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Parker signs new deal

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 22:11:08 +0100

At last, a bit of positive news, lets hope we get a result Saturday.

West Ham midfielder Scott Parker has signed a new long-term contract with the club that will keep him at Upton Park until 2014.

Tottenham bid for Parker in July, but West Ham owner David Sullivan turned down the offer and said the 29-year-old was not for sale "at any price".

And despite their precarious financial position, the Hammers have managed to secure Parker's services.

"I always knew this was where I was going to be," said Parker.

"I really wanted to stay here, give it a shot and see what can happen. I just want to do my best for West Ham and cannot wait to play against Chelsea on Saturday."

The former Charlton, Chelsea and Newcastle midfielder admitted that there had been a lot of speculation over the summer but hinted that he was boosted by the owners' determination to keep him.

Parker was, in fact, the only West Ham player not to be up for sale as the club desperately tried to raise funds to tackle their debts, which were reported to be £110m when Sullivan and David Gold took over in January.

606: DEBATE
Now that's loyalty right there, SUPER SUPER SCOTT

Hines_means_A_goal
And the England international, who was part of the provisional squad for the World Cup before being overlooked by Fabio Capello, is eager to repay the faith shown in him by the owners and by the club's fans.

"With the transfer window there is always a lot of hype. The owners spoke out last season and I am more than happy," he added on West Ham's website.

"And the fans mean a lot to me. The most important thing is feeling welcome and appreciated by the fans - and that is the one thing I do feel."

Parker is also keen to help turn around the Hammers' season after three league defeats so far that have left them bottom of the table.

They could hardly have a more difficult tasks than facing defending champions Chelsea at Upton Park on Saturday, but Parker remains optimistic.

"There is no hiding the fact that we need to try to pick up some points," he said. "But I am sure that it won't be long before we start clicking and you see the best of us.

"We got a great result against Chelsea at home last year and played really well. We drew 1-1 and their goal probably wasn't even a penalty.

"We go into the game with great hope and if the fans get behind us and we put in a great performance, you never know."

Parker has made 85 appearances for West Ham since joining from Newcastle, and endeared himself to supporters with a 30-yard strike against Wigan last season which helped guarantee the club's Premier League status.

This is England

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:59:33 +0100

Ged?

Hammer attack school condemned by victim's mother

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:59:56 +0100

If this had been the other way round we would never have heard the end of it, racism against ethnic minorities, etc, makes me sick that when its a ginger kid that suffers an attack they hush hush it.

The mother of a white 15-year-old boy who was left with brain damage after a hammer attack by a gang of British Asian pupils blamed his school today after a report found it failed to recognise a series of racist incidents prior to the assault.

Henry Webster was repeatedly punched, kicked and hit with the sharp end of a claw hammer in an assault by the gang on the tennis courts at Ridgeway school in Wroughton, near Swindon, Wiltshire, in January 2007.

His mother, Liz, said the serious case review (SCR) showed the school was responsible. "This review has confirmed our belief that the Ridgeway school was responsible for the horrific, devastating assault on our son which has left him with permanent injuries," she said.

Mrs Webster claimed the local authority had got off lightly in the report. "The criticism of the local authority is tantamount to a whitewash as it is so minimal and limited.

"The review doesn't mention what needs to be done to improve race relations in Swindon, which is an urgent concern considering the considerable increase in the vote for the BNP."

She accused the school and the local authority of being "excessively defensive" and claimed there had been an attempt to "deflect blame from the school and the local authority".

Her son had agreed to fight a boy "one on one" to end the harassment that he felt he and his friends were experiencing.

The ensuing attack happened when four boys pointed him out to three Asian men who had arrived in cars. It took about one minute. Henry Webster suffered six blows from a hammer produced by one of the intruders and was left with a depressed skull fracture.

Henry, who is now 18, has recovered sufficiently to return to part-time education but still has short-term memory loss.

The attack led to the conviction in 2008 of seven young men for wounding Henry with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm, with a further five men being convicted of conspiracy. Another admitted violent disorder.

They were given custodial sentences ranging from eight years to eight months, with others receiving suspended sentences of up to 18 months. Four were pupils at the school.

Mrs Webster said the school's race relations policy "was not worth the paper it was written on", adding: "There was no cohesive approach to dealing with matters of race.

"Whilst Henry has been the primary victim, we are and always have been of the firm belief that this school also let down the young Asian pupils who were eventually prosecuted for this attack.

"They have been criminalised and demonised. Had their integration been properly handled we are certain this attack would not have happened."

Mrs Webster said she and her family were "very concerned" that the report had failed to address many of the failings surrounding their treatment, saying: "Our faith in the justice system and the establishment has been severely damaged. We feel badly let down."

Last year, Henry, of Wroughton, and his family launched a high court challenge claiming that the school had been negligent, failed to maintain proper discipline and failed to deal with racial tension. The school denied liability.

In February this year Mr Justice Nicol rejected their claims and said the school did not breach its duty to take reasonable care to keep Henry reasonably safe while on its premises.

Following the high court ruling, the Swindon Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) commissioned a serious case review to examine the facts and allow professional agencies to learn lessons.

The executive summary, published today, says the school, despite knowing in advance, did not prepare for the arrival of a significant number of British Asian students in 2005.

Some incidents between white and British Asian pupils were not recognised as racist by the school and by dealing with these incidents itself, it missed the opportunity to gain a better understanding of what was actually going on through external intervention, the review says.

Other agencies did not challenge robustly the school's approach or its procedures, the report says.

Mike Howard, independent chair of the Swindon LSCB, said: "I am sorry that what was already an extremely distressing experience was made worse by the lack of co-ordinated support they received from some agencies.

"The attack took place over three and a half years ago and, despite the regrettable delay in concluding the SCR process, many of the measures made in the recommendations have already been identified and acted upon by individual agencies.

"Swindon has made significant progress in many areas of safeguarding. Most importantly I hope that Henry will be able to move on from this tragic and protracted incident and be able to achieve his ambitions in life."

Steve Allsopp, the president of the Swindon Race Equality Council, said that the saga had not increased racial tension in the area. He also refuted Mrs Webster's claim that the attack had resulted in an increase in votes or support for the BNP.

The school said it could not have "forseen or prevented" the attack.

In a statement it added: "We are sorry that the family feel that they were not supported adequately following the attack. We have noted the recommendations contained within the report."

US god botherers sulking

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:51:51 +0100

A small US church says it will defy international condemnation and go ahead with plans to burn copies of the Koran on the 9/11 anniversary.

The top US commander in Afghanistan warned troops' lives would be in danger if the Dove World Outreach Center in Florida went ahead.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the church's plan was "disrespectful and disgraceful".

Muslim countries and Nato have also hit out at the move.

And the US Attorney General, Eric Holder, called the idea "idiotic and dangerous".

But organiser, Pastor Terry Jones said: "We must send a clear message to the radical element of Islam."

The controversy comes at a time when the US relationship with Islam is very much under scrutiny.

There is heated debate in the country over a proposal to build a mosque and Islamic cultural centre streets from Ground Zero, site of the 9/11 attacks, in New York.

Speaking at a State Department dinner marking the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Hillary Clinton condemned Pastor Jones.

"I am heartened by the clear, unequivocal condemnation of this disrespectful, disgraceful act that has come from American religious leaders of all faiths," she said.

Despite having a congregation of just 50, the plans of Pastor Jones' church in Gainesville have gained worldwide notoriety, sparking demonstrations in Afghanistan and Indonesia.

Gen David Petraeus, the top US commander in Afghanistan, said on Monday that the action could cause problems "not just in Kabul, but everywhere in the world".

"It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems," he said in a statement.

The Vatican, the Obama administration and Nato have also expressed concern over the plan.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Tuesday that "any type of activity like that that puts our troops in harm's way would be a concern".

Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen blasted the plans, telling reporters that burning Korans violated the Nato alliance's "values".

Pastor Jones - author of a book entitled Islam is of the Devil - has said he understands the general's concerns but that it was "time for America to quit apologising for our actions and bowing to kings".

Another pastor at the church told the BBC that members intended to burn several hundred copies of the holy book on Saturday evening, the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, in defiance of an order by the city not to hold an open air bonfire.

Muslims consider the Koran to be the word of God and insist it be treated with the utmost respect. Any intentional damage or show of disrespect to the holy book is deeply offensive to them.

An interfaith group of evangelical, Roman Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim leaders meeting in Washington on Tuesday condemned the proposals as a violation of American values and the Bible.

"I have heard many Muslim Americans say they have never felt this anxious or this insecure in America since directly after 11 September," said Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America.

Claims that US soldiers have desecrated the Koran in both Afghanistan and Iraq have caused bloodshed in the past.

There were deadly protests in Afghanistan in 2008, when it emerged that a US soldier deployed to Iraq riddled a copy of the holy book with bullets.

And further lives were lost in Afghan riots in 2005 when Newsweek magazine printed a story alleging that US interrogators at Guantanamo Bay had flushed a copy of the Koran down a toilet.

The story later turned out to be false and was retracted by the magazine.

Grant not under pressure

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:44:44 +0100

Sky Sports

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan insists Avram Grant is not under pressure after just three games of the season.

Some reports have claimed that Sullivan and his co-owner David Gold, were considering Grant's position - despite only appointing him in the summer.

Grant succeeded Gianfranco Zola in the summer, but he has endured a poor start with West Ham losing their opening three games.

But Sullivan says, Grant is not under any pressure from him and that he has had to cope with a tough start.

"I haven't relayed any messages to Avram at all. I just expect a gradual improvement in form. It's not all doom and gloom," he told the News of the World.

"You can't judge a team after three games. It's very premature. When you're building something it takes time and there have been changes at all levels.

"The next three games are very, very tough. Chelsea at home, Stoke who are particularly good on their own ground and Tottenham at home.

"Three tough games and then the season really starts with the Fulham game on October 2. But I hope to surprise a few people against Chelsea, Stoke or Tottenham.

"The Bolton game was a major disappointment but it's early days.

"There was a stage last season where we lost six games in a row, these things happen.

"He inherited a very imbalanced squad. Over the next year he'll turn things round. Results will gradually come. Avram is very, very confident about the future.

"He'd love to have £30m-£40m to spend but what manager wouldn't?

"I've got every confidence in the manager and every confidence in the team."

Foreign blast

Sullivan did, though, take a swipe at some of his squad, claiming some of the 'foreign players' were not performing their best.

"We've got a few foreign players who wanted to leave but we didn't receive any offers," he continued.

"I think they couldn't be bothered but now the deadline has passed they realise the only way out is to play for the club and to play well and I think they will make a contribution.

"They realise now that they are here until at least January so they will get their heads down and work for the benefit of the club. They had their heads in the air before that.

"The team that started against Man United was the same team from last season because virtually all the new signings were injured.

"You will find over the next few weeks that it won't be the team of last season - but if players are performing well they will retain their place. It's the manager's decision.

"Out of our new signings Victor Obinna didn't have international clearance, Thomas Hitzlsperger was injured, Winston Reid has a torn muscle in his buttocks, Tal Ben Haim was not fully fit and Pablo Barrera was knackered after playing two full games in the week after the World Cup.

"Now with our new players getting back and the others back playing, you will see us get better game by game."

Rooney

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:41:33 +0100

Bloke must be shocked. Such little chance of this coming out.

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/943...http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/943856/Wayne-Rooney-cheats-on-Coleen-again-with-21-year-old-hooker.html?start=10

I LIKE THIS

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:49:06 +0100

PRETTY DAMN CLEVER
http://www.youtube.com/user/tippexperience

busty women

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:52:31 +0100

Puppy disposal...

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:05:33 +0100

The video which appears to show a teenager throwing some very young puppies into a river has appeared online and upset many people.
In the video. A young blonde woman, wearing a red hoodie, picks puppies out of a bucket and, one by one, throws them into a fast-flowing river.

Lars Jacobsen signed

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:52:32 +0100

From the OS

West Ham United are pleased to confirm the signing of Denmark defender Lars Jacobsen at the end of a transfer window that notably saw the club's leading names remain at the Boleyn Ground.

The permanent transfer of Jacobsen from Blackburn Rovers was given Premier League and Football Association ratification on Wednesday afternoon after going through initially on Tuesday. Belgian goalkeeper Ruud Boffin has also arrived, bringing to an end an extremely productive summer for the club that has seen eight new signings arrive.

Jacobsen will link up with his new team-mates - including Scott Parker and Carlton Cole who are pivotal to the club's ambitions this season - after representing the Danes in the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Iceland next Tuesday in Copenhagen. He played every minute of his country's three matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The 22-year-old Boffin moves to England from Dutch side MVV Maastricht on a two-year contract, after a successful trial at Chadwell Heath. He will provide back-up for Robert Green, who also remains a valuable part of Avram Grant's new-look squad.

West Ham United chairman David Sullivan said: "We have combined youth with experience this window and are pleased with the work we have done, even in these challenging times for the club. We were determined to keep Scott Parker, as well as Avram's other key players, and were able to deliver on what we promised.

"Half of our eight signings are 23 or under and we are confident they can become major players for the club, while the other four have a wealth of international experience. Thomas Hitzlsperger had a particularly impressive pre-season and we look forward to seeing him play a major role once he returns to fitness."

The new duo join the six other internationals to have arrived in east London in the past two months, namely Hitzlsperger, Tal Ben Haim, Winston Reid, Pablo Barrera, Frederic Piquionne and Victor Obinna.

Central midfielder Hitzlsperger, who captained Germany last month, and forward Obinna, newly signed from UEFA Champions League holders Internazionale, are both yet to make their debuts, with the club next in action at home to Chelsea on Saturday week.

The 30-year-old Jacobsen, who has a one-year contract, first arrived in English football in summer 2008 when signing for Everton and won an FA Cup runners-up medal at the end of the campaign. He then moved on to Blackburn, where he played 15 times in all competitions last season.

Jacobsen, who has also played for Bundesliga clubs Hamburger SV and 1 FC Nurnberg during his career, made his name with FC Kobenhavn, winning the title three times. First choice for Denmark, he has been capped 36 times.

He becomes the second Dane to play for West Ham after Marc Rieper, who played 101 times for the club, scoring five goals, between 1994 and 1997.

Wheeler dealer Harry

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:16:51 +0100

Cole to Liverpool

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:42:58 +0100

Apparently hes in talks over a move, 12 million transfer fee. This worries me, its very late to go looking for a replacement, like him or loathe him hes been our main centre forward for past 2 seasons.

If Liverpool offer some of their dogshit players in exchange then the club is just doing the same as it always has done and is not progressing.

Bid for Guy Demel

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 13:03:36 +0100

West Ham have bid £1.6 million for Hamburg right back Guy Demel, Ivory Coast international.

Man Utd vs West Ham

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:26:52 +0100

Ive heard some people suggesting we might get something tomorrow at Old Trafford, maybe they are just using the idealogy that such is our dire start to the season we might miraculously turn it around tomorrow, put in a good performance that involves scoring a goal and stopping Man U putting the ball across our line.

Im not going tommorow, I cant afford it, I'll watch it on ESPN, and for the first few minutes as we pass the ball around quite confidently I will get lulled into a false sense of security and then start imagining that this might be another of those games we take something from Old Trafford.

But then the familiar sight of shear panic and rabbit in the headlights of West Ham defenders will show itself again and give me a wake up call. The commentators getting excited as Paul Scholes rifles another shot past the hapless Robert Green and you can bet Rooney will end his goal drought against us. We'll then probably go onto lose 2 or 3 nil and have to endure a bombardment from their attacking options which when you consider them are frightening, especially as Michael Owen always seems to score against us, Hernandez looks good, Berbatov has started the season well also.

I admire those people who have eternal optimism when it comes to games like this and every so often they are rewarded, but I really do not think it will be tomorrow, Id love to be wrong. I'd love a vintage West Ham performance in which we see us nick something but those days are gone.

Bimbo - RIP Mate

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:14:02 +0100

I know this has been done on WHO, but I'm banned from there so I'll say my bit here. I got back from holiday on Wednesday to be given the news of Bim's death. We all knew he was ill and what a massive step he was about to undertake, but you can never be prepared for the loss of someone who's been a mate for over 50 years. I was 4 and he was 5 when I became part of his 'gang'. We did everything. Bird nesting, hunting adders, scrumping, building camps, fighting, bonfires, playing football (he wasn't a very good footballer but we didn't know about his ticker back then) and of course going to West Ham. I went with Bim to my first ever game in 1964. I think it was about his 4th.

People have said some good things about him on WHO and they're all spot on. Most of their memories are of his West Ham days, his passion and knowledge of the club, including the academy, and the camaraderie that everyone who got to know him built up. I've got all that as well but being an ale drinker I usually only pop into the Stanley to say hello to Bim. He was a true West Ham legend as others have said, but I remember the boy, a born leader, even at the age of 5, who got everyone doing stuff. There was never a dull moment when Bim was around. A hell of a lot of people are going to miss him.

Take care Mo

Rest In Peace, Bim son.

Victor Obinna signed

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:56:23 +0100

23, signed on loan from Inter with a view to permanent switch.

Caption Competition - Win A Signed Carlton Cole Photo!!

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:07:24 +0100

This post is brought to you by http://www.brand-h.co.uk

The best caption posted before the end of the transfer window will win a signed photo of Carlton Cole.

Brand H are the leading dealers in West Ham United memorabilia.

Check out our website for more info - http://www.brand-h.co.uk

An irrational hatred of....

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:23:25 +0100

Checked my email for the first time on here in ages and there was one from biteback publishing trying to get me to do a review of an irrational hatred of Luton to promote it.

Which club do you have an irrational hatred of?

Mourinho: Capello is the problem

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:28:28 +0100

Soccernet

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho claims England's biggest problem is manager Fabio Capello and his fear-inducing style that has left the players "confused" and in a "mess".

Former Chelsea manager Mourinho, who worked with England stars such as Frank Lampard and John Terry for three years at Stamford Bridge, says the Three Lions, who disappointed at the World Cup, will never win under Capello.

"It is clear. Capello will not work for England," Mourinho told the Daily Mirror. "He does not know the players. They are frightened of him and they can't play for him."

"For me, it is a mess for England. Players need clear tactics. They cannot be confused about what they have to do. It is the manager's fault. And it is a big shame."

England take on Bulgaria next week at Wembley in their first Euro 2012 qualifier, followed by a trip to Switzerland on September 7, and Mourinho thinks it will be more of the same from former Real boss Capello.

"The problem is the manager. He has a one-track relationship with players. Ask anyone here at Real Madrid. He can't change. You cannot go around just shouting at players. They need to feel special."

Kevin Gamerio

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:50:52 +0100

Sky Sports

Sky Sports News understands West Ham United have had an £8million offer for striker Kevin Gameiro rejected by Lorient.

Hammers boss Avram Grant is in the market for attacking reinforcements after his loan move for Felipe Caicedo reportedly fell through.

Gameiro has emerged as a prime target for the Premier League club after impressing during the past two seasons with Lorient.

The livewire frontman joined Lorient from Strasbourg in 2008 and scored 11 goals in Ligue 1 during his debut campaign at the club.

The 23-year-old built on that promise by netting 17 goals in the league last term and he has attracted interest from several clubs across Europe.

The former France Under 21 international revealed earlier in the summer that Valencia were keen, while AC Milan have also watched him in the past.

West Ham have now made an attempt to win the race for Gameiro, although reports suggest Lorient want £11.5million before agreeing to sell.

Lorient have already lost one key player this summer after Laurent Koscielny joined Arsenal and will be seeking another sizeable fee before allowing Gameiro to join his former team-mate in the Premier League.