Daily WHUFC News - 29th June 2016

Hammers honoured at new Exhibition
WHUFC.com

West Ham United supporters can pay homage to the greatest achievement of three Academy of Football graduates at the National Football Museum. Fifty years on from England's golden summer of 1966, fans can put themselves in the middle of the FIFA World Cup action at a unique new Exhibition. Captain Bobby Moore, hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst and final goalscorer Martin Peters all feature extensively in the 1966 World Cup Exhibition at the National Football Museum in Manchester – opened this week by the trio's fellow World Cup winners Bobby Charlton, Roger Hunt and Jimmy Armfield. With stories from the people who made the games, played the games and watched the games that made the tournament such an iconic moment in the country's football and cultural history, the Exhibition celebrates England's success and looks at the legacy of that win. West Ham fans will be particularly eager to see the left boot worn by Hurst, which completed his perfect hat-trick with the strike made famous by commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme's words 'They think it's all over… It is now'.

The boot has been dipped in bronze and been loaned to the museum by their manufacturers, and will appear alongside Moore's right size 7 boot, which he wore in the final and to climb the steps to the Royal Box to collect the Jules Rimet trophy from HM Queen Elizabeth II. The trophy itself and ball from the final are also among the star exhibits, while new immersive technology will recreate the atmosphere of Wembley on that famous day, giving visitors their own seat among the 100,000 supporters lucky enough to be at the final half-a-century ago.

The 1966 World Cup Exhibition is a must-visit experience for West Ham fans who remember 1966, or anyone who ever wanted to see England win a World Cup! The Exhibition has been created in partnership with The Football Association (FA) and will be open until January 2017. Admission to the 1966 World Cup Exhibition at the Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, M4 3BG is free of charge, but donations to this registered charity are welcomed to support the Musuem's work in sharing 150 years of football heritage.
For London-based Hammers, a second Exhibition will open at Wembley Stadium on Monday 11 July. If you were at the 1966 World Cup, you can share your memories of the tournament and become part of the National Football Museum's project. The Sporting Memories Network, a charity which uses the power of stories to reignite connections between generations and combat the effects of dementia, depression and loneliness in communities is also collating memories on Twitter using the hashtag #Memoriesof66.

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Moose - Darren can look back with pride
WHUFC.com

While one Hammer was eliminated from UEFA Euro 2016 at the weekend, another three progressed to the quarter-final stage. West Ham supporter and talkSPORT presenter Ian 'Moose' Abrahams is out in France and gave his verdict on the competition so far…

When two Hammers faced each other in a UEFA Euro 2016 knockout stage fixture at the weekend, it was a great occasion. In the battle between hosts France and the Republic of Ireland, Dimitri Payet may have come out on top in terms of Les Bleus winning and going through, but I actually thought that Darren Randolph had a better game – he was superb and it was one of Dimitri's quieter performances. After Ireland's elimination, Darren can certainly come out the tournament with his head held high. He has shown that he's absolutely at home on the international stage and none of the goals he conceded during the tournament he could do anything about. If the stopper manages to keep up that sort of form, he'll be pushing Adrian for a spot in the West Ham team. Everyone in the Irish squad is obviously disappointed, but Darren put it across really well after the game when he said that they've had a fantastic time here. Nobody gave them a prayer of qualifying from their group.

The Italy win will remain with all of them for as long as they live. Without a question of doubt, Darren has had a fantastic tournament and can certainly look back on his time in France with a great deal of pride. As for the hosts, I don't think they have really got going in any of their games so far and they've relied heavily on Payet to produce. He's certainly delivered. As West Ham fans will testify, he's a fantastic footballer who gets you off his seat, and he can win a game on his own. Against Ireland, it perhaps just wasn't his day, however. France are still up there as one of the favourites to win, but I think you have to look at the Germans, who haven't conceded a goal yet, and the Belgians as tournament contenders too.

Another Hammers man still at the Euros is obviously James Collins with Wales. I think it will be fantastic if Ginge gets on the pitch at some point for The Dragons. He certainly should have come on the other day, when Ashley Williams was injured and Chris Coleman wanted to make the change. Conflicting reports say it could be either nothing or a serious injury for Williams, so we don't know. Either way, Ginge would love to get on the pitch against Belgium in what will be an extremely tough game, but he wouldn't let Wales down in any way, shape or form. He would do his family, friends and country proud and it would be a great moment of his career if he can have some time in the team. He'd be up against players like Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard who he faces in the Premier League week-in, week-out, so there's no doubt he could handle it. I spoke to Ginge before he came out here and he was really looking forward to it, and it will be a huge high of his career, as is the case with the other West Ham players. I spoke to Angelo Ogbonna, who has thoroughly enjoyed his time out here, too. Italy are flying high after beating Spain and in general, it has been a superb tournament for the Hammers out there so far, and it could get even better.

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BBC OS documentary was unfair and bias
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 28, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

The BBC trust has concluded that BBC's editorial standards were not met in the bias documentary called entitled "How the Hammers stuck Gold" presented by Dan Roan. A complaint by the LLDC that the programme was unfair, inaccurate and bias was partially upheld. The trust found no overall bias but conceded some unfairness to the LLDC and bias in relation to the particular points. The production team has been reminded of the need to ensure that contributors' responses to criticisms are properly reflected in programmes.

Full BBC Response to complaint

"The programme looked at the tenancy agreement which had been reached with West Ham FC for the use of the Olympic Stadium and examined a number of concerns which had been raised about the terms of the agreement. It included brief extracts from an interview with David Goldstone, Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), other parties involved in the agreement and the background to it having declined to take part. The LLDC complained that the programme had been unfair to it and biased overall, and that it had been inaccurate in a number of respects. The ECU did not find overall bias, but did find that some significant points, which were made by Mr Goldstone in response to criticism of the agreement, about the benefit to taxpayers resulting from long-term arrangements for a multi-use stadium without the need for further subsidy, about the cost of converting the stadium being offset by the economic value brought about by its contribution to regeneration of the area, and about the detailed commercial rationale for not releasing financial details of the agreement with West Ham, had been omitted from the programme, resulting in unfairness to the LLDC and bias in relation to the points in question."

"As a consequence the ECU's finding was that the BBC's editorial standards in the relevant areas had not been met. The ECU found no inaccuracy which would have materially affected viewers' understanding of the issues under discussion."

"Outcome: Partly Upheld. Further information was provided by the ECU: The production team has been reminded of the need to ensure that contributors' responses to criticisms are properly reflected in programmes, particularly when they are the sole representatives of those towards whom criticism has been directed."

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Palace agree fee for Irons target
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 27, 2016 in News
C and H

Crystal Palace are tonight being reported as having agreed a €38m (£31.6m) fee with Marseilles for striker Michy Batshuayi. The Belgian international striker has been the subject of two bids so far in this transfer window from Palace and the Irons. West Ham were reported to have submitted a €40m bid at the start of May, but this was later denied by Bilic. The Hammers remain hopeful of signing him, while Juventus have also made a bid in excess of €30m for the player who scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 last season. However, according to The Guardian Palace's co-owner Steve Parish may have stolen a march on his rivals for Batshuayi's signature after making the offer directly to Marseille president Vincent Labrune.
It is understood that the deal includes a significant bonus payment and sell-on clause, with his former club Standard Liège due 35% of any sale due to a the existence of a previous clause. However, there is stil a way to go with the Irons and Juventus possibly ready to move in again and of course the player has to agree to personal terms with richer clubs than Palace still in the race.

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Thank God Nobes wasn't a part of that
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 27, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

NobleI wasn't surprised or therefore disappointed as we slumped out against Iceland. There was just one overwhelming emotion for me and it was this – thank God our Nobes wasn't a part of the shambles that was Roy Hodgson's England. The geezer has now gone thanking his players …err WHY? They were dreadful and that Mark not being a part of it was a massive result for the skipper. He doesn't deserve that sort of hangover ahead of what is a huge season . He's a top bloke who in missing out on Woy's wasted tournament has escaped a big humiliation. Tonight was thoroughly awful. Mark may have improved things, Andy Carroll was certainy an option Woy should have accepted and Aaron Cresswell should have been on the left side of the back four. But the manager wouldn't listen and has paid a heavy price by falling on whatever sword he may have had left. We have said it many many times to successive England managers:

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OS retractable seating gets final test
Posted by Sean Whetstone on June 28, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Stadium Operator, London Stadium 185 are in the process of testing the updated retractable seating over the newly installed running track at the former Olympic Stadium recently renamed the London Stadium. This is the final dress rehearsal for the moving of the seating from athletics mode to football and back again before the stadium is set for the Great Newham run then Sainsbury's Anniversary Games in July. At the moment it takes up to 11 days to move from Athletics mode to football mode with a lot of manual effort and labour costs involved. The french stadium operator has invited external contractors and experts to improve and hopefullt partially automate the process to bring the time down to as short as five days eventually. Stadium owners E20 LLP have invested in a new Mondo running track and new Desso grassmaster pitch to complete their stadium transformation works. Modifications have been made to the lower bowl seating and the corporate lounges and West Ham office space fit outs have been completed. The WestHamIfication of the stadium is also nearing it's final stage. The picture above shows an aerial shot of the retractable seating bought forward close to the newly completed pitch.

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Inter Milan should sign Dimitri Payet after £200million cash boost, says Massimo Moratti
14:47, 28 JUN 2016 UPDATED 14:48, 28 JUN 2016
BY ALEX RICHARDS
The Nerazzurri have fallen into the hands of China's Suning Commerce Group and honorary president Moratti would love to see the West Ham star at San Siro
The Mirror

Inter Milan are set for a summer spending spree after new Chinese owners handed the club a £200million boost - and honorary president Massimo Moratti has called on the Italian giants to sign West Ham and France star Dimitri Payet. Payet has lit up Euro 2016 after a superb debut season with the Hammers, scoring in both of Les Bleus' opening two matches.
The 29-year-old has been linked with a summer move to Real Madrid, where compatriot Zinedine Zidane is in charge, despite only signing a new five-year deal But after fresh investment at San Siro - with the Nerazzurri passing into the hands of China's Suning Commerce Group - Moratti has urged the club to make key reinforcements to the playing staff this summer. The Hammers have no desire to cash in on their attacking midfielder leave and have refused to give his admirers even a sniff of encouragement by putting a valuation on his head. However, that hasn't stopped Moratti from voicing his desire to see Payet in the blue and black next season. "As a fan, I would love to see Payet in an Inter shirt. However, the great champions are currently elusive, you have to be lucky enough to find the right opportunity. "We are missing 2-3 players to be competitive. The important thing is to have solid players that ensure continuity."
On the club's takeover, Moratti declared: "My feeling is good for the new group, it seems to me that with [Erick] Thohir there are positives. "We have to work a lot and we will have some satisfaction." The Suning Commerce Group today completed their purchase of a majority stake in Inter, taking 68.55 per cent of the Italian club. They have pumped £200million into the club's coffers, with an £117million increase in capital and an £83million loan.

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Tottenham set to land Michy Batshuayi despite Crystal Palace bid
Default author imageGOSSIP
Ewan Roberts for Metro.co.uk
Tuesday 28 Jun 2016 3:35 pm

In-demand Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi is closing in on a summer switch to Tottenham despite Crystal Palace having a £31 million bid accepted for the Belgian, according to reports. The 22-year-old, who netted in Belgium's recent Euro 2016 win over Hungary in the last 16, is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Palace, Spurs, West Ham and Juventus.
All four clubs are believed to have entered into negotiations with Marseille, though only Palace have met their huge asking price. But the Daily Mail report that Batshuayi wants to move to White Hart Lane and is set to sign for the club, who will make a counter offer before July 5 – the date by which Marseille must sell the striker in order to raise enough funds to avoid sanctions from the DNCG. Both Spurs and Juve believe Batshuayi can be signed for a lower fee than the amount Palace have offered, especially with the French club in need of around £21 million. Although Palace may miss out on the Belgian striker, they are still hopeful of completing a deal for another Marseille star – long-serving goalkeeper Steve Mandanda

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Slaven Bilic contacts Ante Coric's representatives to register West Ham interest
HITC
Vincent Ralph

According to a report from the Daily Star, West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has personally contacted the representatives of Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Ante Coric to register his interest in the 19-year-old. The Hammers have been linked with the exciting youngster in recent weeks but now it appears their manager has taken the first steps to potentially steal a march on the player's other suitors. Coric may only be a teenager but he has already featured 80 times for the Croatian club, scoring 11 goals and providing 15 assists in the process. Predominantly an attacking midfielder, the alleged West Ham target can also play in a central position, as a holding player or on the right wing if required, and his versatility would come in handy at the Olympic Stadium if he did ultimately move to the Hammers. Bilic pulled off some superb transfer business during his first summer at the club and the pressure will now be on for him to repeat that and ensure West Ham kick on again next season.

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Michelle Keegan to play Bobby Moore's wife in new series
ITV

Former Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan will play footballer Bobby Moore's wife, Tina, in a new ITV series. The role of Bobby will be played by 26-year-old Lorne MacFadyen, best known for his role in Grantchester. Keegan, 29, will also be joined by former Holby City actress Patsy Kensit, who will star as Tina's mother Betty, alongside Midsomer Murders star David Bamber who will play England manager Alf Ramsey. The three-part drama series, titled Tina and Bobby, will tell the story of England star Moore's life with Tina, from their early days through to the height of their fame as the original 'golden couple'. Moore became a national hero as captain of the England team when they won the World Cup in 1966. The West Ham United captain and defender had married Tina in June 1962, with the West Ham team in the congregation. Former West Ham and Manchester United player Noel Cantwell was best man. The drama is to be based on Tina's memoir titled Bobby Moore: By The Person Who Knew Him Best. Executive Producer for ITV Studios, Kieran Roberts, said:
Most people will know the story of Bobby Moore's achievements as captain of club and country - the only Englishman ever to lift the football World Cup. Far fewer will know the story of his life with Tina - a love story every bit as dramatic and epic as Bobby's exploits on the pitch. We are delighted to be dramatising Tina and Bobby's amazing story for ITV and, in Michelle and Lorne, we think we have the perfect casting of the 'golden' couple and we are thrilled.

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Former West Ham winger joins Margate
By Isle of Thanet Gazette
Posted: June 28, 2016

FORMER West Ham Academy winger Matthias Fanimo has signed for Margate following his release from National League side Eastleigh. The 22-year-old started his career with the Hammers and made one first team appearance in a 2-0 victory of Crewe Alexandra in the League Cup. He also spent time of loan at Tranmere Rovers and Bishops Stortford before signing for the Spitfires. He has also represented the England U16, U17 and U18 age groups. While at West Ham, rapid Fanimo equalled Antonio Valencia as the fastest footballer in the world, 0.2 seconds quicker than Gareth Bale and 0.5 seconds quicker than Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Spurs are biggest losers but West Ham the real winners after England's embarrassing Euro 2016 exit
HITC
Damien Lucas
@damienlucas
4 hours ago

If Tottenham Hotspur were the biggest losers then West Ham United were the biggest winners after England were sent packing from Euro 2016. Roy Hodgson resigned after his side crashed out of Euro 2016 with a 2-1 defeat to Iceland in what goes down as one of the most embarrassing nights in English football history. England limped into the last 16 after toiling to a second place finish in the group stages behind Wales. That failure saw them entered into the perceived tougher side of the draw where it looked like they would face Portugal until a late goal from Iceland in their last group game. But it only provided the platform for the Three Lions to truly embarrass a nation against one of the minnows of international football.

Hodgson failure proves Hammers right?

One thing it has done, though, is prove Hodgson could have done a lot worse than listen to the advice of West Ham fans and several pundits when it came to his squad selection.
Not a single Hammers player made the cut despite recording their best ever Premier League points tally last season and mounting a genuine challenge for Champions League football.
While the East Londoners have a number of players who staked a strong claim for inclusion by the Three Lions boss, none were deemed up to the task by the former Fulham boss.
Hammers fans did not take kindly to Hodgson's blind spot for their club. It did not help that Hodgson decided to include a host of players from West Ham's bitter rivals Spurs in the team, with the likes of Harry Kane wildly underperforming throughout. It was felt skipper Mark Noble - who has been compared to Spain great Iniesta by David James - was worthy of a place in the squad as stats showed he outperformed every other England squad midfielder in key areas while Aaron Cresswell was the outstanding English left back in the top flight last season. Then there was Michail Antonio who could have been a revelation for Hodgson's side in France with his pace, power, energy, skill, workrate and finishing prowess.
Antonio ended the season with 15 goals and assists for West Ham - despite only beginning his Hammers career halfway through the season. And the versatile powerhouse has also been deployed as a makeshift right back for much of that time. He was five clear of Liverpool's Adam Lallana (10), Manchester City's Raheem Sterling (9), Red Devils youngster Marcus Rashford (6) and relegated Magpies winger Andros Townsend (6).

'Crying out for Carroll'

And what of Andy Carroll? Just last week former England boss Glenn Hoddle criticised Hodgson for not bringing the big target man with him to the Euros. England spent most of their time taking pot shots from distance, wasting set pieces or lobbing long balls up to the ineffective Harry Kane during their time in France. Everyone could see the Three Lions were crying out for someone like Carroll, after all almost every nation at the Euros had at least one big target man in their side, many to great effect. Those Hammers have become even better players without kicking a ball in anger this summer. Many of the club's fans are delighted to see the back of Hodgson.

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