Daily WHUFC News - 17th July 2016

Noble - The new home kit looks great
WHUFC.com

West Ham United captain Mark Noble was thrilled to unveil the new 2016/17 Umbro home kit at the new Stadium and hopes it will attract attention from people across the world. The iconic strip was officially unveiled at an exclusive event for 500 lucky fans at the Club's new 'Home of Heroes' on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and featured first-team stars, a football freestyler, rapper and DJ, celebrity hosts and stunning interactive video and musical presentations. Summer signings Sofiane Feghouli, Havard Nordtveit, Gokhan Tore, Ashley Fletcher, Antonio Martinez and Domingos Quina were joined by Noble, Aaron Cresswell, Winston Reid, Michail Antonio and Raphael Spiegel alongside YouTube sensation Spencer Owen officially unveiling the 2016/17 Home Kit to fans across the world. Noble cannot wait to wear it for the first time and hopes to achieve even more success when the Hammers play their first Premier League game at the new Stadium against Bournemouth on August 21. Noble said: "The new home kit is lovely. We have obviously seen it behind-the-scenes and we have been happy with it for a long time. It looks great. "It is a fitting kit to see us move into the new Stadium. "I enjoyed the show and it was a bit different to what we are normally used to when we unveil the new kit. "But we are moving into a fantastic new Stadium and it warrants it to get the kit out, not just to West Ham fans, but people across the world as the Club is moving forward in massive strides and we need to get the kit out there."

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Hammers launch new home kit
WHUFC.com

West Ham United launched the Club's 2016/17 Umbro Home Kit during a spectacular ceremony at the London Stadium The iconic strip was officially unveiled at an exclusive event for 500 lucky fans at the Club's new 'Home of Heroes' on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and featured first-team stars, a football freestyler, rapper and DJ, celebrity hosts and stunning interactive video and musical presentations. Summer signings Sofiane Feghouli, Havard Nordtveit, Gokhan Tore, Ashley Fletcher, Antonio Martinez and Domingos Quina were joined by captain Mark Noble, Aaron Cresswell, Winston Reid, Michail Antonio and Raphael Spiegel alongside YouTube sensation Spencer Owen officially unveiling the 2016/17 Home Kit to fans across the world.

Supporters were also given their first glimpse of the commemorative 2016/17 Thames Ironworks FC-themed kit, which West Ham will wear for the first time when Juventus visit for the Betway Cup on Sunday 7 August.
Streamed live on the Club's YouTube and Facebook channels and produced in conjunction with content agencies Brawl and WTF Creative, the launch set a new standard in digital engagement by a Premier League football club. West Ham will pull on their 2016/17 Home Kit for the first time when Belarussians FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk or Slovenians Domzale visit east London in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round.

Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "This is a very special event for the Club, the first at our magnificent new Stadium, and so we wanted to share it with our fans – those lucky ones here tonight and those elsewhere in the capital, country and world who were able to join us via the live stream. "We know our fans love the 2016/17 Away Kit, our new Stadium Store has been full every day since opening with fans flocking to buy the new strip, and from the reaction here tonight it's safe to say the fans are equally excited about the Home Kit. As the last season at the Boleyn Ground was, this season at London Stadium will be one that no Hammers fan will want to miss. Standing here outside our new home, seeing our players in their new strip, you can't help but be excited about the future of West Ham United."

The new Home shirt, in the Club's traditional Claret and Blue colours, features cutting edge cooling body map mesh and comfortable part rib collar and side panels. Special detailing on the shirt includes a Union Jack motif on the sleeves – a nod to both the history of the club's new Olympic Park home and their origins as Thames Ironworks FC back in 1895. On the back neck area, the co-ordinates of the Club's new home in Stratford are featured alongside the Union Jack graphic, while the chest is emblazoned with the new West Ham United crest and text marking the Hammers' first season in the London Stadium.

Accompanying the shirt, white shorts feature an eye-catching blue contrast side panel, with both club crest and Umbro logo in claret. Completing the kit are claret socks with a blue and white contrast stripe. A cotton footbed keeps players comfortable for the full 90 minutes. Vice-captain Winston Reid said, "It was a privilege for the players here today to be involved in the launch of what will become an iconic West Ham kit. The 2016/17 season is going to be a real milestone in the history of this club, and all three of the kits are fitting for the occasion. "The home shirt is a modern take on the classic claret and blue, and I think fans will love the Commemorative Kit that gives a nod to the Thames Ironworks team, where this all started. "The unveiling today was a great event for supporters. New kits, new signings, stunning new home and the new season just around the corner, we can't wait to get started."

Buy the 2016/17 Umbro Home and Away Kits here now!

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Oxford starts in Young Lions triumph
WHUFC.com

Reece Oxford played the 90 minutes as England U19 continued their perfect start to the UEFA U19 Championship finals in Germany by defeating the Netherlands 2-1 on Friday.

Following a 2-1 victory over France in their tournament opener on Tuesday, the Young Lions came from behind against the Dutch, thanks to goals from Chelsea duo Dominic Solanke and Isaiah Brown.

Brown's winner was a dramatic injury time effort and ensured England went top of Group B with six points from two games.

Aidy Boothroyd's team have secured qualification for the semi-finals with a game to spare.

Oxford's Hammers teammate Sam Howes was among the unused substitutes for England and his chance could come in the third group game against Croatia in Heidenheim on Monday.

Howes was a winner of the UEFA U17 Championship with many of this group of players two years ago, with England looking to lift the U19 title for the first time since the tournament's inception in 2002.

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Westley - It was a good experience
WHUFC.com

Reflecting on the Development Squad's 2-0 defeat away at Chelmsford City, Academy director Terry Westley described the pre-season fixture as ideal preparation for the competitive season. Westley named a young side mixed with the experience of first team regular Michail Antonio and debutant Ashley Fletcher. In total, Westley used 21 players in an effort to raise as the squad's fitness as much as possible, while giving U21 debuts to Mason Barratt, Ben Wells, Rosaire Longelo and Korrey Henry. Speaking at full time, Westley said: "It was a tough game, like we expected it to be and we got from the game exactly what we wanted. They were a very physical, determined side so it was a good learning curve for our younger players in particular, and all round it was good for fitness. Overall, there are plenty of positives for us to take. "In the first half, with Michail, Ashley, Josh it was more about fitness because we knew we could handle them, and we were the better side. "In the second, we were a lot younger and we knew it would be difficult. We never gave up, and still played the way we want to, so I'm happy."
Now, Westley has just four days until the young Hammers' next friendly, an even bigger test away at Peterborough United on Tuesday 19 July. The experienced coach continued: "We know Tuesday is another huge test, but more than anything it's another great experience as well as an opportunity for our younger players to show what they can do. "We don't want it to be easy because, if it is, we don't get as much from the game. We had a number of players away with the first team in the US and same with Austria. So Tuesday is really a good chance to showcase their talent."

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Oh yes he did! Agent's claim refuted
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 16th July 2016
By: Staff Writer

The journalist at the centre of a contested article featuring comments attributed to Dimitri Payet insists that the interview was genuine. A story by writer Justin Allen, published in The Sun newspaper earlier this week claiming that Payet had told him he intends to remain at West Ham was subsequently dismissed as "fabrication" by the French international's representative Jacques Olivier Auguste. Speaking to Daily Mercato on Friday, Auguste claimed that "Dimitri has not done an interview with any media outlet", adding "these declarations are pure inventions in the imagination of a journalist". However an angry Allen contacted KUMB.com last night to challenge Auguste's version of events and insist that the interview DID take place - adding that he has witnesses plus a photo of Payet, taken at the time of the interview, to support his case.
Justin Allen ✔ @justinallen1976
Dimitri Payet with my pals at M20 services returning from Euro 2016, where he said: I'm 100% staying at #whufc
8:50 AM - 16 Jul 2016
166 166 Retweets 306 306 likes

In the initial story, Allen - who has since posted the above picture via his twitter timeline - claimed that Payet told him he was "100 per cent staying at West Ham". He was offered the right to reply, but refused to comment.

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West Ham working hard on transfers, says David Gold
By Michael Kelleher
Last Updated: 16/07/16 5:17pm
SSN

Co-chairman David Gold has assured West Ham fans the club are working hard to bring in new players and have "many irons in the fire". David Sullivan, also a co-chairman, revealed in May the club were prepared to spend up to £30m on a "top striker" as manager Slaven Bilic looks to build on last season's seventh-place finish in the Premier League. However, the Hammers have been frustrated in their efforts to land a big-name forward, though the club have held discussions with AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca after activating a £26m release clause in his contract, according to Sky sources. The biggest transfer deal West Ham have struck this summer was to sell James Tomkins to Crystal Palace for £10m but Gold has stressed there is still plenty of time for that to change before the transfer window shuts on August 31.
"I can assure all our supporters that we are still working hard behind the scenes to bring new players into the squad and have many irons in the fire," Gold told the club's website. "There is still a long way to go before the transfer window closes. "David Sullivan is working relentlessly to push these players over the line and nobody is better than him at getting the best possible deals."
West Ham had bids for Alexandre Lacazette and Callum Wilson turned down, while Sky sources understand the Hammers were also interested in Michy Batshuayi, who joined Chelsea. Sullivan also admitted the club were priced out of a move for Leicester City's Jamie Vardy. Manuel Lanzini was signed from Al Jazira Club for £9.4m after a successful season-long loan, while teenage striker Toni Martinez joined from Valencia for £2.25m.
The club also added Havard Nordtveit, Sofiane Feghouli, Domingos Quina and Ashley Fletcher on free transfers while Gokhan Tore arrived on loan from Besiktas. Gold has high hopes for Reece Oxford and other young players. Gold is optimistic about some of the young players pushing for inclusion in Bilic's first-team squad and feels many are capable of making the breakthrough this season. "We have a number of talented youngsters like Reece Oxford, Reece Burke, Martin Samuelsen, Josh Cullen, Sam Byram, Toni Martinez who are knocking on the first-team door," Gold said. "I have no doubts that these youngsters could be playing in the first-team this year. "I genuinely don't think we have ever had a crop of young players in my time here who are knocking on the door like the ones we have now. These are serious young talented players."

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Diafra Sakho 'refuses to travel' with West Ham United on tour of Austria
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 16/07/16 12:10pm
SSN

Diafra Sakho has refused to travel with the squad for West Ham's pre-season tour to Austria, according to Sky sources. The striker handed in a transfer request earlier this month after the club publicly admitted its interest in signing a big-name forward. Sky Sports News HQ understands two Premier League clubs, as well as Sevilla and Hamburg, have all enquired about Sakho's availability. The striker was the subject of a failed £11m bid from Sunderland last month. Black Cats manager Sam Allardyce brought the Senegal international to Upton Park from Metz in 2014 when he was in charge of the Hammers. The 26-year-old joined on a four-year contract and has scored 15 goals in 43 Premier League appearances. West Brom are reportedly interested in Sakho, who complained of illness and stayed in the UK when the rest of the West Ham squad flew to the US for a pre-season tour.

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West Ham launch new home kit as Hammers stars make first appearance at Olympic Stadium
20:51, 16 JUL 2016 UPDATED 21:14, 16 JUL 2016
BY JAMES WHALING
A host of Irons first-teamers joined 500 fans on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the unveiling of the new claret and blue strip
The Mirror

West Ham have unveiled their home strip for the 2016-17 season at an official launch outside the Olympic Stadium. The Irons move into their new home in the upcoming season and a host of first-team stars were on hand to parade the kit. Summer signings Sofiane Feghouli, Havard Nordtveit, Gokhan Tore, Ashley Fletcher, Antonio Martinez and Domingos Quina were all present following their switches to the East End. Club captain Mark Noble was also in attendance, as were Aaron Cresswell, Winston Reid, Michail Antonio and Raphael Spiegel. The Hammers have retained their traditional claret and blue colours on the shirt, accompanied by solid white shorts with light blue trim. A grand opening for the Olympic Stadium was denied when the Irons were drawn to play either Shakhtyor Soligorsk from Belarus or Slovenia's NK Domzale in the Europa League third qualifying round. That will be the first match they play at their new home before a glamour friendly against Juventus prior to the Premier League season. Vice-captain Winston Reid said: "It was a privilege for the players here today to be involved in the launch of what will become an iconic West Ham kit. "The 2016/17 season is going to be a real milestone in the history of this club, and all three of the kits are fitting for the occasion. "The home shirt is a modern take on the classic claret and blue, and I think fans will love the third kit that gives a nod to the Thames Ironworks team, where this all started. "The unveiling today was a great event for supporters. New kits, new signings, stunning new home and the new season just around the corner, we can't wait to get started."

The 2016/17 Umbro Home and Away Kits is on sale now.

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EXWHUEMPLOYEE ROUND UP
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 16 JULY 2016 AT 9:45PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

Here is the latest transfer and other news round up.

The Kit Launch

It appears that the launch has not gone down well with the majority of the fans. I think the problem is, is that we are becoming too obsessed with transfers. At no point was it ever said there would be a player signing announced at the launch and this appears to be the main disappointment. It was a kit launch as in an event where the new kit is revealed to the public, which it was (although we had all seen it before anyway). Why the staff had to sign a non disclosure form, like I said in my columns recently, I do not know the answer to. If I did know the answer then the staff would have broken the non disclosure form that I was reporting. I guess if you said to the fans "There will be a comedian doing a rap, a freestyle footballer and the kit launch" there may not have been as much interest or hype which I think as a club we are sometimes guilty of doing; over hyping situations.

Forward Signing

Ben Yedder is a name I have linked us with for a while now and it appears that we are very keen to get his signature. The club believe he is a natural finisher and offers us something that we haven't had for a while. Another player who I have said is a top target is Calleri. We really rate the player and are monitoring his passport and Olympic squad situation before we make a move. The Bacca deal is as it has been for a number of days. Our offer is in, it is the highest offer (despite people thinking the board are being tight) but Bacca is waiting to see who else comes in for him and he hopes some Champions League teams do. At the moment it is a waiting game.

Rico Henry Interest

There is still interest in Rico Henry as left back cover. The player has a lot of potential. The club is looking to get another left back so that Cresswell has some competition and does not have to play every game. Lewis Page will offer one option but the club are said to be looking for a second.

Sakho Situation

On my twitter account I detailed the falling out of Sakho with Bilic before the Arsenal game. To recap Sakho stormed home and faked and injury because he didn't get a start. Bilic told him and Alex Song (who was involved in the incident) that they would not play for the club again. The squad then decided that if the players apologised on the training ground they would be forgiven. In the case of Alex Song he wasn't going to play anymore anyway because of clauses within his contract but Sakho to his credit did apologise. He then went on to feature in other games including scoring in the final one at Upton Park. His relationship with Bilic would never be the same. Sakho isn't happy with all the new signing talk and wants guarantees that he will play and of course we couldn't give this. The club are concerned with his injury record and think it is best to move him on, if he will pass a medical, before his injuries flare up again. He has also handed in a transfer request and sustained an "injury" before the USA tour. We hope WBA or Sunderland will move for him soon. He is now reported as saying he is not going to Austria with the squad, I think it is time to end this saga and try to move the player on as quickly as possible. I am also going to through this out there, and the West Ham Way writers in our GC on twitter, can confirm I have said this before; I do not think Sakho is technically that good anyway.

Europa League Draw

I am lead to believe that the fixtures will be swapped around so that we play away first and at home second because the stadium will not be ready. The club are apparently having difficulties with retractable seating and they have had to bring in different contractors to try and solve the problem. They face a race against time to get it sorted before the Juventus game.

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