
as a bit of a shock. " think it's clear he was going to announce this at the
end of the season, but whispers have got out somewhere, so he probably had
to make it official right now. "For himself, his wife Kathy and the rest of
his family, I hope they can enjoy his retirement, the time they will have
together and see things they have always wanted to see."

Big Sam and Sir Alex have locked horns no fewer than 45 times as managers,
with the most-recent being the thrilling 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw at
the Boleyn Ground on 17 April. "Sir Alex has had an unbelievable career, not
just at Manchester United, but when he first started [at Aberdeen in
Scotland]. For me, he is the greatest club manager that has ever been
produced, certainly in this country, if not Europe. "However many managers
there were before him, the huge task he had was to achieve what Sir Matt
Busby had done before him. For him to have done that and more, to have won
the treble for Manchester United, and the joy and satisfaction of doing that
gave was fantastic. "To build as many teams as he has built over the
seasons, on and off the field, was brilliant. He changed the backroom staff
to support what he was trying to do and as a man, he is a fantastic human
being. "We will all sadly miss him, many others will too. Manchester United
now have a massive task to replace him."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll seeing reward for hard work
WHUFC.com
SBOBET Player of the Month for April Andy Carroll is delighted with his
current form
08.05.2013

Since returning from injury it is fair say Hammers striker Andy Carroll has
certainly found his stride in claret and blue. The Club's joint top scorer
again picked up the SBOBET Player of the Month for April at the weekend -
just four weeks after collecting the same prize for March. And with six
goals from his last eleven games, the big Geordie is hoping to add to that
tally in the final two fixtures of the campaign. He told West Ham TV: "I've
been working hard, the fans have been seeing me playing well and it's good
to get the award for the second month running. I'm happy. "It's great for
the fans to have a vote and I am over moon with collecting it two months in
a row. But obviously, it's a team game and everybody puts their all in every
week." Following West Ham's goalless draw at the Boleyn Ground against
Newcastle United on Saturday, the striker admits it felt strange playing
against his boyhood team. He continued: "It was a tough game, Newcastle are
a great side but they're struggling at the minute down at the bottom. It was
a tough game and I thought we could have nicked it and they maybe could have
nicked it as well. It was a good result after all."

Looking ahead to the trip to Merseyside Carroll is eager to see the team end
the season with a winning streak. He added: "It would be nice to get a
result at Everton on Sunday. We hoped to get a result last Saturday but only
managed a point but that's good enough. I hope we get six points from our
last two games.
"I missed a lot of the season through injury so I've kept myself fit and put
in the work to stay like this. Now it's paying off and I'm happy. I could
still go for another few. I'm not ready for the rest yet."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Haycock foresees bright future
WHUFC.com
Nick Haycock lauded a successful season as the Barclays U21 Premier League
drew to a close
08.05.2013

Nick Haycock refused to let an end-of-season defeat at West Bromwich Albion
dampen his spirits, as the Development Squad coach looked forward to a
bright future for his young charges. A deflected free-kick on the stroke of
half time settled an otherwise even contest in the midlands, a result that
saw the Hammers end the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Elite Group in
sixth spot. The U21s boss subsequently insisted that his side's final
position was scant reward for their collective efforts throughout the
campaign, but was beaming with pride nonetheless. He told West Ham TV:
"Taking this game away, I'm delighted with the players this season. We've
given young players a chance on a regular basis and a stat revealed we're
the youngest team in the U21s league, which is great news. The league has
been a fantastic thing for West Ham United. "This place is full of good
young players who are getting challenged now, playing up, playing with and
against older players. I can only see us going onto bigger and brighter
things. We've more than competed in this Elite Group and I think we
warranted being in that top three. Having previously suffered a 5-2 reverse
at Southampton, Haycock was intent on provoking a reaction from his players,
one that was certainly evident in the second half against the Baggies. He
continued: "The message throughout the week was that we didn't want to go
out on a whimper, with the poor second-half display against at Southampton.
I wouldn't say we got going quite as well as we would have liked, but even
then in the first half we still had four or five great opportunities. It was
probably an even game. "We gave a poor goal away right on the stroke of half
time and that ended up costing us the game. The second-half display was much
better. It showed that we had the quality to score and on another day we
might have had two or three."

While Haycock had obviously been keen to end the campaign on a high,
successive defeats were not about to detract from all the good work that has
proceeded the season's final two outings, both on and off the pitch. "There
are individuals in there who have played the majority of the games. I think
George Moncur has had a good campaign, as has Seb Lletget. Of the younger
ones coming through, Pelly Ruddock has dropped back into centre-half and has
done a fantastic job. Leo Chambers did well prior to Christmas and Elliot
Lee has shown that he's a goalscorer at this level. "We've played this
second half of the campaign, regularly without four England schoolboys and
some senior players, in terms of U21s, who have been injured. So we know
what we've got in that dressing room, and it's just making sure they're
professionals on and off the pitch. "This was our first year as a Category
One Academy and we've made great strides. It's a thriving time, and I've
told the players, it's down to them as to how far they go. It's all there
for them, the opportunity being the main thing, because it's a club that has
always had a tradition of producing players. Three years down the line,
we're hoping some of this lot are going to be playing in the Olympic
Stadium."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Goodbye, Taggart
KUMb.com
Filed: Wednesday, 8th May 2013
By: Staff Writer

Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he will be retiring from his post at
Manchester United at the end of the season.

In tribute to the 71-year-old Scot's 27 years in charge at Old Trafford, we
decided to compile a list of our favourite Fergie moments - that is, our
favourite five occasions on which Ferguson's (crimson red) nose had been put
out of joint...

5. I See Red, People (2013)

Having watched his side battered by Sam Allardyce's class of 2013, Ferguson
- perhaps forgetting that his side only escaped from the Boleyn Ground with
a 2-2 draw thanks to a clearly offside Robin Van Persie - chose to
(mis)direct his anger at poor Andy Carroll, who was guilty of the heinous
crime of performing like an effective Premier League striker.

"They are very, very aggressive," blasted the apoplectic Scot, before
forcing a room full of journalists to stifle their laughter by stating -
without a hint of irony: "you hope there's a strong referee. I'm not so sure
we got that.

"It [Carroll's challenge on goalkeeper De Gea] was a red card. There is not
a doubt about that. The referee did see it but didn't see it as a red card.
I think it's obvious. We had to stand up to a lot there."

4. Specsy Boy (2011)

It can never be said that Jonathan Spector had an easy time of it at West
Ham. Constantly overlooked by a succession of managers the American
international never complained (publicly, at least), choosing instead to get
on with his job.

It is said the every dog has his day and Spector was finally rewarded for
his patience in November 2010 when, due to a succession of injuries, he was
selected to start against that season's league champions Ferguson's Reds -
in a Carling Cup, quarter final tie.

With the Irons having been granted home advantage - and snow swirling around
the ground on a bitterly cold night - Spector took to his former club like a
man possessed. Fifteen minutes in and a first effort was ruled out for
offside. Unphased, the midfielder continued as he had begun and put his team
1-0 up on 22 minutes with a diving header - as rare a thing as you will ever
see.

However that wasn't enough for Scott Parker's stand-in and he duly added a
second 15 minutes later, before two second half goals from Carlton Cole
confirmed West Ham's first and only four-goal haul against a Ferguson team.

3. Taxi For Barthez (2001)

Having disposed of Walsall in the third round by three goals to two, West
Ham were left cursing their luck when they were drawn away to Ferguson's
all-conquering Manchester United in the fourth round.

Few gave the Hammers a cat-in-Hell's chance of toppling the mighty Mancs -
yet not even the fact that ITV were broadcasting the game live would prevent
9,000 happy Hammers fans from making the 200-mile trip up the M1.

However there wasn't a single fan regretting the journey when Paolo Di Canio
was on hand to score the game's only goal with just 14 minute remaining.

Put through on goal by Freddie Kanoute, the Italian strode towards goal; Man
U 'keeper Fabien Barthez bizarrely attempted to psyche the striker out by
raising his arm for an offside that never was - and Di Canio swept the ball
beyond the crazy Frenchman to send 9,000 Eastenders delirious and West Ham
into the fifth round.

2. Ludo's Games (1995)

Tipped for the drop by many and having dipped in and out of the relegation
zone for much of the season it was a therefore a pleasant surprise when
Harry Redknapp's side went into the final game of the 1994/95 campaign safe
in 14th spot.

But whilst Redknapp's team - minus injured talisman Julian Dicks - may have
had little but pride to play for, Ferguson's Man United needed a win to
stand a chance of securing the Premiership title.

Michael Hughes threw a huge spanner in the works by giving West Ham a 31st
minute lead much to the delight of the majority in the 24,783 crowd - an
advantage Redknapp's side carried into the half time break. But with danger
man Mark Hughes thrown into the mix at the interval, Man U were a different
prospect - and it was no surprise when they pulled level through Brian
McClair just seven minutes after the restart.

With news that Blackburn were behind at Anfield, Ferguson's side sniffed
victory and a Championship - but Ludo Miklosko had other ideas. Time after
time the big Czech 'keeper denied Man U; even still, a second goal seemed
inevitable due to the visitors' total domination of the game.

When Andy Cole was presented with a gilt-edged opportunity with moments to
go it looked like West Ham's staunch resistance had all been for nothing -
until Miklosko pulled off a stunning close-range save that sent the title to
Blackburn instead.

1. Golden Brown (1992)

Already doomed to relegation with three games still to play, there was no
pressure on Billy Bonds' team as they prepared to face Ferguson's
title-chasers at the Boleyn in April 1992.

Man United - who hadn't won a League title for 25 years - went into the game
knowing that only a win would be enough to keep them in the race for the
crown having lost at home to Nottingham Forest earlier in the week. However
Kenny Brown, for one, was to have other ideas.

With 66 minutes on the clock and the game still goalless Stuart Slater set
off down the left. His cross was inadvertently diverted into the path of the
full back who slammed home the game's only goal in front of his father,
former Hammers great Ken, watching in the stands.

The goal gave West Ham three pointless points as they finished bottom of the
table whilst Manchester United saw the title go to rivals Leeds United.
Ferguson was left incensed by West Ham daring to actually try and win the
match, bizarrely describing the efforts of Billy Bonds' team as "obscene".

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Bromwich Albion 1-0 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 7th May 2013
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's Development Squad ended their season in disappointing
fashion by going down 1-0 against bottom club West Bromwich Albion this
afternoon. The hosts scored the only goal of the game - a deflected free
kick by Adil Nabi - in the FIFTH minute of added-on time at the end of the
first half to record only their second win of the (14-match) league
campaign. As well as falling to defeat at Albion's training ground, West Ham
also lost 19-year-old Matthias Fanimo to a nasty injury, with the midfielder
being stretchered off towards the end of the first half. The reversal means
West Ham's youngsters end the Elite Group phase in a disappointing sixth
place, ahead of only Wolves and today's opponents. You may see the current
league table here.

West Ham Utd: Larkins, Driver, Mavila, Bywater, Ruddock, Spence, Hall,
Moncur, McCallum (Sadlier 71), Lee, Fanimo (Maguire 32).
Subs Not Used: Nemrava, Miles, Burke.

West Bromwich Albion: Lewis, Atkinson, Smart, O'Neil, Daniels, Gayle, Birch,
Brown (N'Kumu 71), Sawyers, A Nabi, S Nabi.
Subs Not Used: Rose, Pace, Jones, N'Kumu, Molyneux.
Goals: Nabi (45+5).

Referee: Martin Dexter.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan wants to improve squad
Last Updated: May 8, 2013 10:18am
SSN

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has indicated that he intends to bolster
the squad in the summer, with a new striker top of the agenda. In their
first season back in the Premier League, the Hammers have excelled and are
on course for a top-half finish, despite boss Sam Allardyce coming under
much scrutiny earlier in the season. And with the club due to move into the
Olympic Stadium in 2016, the future looks even more promising for the east
London club. "Our planning has already started to make sure next season is
even better," Sullivan told The Sun. "A crucial factor will be recruiting
the right players in the right positions."

Goals have been hard to come by on their return to the top flight, and
leading scorer Andy Carroll looks unlikely to make his switch to Upton Park
permanent due to his excessive wage demands. Sullivan knows that should
Carroll return to his parent club Liverpool, then he and boss Allardyce must
make the acquisition of a striker their priority. "We want to bring in at
least one proven goalscorer to bolster our attack," he added. "We want to
strengthen the squad and provide manager Sam Allardyce with greater options
and variety."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan's big move
Published: 07th May 2013
The Sun

WEST HAM co-owner David Sullivan has revealed they are targeting at least
four summer signings — including a big-time striker. The East London club
have enjoyed a successful first season back in the Premier League and are
challenging for a top-10 finish. And with the Hammers gearing up for a move
to the Olympic Stadium in 2016, they are planning for their top-flight
future. Sullivan said: "Our planning has already started to make sure next
season is even better.
"A crucial factor will be recruiting the right players in the right
positions. "Our aim is to bring in four or five players that will strengthen
the squad and provide manager Sam Allardyce with greater options and
variety. "We want to bring in at least one proven goalscorer to bolster our
attack.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
JOE COLE THANKS STEVENAGE FANS
Stevenagefc.com
PUBLISHED
12:15 8th May 2013
by Mitchell Jones

West Ham United star Joe Cole spoke to press after Tuesday night's Match for
Mitch at the Lamex Stadium and he paid tribute to the Stevenage fans for
making the night such a success. "I would like to thank all the fans who
turned up, my team-mates and everyone at Stevenage Football Club," said The
Hammers' No26. Cole, along with West Ham teammates Andy Carroll, Mark Noble,
Matt Jarvis, Kevin Nolan and James Collins, all played the first 45 minutes
of the game for the Cole XI, and took a commanding 6-2 victory in at the
break. Speaking at half time, Cole continued: "The guys who came tonight are
all big names. It is a long season and I cannot thank the lads enough."

Mitchell, who passed away in December 2012 of the heart condition
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, was Cole's brother-in-law. Joe said: "It was a
good send-off for Mitchell and we raised a lot of money for charity, which
is the main thing. We all had a good night. I didn't manage to score but I
will save that for the weekend!"

Cole said his brother-in-law was a fine player and that it was only his
health issues that prevented him from being a Premier League star. "I think
Mitchell's ability was unquestioned. He was diagnosed with a heart condition
at the age of 15 so it affected him from a young age. If he hadn't of had
it, he would have been a top Premier League player. "Anyone who worked with
him will tell you he had a great left foot. He had a decent career in the
lower leagues but he was doing it in second gear because he couldn't push
his body as much as he wanted to. "Technically, he had a great left foot, he
was quick and he really was talented. The condition, affected him but he had
a good career, he was a good family man and a great fella. "We all loved him
and it was great to see such a send-off for him."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
No Wonder Reid Wants To Be Part Of West Ham
Date: 8th May 2013 at 9:39 pm
Written by: Kwame Boakye
Foreverwestham.com

So last week it was announced that Winston Reid had signed a new two year
deal at the club.

I still remember Reidy's debut at right-back in that ill-fated 3-0 defeat to
Aston Villa on the opening day of our relegation season…he looked all over
the shop to put it mildly, but then again so did the rest of uncle Avram's
motley crue that day.

Reidy however was one of the first after relegation was confirmed to step up
and say he was willing to stay and help the club fight for promotion and it
turned out to be the best decision he could've made.

Great defenders are often forged in the brutality that is the Championship;
the relentless fixtures, the battles with big burly centre forwards who
aren't so much in-vogue in the Premier League these days but still rule the
roost in the league below, the endless crosses and high-looping balls…all
have to be dealt with and if you should survive…you emerge a man, a man
baptised in what English football is all about and ready for greater
challenges that lie ahead.

Winston definitely shook off his tag as a 'soft touch' during our promotion
winning campaign and has gone on to prove himself as the no. 1 centre back
at the club, his partnership with a certain James Collins has been rock
solid all season and as our most consistent performer of the campaign surely
a first Hammer of the year award is on its way.

It's a great sign that a player with so much talent, potential and promise
is already signed up and professing how much he's looking forward to running
out at the Olympic stadium.

There's a real feel-good aurora around West Ham at the moment: we're safe
from relegation, we have just announced a new deal with Adidas (which in my
humble opinion is a massive step up from Macron!) We're moving to a new
stadium and now our best talent are committing their futures.

Truly these are exciting times, it's no wonder Reidy wants to be a part of
it all.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Monaco join West Ham in race for Ivorian strike star
By talkSPORT | Wednesday, May 8, 2013

West Ham face a fight to sign free-scoring Ivorian Wilfried Bony after
Monaco joined the chase for the Vitesse Arnhem front man. The Hammers have
revealed they plan to sign a proven goalscorer this summer and Bony is among
manager Sam Allardyce's main transfer priorities should he fail to land
on-loan Liverpool star Andy Carroll on a permanent basis. Bony, 24, has been
in blistering form for Vitesse this term, scoring 31 goals in 29 Eredivisie
games to alert clubs across the continent. Monaco are in pole position to
clinch promotion from the second tier of French football and their Russian
owner Dmitry Rybolovlev is ready to splash the cash ahead of a return to
Ligue 1. Vitesse are aware of Bony's desire to leave Holland and their
technical director Ted van Leeuwen has hinted the forward could be on his
way to the principality. He told JeuneAfrique.com: "I have heard about the
interest of Monaco."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
You wouldn't mess with him! Alvin Martin hails ex-team-mate Billy Bonds as
Hammers hand legend lifetime achievement award
By JOE BERNSTEIN, MAIL ON SUNDAY
PUBLISHED: 13:45, 8 May 2013 | UPDATED: 13:45, 8 May 2013

West Ham United will honour club legend Billy Bonds in a glittering ceremony
tonight to revive memories of an era when players were free to say what they
thought and bring team-mates into line. Bonds, who served the Hammers for 27
years as player, captain, coach and manager, will collect a Lifetime
Achievement award from the club at their player of the year awards night at
London's Grosvenor House, a long-overdue recognition for the man who twice
led the Hammers to FA Cup wins at Wembley but left Upton Park in acrimonious
circumstances when he resigned as manager in 1994. Former team-mate Alvin
Martin, who stood alongside Bonds when they beat Arsenal as a Second
Division club to win the cup in 1980, reveals there has never been a
straighter or more respected figure to wear the famous claret-and-blue.

'I was his little protégé and he was my mentor. Sometimes he taught me by
talking to me, sometimes by booting me,' recalls Martin. 'In those days I
was a little bit full of myself, I took risks in front of goal I shouldn't
have done, and he brought me down a peg. 'I remember on one occasion
nutmegging one of the senior players John McDowell in training. Two minutes
later, I was on the floor. Bill had dished out a challenge just to let me
know what I'd done wasn't right.
'As a pairing we were perfectly balanced. Most teams played with a big
striker and little striker, I'd look after the first ball in the air and
Bill would do the rest. I played for West Ham for 22 years and I didn't have
a defensive partner that got anywhere close to him.' Bonds played 663 games
for West Ham in a 21-year spell to 1988. He was later the club's manager for
four seasons, twice helping them win promotion to the top-flight but then
resigning suddenly to allow his assistant Harry Redknapp to take charge.
Bonds is regarded as one of the best players ever not to win an England cap,
unfortunately getting injured before he was due to make his debut under Ron
Greenwood in 1981. More than statistics though, Martin believes Bonds
epitomised the spirit of playing for West Ham s much as the club's other
renowned legends World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking.
'He was just a traditional football man, honest, hard but fair; never made
excuses. If we were going into a big game, and saw Bill there, you'd think
you had a chance,' said Martin. There was an incident that summed him up
perfectly. We played Castilla in the Cup Winners Cup in the Bernabeu and
after the game there were reports of crowd trouble and West Ham fans
urinating on the Spanish supporters. 'Bill was asked about it at the
airport afterwards and, honest as always, said if anyone had done that, they
were animals.

BILL BONDS - WEST HAM LEGEND
AS A PLAYER (1967-88)
663 games, 48 goals
Two FA Cup winners medals (1975, 1980), Second Division championship
1980/81, two England under-23 caps

AS MANAGER (1990-94)
Two promotions to the First Division

Billy Bonds' longevity as a West Ham player provided the punchline for
stand-up comedians in the 1980s.. American soldiers visiting a remote
Pacific Island were attacked by some Japanese veterans unaware the Second
World War had ended forty years earlier. As the Americans explained the war
was over, the Japanese looked at them quizzically and asked: 'Churchill?'
"Dead," said the Americans. "What about Eisenhower?" "Dead". "Stalin?"
"Dead, a long long time ago". 'Well, tell me one thing," said the Japanese
commander. "Billy Bonds – he still play for West Ham?"

'Some West Ham fans took exception to what Bill said and the following
weekend (v Watford) there was a pocket of supporters who booed him when he
got the ball. It must have been disconcerting for him given what he'd given
to West Ham, but all Bill did in reaction was to go up and the pitch for 90
minutes running more, tackling harder. By the end of the game, every tackle
he made was being given a huge ovation by the 99 per cent of fans who were
on his side. That was him, Billy Bonds. 'You always get banter flying around
a football club particularly on night out, but Bill was above that. You
wouldn't mess around with him.' In recent years, Bonds has been a very
infrequent visitor to The Boleyn, possibly feeling aggrieved that Redknapp
had helped engineer his departure nearly two decades ago. But the new
ownership of David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady have been keen to
celebrate West Ham's past and tonight Bonds will be watched on in awe by the
current generation of players including Joe Cole and Andy Carroll. 'I think
what there is now is a recognition of the history of the club,' said Martin.
'All clubs need to have that and the fact he is getting this award is very
well-deserved.'

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com