U17s ready for final group game in Abu Dhabi
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U17s head into their final group games of the Hazza bin
Zayed International Football Tournament in Abu Dhabi needing a positive
result to progress. After triumphing in their opener against Kashiwa Reysol,
the young Hammers played a real game of two halves against Espanyol.
Trailing 2-0 at the break, West Ham showed great character to claw their way
back into the contest thanks to a Jahmal Hector-Ingram goal. The Hammers
carved out several openings to level, but could not force a second goal and
were caught on the break to leave Espanyol with a 3-1 victory. The game was
followed by the tournament's gala dinner, where former Hammer Freddie
Kanoute was the guest of honour. West Ham's Korrey Henry asked him about
adjusting to life in the Premier League, with Kanoute giving kind words
about his time at the Boleyn Ground. Man-of-the-Match Idris Kanu scored the
only goal of the game as the young Hammers saw off Japanese side Kashiwa
Reysol at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium. The final group match will see West
Ham face the host club, Al Ain FC, at 7.30pm on Sunday 29 March. The two
group winners will contest the final, while the runners-up in each group
will go through to the third/fourth-place play-off.
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Ladies' future in good shape
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies are planning for a sustainable future if the club's
Development Squad is anything to go by. Under the direction of manager Andy
Hill, the Ladies' second-string has produced a steady stream of players for
consideration by first-team boss Julian Dicks.
With the Development Squad challenging for the FA Women's Premier League
(Reserves) Southern Division with five matches still to play, Hill is happy
with the way things are going. "Looking back at the season overall for the
Development Squad, I don't think anyone could anticipate just how well we
did in the run up to Christmas," he reflected. "We'd played something like
15 games and were top for a large part of that because we've stood up to
every challenge, worked hard and although as a manger you don't really want
to get carried away with results, a good run can make other teams sit up and
be wary of our squad. "For me, though, this part of the season is a
completely new challenge for them because they are not picking up the
results like they were at the start of this season. "We have been the much
better team in most of our games and got the results that we quite rightly
deserve but now that the going is starting to get a little bit tough, it
will be interesting to see how much the girls really want it."
Hill was alluding to a run of just two league wins since the turn of the
year which has seen West Ham drop off the top of the table.
"Overall this season, I am 100% happy with the standard of my team and one
of the main areas that I wanted to focus on when I took the job in the
summer was the progression of girls through the Development Squad and into
the first team," the 26-year-old confirmed.
"It would be easy to sit and talk about Jade Smith and Whitney Locke, who
have been regularly in and around the first team, but I think we have had
nine Development Squad players either train, travel or play for Julian
Dicks' first team so far this season. "We have then been able to bring
players up from the U18 team and they are making an impact for the
Development Squad – players like Danielle Sillitoe, Natalie Strange, Alleah
Headley and Ciara Bland. Those four have been fantastic this season and have
even been impressing Julian over the past few months, so it shows that we
are on the right track."
The Development Squad traveled to Chichester City last Sunday and returned
to winning ways with a 1-0 victory through Katie Bottom's late goal
Dicks' first-team had a weekend off after coming from a goal down to thrash
Gillingham Ladies 5-1 at Aveley FC. Emma Sherwood and Lily Mellors scored
twice each, while Vicky King was also on target. West Ham will look to
repeat that scoreline when they head to Kent for the reverse fixture on
Sunday 29 March, before traveling to South Wales to face top side Cardiff on
5 April.
The next home match will see Charlton visit Aveley FC on Tuesday 7 April at
7.45pm. Follow updates from all Ladies' fixtures on Twitter @westhamladies.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jenkinson helps U21s to victory
WHUFC.com
Carl Jenkinson came off the bench as England U21 defeated Czech Republic 1-0
on Friday evening. The on-loan right back replaced Arsenal's Calum Chambers
in the second half after Tom Carroll's 48th minute goal settled the friendly
meeting in Prague. Meanwhile. West Ham United Academy duo Sean Maguire and
Reece Oxford were both involved in wins on the international stage on
Thursday night. Maguire came off the bench in the Republic of Ireland U21s'
1-0 victory over Andorra, while Oxford was also a used substiture as England
U17s rounded off their UEFA U17 Championship qualifying campaign with a 2-1
win against Romania. For Maguire, 20, his late run-out represented a first
cap at Under-21 level as the young Irish got their qualification matches for
the 2017 UEFA U21 Championship off to the best possible start.
The former Waterford United player, back on home turf, had an injury time
effort saved by Andorra keeper Victor Silverio, while the winning goal came
on 31 minutes through Ipswich Town's Dylan Connolly.
Oxford moved down to the bench after two wins from two had already sealed
England U17's place in this summer's finals tournament.
After scoring in Monday's 3-1 win against Slovenia, the centre back came on
for the final 12 minutes against Romania to help see out a 2-1 success
gained thanks to Chelsea forward Ike Ugbo's double. The attention turns to
the seniors on Saturday, with James Collins' Wales taking on Israel in a
Euro 2016 qualifier, and Cheikhou Kouyate's Senegal facing Ghana in a
friendly.
Josh Cullen will also be hoping to help the Republic of Ireland U19s bounce
back from defeat to Czech Republic when they face Germany on the same day.
Jenkinson could also face Germany on Monday, as England U21s play another of
their co-finalists for the summer's UEFA U21 Championship, in a friendly at
Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium.
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Benitez, Baumgartlinger, Noble and Nolan: Saturday latest
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th March 2015
By: Staff Writer #2
Get the very latest West Ham news in one place, with our new daily media
round-up!
Latest Stories
West Ham monitoring Mainz midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger as potential Alex
Song replacement
The Austria international's contract expires at the end of the season and
the Hammers are among a number of clubs ready to swoop
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/west-ham-monitoring-mai
nz-midfielder-5414006
West Ham, West Brom and Everton set for summer scrap over £5million Lewis
Dunk
The Brighton centre-back has impressed for the Seagulls this term and could
be set for a summer move to the Premier League
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/west-ham-west-brom-ever
ton-5412870
Kevin Nolan: Anfield charity game is a special moment
West Ham captain and boyhood Liverpool fan looking forward to being on
Steven Gerrard's side for once
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/kevin-nolan-anfield-charity-game-893481
8
Nolan excited by All-Star appearance
Kevin Nolan is looking forward to returning home to play in the Liverpool FC
Foundation All-Star charity match.
http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2015/March/27-March/Nolan-excited-by-All-
Star-appearance
West Ham and Newcastle managerial target 'looking forward' to Premier League
return
Rafa Benitez is keen to return to England and the Premier League this
summer, according to friend and former Napoli and Liverpool man Pepe Reina
http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/west-ham/west_ham_and_newcastle
_managerial_target_looking_forward_to_premier_league_return_1_4012527
The reasons why West Ham's Mark Noble should have a national call-up
As the thrilling final quarter of the Premier League comes to a shuddering
week-long halt and dust blooms into the air, we all have to brush ourselves
down, squint through the drifting grit, and lean in close to hear the names
of the chosen few announced.
http://outside90.com/312west-hams-noble-should-be-capped/
West Ham monitoring Mainz midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger as potential Alex
Song replacement
The Austria international's contract expires at the end of the season and
the Hammers are among a number of clubs ready to swoop
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/west-ham-monitoring-mai
nz-midfielder-5414006
Sakho dreaming of Stadium goals
Diafra Sakho took one look at West Ham United's new home this week and, true
to form, set his sights on scoring the first goal there.
http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2015/March/27-March/Sakho-dreaming-of-Sta
dium-goals
Hammers duo taste international success
West Ham United Academy duo Sean Maguire and Reece Oxford were both involved
in wins on the international stage on Thursday night.
http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2015/March/27-March/Hammers-duo-taste-int
ernational-success
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FOOTBALL MAD: THE STORY OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUICIDE IN THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
By Iron Liddy 29 Mar 2015 at 08:00
West Ham till I Die
When I look back at the past two seasons as a West Ham fan in years to come
sadly the word that will define them for me will be 'abuse.' I feel as
though my senses have been battered by an incessant stream of vitriol aimed
at our owners; our manager; some of our players, one in particular; and at
fellow fans.
I looked at Carlton Cole's face as he sat on the sofa on Goals on Sunday
last weekend and I saw a very unhappy man. His mouth was smiling but his
eyes weren't; his time at West Ham has extinguished some of the spark in of
one of the sweetest, funniest men in the game. Football's Mr Nice Guy was
forced to sit there and admit that he has been fined £40,000 for losing his
temper and retaliating in kind to an abusive tweet from an opposition fan.
It was the straw that broke the camel's back. Although he is a favourite
among many West Ham fans he has also had to endure constant criticism and
abuse from other factions of our fan base and beyond. You really hope that
the love that he receives from his supporters helps to cushion the pain of
the virtual blows that he's subjected to on social media; a subject which
brings me on to our most vilified player in the past couple of years, Kevin
Nolan.
In his recent interview with Dave Evans in the Newham Recorder Kevin said:
"It has been a tough couple of months ….. people talking about me and saying
things about me, it has been hard, I am not going to deny it, but the only
thing I have ever known is playing football. That is the only thing I can do
now. I have got nothing to prove to anyone. I have done a lot in my career
and a lot of what has been said has been unfair, but that's life I suppose."
Anybody who regularly follows West Ham's fortunes will know that Kevin
Nolan's response to the vicious and personal abuse he has been subjected to
for months on end is an understatement. For somebody not in the public eye
it's difficult to comprehend what it must be like to be exposed to a daily
barrage of abusive and crass criticism. As a woman I also feel for his wife
and try to imagine how upset I would be at having to watch my husband endure
such hatred and venom simply for trying to do his job; not to mention the
stress of trying to ensure that it didn't reach the ears and eyes of my
children.
Nolan went on to say:
"I've come to the stage in my career with all the negativity surrounding me
and I have just taken it on the chin. It's water off a duck's back for me.
Sometimes it hurts of course, but I've got a fantastic family, fantastic
support system and not just with family and friends but also within the
club."
So Kevin is still smiling and still coping, at least he seems to be. Anyway,
isn't he fair game for all the critics and abusers given his dream job and
huge salary? Maybe, maybe not. A popular consensus seems to be that
professional footballers, as well as other people in the public eye, are
exempt from the consideration afforded to 'regular' people. It's as if a
proportion of society considers that their wealth and celebrity makes them
somehow immune from the frailties of the human condition and that they can
either just absorb or repel any abuse without it affecting their mental and
physical wellbeing.
As the cruelty and contempt that they have had to tolerate reaches its
height both Carlton Cole and Kevin Nolan have also arrived at a stage in
their careers as professional footballers where they need to take stock and
ask themselves the question "what next?" It sounds like a lovely problem to
have doesn't it? All that money in the bank, not too many medals granted,
but scrapbooks filled with memories of a job that most people can only dream
of, what have they got to worry about? In fact they are probably at a very
vulnerable stage of their lives and you can only hope that they have the
mental strength and support networks that will enable them to navigate it
successfully as they continue to deflect the scorn and bile that is heaped
upon them every day.
For the majority of these relatively still young men football has been the
only way of life that they've known since they were children; it defines
them as human beings and shapes their self-worth and self-identity. When
they come to the end of their footballing career they are in danger of
losing so much more than a big income and the chance to play football in
front of thousands of people. Unfortunately no amount of money, fame or
privilege can protect mentally vulnerable people from the irrationality and
despair of depression and mental illness; conditions which are exacerbated
by external circumstances and the stresses of abuse and criticism.
A few weeks ago Clarke Carlisle, the former Burnley and QPR defender and
one-time Chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association, left
hospital following his second suicide attempt.
He told The Sun newspaper that he had been left severely depressed by the
end of his football career, financial problems and the loss of a TV punditry
role. Seeing death as the only escape from his despair Carlisle stepped in
front of a lorry on the A64 on the 22nd of December and hoped for oblivion.
As it turned out he survived the impact and was airlifted to Leeds General
Infirmary suffering from cuts, bruises, internal bleeding, a broken rib and
shattered left knee. On Christmas Day 2014 he was admitted as an in-patient
to a psychiatric unit in Harrogate before his release in January this year.
Carlisle's battle with depression has been well documented in the media and
in 2013 he made a poignant semi-autobiographical documentary for BBC3 called
'Football's Suicide Secret'; which told the story of his final season before
retirement – a season which, like much of his playing career, was marked by
periodic bouts of depression. His first suicide attempt came at the age of
21, just as his team Queens Park Rangers had been promoted to the Premier
League. Here was a young professional footballer apparently approaching the
zenith of his career and about to enjoy the prestige, accolades and wealth
that entails, when he decided to take his own life with a handful of pills
on a shabby park bench. In an article that Carlisle wrote for the BBC in
2013 he said:
"Everyone else thought I'd made it, that I had the dream life. And I did. I
was a 21-year-old professional footballer for QPR and the England Under-21s.
I had a nice flat, a nice car and a loving family. My irrational mind had
made me think suicide was a rational action though. So I went to a park near
my home in Acton armed with lots of painkillers and thought "I'm going to
take all these pills and kill myself, because I'm no use to anyone". I'd
just suffered a severe knee injury and had convinced myself that without
football people would see me for what I really was, which was nothing. I sat
on a bench in that park, washed the pills down with a can of beer, and
waited for it to happen. In the end I was incredibly lucky, because my
girlfriend found me and I was rushed to hospital in time to have my stomach
pumped. I survived and didn't tell another soul about the incident for years
and didn't ask for any help. I just locked this suicide attempt away in
Pandora's Box."
The film also highlighted the tragic and shocking death of former Premier
League and Welsh international player Gary Speed. Despite his glittering
playing career and his recent appointment as Manager of the Wales team
Speed's wife Louise found his lifeless body hanging in the garage of their
luxury home in November 2011. At the inquest into his death the coroner
reached a narrative verdict but stated that cause of death was by "self
suspension."
On the morning of his death he had appeared full of smiles as a guest on the
BBC One TV programme Football Focus, with presenter Dan Walker later
describing 42 year old Speed as being in "fine form." After the programme
finished Speed joined former Newcastle United team-mate and friend Alan
Shearer to watch their old club play against Manchester United at Old
Trafford. Although he never discussed any possible mental health issues with
anyone, he had told Shearer that the pressure of management had put some
strain on his marriage and that he and Louise had argued the night before
his death. Four days before he hanged himself he had also texted Louise
about the possibility of suicide, but he dismissed such an action because of
the importance of his wife and two children. At the inquest his mother
Carole Speed described him as a "glass half-empty person."
During his documentary Clarke Carlisle spoke to Speed's sister Lesley and
she said that if somebody had asked her whether Gary was suffering from
depression before that, she would have said absolutely not. She went on to
say:
"He hid it from us and it stopped him asking for help ….. we were just so
sad that we couldn't help him through….. that's a huge regret that I didn't
get him to one side and say 'is everything alright?'"
Carlisle commented:
"I know only too well that most depressives are great actors who can put on
a different persona, a facade. What you need to be able to do is open up,
yet the cruelty of the illness is that it won't let you."
Speed's sister Lesley also made the telling point that now that she knows
more about the condition she knows that people suffering from depression are
not just fighting an illness but also dealing with the stigma that comes
with it. During a short interview for the film, Aidy Boothroyd, Carlisle's
manager at Northampton, reinforced the view that depression and mental
illness are not something that you admit to in professional football. He
said that he had tried to protect his player by telling the team and the
press that Carlisle was suffering from flu when depression had forced him to
miss work.
Carlisle spoke to other young footballers about their experiences with
depression, including Simon Jordan, Lee Hendrie and Leon McKenzie and he
tried to show that depression, just like a physical illness, can strike even
those who have found their dream jobs and adulation. While it may not always
be helpful to view depression as something triggered by circumstances, there
is no doubt that a footballer's career cycle contains plenty of triggers.
Carlisle investigated the effect of that first rejection with a visit to an
academy full of young players who hadn't begun to consider that they might
not hit the big time; and also looked at how injuries and defeats can drag a
player down and what awaits them after retirement.
As my research continued I was shocked at the prevalence of suicide and
attempted suicide within the professional game. No doubt most football fans
are aware of the tragic case of Justin Fashanu, Britain's first million
pound black footballer and the first professional footballer in Britain to
openly 'come out' and admit he was gay. His courage drew many admirers among
the wider audience, but some observers said it was less appreciated in parts
of the football world. He suffered both homophobic and racist abuse during
his time as a player, with even his own manager, Brian Clough, labelling him
"a bloody poof" His personal torment took its toll professionally and his
promising football career had already nose-dived by the time he came out in
1990. Fashanu embarked on a new career coaching the US football team
Maryland Mania but in 1998 he fled back to England amid allegations of
sexual abuse by a 17 year old youth. On the morning of 3rd May he was found
hanged in a deserted lock-up garage he had broken into in Shoreditch,
London, he was 37. Fashanu's suicide note denied the charges, claiming that
the act was consensual and that he was being blackmailed by his accuser.
Whatever the truth of those allegations, Justin's suicide was a culmination
of a lifetime of rejection. That rejection began when he was given up by his
parents as a child and placed in a Barnardo's Children's Home. It was
compounded by the racist jibes he suffered on the football pitch, and by the
homophobic abuse inflicted on him at Nottingham Forest by his manager Brian
Clough.
A more recent high profile case is that of the former national German
goalkeeper Robert Enke. On 10th November 2009 32 year old Enke committed
suicide when he stood in front of a regional express train at a level
crossing. In this highly emotive video Robert's widow Teresa Enke describes
how the pressure of being a professional footballer contributed to Robert's
depression and death. She says:
"Sport will always be important but you should always see the human being
behind the sports person, you shouldn't just reduce them to a performance.
It's nice if he performs well but you should respect that people make
mistakes. I wish there was more understanding of [being] a professional
sports person."
Sadly self-awareness is no guarantee of protection from the effects of
mental illness. Another former German professional footballer committed
suicide in July 2014 after a long battle with depression. Andreas Biermann,
who started his career at Hertha Berlin, took his own life after struggling
against the illness for five years. The 33-year-old last played for FSV
Spandauer Kickers, based in Berlin and he had published a book called
'Depression: Red Card' where he discussed his struggle. Biermann had
initially revealed that he was suffering from the illness after the death of
Robert Enke and he had previously tried to take his own life on three
occasions.
You might be forgiven for thinking that suicide within professional football
is a relatively modern phenomenon due to media pressure and the added stress
from the abuse inflicted by fans via social media. You may also think that
suicide has never touched West Ham. Sadly neither is true.
This list of professional and ex-professional footballers and managers who
felt driven to take their own lives makes very sad and shocking reading.
Footballers who committed suicide
Among them you will find Syd King, Thames Ironworks' and West Ham's star
full back from 1899 – 1903; who went on to become West Ham's manager, a
position he held for 30 years from 1902 until 1932.
Syd King was considered one of the best full backs in the Southern League
and he recorded 16 appearances in Thames Ironworks' first season in the
Southern League Division One in 1899, also making seven appearances in the
FA Cup that year, an impressive run that ended in a 1-2 home defeat against
arch-rivals Millwall Athletic. In 1900 he was retained as a member of the
squad after the club's transition to West Ham United, and continued to play
for them until 1903, recording 59 league and 7 FA Cup appearances in total.
At the start of his last season as a player he was appointed club secretary,
although he was already considered to be a 'manager' of the club. His tenure
at West Ham included our election to the football league in 1919 and in 1923
he took West Ham to the FA Cup Final for the first time, losing to Bolton
Wanderers but also assuring our place in the top division finishing as
Division Two runners up. An edition of the local newspaper East Ham Echo
proclaimed in 1923 that:
"Syd King is West Ham and West Ham is Syd King."
Following promotion King implemented a period of consolidation for West Ham
in the First Division, the highlight of which was the 1926-1927 season when
West Ham finished in 6th place in Division One. This performance was not
equalled by the Hammers until the 1958-1959 season during Ted Fenton's
tenure. This consistency was partly made possible when King signed players
who went on to become West Ham legends and record holders, as well as
England internationals, including Jimmy Ruffell, Ted Hufton and Vic Watson.
Syd King was appointed a shareholder of West Ham United in 1931 but the team
was relegated in the 1931-32 season back to Division Two. On 5th November
1932 West Ham lost their ninth game of the next season, against Bradford
Park Avenue, and at the same day's board meeting, according to one board
member, during the discussion of the team King was "drunk and
insubordinate." It was no secret that King 'liked a drink' but he had
already appeased the board many times over the issue. On the following day
they announced that:
"It was unanimously decided that until further notice C. Paynter be given
sole control of players and that E. S. King be notified accordingly."
It was also suggested by the board, but never confirmed, that King had been
syphoning off West Ham funds for himself. He was suspended for three months
without pay and also banned from entering the Boleyn Ground. Following a
board meeting on 3rd January 1933 his contract was terminated permanently,
and he was given an ex-gratia payment of £3 a week.
Although comparatively rich for an ex-player working in football, King's
reputation and career were in tatters. Within a month of the sacking he
sadly committed suicide by drinking alcohol mixed with a corrosive liquid.
The inquest into his death declared that he had taken his life 'while of
unsound mind', and had been suffering from persecution delusions. According
to his son his depression had begun when West Ham were relegated in the
summer of 1932, and that his paranoia had followed on from that.
In his book 'At Home With The Hammers' (1960) Ted Fenton, West Ham United
player (1932-46) and manager (1950-61) wrote:
"The boss at West Ham was Syd King, an outsize, larger-than-life character
with close-cropped grey hair and a flowing moustache. He was a personality
plus man, a man with flair. Awe struck, I would tip-toe past his office but
invariably he would spot me. "Boy," he would shout. "Get me two bottles of
Bass." Down to the Boleyn pub on the corner I would go on my errand and when
I got back to the office Syd King would flip me a two-shilling piece for my
trouble."
Isn't it sad and unthinkable that a man with such a big personality and who
had achieved so much at West Ham felt compelled to take his own life when he
lost the support of the board and consequently his position? It really
highlights the fact that nobody is immune from depression, even those with
long and successful careers.
Given the stigma that often comes with mental illness, it's perhaps no
surprise that footballers and managers who suffer from depression often do
their utmost to hide it instead of asking for help; and there are
undoubtedly current and former professional players and managers still
suffering in silence today.
In 2013 Football Association chairman David Bernstein admitted that the
issue of mental illness in the sport has been "badly neglected in the past."
He said:
"This is not something that's been high on my agenda – maybe it should have
been higher."
A spokesman insisted that the FA regards the issue as "vitally important"
and Scott Field, the FA's head of media relations, said:
"The mental well-being of players, managers and indeed all participants in
football is vitally important to the FA, from grassroots to the professional
game."
He said that the FA had helped to produce a handbook for professional
players tackling the subject of mental illness, as well as organising
awareness workshops for coaches in 2011. The FA has also provided financial
backing to the Sporting Chance Clinic, which treats sportsmen with
behavioural problems.
Let's hope that they're taking it as seriously as they say. The latest
suicide statistics reveal a disproportionate rise in the number of male
suicides. In the UK, the male suicide rate is approximately three and a half
times higher than the female suicide rate and the highest rate of male
suicide in the UK is in the 40-44 age group.
The circumstances behind the depression and suicides of these professional
footballers and managers are as varied as their careers but the one thing
they all have in common is that their status within the professional game
didn't protect them from their mental torment; they were just human beings
with the same vulnerabilities as the man on the street. In fact they may be
more vulnerable than the average man on the street. FIFPro, the World
Footballers' Association, conducted an international study into the extent
of Mental Illness in Professional Football More than 300 current and former
professional players and six national unions participated. The first
paragraph of the report's conclusion states:
"The results of our study show that mental illness seems to occur among
former professional footballers more often than in current players and more
often than in other populations. Consequently, mental illness among former
professional footballers cannot be underestimated and should be a subject of
interest for all stakeholders in football. Attention to career planning in
an early stage of a football career might significantly help to prepare the
post-sport life period and to avoid potential problems after retirement
(Alfermann 2007)."
If you've reached the end of this article then you're obviously a thinking
West Ham fan and probably not prone to outbursts of personal abuse where
only professional criticism is required. You're probably also already
cognisant of the issues surrounding depression and mental illness and
understand the fragilities of all human beings, including professional
footballers, and how unwarranted and spiteful personal attacks on a player
or manager could contribute into pushing a vulnerable person over the edge.
The point I'm trying to make probably won't reach those who could benefit
from it the most. Those who won't read have no advantage over those who
can't; so there's little hope of educating either.
I'm not suggesting that professional footballers and managers should be
wrapped in cotton wool and that they shouldn't have to bear professional
criticism but I wish all football fans would stop to think of the words of
German goalkeeper Robert Enke's widow the next time that they feel compelled
to write an abusive comment and ask themselves if it's really necessary or
fair and to consider the impact it could have on a mentally vulnerable
person struggling to cope with a barrage of abuse.
"Sport will always be important but you should always see the human being
behind the sports person, you shouldn't just reduce them to a performance.
It's nice if he performs well but you should respect that people make
mistakes. I wish there was more understanding of [being] a professional
sports person."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham set to snatch a European place - thanks to the Fair Play League
22:30, 28 March 2015 By Chris Davies
England is on course to earn a Europa League spot for good behaviour and the
Hammers currently top the domestic discipline table - but there is one
hitch...
The Mirror
West Ham are in line to grab a place in Europe – thanks to the Fair Play
League, writes Chris Davies in the Sunday People. The Hammers top the
Premier League table which awards points for discipline, positive play,
respect towards opponents and the referee, plus behaviour of team officials
and spectators. UEFA give three places in the Europa League for the
countries with the best Fair Play record and England, the Republic of
Ireland and Holland are currently leading the way. The downside is that West
Ham would have to play their first qualifying round tie on July 2. This
would mean the players having a close season of just one month – the minimum
allowed – before returning to training 11 days before the first tie.
Liverpool are currently second in the table, while struggling Burnley are
not far behind in third. In the 20-112012, Fulham competed in the Europa
League after being awarded a place through winning the Fair Play League.
They played their first match on June 30, against NSI Runavik from the Faroe
Islands.
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Sullivan holds key to defender switch
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Carl Jenkinson's switch from Arsenal to West Ham now appears to be more or
less nailed on. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is ready to let the defender know
of his decision to let him leave the Emorates and his agent will enter talks
on personal terms once a fee has been agreed with Arsenal. The right back is
determined to stay in London and has become a popular member of the Irons
dressing room. But it is the relationship between David Sullivan and the
player's agent which is likely to prove the clincher and which brought the
player to Upton Park in the first place. The two sides pair were quickly in
touch with each other when it became clear he would be allowed out on a
season-long loan and both are keen to make the move permanent. Jenks has
loved life in the east end and is one of the most regular player interview
subjects on the club website. The tricky business will be in agreeing a fee
with Arsenal who will start at £8 million but the final fee is set to be
around £5m – £6m.
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Irons Euro spot very much on!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are edging closer to a Europeans spot courtesy of the Fair Play
League. We are top the Premier League table which awards points for
discipline, positive play, respect towards opponents and the referee, plus
behaviour of team officials and spectators. Three Europa League places are
available for the countries with the best Fair Play record and England, the
Republic of Ireland and Holland in front.
Should the Irons make it they will have to play their first qualifying round
tie on July 2 giving the squad a close season of one month before returning
to training 11 days before the first tie. Liverpool are currently second in
the table and Burnley in third
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Allardyce's chance to make us all happy!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce has a way to claim some real favour with the fans before the
end of the season. And if he is indeed to leave, there's also a way he can
be remembered by them for one good reason in the years to come. Perhaps it
hasn't occurred to him – perhaps if it has he doesn't particularly care
about the option – but it would do him no harm! There is nothing to lose.
I'm talking about Reece Oxford – commonly accepted as the most exciting
young Hammer to emerge in many years – and the opportunity the manager has
to give him his first team debut. Were Sam to do so he would mark out a
little spot in history for himself as the first manager to give the kid his
chance when in years to come he becomes the massive player and possible
England captain many are predicting. That may just appeal to Mr Allardyce
don't you think! And the truth is that West Ham with nothing to play for
other than mid table respectability he can easily afford to make such a
move. It's not even a gamble. Many believe Reece will be impacting on things
next season anyway and every single one of us want to see the lad given his
opportunity – even if it's only for 20 minutes as a second half sub. I doubt
it will happen but it should as should more inclusions for Morgan Amalfitano
and Brazilian Nene. None of us expected the Brazilian to be very involved
when he arrived…he hasn't been and that again demonstrates the
predictability entrenched in our managerial system. Every one of us can call
virtually everything so come on Mr Allardyce: prove us wrong, give us an
injection of much needed excitement…play young Reece!
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Reid/Valencia look to Leicester!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Winston Reid is set for a return to action against Leicester City next
weekend with Enner Valencia fifty/fifty. The central defender made his own
decision to stay at home rather than join the New Zealand squad as there
remained a little soreness in the injured hamstring.
The medical staff had always targeted the Leicester City match for his
return and were deloghted to receive the news that he'd be staying at home.
Co chairman David Gold said: "It was always Winston's decision. A long plane
trip out and back to Korea would not have helped and we can now use all our
resources to have him back for next weekend. We are very hopeful." Valencia
– who lacerated his foot on a broken cup at home – is recovering but he
remains fifty fifty for the game.
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Sullivan opens up on spending plans
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Sullivan admits the Hammers defence this summer – which could well
involve Carl Jenkinson – is likely to be the club's priority areas this
summer. Jenks is valued at around £8million but West Ham will be keen to
negotiate that given the presence of such as of Hector Belerin, Calum
Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy at the Emirates.. Apasr from the right back it
appears the club will be looking hard at central defence where the club has
been thin in the last couple of years. Sullivan told the official website:
"Our planning for strengthening the squad in the summer has been underway
for some time "I think we need goalscorers, a right back and maybe a central
defender. The situation with Carl Jenkinson won't be clear until the end of
the season but we will have to sign a right back one way or another. "We of
course bought Cheik Kouyate to play in midfield and as a fourth choice
centre half but two years in a row now we've been caught out in central
defence so it might be that we look to strengthen in that area for next
season. "We have Doneil Henry of course and he won impressive reviews for
his performances at Blackburn Rovers before getting injured. If he's ready
for the Premier League then he could get a chance, otherwise it might be
that he goes out on loan again to gain more experience. "If we do decide to
buy, the challenge would be then trying to keep four central defenders happy
but you do then have the cover for when you get injuries as we seem to have
a habit of losing our centre halves for key parts of the season."
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Irons striker on the move
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Brom boss Tony Pulis remains keen on Carlton Cole and could offer the
Irons loyalist his dream move to the Baggies in the summer.
Coley comes out of contract on June 30 and the Hammers are ready to let the
striker leave with Pulis still interested in making a move.
The Hawthorns chief was deeply disappointed when the deal to sign the front
man broke down in the winter window and despite having other targets
remains ready to do a deal as Cole's wage deal would be relatively low. The
Welshman has made it clear that Cole would offer his squad something they
don't already have and that he has a decent scoring record when he plays.
Cole would love to move to the midlands outfit and was devastated when the
winter move broke down at the last moment. A Hammers source said: "Coley has
been a great servant to the club but nothing's forever and he will be
moving on this summer."
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'Sak' aiming for huge Irons double
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Diafra Sakho is one of the very few footballers who can cheer me up on a
grey morning! He's a guy who always seems to say the right thing and that I
believe is because – unlike so many – he means and feels every word. To have
scored a dozen goals in a season when little was expected from a guy who was
very much seen as second string signing to Enner Valencia is a tribute to
his amazing work ethic and determination. And this week he was at the
Olympic Stadium clearly overwhelmed by his first impressions and looking to
grab a personal double. He told West Ham TV: "It's beautiful, I'd even say
magnificent. I'm eager to play there and pleased with everything that I've
seen. Everyone dreams of playing there. I would even like to score the
first goal in the new stadium. That would be amazing. "I hope to score the
last goal at Upton Park as well and then the first one here! You have to be
ambitious. We play for West Ham, if we're not ambitious, we won't be playing
at the new Stadium." "I can't even imagine it. It's going to be something
unforgettable. The first day that we step out there, we're going to feel
that we've really gone to a new level. "To go from 35,000 to 54,000 is
massive. I think Season Tickets are going to go very quickly this year,
that's for sure." All of that may sound like the answer to a public relation
man's name but Sak is a man who says it as he sees it as demonstrated with
his attack on the FA earlier this week. This guy is gonna become one of our
legends!
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Chelsea may challenge for Adebayor
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's summer hopes of doing a deal for Tottenham striker Emmanuel
Adebayor may be threatened by interest from Chelsea. According to new
reports this morning Jose Mourinho is considering a move for the striker he
took to Real Madrid. Were he to move for Adebayor the 31 year old may have
to consider the lesser of two evils – presumably having few first team
chances at Stamford Bridge or playing second fiddle to Andy Carroll at Upton
Park. Mourinho is reported to be looking in Adebayor's direction as the one
year deal for Didier Drogba, 37, runs out this summer. A Hammers source
refused to rule out their interest in the player saying: "All balls are in
the air – we were interested in January, why wouldn't we be now!"
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