U17s ready for final group game in Abu Dhabi
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U17s head into their final group games of the Hazza bin
Zayed International Football Tournament in Abu Dhabi needing a positive
result to progress. After triumphing in their opener against Kashiwa Reysol,
the young Hammers played a real game of two halves against Espanyol.
Trailing 2-0 at the break, West Ham showed great character to claw their way
back into the contest thanks to a Jahmal Hector-Ingram goal. The Hammers
carved out several openings to level, but could not force a second goal and
were caught on the break to leave Espanyol with a 3-1 victory. The game was
followed by the tournament's gala dinner, where former Hammer Freddie
Kanoute was the guest of honour. West Ham's Korrey Henry asked him about
adjusting to life in the Premier League, with Kanoute giving kind words
about his time at the Boleyn Ground. Man-of-the-Match Idris Kanu scored the
only goal of the game as the young Hammers saw off Japanese side Kashiwa
Reysol at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium. The final group match will see West
Ham face the host club, Al Ain FC, at 7.30pm on Sunday 29 March. The two
group winners will contest the final, while the runners-up in each group
will go through to the third/fourth-place play-off.
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Ladies' future in good shape
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies are planning for a sustainable future if the club's
Development Squad is anything to go by. Under the direction of manager Andy
Hill, the Ladies' second-string has produced a steady stream of players for
consideration by first-team boss Julian Dicks.
With the Development Squad challenging for the FA Women's Premier League
(Reserves) Southern Division with five matches still to play, Hill is happy
with the way things are going. "Looking back at the season overall for the
Development Squad, I don't think anyone could anticipate just how well we
did in the run up to Christmas," he reflected. "We'd played something like
15 games and were top for a large part of that because we've stood up to
every challenge, worked hard and although as a manger you don't really want
to get carried away with results, a good run can make other teams sit up and
be wary of our squad. "For me, though, this part of the season is a
completely new challenge for them because they are not picking up the
results like they were at the start of this season. "We have been the much
better team in most of our games and got the results that we quite rightly
deserve but now that the going is starting to get a little bit tough, it
will be interesting to see how much the girls really want it."
Hill was alluding to a run of just two league wins since the turn of the
year which has seen West Ham drop off the top of the table.
"Overall this season, I am 100% happy with the standard of my team and one
of the main areas that I wanted to focus on when I took the job in the
summer was the progression of girls through the Development Squad and into
the first team," the 26-year-old confirmed.
"It would be easy to sit and talk about Jade Smith and Whitney Locke, who
have been regularly in and around the first team, but I think we have had
nine Development Squad players either train, travel or play for Julian
Dicks' first team so far this season. "We have then been able to bring
players up from the U18 team and they are making an impact for the
Development Squad – players like Danielle Sillitoe, Natalie Strange, Alleah
Headley and Ciara Bland. Those four have been fantastic this season and have
even been impressing Julian over the past few months, so it shows that we
are on the right track."
The Development Squad traveled to Chichester City last Sunday and returned
to winning ways with a 1-0 victory through Katie Bottom's late goal
Dicks' first-team had a weekend off after coming from a goal down to thrash
Gillingham Ladies 5-1 at Aveley FC. Emma Sherwood and Lily Mellors scored
twice each, while Vicky King was also on target. West Ham will look to
repeat that scoreline when they head to Kent for the reverse fixture on
Sunday 29 March, before traveling to South Wales to face top side Cardiff on
5 April.
The next home match will see Charlton visit Aveley FC on Tuesday 7 April at
7.45pm. Follow updates from all Ladies' fixtures on Twitter @westhamladies.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jenkinson helps U21s to victory
WHUFC.com
Carl Jenkinson came off the bench as England U21 defeated Czech Republic 1-0
on Friday evening. The on-loan right back replaced Arsenal's Calum Chambers
in the second half after Tom Carroll's 48th minute goal settled the friendly
meeting in Prague. Meanwhile. West Ham United Academy duo Sean Maguire and
Reece Oxford were both involved in wins on the international stage on
Thursday night. Maguire came off the bench in the Republic of Ireland U21s'
1-0 victory over Andorra, while Oxford was also a used substiture as England
U17s rounded off their UEFA U17 Championship qualifying campaign with a 2-1
win against Romania. For Maguire, 20, his late run-out represented a first
cap at Under-21 level as the young Irish got their qualification matches for
the 2017 UEFA U21 Championship off to the best possible start.
The former Waterford United player, back on home turf, had an injury time
effort saved by Andorra keeper Victor Silverio, while the winning goal came
on 31 minutes through Ipswich Town's Dylan Connolly.
Oxford moved down to the bench after two wins from two had already sealed
England U17's place in this summer's finals tournament.
After scoring in Monday's 3-1 win against Slovenia, the centre back came on
for the final 12 minutes against Romania to help see out a 2-1 success
gained thanks to Chelsea forward Ike Ugbo's double. The attention turns to
the seniors on Saturday, with James Collins' Wales taking on Israel in a
Euro 2016 qualifier, and Cheikhou Kouyate's Senegal facing Ghana in a
friendly.
Josh Cullen will also be hoping to help the Republic of Ireland U19s bounce
back from defeat to Czech Republic when they face Germany on the same day.
Jenkinson could also face Germany on Monday, as England U21s play another of
their co-finalists for the summer's UEFA U21 Championship, in a friendly at
Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium.
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Benitez, Baumgartlinger, Noble and Nolan: Saturday latest
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 28th March 2015
By: Staff Writer #2
Get the very latest West Ham news in one place, with our new daily media
round-up!
Latest Stories
West Ham monitoring Mainz midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger as potential Alex
Song replacement
The Austria international's contract expires at the end of the season and
the Hammers are among a number of clubs ready to swoop
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/west-ham-monitoring-mai
nz-midfielder-5414006
West Ham, West Brom and Everton set for summer scrap over £5million Lewis
Dunk
The Brighton centre-back has impressed for the Seagulls this term and could
be set for a summer move to the Premier League
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/west-ham-west-brom-ever
ton-5412870
Kevin Nolan: Anfield charity game is a special moment
West Ham captain and boyhood Liverpool fan looking forward to being on
Steven Gerrard's side for once
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/kevin-nolan-anfield-charity-game-893481
8
Nolan excited by All-Star appearance
Kevin Nolan is looking forward to returning home to play in the Liverpool FC
Foundation All-Star charity match.
http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2015/March/27-March/Nolan-excited-by-All-
Star-appearance
West Ham and Newcastle managerial target 'looking forward' to Premier League
return
Rafa Benitez is keen to return to England and the Premier League this
summer, according to friend and former Napoli and Liverpool man Pepe Reina
http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/west-ham/west_ham_and_newcastle
_managerial_target_looking_forward_to_premier_league_return_1_4012527
The reasons why West Ham's Mark Noble should have a national call-up
As the thrilling final quarter of the Premier League comes to a shuddering
week-long halt and dust blooms into the air, we all have to brush ourselves
down, squint through the drifting grit, and lean in close to hear the names
of the chosen few announced.
http://outside90.com/312west-hams-noble-should-be-capped/
West Ham monitoring Mainz midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger as potential Alex
Song replacement
The Austria international's contract expires at the end of the season and
the Hammers are among a number of clubs ready to swoop
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/west-ham-monitoring-mai
nz-midfielder-5414006
Sakho dreaming of Stadium goals
Diafra Sakho took one look at West Ham United's new home this week and, true
to form, set his sights on scoring the first goal there.
http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2015/March/27-March/Sakho-dreaming-of-Sta
dium-goals
Hammers duo taste international success
West Ham United Academy duo Sean Maguire and Reece Oxford were both involved
in wins on the international stage on Thursday night.
http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2015/March/27-March/Hammers-duo-taste-int
ernational-success
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FOOTBALL MAD: THE STORY OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUICIDE IN THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
By Iron Liddy 29 Mar 2015 at 08:00
West Ham till I Die
When I look back at the past two seasons as a West Ham fan in years to come
sadly the word that will define them for me will be 'abuse.' I feel as
though my senses have been battered by an incessant stream of vitriol aimed
at our owners; our manager; some of our players, one in particular; and at
fellow fans.
I looked at Carlton Cole's face as he sat on the sofa on Goals on Sunday
last weekend and I saw a very unhappy man. His mouth was smiling but his
eyes weren't; his time at West Ham has extinguished some of the spark in of
one of the sweetest, funniest men in the game. Football's Mr Nice Guy was
forced to sit there and admit that he has been fined £40,000 for losing his
temper and retaliating in kind to an abusive tweet from an opposition fan.
It was the straw that broke the camel's back. Although he is a favourite
among many West Ham fans he has also had to endure constant criticism and
abuse from other factions of our fan base and beyond. You really hope that
the love that he receives from his supporters helps to cushion the pain of
the virtual blows that he's subjected to on social media; a subject which
brings me on to our most vilified player in the past couple of years, Kevin
Nolan.
In his recent interview with Dave Evans in the Newham Recorder Kevin said:
"It has been a tough couple of months ….. people talking about me and saying
things about me, it has been hard, I am not going to deny it, but the only
thing I have ever known is playing football. That is the only thing I can do
now. I have got nothing to prove to anyone. I have done a lot in my career
and a lot of what has been said has been unfair, but that's life I suppose."
Anybody who regularly follows West Ham's fortunes will know that Kevin
Nolan's response to the vicious and personal abuse he has been subjected to
for months on end is an understatement. For somebody not in the public eye
it's difficult to comprehend what it must be like to be exposed to a daily
barrage of abusive and crass criticism. As a woman I also feel for his wife
and try to imagine how upset I would be at having to watch my husband endure
such hatred and venom simply for trying to do his job; not to mention the
stress of trying to ensure that it didn't reach the ears and eyes of my
children.
Nolan went on to say:
"I've come to the stage in my career with all the negativity surrounding me
and I have just taken it on the chin. It's water off a duck's back for me.
Sometimes it hurts of course, but I've got a fantastic family, fantastic
support system and not just with family and friends but also within the
club."
So Kevin is still smiling and still coping, at least he seems to be. Anyway,
isn't he fair game for all the critics and abusers given his dream job and
huge salary? Maybe, maybe not. A popular consensus seems to be that
professional footballers, as well as other people in the public eye, are
exempt from the consideration afforded to 'regular' people. It's as if a
proportion of society considers that their wealth and celebrity makes them
somehow immune from the frailties of the human condition and that they can
either just absorb or repel any abuse without it affecting their mental and
physical wellbeing.
As the cruelty and contempt that they have had to tolerate reaches its
height both Carlton Cole and Kevin Nolan have also arrived at a stage in
their careers as professional footballers where they need to take stock and
ask themselves the question "what next?" It sounds like a lovely problem to
have doesn't it? All that money in the bank, not too many medals granted,
but scrapbooks filled with memories of a job that most people can only dream
of, what have they got to worry about? In fact they are probably at a very
vulnerable stage of their lives and you can only hope that they have the
mental strength and support networks that will enable them to navigate it
successfully as they continue to deflect the scorn and bile that is heaped
upon them every day.
For the majority of these relatively still young men football has been the
only way of life that they've known since they were children; it defines
them as human beings and shapes their self-worth and self-identity. When
they come to the end of their footballing career they are in danger of
losing so much more than a big income and the chance to play football in
front of thousands of people. Unfortunately no amount of money, fame or
privilege can protect mentally vulnerable people from the irrationality and
despair of depression and mental illness; conditions which are exacerbated
by external circumstances and the stresses of abuse and criticism.
A few weeks ago Clarke Carlisle, the former Burnley and QPR defender and
one-time Chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association, left
hospital following his second suicide attempt.
He told The Sun newspaper that he had been left severely depressed by the
end of his football career, financial problems and the loss of a TV punditry
role. Seeing death as the only escape from his despair Carlisle stepped in
front of a lorry on the A64 on the 22nd of December and hoped for oblivion.
As it turned out he survived the impact and was airlifted to Leeds General
Infirmary suffering from cuts, bruises, internal bleeding, a broken rib and
shattered left knee. On Christmas Day 2014 he was admitted as an in-patient
to a psychiatric unit in Harrogate before his release in January this year.
Carlisle's battle with depression has been well documented in the media and
in 2013 he made a poignant semi-autobiographical documentary for BBC3 called
'Football's Suicide Secret'; which told the story of his final season before
retirement – a season which, like much of his playing career, was marked by
periodic bouts of depression. His first suicide attempt came at the age of
21, just as his team Queens Park Rangers had been promoted to the Premier
League. Here was a young professional footballer apparently approaching the
zenith of his career and about to enjoy the prestige, accolades and wealth
that entails, when he decided to take his own life with a handful of pills
on a shabby park bench. In an article that Carlisle wrote for the BBC in
2013 he said:
"Everyone else thought I'd made it, that I had the dream life. And I did. I
was a 21-year-old professional footballer for QPR and the England Under-21s.
I had a nice flat, a nice car and a loving family. My irrational mind had
made me think suicide was a rational action though. So I went to a park near
my home in Acton armed with lots of painkillers and thought "I'm going to
take all these pills and kill myself, because I'm no use to anyone". I'd
just suffered a severe knee injury and had convinced myself that without
football people would see me for what I really was, which was nothing. I sat
on a bench in that park, washed the pills down with a can of beer, and
waited for it to happen. In the end I was incredibly lucky, because my
girlfriend found me and I was rushed to hospital in time to have my stomach
pumped. I survived and didn't tell another soul about the incident for years
and didn't ask for any help. I just locked this suicide attempt away in
Pandora's Box."
The film also highlighted the tragic and shocking death of former Premier
League and Welsh international player Gary Speed. Despite his glittering
playing career and his recent appointment as Manager of the Wales team
Speed's wife Louise found his lifeless body hanging in the garage of their
luxury home in November 2011. At the inquest into his death the coroner
reached a narrative verdict but stated that cause of death was by "self
suspension."
On the morning of his death he had appeared full of smiles as a guest on the
BBC One TV programme Football Focus, with presenter Dan Walker later
describing 42 year old Speed as being in "fine form." After the programme
finished Speed joined former Newcastle United team-mate and friend Alan
Shearer to watch their old club play against Manchester United at Old
Trafford. Although he never discussed any possible mental health issues with
anyone, he had told Shearer that the pressure of management had put some
strain on his marriage and that he and Louise had argued the night before
his death. Four days before he hanged himself he had also texted Louise
about the possibility of suicide, but he dismissed such an action because of
the importance of his wife and two children. At the inquest his mother
Carole Speed described him as a "glass half-empty person."
During his documentary Clarke Carlisle spoke to Speed's sister Lesley and
she said that if somebody had asked her whether Gary was suffering from
depression before that, she would have said absolutely not. She went on to
say:
"He hid it from us and it stopped him asking for help ….. we were just so
sad that we couldn't help him through….. that's a huge regret that I didn't
get him to one side and say 'is everything alright?'"
Carlisle commented:
"I know only too well that most depressives are great actors who can put on
a different persona, a facade. What you need to be able to do is open up,
yet the cruelty of the illness is that it won't let you."
Speed's sister Lesley also made the telling point that now that she knows
more about the condition she knows that people suffering from depression are
not just fighting an illness but also dealing with the stigma that comes
with it. During a short interview for the film, Aidy Boothroyd, Carlisle's
manager at Northampton, reinforced the view that depression and mental
illness are not something that you admit to in professional football. He
said that he had tried to protect his player by telling the team and the
press that Carlisle was suffering from flu when depression had forced him to
miss work.
Carlisle spoke to other young footballers about their experiences with
depression, including Simon Jordan, Lee Hendrie and Leon McKenzie and he
tried to show that depression, just like a physical illness, can strike even
those who have found their dream jobs and adulation. While it may not always
be helpful to view depression as something triggered by circumstances, there
is no doubt that a footballer's career cycle contains plenty of triggers.
Carlisle investigated the effect of that first rejection with a visit to an
academy full of young players who hadn't begun to consider that they might
not hit the big time; and also looked at how injuries and defeats can drag a
player down and what awaits them after retirement.
As my research continued I was shocked at the prevalence of suicide and
attempted suicide within the professional game. No doubt most football fans
are aware of the tragic case of Justin Fashanu, Britain's first million
pound black footballer and the first professional footballer in Britain to
openly 'come out' and admit he was gay. His courage drew many admirers among
the wider audience, but some observers said it was less appreciated in parts
of the football world. He suffered both homophobic and racist abuse during
his time as a player, with even his own manager, Brian Clough, labelling him
"a bloody poof" His personal torment took its toll professionally and his
promising football career had already nose-dived by the time he came out in
1990. Fashanu embarked on a new career coaching the US football team
Maryland Mania but in 1998 he fled back to England amid allegations of
sexual abuse by a 17 year old youth. On the morning of 3rd May he was found
hanged in a deserted lock-up garage he had broken into in Shoreditch,
London, he was 37. Fashanu's suicide note denied the charges, claiming that
the act was consensual and that he was being blackmailed by his accuser.
Whatever the truth of those allegations, Justin's suicide was a culmination
of a lifetime of rejection. That rejection began when he was given up by his
parents as a child and placed in a Barnardo's Children's Home. It was
compounded by the racist jibes he suffered on the football pitch, and by the
homophobic abuse inflicted on him at Nottingham Forest by his manager Brian
Clough.
A more recent high profile case is that of the former national German
goalkeeper Robert Enke. On 10th November 2009 32 year old Enke committed
suicide when he stood in front of a regional express train at a level
crossing. In this highly emotive video Robert's widow Teresa Enke describes
how the pressure of being a professional footballer contributed to Robert's
depression and death. She says:
"Sport will always be important but you should always see the human being
behind the sports person, you shouldn't just reduce them to a performance.
It's nice if he performs well but you should respect that people make
mistakes. I wish there was more understanding of [being] a professional
sports person."
Sadly self-awareness is no guarantee of protection from the effects of
mental illness. Another former German professional footballer committed
suicide in July 2014 after a long battle with depression. Andreas Biermann,
who started his career at Hertha Berlin, took his own life after struggling
against the illness for five years. The 33-year-old last played for FSV
Spandauer Kickers, based in Berlin and he had published a book called
'Depression: Red Card' where he discussed his struggle. Biermann had
initially revealed that he was suffering from the illness after the death of
Robert Enke and he had previously tried to take his own life on three
occasions.
You might be forgiven for thinking that suicide within professional football
is a relatively modern phenomenon due to media pressure and the added stress
from the abuse inflicted by fans via social media. You may also think that
suicide has never touched West Ham. Sadly neither is true.
This list of professional and ex-professional footballers and managers who
felt driven to take their own lives makes very sad and shocking reading.
Footballers who committed suicide
Among them you will find Syd King, Thames Ironworks' and West Ham's star
full back from 1899 – 1903; who went on to become West Ham's manager, a
position he held for 30 years from 1902 until 1932.
Syd King was considered one of the best full backs in the Southern League
and he recorded 16 appearances in Thames Ironworks' first season in the
Southern League Division One in 1899, also making seven appearances in the
FA Cup that year, an impressive run that ended in a 1-2 home defeat against
arch-rivals Millwall Athletic. In 1900 he was retained as a member of the
squad after the club's transition to West Ham United, and continued to play
for them until 1903, recording 59 league and 7 FA Cup appearances in total.
At the start of his last season as a player he was appointed club secretary,
although he was already considered to be a 'manager' of the club. His tenure
at West Ham included our election to the football league in 1919 and in 1923
he took West Ham to the FA Cup Final for the first time, losing to Bolton
Wanderers but also assuring our place in the top division finishing as
Division Two runners up. An edition of the local newspaper East Ham Echo
proclaimed in 1923 that:
"Syd King is West Ham and West Ham is Syd King."
Following promotion King implemented a period of consolidation for West Ham
in the First Division, the highlight of which was the 1926-1927 season when
West Ham finished in 6th place in Division One. This performance was not
equalled by the Hammers until the 1958-1959 season during Ted Fenton's
tenure. This consistency was partly made possible when King signed players
who went on to become West Ham legends and record holders, as well as
England internationals, including Jimmy Ruffell, Ted Hufton and Vic Watson.
Syd King was appointed a shareholder of West Ham United in 1931 but the team
was relegated in the 1931-32 season back to Division Two. On 5th November
1932 West Ham lost their ninth game of the next season, against Bradford
Park Avenue, and at the same day's board meeting, according to one board
member, during the discussion of the team King was "drunk and
insubordinate." It was no secret that King 'liked a drink' but he had
already appeased the board many times over the issue. On the following day
they announced that:
"It was unanimously decided that until further notice C. Paynter be given
sole control of players and that E. S. King be notified accordingly."
It was also suggested by the board, but never confirmed, that King had been
syphoning off West Ham funds for himself. He was suspended for three months
without pay and also banned from entering the Boleyn Ground. Following a
board meeting on 3rd January 1933 his contract was terminated permanently,
and he was given an ex-gratia payment of £3 a week.
Although comparatively rich for an ex-player working in football, King's
reputation and career were in tatters. Within a month of the sacking he
sadly committed suicide by drinking alcohol mixed with a corrosive liquid.
The inquest into his death declared that he had taken his life 'while of
unsound mind', and had been suffering from persecution delusions. According
to his son his depression had begun when West Ham were relegated in the
summer of 1932, and that his paranoia had followed on from that.
In his book 'At Home With The Hammers' (1960) Ted Fenton, West Ham United
player (1932-46) and manager (1950-61) wrote:
"The boss at West Ham was Syd King, an outsize, larger-than-life character
with close-cropped grey hair and a flowing moustache. He was a personality
plus man, a man with flair. Awe struck, I would tip-toe past his office but
invariably he would spot me. "Boy," he would shout. "Get me two bottles of
Bass." Down to the Boleyn pub on the corner I would go on my errand and when
I got back to the office Syd King would flip me a two-shilling piece for my
trouble."
Isn't it sad and unthinkable that a man with such a big personality and who
had achieved so much at West Ham felt compelled to take his own life when he
lost the support of the board and consequently his position? It really
highlights the fact that nobody is immune from depression, even those with
long and successful careers.
Given the stigma that often comes with mental illness, it's perhaps no
surprise that footballers and managers who suffer from depression often do
their utmost to hide it instead of asking for help; and there are
undoubtedly current and former professional players and managers still
suffering in silence today.
In 2013 Football Association chairman David Bernstein admitted that the
issue of mental illness in the sport has been "badly neglected in the past."
He said:
"This is not something that's been high on my agenda – maybe it should have
been higher."
A spokesman insisted that the FA regards the issue as "vitally important"
and Scott Field, the FA's head of media relations, said:
"The mental well-being of players, managers and indeed all participants in
football is vitally important to the FA, from grassroots to the professional
game."
He said that the FA had helped to produce a handbook for professional
players tackling the subject of mental illness, as well as organising
awareness workshops for coaches in 2011. The FA has also provided financial
backing to the Sporting Chance Clinic, which treats sportsmen with
behavioural problems.
Let's hope that they're taking it as seriously as they say. The latest
suicide statistics reveal a disproportionate rise in the number of male
suicides. In the UK, the male suicide rate is approximately three and a half
times higher than the female suicide rate and the highest rate of male
suicide in the UK is in the 40-44 age group.
The circumstances behind the depression and suicides of these professional
footballers and managers are as varied as their careers but the one thing
they all have in common is that their status within the professional game
didn't protect them from their mental torment; they were just human beings
with the same vulnerabilities as the man on the street. In fact they may be
more vulnerable than the average man on the street. FIFPro, the World
Footballers' Association, conducted an international study into the extent
of Mental Illness in Professional Football More than 300 current and former
professional players and six national unions participated. The first
paragraph of the report's conclusion states:
"The results of our study show that mental illness seems to occur among
former professional footballers more often than in current players and more
often than in other populations. Consequently, mental illness among former
professional footballers cannot be underestimated and should be a subject of
interest for all stakeholders in football. Attention to career planning in
an early stage of a football career might significantly help to prepare the
post-sport life period and to avoid potential problems after retirement
(Alfermann 2007)."
If you've reached the end of this article then you're obviously a thinking
West Ham fan and probably not prone to outbursts of personal abuse where
only professional criticism is required. You're probably also already
cognisant of the issues surrounding depression and mental illness and
understand the fragilities of all human beings, including professional
footballers, and how unwarranted and spiteful personal attacks on a player
or manager could contribute into pushing a vulnerable person over the edge.
The point I'm trying to make probably won't reach those who could benefit
from it the most. Those who won't read have no advantage over those who
can't; so there's little hope of educating either.
I'm not suggesting that professional footballers and managers should be
wrapped in cotton wool and that they shouldn't have to bear professional
criticism but I wish all football fans would stop to think of the words of
German goalkeeper Robert Enke's widow the next time that they feel compelled
to write an abusive comment and ask themselves if it's really necessary or
fair and to consider the impact it could have on a mentally vulnerable
person struggling to cope with a barrage of abuse.
"Sport will always be important but you should always see the human being
behind the sports person, you shouldn't just reduce them to a performance.
It's nice if he performs well but you should respect that people make
mistakes. I wish there was more understanding of [being] a professional
sports person."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham set to snatch a European place - thanks to the Fair Play League
22:30, 28 March 2015 By Chris Davies
England is on course to earn a Europa League spot for good behaviour and the
Hammers currently top the domestic discipline table - but there is one
hitch...
The Mirror
West Ham are in line to grab a place in Europe – thanks to the Fair Play
League, writes Chris Davies in the Sunday People. The Hammers top the
Premier League table which awards points for discipline, positive play,
respect towards opponents and the referee, plus behaviour of team officials
and spectators. UEFA give three places in the Europa League for the
countries with the best Fair Play record and England, the Republic of
Ireland and Holland are currently leading the way. The downside is that West
Ham would have to play their first qualifying round tie on July 2. This
would mean the players having a close season of just one month – the minimum
allowed – before returning to training 11 days before the first tie.
Liverpool are currently second in the table, while struggling Burnley are
not far behind in third. In the 20-112012, Fulham competed in the Europa
League after being awarded a place through winning the Fair Play League.
They played their first match on June 30, against NSI Runavik from the Faroe
Islands.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan holds key to defender switch
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Carl Jenkinson's switch from Arsenal to West Ham now appears to be more or
less nailed on. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is ready to let the defender know
of his decision to let him leave the Emorates and his agent will enter talks
on personal terms once a fee has been agreed with Arsenal. The right back is
determined to stay in London and has become a popular member of the Irons
dressing room. But it is the relationship between David Sullivan and the
player's agent which is likely to prove the clincher and which brought the
player to Upton Park in the first place. The two sides pair were quickly in
touch with each other when it became clear he would be allowed out on a
season-long loan and both are keen to make the move permanent. Jenks has
loved life in the east end and is one of the most regular player interview
subjects on the club website. The tricky business will be in agreeing a fee
with Arsenal who will start at £8 million but the final fee is set to be
around £5m – £6m.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons Euro spot very much on!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are edging closer to a Europeans spot courtesy of the Fair Play
League. We are top the Premier League table which awards points for
discipline, positive play, respect towards opponents and the referee, plus
behaviour of team officials and spectators. Three Europa League places are
available for the countries with the best Fair Play record and England, the
Republic of Ireland and Holland in front.
Should the Irons make it they will have to play their first qualifying round
tie on July 2 giving the squad a close season of one month before returning
to training 11 days before the first tie. Liverpool are currently second in
the table and Burnley in third
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce's chance to make us all happy!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Sam Allardyce has a way to claim some real favour with the fans before the
end of the season. And if he is indeed to leave, there's also a way he can
be remembered by them for one good reason in the years to come. Perhaps it
hasn't occurred to him – perhaps if it has he doesn't particularly care
about the option – but it would do him no harm! There is nothing to lose.
I'm talking about Reece Oxford – commonly accepted as the most exciting
young Hammer to emerge in many years – and the opportunity the manager has
to give him his first team debut. Were Sam to do so he would mark out a
little spot in history for himself as the first manager to give the kid his
chance when in years to come he becomes the massive player and possible
England captain many are predicting. That may just appeal to Mr Allardyce
don't you think! And the truth is that West Ham with nothing to play for
other than mid table respectability he can easily afford to make such a
move. It's not even a gamble. Many believe Reece will be impacting on things
next season anyway and every single one of us want to see the lad given his
opportunity – even if it's only for 20 minutes as a second half sub. I doubt
it will happen but it should as should more inclusions for Morgan Amalfitano
and Brazilian Nene. None of us expected the Brazilian to be very involved
when he arrived…he hasn't been and that again demonstrates the
predictability entrenched in our managerial system. Every one of us can call
virtually everything so come on Mr Allardyce: prove us wrong, give us an
injection of much needed excitement…play young Reece!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reid/Valencia look to Leicester!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 29, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Winston Reid is set for a return to action against Leicester City next
weekend with Enner Valencia fifty/fifty. The central defender made his own
decision to stay at home rather than join the New Zealand squad as there
remained a little soreness in the injured hamstring.
The medical staff had always targeted the Leicester City match for his
return and were deloghted to receive the news that he'd be staying at home.
Co chairman David Gold said: "It was always Winston's decision. A long plane
trip out and back to Korea would not have helped and we can now use all our
resources to have him back for next weekend. We are very hopeful." Valencia
– who lacerated his foot on a broken cup at home – is recovering but he
remains fifty fifty for the game.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan opens up on spending plans
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Sullivan admits the Hammers defence this summer – which could well
involve Carl Jenkinson – is likely to be the club's priority areas this
summer. Jenks is valued at around £8million but West Ham will be keen to
negotiate that given the presence of such as of Hector Belerin, Calum
Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy at the Emirates.. Apasr from the right back it
appears the club will be looking hard at central defence where the club has
been thin in the last couple of years. Sullivan told the official website:
"Our planning for strengthening the squad in the summer has been underway
for some time "I think we need goalscorers, a right back and maybe a central
defender. The situation with Carl Jenkinson won't be clear until the end of
the season but we will have to sign a right back one way or another. "We of
course bought Cheik Kouyate to play in midfield and as a fourth choice
centre half but two years in a row now we've been caught out in central
defence so it might be that we look to strengthen in that area for next
season. "We have Doneil Henry of course and he won impressive reviews for
his performances at Blackburn Rovers before getting injured. If he's ready
for the Premier League then he could get a chance, otherwise it might be
that he goes out on loan again to gain more experience. "If we do decide to
buy, the challenge would be then trying to keep four central defenders happy
but you do then have the cover for when you get injuries as we seem to have
a habit of losing our centre halves for key parts of the season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons striker on the move
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Brom boss Tony Pulis remains keen on Carlton Cole and could offer the
Irons loyalist his dream move to the Baggies in the summer.
Coley comes out of contract on June 30 and the Hammers are ready to let the
striker leave with Pulis still interested in making a move.
The Hawthorns chief was deeply disappointed when the deal to sign the front
man broke down in the winter window and despite having other targets
remains ready to do a deal as Cole's wage deal would be relatively low. The
Welshman has made it clear that Cole would offer his squad something they
don't already have and that he has a decent scoring record when he plays.
Cole would love to move to the midlands outfit and was devastated when the
winter move broke down at the last moment. A Hammers source said: "Coley has
been a great servant to the club but nothing's forever and he will be
moving on this summer."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'Sak' aiming for huge Irons double
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Diafra Sakho is one of the very few footballers who can cheer me up on a
grey morning! He's a guy who always seems to say the right thing and that I
believe is because – unlike so many – he means and feels every word. To have
scored a dozen goals in a season when little was expected from a guy who was
very much seen as second string signing to Enner Valencia is a tribute to
his amazing work ethic and determination. And this week he was at the
Olympic Stadium clearly overwhelmed by his first impressions and looking to
grab a personal double. He told West Ham TV: "It's beautiful, I'd even say
magnificent. I'm eager to play there and pleased with everything that I've
seen. Everyone dreams of playing there. I would even like to score the
first goal in the new stadium. That would be amazing. "I hope to score the
last goal at Upton Park as well and then the first one here! You have to be
ambitious. We play for West Ham, if we're not ambitious, we won't be playing
at the new Stadium." "I can't even imagine it. It's going to be something
unforgettable. The first day that we step out there, we're going to feel
that we've really gone to a new level. "To go from 35,000 to 54,000 is
massive. I think Season Tickets are going to go very quickly this year,
that's for sure." All of that may sound like the answer to a public relation
man's name but Sak is a man who says it as he sees it as demonstrated with
his attack on the FA earlier this week. This guy is gonna become one of our
legends!
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Chelsea may challenge for Adebayor
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's summer hopes of doing a deal for Tottenham striker Emmanuel
Adebayor may be threatened by interest from Chelsea. According to new
reports this morning Jose Mourinho is considering a move for the striker he
took to Real Madrid. Were he to move for Adebayor the 31 year old may have
to consider the lesser of two evils – presumably having few first team
chances at Stamford Bridge or playing second fiddle to Andy Carroll at Upton
Park. Mourinho is reported to be looking in Adebayor's direction as the one
year deal for Didier Drogba, 37, runs out this summer. A Hammers source
refused to rule out their interest in the player saying: "All balls are in
the air – we were interested in January, why wouldn't we be now!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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Monday, March 30
Saturday, March 28
Daily WHUFC News - 28th March 2015
On this day - 28 March
WHUFC.com
Classic match
West Ham United 1-0 Liverpool
Division One
28 March 1970
When Liverpool journeyed to the Boleyn Ground in March 1970 there were just
four games left of the Division One season. The previous year's runners-up
were again in the hunt for a strong finish in the table, but they were
stopped in their tracks by a resolute West Ham perfromance. Pat Holland was
the man to dent the Anfield club's hopes of a top-three finish as he notched
the only goal of the game. A 3-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers
followed in the next match, before a draw against Leeds United and defeat by
Arsenal placed the Hammers in 16th by seasons end.
Complete record - 28 March
1921 Notts County 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1925 Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1931 West Ham United 0-1 Derby County (Division One)
1932 Sheffield Wednesday 6-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1936 Hull City 2-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1953 West Ham United 1-3 Doncaster Rovers (Division Two)
1959 Arsenal 1-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1962 Blackburn Rovers 1-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1964 West Bromwich Albion 0-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1967 Aston Villa 2-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1970 West Ham United 1-0 Liverpool (Division One)
1975 West Ham United 2-2 Stoke City (Division One)
1978 Birmingham City 3-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1981 Bolton Wanderers 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1987 West Ham United 1-0 Watford (Division One)
1992 Leeds United 0-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1993 West Ham United 2-2 Millwall (Division One)
1994 Sheffield United 3-2 West Ham United (Premier League)
Played 18, Won 6, Drawn 6, Lost 6, Scored 21, Conceded 27
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho dreaming of Stadium goals
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho took one look at West Ham United's new home this week and, true
to form, set his sights on scoring the first goal there.
The Hammers' leading marksman was joined by Joint-Chairman David Gold, Mark
Noble and Winston Reid, to mark the new deal with Lycamobile on Tuesday.
Sakho, who was visiting the former Olympic Stadium for the very first time,
says the mind boggles at the prospect of playing there, even if it is now
little more than just a season away. "It's beautiful, I'd even say
magnificent," he told West Ham TV. "I'm eager to play there and pleased with
everything that I've seen. Everyone dreams of playing there. I would even
like to score the first goal in the new Stadium. That would be amazing. "I
hope to score the last goal at Upton Park as well and then the first one
here! You have to be ambitious. We play for West Ham, if we're not
ambitious, we won't be playing at the new Stadium."
With 12 goals in all competitions to date, it has hardly taken Sakho long to
endear himself to the West Ham faithful and the prospect of an even bigger,
better atmosphere is music to his ears. "I can't even imagine it. It's going
to be something unforgettable. The first day that we step out there, we're
going to feel that we've really gone to a new level. "To go from 35,000 to
54,000 is massive. I think Season Tickets are going to go very quickly this
year, that's for sure."
Sakho wants to repay those supporters' faith with European football and
expects the Hammers to be hitting the continent in the not too distant
future. "It's the Club's objective at the moment to play European football
at the new Stadium. We as players are here to make that happen. We'll give
it our all in the next year to get there."
Sakho and co, meanwhile, played host to Lycamobile global MVNOs Chairman
Subaskaran Allirajah on a tour of the Club's new Stadium at Queen Elizabeth
Olympic Park, to mark the launch of the new partnership. Lycamobile has been
an official partner of the Club since the 2012/13 campaign and the renewal
sees the deal extend to include the first two seasons in the new Stadium.
Subaskaran Allirajah, Chairman of Lycamobile, said: "We are so incredibly
proud to be part of the West Ham success story, to extend our partnership
for a further three seasons, and see this great Club take its well-deserved
place in this iconic ground, home of the 2012 Olympic Games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers triumph in Premier League Enterprise play-off
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Foundation has once again reached the Premier League
Enterprise Challenge Final.
Having qualified for this year's play-offs, students from Chobham Academy
had the opportunity to represent the Foundation at the Emirates Stadium in
the hope of reaching the final in London.
The business and education based challenge is run by the Premier League and
the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) which this year
tasked pupils with working on a strategy to help increase the number of
families attending match days.
Twenty-six schools and community groups representing Premier League and
Football League Clubs, made it through to this year's play-offs which have
been hosted by Stoke City, Manchester United and now Arsenal.
Seven of these groups, including the Foundation, have now progressed to the
final, where they will go head-to-head to pitch their ideas to personnel
from the world of sport and business at the prestigious BIS Conference
Centre in Westminster on Monday 27 April.
The Foundation representatives saw off stiff competition from Chelsea,
Norwich, Queens Park Rangers, Southampton and Tottenham, to be crowned
joint-winners along with Fulham, while Crystal Palace secured the wildcard
position.
Kevin Plumb, Head of Legal - Corporate and Commercial Affairs at the Premier
League was one of four judges to put the Hammers through, citing their
delivery and innovative ideas as their standout traits.
"They showed a great level of passion and the girls woke everyone in the
room up with their presentation," he explanied. "Excellent, sophisticated
membership model, which looks to try and get every tier of family into the
stadium."
The young Foundation team, comprised of Frankie Walker, Christine Babalola
and Konnie Toyin presented a range of initiatives to grow and sustain family
attendance levels including how and to whom they will be marketed.
Toyin spoke of the lessons she had learnt during the qualifying process.
"Just to be confident and believe in yourself," she added. "There were a lot
of really great ideas and we believed ours were strong and that if we let
our personalities shine through our presentation, we'd have a good chance of
getting to the final."
It marks another success for the Foundation, having won the Premier League
Enterprise Challenge last year with a team from one of its Premier League
Kicks projects.
As part of their prize, the previous winners were invited to a reception at
Number 10 Downing Street to meet Lord Young, an advisor to the Prime
Minister on small business and enterprise, while they also presented their
ideas to West Ham Joint-Chairman David Gold at the House of Commons.
Foundation Senior Community Sports Development Officer, Shamajul Motin was
delighted with the manner in which his team conducted themselves throughout.
"We were worried because it is so difficult to live up to the dream of
winning it again. The target was to at least qualify, which thankfully we
did. The groups were so strong that to progress from the play-off is
amazing. Afterwards, they were gobsmacked.
"We chose this team because they have a wow factor. The girls are forming a
bond and they all have a lead in their own right. One of the girls has been
unwell and so the Friday before the play-off was their only chance to go
through their lines together. To present that well was amazing, a great
achievement."
Since its introduction in 2009, over 8,000 young people aged between 13 and
17 have taken part in the programme, using business models of professional
football clubs to deliver enterprise education.
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Nolan excited by All-Star appearance
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan is looking forward to returning home to play in the Liverpool FC
Foundation All-Star charity match. The West Ham United captain was born and
brought up in the inner city area of Toxteth, where he honed the skills that
would turn him into the Premier League star. After starring for the City of
Liverpool schoolboys team, Nolan joined Bolton Wanderers and has gone on to
score more than 100 career goals for Bolton, Newcastle United and West Ham.
On Sunday, the midfielder will join fellow Scousers and All-Star team
captains Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher at Anfield for a match to raise
funds for a variety of local charities and causes supported by the Liverpool
FC Foundation. Nolan is part of a formidable Gerrard All-Star squad that
also includes one-time Academy of Football schoolboy John Terry, Bayern
Munich star Xabi Alonso, former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and ex-Reds
forwards Luis Suarez, Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres.
Carragher, meanwhile, has called upon the assistance of Nolan's West Ham
teammate Stewart Downing, former Hammers Jonjo Shelvey and Craig Bellamy
Chelsea forward Didier Drogba and former Reds Alvaro Arbeloa, Pepe Reina,
Luis Garcia, Dirk Kuyt and Harry Kewell. For the West Ham No4, the
opportunity to take part in such an event is one he is hugely excited about.
"I'm going to go back home to see the family and play in the All-Star Game
on Sunday, which Steven and Jamie have organised," confirmed the boyhood
Liverpool fan. "I'm really looking forward to that and catching up with some
family and friends. "Thank goodness I am on Steven's side for once! I am
really looking forward to playing with some great players who have graced
the Premier League and who have played in that Liverpool shirt.
"It's a very special moment for me to be asked and I am really excited about
it."
Sunday's 3pm kick-off will be available to view live on LFCTV in the UK and
Ireland, with pre-match coverage starting at 2pm. To watch Nolan and Downing
in action, visit Sky channel 429 or Virgin Media channel 544 (UK only) and
subscribe for £7.
Alternatively, a 24-hour LFCTV GO pass will be available for just £1,
enabling fans worldwide to watch the game on PC, laptop, tablet or mobile.
Liverpool will donate £3 from each subscription and the full £1 from LFCTV
GO to the Liverpool FC Foundation. For more information, click here.
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Hammers duo taste international success
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Academy duo Sean Maguire and Reece Oxford were both involved
in wins on the international stage on Thursday night.
Maguire came off the bench in the Republic of Ireland U21s' 1-0 victory over
Andorra, while Oxford was also a used substiture as England U17s rounded off
their UEFA U17 Championship qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win against
Romania. For Maguire, 20, his late run-out represented a first cap at
Under-21 level as the young Irish got their qualification matches for the
2017 UEFA U21 Championship off to the best possible start. The former
Waterford United player, back on home turf, had an injury time effort saved
by Andorra keeper Victor Silverio, while the winning goal came on 31 minutes
through Ipswich Town's Dylan Connolly.
Oxford moved down to the bench after two wins from two had already sealed
England U17's place in this summer's finals tournament.
After scoring in Monday's 3-1 win against Slovenia, the centre back came on
for the final 12 minutes against Romania to help see out a 2-1 success
gained thanks to Chelsea forward Ike Ugbo's double.
On Friday, Carl Jenkinson could be involved as England U21 take on Czech
Republic in a friendly in Prague, The attention turns to the seniors on
Saturday, with James Collins' Wales taking on Israel in a Euro 2016
qualifier, and Cheikhou Kouyate's Senegal facing Ghana in a friendly.
Josh Cullen will also be hoping to help the Republic of Ireland U19s bounce
back from defeat to Czech Republic when they face Germany on the same day.
Jenkinson could also face Germany on Monday, as England U21s play another of
their co-finalists for the summer's UEFA U21 Championship, in a friendly at
Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium.
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Reunited: Hartson and Eyal meet in Israel
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th March 2015
By: Staff Writer
John Hartson and Eyal Berkovic may have been responsible for one of West
Ham's ugliest bust-ups in recent years - but the pair were happy to shake
hands when meeting in Israel earlier. Hartson, who is undertaking media work
in the country during the current international break was giving an
interview at a cafe when he was approached by former Hammer Berkovic - who
is reported to have asked Hartson "do you remember me!?" And Hartson later
posted a picture of the once-deadly duo on Twitter, as you may see below.
Back in September 1998, during Harry Redknapp's reign as manager, TV cameras
were on hand to record the moment that Hartson lost his temper with the
Israeli playmaker during a Chadwell Heath training session. Following a
late challenge by Hartson during a training match, the diminutive midfielder
lashed out at the Welsh striker - who responded instinctively by kicking the
floored Berkovic in the head.
Due to the presence of TV cameras, the incident went on to be replayed
around the globe - and the incident proved to be the catalyst for Hartson's
sale just four months later. Speaking exclusively to the KUMB Podcast last
year, Hartson admitted that the incident provided one of the biggest regrets
of his career. I should never have done it but I'm holding my hands up, I'm
not trying to make excuses for what happened," he told the Podcast's Chris
Scull and James Longman. "I took the ban, I took the punishment, I took all
the media criticism and admitted I was wrong. I should never had reacted the
way that I did. "There was no particular reason for doing it; it was
nothing to do with Eyal Berkovic - it could have been John Moncur, Rio
Ferdinand, Joe Cole or anyone. It was nothing to do with the player, it just
happened at that particular moment, it was caught on camera and the whole
world got to see it. "It's something that I've had to carry around with me
for the last 16 years - nobody wants to talk about the 33 goals in 71 games
or how I kept West Ham up almost single-handedly. But I'm fine about it. It
was a regrettable incident, but it does happen. "I spent 20 months at West
Ham and 18 months were very good," he continued. "I scored goals, I got on
great with the lads and we had a good spirit. It just goes to show how your
life can change in the blink of an eye as within two months we'd gone out of
both Cups, I was under-performing and I'd had the embarrassment of the
training ground incident repeated all over the world. "I'd been totally
wrecked in the newspapers - it was front page stuff, not back page - and it
was on News at Ten, everywhere. So within that two month period I'd gone
from hero to zero. But 95 per cent of my memories at West Ham are fantastic.
It's a great club and I always get a great reception when I go back there."
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New Zealand coach confirms West Ham defender Winston Reid injured
Last Updated: 27/03/15 2:43pm
SSN
New Zealand coach Anthony Hudson has confirmed West Ham defender Winston
Reid is not fit to make the trip to face South Africa in Seoul.
The 26-year-old has been struggling with a hamstring injury and will play no
part when the All Whites face Uli Stielike's side on Tuesday.
Hudson said: "We gave Winston until the very last moment to see if he would
be able to be part of the camp here in Seoul," Hudson said.
"It's a shame his injury hasn't fully healed and he won't be part of this
trip. West Ham have been very co-operative and we had the chance to bring
Winston out here to be part of the camp off the field, which we decided
against. "We will now move forward in our planning and it opens up an
opportunity for another member of the squad to stake their claim." Reid was
forced off after just eight minutes of West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on
March 4 and missed the subsequent clashes with Arsenal and Sunderland.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham monitoring Mainz midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger as potential Alex
Song replacement
22:30, 27 March 2015 By Darren Lewis
The Austria international's contract expires at the end of the season and
the Hammers are among a number of clubs ready to swoop
The Mirror
West Ham are tracking Mainz midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger as a potential
replacement for Alex Song. Baumgartlinger, 27, is an Austria international
whose contract expires at the end of the season. He has so far insisted he
wants to remain in the German Bundesliga but the Hammers are among a number
of clubs ready to test his resolve. West Ham are already set to decide
against taking up an option to bid for Song following a dip in form from the
£80,000-a-week former Arsenal star. The potential u-turn signals a reversal
of fortune for the 27-year-old as West Ham were desperate for him to commit
his future to them back in January after an impressive first half of the
season.
At the time Song hedged his bets, insisting he wanted to wait and see
whether the club qualified for the Champions League. Since then, however,
the player's form has deteriorated sharply highlighted by the penalty
conceded by Song which cost the Hammers all three points at Tottenham in
February. It is also understood Song has been restricted to just a few days'
training a week because of problems with his fitness, increasing doubts over
a longer-term deal. West Ham are set to assess his displays over the last
eight games of the season but are currently minded to send him back to the
Nou Camp and are looking at other options.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham, West Brom and Everton set for summer scrap over £5million Lewis
Dunk
15:32, 27 March 2015 By Adrian Kajumba
The Brighton centre-back has impressed for the Seagulls this term and could
be set for a summer move to the Premier League
The Mirror
West Ham, Everton and West Brom are heading for a three-way scrap for
Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk. The Premier League trio are all keen on the
Brighton centre-back and weighing up summer moves for the 23 year-old. Dunk
has impressed at both ends of the pitch for the Seagulls this season. As
well as producing a string of eye-catching defensive displays Dunk has also
scored seven goals, making him Brighton's top scorer. Dunk's current deal
runs until 2018 and Brighton value him at around £5million.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers linked to Austrian
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are this morning being reported as chasing Julian Baumgartlinger as
an alternative for Alex Song if talks to sign the Barcelona loanee fail.
Much has been written about the former Arsenal midfielder's West Ham future
and ClaretandHugh understands Ihe irons remain keen to sign him. However,
the 27 year old Austrian international is being watched regularly and would
become a target if talks with song fall through. Suggestions that the
Hammers are ready to turn their backs on Song are off the mark and if wage
demands and transfer fee are within sensible limits the Hammers will work to
make it happen. Baumgarlinger has made 67 appearances for his club 1.FSV
Mainz 05
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DG harassed on Twitter over OS issue
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold's Twitter account has become less active this month – and it's
perhaps easy to see why as the demands for information – sometimes
accompanied by some ripe language – becomes more intense. The co-chairman –
with 111k followers on the social networking system – has originated just
six posts this month, a big reduction on the numbers previously.
DG has always made himself available to answer most questions but gets
plenty of baiting and the latest thread on the colour of seats at the
Olympic Stadium seems misplaced and largely answered by the picture shown
above and taken from www.whufc.com.
Having made it clear that "you will be pleased with the colour of the seats"
to @mywhufc the demands came pouring in for him to be more specific.
Among them were such as:
Politicians answer I'll try again What colour seats did you see DG
David, have you been watching the #BattleForNumber10? Starting to sound like
Cameron. Answer the question!
has said many things I asked what colour were the seats He didn't answer
he said you'll be pleased, alluding to fact they'll be mainly claret and
blue
you were asked what colour were the seats ? Why won't you answer such a
simple question ?
I've seen the seats that are being installed, they are claret, blue and
white, he isn't lying, stop being so distrusting
DG the master of dodging question… He should be a politician
That's twitter. Everybody has the right to ask questions but the aggression
hat often goes with it is entirely counter-productive and may be slowly
driving the co-chairman away.
The answer is clear anyway – it's really more a case of using our eyes!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons set for talks on two key players
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham will start talks aimed at securing Carl Jenkinson and Alex Song as
permanent signings within a couple of weeks of the end of season. The
Hammers remain keen to sign both but the pair could cost a collective £15
million in transfer fees alone so some very hard bargaining is on the cards.
Jenkinson is valued at around £8 million by Arsenal and the Irons will want
to pay half of that whilst given Song's likely £70k minimum wage demands the
club won't want the transfer fee to rise much over £7 million. ClaretandHugh
was told this morning: "Jenkinson has done really well and we will be
talking to Arsenal – the same is true of Alex despite his recent drop in
form.
"We are expecting some departures which will ease the wages situation but
negotiations on transfer fees are key and can be managed as we showed last
summer. "There is other money to be spent such as another tranche to
Liverpool on the Andy Carroll transfer."
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WHUFC.com
Classic match
West Ham United 1-0 Liverpool
Division One
28 March 1970
When Liverpool journeyed to the Boleyn Ground in March 1970 there were just
four games left of the Division One season. The previous year's runners-up
were again in the hunt for a strong finish in the table, but they were
stopped in their tracks by a resolute West Ham perfromance. Pat Holland was
the man to dent the Anfield club's hopes of a top-three finish as he notched
the only goal of the game. A 3-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers
followed in the next match, before a draw against Leeds United and defeat by
Arsenal placed the Hammers in 16th by seasons end.
Complete record - 28 March
1921 Notts County 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1925 Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1931 West Ham United 0-1 Derby County (Division One)
1932 Sheffield Wednesday 6-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1936 Hull City 2-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1953 West Ham United 1-3 Doncaster Rovers (Division Two)
1959 Arsenal 1-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1962 Blackburn Rovers 1-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1964 West Bromwich Albion 0-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1967 Aston Villa 2-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1970 West Ham United 1-0 Liverpool (Division One)
1975 West Ham United 2-2 Stoke City (Division One)
1978 Birmingham City 3-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1981 Bolton Wanderers 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1987 West Ham United 1-0 Watford (Division One)
1992 Leeds United 0-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1993 West Ham United 2-2 Millwall (Division One)
1994 Sheffield United 3-2 West Ham United (Premier League)
Played 18, Won 6, Drawn 6, Lost 6, Scored 21, Conceded 27
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sakho dreaming of Stadium goals
WHUFC.com
Diafra Sakho took one look at West Ham United's new home this week and, true
to form, set his sights on scoring the first goal there.
The Hammers' leading marksman was joined by Joint-Chairman David Gold, Mark
Noble and Winston Reid, to mark the new deal with Lycamobile on Tuesday.
Sakho, who was visiting the former Olympic Stadium for the very first time,
says the mind boggles at the prospect of playing there, even if it is now
little more than just a season away. "It's beautiful, I'd even say
magnificent," he told West Ham TV. "I'm eager to play there and pleased with
everything that I've seen. Everyone dreams of playing there. I would even
like to score the first goal in the new Stadium. That would be amazing. "I
hope to score the last goal at Upton Park as well and then the first one
here! You have to be ambitious. We play for West Ham, if we're not
ambitious, we won't be playing at the new Stadium."
With 12 goals in all competitions to date, it has hardly taken Sakho long to
endear himself to the West Ham faithful and the prospect of an even bigger,
better atmosphere is music to his ears. "I can't even imagine it. It's going
to be something unforgettable. The first day that we step out there, we're
going to feel that we've really gone to a new level. "To go from 35,000 to
54,000 is massive. I think Season Tickets are going to go very quickly this
year, that's for sure."
Sakho wants to repay those supporters' faith with European football and
expects the Hammers to be hitting the continent in the not too distant
future. "It's the Club's objective at the moment to play European football
at the new Stadium. We as players are here to make that happen. We'll give
it our all in the next year to get there."
Sakho and co, meanwhile, played host to Lycamobile global MVNOs Chairman
Subaskaran Allirajah on a tour of the Club's new Stadium at Queen Elizabeth
Olympic Park, to mark the launch of the new partnership. Lycamobile has been
an official partner of the Club since the 2012/13 campaign and the renewal
sees the deal extend to include the first two seasons in the new Stadium.
Subaskaran Allirajah, Chairman of Lycamobile, said: "We are so incredibly
proud to be part of the West Ham success story, to extend our partnership
for a further three seasons, and see this great Club take its well-deserved
place in this iconic ground, home of the 2012 Olympic Games."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers triumph in Premier League Enterprise play-off
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Foundation has once again reached the Premier League
Enterprise Challenge Final.
Having qualified for this year's play-offs, students from Chobham Academy
had the opportunity to represent the Foundation at the Emirates Stadium in
the hope of reaching the final in London.
The business and education based challenge is run by the Premier League and
the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) which this year
tasked pupils with working on a strategy to help increase the number of
families attending match days.
Twenty-six schools and community groups representing Premier League and
Football League Clubs, made it through to this year's play-offs which have
been hosted by Stoke City, Manchester United and now Arsenal.
Seven of these groups, including the Foundation, have now progressed to the
final, where they will go head-to-head to pitch their ideas to personnel
from the world of sport and business at the prestigious BIS Conference
Centre in Westminster on Monday 27 April.
The Foundation representatives saw off stiff competition from Chelsea,
Norwich, Queens Park Rangers, Southampton and Tottenham, to be crowned
joint-winners along with Fulham, while Crystal Palace secured the wildcard
position.
Kevin Plumb, Head of Legal - Corporate and Commercial Affairs at the Premier
League was one of four judges to put the Hammers through, citing their
delivery and innovative ideas as their standout traits.
"They showed a great level of passion and the girls woke everyone in the
room up with their presentation," he explanied. "Excellent, sophisticated
membership model, which looks to try and get every tier of family into the
stadium."
The young Foundation team, comprised of Frankie Walker, Christine Babalola
and Konnie Toyin presented a range of initiatives to grow and sustain family
attendance levels including how and to whom they will be marketed.
Toyin spoke of the lessons she had learnt during the qualifying process.
"Just to be confident and believe in yourself," she added. "There were a lot
of really great ideas and we believed ours were strong and that if we let
our personalities shine through our presentation, we'd have a good chance of
getting to the final."
It marks another success for the Foundation, having won the Premier League
Enterprise Challenge last year with a team from one of its Premier League
Kicks projects.
As part of their prize, the previous winners were invited to a reception at
Number 10 Downing Street to meet Lord Young, an advisor to the Prime
Minister on small business and enterprise, while they also presented their
ideas to West Ham Joint-Chairman David Gold at the House of Commons.
Foundation Senior Community Sports Development Officer, Shamajul Motin was
delighted with the manner in which his team conducted themselves throughout.
"We were worried because it is so difficult to live up to the dream of
winning it again. The target was to at least qualify, which thankfully we
did. The groups were so strong that to progress from the play-off is
amazing. Afterwards, they were gobsmacked.
"We chose this team because they have a wow factor. The girls are forming a
bond and they all have a lead in their own right. One of the girls has been
unwell and so the Friday before the play-off was their only chance to go
through their lines together. To present that well was amazing, a great
achievement."
Since its introduction in 2009, over 8,000 young people aged between 13 and
17 have taken part in the programme, using business models of professional
football clubs to deliver enterprise education.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Nolan excited by All-Star appearance
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan is looking forward to returning home to play in the Liverpool FC
Foundation All-Star charity match. The West Ham United captain was born and
brought up in the inner city area of Toxteth, where he honed the skills that
would turn him into the Premier League star. After starring for the City of
Liverpool schoolboys team, Nolan joined Bolton Wanderers and has gone on to
score more than 100 career goals for Bolton, Newcastle United and West Ham.
On Sunday, the midfielder will join fellow Scousers and All-Star team
captains Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher at Anfield for a match to raise
funds for a variety of local charities and causes supported by the Liverpool
FC Foundation. Nolan is part of a formidable Gerrard All-Star squad that
also includes one-time Academy of Football schoolboy John Terry, Bayern
Munich star Xabi Alonso, former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and ex-Reds
forwards Luis Suarez, Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres.
Carragher, meanwhile, has called upon the assistance of Nolan's West Ham
teammate Stewart Downing, former Hammers Jonjo Shelvey and Craig Bellamy
Chelsea forward Didier Drogba and former Reds Alvaro Arbeloa, Pepe Reina,
Luis Garcia, Dirk Kuyt and Harry Kewell. For the West Ham No4, the
opportunity to take part in such an event is one he is hugely excited about.
"I'm going to go back home to see the family and play in the All-Star Game
on Sunday, which Steven and Jamie have organised," confirmed the boyhood
Liverpool fan. "I'm really looking forward to that and catching up with some
family and friends. "Thank goodness I am on Steven's side for once! I am
really looking forward to playing with some great players who have graced
the Premier League and who have played in that Liverpool shirt.
"It's a very special moment for me to be asked and I am really excited about
it."
Sunday's 3pm kick-off will be available to view live on LFCTV in the UK and
Ireland, with pre-match coverage starting at 2pm. To watch Nolan and Downing
in action, visit Sky channel 429 or Virgin Media channel 544 (UK only) and
subscribe for £7.
Alternatively, a 24-hour LFCTV GO pass will be available for just £1,
enabling fans worldwide to watch the game on PC, laptop, tablet or mobile.
Liverpool will donate £3 from each subscription and the full £1 from LFCTV
GO to the Liverpool FC Foundation. For more information, click here.
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Hammers duo taste international success
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Academy duo Sean Maguire and Reece Oxford were both involved
in wins on the international stage on Thursday night.
Maguire came off the bench in the Republic of Ireland U21s' 1-0 victory over
Andorra, while Oxford was also a used substiture as England U17s rounded off
their UEFA U17 Championship qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win against
Romania. For Maguire, 20, his late run-out represented a first cap at
Under-21 level as the young Irish got their qualification matches for the
2017 UEFA U21 Championship off to the best possible start. The former
Waterford United player, back on home turf, had an injury time effort saved
by Andorra keeper Victor Silverio, while the winning goal came on 31 minutes
through Ipswich Town's Dylan Connolly.
Oxford moved down to the bench after two wins from two had already sealed
England U17's place in this summer's finals tournament.
After scoring in Monday's 3-1 win against Slovenia, the centre back came on
for the final 12 minutes against Romania to help see out a 2-1 success
gained thanks to Chelsea forward Ike Ugbo's double.
On Friday, Carl Jenkinson could be involved as England U21 take on Czech
Republic in a friendly in Prague, The attention turns to the seniors on
Saturday, with James Collins' Wales taking on Israel in a Euro 2016
qualifier, and Cheikhou Kouyate's Senegal facing Ghana in a friendly.
Josh Cullen will also be hoping to help the Republic of Ireland U19s bounce
back from defeat to Czech Republic when they face Germany on the same day.
Jenkinson could also face Germany on Monday, as England U21s play another of
their co-finalists for the summer's UEFA U21 Championship, in a friendly at
Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reunited: Hartson and Eyal meet in Israel
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 27th March 2015
By: Staff Writer
John Hartson and Eyal Berkovic may have been responsible for one of West
Ham's ugliest bust-ups in recent years - but the pair were happy to shake
hands when meeting in Israel earlier. Hartson, who is undertaking media work
in the country during the current international break was giving an
interview at a cafe when he was approached by former Hammer Berkovic - who
is reported to have asked Hartson "do you remember me!?" And Hartson later
posted a picture of the once-deadly duo on Twitter, as you may see below.
Back in September 1998, during Harry Redknapp's reign as manager, TV cameras
were on hand to record the moment that Hartson lost his temper with the
Israeli playmaker during a Chadwell Heath training session. Following a
late challenge by Hartson during a training match, the diminutive midfielder
lashed out at the Welsh striker - who responded instinctively by kicking the
floored Berkovic in the head.
Due to the presence of TV cameras, the incident went on to be replayed
around the globe - and the incident proved to be the catalyst for Hartson's
sale just four months later. Speaking exclusively to the KUMB Podcast last
year, Hartson admitted that the incident provided one of the biggest regrets
of his career. I should never have done it but I'm holding my hands up, I'm
not trying to make excuses for what happened," he told the Podcast's Chris
Scull and James Longman. "I took the ban, I took the punishment, I took all
the media criticism and admitted I was wrong. I should never had reacted the
way that I did. "There was no particular reason for doing it; it was
nothing to do with Eyal Berkovic - it could have been John Moncur, Rio
Ferdinand, Joe Cole or anyone. It was nothing to do with the player, it just
happened at that particular moment, it was caught on camera and the whole
world got to see it. "It's something that I've had to carry around with me
for the last 16 years - nobody wants to talk about the 33 goals in 71 games
or how I kept West Ham up almost single-handedly. But I'm fine about it. It
was a regrettable incident, but it does happen. "I spent 20 months at West
Ham and 18 months were very good," he continued. "I scored goals, I got on
great with the lads and we had a good spirit. It just goes to show how your
life can change in the blink of an eye as within two months we'd gone out of
both Cups, I was under-performing and I'd had the embarrassment of the
training ground incident repeated all over the world. "I'd been totally
wrecked in the newspapers - it was front page stuff, not back page - and it
was on News at Ten, everywhere. So within that two month period I'd gone
from hero to zero. But 95 per cent of my memories at West Ham are fantastic.
It's a great club and I always get a great reception when I go back there."
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New Zealand coach confirms West Ham defender Winston Reid injured
Last Updated: 27/03/15 2:43pm
SSN
New Zealand coach Anthony Hudson has confirmed West Ham defender Winston
Reid is not fit to make the trip to face South Africa in Seoul.
The 26-year-old has been struggling with a hamstring injury and will play no
part when the All Whites face Uli Stielike's side on Tuesday.
Hudson said: "We gave Winston until the very last moment to see if he would
be able to be part of the camp here in Seoul," Hudson said.
"It's a shame his injury hasn't fully healed and he won't be part of this
trip. West Ham have been very co-operative and we had the chance to bring
Winston out here to be part of the camp off the field, which we decided
against. "We will now move forward in our planning and it opens up an
opportunity for another member of the squad to stake their claim." Reid was
forced off after just eight minutes of West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on
March 4 and missed the subsequent clashes with Arsenal and Sunderland.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham monitoring Mainz midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger as potential Alex
Song replacement
22:30, 27 March 2015 By Darren Lewis
The Austria international's contract expires at the end of the season and
the Hammers are among a number of clubs ready to swoop
The Mirror
West Ham are tracking Mainz midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger as a potential
replacement for Alex Song. Baumgartlinger, 27, is an Austria international
whose contract expires at the end of the season. He has so far insisted he
wants to remain in the German Bundesliga but the Hammers are among a number
of clubs ready to test his resolve. West Ham are already set to decide
against taking up an option to bid for Song following a dip in form from the
£80,000-a-week former Arsenal star. The potential u-turn signals a reversal
of fortune for the 27-year-old as West Ham were desperate for him to commit
his future to them back in January after an impressive first half of the
season.
At the time Song hedged his bets, insisting he wanted to wait and see
whether the club qualified for the Champions League. Since then, however,
the player's form has deteriorated sharply highlighted by the penalty
conceded by Song which cost the Hammers all three points at Tottenham in
February. It is also understood Song has been restricted to just a few days'
training a week because of problems with his fitness, increasing doubts over
a longer-term deal. West Ham are set to assess his displays over the last
eight games of the season but are currently minded to send him back to the
Nou Camp and are looking at other options.
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West Ham, West Brom and Everton set for summer scrap over £5million Lewis
Dunk
15:32, 27 March 2015 By Adrian Kajumba
The Brighton centre-back has impressed for the Seagulls this term and could
be set for a summer move to the Premier League
The Mirror
West Ham, Everton and West Brom are heading for a three-way scrap for
Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk. The Premier League trio are all keen on the
Brighton centre-back and weighing up summer moves for the 23 year-old. Dunk
has impressed at both ends of the pitch for the Seagulls this season. As
well as producing a string of eye-catching defensive displays Dunk has also
scored seven goals, making him Brighton's top scorer. Dunk's current deal
runs until 2018 and Brighton value him at around £5million.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers linked to Austrian
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 28, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are this morning being reported as chasing Julian Baumgartlinger as
an alternative for Alex Song if talks to sign the Barcelona loanee fail.
Much has been written about the former Arsenal midfielder's West Ham future
and ClaretandHugh understands Ihe irons remain keen to sign him. However,
the 27 year old Austrian international is being watched regularly and would
become a target if talks with song fall through. Suggestions that the
Hammers are ready to turn their backs on Song are off the mark and if wage
demands and transfer fee are within sensible limits the Hammers will work to
make it happen. Baumgarlinger has made 67 appearances for his club 1.FSV
Mainz 05
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DG harassed on Twitter over OS issue
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
David Gold's Twitter account has become less active this month – and it's
perhaps easy to see why as the demands for information – sometimes
accompanied by some ripe language – becomes more intense. The co-chairman –
with 111k followers on the social networking system – has originated just
six posts this month, a big reduction on the numbers previously.
DG has always made himself available to answer most questions but gets
plenty of baiting and the latest thread on the colour of seats at the
Olympic Stadium seems misplaced and largely answered by the picture shown
above and taken from www.whufc.com.
Having made it clear that "you will be pleased with the colour of the seats"
to @mywhufc the demands came pouring in for him to be more specific.
Among them were such as:
Politicians answer I'll try again What colour seats did you see DG
David, have you been watching the #BattleForNumber10? Starting to sound like
Cameron. Answer the question!
has said many things I asked what colour were the seats He didn't answer
he said you'll be pleased, alluding to fact they'll be mainly claret and
blue
you were asked what colour were the seats ? Why won't you answer such a
simple question ?
I've seen the seats that are being installed, they are claret, blue and
white, he isn't lying, stop being so distrusting
DG the master of dodging question… He should be a politician
That's twitter. Everybody has the right to ask questions but the aggression
hat often goes with it is entirely counter-productive and may be slowly
driving the co-chairman away.
The answer is clear anyway – it's really more a case of using our eyes!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Irons set for talks on two key players
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 27, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham will start talks aimed at securing Carl Jenkinson and Alex Song as
permanent signings within a couple of weeks of the end of season. The
Hammers remain keen to sign both but the pair could cost a collective £15
million in transfer fees alone so some very hard bargaining is on the cards.
Jenkinson is valued at around £8 million by Arsenal and the Irons will want
to pay half of that whilst given Song's likely £70k minimum wage demands the
club won't want the transfer fee to rise much over £7 million. ClaretandHugh
was told this morning: "Jenkinson has done really well and we will be
talking to Arsenal – the same is true of Alex despite his recent drop in
form.
"We are expecting some departures which will ease the wages situation but
negotiations on transfer fees are key and can be managed as we showed last
summer. "There is other money to be spent such as another tranche to
Liverpool on the Andy Carroll transfer."
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Friday, March 27
Daily WHUFC News - 27th March 2015
Gordon loaned to Nuneaton
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Development Squad striker Jaanai Gordon has joined Vanarama
Conference club Nuneaton Town until 1 May 2015. The 19-year-old recently
returned from a productive loan spell with Vanarama South side Chelmsford
City, where he netted five goals in ten league appearances. Signed from
Peterborough United in December 2013, Gordon made his first-team debut for
the Posh in League One at the age of 16 in September 2012.
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Betway make DT38 pledge
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's principal partners Betway have pledged to give the
winnings of a £250 each-way bet on their sponsored race at Doncaster this
weekend to the DT38 Foundation – should the horse named Lincoln come home
first.
Lincoln is trained by former Southampton striker Mick Channon and Andy
Carroll joined him to make the draw live on At The Races on Thursday as the
Hammers striker teamed up with Betway to help promote the big race.
The Betway Lincoln Handicap will be run on Saturday, with the racehorse of
the same name being drawn in stall number nine. With that matching Carroll's
squad number, Betway have made their generous offer on Lincoln to win.
The race is traditionally the feature event of the first weekend of the turf
flat racing season in Britain and with one horse matching the name of the
race, all eyes will be on the four-year-old, who won on its last two outings
and is currently a 25/1 shot.
With Betway having made the betting pledge on the horse too, Hammers fans
everywhere will be hoping it comes home first to give the newly launched
DT38 Foundation, the charity set up in Dylan Tombides' memory, a cash boost.
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Poyet makes Uruguay U20 bow
WHUFC.com
Diego Poyet made his Uruguay U20 debut as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with
France at Clairefontaine on Thursday. The West Ham United midfielder and son
of former Uruguay midfielder Gus appeared in the second half as a
replacement for Mauro Arambarri. The Uruguayan goal was scored by Rodrigo
Amaral. After watching France take on Brazil in Paris on Thursday evening,
the squad will head to Coimbra, where they will take on Uzbekistan U20 on
Sunday 29 March and Portugal U20 on Tuesday 31 March.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
U17s set for Abu Dhabi kick-off
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U17s kick-off their challenge at the Hazza bin Zayed
International Football Tournament in Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening.
The Hammers arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday morning before
training in the desert city of Al-Ain, which is hosting the eight-team
competition.
Led by assistant Academy manager James Rowe and coach Lee Harrison, West Ham
will begin the tournament by taking on Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol at the
Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday at 8pm local time (4pm UK time).
West Ham's second match is against Spanish side Espanyol at the same venue
at 8pm on Friday 27 March, with the final group match will see them face the
host club, Al Ain FC, at 7.30pm on Sunday 29 March.
The two group winners will contest the final, while the runners-up in each
group will go through to the third/fourth-place play-off.
Head of Academy Operations Adam Raimes said the squad had got down to work
quickly in a country that the majority of both the players and staff had
never visited previously.
"The squad arrived early on Wednesday morning at 4am into Abu Dhabi
airport," Raimes began. "The squad trained at 8pm in a very pleasant
environment, with the temperature in the early 20s.
"There is a real togetherness around the camp, and the boys have conducted
themselves as you would expect West Ham United Academy players do – in a
professional manner and with respect for both their Club and host country.
"Josh Pask will captain the side with the assistance of vice-captains Tunji
Akinola and Declan Rice. The three of them are leading the way and
motivating the boys.
"The organisers have been fantastic and we are all looking forward to a
successful tournament."
The four other clubs taking part are Internazionale (Italy), Dinamo Zagreb
(Croatia), Al Afriqi (Tunisia) and Al Ahly (Egypt).
Waleed Al Hosani, Member of the Organising Committee, said: "All teams have
various strengths that they bring with them to Al Ain, which we anticipate,
will be beneficial to the tournament as a whole."
Alongside the Hazza bin Zayed International Football Tournament, a festival
of football is being hosted by the UAE's most successful club, Al Ain FC,
including an amateur competition for local clubs and a coaches' clinic
hosted by renowned Dutch coach Raymond Verheijen.
Known locally as Al Zaeem ('The Boss'), Al Ain have won the Arabian Gulf
League trophy eleven times, the H.H. The President's Cup trophy six times,
the UAE FA Cup on three occasions and the Arabian Gulf Cup. Al Ain FC is the
only Emirati club to have won the AFC Champions League, doing so in 2003.
For more information and live updates, follow @HBZstadium on Twitter.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
From the Academy
WHUFc.com
Last weekend was a good example of what working in a Premier League Academy
is like. On Saturday our U16 and U18s played Derby County away. Some of our
regular starters were unavailable through injury, both Jahmal hector-Ingram
and Josh Pask weren't quite fit so we decided to play Idris Kanu, he is only
just 15 years-old. Overall we had a very young team, particularly in defence
where Declan Rice played alongside Tunji Akinola while we had Vashon
Neufville and Jake Eggleton too. Despite losing, I thought we were
excellent. In parts we were very, very good which is very encouraging. No
doubt it will be a good experience for them and they'll learn a lot from it.
The U18s match kicked off at 12 o'clock, straight after that Dave Hunt and I
moved on to Burton to watch Reece Oxford play for England U17s against
Norway. It was a good for win for England, and Reece played very well. On
Monday night he followed that up when England played against Slovenia and he
scored a terrific goal. When you watch him play, you do think 'we've got one
of the best players England have got at that age level, if not the best'.
He's captain, he leads his team and it was a terrific two games for him.
Bearing in that mind that he had just come back from injury, hats off to him
for being able to go straight into the national side and play so well.
As well as Reece, Sam Howes has called up for the England U18 squad for
their two games with Switzerland, which is another great achievement.
Funnily enough, he'll come up against our very own Noha Sylvestre, a very
talented central midfielder, later today. It should be a good game, and I
wish both of them the very best.
On Tuesday we had a group of U17s head off to Dubai for an international
tournament. The Premier League sends one club each year, and this year they
sent us. It's great pedigree for our staff, the players and the Academy as a
whole.
James Rowe, the Assistant Academy Director is taking that group along with
Tom Smith, Lee Harrison and Josh Ewens. It will be a wonderful experience
for everyone, the likes of Josh Pask and Grady Diangana are going as well as
Vashon and some of the other players who we're offering scholarships to.
I think the games will be very tough. Manchester City went there with all
their riches and didn't win a game.
On another note, 15-year-old Anthony Scully was awarded U15 Player of the
Year by
the Republic of Ireland FA a few days ago. It's great for him to be
recognised at national level.
He's actually injured at the moment with a thigh injury so he's out for a
few weeks and he's itching to be back playing. It's a great achievement for
the boy, and funnily enough his dad, Tony Scully, won the same award many
years ago!
All the best,
Terry Westley
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Ginge ready for Wales action
WHUFC.com
West Ham United defender James Collins is ready for a crucial Euro 2016
qualifier for his country this weekend. Wales take on Israel in Haifa on
Saturday looking for the victory that would take them top of Group B and a
step closer to the finals in France. The expansion of UEFA's flagship
tournament for national teams to 24 finalists has given Wales a genuine shot
of qualification for the first time since 1976 and Collins is determined to
take the chance. He said: "I'm looking forward to going away with Wales and
getting another game under my belt. I can't wait, it's a big game, Israel
away is going to be a tough, tough game. If we win we go top of the group.
It looks like we have a fully fit squad so we have a great chance. "The main
aim is to get to France 2016. That started with Speedo's time as manager.
We've started this campaign well, it's a tough group but with the squad
we've got, we know we have every chance." Collins goes into the game on the
back of a victory over Sunderland with the Hammers - one which he believes
was crucial. He added: "We knew that if we kept a clean sheet we had a
chance of winning the game on Saturday. Diafra stuck it in the back of the
net so it was a nice moment. "We knew it was going to be tough with a new
manager coming in, the players will want to impress him and they caught us a
few times in the first half to be fair. With Jermain Defoe playing you know
he's going to be a threat. "Kev and a few other lads said before the game it
doesn't matter how we win, just that we do. It was a bit scrappy but we've
got the ball rolling again. "We want to finish as high as we can and end the
season on a good run of form. The international break gives us a bit of a
break between league games. We want to finish higher than tenth, that was
the aim at the start of the season."
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Academy Ace
WHUFC.com
Joe Powell signs his first professional deal, watched by Academy Manager
Terry Westley and head of Academy recruitment Dave Hunt
One of the highlights of this season was undoubtedly Adrian scoring that
winning penalty against Everton in the FA Cup third-round replay, a game of
high drama that few will forget. However, that night may prove to be just as
memorable for a second reason – the night that Joe Powell signed his first
professional contract at his boyhood club West Ham United.
For those that have not yet had the opportunity to watch the 16-year-old in
action, Powell is a skilful, pacey winger who can deliver a pinpoint cross
at will. Perhaps the best person to describe Powell's style of play is the
man himself: "There wasn't a particular player I wanted to be when I was
growing up but as I grew older I liked the look of David Beckham, I thought
he was really good. "I'd like to think I'm a little bit pacier than Beckham
was. Delivery-wise he's better than me for now, but it's something I'm
targeting!"
Music to the ears for many Hammers fans and the youngster is certainly not
lacking in confidence, but if he comes anywhere near to emulating the
England icon's career, we have a lot to look forward to. While the future
certainly looks to be bright, it is worth taking a look at Powell's
blossoming career to date. "West Ham has always been the club for me. I've
been on trial at a few other clubs but they weren't right. I always knew
being part of the West Ham family suited me. "My whole family is West Ham
mad, I think it's down to the area we come from, we're just born and bred
West Ham fans."
Having joined the Hammers at the age of eight, Powell can remember his very
first match. "It was a long time ago now but I remember it was at the dome
at Chadwell Heath, we won something like 31-7 against Grays. At one point in
the game we had to give our 'keeper to them. I scored a good 12 goals I
reckon, I haven't managed to beat that since!" Another standout moment for
young Powell was meeting Mark Noble.
"On the day I signed at U9 level Mark Noble was there signing a contract as
well. It was a good night. He'd obviously been at the club for a few years,
I'd seen him play so it was special." The name Powell may be familiar to
those who follow the youth team, as his brother Jack also came through the
West Ham Academy and is now at Millwall. "My brother was here at the
Academy, so I was in and around the club since I was about four maybe,"
explained Powell. "He's a big role model for me, we sit down every now and
then and have chats about where he didn't go right. He's always leading me
in the right direction. There's definitely friendly rivalry between us!"
The younger Powell made his debut for the U21s recently and has enjoyed a
run of games for the Development Squad since. "I came on for the last
half-hour against Chelsea. I thought it was mad, the step up in physicality
between U16s and U21s. Technically, I think I've got it in me and I thought
I played well. "Then I made my first start against Southampton away. I knew
my preparation had to be perfect. In the first half I thought I did well
getting on the ball, in the second half it was a little bit more end to end
but it was a good experience."
Reflecting on a busy few months, Powell continued: "Signing my contract was
a very special day for me. It was out on the pitch at Upton Park, the fans
were clapping as soon as walked out, so it was very special. It wasn't a bad
game either was it, beating Everton 9-8 on penalties. "Now, I just to play
football for the club that's in my heart."
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Hall completes Dons move
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 26th March 2015
By: Staff Writer
Robert Hall has completed an emergency loan move to League One side MK Dons.
As reported earlier on KUMB, Hall - who spent nine years at West Ham before
joining Bolton for a nominal fee in 2013 - has completed a move the the
promotion-chasing side, currently managed by Karl Robinson. The news was
confirmed at 5pm this afternoon by the Dons. "The Dons have signed forward
Rob Hall on an emergency loan deal from Championship side Bolton Wanderers,"
read a brief statement. "The 21-year-old, who joins just minutes before the
close of the loan window, will remain at stadium MK until the end of the
2014/15 season, inclusive of the play-offs. "Hall has spent the 2014/15
campaign balancing his playing time between Neil Lennon's first team and
Bolton's development squad, but will now be looking to help the Dons with
their push for promotion in League 1." Hall's spell at Stadium MK will be
the second for the 21-year-old who previously spent two months on loan with
the Dons back in 2012 whilst still a West Ham player.
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James Collins and Chris Coleman make up after Wales spat
Last Updated: 26/03/15 3:01pm
SSN
Manager Chris Coleman has revealed the background behind his reunion with
James Collins in a Cardiff coffee shop. Coleman and Collins engaged in a war
of words after the West Ham defender reportedly refused to be called up off
the stand-by list for their game with Serbia in 2013. Collins denied that,
with Coleman hinting that his time as an international player was over
before they eventually got together for a public meeting to clear the air.
With James Chester out due to a dislocated shoulder, Collins is set to
partner Ashley Williams in their European Qualifier against Israel, and
Coleman is glad to have him available after their fall-out. Coleman said:
"I'm glad we had that coffee together. We made sure we had it in the middle
of the hotel so it didn't kick off between us and we could stay civil with
the number of people around us. "But it's great that he is with us and I
think that perhaps what happened has helped him value playing for Wales even
more. I'm glad we had that coffee together. We made sure we had it in the
middle of the hotel so it didn't kick off between us and we could stay civil
with the number of people around us. "We had our spat, but I have known him
since he was a kid and always liked him and when he has been with us he has
been right in the middle of everything. His presence and personality are
going to be very important going forward. "He has had to wait for his chance
but this is an opportunity for him. He was brilliant in the last camp, as
were Danny Gabbidon and Sam Ricketts, who did not play but were great round
the dressing room in Brussels. "That is great for the younger guys because
it is good to have advice from senior players. 'Ginge' likes the challenge
and the atmosphere we will find ourselves in and it will be a dog-fight,
which he enjoys."
Coleman also played down security concerns ahead of Wales' first trip to
Israel since the two countries met in a play-off qualifier for the 1958
World Cup in Sweden. Israel have a game in hand on Wales as their fixture
with Belgium was postponed last September because of the political situation
in the Middle East, but that match will now be played next Tuesday. "We have
not got any extra security to my knowledge," Coleman said. "I did the
journey from the airport to the hotel when I was out there last month and we
will treat it like any other game. "We know a lot is going on in certain
quarters but there are no worries, there are no extra precautions that we
would not usually take."
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WHO IS YOUR HOTY?
By Tony Hanna 26 Mar 2015 at 13:31
West Ham till I DIe
With all due respect to Scott Parker and Mark Noble, in recent seasons the
Hammer of the Year award has been an almost foregone conclusion with little
to no competition to the eventual winner. Between them they have won five of
the last six awards and their never say die attitude has gone a long way to
them being unopposed in their respective seasons. With eight games still to
go this season it may be a little early to try and pick this seasons winner
but what the heck, it is an International break isn't it?
What a reflection on this season though? We can look at least six players
this season who have a very decent shout of being this seasons HOTY. Whilst
we have Sam lovers and Sam haters, it is refreshing to have so many worthy
candidates. Perhaps this season has not been so bad after all? Let's have a
look at the players I think most would agree to being the contenders this
season.
Aaron Cresswell has been a revelation at left back this season and is
proving to be one of the buys of the season. It is no wonder Ipswich fans
were so full of praise for him and so sorry to lose him. Ever present this
season, his attacking raids from full back have earned rave reviews and he
has adorned himself to the fans. He has been most consistent although he can
be vulnerable in defence especially in the air. For mine he has not been
used to full effect at set pieces but he has to be one of the favourites to
win the award this season.
Diafra Sakho our leading goal scorer this season got off to a cracking
start. His record equalling six goals in successive games earned him the
Premier League player of the month in October. His trademark crossed arms
Hammer salute goal celebration and the fact he cried when he thought he had
missed his chance to join the club have made him a crowd favourite. For a
forward his work rate is outstanding although his decision making at times
shows he still has a lot to learn in the top flight. What a find though and
to think he was playing in the French second tier last season? Another
outstanding chance to win the HOTY.
Cheikhou Kouyate was a more high profile player arriving at Upton Park this
season. Signed from Anderlecht he has been most adaptable, playing in
different midfield roles and at centre back when required. The player is
total class and his work rate is outstanding. When he plays in his preferred
midfield role he glues the side together. A couple of knocks, the African
Cup and the need to help out at centre back has unfortunately made it a bit
of a stop start season for him, but his class is always there to see.
Adrian has really grown in stature this season and has probably become the
fans favourite for the passion he shows. He has had a fine season and who
could forget his gloves off approach to the winning penalty against Everton?
Still a bit suspect at coming for a cross, his rapport with the fans could
just get him over the line.
Other contenders would include Enner Valencia, Alex Song and Stewart Downing
if all their form had not tailed off in recent months. However, with eight
games still to go it is not too late for any of them to come into contention
again. Song in particular was head and shoulders above any other player
prior to Xmas and a return to form could put him back in with a shout.
Downing's early season form got him an England call up only to be played out
of position. The wait for Andy Carroll to return was well worth it with a
flurry of goals and top performances. Alas, you have to play more games than
Andy does to be in with a chance.
The best roughie for me would be James Collins just for his die hard
attitude on the pitch. Forever putting everything on the line he is not
always Sam's pick at centre half. He would be mine every time. Carl
Jenkinson and James Tomkins have also had excellent seasons. Last but not
least we have the players who have won the award the past two seasons. Mark
Noble and Winston Reid. It has not been a bad season has it when these two
past winners are probably outsiders at best?
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DG: Reid to make international decision
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Winston Reid will decide on his fitness for New Zealand's game against New
Zealand next Tuesday afternoon. Whilst the Hammers want the Kiwi defender to
stay in England and get himself 100 per cent fit for the match against
Leicester City next weekend, they won't stand in his way if he decides he's
fit for international duty. Co chairman David Gold told ClaretandHugh: The
players know their own bodies best and it's their decision. If Winston says
he's fit to go then it's his decision. "I believe there may still be a
little soreness and the whole aim is to have him in the back four for the
match against City. "He will know and as a professional we trust him
entirely to make his own decision."
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Maiga mess ahead of Hammers!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's hopes of offloading Modibo Maiga to Metz permanently look dead.
With the French club bottom of League 1 the chances of a deal being done for
the striker are as unlikely as it gets leaving the board with a big dilemma.
Having scored just six goals in 38 appearances for the Hammers, the forward
has managed four in 17 games with his loan club – hardly eye-catching stuff.
And his near certain return to Upton Park will be a sharp reminder of life
before the new policy of more board control over signings with the Davids
being forced to offer him a pay-off.
The 27 year old is on £40k a week – or £2 million a year – and before
leaving for Metz was offered an Irons pay-off of around £2.5 million which
he turned down.
A Hammers source repeated today that an offer was likely to be made to the
Mali-born forward telling ClaretandHugh: "We'll try to get something done
but he's a strong willed boy and turned down everything we offered last
time."
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Song talks are on the cards
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are still keen to talk with Barcelona and Alex Song about the
possibility of a permanent move to the club. Whilst there has been
disappointment at the player's loss of form since Christmas, the owners
remain keen to retain his services on the right terms. The player is
currently on a wage of £70k a week and that will have to be carefully
balanced against Barca's required fee but that could be lower than expected
as the club are keen to unload.
Some reports this morning claim that the club has cooled on a deal but
ClaretandHugh was told: "That's not the case. He is a top player and a loss
of form is more noticeable in the case of such guys. And he quipped: "It
doesn't hurt the case when we come to discuss figures and deals. I'd imagine
talks will start with Barca a couple of games before the end of the season."
Song has yet to make his own end of season position clear although he has
regularly claimed that a permanent stay is quite possible.
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Injury update: Hopes high for Reid/Valencia
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
All our injured players are making decent progress and so successful was
James Tomkins' surgery on a dislocated left shoulder that there are hopes he
may even be back before the end of the season. However Doneil Henry has what
is described by Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke as a
"complicated hamstring problem" which has also seen him undergo surgery
which is set to see him start back for pre-season training in July.
Vandenbroucke told the official site that Winston Reid was rehabbing well
from a hamstring injury and it is a priority to have him ready to face
Leicester City after the international break.
Meanwhile, Andy Carroll is now moving without the need for crutches or a
brace on his knee and is working in the swimming pool and on the static
bike.
Vandenbroucke explained that Tuesday was the first day in his "rehab
protocol" that we were able to work on the bike and did some exercises in
the pool.
Enner Valencia is healing well after he lacerated his big toe on 10 March
and is building up his training with the aim of being available for the
Leicester game.
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WHUFC.com
West Ham United Development Squad striker Jaanai Gordon has joined Vanarama
Conference club Nuneaton Town until 1 May 2015. The 19-year-old recently
returned from a productive loan spell with Vanarama South side Chelmsford
City, where he netted five goals in ten league appearances. Signed from
Peterborough United in December 2013, Gordon made his first-team debut for
the Posh in League One at the age of 16 in September 2012.
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Betway make DT38 pledge
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's principal partners Betway have pledged to give the
winnings of a £250 each-way bet on their sponsored race at Doncaster this
weekend to the DT38 Foundation – should the horse named Lincoln come home
first.
Lincoln is trained by former Southampton striker Mick Channon and Andy
Carroll joined him to make the draw live on At The Races on Thursday as the
Hammers striker teamed up with Betway to help promote the big race.
The Betway Lincoln Handicap will be run on Saturday, with the racehorse of
the same name being drawn in stall number nine. With that matching Carroll's
squad number, Betway have made their generous offer on Lincoln to win.
The race is traditionally the feature event of the first weekend of the turf
flat racing season in Britain and with one horse matching the name of the
race, all eyes will be on the four-year-old, who won on its last two outings
and is currently a 25/1 shot.
With Betway having made the betting pledge on the horse too, Hammers fans
everywhere will be hoping it comes home first to give the newly launched
DT38 Foundation, the charity set up in Dylan Tombides' memory, a cash boost.
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Poyet makes Uruguay U20 bow
WHUFC.com
Diego Poyet made his Uruguay U20 debut as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with
France at Clairefontaine on Thursday. The West Ham United midfielder and son
of former Uruguay midfielder Gus appeared in the second half as a
replacement for Mauro Arambarri. The Uruguayan goal was scored by Rodrigo
Amaral. After watching France take on Brazil in Paris on Thursday evening,
the squad will head to Coimbra, where they will take on Uzbekistan U20 on
Sunday 29 March and Portugal U20 on Tuesday 31 March.
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U17s set for Abu Dhabi kick-off
WHUFC.com
West Ham United U17s kick-off their challenge at the Hazza bin Zayed
International Football Tournament in Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening.
The Hammers arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday morning before
training in the desert city of Al-Ain, which is hosting the eight-team
competition.
Led by assistant Academy manager James Rowe and coach Lee Harrison, West Ham
will begin the tournament by taking on Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol at the
Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday at 8pm local time (4pm UK time).
West Ham's second match is against Spanish side Espanyol at the same venue
at 8pm on Friday 27 March, with the final group match will see them face the
host club, Al Ain FC, at 7.30pm on Sunday 29 March.
The two group winners will contest the final, while the runners-up in each
group will go through to the third/fourth-place play-off.
Head of Academy Operations Adam Raimes said the squad had got down to work
quickly in a country that the majority of both the players and staff had
never visited previously.
"The squad arrived early on Wednesday morning at 4am into Abu Dhabi
airport," Raimes began. "The squad trained at 8pm in a very pleasant
environment, with the temperature in the early 20s.
"There is a real togetherness around the camp, and the boys have conducted
themselves as you would expect West Ham United Academy players do – in a
professional manner and with respect for both their Club and host country.
"Josh Pask will captain the side with the assistance of vice-captains Tunji
Akinola and Declan Rice. The three of them are leading the way and
motivating the boys.
"The organisers have been fantastic and we are all looking forward to a
successful tournament."
The four other clubs taking part are Internazionale (Italy), Dinamo Zagreb
(Croatia), Al Afriqi (Tunisia) and Al Ahly (Egypt).
Waleed Al Hosani, Member of the Organising Committee, said: "All teams have
various strengths that they bring with them to Al Ain, which we anticipate,
will be beneficial to the tournament as a whole."
Alongside the Hazza bin Zayed International Football Tournament, a festival
of football is being hosted by the UAE's most successful club, Al Ain FC,
including an amateur competition for local clubs and a coaches' clinic
hosted by renowned Dutch coach Raymond Verheijen.
Known locally as Al Zaeem ('The Boss'), Al Ain have won the Arabian Gulf
League trophy eleven times, the H.H. The President's Cup trophy six times,
the UAE FA Cup on three occasions and the Arabian Gulf Cup. Al Ain FC is the
only Emirati club to have won the AFC Champions League, doing so in 2003.
For more information and live updates, follow @HBZstadium on Twitter.
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From the Academy
WHUFc.com
Last weekend was a good example of what working in a Premier League Academy
is like. On Saturday our U16 and U18s played Derby County away. Some of our
regular starters were unavailable through injury, both Jahmal hector-Ingram
and Josh Pask weren't quite fit so we decided to play Idris Kanu, he is only
just 15 years-old. Overall we had a very young team, particularly in defence
where Declan Rice played alongside Tunji Akinola while we had Vashon
Neufville and Jake Eggleton too. Despite losing, I thought we were
excellent. In parts we were very, very good which is very encouraging. No
doubt it will be a good experience for them and they'll learn a lot from it.
The U18s match kicked off at 12 o'clock, straight after that Dave Hunt and I
moved on to Burton to watch Reece Oxford play for England U17s against
Norway. It was a good for win for England, and Reece played very well. On
Monday night he followed that up when England played against Slovenia and he
scored a terrific goal. When you watch him play, you do think 'we've got one
of the best players England have got at that age level, if not the best'.
He's captain, he leads his team and it was a terrific two games for him.
Bearing in that mind that he had just come back from injury, hats off to him
for being able to go straight into the national side and play so well.
As well as Reece, Sam Howes has called up for the England U18 squad for
their two games with Switzerland, which is another great achievement.
Funnily enough, he'll come up against our very own Noha Sylvestre, a very
talented central midfielder, later today. It should be a good game, and I
wish both of them the very best.
On Tuesday we had a group of U17s head off to Dubai for an international
tournament. The Premier League sends one club each year, and this year they
sent us. It's great pedigree for our staff, the players and the Academy as a
whole.
James Rowe, the Assistant Academy Director is taking that group along with
Tom Smith, Lee Harrison and Josh Ewens. It will be a wonderful experience
for everyone, the likes of Josh Pask and Grady Diangana are going as well as
Vashon and some of the other players who we're offering scholarships to.
I think the games will be very tough. Manchester City went there with all
their riches and didn't win a game.
On another note, 15-year-old Anthony Scully was awarded U15 Player of the
Year by
the Republic of Ireland FA a few days ago. It's great for him to be
recognised at national level.
He's actually injured at the moment with a thigh injury so he's out for a
few weeks and he's itching to be back playing. It's a great achievement for
the boy, and funnily enough his dad, Tony Scully, won the same award many
years ago!
All the best,
Terry Westley
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Ginge ready for Wales action
WHUFC.com
West Ham United defender James Collins is ready for a crucial Euro 2016
qualifier for his country this weekend. Wales take on Israel in Haifa on
Saturday looking for the victory that would take them top of Group B and a
step closer to the finals in France. The expansion of UEFA's flagship
tournament for national teams to 24 finalists has given Wales a genuine shot
of qualification for the first time since 1976 and Collins is determined to
take the chance. He said: "I'm looking forward to going away with Wales and
getting another game under my belt. I can't wait, it's a big game, Israel
away is going to be a tough, tough game. If we win we go top of the group.
It looks like we have a fully fit squad so we have a great chance. "The main
aim is to get to France 2016. That started with Speedo's time as manager.
We've started this campaign well, it's a tough group but with the squad
we've got, we know we have every chance." Collins goes into the game on the
back of a victory over Sunderland with the Hammers - one which he believes
was crucial. He added: "We knew that if we kept a clean sheet we had a
chance of winning the game on Saturday. Diafra stuck it in the back of the
net so it was a nice moment. "We knew it was going to be tough with a new
manager coming in, the players will want to impress him and they caught us a
few times in the first half to be fair. With Jermain Defoe playing you know
he's going to be a threat. "Kev and a few other lads said before the game it
doesn't matter how we win, just that we do. It was a bit scrappy but we've
got the ball rolling again. "We want to finish as high as we can and end the
season on a good run of form. The international break gives us a bit of a
break between league games. We want to finish higher than tenth, that was
the aim at the start of the season."
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Academy Ace
WHUFC.com
Joe Powell signs his first professional deal, watched by Academy Manager
Terry Westley and head of Academy recruitment Dave Hunt
One of the highlights of this season was undoubtedly Adrian scoring that
winning penalty against Everton in the FA Cup third-round replay, a game of
high drama that few will forget. However, that night may prove to be just as
memorable for a second reason – the night that Joe Powell signed his first
professional contract at his boyhood club West Ham United.
For those that have not yet had the opportunity to watch the 16-year-old in
action, Powell is a skilful, pacey winger who can deliver a pinpoint cross
at will. Perhaps the best person to describe Powell's style of play is the
man himself: "There wasn't a particular player I wanted to be when I was
growing up but as I grew older I liked the look of David Beckham, I thought
he was really good. "I'd like to think I'm a little bit pacier than Beckham
was. Delivery-wise he's better than me for now, but it's something I'm
targeting!"
Music to the ears for many Hammers fans and the youngster is certainly not
lacking in confidence, but if he comes anywhere near to emulating the
England icon's career, we have a lot to look forward to. While the future
certainly looks to be bright, it is worth taking a look at Powell's
blossoming career to date. "West Ham has always been the club for me. I've
been on trial at a few other clubs but they weren't right. I always knew
being part of the West Ham family suited me. "My whole family is West Ham
mad, I think it's down to the area we come from, we're just born and bred
West Ham fans."
Having joined the Hammers at the age of eight, Powell can remember his very
first match. "It was a long time ago now but I remember it was at the dome
at Chadwell Heath, we won something like 31-7 against Grays. At one point in
the game we had to give our 'keeper to them. I scored a good 12 goals I
reckon, I haven't managed to beat that since!" Another standout moment for
young Powell was meeting Mark Noble.
"On the day I signed at U9 level Mark Noble was there signing a contract as
well. It was a good night. He'd obviously been at the club for a few years,
I'd seen him play so it was special." The name Powell may be familiar to
those who follow the youth team, as his brother Jack also came through the
West Ham Academy and is now at Millwall. "My brother was here at the
Academy, so I was in and around the club since I was about four maybe,"
explained Powell. "He's a big role model for me, we sit down every now and
then and have chats about where he didn't go right. He's always leading me
in the right direction. There's definitely friendly rivalry between us!"
The younger Powell made his debut for the U21s recently and has enjoyed a
run of games for the Development Squad since. "I came on for the last
half-hour against Chelsea. I thought it was mad, the step up in physicality
between U16s and U21s. Technically, I think I've got it in me and I thought
I played well. "Then I made my first start against Southampton away. I knew
my preparation had to be perfect. In the first half I thought I did well
getting on the ball, in the second half it was a little bit more end to end
but it was a good experience."
Reflecting on a busy few months, Powell continued: "Signing my contract was
a very special day for me. It was out on the pitch at Upton Park, the fans
were clapping as soon as walked out, so it was very special. It wasn't a bad
game either was it, beating Everton 9-8 on penalties. "Now, I just to play
football for the club that's in my heart."
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Hall completes Dons move
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 26th March 2015
By: Staff Writer
Robert Hall has completed an emergency loan move to League One side MK Dons.
As reported earlier on KUMB, Hall - who spent nine years at West Ham before
joining Bolton for a nominal fee in 2013 - has completed a move the the
promotion-chasing side, currently managed by Karl Robinson. The news was
confirmed at 5pm this afternoon by the Dons. "The Dons have signed forward
Rob Hall on an emergency loan deal from Championship side Bolton Wanderers,"
read a brief statement. "The 21-year-old, who joins just minutes before the
close of the loan window, will remain at stadium MK until the end of the
2014/15 season, inclusive of the play-offs. "Hall has spent the 2014/15
campaign balancing his playing time between Neil Lennon's first team and
Bolton's development squad, but will now be looking to help the Dons with
their push for promotion in League 1." Hall's spell at Stadium MK will be
the second for the 21-year-old who previously spent two months on loan with
the Dons back in 2012 whilst still a West Ham player.
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James Collins and Chris Coleman make up after Wales spat
Last Updated: 26/03/15 3:01pm
SSN
Manager Chris Coleman has revealed the background behind his reunion with
James Collins in a Cardiff coffee shop. Coleman and Collins engaged in a war
of words after the West Ham defender reportedly refused to be called up off
the stand-by list for their game with Serbia in 2013. Collins denied that,
with Coleman hinting that his time as an international player was over
before they eventually got together for a public meeting to clear the air.
With James Chester out due to a dislocated shoulder, Collins is set to
partner Ashley Williams in their European Qualifier against Israel, and
Coleman is glad to have him available after their fall-out. Coleman said:
"I'm glad we had that coffee together. We made sure we had it in the middle
of the hotel so it didn't kick off between us and we could stay civil with
the number of people around us. "But it's great that he is with us and I
think that perhaps what happened has helped him value playing for Wales even
more. I'm glad we had that coffee together. We made sure we had it in the
middle of the hotel so it didn't kick off between us and we could stay civil
with the number of people around us. "We had our spat, but I have known him
since he was a kid and always liked him and when he has been with us he has
been right in the middle of everything. His presence and personality are
going to be very important going forward. "He has had to wait for his chance
but this is an opportunity for him. He was brilliant in the last camp, as
were Danny Gabbidon and Sam Ricketts, who did not play but were great round
the dressing room in Brussels. "That is great for the younger guys because
it is good to have advice from senior players. 'Ginge' likes the challenge
and the atmosphere we will find ourselves in and it will be a dog-fight,
which he enjoys."
Coleman also played down security concerns ahead of Wales' first trip to
Israel since the two countries met in a play-off qualifier for the 1958
World Cup in Sweden. Israel have a game in hand on Wales as their fixture
with Belgium was postponed last September because of the political situation
in the Middle East, but that match will now be played next Tuesday. "We have
not got any extra security to my knowledge," Coleman said. "I did the
journey from the airport to the hotel when I was out there last month and we
will treat it like any other game. "We know a lot is going on in certain
quarters but there are no worries, there are no extra precautions that we
would not usually take."
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WHO IS YOUR HOTY?
By Tony Hanna 26 Mar 2015 at 13:31
West Ham till I DIe
With all due respect to Scott Parker and Mark Noble, in recent seasons the
Hammer of the Year award has been an almost foregone conclusion with little
to no competition to the eventual winner. Between them they have won five of
the last six awards and their never say die attitude has gone a long way to
them being unopposed in their respective seasons. With eight games still to
go this season it may be a little early to try and pick this seasons winner
but what the heck, it is an International break isn't it?
What a reflection on this season though? We can look at least six players
this season who have a very decent shout of being this seasons HOTY. Whilst
we have Sam lovers and Sam haters, it is refreshing to have so many worthy
candidates. Perhaps this season has not been so bad after all? Let's have a
look at the players I think most would agree to being the contenders this
season.
Aaron Cresswell has been a revelation at left back this season and is
proving to be one of the buys of the season. It is no wonder Ipswich fans
were so full of praise for him and so sorry to lose him. Ever present this
season, his attacking raids from full back have earned rave reviews and he
has adorned himself to the fans. He has been most consistent although he can
be vulnerable in defence especially in the air. For mine he has not been
used to full effect at set pieces but he has to be one of the favourites to
win the award this season.
Diafra Sakho our leading goal scorer this season got off to a cracking
start. His record equalling six goals in successive games earned him the
Premier League player of the month in October. His trademark crossed arms
Hammer salute goal celebration and the fact he cried when he thought he had
missed his chance to join the club have made him a crowd favourite. For a
forward his work rate is outstanding although his decision making at times
shows he still has a lot to learn in the top flight. What a find though and
to think he was playing in the French second tier last season? Another
outstanding chance to win the HOTY.
Cheikhou Kouyate was a more high profile player arriving at Upton Park this
season. Signed from Anderlecht he has been most adaptable, playing in
different midfield roles and at centre back when required. The player is
total class and his work rate is outstanding. When he plays in his preferred
midfield role he glues the side together. A couple of knocks, the African
Cup and the need to help out at centre back has unfortunately made it a bit
of a stop start season for him, but his class is always there to see.
Adrian has really grown in stature this season and has probably become the
fans favourite for the passion he shows. He has had a fine season and who
could forget his gloves off approach to the winning penalty against Everton?
Still a bit suspect at coming for a cross, his rapport with the fans could
just get him over the line.
Other contenders would include Enner Valencia, Alex Song and Stewart Downing
if all their form had not tailed off in recent months. However, with eight
games still to go it is not too late for any of them to come into contention
again. Song in particular was head and shoulders above any other player
prior to Xmas and a return to form could put him back in with a shout.
Downing's early season form got him an England call up only to be played out
of position. The wait for Andy Carroll to return was well worth it with a
flurry of goals and top performances. Alas, you have to play more games than
Andy does to be in with a chance.
The best roughie for me would be James Collins just for his die hard
attitude on the pitch. Forever putting everything on the line he is not
always Sam's pick at centre half. He would be mine every time. Carl
Jenkinson and James Tomkins have also had excellent seasons. Last but not
least we have the players who have won the award the past two seasons. Mark
Noble and Winston Reid. It has not been a bad season has it when these two
past winners are probably outsiders at best?
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DG: Reid to make international decision
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Winston Reid will decide on his fitness for New Zealand's game against New
Zealand next Tuesday afternoon. Whilst the Hammers want the Kiwi defender to
stay in England and get himself 100 per cent fit for the match against
Leicester City next weekend, they won't stand in his way if he decides he's
fit for international duty. Co chairman David Gold told ClaretandHugh: The
players know their own bodies best and it's their decision. If Winston says
he's fit to go then it's his decision. "I believe there may still be a
little soreness and the whole aim is to have him in the back four for the
match against City. "He will know and as a professional we trust him
entirely to make his own decision."
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Maiga mess ahead of Hammers!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham's hopes of offloading Modibo Maiga to Metz permanently look dead.
With the French club bottom of League 1 the chances of a deal being done for
the striker are as unlikely as it gets leaving the board with a big dilemma.
Having scored just six goals in 38 appearances for the Hammers, the forward
has managed four in 17 games with his loan club – hardly eye-catching stuff.
And his near certain return to Upton Park will be a sharp reminder of life
before the new policy of more board control over signings with the Davids
being forced to offer him a pay-off.
The 27 year old is on £40k a week – or £2 million a year – and before
leaving for Metz was offered an Irons pay-off of around £2.5 million which
he turned down.
A Hammers source repeated today that an offer was likely to be made to the
Mali-born forward telling ClaretandHugh: "We'll try to get something done
but he's a strong willed boy and turned down everything we offered last
time."
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Song talks are on the cards
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham are still keen to talk with Barcelona and Alex Song about the
possibility of a permanent move to the club. Whilst there has been
disappointment at the player's loss of form since Christmas, the owners
remain keen to retain his services on the right terms. The player is
currently on a wage of £70k a week and that will have to be carefully
balanced against Barca's required fee but that could be lower than expected
as the club are keen to unload.
Some reports this morning claim that the club has cooled on a deal but
ClaretandHugh was told: "That's not the case. He is a top player and a loss
of form is more noticeable in the case of such guys. And he quipped: "It
doesn't hurt the case when we come to discuss figures and deals. I'd imagine
talks will start with Barca a couple of games before the end of the season."
Song has yet to make his own end of season position clear although he has
regularly claimed that a permanent stay is quite possible.
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Injury update: Hopes high for Reid/Valencia
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 26, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
All our injured players are making decent progress and so successful was
James Tomkins' surgery on a dislocated left shoulder that there are hopes he
may even be back before the end of the season. However Doneil Henry has what
is described by Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke as a
"complicated hamstring problem" which has also seen him undergo surgery
which is set to see him start back for pre-season training in July.
Vandenbroucke told the official site that Winston Reid was rehabbing well
from a hamstring injury and it is a priority to have him ready to face
Leicester City after the international break.
Meanwhile, Andy Carroll is now moving without the need for crutches or a
brace on his knee and is working in the swimming pool and on the static
bike.
Vandenbroucke explained that Tuesday was the first day in his "rehab
protocol" that we were able to work on the bike and did some exercises in
the pool.
Enner Valencia is healing well after he lacerated his big toe on 10 March
and is building up his training with the aim of being available for the
Leicester game.
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Thursday, March 26
Daily WHUFC News - 16th March 2015
International Preview
WHUFC.com
Eight West Ham players are involved in international matches in the coming days. Here's a look ahead to those games.
Thursday 26 March
England U17s' final game of three UEFA U17 Championship Elite Round qualifiers culminates in a game against Romania at 7pm. Following his goal against Slovenia, Captain Reece Oxford will want to round off an impressive few games since returning to action following a return to injury.
The U18s' first of two games against Switzerland sees West Ham United goalkeeper Sam Howes come up against teammate Noha Sylvestre. Both youngsters have been in fine form for West Ham United's U18s making 19 and 20 appearances respectively. Kick off is 3pm.
Friday 27 March
On Friday evening, the England U21s are in action against the Czech Republic. The match could see Carl Jenkinson return to international duty since his last outing against Sweden in 4-2 defeat November 2012.
Saturday 28 March
James Collins' Wales travel to play Israel in Group B of the European Championship Qualifying. Having got off to a great start, Wales are unbeaten after four games, with eight games in total. Israel currently top the group with nine points.
On a busy day of football, Cheikhou Kouyate's Senegal are set to play Ghana in a friendly, kick off is scheduled for 7.45pm local time.
The U18s face a quick turnaround between games as they host the Swiss again, little more than 48 hours after the first game. Kick off comes from 5.30pm.
Josh Cullen is in international action as the Irish U19 travel to play their German counterparts at the hardwaldstadion in Sandhausen. Kick off in the Under-19 Championship Elite Round is 12pm local time, 11am GMT.
Monday 30 March 2015
The U21s second game of the international break is a grudge match with arch rivals Germany at Middlesborough's Riverside stadium.
Speaking ahead of the match, which promises to be a high quality yet hard-fought affair, Jenkinson said: "It's always an honour playing for England, at any level. I'm really looking forward to it, it keeps me ticking over during the international break. It's nice to play a couple games and keep my fitness up. I'll be raring to go against Leicester."
In the qualification rounds we played against some easier teams as such but now we're playing against the big boys. It will be a good test for us to see what we're all about."
"The game against Germany is the one that stands out, it should be a great game. It's one I'm certainly looking forward to."
The match is broadcast live on BT Sport 1, with the programme starting at 7.30pm.
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Maguire earns Ireland U21 call
WHUFC.com
Sean Maguire has spoken of his pride at being called up to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad. The young Hammer, who is currently on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Accrington Stanley, is in Noel King's U21 squad for the first time, having previously won three caps at U19 level. Ireland are taking on Andorra in their first 2017 UEFA U21 Championship qualifier on Thursday evening at Waterford United - the club Maguire signed for the Hammers from in 2013. The 20-year-old has scored five goas in 25 league games for Stanley this season and is thrilled to have been given the opportunity to shine on the international stage. "I'm delighted to be called up," he said. "It's an honour to be recognised by your country & I hope I'll get the chance to play. "First team football at Accrington has made a huge difference to me this season & I'm grateful to everyone at the club for the opportunity. "To get an international call up after a great time playing regularly this season is just fantastic."
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Cullen's dual debut aim
WHUFC.com
It is an exciting time to be Josh Cullen. The promising midfielder was named on the West Ham United bench for the first time for the recent Barclays Premier League fixture at Arsenal. This week, the 18-year-old midfielder is set to make his competitive international debut for Republic of Ireland in the European U19 Championship Elite Round. For Cullen, the prospect of facing mini-group hosts Germany, Slovakia and Czech Republic – starting on Thursday 26 March – for a place at this summer's finals in Greece is one he is relishing.
"It's a good standard of football and the group we are in is a very competitive one," the No39 began. "Germany are one of the countries that everybody is looking up to at the moment, while Slovakia are actually considered to be the favourites. "It's going to be a great test but we believe in ourselves as a team. Only one team goes through, which makes it even tougher, so we have got to be on our game.
"It's a great experience to play against good teams like Germany, but we have beaten Holland and Sweden this year so we believe in ourselves and we want to go as far as we can.
For Cullen, who was born and raised in Essex but has Irish ancestry, representing Ireland is special to him and his family. "International football is a different experience than club football. At West Ham, we train and play and generally go home afterwards, but with Ireland we are in a hotel for eleven or 12 days and it's a great experience. "I am proud to be playing for Ireland and making my family proud at the same time. I missed the Euro U17s and the first set of U19 qualifiers through injury, so I am looking forward to make my first competitive appearance."
Back at West Ham, Cullen is training regularly with Sam Allardyce's first-team squad as he pushes for his first senior appearance in Claret and Blue. With the likes of Mark Noble, Alex Song, Cheikhou Kouyate and Kevin Nolan also at the Club, the teenager knows he may have to be patient, but that will not stop him giving his all every single day. I am a West Ham fan, so I want to see the first team doing well and the Club doing well Having got into the matchday 18 at the Emirates, Cullen is keen for more opportunities to impress. "It's something you grow up dreaming of, so to be involved in a Premier League game as a West Ham fan is great. The next step for me is to carry on working hard and to get my debut. "Being involved somewhere like the Emirates made it more memorable because it is a magnificent stadium with a pitch like a carpet and the facilities there are on a different level. "I don't feel out of place when I train with the first-team squad so I just need to keep working hard to improve my game to get to first-team standard. "I have played U18 and U21 football over the last season and a half, so now it's about playing more U21 football and trying to stand out at that level to push myself into the first-team squad or go out on loan and get some first-team experience. "So, by doing the best I can and continuing to work hard, hopefully those chances will come."
Whether he makes his debut before the current season is out or not, Cullen is happy to be part of an improving West Ham squad – one which looks on course to finish in the top half of the Barclays Premier League for the second time in three seasons. "I am a West Ham fan, so I want to see the first team doing well and the Club doing well. We do have a quite a few players in my position, so it's tough to see a way through, but at the same time it is a privilege and a challenge to work with the players I watched before I got anywhere near this standard. "Now I am closer to it than ever before, I need to take any little chance that I get. "The feedback I have had from the coaches gives me confidence and if I can take what I have done in training into games then hopefully I can break through into the West Ham first team. That's the aim."
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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
We will start this week's round-up with news of two positive surgeries for James Tomkins and Doneil Henry. James Tomkins had successful surgery on his dislocated left shoulder and the first signs following the operation are good. We aim for him to be back before the end of the 2014/15 season.
Doneil had a complicated hamstring problem which he suffered while on loan for Blackburn Rovers. This injury was treated with a successful operation and we are looking at him being back for the start of pre-season training in July.
Winston Reid continues to rehab well from the hamstring injury he suffered in the home game against Chelsea on 4 March and it is our priority to have him ready to face Leicester City after the international break.
Andy Carroll has entered the next phase of his rehabilitation following surgery on the knee he injured at Southampton on 11 February.
We are now in week six of Andy's rehab and he is now moving without the need for crutches or a brace on his knee. He is working in the swimming pool and on the static bike.
Tuesday was the first day in his rehab protocol that we were able to work on the bike and did some exercises in the pool.
With Enner Valencia, we have seen a specialist again and he is healing well after he lacerated his big toe on 10 March. Enner was unable to go away on international duty with Ecuador, but now he is building up his training with the aim of being available for the Leicester game.
Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science
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Lee extends Luton loan
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee has extended his loan spell with League Two club Luton Town until the end of the season. The West Ham United striker has netted three goals in six games for the Hatters, including a brace in Tuesday's 3-2 home defeat by Wycombe Wanderers. He will now remain with Luton until 2 May, and longer should John Still's men reach the League Two Play-Offs. Lee marked his opening goal on Tuesday by paying tribute to his late friend and Hammers strike partner Dylan Tombides, who passed away in April 2014 following a three-year battle with cancer. The 20-year-old lifted his shirt to show a T-shirt with the words 'FOR YOU DYL. GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN' and a photo of the popular Australian forward. "I was delighted to do that for Dyl," said Lee of his tribute, which was seen by thousands of viewers watching the match live on Sky Sports. "Being on the Sky cameras I thought it was a great stage to honour my good mate who sadly passed away nearly a year to the day, so I'm really happy I could have done that for him."
The gesture was all the more poignant the Hatters had joined forces with The Football League's Official Charity Partner, Prostate Cancer UK, to rename their Kenilworth Road home The Prostate Cancer UK Stadium for the Wycombe fixture. Speaking about the personal significance of Luton's unique charity initiative, Lee revealed that his grandfather had undergone surgery for prostate cancer "It's massive," he continued. "On a personal level, my granddad had prostate cancer. He had surgery to get it removed and I did Movember for him. He's fully recovered now. "It hit the family hard but the family stuck together and it's great to see him fighting fit again. My granddad is always in high spirits and the surgery was brilliant and he's brilliant again now." "He [is on holiday in China at the moment but] knew about it and he was really proud I think. It was a great thing for the club to do. I got him two [goals], so I think he'll be happy."
Luton, Lee and Prostate Cancer UK all became trending topics on Twitter during Tuesday's game, while the Hatters' decision to rename their stadium to help raise awareness of a disease that kills one man every hour in the UK drew widespread praise. "It's great for everyone to get involved," Lee added. "We should be aware of the cause and I think it was really good to name the stadium what it was and I think it went down well with everyone. "It's a brilliant cause and it should be highlighted. There is no better stage than on TV and a big game like Luton against Wycombe. I think it was a really good gesture."
West Ham themselves recently helped to launch the DT38 Foundation in memory of the late Academy starlet. Dylan, whose prodigious talents saw him sign for West Ham in 2008, lost his brave three-year battle with testicular cancer in April 2014, at the age of just 20. A hugely popular figure among his team-mates, coaches, backroom staff, supporters and opponents alike, the Australia U22 international was loved and respected throughout the football community for his talent, his smile and his spirit. Dylan's considerable legacy will now to be channelled through DT38, a new Foundation which is setting out to provide testicular cancer support and awareness through education and opportunity. DT38 became the Club's second official charity for the 2014/15 campaign, alongside the West Ham United Moore Family Foundation.
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Lycamobile extend Hammers partnership
KUMB.com
West Ham United have announced that Lycamobile, the largest global provider of low-cost international mobile calls, will continue as the Club's Official Partner for the next three years.
To mark the launch of the new partnership, Joint-Chairman David Gold, and players Mark Noble, Diafra Sakho and Winston Reid hosted Lycamobile global MVNOs Chairman Subaskaran Allirajah on a tour of the Club's new Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Lycamobile has been an official partner of the Club since the 2012/13 campaign and the renewal sees the deal extend to include the first two seasons in the new Stadium.
Founded in 2006, Lycamobile provides low-cost, high-quality data and voice services to over 12 million customers across 18 countries. Its sheer span, focus on customer service and innovative business strategy has seen it outgrow its competitor set; achieving greater coverage of the European population than any other network operator.
Its partnership with the Hammers has seen it host the Lycamobile Cup at the Boleyn Ground, allowing local youngsters the opportunity of a lifetime to play on the hallowed turf, following in the famous footsteps of their Hammers heroes, as well as launching the co-branded Hammers SIM, which raised funds for the Club's Foundation.
Commenting on the new deal, West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold said: "We are delighted to be extending our partnership with Lycamobile for the next three years. They will be joining us on the exciting journey from the Boleyn Ground to our fantastic new Stadium in Stratford, building on the great success we have already enjoyed in the three years we have worked together."
Subaskaran Allirajah, Chairman of Lycamobile said, "We are so incredibly proud to be part of the West Ham success story, to extend our partnership for a further three seasons, and see this great club take its well-deserved place in this iconic ground, home of the 2012 Olympic Games."
As well as sponsorship of West Ham United Football Club, Lycamobile proudly supports the West Ham Foundation as part of its mission to bring communities together. www.lycamobile.com
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Diafra Sakho: West Ham striker says FA proposals are 'an excuse'
By Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport
English football's failings should not be blamed on the number of foreign players in the Premier League, says West Ham's Diafra Sakho.
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has outlined plans to restrict non-EU players coming into the English game. And England defender Phil Jagielka has backed the quality of English players coming through the system. But Senegal striker Sakho told BBC Sport: "Everyone can make their own excuses to defend their own interests."
The former Ligue 1 player added: "France won the World Cup in 1998 and the French league was full of foreigners, same with Spain who won the World Cup and Euros, and Germany too. "I don't see why we should shut the door on new talent coming over." Sakho, 25, joined West Ham from Metz on a four-year deal in the summer and has become an integral part of Sam Allardyce's side, scoring 12 goals in all competitions.
He has followed a rich tradition of African players succeeding in the Premier League, with the likes of Ivorians Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure both winning several trophies with Chelsea and Manchester City. "We have seen many African players do well here so it would make things difficult for them," Sakho said. "The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world, one which all young players dream of playing in."
Defender Winston Reid moved to Upton Park from Danish side Midtjylland in 2010 and won West Ham's player of the year award in 2012-13.
The New Zealander suggests the pressure for clubs to succeed force them to look for players away from these shores. "The Premier League now is a massive business for football clubs," he said at an event for Lycamobile and the West Ham Foundation. "They might not be playing young players but buying better players from abroad. "It would be unfortunate if some of my peers weren't given the chance to do the same as me. There are a lot of good foreign players here." In Europe this season, no Premier League side progressed into the quarter-finals of the Champions League or Europa League.
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Winston Reid committed to pushing West Ham into Premier League's top four
Last Updated: 25/03/15 6:28pm
SSN
Defender Winston Reid has revealed he signed a new long-term deal with West Ham because he is committed to seeing the club reach the top four. Reid has signed a new six-and-half-year contract with the Hammers, which is reportedly valued at £60,000 per week, after being linked with possible moves to Arsenal and Tottenham. The 26-year-old says he is "committed" to his future at West Ham and sees the club pushing their way up the Premier League table "It did strike me to move to another place, but my family and I wanted to stay here," Reid told The Sun. "I figured out what I wanted to do with my career and that's be part of the place here and help the club to improve. "It won't take only one or two years - it might be after I finish that the club gets into the top six or top four."
West Ham currently sit in ninth place in the Premier League table and are hoping to finish the season with their best points return yet.
"It's unfortunate that us as a team in the last couple of months, we haven't been functioning at 100 per cent compared to the beginning of the year," Reid said. "We're looking to finish strong and not let the season fade away." Reid is currently in a race against time to overcome a hamstring injury to be fit for New Zealand's international match against South Korea this weekend. But the Hammers expect the Kiwi back in time to travel with the squad to Leicester on April 4 after the international break. Ecuador forward Enner Valencia, meanwhile, has seen a specialist again and is healing well after he lacerated his big toe on March 10. "Enner was unable to go away on international duty with Ecuador, but now he is building up his training with the aim of being available for the Leicester game," said Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke.
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Lee staying with Luton
Luton have extended the loan stay of West Ham striker Elliot Lee until the end of the season.
Last Updated: 25/03/15 2:30pm
SSN
Luton have extended the loan stay of West Ham striker Elliot Lee until the end of the season. The 20-year-old grabbed two goals in Monday night's televised defeat to Wycombe to make it three goals in four starts since being borrowed from Upton Park. "Elliot's been fantastic for us since joining and we're thrilled we'll have him for the rest of this season," boss John Still told the club's official website.
"He's getting fitter all the time and I think that sharpness has been there for all to see in our past two matches." Lee added: "I've enjoyed my short time with the club, the lads and the fans are fantastic. Our goal is to win promotion and that's what I want to help us achieve between now and the end of the season." Lee, who has a 24-hour recall clause in his deal, previously spent loan spells with Colchester and Southend.
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THE MEN IN BLACK
By Tony Hanna 25 Mar 2015 at 08:00
West Ham till I Die
What do tennis, rugby union, rugby league and cricket have that we don't? A video review of the most important decisions that affect a game of course, well apart from goal line technology which is in its infancy. The refereeing in the Premier League has been so bad this season that some are even alluding to the possibility of refs deliberately making a few hashes so as to heighten the need for video help. I find this assumption ridiculous at best but at least it highlights just how bad the referees have been. And it is getting worse. More than once this season the wrong player has been sent off in cases of misidentity.
Now, let's have a look at the Premier League. Here we have a competition where the TV rights have escalated to over 5 billion pounds for the next three seasons and on average each game has a World viewing audience of over twelve million. We have matches comprising of twenty two of the finest and fastest athletes available and they play for an hour and a half with a fifteen minute break. These fit young men also practise falling over at the slightest of touches and if the ref does not give them what they want he and his team mates are allowed to surround him, point fingers and shout at him. He probably can't hear much of what they are screaming as the 40,000 crowd that sit just a few yards away are hurling abuse at him and have started to chant "you don't know what you are doing"! They are also questioning his parentage. The TV cameras have by now played twenty eight replays from 108 different angles and the whole place is going manic. Who is this ref, this man in black? Who is this balding, rotund 48 year old that has wires spouting from every orifice and carries around a can of foam? Often he was the young kid at school, you know the one, the one that loved to play football in the play ground but was never good enough to make the school team. He was the kid that decided "better become a referee if I can't play".
Now perhaps I am being a bit unfair? These men in black are remarkably fit for their age and know the rules of the game much better than the fans watching and indeed the pundits in the TV box. But come on! When are we going to realise that the speed of the game has passed these poor fellows by? Not to mention the so called professionalism of some of the tactics employed by shrewd coaches trying to con him. They need a hand. Every mistake they make is scrutinised by the video replays, the very replays that could help them make the right decisions!
One of the perceived downsides of allowing a referee or a 4th official the luxury of these replays is that it will slow the game down. My view is I would not care providing we get the right decision and it was only used for the major decisions where a referee requires assistance. My view is also that if we cut out the surrounding of referees by players waving imaginary cards at them, it might help speed the game up sufficiently to make up for any said video review. And don't get me started on players rolling around on the ground, taking the ball into the corner post and all other forms of time wasting. The surrounding of the refs will stop, as will the need for a 4th official trying to contain an irate manager on the sideline if everyone knew "we were going upstairs" for clarification. If ever the video ref does come into play in our game it will still not be perfect. There will be the odd mistakes made as it will still be a human being that officiates them. But it will be a whole lot better than what we are enduring at the moment. Or will we miss our favourite post match pastime too much? You know, the right to moan after the game to everyone and anybody that will listen, that we were robbed again?
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West Ham striker Diafra Sakho says England always "making excuses" over national team failings
18:15, 25 March 2015 By Hamish Mackay
The Senegal forward slammed suggestions that foreign players in the Premier League are damaging the England national team
The Mirror
Diafra Sakho has dismissed suggestions that England perform poorly on the international stage because of foreign players in the Premier League. Football Association chairman Greg Dyke is one of many people to have made such a claim, saying the presence of foreign players restricts the opportunities for young English talent. Dyke has even announced plans to restrict the number of non-EU players in the top flight. West Ham striker Sakho, though, says the FA are just making excuses. "Everyone can make their own excuses to defend their own interests," Sakho told BBC Sport. "France won the World Cup in 1998 and the French league was full of foreigners, same with Spain who won the World Cup and Euros, and Germany too. "I don't see why we should shut the door on new talent coming over." The Senegal striker said footballers throughout the world dream of playing in the Premier League and plans to restrict their presence would punish them unfairly.
He said: "The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world, one which all young players dream of playing in. It would be unfortunate if some of my peers weren't given the chance to do the same as me. There are a lot of good foreign players here."
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Irons scout Turk
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham United are this afternoon being linked with Fenerbache goalkeeper Mert Günok. If Turkish newspaper Fanatik is to be believed, the Irons have been tracking the stopper on several occasions this season. A Hammers source told ClaretandHugh: "We are tracking up to 50 players at any one time. It's too early to talk in terms of contracts. However, the report goes on to say the we are ready to offer the player a deal as we hunt for a replacement No 2 to Jussi Jaaskalainen. Günok is free to enter direct talks with other clubs due to his contract set to run out at the end of the season. The Turkish international is currently second choice keeper at the Turkish club behind international Volkan Demirel.
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It's 'sack Sam season' so does he stay or go?
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Just eight games left and the big question remains! It is not – as it should be – about how many points the team collect but whether Sam Allardyce will remain in charge at the end of them! It's a terrible shame that the division which exists between the fans over the manager has now become part of the West Ham culture – an inevitable discussion point every season. This time of course, it's different. His contract is up in June, there's no compensation to pay and its a case of whether the Davids have had enough of him or whether they are ready to invest another two years in his style of management because believe me he won't take one year rolling deals.
He knows he can do better than that elsewhere. The hysteria which surrounds the Sam issue – and we at ClaretandHugh readily admit we have been caught up in at times – has been dreadful. The division itself is a massive problem as blogged on here recently by Rich Sprent.
This club's fanbase are at each other's throats all day every day and that is one reason why maybe the 60 year old will have to go.
David-Sullivan-001His supporters will stress over and over again that he doesn't deserve to be binned, because he has done everything asked of him. Nobody can argue with that but there remains one big flaw in the argument and that is that the requirements have changed.
The club has decided it really does need to start winning things and Sam isn't noted for that – indeed he has never won anything.
There are other underlying issues at the club which are creating obvious conflicts with a David Sullivan announcement before Christmas making his position towards Sam very clear indeed. He said: 'The longer you are in the game and the longer you've had the manager, you get involved more and more because when you see your money wasted year after year, you think "I could do as good as that. modibomaigaIt gets even stronger with him adding: 'And you really can, you know. I know that sounds daft but if you've had 20 years of buying players, seeing money spent, they're not geniuses.' He stopped short of mentioning Modibo Maiga and Alou Diarra but the point was clearly made!
Last summer they did something about that by becoming far more hands on in the market place and were highly successful with the arrival of such as Cresswell, Valencia and Sakho arriving – all as a result of the board's drive for more attacking football.
Much has been made of the brilliant performances against such as City, United, Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea. The board may well take the view that was because of their determination to ensure that things changed on the field and their insistence on an attacking coach. Sam Allardyce's ensures that wherever he works there is no director of football involved. He actually has one now in all but name – David Sullivan advised by his new recruitment of director to the board, Tony Henry. Those two are calling the shots more and more and whether such a tension is maintainable for another two years has to be doubtful in the extreme. So will there be a change of manager?
My personal view is that it looks an inevitability. Who that somebody will be remains a vexed question and we will all hold a different view. I just pray to God it's somebody who can reunited a fan base desperately weary of all the ghastly infighting!
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Poyet loan hopes hit
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Diego Poyet is very unlikely to be send out on loan before Thursday's deadline! The 19 year old has made just seven appearances this season – two as a Huddersfield loan player – but the club are reluctant to let him out to get some much needed football. The former Charlton starlet has been told that in the light on recent injuries he will be needed at the club as a cover player. We were told: "Sadly for Diego the club's injury situation dictates that we have to err on the side of caution – it's very unlikely he will be allowed out because of that."
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England call-up fades and dies again
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
It comes up every international break and is no closer to resolution that it was last time around – the 'Mark Noble for England debate.' As you may expect, the newspapers describe it as the Hammers midfielder "refusing to give up on his dream" which makes it sound a bit like an X-Factor audition! There was a moment when the 27 year old was apparently considering offering his services to Ireland – presumably in the basis of one of his relatives visiting Dublin or Belfast on one occasion – I jest! That of course hasn't happened and yesterday was again making it clear where his heart really lies. Mark Noble is refusing to give up on his dream of breaking into the England squad ahead of the European Championship Finals despite being overlooked once again by Roy Hodgson. He has already represented England at every level from the Under 16s to the Under 19s and was even made captain of the Under 21s team for the Euro Finals in 2009.
But that elusive first team call-up eludes him, overlooked on this occasion whilst inexperienced Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason is included the forthcoming games against Lithuania and Italy after Adam Lallana was forced to pull out. Noble said: 'I have made it clear what I think about the situation and I would love to play for my country. But obviously at the moment it doesn't look like it is going to happen. 'I will keep playing as well as I can at West Ham and enjoying it every week. You never know what will happen in the future."
It's all pretty simple from where we are sitting – Roy Hodgson doesn't fancy him – end of story!
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Collins: "I'm doing alright"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
James Collins is delighted with his form despite suffering a few niggles from a number of injury problems. The 31 year old central defender has been massive for the Hammers over recent games and drew a special comment from David Sullivan after Saturday's win against Sunderland. As we reported yesterday the Welshman – now away in international duty is our "dark outsider" as Hammer of the Year with the co chairman claiming of his latest performance: "He was outstanding." Collins and partner Cheik Kouyate partnered him at the back and Collins said: "I'm doing alright. I have struggled a little bit with some niggles, but I am over that now. Of Kouyate, he said: "He is so experienced and has played there so many times for his country so he knows what he is doing. "He has a lack of English, but he is still very vocal on the pitch which is always good."
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WHUFC.com
Eight West Ham players are involved in international matches in the coming days. Here's a look ahead to those games.
Thursday 26 March
England U17s' final game of three UEFA U17 Championship Elite Round qualifiers culminates in a game against Romania at 7pm. Following his goal against Slovenia, Captain Reece Oxford will want to round off an impressive few games since returning to action following a return to injury.
The U18s' first of two games against Switzerland sees West Ham United goalkeeper Sam Howes come up against teammate Noha Sylvestre. Both youngsters have been in fine form for West Ham United's U18s making 19 and 20 appearances respectively. Kick off is 3pm.
Friday 27 March
On Friday evening, the England U21s are in action against the Czech Republic. The match could see Carl Jenkinson return to international duty since his last outing against Sweden in 4-2 defeat November 2012.
Saturday 28 March
James Collins' Wales travel to play Israel in Group B of the European Championship Qualifying. Having got off to a great start, Wales are unbeaten after four games, with eight games in total. Israel currently top the group with nine points.
On a busy day of football, Cheikhou Kouyate's Senegal are set to play Ghana in a friendly, kick off is scheduled for 7.45pm local time.
The U18s face a quick turnaround between games as they host the Swiss again, little more than 48 hours after the first game. Kick off comes from 5.30pm.
Josh Cullen is in international action as the Irish U19 travel to play their German counterparts at the hardwaldstadion in Sandhausen. Kick off in the Under-19 Championship Elite Round is 12pm local time, 11am GMT.
Monday 30 March 2015
The U21s second game of the international break is a grudge match with arch rivals Germany at Middlesborough's Riverside stadium.
Speaking ahead of the match, which promises to be a high quality yet hard-fought affair, Jenkinson said: "It's always an honour playing for England, at any level. I'm really looking forward to it, it keeps me ticking over during the international break. It's nice to play a couple games and keep my fitness up. I'll be raring to go against Leicester."
In the qualification rounds we played against some easier teams as such but now we're playing against the big boys. It will be a good test for us to see what we're all about."
"The game against Germany is the one that stands out, it should be a great game. It's one I'm certainly looking forward to."
The match is broadcast live on BT Sport 1, with the programme starting at 7.30pm.
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Maguire earns Ireland U21 call
WHUFC.com
Sean Maguire has spoken of his pride at being called up to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad. The young Hammer, who is currently on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Accrington Stanley, is in Noel King's U21 squad for the first time, having previously won three caps at U19 level. Ireland are taking on Andorra in their first 2017 UEFA U21 Championship qualifier on Thursday evening at Waterford United - the club Maguire signed for the Hammers from in 2013. The 20-year-old has scored five goas in 25 league games for Stanley this season and is thrilled to have been given the opportunity to shine on the international stage. "I'm delighted to be called up," he said. "It's an honour to be recognised by your country & I hope I'll get the chance to play. "First team football at Accrington has made a huge difference to me this season & I'm grateful to everyone at the club for the opportunity. "To get an international call up after a great time playing regularly this season is just fantastic."
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Cullen's dual debut aim
WHUFC.com
It is an exciting time to be Josh Cullen. The promising midfielder was named on the West Ham United bench for the first time for the recent Barclays Premier League fixture at Arsenal. This week, the 18-year-old midfielder is set to make his competitive international debut for Republic of Ireland in the European U19 Championship Elite Round. For Cullen, the prospect of facing mini-group hosts Germany, Slovakia and Czech Republic – starting on Thursday 26 March – for a place at this summer's finals in Greece is one he is relishing.
"It's a good standard of football and the group we are in is a very competitive one," the No39 began. "Germany are one of the countries that everybody is looking up to at the moment, while Slovakia are actually considered to be the favourites. "It's going to be a great test but we believe in ourselves as a team. Only one team goes through, which makes it even tougher, so we have got to be on our game.
"It's a great experience to play against good teams like Germany, but we have beaten Holland and Sweden this year so we believe in ourselves and we want to go as far as we can.
For Cullen, who was born and raised in Essex but has Irish ancestry, representing Ireland is special to him and his family. "International football is a different experience than club football. At West Ham, we train and play and generally go home afterwards, but with Ireland we are in a hotel for eleven or 12 days and it's a great experience. "I am proud to be playing for Ireland and making my family proud at the same time. I missed the Euro U17s and the first set of U19 qualifiers through injury, so I am looking forward to make my first competitive appearance."
Back at West Ham, Cullen is training regularly with Sam Allardyce's first-team squad as he pushes for his first senior appearance in Claret and Blue. With the likes of Mark Noble, Alex Song, Cheikhou Kouyate and Kevin Nolan also at the Club, the teenager knows he may have to be patient, but that will not stop him giving his all every single day. I am a West Ham fan, so I want to see the first team doing well and the Club doing well Having got into the matchday 18 at the Emirates, Cullen is keen for more opportunities to impress. "It's something you grow up dreaming of, so to be involved in a Premier League game as a West Ham fan is great. The next step for me is to carry on working hard and to get my debut. "Being involved somewhere like the Emirates made it more memorable because it is a magnificent stadium with a pitch like a carpet and the facilities there are on a different level. "I don't feel out of place when I train with the first-team squad so I just need to keep working hard to improve my game to get to first-team standard. "I have played U18 and U21 football over the last season and a half, so now it's about playing more U21 football and trying to stand out at that level to push myself into the first-team squad or go out on loan and get some first-team experience. "So, by doing the best I can and continuing to work hard, hopefully those chances will come."
Whether he makes his debut before the current season is out or not, Cullen is happy to be part of an improving West Ham squad – one which looks on course to finish in the top half of the Barclays Premier League for the second time in three seasons. "I am a West Ham fan, so I want to see the first team doing well and the Club doing well. We do have a quite a few players in my position, so it's tough to see a way through, but at the same time it is a privilege and a challenge to work with the players I watched before I got anywhere near this standard. "Now I am closer to it than ever before, I need to take any little chance that I get. "The feedback I have had from the coaches gives me confidence and if I can take what I have done in training into games then hopefully I can break through into the West Ham first team. That's the aim."
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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com
Hello everyone,
We will start this week's round-up with news of two positive surgeries for James Tomkins and Doneil Henry. James Tomkins had successful surgery on his dislocated left shoulder and the first signs following the operation are good. We aim for him to be back before the end of the 2014/15 season.
Doneil had a complicated hamstring problem which he suffered while on loan for Blackburn Rovers. This injury was treated with a successful operation and we are looking at him being back for the start of pre-season training in July.
Winston Reid continues to rehab well from the hamstring injury he suffered in the home game against Chelsea on 4 March and it is our priority to have him ready to face Leicester City after the international break.
Andy Carroll has entered the next phase of his rehabilitation following surgery on the knee he injured at Southampton on 11 February.
We are now in week six of Andy's rehab and he is now moving without the need for crutches or a brace on his knee. He is working in the swimming pool and on the static bike.
Tuesday was the first day in his rehab protocol that we were able to work on the bike and did some exercises in the pool.
With Enner Valencia, we have seen a specialist again and he is healing well after he lacerated his big toe on 10 March. Enner was unable to go away on international duty with Ecuador, but now he is building up his training with the aim of being available for the Leicester game.
Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science
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Lee extends Luton loan
WHUFC.com
Elliot Lee has extended his loan spell with League Two club Luton Town until the end of the season. The West Ham United striker has netted three goals in six games for the Hatters, including a brace in Tuesday's 3-2 home defeat by Wycombe Wanderers. He will now remain with Luton until 2 May, and longer should John Still's men reach the League Two Play-Offs. Lee marked his opening goal on Tuesday by paying tribute to his late friend and Hammers strike partner Dylan Tombides, who passed away in April 2014 following a three-year battle with cancer. The 20-year-old lifted his shirt to show a T-shirt with the words 'FOR YOU DYL. GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN' and a photo of the popular Australian forward. "I was delighted to do that for Dyl," said Lee of his tribute, which was seen by thousands of viewers watching the match live on Sky Sports. "Being on the Sky cameras I thought it was a great stage to honour my good mate who sadly passed away nearly a year to the day, so I'm really happy I could have done that for him."
The gesture was all the more poignant the Hatters had joined forces with The Football League's Official Charity Partner, Prostate Cancer UK, to rename their Kenilworth Road home The Prostate Cancer UK Stadium for the Wycombe fixture. Speaking about the personal significance of Luton's unique charity initiative, Lee revealed that his grandfather had undergone surgery for prostate cancer "It's massive," he continued. "On a personal level, my granddad had prostate cancer. He had surgery to get it removed and I did Movember for him. He's fully recovered now. "It hit the family hard but the family stuck together and it's great to see him fighting fit again. My granddad is always in high spirits and the surgery was brilliant and he's brilliant again now." "He [is on holiday in China at the moment but] knew about it and he was really proud I think. It was a great thing for the club to do. I got him two [goals], so I think he'll be happy."
Luton, Lee and Prostate Cancer UK all became trending topics on Twitter during Tuesday's game, while the Hatters' decision to rename their stadium to help raise awareness of a disease that kills one man every hour in the UK drew widespread praise. "It's great for everyone to get involved," Lee added. "We should be aware of the cause and I think it was really good to name the stadium what it was and I think it went down well with everyone. "It's a brilliant cause and it should be highlighted. There is no better stage than on TV and a big game like Luton against Wycombe. I think it was a really good gesture."
West Ham themselves recently helped to launch the DT38 Foundation in memory of the late Academy starlet. Dylan, whose prodigious talents saw him sign for West Ham in 2008, lost his brave three-year battle with testicular cancer in April 2014, at the age of just 20. A hugely popular figure among his team-mates, coaches, backroom staff, supporters and opponents alike, the Australia U22 international was loved and respected throughout the football community for his talent, his smile and his spirit. Dylan's considerable legacy will now to be channelled through DT38, a new Foundation which is setting out to provide testicular cancer support and awareness through education and opportunity. DT38 became the Club's second official charity for the 2014/15 campaign, alongside the West Ham United Moore Family Foundation.
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Lycamobile extend Hammers partnership
KUMB.com
West Ham United have announced that Lycamobile, the largest global provider of low-cost international mobile calls, will continue as the Club's Official Partner for the next three years.
To mark the launch of the new partnership, Joint-Chairman David Gold, and players Mark Noble, Diafra Sakho and Winston Reid hosted Lycamobile global MVNOs Chairman Subaskaran Allirajah on a tour of the Club's new Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Lycamobile has been an official partner of the Club since the 2012/13 campaign and the renewal sees the deal extend to include the first two seasons in the new Stadium.
Founded in 2006, Lycamobile provides low-cost, high-quality data and voice services to over 12 million customers across 18 countries. Its sheer span, focus on customer service and innovative business strategy has seen it outgrow its competitor set; achieving greater coverage of the European population than any other network operator.
Its partnership with the Hammers has seen it host the Lycamobile Cup at the Boleyn Ground, allowing local youngsters the opportunity of a lifetime to play on the hallowed turf, following in the famous footsteps of their Hammers heroes, as well as launching the co-branded Hammers SIM, which raised funds for the Club's Foundation.
Commenting on the new deal, West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold said: "We are delighted to be extending our partnership with Lycamobile for the next three years. They will be joining us on the exciting journey from the Boleyn Ground to our fantastic new Stadium in Stratford, building on the great success we have already enjoyed in the three years we have worked together."
Subaskaran Allirajah, Chairman of Lycamobile said, "We are so incredibly proud to be part of the West Ham success story, to extend our partnership for a further three seasons, and see this great club take its well-deserved place in this iconic ground, home of the 2012 Olympic Games."
As well as sponsorship of West Ham United Football Club, Lycamobile proudly supports the West Ham Foundation as part of its mission to bring communities together. www.lycamobile.com
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Diafra Sakho: West Ham striker says FA proposals are 'an excuse'
By Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport
English football's failings should not be blamed on the number of foreign players in the Premier League, says West Ham's Diafra Sakho.
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has outlined plans to restrict non-EU players coming into the English game. And England defender Phil Jagielka has backed the quality of English players coming through the system. But Senegal striker Sakho told BBC Sport: "Everyone can make their own excuses to defend their own interests."
The former Ligue 1 player added: "France won the World Cup in 1998 and the French league was full of foreigners, same with Spain who won the World Cup and Euros, and Germany too. "I don't see why we should shut the door on new talent coming over." Sakho, 25, joined West Ham from Metz on a four-year deal in the summer and has become an integral part of Sam Allardyce's side, scoring 12 goals in all competitions.
He has followed a rich tradition of African players succeeding in the Premier League, with the likes of Ivorians Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure both winning several trophies with Chelsea and Manchester City. "We have seen many African players do well here so it would make things difficult for them," Sakho said. "The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world, one which all young players dream of playing in."
Defender Winston Reid moved to Upton Park from Danish side Midtjylland in 2010 and won West Ham's player of the year award in 2012-13.
The New Zealander suggests the pressure for clubs to succeed force them to look for players away from these shores. "The Premier League now is a massive business for football clubs," he said at an event for Lycamobile and the West Ham Foundation. "They might not be playing young players but buying better players from abroad. "It would be unfortunate if some of my peers weren't given the chance to do the same as me. There are a lot of good foreign players here." In Europe this season, no Premier League side progressed into the quarter-finals of the Champions League or Europa League.
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Winston Reid committed to pushing West Ham into Premier League's top four
Last Updated: 25/03/15 6:28pm
SSN
Defender Winston Reid has revealed he signed a new long-term deal with West Ham because he is committed to seeing the club reach the top four. Reid has signed a new six-and-half-year contract with the Hammers, which is reportedly valued at £60,000 per week, after being linked with possible moves to Arsenal and Tottenham. The 26-year-old says he is "committed" to his future at West Ham and sees the club pushing their way up the Premier League table "It did strike me to move to another place, but my family and I wanted to stay here," Reid told The Sun. "I figured out what I wanted to do with my career and that's be part of the place here and help the club to improve. "It won't take only one or two years - it might be after I finish that the club gets into the top six or top four."
West Ham currently sit in ninth place in the Premier League table and are hoping to finish the season with their best points return yet.
"It's unfortunate that us as a team in the last couple of months, we haven't been functioning at 100 per cent compared to the beginning of the year," Reid said. "We're looking to finish strong and not let the season fade away." Reid is currently in a race against time to overcome a hamstring injury to be fit for New Zealand's international match against South Korea this weekend. But the Hammers expect the Kiwi back in time to travel with the squad to Leicester on April 4 after the international break. Ecuador forward Enner Valencia, meanwhile, has seen a specialist again and is healing well after he lacerated his big toe on March 10. "Enner was unable to go away on international duty with Ecuador, but now he is building up his training with the aim of being available for the Leicester game," said Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke.
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Lee staying with Luton
Luton have extended the loan stay of West Ham striker Elliot Lee until the end of the season.
Last Updated: 25/03/15 2:30pm
SSN
Luton have extended the loan stay of West Ham striker Elliot Lee until the end of the season. The 20-year-old grabbed two goals in Monday night's televised defeat to Wycombe to make it three goals in four starts since being borrowed from Upton Park. "Elliot's been fantastic for us since joining and we're thrilled we'll have him for the rest of this season," boss John Still told the club's official website.
"He's getting fitter all the time and I think that sharpness has been there for all to see in our past two matches." Lee added: "I've enjoyed my short time with the club, the lads and the fans are fantastic. Our goal is to win promotion and that's what I want to help us achieve between now and the end of the season." Lee, who has a 24-hour recall clause in his deal, previously spent loan spells with Colchester and Southend.
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THE MEN IN BLACK
By Tony Hanna 25 Mar 2015 at 08:00
West Ham till I Die
What do tennis, rugby union, rugby league and cricket have that we don't? A video review of the most important decisions that affect a game of course, well apart from goal line technology which is in its infancy. The refereeing in the Premier League has been so bad this season that some are even alluding to the possibility of refs deliberately making a few hashes so as to heighten the need for video help. I find this assumption ridiculous at best but at least it highlights just how bad the referees have been. And it is getting worse. More than once this season the wrong player has been sent off in cases of misidentity.
Now, let's have a look at the Premier League. Here we have a competition where the TV rights have escalated to over 5 billion pounds for the next three seasons and on average each game has a World viewing audience of over twelve million. We have matches comprising of twenty two of the finest and fastest athletes available and they play for an hour and a half with a fifteen minute break. These fit young men also practise falling over at the slightest of touches and if the ref does not give them what they want he and his team mates are allowed to surround him, point fingers and shout at him. He probably can't hear much of what they are screaming as the 40,000 crowd that sit just a few yards away are hurling abuse at him and have started to chant "you don't know what you are doing"! They are also questioning his parentage. The TV cameras have by now played twenty eight replays from 108 different angles and the whole place is going manic. Who is this ref, this man in black? Who is this balding, rotund 48 year old that has wires spouting from every orifice and carries around a can of foam? Often he was the young kid at school, you know the one, the one that loved to play football in the play ground but was never good enough to make the school team. He was the kid that decided "better become a referee if I can't play".
Now perhaps I am being a bit unfair? These men in black are remarkably fit for their age and know the rules of the game much better than the fans watching and indeed the pundits in the TV box. But come on! When are we going to realise that the speed of the game has passed these poor fellows by? Not to mention the so called professionalism of some of the tactics employed by shrewd coaches trying to con him. They need a hand. Every mistake they make is scrutinised by the video replays, the very replays that could help them make the right decisions!
One of the perceived downsides of allowing a referee or a 4th official the luxury of these replays is that it will slow the game down. My view is I would not care providing we get the right decision and it was only used for the major decisions where a referee requires assistance. My view is also that if we cut out the surrounding of referees by players waving imaginary cards at them, it might help speed the game up sufficiently to make up for any said video review. And don't get me started on players rolling around on the ground, taking the ball into the corner post and all other forms of time wasting. The surrounding of the refs will stop, as will the need for a 4th official trying to contain an irate manager on the sideline if everyone knew "we were going upstairs" for clarification. If ever the video ref does come into play in our game it will still not be perfect. There will be the odd mistakes made as it will still be a human being that officiates them. But it will be a whole lot better than what we are enduring at the moment. Or will we miss our favourite post match pastime too much? You know, the right to moan after the game to everyone and anybody that will listen, that we were robbed again?
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West Ham striker Diafra Sakho says England always "making excuses" over national team failings
18:15, 25 March 2015 By Hamish Mackay
The Senegal forward slammed suggestions that foreign players in the Premier League are damaging the England national team
The Mirror
Diafra Sakho has dismissed suggestions that England perform poorly on the international stage because of foreign players in the Premier League. Football Association chairman Greg Dyke is one of many people to have made such a claim, saying the presence of foreign players restricts the opportunities for young English talent. Dyke has even announced plans to restrict the number of non-EU players in the top flight. West Ham striker Sakho, though, says the FA are just making excuses. "Everyone can make their own excuses to defend their own interests," Sakho told BBC Sport. "France won the World Cup in 1998 and the French league was full of foreigners, same with Spain who won the World Cup and Euros, and Germany too. "I don't see why we should shut the door on new talent coming over." The Senegal striker said footballers throughout the world dream of playing in the Premier League and plans to restrict their presence would punish them unfairly.
He said: "The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world, one which all young players dream of playing in. It would be unfortunate if some of my peers weren't given the chance to do the same as me. There are a lot of good foreign players here."
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Irons scout Turk
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
West Ham United are this afternoon being linked with Fenerbache goalkeeper Mert Günok. If Turkish newspaper Fanatik is to be believed, the Irons have been tracking the stopper on several occasions this season. A Hammers source told ClaretandHugh: "We are tracking up to 50 players at any one time. It's too early to talk in terms of contracts. However, the report goes on to say the we are ready to offer the player a deal as we hunt for a replacement No 2 to Jussi Jaaskalainen. Günok is free to enter direct talks with other clubs due to his contract set to run out at the end of the season. The Turkish international is currently second choice keeper at the Turkish club behind international Volkan Demirel.
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It's 'sack Sam season' so does he stay or go?
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Just eight games left and the big question remains! It is not – as it should be – about how many points the team collect but whether Sam Allardyce will remain in charge at the end of them! It's a terrible shame that the division which exists between the fans over the manager has now become part of the West Ham culture – an inevitable discussion point every season. This time of course, it's different. His contract is up in June, there's no compensation to pay and its a case of whether the Davids have had enough of him or whether they are ready to invest another two years in his style of management because believe me he won't take one year rolling deals.
He knows he can do better than that elsewhere. The hysteria which surrounds the Sam issue – and we at ClaretandHugh readily admit we have been caught up in at times – has been dreadful. The division itself is a massive problem as blogged on here recently by Rich Sprent.
This club's fanbase are at each other's throats all day every day and that is one reason why maybe the 60 year old will have to go.
David-Sullivan-001His supporters will stress over and over again that he doesn't deserve to be binned, because he has done everything asked of him. Nobody can argue with that but there remains one big flaw in the argument and that is that the requirements have changed.
The club has decided it really does need to start winning things and Sam isn't noted for that – indeed he has never won anything.
There are other underlying issues at the club which are creating obvious conflicts with a David Sullivan announcement before Christmas making his position towards Sam very clear indeed. He said: 'The longer you are in the game and the longer you've had the manager, you get involved more and more because when you see your money wasted year after year, you think "I could do as good as that. modibomaigaIt gets even stronger with him adding: 'And you really can, you know. I know that sounds daft but if you've had 20 years of buying players, seeing money spent, they're not geniuses.' He stopped short of mentioning Modibo Maiga and Alou Diarra but the point was clearly made!
Last summer they did something about that by becoming far more hands on in the market place and were highly successful with the arrival of such as Cresswell, Valencia and Sakho arriving – all as a result of the board's drive for more attacking football.
Much has been made of the brilliant performances against such as City, United, Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea. The board may well take the view that was because of their determination to ensure that things changed on the field and their insistence on an attacking coach. Sam Allardyce's ensures that wherever he works there is no director of football involved. He actually has one now in all but name – David Sullivan advised by his new recruitment of director to the board, Tony Henry. Those two are calling the shots more and more and whether such a tension is maintainable for another two years has to be doubtful in the extreme. So will there be a change of manager?
My personal view is that it looks an inevitability. Who that somebody will be remains a vexed question and we will all hold a different view. I just pray to God it's somebody who can reunited a fan base desperately weary of all the ghastly infighting!
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Poyet loan hopes hit
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
Diego Poyet is very unlikely to be send out on loan before Thursday's deadline! The 19 year old has made just seven appearances this season – two as a Huddersfield loan player – but the club are reluctant to let him out to get some much needed football. The former Charlton starlet has been told that in the light on recent injuries he will be needed at the club as a cover player. We were told: "Sadly for Diego the club's injury situation dictates that we have to err on the side of caution – it's very unlikely he will be allowed out because of that."
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England call-up fades and dies again
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
It comes up every international break and is no closer to resolution that it was last time around – the 'Mark Noble for England debate.' As you may expect, the newspapers describe it as the Hammers midfielder "refusing to give up on his dream" which makes it sound a bit like an X-Factor audition! There was a moment when the 27 year old was apparently considering offering his services to Ireland – presumably in the basis of one of his relatives visiting Dublin or Belfast on one occasion – I jest! That of course hasn't happened and yesterday was again making it clear where his heart really lies. Mark Noble is refusing to give up on his dream of breaking into the England squad ahead of the European Championship Finals despite being overlooked once again by Roy Hodgson. He has already represented England at every level from the Under 16s to the Under 19s and was even made captain of the Under 21s team for the Euro Finals in 2009.
But that elusive first team call-up eludes him, overlooked on this occasion whilst inexperienced Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason is included the forthcoming games against Lithuania and Italy after Adam Lallana was forced to pull out. Noble said: 'I have made it clear what I think about the situation and I would love to play for my country. But obviously at the moment it doesn't look like it is going to happen. 'I will keep playing as well as I can at West Ham and enjoying it every week. You never know what will happen in the future."
It's all pretty simple from where we are sitting – Roy Hodgson doesn't fancy him – end of story!
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Collins: "I'm doing alright"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on March 25, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh
James Collins is delighted with his form despite suffering a few niggles from a number of injury problems. The 31 year old central defender has been massive for the Hammers over recent games and drew a special comment from David Sullivan after Saturday's win against Sunderland. As we reported yesterday the Welshman – now away in international duty is our "dark outsider" as Hammer of the Year with the co chairman claiming of his latest performance: "He was outstanding." Collins and partner Cheik Kouyate partnered him at the back and Collins said: "I'm doing alright. I have struggled a little bit with some niggles, but I am over that now. Of Kouyate, he said: "He is so experienced and has played there so many times for his country so he knows what he is doing. "He has a lack of English, but he is still very vocal on the pitch which is always good."
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