Daily WHUFC News - 31st May 2017

Hammers appoint Lewin as Head of Medical Services
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce the appointment of Gary Lewin as the Club's new Head of Medical Services. The vastly-experienced Lewin arrives at London Stadium with a peerless CV, having previously combined 22 years as first-team physiotherapist at Arsenal with 18 as England's physio – the last six as England Senior Head of Physiotherapy. The 53-year-old was born in East Ham and spent time on West Ham's books as a schoolboy goalkeeper, before turning to physiotherapy full-time at the age of 19. Now, he is relishing a return to the Premier League and working with a manager in Slaven Bilic who he knows well. "I am really looking forward to it," Lewin said. "I have met Slaven a few times down the years, most memorably when I was sat on the bench when his Croatia team beat England at Wembley in 2007 to stop us qualifying for Euro 2008! "Despite that, I am looking forward greatly to working with Slaven and also with Julian Dicks and Chris Woods, who I know from my time in football, his other backroom staff and all the players."

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Vandenbroucke departs
WHUFC.com

West Ham United can confirm that Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke has left the Club to pursue a new challenge. Vandenbroucke initially joined the Hammers as a first-team physiotherapist in 2009, spending three seasons on the backroom staff under Gianfranco Zola, Avram Grant and Sam Allardyce.
After spells in Russian football with Anzhi Makhachkala and Dinamo Moscow, the Belgian returned to east London to take up a new senior role under Allardyce in February 2014. He has worked under Slaven Bilic for the past two seasons.
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan thanked Vandenbroucke for his more than six years of service to the Hammers. "Stijn was a member of the backroom staff when we arrived at the Club in 2010 and immediately struck the Board with his professionalism and commitment to the role," said Mr Sullivan. "Since taking up his role as the Head of Medical and Sports Science, he has continued to show his expertise in his field and raise the bar with an ambitious philosophy. "He has created and maintained professional and strong relationships with all departments at the Club, the players, the manager and the Board. He was also involved in the transition to London Stadium and the new training ground at Rush Green. "We all have enjoyed working with Stijn and wish him and his family all the best."

The Club would like to thank Stijn for his hard work during his time at the Club and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

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Kemp helps England to victory
WHUFC.com

West Ham United youngster Dan Kemp helped England U20s get their Toulon Tournament title defence off to a great start on Monday. The winger played 65 minutes as the Young Lions beat Angola 1-0 in their opening fixture of the 2017 edition. Chelsea striker Ike Ugbo scored the decisive winner just after half-time as the youngsters stormed to the top of Group A. The squad this year, led by Neil Dewsnip, is aiming to emulate Gareth Southgate's team from last year who managed to win the tournament overall after beating France 2-1 in the final. Kemp will hope to feature once again in England's second group fixture against Cuba on Thursday 1 June (6.30pm BST) where a win could seal qualification to the semi-finals. The Young Lions then round off their group campaign again Japan on Sunday 4 June at 2pm BST.

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Pablo's praise for the Claret and Blue Army
WHUFC.com

Pablo Zabaleta is relishing the prospect of being roared on by the Claret and Blue Army after agreeing to join West Ham United this summer. The highly-decorated Argentina full-back will link up with the Hammers on 1 July after putting pen to paper on a two-year contract. Zabaleta has spent the past nine seasons with Manchester City, during which time he played against West Ham on no fewer on 12 occasions, including four visits to the Boleyn Ground and an appearance at London Stadium in last season's Emirates FA Cup. Every time he played in east London, the 32-year-old was wowed by the noise and atmosphere generated by the passionate West Ham supporters – and hopes to reward their loyalty by bringing silverware to the Club. "I must say that it was always a privilege as a player to go to Upton Park and to London Stadium and see the atmosphere in these stadiums," Zabaleta told West Ham TV. "I would probably say West Ham are one of the greatest fans in England with great tradition and in home games and away games as well, following the team everywhere. "The Bubbles you have when you come out from the tunnel make it more special as well, so hopefully as a player I can give good moments to them, but it's not all about me but about the players performing well as a team to make sure we can win something together."

Pablo Zabaleta and Aaron CresswellWhile his overall career record against the Hammers reads 'Played 12, Won 9, Lost 2', he tasted victory just once in his four appearances in east London – an FA Cup third-round win at London Stadium in January. So, it comes as no surprise that Zabaleta did not always enjoy turning out as a visiting player in the East End, and he is looking forward to the boot being on the other foot going forward! "It was always hard playing at West Ham away," he recalled. "They said that Upton Park was the home of West Ham for so many years and it is now a new era in London Stadium, where when I went to play my first game I thought the atmosphere was really good. That's why I'm here. "I'm really happy, my family will also enjoy it and, as I say, I'm very proud to remain in England to keep playing in this wonderful league."

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Nordtveit called up by Norway
WHUFC.com

Havard Nordtveit has been called up to the Norway side to face Czech Republic and Sweden next month. Norway are currently fifth in Group C of 2018 World Cup qualifying and desperately need a victory over Czech Republic on 10 June to have any chance of reaching the finals in Russia. Nordtveit and his teammates then take on Sweden in a friendly on 13 June. The Hammers midfielder has featured twice in Norway's qualifying campaign so far and will be keen to help his side record their second win in Group C. The 26-year-old played 16 times for West Ham United in his first season at London Stadium and will hope to round off his year on a positive note with his international teammates.

In other news, Martin Samuelsen has been called up to the Norway U21 squad for their upcoming European Championships qualifier against Kosovo in June. Norway narrowly missed out on qualification for this year's tournament and will hope to get their 2019 qualifying campaign off to the perfect start against Kosovo on 12 June. Samuelsen has enjoyed a great year with the Club's U23s, playing a key role as the PL2 side achieved promotion after beating Newcastle United in the Division Two play-off final two weeks ago. The 20-year-old also gained crucial league experience on loan with EFL clubs Blackburn Rovers and Peterborough United over the course of the campaign. On an international level, Samuelsen scored on his just his third senior appearance as Norway beat San Marino 4-1 in a World Cup qualifier in October.

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Hammers youngsters to visit Slovakia
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's newly-promoted Premier League 2 Division 1 side will contest a series of challenging pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2017/18 campaign. Terry Westley's U23 squad, who defeated Newcastle United 2-1 in the Division 2 Play-Off final earlier this month, will travel to Slovakia to face Super Liga clubs Spartak Trnava and FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce, while also tackling EFL, National League and Isthmian League opposition. Academy Director Westley said the Club's developing young players needed to be tested in pre-season to ready them for the challenges that lie ahead. "This group of players is at a level where they need a pre-season which is akin to that of a Championship club," he confirmed. "For that reason, we have organised matches against EFL clubs, as well as a trip to Slovakia where we will take on two of the country's top sides. "The likes of Dan Kemp, who made his England debut on Monday evening, Martin Samuelsen, George Dobson, Toni Martinez, Marcus Browne and Josh Cullen, if they are with us, need to be tested, so we have put together a pre-season schedule that is fit for purpose."

The Hammers' young professionals will kick-off pre-season with a trip to The Hive to face EFL League Two club Barnet on Saturday 15 July at 3pm. Next up is a visit to the Weston Homes Community Stadium to tackle the Bees' League Two rivals Colchester United on Tuesday 18 July at 7.45pm. Saturday 22 July will see West Ham make a return to the familiar surroundings of the Chigwell Construction Stadium, where they will take on National League outfit Dagenham & Redbridge at 3pm.

The Hammers will then travel to Slovakia, where they will take on Super Liga sides Spartak Trnava and FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce.
Westley's promising youngsters will again be playing Premier League 2 fixtures at Chigwell Construction Stadium next season. With Division 1 fixtures to be played against Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City in 2017/18, the Hammers can expect large and vociferous support at the home of the Daggers come August. After their training camp in Slovakia, the young Hammers will return home for their final pre-season match. Big-spending Isthmian League club Billericay Town have made headlines since West Ham-supporting owner Glenn Tamplin signed former Hammer Paul Konchesky and ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O'Hara earlier this year. Tamplin has since added a host of new names to his squad ahead of a season in which they hope to gain promotion to the National League South.

Hammers fans will have the opportunity to see the Billericay revolution for themselves when the PL2 squad visit the AGP Arena on Tuesday 8 August at 7.45pm. Supporters can pre-order tickets for the Billericay fixture by sending their details via email to info@billericaytownfc.co.uk now.

Ticket details for the trip to Slovakia, Barnet, Colchester United and Dagenham & Redbridge fixtures will be confirmed on whufc.com and the Club's social media channels in due course. In addition, a West Ham United XI, consisting mainly of Academy players, will visit Billericay's Isthmian League rivals Bishop's Stortford on Saturday 15 July at 3pm. The Club are in the process of finalising the first team's pre-season plans.

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Slaven hails 'unbelievable' fans
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic has thanked the 'unbelievable' Claret and Blue Army for their support at the end of his second season as West Ham United manager. The boss, who is currently recovering after undergoing surgery on his hip, has enjoyed a close relationship with Hammers fans since joining the Club as a player back in January 1996. Hailed as a returning hero on his appointment as manager in summer 2015, Bilic led West Ham to seventh in the Premier League in his first season in charge, before enduring a more challenging campaign in 2016/17.
Through it all, the Croatian has enjoyed the unequivocal support of the Club's fans, who have burst into a refrain of 'Super Slav' on countless occasions over the past ten months. "They've been unbelievable and I would love to say a big 'Thank you' to them," the 48-year-old exclaimed. "It's amazing how they treated me and I could feel they were really behind me and the whole team. "They are tremendous fans and I can only promise them that I'm going to give my best and the team is going to do its best to do better next season and to give them more enjoyable games and moments because they definitely deserve it."

While his current priorities are to rest and recover from his operation, while also enjoying valuable time at home with his family in Croatia, Bilic will not allow his attention to slip too far from his day job. Indeed, he has maintained an open line of communication to Joint-Chairman David Sullivan and Director of Player Recruitment, helping the Club to complete the signing of Argentina full-back Pablo Zabaleta from Manchester City already. With the new Premier League season just ten weeks away, Bilic is looking forward to tackling the 2017/18 season. "I have two heads because I need to rest but the other part of me can't wait for the season to start because I really feel we will benefit from this [2016/17] season large," he confirmed.

*West Ham United Season Ticket Holders have until the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday 31 May to renew their existing seats for the 2017/18 campaign. Any Season Tickets not renewed by 5pm on Wednesday 31 May will be made available to supporters on the 55,000-strong Season Ticket Waiting List.

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Hammers unveil ambitious Ladies plans
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Ladies have announced dramatic improvements to their infrastructure and unveiled ambitious plans to reach WSL1 in the next five years.

The Hammers finished ninth in the FAWPL Southern Division this season, in a campaign that saw them brought 'in-house' by West Ham, and now an injection of investment and several key full-time appointments are set to propel the Ladies to new heights.

In his first full-time role at the Club, Jack Sullivan, son of Joint-Chairman David, has been appointed managing director, whilst former player and current coach Karen Ray takes up the full-time position of general manager.

Furthermore, current first-team manager Greg de Carnys has left his role as Academy head of performance to take up a full-time role looking after the Ladies' first team and Academy.

The Ladies currently play in step three of the women's game, one below WSL2, and are making no secret of their desire to reach the top flight in the coming years.

New Ladies managing director Jack Sullivan said: "This is a massive project of great importance to West Ham United. We have some exciting plans and huge expectations for the Ladies team, as we do for the mens, and we hope that within five years we can be challenging in FA WSL 1.

"For me personally it's a huge project and something I can't wait to get started on. Whilst I will not be taking a wage from the Club, I am excited to be taking on my first full-time role at West Ham United and looking forward to the challenges ahead.

"We hope to make huge strides this summer before the new season starts, and plan to unveil a key player signing, with WSL experience, in the coming weeks.

"The Ladies team has great potential, and with the help of Karen Ray, Greg and Josh Ewens, I hope I can help guide them to some exceptional achievements and make them a team that the whole football Club, and its supporters, can be proud of."

Karen Ray said: "I am delighted we are able to offer young girls the opportunity to develop as players and people with the new infrastructure that highlights the Club's dedication to grow women's football, with the support of West Ham United Foundation.

"We are very passionate about building a sustainable and successful plan that will see us develop a world-class talent pathway for girls of all ages that aligns with the Club's overall ambitions.

"West Ham United are breaking down barriers and changing the perception of women's football, and I am looking forward to to working alongside Jack Sullivan to systematically rebuild the ladies team and cement the Club's commitment to female participation."

Greg de Carnys said: "These are exciting times to be involved with West Ham United Ladies - the club has shown outstanding support for our long term vision and I can't wait to get started.

"We already have a talented young squad that believes in what we're doing and they're gaining experience all the time. With a few new additions and investment in the right areas I hope we can build a successful and sustainable future for the Club over the next five years.

"I have an excellent coaching team supporting me in Josh Ewens, Karen Ray and Dan Blewett, all of whom care deeply for the players and work with a distinct pedagogical methodology and now, with Jack involved as well, we have a great opportunity to progress."

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EXWHUEMPLOYEE EXCLUSIVE COLUMN: TRANSFER AND STAFFING UPDATES
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 30 MAY 2017 AT 6:59PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

So after much deliberation and discussion with various people I have decided that I will be continuing with my columns over the summer. I understand there are some people that are not keen on me doing so and I appreciate that opinion. One thing I would like to point out though is that I often hear negative news (from ex-players, agents, disgruntled members of staff) and rather than just putting it out for hits (which many others would) I often let the club know so that it can be dealt with internally, which is why in recent years I think the account/me has/have become more accepted by those working there. Anyway, I simply would ask you to block/unfollow my twitter account and not read the website if you do not approve of me.

The transfer window has already begun successfully and I really think that Zabaleta is a great signing on and off the pitch. He is a leader and a very popular player, as can be seen by his leaving video at Manchester City. The player was signed on Wednesday but as I reported on the radio show, announced to link with the kit launch on Friday. I first reported our interest in the player in March and did regular updates on how this transfer was going proving that transfers are not "ruined" by my tweets. Last week on the radio show/podcast I described the home, away and third shirt on and I will do the same tomorrow if you missed it. The home is likely to be released in June and the third just before the season opens. There has been some talk that Byram will leave because we have signed Zabaleta; I do not believe this is the case and that he will remain to give Bilic alternatives and injury cover. I do not think we will sign another right back now so talk of Malcuit joining (who was once a target) and players from the German league are incorrect.

As I have repeated numerous times on twitter and on our radio show the two top targets for the forward position are Iheanacho of Manchester City and Batshuayi of Chelsea. I find it staggering that a Nigerian website has been used as a regular source of information on this deal, as everything they have reported has been largely inaccurate including us winning the race to sign Henry Onyekuru a week ago and Iheanacho flying in for a medical on Sunday. None of this was remotely true and they have benefit for numerous advertising clicks to their website. We have an interest in Onyekuru but he isn't first choice and a deal isn't agreed and there has been no progress in the Iheanacho deal. I first reported that a bid had been made last week, which sky and many newspapers then followed with. The truth is we have put in our initial offer and haven't really heard much back from Manchester City other then they want a buy back clause. How this would work is that we would set an agreed fee, which we aim to be double what we pay, then if he does really well for us, Manchester City can buy him back for that price. No other clubs could get him for that agreed fee with City and we could reject all offers bar Manchester City's. I understand their thinking on this because if he does do really well they would want to buy him back and can afford pretty much any price. I guess Chelsea wish they had done the same with Lukaku considering they wish to buy him back. At the moment the player is away with the Nigerian national squad, although he did pop back to Manchester at the weekend. This is because there is a few issues that he needs to sort out including a problem with his former agent. The talk of image rights is also wrong because the club do not pay them and after the tax investigation certainly wouldn't be entertaining them now. There are a number of clubs interested but he wants to stay in the UK to get citizenship here meaning that he would be able to move freely across Europe in the future (not knowing how Brexit will affect things) and he only has two years left here to get it. We very much intend to get this deal completed and will also double the player's wages to approximately £80k a week. The deal will not be completed within the next couple of weeks so I would hold tight, stop reading and quoting random sources and hope the club do get this deal over the line.

The next signing we hope to make is Bathsuayi of Chelsea. He has always been a top target and we will not know whether we can get him yet until Chelsea are clear on their forward options. Costa's future is unclear, they have also identified a number of forward targets including Lukaku and Llorente. Solanke, a former target of ours, appears to be joining Liverpool so it all depends on what Chelsea do.

West Ham hope to sign both forwards if possible and have other forward options on the list, including Modeste who plays in Germany and the previously mentioned Onyekuru, if we don't sign these two. The club are no longer interested in Defoe, they felt his form had fallen away and his wage demands are now too high and he is likely to join Bournemouth with Begovic, who I think is a great signing for them. We want to sign at least two forwards but do not see keeper as a priority. John Ruddy from Norwich is being lined up as a backup keeper should we sell Randolph but we want to concentrate transfer fees and wages into the forward positions.

Calleri has returned to Argentina and the club are not sure whether Fletcher or Martinez are ready to play regularly in the Premier League so two forwards are the minimum likely to join with the injury records of Carroll and Sakho. The club would listen to offers for Sakho and Carroll I believe but wouldn't be likely to get any due to their injuries.

Off the pitch the club are very frustrated with the regular injuries and "miss diagnosed" players. Mark Noble came out and admitted he had an injury which he kept quiet from the manager and the likes of Carroll and Sakho have regularly been given incorrect return dates. Both have sustained some "strange" injuries this year but these are some of the stories I have chosen not to reveal. This has meant that the club are considering a reshuffle of the medical and coaching staff. Whilst official confirmation hasn't been given yet, so things can change and may be inaccurate, I have heard that Stijn Vandenbroucke- who is the head of medical and sports science, could be being replaced by Gary Lewin in his role. Gary Lewin is the former Arsenal and England National team physio, he was born in East Ham and is said to have been brought up a West Ham fan. He is extremely highly rated and will be brought in to try and improve our injury record. When Bilic met with the club last Monday to discuss his future he made it clear he didn't want to change his coaching staff too much but was open to a medical reshuffle. Slaven will be given other names that could be brought in to support him in future weeks but he may chose against them all. The manager is currently recovering from a hip replacement operation so may not be too actively involved in the coming weeks however.

Jack Sullivan has been named as the new managing director of the ladies team. I think this is a good move for both. Jack has been learning his apprenticeship at the club this year working in all departments. This will give him vital experience for if/when he takes over from his dad at the club. It will also help raise the profile of the ladies and well and truly bring them under the official club banner now.

We are interested in signing a number of wingers/creative players, some of which I will reveal on the radio show tomorrow but this depends on us moving on a couple of current players, including Snodgrass, who has attracted some interest from other clubs including Brighton, who are looking at a few of our players. We will not sign a player yet in that position because it isn't a priority position but with Tore leaving and potentially Snodgrass going there are a number of players that we are considering signing to replace him.

I will try to write regular columns but we also intend to do at least fortnightly radio shows where I will be bringing my regular news section, so it would be great if we keep up the amount of listeners that we have. Once more I apologise to those who do not like the news that I bring but one thing I will state is that I am this club's biggest fan (along with many of you). I have been a season ticket holder for 30 years and travelled up and down the country supporting us. If I believed I was harming the club I really would stop and have offered to do so a number of times to people within it. Anyway, enjoy the summer and try to take every bit of news with a pinch of salt! Until it is on the official site, anything can happen and change, so if you only want factual news-I would suggest sticking to that site only. COYI

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Premier League new boys Huddersfield eyeing transfer of West Ham's Ashley Fletcher
The Championship play-off final winners want the 21-year-old striker on loan for next season
The Mirror
BYJOHN CROSS
21:56, 30 MAY 2017UPDATED21:59, 30 MAY 2017

Huddersfield boss David Wagner wants to sign West Ham striker Ashley Fletcher on a season-long loan. The newly-promoted Yorkshire club have already made an enquiry to see whether West Ham would allow the ex-Manchester United starlet join them. Wagner is hoping Fletcher could be his first signing as he looks to bolster his Championship play-offs-winning squad on a budget. Fletcher, 21, was given limited opportunities under West Ham boss Slaven Bilic in the recently-ended campaign after a free-agent move from Old Trafford. Huddersfield tried to sign Fletcher before he ever went to the Hammers and also made a loan enquiry in January, so they are clearly keen. Championship trio Fulham, Middlesbrough and Norwich are all interested too, and hope West Ham might let him go out to get more regular first team action.

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Former Arsenal and England physio Gary Lewin joins West Ham as Head of Medical Services
Lewin, who spent 22 years with Arsenal and six with England, replaces Stijn Vandenbroucke
The Mirror
BYLIAM PRENDERVILLE
21:20, 30 MAY 2017

Former Arsenal and England physio Gary Lewin has joined West Ham. The 53-year-old spent 22 years with Arsenal and had recently returned as part of the Ladies' team. He also had six years with the national side before his exit a year ago. Lewin, who spent time with West Ham as a young goalkeeper, arrives as Head of Medical Services. "I am really looking forward to it," Lewin said. "I have met Slaven a few times down the years, most memorably when I was sat on the bench when his Croatia team beat England at Wembley in 2007 to stop us qualifying for Euro 2008! "Despite that, I am looking forward greatly to working with Slaven and also with Julian Dicks and Chris Woods, who I know from my time in football, his other backroom staff and all the players." He replaces Stijn Vandebroucke at the London Stadium.

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Brighton and Hove Albion close in on West Ham United flop
by ADAM ALLCROFT on MAY 30, 2017
The 72

Brighton and Hove Albion could be set to swoop for West Ham United's Robert Snodgrass according to a report from Football London.
The Seagulls finally achieved promotion to the Premier League after years of coming very close but are now working hard to add to their squad to make sure it isn't a temporary stay. And one of the players they look like they might be signing is a Scottish international who only joined his club a few months ago.
Snodgrass was instrumental for Hull City as they got promoted via the play-offs last season and he continued their form when they were in the Premier League. However this got noticed by their rivals and he soon found himself on his way to West Ham in the January transfer window for a fee believed to be around £10m. However the move would not work out for either party as the 28-year-old struggled to break into the first team, mostly spending the second half of the season warming the bench.
This means that Snodgrass may be set to leave the London Stadium just a few months after moving there and Brighton are planning to swoop. They don't seem willing to come anywhere near the fee that West Ham initially paid for the Scot, but it would give the Hammers a way to cut their losses on a player who hasn't been the right fit for their squad. For Brighton, they would get a talented winger who has shown he can perform at this level.

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West Ham to fight Everton and Swansea for RB Leipzig striker after 'official enquiry' - reports
The Hammers are looking for reinforcements up front
Football London
BYROB GUEST
11:02, 30 MAY 2017

West Ham could be set to strengthen upfront by moving for Red Bull Leipzig's German striker Davie Selke. According to Kicker in Germany, the Hammers have officially enquired about signing the frontman ahead of the new Premier League season. Everton and Swansea City are also said to be interested in the 22-year-old, while former club Werder Bremen are believed to want to re-sign the striker.
Leipzig enjoyed a hugely successful season in the Bundesliga after finishing second but Selke struggled for match action throughout the campaign. The frontman finished the season with four goals but he only started two of his 21 appearances for the Champions League newcomers. Selke's agent is in the UK this week as he seeks a move away from the Red Bull Arena in hope of securing first-team football in the Premier League. Slaven Bilic is in need of a new striker with injuries ruling Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho out for long periods of the season, while Jonathan Calleri has returned to parent club Deportivo Maldonado.

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West Ham eye €20m move for Portuguese defender but face competition from Newcastle and Everton
The Hammers are considering a move for Sporting's Ruben Semedo
Football London
BYROB GUEST
09:36, 30 MAY 2017

Reports from Portugal suggest that West Ham could be set to move for Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Semedo in the summer. The centre-back, a product of the club's famous academy, has seen his name linked with numerous Premier League clubs and the Hammers have reportedly shown an interest according to the Portuguese media. Newcastle United are said to have watched Semedo all season and are preparing a bid, while Everton and Southampton have interest in the highly-rated defender. The 23-year-old is also attracting interest outside of the Premier League, with AC Milan and Lille also keen to secure his signature. Semedo, who only signed a new deal with Sporting until 2022 back in March, has a €45million release clause in his contract, although his club are willing to sell for €20 million. Interested clubs wanting the defender may want to quickly tie up a deal for the player after he was named in Portugal's Under-21 squad for the European Championships in Poland. Semedo has impressed in the Primeira Liga this season and if he continues his form for his country then his price tag could well rise. The Hammers have options at centre-back but Slaven Bilic may elect to move for Semedo as he looks to build a squad for the future.

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KELECHI IHEANACHO: COULD HE BE OUR BEST SIGNING OF THE SUMMER?
By Iain Dale 30 May 2017 at 08:42
WTID

I wrote last week that the priority for West Ham in this transfer window is to only sign players who would add to the quality of the team and that it was quality we should be searching out rather than signing a whole host of average players like we did last year. Well we got off to a good start with the signing of Pablo Zabaleta, and if reports are to be believed we head the race to sign Kelechi Iheanacho, the Manchester City striker.

Iheanacho is only 20 years old, but looks to be a real star in the making. He's made 46 appearances, scoring 12 goals, but most of those are substitute appearances. He's also scored five goals in eight senior appearances for Nigeria. It's worth looking at his Manchester City career in its totality. This is from Wikipedia…

In July 2015, Iheanacho was included in City's pre-season tour team in Australia. On the tour, he set up the first goal for Raheem Sterling and scored the second goal in the win against Roma in the 2015 International Champions Cup. He also set up Sterling for the fourth goal in City's 8–1 victory against the Vietnam national team. In City's last pre-season game, against VfB Stuttgart, he came on as a substitute, scoring late on in a 4–2 defeat. Due to his impressive pre-season, Iheanacho was promoted to the Manchester City senior squad. On 10 August 2015, Iheanacho was included in a first-team matchday squad for the first time in a competitive fixture, however he remained an unused substitute in their 3–0 win at West Bromwich Albion in their first game of the Premier League season. Nineteen days later, he made his competitive debut, replacing Raheem Sterling for the final minute of a 2–0 win against Watford at the City of Manchester Stadium. He scored his first competitive goal on 12 September, replacing Wilfried Bony in the final minute in a match away to Crystal Palace and scoring the only goal of the game.

Iheanacho scored his first career hat-trick on 30 January 2016 against Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup, also setting up City's fourth goal, scored by Raheem Sterling.The following month, he was put in City's UEFA Champions League squad at the expense of the injured Samir Nasri.26 During February, Iheanacho scored against Tottenham Hostpur in a 2–1 home defeat for City.

Iheanacho's next goals came on 23 April 2016, where he scored twice against Stoke City in a 4–0 victory.28 He followed this up with a Champions League semi-final substitute appearance on 26 April 2016. Five days later, on 1 May 2016, he scored two again, albeit in a 4–2 defeat at the hands of Southampton.

Iheanacho ended the 2015–16 season with eight Premier League goals and had the best goals-per-minute ratio of any player averaging, a goal every 93.9 minutes. In all competitions he finished with a record of 14 goals and 5 assists from 35 appearances, although he only started 11 of these games. His goals total also meant he ended the season as City's third-highest scorer.

On 10 September 2016, Iheanacho started in the Manchester Derby. He recorded an assist and his first goal of the season in the 2–1 win. Five days later, Iheanacho came off the bench to score the final goal in City's 4–0 home win in the Champions League, against Borussia Mönchengladbach. This was his first European goal for Manchester City. Three days after the 4–0 win, Kelechi scored the second goal, also assisting the third, in City's game against AFC Bournemouth. That goal took his tally in the Premier League to 10, allowing him to join an exclusive list of players to have scored 10 Premier League goals before the age of 20. This list includes players such as Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Nicolas Anelka, Michael Owen and Romelu Lukaku. In October 2016, Iheanacho was nominated for the FIFA Golden Boy award, which was eventually won by Bayern Munich's midfielder Renato Sanches.

Iheanacho's next goal would come in the Champions League, against Celtic, in a 1–1 home draw on 6 December 2016.

Iheanacho has represented Nigeria at youth levels from under-13 upwards. His first experience of a major international tournament was the 2013 African U-17 Championship in Morocco. For Iheanacho, the highlight was a hat-trick in a win against Botswana. He dedicated his goals to his mother, who died two months before the tournament. Nigeria reached the final of the competition, where they were defeated on penalties by the Ivory Coast.

Iheanacho played a significant role in the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball award for player of the tournament. Nigeria won the competition, in which Iheanacho scored six times, including once in the final, and provided seven assists. In the run-up to the 2014 African Nations Championship, Iheanacho trained with the senior Nigeria squad but was released from the squad in order to travel to England to sign with Manchester City. He was part of the Nigeria squad for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, and featured in two matches.

He was selected by Nigeria for their 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics, but failed to make the final 18. Iheanacho made his senior debut as a substitute in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Swaziland in which Nigeria drew 0–0. His first start for the senior team was on 25 March 2016, a 1–1 draw with Egypt in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

Kelechi Iheanacho was selected by Nigeria in friendly games against Mali and Luxembourg in May 2016. He scored in the two games providing an assist against Luxembourg. His performance in the friendly matches inspired further confidence within football circles in the nation and was invited to make his competitive debut against Egypt in an African cup of nations qualifying series where he provided an assist for Oghenekaro Etebo in the home game. Despite the change made in the coaching personnel in August this year, he distinguished himself again as one of the most important players in the team when he scored two super goals in the two matches against Tanzania in Uyo and Zambia in Ndola.
Well I don't know about you, but that's got me salivating. £24 million seems a reasonably fair price given his potential, but the stumbling block could be a buyback clause.


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Obiang, Fernandes, Lanzini & Antonio - four West Ham players Bilic should build his team around
Bilic can build a successful team around the likes of Manuel Lanzini, Pedro Obiang and Edimilson Fernandes
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
15:39, 29 MAY 2017UPDATED15:42, 29 MAY 2017

The signings will be made in - ideally - the next couple of weeks that will improve the West Ham squad, not just in terms of the depth but the overall quality of the squad. We know Slaven Bilic wants to bring in first team players, first team starters for that matter, that will hopefully ensure the Hammers have required quality to challenge for a European spot once again next season. The board knows the side needs a bit more quality and they have already sanctioned the move for Pablo Zabaleta, completed earlier this week and the club are already making moves for Kelechi Iheanacho as well. But, lets not forget, there are players already at the club who Slaven Bilic should be looking to build the future around.

Edimilson Fernandes

The youngster is going to get more game time next season, Bilic has already said as much and the 21-year-old has really impressed Hammers fans when he has got the chance this season. Fernandes is the kind of fulcrum you can have in that defensive midfield that just stays in position and everyone else kind of moves around him, l the likes of Cheikhou Kouyate/Mark Noble specifically.

Manuel Lanzini

An obvious choice, he is the creative force in the team now. Bilic needs to tie him down to a long-term deal first of all and then crack on. Iheanacho running in behind to latch on to Lanzini's passes, the pace of Antonio out wide, a help in the middle from Hakim Ziyech/Gylfi Sigurdsson/whoever. This should be Lanzini's team.

Pedro Obiang

In a similar mould to Fernandes, Obiang is the more likely to be a first team regular this evening when he has recovered from injury.
He can run the show from deep in midfield and if he has the right midfield players alongside him, the Hammers could go well. He can hold fort while the likes of Kouyate/Noble/Fernandes maybe pushing on a bit more. Obiang's passing is underrated too, so he can link up with Lanzini.

Michail Antonio

The Hammers' style of play often relies on Antonio - when he is fit - getting the ball a and running at defenders, taking them on and reaching the byline and crossing, or going it alone. Antonio often finds himself in the box as well so another creative player can find him in there,e especially in the air where Antonio excels.

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WEST HAM SET TO MISS OUT ON £11M TRANSFER WINDFALLFeatured Image
Date: 29th May 2017 at 7:00pm
Written by: David Tully
ForeverWestHam

Everton are likely to pull out of talks with West Ham to sign forward Enner Valencia, reports the Liverpool Echo. The Ecuadorian international was sent out on a season long loan to Goodison Park at the start of the season, with the Toffees given an option to buy the 27 year old for £11million at the end of the campaign. Having only started seven games under Ronald Koeman, and due to the fact that the Dutchman is seeking other summer transfer targets, the permanent transfer for Valencia now looks dead in the water. The striker has impressed when he has been given the opportunity this campaign. He scored a goal and provided an assist in the 3-0 win over Southampton at the start of January when he came on as substitute. He then followed that up with a goal against Spurs in the 3-2 defeat, and another goal and assist in the 4-0 victory against Hull City in March.

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Kelechi Iheanacho to West Ham: what do we know so far about the Hammers' chase for Man City striker?
There has been little movement in the past 24 hours but here's what we know so far
Football London
BYSAM INKERSOLE
19:00, 29 MAY 2017UPDATED19:22, 29 MAY 2017

This smells of Carlos Bacca all over again, doesn't it? West Ham's interest in Kelechi Iheanacho, is absolutely genuine, as it is still in Michy Batshuayi as well, as Slaven Bilic hunts out a new striker or two for the 2017/18 Premier League campaign. Iheanacho is the main target for the time being at least, so what do we know so far?

A bid has been made

The Hammers have put in a bid to Man City for Iheanacho, but it hasn't been accepted or declined by Pep Guardiola. Rumours have suggested the the bid is between £20m and £24m but we understand the bid is less than that, with West Ham waiting for Cityto get back to them with a revised offer and then potentially meet them half way. His representative said: "It's clear he won't be sold to a direct title rival by Man City, so when I see the reported interest from Spurs, I know if it becomes official it will be dismissed outrightly, but Everton and West Ham we will have to wait and see."

Everton's interest?

Ronald Koeman's side are also reportedly in the running for the Man City frontman but it is not believed their interest is as concrete as West Ham's.

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EUROPEAN HEAVYWEIGHTS 'CONFIDENT' OF SNATCHING TARGET AWAY FROM WEST HAMFeatured Image
Date: 29th May 2017 at 8:00pm
Written by: David Tully
ForeverWestHam

Paris Saint-Germain are "confident" of signing Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, according to allnigeriasoccer.com. It has been reported that the Nigerian international is subject to a bid from West Ham but it seems the Hammers will have a battle on their hands if they want to sign the 20 year old this summer. PSG are said to be seeking young talent to add to their ranks and Iheanacho has already demonstrated his capabilities in the Premier League with his 21 goals in 64 appearances for City. The decision will likely come down to whether the forward is seeking more game time or a larger contract. If he opts to move to West Ham, depending on whether his club accept the Hammers' bid, he will most likely be the club's top striker. In France, he will almost certainly be given a better contract but it is not certain where he will figure in the club's first team plans. 49 goal striker Edinson Cavani will remain the side's first choice up front, and Iheanacho may struggle for minutes on the field if he makes the switch to Paris.

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Aaron Cresswell could solve a problem area for Liverpool
HITC
Subhankar Mondal

Liverpool should make a move for West Ham United defender Aaron Cresswell in the summer transfer window. Aaron Cresswell is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League and has improved quite steadily at West Ham United. The 27-year-old has also earned an England cap, and it is safe to say that he will improve in the coming years. Liverpool need to sign a left-back in the summer transfer window, and it would make perfect sense for the Reds to make a move for Cresswell. Spanish left-back Alberto Moreno has not convinced and has made far too many mistakes, while James Milner surely cannot be a long-term solution despite his impressive performances in that position this season. The left-back is a problem area for Liverpool, which manager Jurgen Klopp can solve by signing Cresswell from West Ham in the summer. The former Ipswich Town defender is a good passer of the ball, does contribute in attack and is strong defensively. Cresswell was actually released by Liverpool when he was 15, as he revealed to The Telegraph back in November 2016, and perhaps he could be tempted into swapping the London Stadium for Anfield in the summer.

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Brighton move for SnodgrassFeatured Image
Date: 29th May 2017 at 9:10pm
Written by: Joe McHugh
shoot.co.uk

Robert Snodgrass has emerged as a transfer target for Brighton. According to a report on Football London the West Ham midfielder is wanted by Chris Hughton's Premier League newcomers. Snodgrass only moved to West Ham in January and was expected to get among the goals to steer the club away from the relegation zone. While West Ham survived Snodgrass failed to make much of an impact and is still waiting for his first goal after eight starts and seven appearances as a substitute. Slaven Bilic may be tempted to accept a bid for the Scotland favourite or decide that after half a season settling in Snodgrass will come good next season. Brighton are looking to strengthen a number of positions for their first ever spell in the Premier League with Hughton impressed by the seven goals scored from 19 matches that Snodgrass managed in the first half of the season at Hull City.

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Tim Krul would be a smart signing for West Ham United
HITC
Subhankar Mondal

West Ham United should make a move for Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul in the summer transfer window. According to a recent report in The Chronicle, the future of Tim Krul at Newcastle United is uncertain. Krul is scheduled to return to Newcastle following his loan spell at Dutch club AZ and will report for pre-season duty at the Magpies. Newcastle, though, according to the report, are looking to sign another goalkeeper in the summer transfer window. This means that it is not clear that the Netherlands international will be at St. James' Park next season, and West Ham United should swoop in. With Adrian losing his place in West Ham's starting lineup this season and Darren Randolph not always convincing, there is a need for the London club to bring in another goalkeeper. Krul would be a smart signing for the Hammers. The 29-year-old Netherlands international goalkeeper knows the Premier League inside out, and he will be hungry to star again in the English top flight. True, the Dutchman does make mistakes from time to time, but then again, which player doesn't? What Krul's arrival at the London Stadium would do is push Adrian and Randolph to step up their game.

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West Ham fans react as Dusan Tadic rumours intensify
by James Beavis
29/5/2017 | 09:49pm

According to SkyBet, West Ham United are the 9/4 favourites to sign Southampton attacking midfielder Dusan Tadic this summer. Irons manager Slaven Bilic is determined to significantly strengthen his squad this summer and he could be looking for a creative player to replace Dimitri Payet, who left for Marseille during the January transfer window. Despite having his worst season since coming to the Premier League in 2014 based on statistics, the 28-year-old has still scored 15 goals and provided an impressive 27 assists over the course of the last three campaigns. The Serbian is understood to have fallen out with Saints boss Claude Puel last term and he could leave St Mary's this summer. West Ham supporters were quick to have their say on the latest rumours via social media, and many believe that Tadic would be a good signing and that he would link up well with Manuel Lanzini.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

West Ham Social @WestHamSocial
Odds have been significantly lowered on West Ham signing Southampton's Dusan Tadic. pic.twitter.com/rVJmvZKnVu
Follow

Steven Trister @StevenTrister
@WestHamSocial I'd defo take him. Quality player
11:16 AM - 29 May 2017

West Ham Social @WestHamSocial
Odds have been significantly lowered on West Ham signing Southampton's Dusan Tadic. pic.twitter.com/rVJmvZKnVu
Follow
Adam Whiddett 父 @whidderz
@WestHamSocial Yeh I'd take him..he'd link up nicely with lanzini I reckon.
1:37 PM - 29 May 2017

West Ham Social @WestHamSocial
Odds have been significantly lowered on West Ham signing Southampton's Dusan Tadic. pic.twitter.com/rVJmvZKnVu
Follow
Greg richardson @rakis14
@WestHamSocial Takes some of the creative burden off of Lanzini. Would prefer Barkley (v.unlilely ik) but Tadic would be decent addition
11:54 AM - 29 May 2017
Retweets likes

West Ham Social @WestHamSocial
Odds have been significantly lowered on West Ham signing Southampton's Dusan Tadic. pic.twitter.com/rVJmvZKnVu
Follow
Jack. @Jack_L_W
@WestHamSocial Another player who lacks pace, a slighty improved Snodgrass, no thanks. He rarely completes 90mins too.
10:20 AM - 29 May 2017
Retweets likes

West Ham News @WHUFC_News
I'd take him tbh. Need another creative player who can play wide https://twitter.com/westhamsocial/status/869118446906331136 …
Follow
Michael French @frenchie1309
@WHUFC_News Fantastic player - no chance though.
3:12 PM - 29 May 2017
Retweets likes

West Ham News @WHUFC_News
I'd take him tbh. Need another creative player who can play wide https://twitter.com/westhamsocial/status/869118446906331136 …
Follow
Steve @cheekychambers
@WHUFC_News @WestHamSocial Always plays well against us. Would happily offload Snodgrass Feghouli and Ayew for 2 quality signings
12:16 PM - 29 May 2017
Retweets likes

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Manchester City to insist on buy-back clause in Kelechi Iheanacho contract with West Ham interested in striker
£20million-rated Kelechi Iheanacho could be heading for Manchester City exit
West Ham, Everton and Leicester are all battling to sign the Nigerian striker
Pep Guardiola would like to insert a buy-back clause in any transfer this summer
The Hammers will want any buy-back fee to be at least double what they pay
By Kieran Gill for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 22:30, 29 May 2017 | UPDATED: 22:58, 29 May 2017

Manchester City want a buy-back clause inserted in the contract for Kelechi Iheanacho if they are to sell the 20-year-old. West Ham are hopeful they can win the race for the £20million-rated striker but Everton and Leicester are also interested. City do not want to be left in the same situation as Chelsea, who allowed Romelu Lukaku to leave without inserting an option to buy back the striker at a set price. Iheanacho has struggled to play under Pep Guardiola, having only started five Premier League games all season. The Nigerian has previously spoken about his need to play to build his confidence. West Ham will want any buy-back fee to be at least double what they pay, though City will likely argue it should be closer to the £30m mark or less. The total can vary depending on what Iheanacho achieves at a new club. Despite that limited opportunity Iheanacho still managed seven goals and three assists, with those strikes coming at an average rate of one every 128 minutes. With value for money goalscorers a commodity always cherished by Premier League clubs it is hardly a surprise such a promising forward is in such high demand. However, Iheanacho recently dismissed any talk of an impending Etihad exit, telling reporters: 'I'm not very aware of that. 'I just keep working with the team and I'm still at Manchester City so I'll meet up with the boys and kick off the season with Manchester City. 'I'm happy to stay at Manchester City and keep fighting to help them achieve what they want to achieve. Manchester City is a big team and we need to go far as a squad, so we need everybody.'

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West Ham encouraged to sign Jack Wilshere this summer as Arsenal midfielder faces up to exit
West Ham transfer news includes advice for Jack Wilshere to move from Arsenal to West Ham this summer for more regular first-team football
Football London
BYTOM MARSHALL-BAILEY
07:00, 30 MAY 2017

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been advised by former Gunners midfielder Ray Parlour to leave the Emirates this summer - and move to West Ham United. Wilshere's future remains up in the air as he recovers from a season-ending broken leg which curtailed his progress on loan at Bournemouth and there are now doubts over his long-term future at the club. The 25-year-old is out of contract next summer and faces a pivotal pre-season to prove his fitness but Parlour believes a move to West Ham would suit all parties, with Slaven Bilic possibly tempted by the player if the right deal can be struck. "Moving forward, it's a massive decision that Jack's got to make as well," Parlour told talkSPORT. "Does he want to try and fight for his position at Arsenal or does he want to go out to a club and play?
"Another club, West Ham might be ideal for Jack Wilshere. I think if he wants to play on a regular basis, yes (I think he should leave), I really do. "I don't think he will play on a regular basis, I know he's had his injuries this season as well but he's played a lot more football. "Again, I'll go back to West Ham, they will be looking at midfielders, a bit more quality. I would say would Jack be worth £10million? "He's only got a year left on his contract, that's the big stumbling block."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 30th May 2017

Pablo Zabaleta - Manu Lanzini convinced me to join West Ham United
WHUFC.com

Pablo Zabaleta has revealed that Manuel Lanzini played a big role in persuading him that his future lie with West Ham United. The two-time Premier League champion, who will join the Club on 1 July, has experience to burn after a successful career that has seen him lift seven major trophies, earn 56 international caps and start a FIFA World Cup final. With 230 Premier League appearances under his belt, Zabaleta has appeared more times in England's top-flight than any other Argentinian player, and becomes the seventh player from the South American country to pull on a Claret and Blue shirt. The defender revealed he had spoken to two of them, Manuel Lanzini and Jonathan Calleri, before turning down offers from leading clubs in Italy, Spain and England in favour of the Hammers. "I spoke a few times with him and of course I'm so happy to see Manu doing that well," Zabaleta, who has signed a two-year contract, told West Ham TV. "I think he had an incredible season and is in the list for the two games for the national team, which is really good for him. "Manu is one of the main players for this Club and for the team and hopefully I can meet him as a teammate very soon."

Indeed, Zabaleta revealed that the recent call-up to the Argentina national team had played a big part in convincing him that his future lie at London Stadium.
"I spoke to Manu, especially because when West Ham showed interest in signing me, it was a good opportunity for me to have some information about the Club, especially from someone inside," he explained. "It was something we don't know from outside, of course. "He told me really good words about everyone at the Club, that he was enjoying himself as a West Ham player and enjoying life in London, so it was good for me to have that information to help me make my final decision."

Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Mauro Zarate and Lionel Scaloni have also plied their trade in east London and Zabaleta believes there is a special bond between West Ham supporters and his fellow countrymen that he hopes to strengthen. "This is something we really appreciate and, as you know, Argentinian players are always 100 per cent committed to the club we are playing for and of course this is something we have to show on and off the pitch," he confirmed. "That connection between Argentinian players over the last ten years with West Ham Football Club is something really good and I have to make sure I continue with that relationship over the next two years."

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SAB enjoy end of season meeting
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's Supporter Advisory Board (SAB) enjoyed a hugely positive end of season meeting at London Stadium on Wednesday evening.

As part of the continued commitment to improving the overall supporter experience for West Ham United fans, both on matchdays at London Stadium and in general, SAB members - representing different sections of the Club's large and diverse fanbase - met to reflect on the Club's historic first season at our new home and look forward to a positive and exciting future.

The meeting was chaired by Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Tara Warren, who thanked members for their effort and devotion to the SAB, and for their positive contribution and feedback that had helped the Club to make such great strides over the course of the campaign.

Also present on the main panel representing West Ham United were Director of Operations Steve Gotkine, Head of Ticketing Nicola Keye, Disability Access Officer Julie Pidgeon, Head of Concessions Nick Kendall and Supporter Services Manager Jake Heath, while LS185 Head of Commercial Michael Temple was also present to answer questions.

During the two-hour meeting, a range of subjects were discussed including; accessibility and the successful launch of the Disabled Supporters Advisory Board, stewarding and matchday operations, stadium security, ticketing, routes to and from London Stadium and public transport links.

Much of the meeting reflected on the magnificent work of both West Ham United supporters and staff to resolve some of the issues identified early last season, with several positive initiatives and actions completed since the SAB first met back in January.

These included the creation of the DSAB and its successful first meeting, increasing the number of radar locks on accessible toilets, balancing the ratio of male/female toilets, minimising queues and waiting times for the Accessible Shuttle Bus service, assisting Green Street traders in moving to London Stadium, easing congestion at turnstiles, revising the searching process for women and children, a wide number of improvements to the stewarding operation, and the continued expansion of the matchday SLO initiative.

Stewarding was a particularly popular discussion, with many members acknowledging the clear and ongoing improvement over the course of the season, thanks to a range of measures, including stewards being addressed by the club on the history, heritage and traditions of the Club and its supporters, club crests being added to steward uniform, and the Supporter Services team and SLOs working closely with LS185 to create an environment of unity and positivity.

Looking ahead to next season, Tara Warren emphasised the Club's constant commitment to improving the supporter experience, with a joint initiative planned with LS185 to implement a new stewarding strategy and provide further training and education for stewards on West Ham United and its supporters.

There is also a desire for the SAB to evolve into an even more representative body, with new members invited to apply based on their representation of larger sections of our diverse fanbase, in order to set an agenda of the absolutely key issues that can benefit as many West Ham United supporters as possible.

The Club will be actively inviting new applicants for the 2017/18 SAB. Members representing large groups, such as WHUISA, Pride of Irons, Bondholders, DSAB and large online communities will remain, but we are seeking new members who represent large members of the fanbase, including youth (under 25), seniors (over 65), women, families, Club London members and 1966 Season Ticket holders.

Details of how to apply will be announced on whufc.com over the summer, but if you can demonstrate that you represent a wide section of the fanbase and would like to register your interest or simply find out more, please get in touch via supporterservices@westhamunited.co.uk

Minutes of meeting

Supporter Advisory Board meeting minutes
Date: Wednesday 24 May 2017
Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Location: Press Conference Room, London Stadium
Key personnel:
 Tara Warren, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, West Ham United
 Nicola Keye, Head of Ticketing, West Ham United
 Steve Gotkine, Operations Director, West Ham United
 Julie Pidgeon, Disability Access Officer, West Ham United
 Nick Kendall, Head of Concessions, West Ham United
 Michael Temple, Head of Commercial, London Stadium 185
 Jake Heath, Supporter Services Manager, West Ham United
SAB Members present:
 Barbara Adams (East Lower – nominated to represent Bondholders)
 Steve Applebee (Betway Upper - nominated to represent Bondholders)
 Cathy Bayford (Betway Lower – nominated to represent ambulant disabled supporters)
 Trevor Bright (Betway Upper – nominated to represent wheelchair-using supporters)
 Brendan Burke (Betway Upper – nominated to represent Bondholders)
 Steve Burton (Bobby Moore Lower)
 Norman Collins (Supporters Clubs - UK and International)
 Bev Cornell (Online Supporters Clubs)
 Ken Hill (Betway Upper)
 Carol Hinvest (Representing Pride of Irons; LGBT Hammers)
 Stacey Housego (East Lower)
 Nigel Khan (Representing West Ham United Independent Supporters Association)
 Patricia Lamb (East Upper)
 Cecilia O'Herlihy (East Lower)
 Sebastian Pearse (Bobby Moore Lower)
 Chris Sheppard (1966 member)
 Lee Vehit (Bobby Moore Lower – expertise in Transport/stadium egress, member of WHU
Deaf Supporters Group)
 Sean Whetstone (West Stand Lower)
Apologies:
 Lee Dobinson
 Paul Hobbs
 Sherrie Goldsmith
 Kevin Radley

AGENDA
1. Update on the SAB going forward
2. Disabled supporters update
3. Stewarding
4. Update on actions from last SAB
5. IAAF information
6. Transport update
7. Ticketing renewals and relocations

UPDATE ON THE SAB GOING FORWARD
Tara Warren (TW) opened the meeting by thanking everyone for making the effort to attend and for
their commitment to the SAB, before introducing the other representatives on the main panel.
Before proceeding with the agenda items, TW gave a presentation to provide an update on the
positive progress of the SAB and the plans going forward, particularly with regards to the structure
of the SAB and the groups that members represent.
With the current SAB - whilst representative - containing a number of people who joined via the
Founders Feedback Forum and perhaps had individual issues to debate, it has always been the Club's
aspiration that the SAB would evolve to have more members who represent a larger group or
section of the overall fanbase. Those members will then be tasked with bringing forward the two or
three core issues for agenda that the Club can focus on and if necessary invest in and champion for
the year ahead, along with the various day to day issues that crop up.

Aims and objectives
 To provide the broadest representation possible of the West Ham United fanbase,
representing key groups within the fanbase rather than individuals
 To have a base that ensures the best possible representation of our supporters from both
geo / demographic perspectives
 To create a constructive forum for supporters to discuss and put forward key subject
matters affecting our fanbase with the West Ham United Board
 To initiate and continue a direct, open and two-way communication between the Club and
supporters.
 To allow the Club to provide clarity and context on any key decisions that are made.
 To enable fans to play a key role in improving the supporter experience and shaping the
future of West Ham United.
Our mission
 Working together to develop and maintain a positive relationship and the best supporter
experience for all West Ham United fans.
Structure
 From consultation, all members have agreed to a smaller, more representative format going
forward, with members speaking on behalf of much larger groups and sections of the
fanbase.
 The SAB will meet on a minimum of three occasions per season.
 The SAB, and its processes, will be constantly reviewed to ensure the views of our fanbase
are fairly and appropriately represented.
 Members should offer relevant experience and advice to deal with current agenda items.
 A call will go out for new applications during the summer providing the opportunity for new
supporters to join the SAB.
Proposed evolution
 Supporters who represent larger groups will hold their place on the SAB for the 2017/18
season, to ensure that collectively we maintain the largest representation of West Ham
supporters possible.
 New constituencies will be represented for the 2017/18 season and beyond.
 A completely fresh application process for the 2017/18 SAB.
 Fans can apply to represent a particular constituency.
 Those on it to have a public profile on West Ham United platforms, in order that supporters
who wish to raise an issue know who they should contact to get their views aired.
TW reiterated West Ham United's commitment to ensuring the SAB continues to evolve and
confirmed that, ahead of the 2017/18 season, the Club will be encouraging new applicants to
represent, share and discuss the views of our supporters in the following areas:
 Youth (under 25)
 Senior (over 65)
 Women
 Supporters Clubs UK
 Supporters Clubs International
 Non-geographical Supporters Clubs
 1966 Season Ticket Holders
 Season Ticket Holders from each stand
 Away match-goers
 Families
 Club London

TW added that a lot of new non-geographical supporter groups were beginning to develop and
grow, and said the Club had been contacted by a group who represented a section of Asian
supporters, which would bring further perspective, and had been in contact with some other groups
carrying large representation that we were not previously aware of.
SW asked how large some of these groups were and if individuals would need to demonstrate that
they did indeed represent the groups they claimed to. TW confirmed that the Club had also
discussed this and agreed that groups representing large sections of the fanbase would need to
demonstrate their representation as part of the application process.

DISABLED SUPPORTERS UPDATE
The next item on the agenda was an update following the launch of the Club's Disabled Supporters
Advisory Board, which had its inaugural meeting at the stadium last month. TW stated her pride that
West Ham United are leading the way in the Premier League for accessibility issues, and explained
some of the measures in place helping to achieve that:
• Creation of the Disabled Supporters Advisory Board - the inaugural DSAB meeting was held
on April 19 2017 chaired by SAB representatives Cathy Bayford and Trevor Bright
• We have now increased the number of shuttle buses available on egress to 18 in order to
cater for demand and to minimise queuing times.
• There is now a pick-up and drop-off point at the official Coach Park at Pudding Mill Lane.
• Highest number of WAV spaces in the Premier League - 253
• One of only six Premier League clubs, and the only one in London, whose number of WAV
spaces exceed the minimum requirements set out in Accessible Stadia Guide.
• No limit to number of seats available for ambulant disabled supporters
• There are 45 accessible unisex toilet facilities at London Stadium available on all levels, 50%
are currently fitted with radar locks and all will be by start of next season
• West Ham United are one of only two Premier League clubs that meets the minimum
number of wheelchair spaces
• Also meets requirements for number of Amenity Easy Access (AEA) seats: 613
• 25% of ticket counters are at an accessible height for wheelchair-users and include induction
loops to support hearing aid users, exceeding the requirements for accessible ticket
counters set out in Level Playing Field's guidelines.

The Club has reviewed and submitted all information regarding its accessible facilities and services to
EHRC and to the Premier League for the Accessible Stadia Guide, which the Club are absolutely
committed to achieving. TW added that one of the main reasons the Club are working so closely
with the new DSAB is because we really do want to be leading the way, and a team of people are
working on every element of that goal – to be the very best.

London Stadium already exceeds or comfortably meets all recommended guidelines in terms of:
 Step-free access into the Stadium
 The number of passenger lifts and parking spaces
 The accessibility of ticket-counters
 Toilets and kiosks
 Three Changing Places facilities
 Rest areas for ambulant disabled supporters (which are in existence at 50m intervals across
the Park)
 Colour-coding for visually-impaired fans
 The location of and sightlines from WAV spaces
TW then asked Cathy Bayford (CB) and Trevor Bright (TB) – as the chairs of the DSAB – to provide an
update on the progress made in that area and their goals and aims with the DSAB.

CB gave a full explanation of the DSAB launch and process, how it was formed and is represented by
a wide cross-section of ages and disabilities. CB explained that the initial meeting had centred
around three main issues of concern for disabled supporters, namely the Shuttle Bus service, postmatch
segregation and car parking facilities at London Stadium.

CB confirmed that those subjects sparked off further subjects for discussion, including the route
through the Westfield shopping centre, rest points on the Olympic Park, and the arrangements for
visually-impaired supporters using the headsets for matchday audio commentary, which is a
situation that should be resolved for next season.

CB admitted that the walk from Westfield on matchdays is a particular concern, and added that the
DSAB are looking at ways to work with Westfield to create a system for the benefit of disabled
supporters.

Finally, CB mentioned that a BBC report had come out the day after the DSAB meeting naming
Premier League clubs who hadn't supplied their supporters with access statements about their
stadiums. CB was happy to report that the issue had already been identified and discussed at the
DSAB and that plans were already in place with Jake Heath to launch an interactive map that could
also become a mobile app, to help disabled supporters on their route through the park and around
the stadium. CB expressed her pride that the DSAB had already begun to make a positive difference
in this sense.

Sean Whetstone (SW) asked the panel to clarify a current job advertisement for an apprentice
Disability Liaison Officer (DLO), and where that apprentice would fit into the current set-up, or was it
the case that Julie Pidgeon (JP) was leaving her role?

JP confirmed that this was not the case, that she had in fact stepped up from being a DLO to
becoming a Disability Access Officer (DAO), and that another member of staff, Joanne Dexter, was
now a DLO, with the Club recruiting two apprentice DLOs to add to the team.

TW reiterated that, not only was JP not leaving, but that she had been promoted to DAO, and the
DLO team had been significantly boosted. The apprenticeship appointments are only to add to that
further, so this claim was categorically wrong, and West Ham United will only seek to increase and
grow that department.

Nicola Keye (NKey) confirmed that, under the terms of the government's new Apprenticeship Levy,
the Club have the opportunity to bring in a number of apprentices, creating career paths and further
strengthening the work force. The apprentice – who doesn't necessarily have to be of school-leaving
age - will be working in a team of four, headed by JP, with matchday DLOs adding to the team even
further.
SW then asked Michael Temple (MT) if LS185 employ any DLOs.
MT confirmed that they do not, but added that accessibility is very important to LS185, and they
work closely with Julie, Jake and their teams at all times.

STEWARDING

TW provided an update on the positive work that has taken place in partnership with LS185 to
improve the standard of stewarding at London Stadium following the issues that were identified
earlier in the season, particularly in relation to the core objective of making stewards feel more a
part of the West Ham family.
TW praised the involvement of the SAB and the fan bloggers, who have both been instrumental in
helping to inform and report, leading to a hugely positive improvement in the quality of stewarding,
with the following actions put in place to achieve that improvement:
 The Club have worked collaboratively with LS185 to introduce a West Ham United section in
the steward briefing notes, educating them on the club's history, heritage and traditions.
 West Ham United's Ben Illingworth attends the senior manager and supervisor briefings to
provide updates and discuss the importance of being a part of the West Ham Family.
 Supporter Services Manager JH attends the senior managers/supervisor briefing to discuss
the role of an SLO and encouraged both teams to work together to ensure our fans
experience a consistent, friendly and unified service on matchday.
 Stewards are more West Ham United in appearance and have e.g. the Club crest on their
jackets.
Improvements to stewarding
 A steward is stationed at each exit gate to ensure that supporters cannot enter the Stadium
via exit gates during the second-half.
 Complaints are now minimal and SLOs are being used as a reporting mechanism back to the
Board
 It is vital that steward numbers are noted in these instances as they are now isolated issues
– it is likely the steward requires additional training.
 Since the additional security wands were purchased, the Club have received only three
complaints regarding the searching process in all. That includes reports to SLOs on the day.
Evolution of stewarding
 The Club and LS185 will be collaboratively reviewing the stewarding service over the
summer ahead of the 2017/18 season
One member voiced the opinion that there was just a general lack of empathy and understanding of
football crowds remaining among some stewards at the stadium, citing an incident at the recent
home match against Liverpool.
Steve Gotkine (SG) emphasised the fact that there had been a big improvement during the course of
the season, and assured members that plans are in place for the summer to work even more closely
with LS185 and look at re-training and re-inducting stewards to further educate them about West
Ham United and their fans. SG also confirmed that, in conjunction with LS185, a new stewarding
strategy would be implemented for next season.

MT added that the stewarding standards had come a long way since the start of the season, and that
there had been a huge reduction in the number of isolated incidents that had occurred early on.
TW again reiterated the need for all supporters to continue to help the Club and LS185 in reporting
incidents should they witness any involving poor levels of stewarding, as there is a process in place
for both parties to work together in thoroughly investigating such matters and that, generally, if a
case of poor stewarding is identified, the steward in question will not return to London Stadium for
West Ham United matches.

TW added that the presence of the SLOs had been a huge positive in that sense, and that the Club
would be talking to LS185 over the summer about some significant new measures that will only
improve the level of stewarding even further.

SW acknowledged the fact that the measures taken around blocks 113 and 114, next to the
segregation line, had worked very positively thanks to a consistency of stewards, many of whom had
previously worked at the Boleyn Ground.

Nigel Khan (NKh) said that a survey conducted among WHUISA members resulted in a large
percentage of comments giving the positive opinion that stewarding had improved greatly over the
course of the season.

TW asked if there were any specific issues relating to stewarding that any group might want to put
forward, enabling the club to look into other ideas that could help to continue the improvement.
SH asked about the use of the ABC – Acceptable Behaviour Contract – policy, what its format actually
consists of and if the process could be made clearer to supporters.
MT explained that the ABC is used when a supporter has been accused of unacceptable or anti-social
behaviour in the stadium. Rather than issue an immediate ban, the Club will invite the supporter to a
meeting and, in effect, issue the ABC as a final warning. Where possible the Club and LS185 will
always attempt to deal with any such situations in an understanding and amicable manner, but in
the event the supporter fails to adhere to the warning and breaches the terms of the ABC, a
standard tariff stadium ban is likely to be applied.

NKey added that the ABC is effectively a 'yellow card', and MT added that it has been a very
effective process.
Cecilia O'Herlihy (CO) asked if it was something the police would be involved in, and MT confirmed
this generally wasn't necessary.
TW added that the entire process was a very fair and transparent one, and that quite a lot of
supporters who had been banned earlier in the season had seen the bans rescinded on appeal.
NKh agreed it was a very fair and positive idea.
NKey added that it was important, as part of the ground regulations, to deal quickly and fairly with
anti-social behaviour, and that the club would always look to open up clear dialogue with any
supporters accused of such behaviour – at times showing them evidence, being lenient when we
can, and working together with individuals so that they understand what is not acceptable. NKey
expressed satisfaction that the process is working very well.
Nkey also mentioned that the Club are already in the process of talking to supporters who were
banned earlier in the season on a season long ban and are therefore due to reach the end of their
bans in the summer, and will be offered a fresh start.
One member asked who decided what constituted unacceptable behaviour and if it was correct that
supporters had been banned for swearing.
MT confirmed that a team of people led by the Safety Officer would make that decision.
TW clarified categorically the fact that not a single person had been banned solely for swearing. TW
added that such issues and incidents had largely disappeared as the season wore on, and praised the
development and progress of the Club's Supporter Services team – with much help from SAB
members. A new club charter is currently being worked on to be released over the summer, and TW
praised it as the best charter she had ever seen at West Ham United, adding that she hoped
supporters would be pleased at the level of detail contained within it.
SW asked if stewards under the control of LS185 were due to be paid the London Living Wage in line
with SLOs, and following the London Mayor saying he will review pay for sub-contractors.
MT confirmed that the Mayoral investigation is ongoing, and that LS185 have also begun their own
investigation with contractors in line with that.
TW confirmed again that Karren Brady had written to the London Mayor supporting the pledge for
all sub-contractors at London Stadium to be paid the LLW – in the same way that all full-time and
part-time West Ham United staff are – and added that the Mayor had replied to the Executive Vice
Chairman confirming that this would happen.
TW added that another huge positive had been the Club's work in ensuring that stewards felt part of
the West Ham family – with the club and London Stadium offering to fund training for any stewards
from the Boleyn Ground who may not have received it and were therefore seeing development and
training as a barrier to move.TW again emphasised the need for supporters to report any issues
relating to stewarding on a matchday to the nearest supervisor or SLO or directly to the Club
thereafter. She stressed action could not be taken if incidents were not reported to the Club. MT
backed up that stance and confirmed that if supporters took the number of a steward and reported
an incident to a supervisor or Jake Heath and his team, an investigation would be carried out in
confidence.

UPDATE ON ACTIONS FROM LAST SAB MEETING

TW provided an update on the many actions that have been completed following the previous SAB
meeting in January:

Accessibility
 Fixing and maintaining the lift outside of turnstile D - London Stadium 185 have ensured that
a lift maintenance engineer is available at the lift at each match since our last meeting and
the Club are pleased to report that there have been no further issues – supporters verified
this was the case

Status - action complete
 Increasing the number of radar locks on accessible toilets – At the last meeting it was
confirmed that 50% of the accessible toilets on the concourse are fitted with radar locks
with the additional 50% to be installed in time for the 2017/18 season

 Status – action complete
 Shuttle Bus service improvements – The Club have now increased the number of shuttle
buses available on egress to 18 in order to cater for demand and minimise queuing times. A
ticket queuing system was trialed and tested at the Everton match and the Disability Access
and Supporter Services team will continue to monitor the service after each game.
Status – action complete
 Established a pick-up/drop-off point at Pudding Mill Lane station - There is now a pick-up
and drop-off point at the official Coach Park at Pudding Mill Lane. Supporters with
accessibility needs travelling on coaches or using Pudding Mill Lane station are welcome to
utilise this service before and after the game. The service travels between the Coach Park
and Car Park 1A

Status – action complete
 Julie Pidgeon wrote to all disabled supporters with an update on accessible services in
January and will further update ahead of 2017/18
Status- action complete
Catering and concourse facilities
 The 'Ribman' was assisted in finding a plot on Stadium Island – Status – action completed
The Club will continue to help facilitate any requests between interested former Green
Street traders and caterers Delaware North.
 Shelving installed in the concourse area - Shelving has been installed in the concourse areas
of every stand. Shelves are positioned in the North, East and South Stands under every
second staircase and in the West Stand around the glass walls surrounding the staircases to
the Upper tier. Phase two of installation is planned for the new season.
Status – action complete however supporters stated further shelving was required so status
for further enhancements remains open
 Adjusting the ratio of male/female toilet facilities - There are two circles of toilet facilities on
the concourse area, an outer ring (nearer turnstiles) and inner ring (nearer gangways). All
female toilet facilities on the outer ring have now been changed to male and signage has
been covered. This was communicated in our recent 'Feedback Article'.
Status – action complete.

Routes to and from London Stadium
 Changing routes on matchday for 2016/17
TW explained that egress routes may change for higher category matches depending on the policing
and safety operation. E.g. the Police may be present at Bridge 3 after the match to support safe
walking routes for both home and away supporters.
There have also been some unprecedented situations that have required the alteration of routes
such as the gas leak at the Aquatics Centre that forced Bridge 5 to close. The Club will continue to
keep fans reliably informed of any changes and as early as possible across all channels – particularly
the Matchday Guide.

Entry and exit to London Stadium
 Solutions to ease congestion at East Stand turnstiles. Emails and text messages were sent to
all East Stand ticket holders on a match by match basis to advise of the turnstile that would
provide quickest means of access to their seat. A prominent arrive early message has also
featured in the Matchday Guide and pre-match email.
 Additional security wands to speed up efficiency of search process
 Revised process is more family friendly
 Founders Wall visit can be arranged if required
TW confirmed Brendan Burke and Jake Heath went to view the Founders Wall at Brendan's request.
Anyone experiencing the same issue can contact Jake for further assistance. Status – action
completed
 Improve egress - Keeping late kiosks open and communicated their location. Status – Action
completed.
 Permitted and prohibited items featured in Matchday Guide. Status – action completed
Supporter Liaison and Flag initiative
 Continuing the expansion of the full-time Supporter Services team and Matchday SLO
initiative - Team will play a key role in the supporter experience next season
Status action completed
 Locations for flags to be displayed are being explored but flags will remain on 'the ears' until
a Naming Rights partner is found unless otherwise advised by LS185
SW asked about the average queuing time for the Shuttle Buses.

TW confirmed that since 18 shuttle buses had been added in egress, there was no queue at all for
the buses – the average waiting time was only to allow the Safety officer to say it was safe for
the segregation barriers to open. The average waiting time for this across the season had been 20
minutes – however, JH confirmed that this had been reduced to nine minutes for the last three
home matches.
JP added that the feedback on the shuttle buses recently has been phenomenal and that the service
has come on leaps and bounds.
Brendan Burke (BB) asked why shuttle buses couldn't go to Pudding Mill Lane previously and JH
confirmed that construction works meant that it had not been possible previously to access it which
is now no longer the case. TW added that as infrastructure continues to develop the journey is
improving daily.
One member raised an issue about the shelving that has been erected around concourses and
suggested that more was needed.
Nick Kendall (NKen) confirmed that shelving is present in all concourses, but that phase two of the
project was still to be finalised and the Club are working with LS185 to have more shelving agreed in
time for the new season.
NKen added that health and safety issues had to be considered when installing shelving –
particularly to ensure that the height and location of the shelving wouldn't be a risk to children, but
that suitable areas had been identified and the Club would continue to work with LS185 over the
summer to complete phase two.
One member asked how the club communicate with supporters about public transport closures or
issues before matches, and JH confirmed that such information is always provided in a travel update
article on the official website and added to the Matchday Guide.
JH then added an update on steps that had been taken to ease congestion at East Stand turnstiles,
including emails and text messages sent to supporters reminding them to arrive early, particularly
for midweek matches.
On the subject of viewing the Founders Wall, JH and MT both confirmed that before and during
matches it is possible to walk around the concourse to view the wall.
TW again confirmed that all information is available in the Matchday Guide, including what kiosks
are open after the game if supporters wish to buy refreshments.
TW added that the Matchday Guide is published on every matchday, while it is also emailed to all
match-attending supporters, and encouraged SAB members to share with fellow supporters and
friends.
SW asked about the segregation barriers on the podium and if they were likely to be removed at
some point in the future. MT confirmed the situation is under constant review.
TB asked if it was possible for the ramp across the barriers to be made easier for wheelchairs and
mobility scooters to navigate, as suggested by Pete Smith of LS185 at the DSAB meeting. MT
confirmed he would raise the matter with PS immediately.
On the flag initiative SW asked where the flags will be located next season.
TW confirmed that given there was currently not a Naming Rights partner it was her understanding
that the flags could remain adjacent to the big screen.
MT confirmed that the mid-tier flat fascias around the stadium will have digital wrap screens
installed on June 5 but that, with a naming rights partner yet to be confirmed, the flags can continue
to be hung across the 'ears' of the scoreboard big screens. Should that situation change, supporters
would be advised as soon as possible.
CB asked about the screens on the concourse and asked if the early lunchtime match or other sports
channels could be displayed in order to encourage supporters to get into the stadium earlier.
TW explained that the Club had bought the licence from Sky and passed to MT who accepted that
the content on screens is far from ideal for supporters and that the situation is under ongoing
consideration.

IAAF INFORMATION
TW provided an update ahead of the IAAF World Athletics Championships taking place this summer
at London Stadium, confirming it is likely that the first couple of Premier League fixtures might be
played away from home, but that nothing can be confirmed until fixtures are known.
TW also emphasised the fact that this year is a one-off situation as part of the contract, with the
2017 World Athletics Championships a once-in-a-generation event, which West Ham United have
embraced as a celebration of the Olympic legacy at the stadium. It is the only event of its kind
contracted in this way she confirmed with the Clubs priority to play its matches always taking
precedence for the next 98 years.
A clean stadium is required for the event, however she confirmed that the Stadium Store and Ticket
Office remain open for business as normal throughout the summer.
Supporters asked whether the retractable seats would be improved in near future.
TW confirmed that in relation to the retractable seating at London Stadium, with the issue of how
quickly it moves in and out being an issues for the events outside of football and the number that
could take place in the summer due to turnaround times but added that it was not an issue for West
Ham United . In its permanent format throughout the football season, the seating is in the position it
was originally designed to be. There was a discussion around the quality of the sightlines and the
fact there are no restricted view seats and members made positive comments around the sightlines.
It was later asked what happened to the skate to move them quickly TW confirmed that skate
system had been used at start of the 2016/17 season to get seats ready in time for the Club's first
match in the Europa league.
The issue was raised as to whether the Club would ever see a match on Boxing Day again whilst at
London Stadium. SG said this was ultimately a decision for the Premier League.
It was suggested that this was a Club decision and TW confirmed that the decision was ultimately
that of the Premier League taken on advice from all stakeholders and that it was unlikely that West
Ham United would always request to play away from home on Boxing Day. The league's final
decision would take into account the views of other stakeholders, but most importantly the police,
who would always consider the public's safety as a priority in the context of the high volume of
traffic at Westfield on that day.
SW added that the Premier League will always take into account the views of all stakeholders.

TRANSPORT UPDATE
TW gave an update on actions that had been tasked to the Club regarding transport links for
supporters travelling to and from London Stadium:
 The Club had met with TfL at Stratford to discuss the station layout and operation on
matchdays. The ticket barrier and hallway barrier systems raised at the last meeting were
discussed.
TW confirmed and improvements were taking place and would soon be finalised.
The supporter journey through Stratford is dynamically assessed and is designed to alleviate
congestion
 EVC Karren Brady has written to Abellio and South Eastern Railway to request more services
for our supporters on matchdays
SW asked about the Last Mile Strategic Group set up by LLDC and asked what impact it will have.
SG confirmed that any impact or changes to the last mile of transport routes will be via consultation
with us at the football club, and we support any changes that make the travel experience quicker
and more efficient.
Norman Collins (NC) asked where the club were in relation to the stadium capacity increase. TW
confirmed that West Ham United are still hopeful that capacity will be at 60,000 for next season.

TICKETING – RENEWALS AND RELOCATIONS
TW provided an update on Season Ticket renewals and explained in detail the process and priorities
for supporters wishing to relocate their seats for 2017/18:
 Relocation process will take place between 1st June – 16th June
 All requests are subject to seating availability – with renewal figures reaching a record level
it is vital that supporters are clearly aware of this.
 Priority will be afforded to those with accessibility requirements and supporters who have
previously contacted us during the season with particular issues, including the supporters
moved from block 114 through out of necessity in order to widen the segregation line.
 Season Ticket Holders will receive further information later this week.
SW asked about the current percentage of renewals ahead of next week's deadline.
NKey confirmed that, while it would be wrong to announce numbers while the renewal period is still
open, the average across the Premier League, is an 80% renewal rate. TW confirmed that the Club
will exceed this and added that this makes it very important to manage expectations on relocations.
With such a large number of people renewing – and those Season Ticket holders wishing to remain
in their existing seat obviously having the right to do so – relocation options may be limited.
SW then raised an issue regarding telephone calls coming from the Ticket Office without any club
official on the end of the line. NKey confirmed this was an issue caused by an automated dial-up
technology, and urged any supporters experiencing the problem to contact the Ticket Office
immediately and make them aware.
SW asked if the renewal deadline would be extended if the online facility crashed on deadline day as
it has done in the past.
NKey confirmed that the deadline could be extended if such extraordinary situation did occur, but
added that steps had been taken to avoid the problem, including increasing the bandwidth on the
Ticketmaster system and ensuring additional IT support.
One member enquired about the concessionary rates for younger supporters, based on the fact that
some – including his son – are still in full-time education beyond the age of 21 and therefore are
having to pay full adult prices for their season ticket despite not yet having a working wage as
income.
NKey assured the member that ticket pricing strategy is something that is constantly reviewed, but
added that the Club's commitment to affordable family football means that an adult season ticket in
band 5 is available for £289, offering value for money in comparison across the Premier League.
TW added that the under 21 rate was introduced to expand beyond university students solely so any
young people, whether they be apprentices or trained in the workplace with limited income could
also benefit. The length of the concession however is under review.
As the meeting drew to a close, members raised a few other points outside of the main agenda
items.
SW asked about pre-season fixtures and when they would be announced. TW confirmed that the full
schedule should be released shortly.
SW then asked for an update on Champions Place stones.
TW confirmed that 12,000 had been installed and that all stones purchased after April 2016 were
always due to be installed this summer as weather conditions and footfall would make it very
difficult for installation to take place during the season.
Despite the fact this was widely communicated, TW accepted it hadn't been very well understood.
TW also acknowledged that the Club could understand the frustrations of supporters over the
inability to confirm an installation date. The Club she added, have been pushing for this on a daily
basis.
TW confirmed that, where this had been unacceptable to supporters, refunds had been given and
the Club were happy to do so if this was required. However, she hoped supporters would bear with
the Club and that the situation would hopefully be resolved during the summer.
Lee Vehit (LV) asked if there was an update on the potential naming of bridges approaching the
stadium on the Olympic Park.
TW confirmed that the Club were continuing to put forward proposals and request clarification over
the situation, as the Club are aware that it is something very important to supporters.
NKh asked about the Champions statue currently located at the Green Street-Barking Road junction.
TW confirmed that, to the best of her knowledge, the Champions statue would be coming over to
London Stadium in the future. This had also been confirmed by Newham Council in a different
context at a meeting with Barrett when discussing the legacy of the Boleyn Ground.

CONCLUSION
TW ended the meeting by thanking everyone for making such a valuable contribution and providing
such constructive feedback and ideas that West Ham United could act upon quickly, and reiterated
the club's absolute commitment to the SAB format and moving it forward in a positive fashion.
All members will be invited to reapply for the 2017/18 season, and the hope is that the SAB will
continue to grow, with future members representing wider sections of the fanbase, in order to
identify and resolve the major issues that affect a larger number of supporters.
TW also mentioned how pleasing it was to have members on board who are representing larger
supporter groups, including Nigel Khan from WHUISA, Carol from the Pride of Irons group and Bev
Cornell, who represents a number of large Facebook fan groups.
Bev spoke about the four groups she represents on Facebook, including the Claret and Blue Army
that has 12,500 followers and Come on You Irons with 3,500 followers. The groups are very much
focused on families and used by parents bringing children to matches.
TW added how proud the Club were to see Pride of Irons representing West Ham United at Pride
London, while Carol spoke about how closely the group are working with the Club on issues affecting
them, including looking ahead to the fixture against Brighton next season and how supporters can
be educated on the issue of homophobic abuse, which is something that Brighton fans sadly face
more than any other club. Pride of Irons have already presented to the SLOs and have had some
fantastic feedback from that.
TW finished by expressing her pride at how the SAB had developed into such a positive initiative,
and her hope that going forward it becomes a truly representative forum for the largest number of
supporters possible, with members representing large groups and each bringing their absolute top
two or three issues to the group that can be used to set the agenda and lead to the club investing
time, effort and money into improving the overall supporter experience for the benefit of all.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Randolph relishing US return
WHUFC.com

Darren Randolph is looking forward to seeing old family and friends after being included in Republic of Ireland's final 19-man squad for a friendly international with Mexico on Thursday. The Boys in Green travel to New York on Monday 29 May before tackling Mexico at MetLife Stadium – the home of the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets – in neighbouring New Jersey on Thursday 1 June. The West Ham United goalkeeper will then return to Dublin on Friday ahead of a second friendly international with Uruguay at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday 4 June. The third, final and most important of Ireland's three summer matches will take place at the same venue on Sunday 11 June, when Ireland host a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Austria.

"We've had a few days training in Cork and now we fly to New York for a game against Mexico, then back to Dublin for a game against Dublin, then finally we finish with a World Cup qualifier against Austria," Randolph confirmed. "It's recognition and the two friendly games are preparation for the World Cup qualifier, where we're in a good position in our group, joint-top with Serbia. Our ultimate goal is to qualify for Russia next summer."

The son of an American father who moved to Ireland to play professional basketball, Randolph is relishing a return to the US, where he was part of the Ireland squad which lost 3-0 to Spain at Yankee Stadium in New York in June 2013. "We got to go a few years ago to play Spain in Yankee Stadium, which was a good game to play in but we didn't touch the ball – I think possession was like 83 per cent to them!" he smiled. "It'll be good to go over. Obviously, my family are from that side of the Atlantic and friends and family who live close will probably want to come to the game as well."
With so many Irish and Mexican expatriates and fans whose ancestry hails from the two countries, the atmosphere at the home of the NFL's New York Giants and Jets should be good.

"It should be!" Randolph confirmed. "When we played Spain in Yankee Stadium, there were about 70,000 people who came to watch the game, so I'm expecting similar numbers for this game."


After tackling Mexico, the Hammers No1 will then travel home to tackle Uruguay's star-studded forward line, which is set to include Barcelona's Luis Suarez and Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani, who have 85 international goals between them. "There are no easy games and that goes for Uruguay in Dublin, too," he said. "The last time we played Uruguay, their front three was Suarez, Cavani and Diego Forlan, so I'm waiting to see what their front three is for this game!"
Randolph's West Ham teammate Declan Rice, who was called-up by Ireland manager Martin O'Neill to train with the senior squad for the first time in Cork last week, has been left out of the final 19-man squad for the trip to New York. The Republic of Ireland versus Mexico friendly will be screened live in England by Premier Sports, with kick-off at 1am BST on Friday 2 June.

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Hammers linked with Juve star
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 29th May 2017
By: Staff Writer

Juventus star Kwadwo Asamoah is being linked with a move to the Premier League. According to reports from Italy, both West Ham and Southampton have made tentative enquiries into the 28-year-old's situation at Juve. Asamoah, who can operate on the left side of midfield, at wing back or as an attacking central midfielder is under contract with Juve for a further 12 months but is thought to be surplus to requirements at the Juventus Stadium.

* Elsewhere today West Ham are being linked with a multi-million pound move for Sunderland's highly-rated goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The 23-year-old former England Under 21 international is certain to leave the Stadium of Light this summer but is unlikely to move for a fee less that £20million, having impressed between the sticks for his club last season.

* The odds on summer transfer target Kelechi Iheanacho joining West Ham this summer have shortened to 1/4 today following recent news of West Ham's interest. The 20-year-old Nigerian is expected to leave Manchester City during the off season, with the Hammers one of several parties looking to sign the talented young goalscorer.

* Robert Snodgrass is being linked with a move away from West Ham - just five months after leaving Hull to join the Hammers in a £10million switch.
According to reports newly-promoted Brighton & Hove Albion are intersted in landing the Scottish international, who will almost certainly be allowed to leave for the right price.

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Zabaleta thanks Manu
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 29th May 2017
By: Staff Writer

New signing Pablo Zabaleta has revealed that he was persuaded to sign for West Ham after having a chat with Manuel Lanzini. The former Manchester City full-back signed in as Slaven Bilic's first recruit of the summer last week and has since revealed that it was the encouraging words of his fellow countryman that persuaded him to ignore several generous offers from around Europe. "I spoke a few times with him," Zaba told the Mail. "Manu is one of the main players for this club and for the team; hopefully I can meet him as a team mate very soon. "When West Ham showed interest in signing me I spoke to Manu because it was a good opportunity for me to have some information about the club, especially from someone inside. "He told me really good words about everyone at the club, said that he was enjoying himself as a West Ham player and enjoying life in London, so it was good for me to have that information to help me make my final decision.
"And of course I'm so happy to see Manu doing well," he added. "I think he had an incredible season and is in the squad for the national team, which is really good for him."

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The first brick in the wall
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 28th May 2017
By: Paul Walker

With apologise to Pink Floyd, our new signing Pablo Zabaleta is not another brick in the wall, he is the first of a significant rebuilding process.

I've heard all the stuff about his age, the wages, the condition of his legs from our fans…all nonsense. He is a player from a different level, and frankly there is not a player on our books who we can say that about.

He may be 32, but I don't know a Manchester City fan---and I know a lot--who think his legs have gone. He may not be what he was at his peak when City won the title in 2012, but he played 32 first team games for City last season, 17 from the start, which is a darned sight more than a few of our lads managed last term!

He could have stayed at the Etihad, but he knew it would be as back-up, and he needed to play. He has suffered because City are a such a different level to us. Pep Guardiola has hugely demanding high standards, he dumped England's goalkeeper because he felt that Joe Hart could not play football.

And Guardiola now wants something very different from his full backs. They must be high-speed attackers as well as defenders, they have to cover the whole flank at constant pace. And play at the very highest level. Zabaleta could not offer that any more.

It doesn't mean he cannot play a major part in our defence, a true warrior of a man idolised by the City faithful. Of course he can. Sam Byram, if he is not loaned out, will learn a lot from the Argentinean.

And I sense Slav wants to play Zabaleta behind Michail Antonio down the right flank, giving our new Hammer of the Year license to surge away on those powerful, dangerous runs without fear of being exposed out of position that happened so often when he was playing right back.

As for his wages, reckoned to be approaching £100,000 a week, but we are told with a sensible basic so as not to upset the squad wage scale. Don't forget that he is a free transfer and we have just dumped Jonathan Calleri, Gokhan Tore and Alvaro Arbeloa.

All three contributed precious little to our cause last term and will not be missed. Their wages probably added up to around £120,000 a week. Cant really argue with that as an exercise in budget control.

I feel that Zabaleta's arrival is the beginning of a new approach to our transfers. Slav made a telling remark recently when he suggested we wasted too much time last summer going for targets we could not really expect to acquire.

Younger players in their mid 20s and already playing Champions League or European football regularly, will not drop down a level. We learned that to our cost, and Bilic reckons we missed a lot of our second and third choices because of that approach.

What we have now is a player of vast experience at a level none of our players have really experienced. And his arrival could be the one deal that persuades a few others to take the risk on the Irons, a risk nobody wanted to take last summer.

You have to sell the plan, you have to convince better quality players that European football is possible. Last summer our owners rattled on about reaching the Champions League just because we finished seventh the season before and we had a shiny new 60,000 seater stadium.

We still won't be at 60,000 next season, anyway. But big stadiums don't automatically produce European football. Sunderland, Newcastle, Aston Villa, you get my point.
It has to be a much calmer, considered approach than last summer. Yes, mistakes were made but we did try our best to acquire players from a higher level.

And you know what? I sense a different approach this time around. Last season we kept being told that David Sullivan, Slav and Tony Henry all had lists of players they fancied and all transfers had to be written off by all three.

I sense Slav did not really like that. Few managers would. This summer we have heard little from Sullivan, in fact for much of last season. And Henry has been on the club website explaining how the scouting process works.

But Slav rebelled a bit against the previous system. He didn't want Scott Hogan in January despite plenty of pressure. He wanted to save the money for the summer. He didn't want players that did not appreciable improve his squad just for the sake of it.

And we hear that all the pressure about replacing his backroom staff has gone away. It looks like the board are giving Bilic his head, allowing him to make the judgements. I may be wrong, but it certainly looks that way.

There's another way of looking at that. He could be being set up to fail, let's face it if we start next season in the same vein as last and are no better off by Christmas, he will be gone. And the board will be able to say that they backed his decisions and it hasn't worked.

Sullivan has to be involved. He's the owner. He should do the negotiations and the deals. But Bilic seems unimpressed with some of the players he has been offered.

Lets face it. Slav should take control. It's his team, his dressing room, his training ground. If it all goes pear-shaped, then the board have every right to sack him. That's their role, but let's see how this summer goes with Slav at the sharp end.

There are clearly going to be more new faces. Zabaleta , it seems, may be able to persuade Kelechi Iheanacho to follow him from the Etihad. Just the sort of bright, young striker we need.

We hear also that Marseille will try to get Andre Ayew, and I hope if that happens we screw every last Euro out of them, after their disgraceful tapping up of Dimitri Payet. As long as we do not end up by selling Manuel Lanzini, anything but that.

Slav wants 'game changers' not squad players. He wants power, pace and athleticism. We so badly lacked all of that last term.

So let's welcome Zabaleta with open arms, and wait to see the next bricks in the wall needed to make up for what has been a wasted, troubled season.

It ended with a solid victory at Burnley, and 11th spot, with a team missing eight senior players, nine if you included Payet. And I still do, sorry, such has been the damage caused too our season by his departure.

I had promised the editor a clever, meaningful piece (he was heard to mutter, 'that would be a change') about our season. Not something I felt like writing after this week's dreadful terrorist attack.

As you may have worked out over the months, I live just outside Manchester and worked in the city for 30 years. A lifelong Londoner I will always be, with my wife feeling that I have an obsessive interest in the old East End and my father's legacy.

She may be right, and when you have been away from home for as long as I have, that intensity heightens. But I have grown to love Manchester, my home now for over 35 years.

Last Sunday me and the lad went to Burnley, using Manchester Victoria to get there, where Burnley CC were their usual outstanding hosts!

It was a beautiful, sunny day, Victoria has been rebuilt with its Victorian architecture carefully restored and blended into the impressive new complex that links the metro to the main line stations and then on into the Manchester Arena concourses. We had a beer there and discussed how nice it all looked, having only just been opened.

Less than 24 hours later it was a very different place. There were hundreds of West Ham fans who used that station last weekend, and we all enjoyed ourselves and the trip up to Lancashire's old cotton towns. It was hard to take it what happened so soon after.

So I am sure the editor and you lot out there will forgive my lack of enthusiasm for meaningless, football chatter this week.


Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.

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It's not just the hope that kills you, it's the 'spin' as well
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 28th May 2017
By: Samba

Blame the Board? T'was ever thus. West Ham 'Boards' have generally NEVER treated West Ham fans with respect.

Back in the early 70s, not sure of the year, in one particular match day programme was a message from 'The Board'. It was all our fault (us fans), we had not been supportive enough, we needed to get behind the team more AND to stop moaning.

After years of unstinting adoration from us fans - despite being served up general mediocrity since the glory years of '64, '65 and ahem, '66 - the obvious lack of respect and lack of gratitude being dumped on us once more from a great height by 'The Board' was bad enough to make some of us feel like not wanting to go, ever again. Put up and/or shut up. All of this 45 years or so ago. So there's nothing new.

Except perhaps an athletics stadium.

Now (as I don't need to tell you dear reader), us West Ham fans have always been (and presumably always will be) amongst the most loyal of football supporters. Anywhere. (Apart from the perenial boo boys, of course - new thread needed). If you're West Ham, you're West Ham for life.

We're not glory hunters. We knew we were probably never going to challenge for the title but just being in the top flight, occasionally beating and upsetting the 'top teams' and always being in with at least a hope of a good cup run (and even winning the FA Cup three times), we were happy.

All this, mind, because 'The Board', every Board, never, ever wanted to spend more than the bare minimum to stay safe. Even relegation-threatened seasons gave us real excitement even though we craved the safety of mid-table mediocrity. Even actual relegation seasons came with the promise of an exciting, successful season to come, at some point in the near future.

If West Ham ended up playing home games on Wanstead Flats many of us would still go. You can't kill a love that strong (although this season some people have really tried, unintentionally). I suspect that this undying loyalty has often been used against us.


2016/17, a season of two separate problems (Part 1)

The Move aka 'The Emperors New Clothes' (The king was in the altogether, the altogether, the altogether...)

We'd got a new Board back in 2010. DG, DS and KB. At least DG and DS were wealthy - nothing like Roman A wealthy, but still. Gold and Sullivan claimed to be lifelong West Ham fans; something that unfortunately also ensured that we got sucked into the Olympic Stadium move.

Except we didn't quite get that DS especially, was a businessman FIRST and a WHU fan second (no, not quite true, some of you did). I don't know if KB even likes football. Are we just a real life fantasy football team game to them? Go on, prove us all wrong.

We were told we were going to move. We kept saying we didn't want to move. They refused to (or didn't want to) listen. We said if it's going to be anything like the old Wembley, it'll be fucking awful. So far away from the pitch, we might as well watch it on the telly. We were spun the following:

"We'll have more status and prestige if we move to the OS"
How exactly does that benefit us? Prestige doesn't win games. Not worth a fuck, unless you're on The Board and have pound signs in your eyes for the future sale of the club.

"Without us the stadium would lose money"
So what? Absolutely nothing to do with us and no reason for us to move there.

"We'll attract better players to the OS"
Yes, that's right, players ALWAYS come and stay for the ground, it's never the money (which is from Sky largely, not the increased capacity).

"We'll rebrand the club" (mainly it appears so far, by putting the word LONDON on the badge)
Who decided we needed rebranding? Don't answer that. We didn't need rebranding. What part of E6 or E13 wasn't in London?

"We'll have a bigger capacity of at least 55,000 at the OS" (which will let us buy better players and achieve more success)
What, like Newcastle? Chelsea are averaging 42k this season and have been in all their recent glory years.

"Even though we've got planning permission and space to fully renew the East Stand/Chicken Run, we can't have over 40,000 trying to get to and from the Upton Park ground"
Really? Why not? How's that going at the OS? How's that long depressing walk? Better? No, not really.

"We'll make changes to the OS"
You can't polish a turd. Well, you can but it's still a turd.

"It's only teething problems at the OS"
Shane MacGowan's got fewer teething problems...

All of it 'management speak' to DG, DS and KB but to you and me, BS.

No one ever said Upton Park was a fortress. Christ, we saw some dire games and performances there over many, many years. Just like this season. We also as well always had our share of violent, antisocial scumbags, not there for the game.

Increase the capacity what did you think would happen? Scumbag quotient the same? Or less?

WE KNOW WE CAN'T GO BACK. But it doesn't mean we have to like the new place. At all.

If you're in the E6/E13 area and can face it, go and look at what remains of the old place while the West Stand is there still, or even if it's now gone. Marvel at how the hell did we ever once get over 42,000 people in there playing sardines, in such a small place.

The atmosphere, the singing. I dare you not to get a lump in your throat or a tear in your eye. Aside from all of your memories of heroes gone and loved ones no longer with us, four words might come to mind: WHAT A FUCKING DISGRACE.

How could you have done it? Shout it out loud, HOW COULD YOU HAVE FUCKING DONE IT? A West Ham fan FIRST wouldn't have done it. I just don't think you understand.

I don't blame the fans for one second. Wanting to watch our team and with a begrudging hope that we had to move on to have any chance to improve, you got on board and bought OS season tickets. As loyal as ever. It might work.

Like we ever had a choice. Spurs wanted the site; PLEASE let them have it. Barry Hearn didn't want us there; PLEASE let him win his case. If both of their legal teams couldn't have stopped it, nothing was ever going to stop it, was it?

Rival fans think we've lost our soul and have become a laughing stock. Message alert to rival fans: We know, we agree, you're correct.

Except they're not. We lost our home. What choice did we have? Us fans had no choice at any time or in any way. Were we ever asked if we wanted to move? Was there a vote on it? Apparently 'there was' AND one on changing the badge. So it IS all our fault...

It was not completely about us not liking change (always the line thrown at you when those in charge want change), it was about us not wanting a change to something not as good as what we already had and had built up, for 112 years.

In hindsight, and with 20/20, the ONLY thing we could have done would have been to completely boycott every home game when the OS move was being discussed and we weren't being listened to. As business people it would have been the only thing they understood - the bottom line.

Unfortunately, I don't think it could have been organised or carried out. Would it have changed their minds anyway, once they'd got their eyes on the prize? Could it be done at the OS? What would be the point now? What would it achieve now? We fans would still get the blame.

The trouble was, unlike a purpose-built football ground, a move to the OS was a gamble - unless you had an agenda to one day sell the club with its shiny new ground, for a tidy profit. It was a gamble that the Board put their house on, except that it was OUR house, Upton Park.

Look at the photos on the KUMB Forum's 'Farewell to the Boleyn' thread and imagine the East Stand/Chicken Run with a huge new stand. Wow, now THAT would have been some ground. And still with all its history intact.

You wouldn't have minded so much spending £1,100 on a season ticket there. Not so at the E20 monstrosity. Which we can only play at when someone else isn't using it; like at the beginning of next season.

WE didn't NEED a new ground, we just needed more money for better players. What a gamble.

A sensible approach (as someone on here mentioned) might have been to hold off selling Upton Park for a couple/few years and renting it out to Chelsea or Spurs for a nice little earner, whilst seeing how it went at the OS. They never would have done it, would they? Especially not with all that lovely money from the sale of Upton Park.


2016/2017, a season of 2 separate problems (Part 2)

The Team aka how to piss off your own fans with bizarre player selections/positions/aquisitions...

At the start of the season we still had a genuinely world class player whom we loved and loved watching. On 20 August were told: "He loves the club and the fans love him. His family are settled and one of his boys is at the club academy. And just as important, his wife loves the life here in England. It is the perfect storm".

We all know what kind of storm it turned into. It started with an S.

I don't even hate the player. Well, apart from him showing a complete lack of respect to his team-mates, his boss and us his adoring fans. In his first few games back you could see he didn't want to be here. He stopped playing long before he stopped playing.

If you're not going to play even when you're playing, you're no longer any good for us, whoever you are. You might as well go as be held against your will. It was great for a while. One man does not maketh a team. Except Ronaldo. Or Messi. Or Neymar. Or Bale. Okay, okay, one man can make a team. Unless I missed it, one day we will know the truth why he wanted/needed out. Strange that he couldn't wait til the end of the season though.

Perhaps what upset us fans the most though was the secret fear that if one world class player didn't want to play/stay for us how are we going to attract any other world class players in the future? Hey ho, backwards and downwards...


Things we have learned in 2017
(or already knew but didn't want to remember/believe)

Players contracts are not worth the paper they are written on. Ditto, contract extensions. Player loyalty? Does it exist anymore? This isn't the 1970s with Trevor Brooking and his like.

Even if we give a player our undivided adoration it isn't enough to keep them here. Not in these days of lottery jackpot earnings. Which brings us nicely on to West Ham's transfer policy. Now, as you are all aware, the WHU Board's way has always mainly been to only buy top, top players when they are:

1) nearly dead
2) legs gone
3) One season away from the knacker's yard
4) seen better days and
5) therefore cheap

Step forward please: Jimmy Greaves, Stuart Pearson, Clive Allen, Ian Wright, Freddie Ljungberg, Liam Brady, Kieron Dyer, Robbie Keane, Davor Suker, Lee Chapman and many, many others you make wish to add. No wonder we've been linked with Rooney, he's now past it.

Okay, some of those mentioned gave us some fantastic moments and memories but you know what I mean, we never buy top players in their prime. And now, we sell them.

But DS and DG promised to completely change the old traditional West Ham transfer policy and they certainly did. This last few years we are mostly been buying younger average players. A complete change from the old, nearly dead, 'stars'. But not even as good and not even cheap.

So where does that leave us now? Apart from miserable, angry, depressed and looking longingly at the plans for the new purpose-built grounds Chelsea, Spurs and Everton, et al will one day get to play in?

Despite finishing 11th and 11 points above relegated Hull City we SERIOUSLY flirted with relegation this season, only really saving ourselves with a few very lucky wins and the famous Spurs victory. As usual, relying on enough other teams to be worse than us as the real reason we avoided relegation. You can't do that every season, your luck runs out in the end as it has for us in the past.

In terms of our future success, apart from not playing at Upton Park anymore, nothing else has changed, we are nowhere nearer to 'the next level', and the same old perennial questions remain:

* Is the current manager any good?
* Are we going to sign any good players in the summer?
* Are our current players including recent signings going to be better next season?
* Are our younger players good enough to step up to be first team/squad regulars?
* Why did so many players get so many injuries this season? (Dicks 'aint joining in the actual training games, is he?)


Reasons to be cheerful

We're still in the Premier League. At the moment we've still got some players who are half decent and who we like. We might even buy some team-improving players in the summer (though I'm not holding my breath on that, expecting more short-termism, Saga members to join).

At least we're not in the Europa Cup next season. That's an absolute blessing when you consider the harm it usually does us. As a reward it seems a poisoned chalice.

I hope for better performances/results next season as we all do but I'm not going to expect it, whoever we might buy, unless it is a world class player or we just get lucky. And the chances of that? I can't say they're good, but you never know.

The good news is that Board and owners are not here forever, even though the Cearns family felt like they were. This current lot will one day go but they'll unfortunately still have left us with the OS. Thanks guys. We'll have to seriously try to persuade the new owners to build us, you know, a football stadium.

I do know there's a lovely large patch of grass called the Memorial Recreation ground near West Ham station. I could see a real future there one day.


Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.

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West Ham must adopt new mentality to end trophy drought, insist Pablo Zabaleta
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

New West Ham signing Pablo Zabaleta has urged the club to adopt a new mentality in their quest to win a first major trophy since 1980. The Hammers endured a difficult first season at the London Stadium and failed to build on the seventh place Premier League finish achieved in the 2015/16 campaign. Slaven Bilic's side also suffered an early FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester City, whom Zabaleta represented for nine years before signing a two-year deal at West Ham earlier this month. The Argentine defender lifted three domestic trophies during his spell at the Etihad Stadium and is adamant his new employers must target Cup progress to bring success to east London. "It's time for this football club to have that strong, winning mentality to believe that you can achieve important things," Zabaleta told West Ham's official website. "With domestic competitions, of course the Premier League is hard, but the FA Cup and EFL Cup are about seven games, you need to perform well and it's only one game at a time, and that's the right and winning mentality you need to achieve. "This is something that I personally, from my point of view, think West Ham need to believe. As players, we can give the fans something to really enjoy. "It's all about being positive, working hard and showing commitment from the players."

At 32 years of age, Zabaleta's peak years are behind him. But the full-back is convinced he still has plenty to offer West Ham's cause. "I'm not a young player, but sometimes in football it's all about passion as well and that's something that I have still got inside me as a football player, to keep enjoying this wonderful professional. "I've been playing [a long time] and have experience in my whole career so it's good to come here and use my experience to help the young lads to continue to develop."

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