Daily WHUFC News - 7th March 2018

A grand achievement - West Ham United hit 1,000 Premier League goals
WHUFC.com

West Ham United's goal at Swansea City on Saturday saw the Hammers become
the tenth team to score 1,000 in the Premier League. Nearly 25 years since
Dale Gordon opened the Hammers' Premier League account at Coventry City in
August 1993, Michail Antonio hit number 1,000 in the otherwise forgettable
4-1 defeat at the Liberty Stadium. Since Gordon's scrambled strike in a 1-1
draw at Highfield Road nearly a quarter of a century ago, West Ham have
scored against 48 different clubs in the Premier League, with the
most-recent being Chicharito's goal in the 3-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove
Albion in February. The east Londoners have scored more Premier League goals
against Tottenham Hotspur (52 in 44 meetings) than any other opponent,
followed by Newcastle United (45 in 40), Blackburn Rovers (43 in 28) and
Southampton (43 in 31).

The Hammers have scored six goals in a game once, in a 6-0 win over Barnsley
at the Boleyn Ground in January 1998, five goals in the same match on seven
occasions, and four goals in the same game 17 times. At the other end of the
scale, the Hammers have scored just one Premier League goal against Brighton
and Swindon Town. West Ham's best goals-to-games ratio against any opponent
is 4:1, with the Hammers having netted eight goals in just two matches
against Barnsley back in the 1997/98 season. They have also scored 14 in
just seven meetings with Burnley, who visit London Stadium on Saturday.

Conversely, the Hammers have netted just 12 goals in 20 Premier League
meetings with Leeds United, losing 14 of those matches and winning just two.


Individually, no player has scored more Premier League goals in Claret and
Blue than Paolo Di Canio, who netted 48 times between 1999 and 2003.

In second place is Carlton Cole, who bagged 41 in two spells between 2006
and 2015, with Trevor Sinclair and current captain Mark Noble in joint-third
with 36, Andy Carroll fifth with 32 and the top ten rounded out by Frederic
Kanoute (29), Frank Lampard Jr and John Hartson (24), Tony Cottee (23) and
Julian Dicks (21).

Carroll and Cottee are among five players to have netted Premier League
hat-tricks for the Club, with Kevin Nolan and Marlon Harewood each bagging
trebles, and Paul Kitson being the only player to score three goals in a
game on more than one occasion.

West Ham's oldest scorer is also the Premier League's all-time oldest
marksman, Teddy Sheringham, who was aged 40 years and 268 days when he
netted against Portsmouth on Boxing Day 2006.

The Hammers' youngest Premier League scorer was Joe Cole, who was 18 years,
four months and three days old when he netted in a 5-4 win over Bradford
City on 12 February 2000.

In all, 140 different players have scored Premier League goals for West Ham,
not including own-goals, with 30 of them scoring just once in the top flight
in Claret and Blue.

Of those 140, 17 came through the Academy of Football, while they hail from
a total of 37 different countries, from Algerian Sofiane Feghouli to
Welshmen John Hartson, Craig Bellamy, James Collins, Jack Collison and Carl
Fletcher.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zabaleta: We must train and play at maximum intensity to beat Burnley
WHUFC.com

Pablo Zabaleta says West Ham United need to train and play with maximum
intensity if they want to beat Burnley at London Stadium on Saturday. The
Clarets arrive in east London sitting seventh in the Premier League table,
having hit the 40-point mark by beating Everton at Turf Moor last weekend,
and with a reputation for being one of the top-flight's most disciplined and
organised teams. Burnley are ranked in the Premier League's top three in
clearances made, shots blocked and fouls conceded, and only Manchester City
and Tottenham Hotspur have conceded fewer than the 26 goals let in by Sean
Dyche's side.

Zabaleta is acutely aware that Burnley will be tough to break down, and of
the threat their direct attacking style will pose to the West Ham defence,
and knows 100 per cent commitment will be the minimum requirement if the
hosts are to secure a vital victory. "The pressure is always there, whether
you're playing to win the league or to avoid relegation," said the No5. "You
have to deal with it and the best way to take a bit of pressure away is to
come into training every day and work hard and prepare physically and
mentally to be ready for every game. That is the key. "The saying goes that
'We play as we train' and that is so important for us, every day of the
week, to come to Rush Green, train well, look after ourselves physically and
mentally prepare ourselves for games, because we need to win.
"It's definitely a must-win game on Saturday against Burnley, who are a good
side. They have already got to 40 points and they will look to win one more
game to be 100 per cent safe, so it's not going to be easy, but we need to
play well and we have good players who can produce a good performance on
Saturday."

West Ham kick-off against Burnley with 30 points from 29 games and need to
win at least three of their remaining nine to secure their Premier League
status, and Zabaleta is under no illusions about the situation the Hammers
find themselves in. However, with six of those matches to be played at
London Stadium, including three against teams currently in the bottom half
of the table, the defender says West Ham's fate remains very much in their
own hands. "We have got nine finals, that is the reality. If you look at the
whole season and how it's been so far, there have been so many ups and
downs, we have done good things and bad things, there have been many changes
and injuries have been a problem for us as well, in key moments and to key
players. "But we find ourselves in a situation where we are not the only
team fighting against relegation. We are one of about seven or eight teams,
or perhaps even more, with only three to six points between them, which
shows how difficult the Premier League is. It is so competitive. "We are all
in a situation where we have to pick up points if we want to be safe as soon
as possible and be a Premier League team next year, but the good thing is
that it still depends on us. It's not like we're in a situation where we
need to rely on other teams' results. Of course, when the bottom three drop
points it's good, but at the end of the day we need to win our games to make
sure we can be in a better position. "We have two big home games coming up
now with Burnley and Southampton and we need to win against those teams."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cullen ready to play his part in West Ham's fight for Premier League
survival
WHUFC.com

Lifelong Hammer Josh Cullen is ready to play his part in securing West Ham
United's Premier League future. The young midfielder has been in and around
the first-team squad since returning from a loan spell at Championship club
Bolton Wanderers, impressing in three Emirates FA Cup ties with his accurate
passing, intelligent movement and courage, particularly when he played on
after losing a tooth at Shrewsbury Town. After a further month of training
and being named in David Moyes' matchday squad for six of the last seven
matches, the 21-year-old is eyeing more Premier League game-time as West Ham
seek the points required to secure their safety.

"It's been great to be back. Obviously being out on loan at Bolton for the
first half of the season was more valuable experience for me, playing in the
Championship and getting some more games under my belt and developing as a
player for a further six months. "There was a change in manager, so I was
keen to come back here and show the new manager what I was all about and try
and impress him, so I came back and played in a few games and have been back
in the mix. Hopefully I've done enough to show him I have a future at the
Club. "I did enough to warrant staying on for the rest of the season, which
I'm doing now, and hopefully I can push on again and try to push from being
on the bench and in the squad to being in the team and getting some
appearances before the end of the season."

Cullen was among three youngsters who returned to the Club in January –
Reece Oxford and Reece Burke were the other two – and he could have been
sent back to Bolton for the remainder of the season. The Republic of Ireland
U21 midfielder therefore took great confidence when Moyes told him he would
remain with the Hammers instead. "I had a couple of conversations with the
gaffer about what was best for me and we came to the decision that it was
best for me to stay here, and I was up for that challenge. "I never for one
minute thought that I would stay and go straight into the first team, but
I'm up for the fight and hopefully, as time goes on, I can keep impressing
him in training. "It was a good sign that he wanted to keep me around, so
hopefully I can keep developing and hopefully my chance will come and, when
it comes, I can take it."

Cullen certainly took his chance in the aforementioned FA Cup ties, and has
since more than held his own in training sessions that have seen him tackle
experienced international players on a daily basis. While he may not have
the same resume as his teammates yet, the Essex-born player is determined to
make his own mark in a Claret and Blue shirt, whenever the next opportunity
arises. "As a young player, you have to take every day training with those
players as experience. People say about getting experience by going out on
loan, but coming back and training with the quality of players we have got
at this Club is an experience in itself and one which should help develop me
as a player. "Going up against those players is a great challenge for me and
hopefully I can push them and create some healthy competition, and that they
know I'm here and pushing for a first team spot. It will also push me on as
I know I have to be even better to get into the team, so it's good to have
that competition around. "I've just got to stay patient, keep doing what I
am doing in training, keep working and when the manager calls upon me, make
sure I'm ready, I do myself justice when I go out there and do as well as I
know I can."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Boleyn Ground levelled for £8million
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th March 2018
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's latest annual accounts have revealed that the club's
turnover increased by circa £8million as a result of leaving Upton Park for
Stratford.

Prior to the stadium move, it had been claimed by the Board that West Ham
needed to move to the vacated Olympic Stadium in order for the club to
progress and increase its annual turnover.

However the latest set of accounts - that show an overall increase in
turnover of approximately £40million - reveal that money from the TV deal
represents in the region of 80 per cent of that figure, with only an
additional £8million having been generated as a result of leaving the club's
historic Boleyn Ground in 2016.

Released ths morning, the club's latest accounts also reveal that the club
made an overall profit of £43million - largely as a result of player
trading, having sold Dimitri Payet and James Tomkins for a combined
£40million. £80million was 'spent' on incoming players, although those fees
are generally spread over a number of years.

Meanwhile it was confirmed that the Boleyn Ground was sold for circa
£40million, a profit of just under £9million once an outstanding mortgage
and the £15million contribution to converting the Olympic Stadium were
paid°.

Additionally, new Director J Albert 'Tripp' Smith was confirmed as having
joined the club on 21 September (replacing Straumur's outgoing
representative, Daniel Svanstrom, finally ending the club's 12-year
Icelandic association). Smith later made an interest-free loan of
£9.5million to the club.

Meanwhile Karren Brady's rhetoric regarding the stadium had changed
considerably - the "world's best stadium migration" is now referred to as "a
satisfactory move" in the document.

Speaking in October 2017, when the accounts were signed off, co-owner David
Sullivan said: "This season, our second at the London Stadium, we know will
bring its own challenges but we continue to believe we will deliver both on
and off the pitch by investing in the team, the brand and managing the
business well."

Some key figures from this year's accounts include:

* Turnover rose by £41.3million to £183.3million - largely as a result of
the improved TV deal

* The TV deal was worth £119.3million to the club in 2016/17 - nearly two
thirds of its entire annual income

* Tickets sales rose from £26.9million at the Boleyn to £28.6million at the
Olympic Stadium - an increase of just £1.7million

* Despite adding the new club shop in Stratford to its portfolio, the club's
retail revenue increased by just 2 per cent (£9.6million)

* The club's commercial and sponsorship departments saw an 35.7 per cent
increase in turnover (up to £25.8million)*

° The Boleyn Ground site, sold to Galliard (as Boleyn Phoenix Limited) was
later sold to another development company for circa £60million.

David Sullivan was previously quoted as saying he had received better offers
for the ground, but sold to local firm Galliard as they would ensure the
club's legacy would be respected. Galliard are believed to have sold the
ground less than 24 hours after it was purchased to a subsidiary of
Barretts.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Isla recovering following major surgery
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th March 2018
By: Staff Writer

An operation to remove a tumour from little Isla Caton has been a success,
according to her parents. The three-year-old, who is suffering from
Neuroblastoma and whose plight has captured the hearts of all West Ham
supporters - and many from outside the club - underwent surgery to remove a
tumour from her brain earlier today, according to a post from her mother.
And fortunately, initial reports suggest that the operation has been a
success - as mum Nicola has just confirmed via social media.

Earlier in the day, West Ham captain Mark Noble had sent the following
message in support of little Isla, who he carried out onto the pitch ahead
of the recent Premier League meeting with AFC Bournemouth.

If you'd like to contribute to the fund to get Isla to the US for
much-needed treatment, visit the Bradley Lowery Foundation in order to to
make a donation.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
ISA rally postponed on Newham advice
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th March 2018
By: Staff Writer

The West Ham United Independent Supporters' Association (WHUISA) has
confirmed that they will not be staging a rally in Stratford this weekend on
the advice of local authorities.

In a statement released by the ISA this afternoon, it was revealed that
Newham Council had asked for more time to discuss plans with the group, who
had hoped to re-arrange a fans' protest following the Real West Ham Fans
Action Group's (RWHFAG) decision to cancel theirs last week.

"The West Ham United Independent Supporters Association (WHUISA) wishes to
register its disappointment that the group has been unable to gain
permission to hold a peaceful, lawful demonstration this Saturday, 10th
March 2018," read a statment released by the Association.

"Correspondence received today from Newham Council stated 'it would be
beneficial to all parties if we could postpone for a short period of time to
give everyone time to consider a proposal which would be safe for
participants, without substantial disruption to the road network and
agreeable to stakeholders, landowners and those with responsibility for
safety in the area.'

"Since Thursday 1st March, the WHUISA committee has worked tirelessly with
the authorities in order to comply with all proper regulations and
procedures needed to hold a march. On behalf of the WHUISA committee, we
would like to thank all those who have been involved with the efforts
including the hundreds of new members who have joined us. The issue of a
protest march will not be raised again until the WHUISA AGM later in the
year, details of which will be sent to members."

The FSF-recognised organisation - who are the latest in a long line of
independent supporter associations (ISAs) to represent West Ham in recent
years, following on from the likes of WHUST (West Ham United Supporters
Trust, 2002-2005) and WHISA (West Ham Independent Supporters' Association,
2013-2015) - also denied suggestions that they are affiliated with any
particular political party.

"Claims were also made that the group is affiliated with the Mayor of
London's office," added the statement. "This is untrue. WHUISA is a
resolutely non-political, democratic, completely independent organisation,
proudly affiliated to the FSF and will continue to work for the benefit of
all West Ham United supporters and to hold the board to account.

"We believe that this commitment to transparency is a fundamental
requirement of WHUISA's role as a voice of West Ham fans. All our work is
done in consultation with our members so we hope if you are not already a
member you will join us now for just £1."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WHUISA STATEMENT ON MARCH
By Sean Whetstone 6 Mar 2018 at 16:29
WTID

The West Ham United Independent Supporters Association (WHUISA) wishes to
register its disappointment that the group has been unable to gain
permission to hold a peaceful, lawful demonstration this Saturday, 10th
March 2018.

Correspondence received today from Newham Council stated "it would be
beneficial to all parties if we could postpone for a short period of time to
give everyone time to consider a proposal which would be safe for
participants, without substantial disruption to the road network and
agreeable to stakeholders, landowners and those with responsibility for
safety in the area."

Since Thursday 1st March, the WHUISA committee has worked tirelessly with
the authorities in order to comply with all proper regulations and
procedures needed to hold a march. On behalf of the WHUISA committee, we
would like to thank all those who have been involved with the efforts
including the hundreds of new members who have joined us. The issue of a
protest march will not be raised again until the WHUISA AGM later in the
year, details of which will be sent to members.

Claims were also made that the group is affiliated with the Mayor of
London's office. This is untrue. WHUISA is a resolutely non-political,
democratic, completely independent organisation, proudly affiliated to the
FSF and will continue to work for the benefit of all West Ham United
supporters and to hold the board to account.

We believe that this commitment to transparency is a fundamental requirement
of WHUISA's role as a voice of West Ham fans. All our work is done in
consultation with our members so we hope if you are not already a member you
will now join us now for just £1 (www.whuisa.org/join)

West Ham United Independent Supporters Association Committee – 6th March
2018

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM FINANCIAL UPDATE
By Sean Whetstone 6 Mar 2018 at 09:56
WTID

West Ham's newly announced financial accounts show a record turnover and
record profit but mostly due to the new TV deal which came in last season.
The accounts published at companies house today show figures for last season
up to 31st May 2017.

The main areas show:

O Turnover increase of 28.9% (£41.2m) from £142.1m to £183.3m

O TV income grew by 7% (£32.6m) from £86.7m to £119.3m

This is in line with many other Premier League clubs when the new Sky/BT
deal came into effect last season. Most clubs have increased their turnover
by a similar amount.

O Ticket income grew by 6.3% from £26.9m to £28.6m

The modest increase might be a surprise to some but with 10,000 Under 16
season tickets for £99 and 8,000 Band 5 season tickets for £289 and prizes
frozen the only way to increase revenue in this area is to increase ticket
pricing which would not go down well with fans.

O Commercial and sponsorship including corporate hospitality sales were up
by 35.7% from £19m to £25.8m

This area includes the corporate hospitality called Club London which
increased to 3,200 members and better sponsorship deals in the new stadium.

O Retail and shop sales grew by 2% from £9.3m to £9.6m

Again a rather small increase but there are some mitigating factors. The
last year in the Boleyn Ground saw record revenue from retail from dedicated
merchandise the club shop currently lacks a car park and has limited
footfall or passing trade outside of match days.

O The club published a gross profit of £64.4m but this reduced to a net
profit of £43m after playing trading, taxation and interest.

While the profit is impressive the club remains relatively cash poor as many
transactions are paid for upfront but accounted for (depreciated) over many
years in the accounts. These include the £15m for the stadium (depreciated
over 99 years, the club shop, office and Westhamification of the London
Stadium (depreciated over 10 years) and many players 50% up front but
depreciated over the length of the player's contract.

O The accounts confirm the Boleyn Ground was sold for £38m.

West Ham had already received £10m up front in previous years so the balance
of £28m was paid in July 2016 by the developers. This was used mostly pay
off bank loans of £14.7m and London Stadium upfront fee of £15m.

O Wages increased by £10.4m from £84.6m to £95m which means wages account
for 51.8% of turnover.

The highest paid director wages (believed to be West Ham Vice-Chairman
Karren Brady) reduced her salary from £907,000 to £868,000. In comparison,
Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis was paid £2.65m plus a £1m bonus in 2016 despite
not winning anything as a club so it could be argued her salary remains
below the market rate. David Gold and David Sullivan did not draw a wage or
claim any expenses.

O An update on West Ham loans:

External bank loans totalling £14.7m to shareholders CB Holding ehf
(Icelandics) and (GC Co 102 Limited) David Sullivan were repaid on 15th July
2016 to make West Ham externally debt free of long-term non-share holder
loans. Interest was charged at under 5%.

The club re-paid their £30m short-term loan to Media Rights and Funding
secured against TV money on 14th July 2017. In August 2017 they took out two
new short-term loans with Media Rights and Funding totalling £25m secured
against the training grounds and Stadium lease to help with cash flow. These
loans are due for repayment in July 2018.

The Share Holder loan balance has reduced from £49.2m to £45m in August 2016
after David Gold and David Sullivan were repaid £4.2m of their loans plus
£2.2m in interest.

Interest on shareholder loans totalled £12.7m in May 2017 but £10m of this
was later paid back to David Gold and David Sullivan on 18th August 2017.
The interest on the remaining balance has reduced from 7% to 4% from 1st
April 2017 with the shareholder loan balance due for repayment on 1st
January 2020.

Shareholder Tripp Smith paid a £9.5m interest-free loan to West Ham in
September 2017 after buying 10% of the shares from the Icelandic's.

A full copy of the accounts can be found at:
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/05993863/filing-history

The club have published their own summary at
https://www.whufc.com/news/club-accounts-published-for-2016-17

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CLUB PRESIDENT CONFIRMS WEST HAM'S INTEREST IN STARLET VIA OFFICIAL
COMMUNICATIONFeatured Image
Date: 6th March 2018 at 9:59pm
Written by: Josh Challies
Forever WestHam

West Ham's recruitment drive at the end of the season is likely to be
extremely diverse, following a campaign where the Hammers have struggled to
find consistency and sit just three points above the relegation zone.

Amongst the areas that David Moyes' side are likely to want to improve is
between the sticks, where Manchester City loanee Joe Hart has failed to
catch the eye and Spaniard Adrian was criticised after his performance in
the recent 4-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Interestingly, reports on the continent in recent days have revealed West
Ham's interest in 17-year-old goalkeeper Marco Meneghetti, who's currently
playing in Italy's third-tier with Pordenone.

Now the Italian club's president Mauro Lovisa has weighed in on the
situation, confirming that West Ham are interested in the teenager with
quotes made to TuttoMercatoWeb.

"Marco Meneghetti is in the sights of the Hammers. I have the official
e-mail from the British club. The fact is that Marco also interests Inter."

Interest from Inter Milan will be a concern to West Ham though, as they're
unlikely to be able to match the offer from the Italian giants.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THILL KEEN TO LEAVE METZ AMID LINKS WITH WEST HAM
LUKE OSMAN @LukeOsmanRS
ReadWestHam

Reported West Ham target Vincent Thill is understood to be keen on making a
summer move away from Metz this summer.

It was reported last month that David Moyes is seemingly intent on staying
put at the London Stadium for the foreseeable future. This prompted claims
that he has already set his sight on a number of targets to inject some life
into his ageing West Ham squad – including Thill.

The 18-year-old is held in high regard out in France and has been dubbed as
one for the future. However, as per the Luxembourg Wort – a media source in
the player's homeland – he is out to secure a move away from Metz in the
coming months.

Thill has only managed to feature in one Ligue 1 game for his side this
season, which he is understood to have been left frustrated by. This has led
to him to seek pastures new ahead of the summer transfer window.

It's stated in the report that the Luxembourg international's future is
being discussed by chiefs at Metz. Conversations are said to be taking place
with regards to whether or not Thill should be sold or loaned out for the
season.

West Ham will face competition from Juventus for Thill's signature, though,
if they do press ahead with their efforts to land him. According to
Luxembourg Wort, the youngster's agent Meissa N'Diaye held talks with the
Serie A giants over a potential move.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham make major transfer admission following release of 2016-17 accounts
Co-owner David Sullivan pledges to invest more after the club reported
record turnover for the 2017-18 season.
Club spent £33.6m net on players, a minor increase in the first year of the
new Premier League TV deal.
Nick Howson By Nick Howson
March 6, 2018 13:03 GMT
IBTimes.co.uk

West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has committed to investing more on
new players in the transfer market after admitting the club have underspent
in recent windows. The claim comes following the release of the Hammers'
financial results for the 2016-17 season which shows a record turnover of
£183.3m, centrally due to an increase in the Premier League television deal.
Yet despite broadcast income increasing to £119.3m, ticket sales revenue
swelling to £28.4m and the new deal with Betway enhancing their sponsorship
income to £25.8m, West Ham invested a paltry amount in their playing squad.
Net cash investment in players totaled £33.6m, up from the £32.4m they had
outlaid the previous campaign. However, given that clubs benefited from the
record £5.1bn television deal for the first time last term, the 3.7%
increase represents a poor return. Andre Ayew, Robert Snodgrass, Manuel
Lanzini, Jose Fonte, Arthur Masuaku, Edimilson Fernandes and loan players
Simone Zaza, Jonathan Calleri and Gokhan Tore all arrived across the summer
and January windows to help the club finish 11th in the Premier League under
then coach Slaven Bilic. But with West Ham debt free and having invested
heavily in infrastructure – a £3.5m overhaul of their academy is also
planned – Sulllivan insists the club are in a strong financial position and
can look to spend freely in the coming years. "The club is in the healthiest
financial position it has been in for years," said 69-year-old Sullivan, who
has a 51.1% controlling stake in West Ham, in a review of the season. "In
each of the last two seasons we have broken our transfer record and
improvements in our overall financial position will help us to increase
investment again this summer. "I know some of our supporters will argue we
have not spent enough in the transfer windows and signed the right targets -
I accept that. "I have explained in recent weeks we are changing the
structure of our scouting and recruitment setup and will make every effort
to improve our performance in those areas in the future."

Now in their second season at the much-derided London Stadium, West Ham have
revealed the full cost of the move from Upton Park. The east Londoners made
an £8.7m profit on the sale of the ground and other stadium assets to
Barratt Homes. They will pay a one-off pre-agreed £15m fee for access to the
stadium – though that will be spread over the term of the lease - and used
two £5m deposits to help pay off legacy bank loans amounting to £14.7m.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham yet to feel benefit of move to London Stadium as accounts reveal
they would have made 'a similar profit' if they'd stayed at Upton Park
West Ham have revealed a record profit of £43million in their 2016-17
accounts
Club admit they would have made a similar profit if they'd stayed at Upton
Park
Most of the money was generated by TV deal (£119m) and player sales (£28m)
Fans are likely to call for the profit to be reinvested in playing squad in
summer
By Kieran Gill for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 13:04, 6 March 2018 | UPDATED: 15:28, 6 March 2018

West Ham are yet to feel the financial benefit of their move from Upton Park
to the London Stadium, the Premier League club's accounts have confessed.
The Hammers' finances for 2016-17 - their first season at their new home in
Stratford - show they managed to make a record profit of £43million. Yet a
standout line in the accounts, which were released on Tuesday, states: 'It
is worth noting that the club would have made a similar profit had it
remained at the old stadium.'
Most of the money for the year was generated by the new bumper TV deal
(£119.3m) and from player sales (£28.4m). That included Dimitri Payet's
high-profile move to Marseille in January 2017. The sale of the Boleyn
Ground also brought in £8.7m. West Ham believed the 57,000-seater London
Stadium would benefit them in their search for European football. After
finishing seventh in their last season at the Boleyn, they finished 11th in
their first in Stratford.

A statement from Karren Brady in the accounts discusses the London Stadium:
'It is already apparent that our new home is one of the greatest arenas in
world football and a platform to transform the future of our great club. 'We
have been very focused on delivering a ground that looks and feels like the
home ground of West Ham United. We invested a significant amount of money,
running into millions of pounds, in the external wrap, the digital screen
and branding inside and outside the stadium.'
West Ham suffered a £4.9m loss after tax in 2015-16 so the club are
satisfied with their £43m profit. Most fans will call for that to be
reinvested in the squad.
Co-chairman David Sullivan added: 'The club is in the healthiest financial
position it has been in for years. In each of the last two seasons we have
broken our transfer record and improvements in our overall financial
position will help us to increase investment again this summer. 'I know some
of our supporters will argue we have not spent enough in the transfer
windows and signed the right targets - I accept that. I have explained in
recent weeks we are changing the structure of our scouting and recruitment
set-up and will make every effort to improve our performance in those areas
in the future.'

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com