the sun
Stadium is key to Sam’s plans
SAM ALLARDYCE reckons West Ham will become a European football force if they get the keys to the Olympic Stadium.
The Hammers expect to finally find out next month whether their bid to lease the acclaimed arena after the Games has been successful.
And boss Big Sam said: “Everyone who is a part of West Ham United knows how much it would benefit the club.
“It would take this club to another level if our bid is accepted.”
West Ham plan to honour Team GB rower Mark Hunter, who won silver in the double sculls.
The Eastender is a big Hammers fan and will be invited to join the squad for a training session in recognition of his efforts on the water — and to provide Big Sam’s players with inspiration.
Allardyce said: “It’s to his credit the way he motivates himself.
“We come in as a team and we can have a lot of fun. His training can be very lonely but he still motivates himself.”
the mail
London calling: A general view of the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday
Dreaming: West Ham manager Sam Allardyce
Playing at Olympic Stadium is a wonderful dream for us, admits West Ham boss Allardyce
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce admits it will be a 'dream come true' if the club move into the Olympic Stadium.
After enjoying the memorable exploits of the British team at the Olympics, Allardyce is even more excited about the prospect of the Hammers playing at the new stadium.
'It would be a dream come true and there is nothing I can say more certain than that,' said Allardyce.
'Everyone who is a part of West Ham United knows how much it would benefit the club if we were offered the chance.
'We’ve all seen the atmosphere, the surroundings, the walk up and it would take this club to another level if our bid is accepted.'
Allardyce is a lover of all sport, and has thoroughly enjoyed the Games.
'For me, the Bradley Wiggins story is a great one, you can physically see the difference between this Tour de France and the previous one.
'It wasn’t the gym, extra training and it wasn’t physiological, he managed to lose three or four kilos so his body could stand the endurance at a lighter weight on the mountain climbs of the tour.
'That takes huge dedication and is the kind of commitment our lads need to show in order to gain that extra advantage.'
The club sent lifelong fan, rower Mark Hunter, a special message ahead of his final on Saturday.
'I know Mark is competing in the twos but he also rows individually,' said Allardyce.
'It’s to his credit for the way in which he motivates himself to his particular sport.
'We come in as a team and that means we can have a lot of fun, his training can be very lonely and pretty boring, but he still motivates himself to achieve his goal.
'We have to do the same and make sure we don’t become complacent, ensuring we get the maximum out of every training session.'
here is the city
Emmanuel Adebayor an option for ambitious West Ham?
With respective deals for Andy Carroll and with Tottenham Hotspur seemingly falling through, could West Ham and Emmanuel Adebayor solve each others' problems?
Here's one to consider, and it might just work out all round. With Sam Allardyce seemingly giving up on his long winded pursuit of Andy Carroll, it's time he looked at other targets.
A fruitless sojourn around Europe has already proved largely unsuccessful for Big Sam, and with the season two weeks away he would be wise to look close to home in the Premier League for an alternative.
One of the league's most dangerous, if at times controversial, strikers is available - and that man is Emmanuel Adebayor.
He was loaned to Tottenham last season, scoring an impressive 17 league goals in 32 starts. He may have his quirks but there is no denying his quality, and he would be a striker with the ability to turn the Hammers into contenders to even finish in the league's top half.
An obvious concern to the chances of this deal is the financial implications, but just because Tottenham are being cautious, it doesn't mean West Ham have to be. Spurs are unlikely to move for the Togo striker until Luka Modric's future is sorted out, and as the days go by, him heading back to the Lane appears ever more unlikely.
Manchester City are desperate to get rid of him. It was reported they were asking for a £6 million fee, but as time goes on this figure is only going to creep downwards.
The important thing to consider here is the investment David Gold and Sullivan are ready to make for West Ham. They were ready to lay out big to sign Andy Carroll, and bringing in Adebayor would surely not work out more expensive.
If West Ham cannot afford to bring in Adebayor permanently, they may wish to consider bringing him in on loan for the season with a view to buy, but stumping up the majority of his wages.
This would keep Manchester City happy, and the player, who would not have to take a cut. His contract at City runs until 2014 and he is clearly keen to maximise his money, but a year on, City may be keener to buy him out of it when there is just one year remaining simply to get him off their books, but at present this would be too costly, even for City.
The striker may see West Ham as a step down considering 18 months ago he was playing for Real Madrid, but right now he has to be realistic about his options, and he doesn't have many, save for sitting in City's reserves.
If West Ham can come up with the right package, which suits them, Adebayor, and Manchester City, then it is a deal worth pursuing.
The Andy Carroll chase showed the club do have funds ready to commit if necessary, and Adebayor would be a further instant improvement to a side which already looks like it has the makings of being very capable this coming season.
Adebayor at West Ham, could you see it happening, or is it just too complicated financially
forever west ham
more than just your average Claret and Blue Army!
by James Blackmore
Football is one of the most dominating sports in the world, attracting fans from across the continents to watch the teams they love play week in, week out. Fans are drawn to the sport whether they are seen as lower, middle or upper class in society, there is just something about it that’s magic, even celebrities are brought down to earth and considered as “one of us”.
Take our beloved West Ham United for example, the average fan comes from around the areas of Essex and the East End and would probably be seen as the middle-class man’s team. But even the Celebrity fans from around these areas, stick to their roots and will sit amongst the fans and be apart of the club along with all of us, for those 90 minutes even the untouchables leave their status in their highly priced Ferrari’s and Bentley’s and consider themselves as your average Hammers fan.
Here are 5 famous Hammers fans that are seen regularly at Upton Park.
Russell Brand
The well-known comedian from Grays, Essex, has long been known as die-hard Hammers fan and is often seen at games displaying the West Ham United badge with pride and heart.
However, with a lifestyle so extravagant and in the lime light of the media all the time, he barely ever gets time to himself, to unwind and get back to his roots of being an Essex lad, so what is it that helps him stay level-headed and down to earth? The club he loves, West Ham United of course.
They say that people change when they become famous and that if they don’t keep hold of something from their past, they will lose the person they once were, which in my opinion is a fair statement. It just goes to show what effect this club can have on people, even those that appear to be losing themselves in the lights of fame, can still find themselves when watching the club they love play football.
One thing Hammers fans can thank Russell Brand for is introducing is ex-wife Katy Perry to the West Ham lingerie, now that’s something we “won’t” forget unlike Sarah Marshall.
Ray Winstone
This Hammers fan is widely known for his “tough guy” roles he often plays in films that relate to gang violence and fight scenes, but I’m quite sure if you was to see him in the stands at Upton Park, it’s worth calling Bet365 and putting a cheeky bet on him being just like every other die-hard Hammers fan and not someone who sees himself above the rest of us.
When I think of West Ham fans, for some reason whether it be media promotion or just the stereotypical image of a Hammers fan, I see Ray as being the blueprint of the male fan that walks through the turn-styles at Upton Park, the tough guy image and the cockney accent…the heart of the club!
The man himself promoted the home kit back in 2009 and isn’t afraid to voice his views over the club his loves. Imagine if he was the gaffer of our club, forget the hairdryer treatment from Big Sam or Sir Alex Ferguson, he would bring a complete new wave of fear into players.
Frank Bruno
The once 1995 WBC heavyweight champion is possibly one of the most well-known celebrities to support West Ham United, standing at 6 ft 3 inches, his quite hard to miss too.
Frank, came to fame in the early days of 1982 after achieving 21 consecutive wins by knock-out, and captured the hearts of British fans of boxing. In his career he went on to win 40 of his fights, winning 38 of them by knockout and only losing 5, quite a record to go by in boxing terms.
Despite the his fighting and tough exterior, his shown throughout his career that he is generally a gentleman, most notably when he offered his support to football great Paul Gascoigne, when he was involved in the mental health system.
I like to think of Frank as being an example of West Ham United football club, although we might not be the flashiest of teams, we fight with heart, determination and train hard to achieve our goals.
Barrack Obama
One of the most surprising celebrity fans to support West Ham United in my opinion and I am sure in most other fans opinions too, is the fact that Barack Obama has declared his allegiance to our club…Yes, I did just say that.
The United States of America President is a West Ham United fan (and there’s a line I never thought I would say). It is suggested that since his time in England on business, he was drawn to the sport and is now regular viewer of Premier League matches when his busy schedule lets him free.
I know his not your typical West Ham fan, such as Danny Dyer and Ray Winstone who wear their colours on their hearts, I still can’t complain about the world’s most powerful man supporting our club, maybe he will grow fondly of us and invest some of the White House’s millions? Forget about PSG, Manchester City and Chelsea buying the league, we might actually have the chance to…I can dream can’t I?
Paolo Di Canio
And finally, the fan of all fans, the man who’s face might as well be imbedded in the crest of the badge…Paolo Di Canio.
I know he is an ex footballer and the current Manger of Swindon Town and not considered a celebrity, like the Big Brother contestants, Media heartthrobs and singers, but he is however a legend, a hero, Mr Claret and Blue and possibly one of the biggest and most die-hard fans the club has.
Mr Di Canio made himself available to watch every West Ham Untied match whilst he was out of management and I am quite sure he often tells the Chairmen as Swindon Town the excuse that he is scouting West Ham United youth players to sign on loan, when really he just wants to watch his club play, don’t be surprised if this hasn’t happen a few times already!
He clearly loves the club and has a box at Upton Park. Fans often chant his name around the stadium when he comes to the games and he always responds with a smile on his face and his hand gracefully in the air to thank the support. He has also voiced his desire to manage us one day and without question do not be surprised when that day finally comes, the fans love him, the club loves him and he is doing a sound job with his current employees.
So there you have it, a brief recap on some of the famous fans our club has following it. COYI!
Barrack Obama follows west ham because of his english relations
Arsenal will not sell Robin van Persie, 29, for less than £20m and will demand an extra £5m if Manchester United make an offer for the striker.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Manchester United's pursuit of Lucas Moura is over after the 19-year-old Brazilian agreed a four-and-a-half year deal with Paris Saint Germain.
Daily Mail
Brendan Rodgers is close to reuniting with Joe Allen after Liverpool trigger a £15m buy-out clause in the 22-year-old's Swansea City contract.
The Guardian
Liverpool are asking for Adam Johnson on loan in addition to a fee of £23m for Daniel Agger from Manchester City.
Daily Mirror
AC Milan are set to rival Arsenal and Liverpool for the services of Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin, 23, who Jose Mourinho is allowing to leave on loan.
talkSPORT
Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente has turned down a new contract, putting Chelsea and Liverpool on alert for the 27-year-old.
Metro
Tottenham are being linked with a move for Partizan Belgrade midfielder Mohamed Kamara.
talkSPORT
Queens Park Rangers have lodged bids for two former Manchester United players, Roma defender Gabriel Heinze and Sunderland full-back Kieran Richardson.
Metro
Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean says he is close to securing a loan deal for Turkey international striker Colin Kazim-Richards, 25, currently with Galatasaray.
Lancashire Telegraph
Manchester United are on the verge of being announced as the most valuable sports team in the world with shares in the club going on sale on the New York Stock Exchange.
The Guardian
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has caught the mood of the country when it comes to cycling, riding a smart new sky-blue bike to City's training ground.
BLACKBURN have signed Colin Kazim-Richards for the season.
The ex-Brighton winger, 25, has joined on a loan deal from Galatasaray.
MIDFIELD ace Jack Cork is a doubt for Southampton’s Premier League opener at Manchester City.
Cork was forced off with an ankle problem in Saints’ draw with Bristol City on Tuesday.
babe of the day
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Don't see any chance of that happening. Spurs will decide they need Adebayor if we show a serious interest. 
