Joint chairmen freeze season ticket prices
It has been announced this week in a statement from David Gold and David Sullivan that season ticket prices will remain the same for existing season ticket holders. Ever since the two Cockneys took over in 2010 they have promised affordable family football and they certainly delivered on that pledge when season ticket prices were slashed as far down as £99 for u16s for our first season at the London Stadium. This season the club reported we had a record high 52,000 season ticket holders but this has been questioned due to many empty seats appearing at the London Stadium during League games. The chairmen’s generosity has been scrutinized by some for the reason that season tickets were so cheap other fans were buying them killing the atmosphere at our new home. However, despite this the chairmen have released the terrific announcement the prices will remain the same to those renewing.
U23s draw at Newcastle
Our bright young stars were in action at Newcastle’s famed St James’ Park, drawing 0-0 on Monday evening. Terry Westley’s men had to play over an hour of the game with 10 men after Frenchman Arthur Masuaku was given his marching orders for an off the ball incident where Masuaku appeared to kick out at Newcastle’s Luke Charman after a decision didn’t go his way. The Hammers managed to hold out thanks to a series of superb saves from young keeper Nathan Trott. It was a valiant effort from the young Hammers. Our U23s face Newcastle again in their next fixture, in the last 16 of the PL2 cup on Saturday again.
Throwback Thursday
For the first section of our new weekly segment we ask lifelong Irons fan and season ticket holder Tim, just what it was like to grow up supporting the club in our most prosperous years, the 60s and 70s.
“At the age of 6 I asked for a football rosette at a local East End market. It was 1967 and Celtic had just won the European cup in a glory age for British Football, so asked my dad for a Celtic one. My Dad said no get a West Ham one, thank god, that was the moment I knew I was going to be a Hammers fan for life. My first ever game at Upton Park was 1972, Manchester United with Best, Charlton and Law and West Ham with Moore, Hurst and Peters. This was a fantastic 1st game and to top it all off we won 3-0. The last and my last ever game at the Boleyn was also Manchester United with a 3-2 win, what fitting end to my memories at my most favourite place in the world. Growing up as a West Ham fan I was obviously so privileged to see Moore, Hurst and Peters, but also players like Trevor Brooking, Billy Bonds and Alan Devonshire. The thought of those last 3 legends on your team sheet was an exciting one. Going to Upton Park in that era was so special, with the crowd so tight to the pitch it produced an electric atmosphere, hostile to away teams it was a real cauldron”.
Carroll set for England call
England manager Gareth Southgate is set to announce the shock inclusion of our striker Andy Carroll for upcoming friendlies against Germany and Lithuania. 3 key English strikers in Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney are out through injury, Southgate doesn’t have many other options than to give the English striker his first cap since 2012. The inform front man has scored 4 goals in his last 6 games and has 6 for the season in another campaign ruined by various injury problems. Michail Antonio who is our top scorer this term is also in line for his third England call up; despite his 2 previous calls he is still yet to have made an appearance for the 3 Lions. Gareth Southgate will unveil his 3rd ever England squad later today at St George’s Park.
On this day 2002
On this day in 2002 we were involved in a thrilling 3-5 home defeat at the hands of Manchester United at Upton Park. We would take the lead twice that day through goals from Steve Lomas and Freddie Kanoute before goals from Butt, Scholes, Solskjaer and Beckham put United 4-2 up with Defoe’s late consolation paving the way for David Beckham to make it 3-5 late on. We enjoyed a strong season that year finishing 7th, a place shy of gaining European football. The following season we would be relegated with Trevor Brooking unable to keep us up despite having 40 points.
Transfer gossip: Hammers eye Perez
It has been rumoured this week in the Sun that we will bid for unsettled Arsenal striker Lucas Perez. The Spaniard is reportedly unhappy with his amount of playing time with the Gunners; he has 7 goals in all competitions under Wenger but has only made 2 league starts. It has been rumoured that our manager Slaven Bilic is a big fan of Perez; however Arsene Wenger is expected to put a big price tag on Perez seeing as they paid £17m for him last summer. We may need to bid big for the 28 year old’s signature in the next transfer window.
Snodgrass: “We will bounce back”
Our Scottish midfielder has promised hard work to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat ahead of our League clash with champions Leicester at the Weekend. The 29 year old said “We need to put this result behind, look towards Saturday and move on”. The winger was speaking to WHUFC.com. Snodgrass has struggled with a few injury problems of late and is yet to score or assist in a West Ham shirt despite turning heads in our away win at Southampton. We face the Foxes on Saturday afternoon; they are on a terrific run of form after qualifying for the Champions League last 8 on Tuesday night. The clash is a must win with pressure growing on Slaven Bilic.