thursday's gossip includes west ham

[cockney hammer]

the times


Violence at West Ham is proof that hooliganism has never gone away


Are we on the brink of a new age of football hooliganism? The events in East London on Tuesday night will have shocked those who thought that the problems of the 1970s and 1980s were long gone. Was the anarchy outside the Boleyn Ground a throwback to a more brutal age or a foretaste of thuggery?

Fans of Millwall and West Ham United are seminal figures in hooligan culture. The BBC Panorama programme highlighted the mechanics of Millwall’s mobs in 1977, giving details of the Treatment, F-Troop and the Halfway Line, three distinct gangs who prowled Cold Blow Lane.

West Ham fans seized the initiative in the early 1980s as the Inter City Firm (ICF) reinvented hooliganism. The ICF became a household name, its members having an eye for publicity: they pioneered calling cards that were left on victims.

Another documentary, this time on ITV and simply called Hooligan, left a generation of mid-1980s wannabe thugs copying the West Ham crews and created a cottage industry in crude business cards.

The 2005 movie Green Street, starring Elijah Wood, fictionalised West Ham hooligans in fights with, among others, those from Millwall.

So West Ham v Millwall is the Cup Final of hooliganism, and those fixated with football violence were eagerly awaiting this match. In East London and south of the River it was more simple — a rare chance to get at traditional rivals and gain bragging rights. Many of those who took part in Tuesday’s trouble would have been involved back in the 1980s. For some, this would have been their first opportunity in years. Rising ticket prices and the changing nature of the sport have turned many into armchair fans. A night like this, though, is hard for an ageing hooligan to resist. Many will have “come out of retirement” for one night only. The 44-year-old who was stabbed may be completely innocent but plenty of his contemporaries were involved in the trouble.

For the youngsters, this was a chance to experience the mass battles they have read so much about in the “Hoolie-lit” genre. Scores of middle-aged chancers have produced books which detail their adventures in the 1970s and 80s. Most of the content is mock-heroic, exaggerated nonsense, but the young bucks in the stands of today devour the barely literate pages and dream of emulating the authors and experiencing the mad glamour that comes from creating mayhem.

Those who feel alienated by the way the game has moved upmarket will see this battle as a call to arms. There is a belief that a resurgence in trouble at matches will scare the middle classes and corporate diners away from the game and return it into the hands of its traditional constituency. This line of argument contends that battling inside and around the grounds would make football less palatable to Sky, eventually causing the broadcaster to withdraw its riches from the sport. Wages and profits in football would then fall, as would ticket prices. It is a fatuous argument but represents a warped moral justification for punching strangers.

Hooliganism is not coming back because it has never gone away. Closed-circuit television and policing tactics keep it largely underground. Tuesday will give the scene a boost but nights like this should remain rare.


the guardian
Sullivan and Gold expect to be back within the year
• West Ham, Cardiff and Norwich City on the hit-list

Birmingham's co-owner David Sullivan says he will be back, with or without David Gold. Photograph: Tom Jenkins

David Sullivan and David Gold are to hold exploratory talks with a number of clubs with a view to returning to football within 12 months of Carson Yeung's ongoing takeover at Birmingham City.

The club's co-owners have genuine interest in West Ham United but other opportunities are also being investigated including at Football League level, where Cardiff City and Norwich City have emerged as attractive alternatives.

It is understood that Sullivan would be willing to meet with West Ham's owners to discuss becoming involved at Upton Park although he is believed to share Gold's concerns about the £150m cost of taking over the Premier League club.

With better potential returns to be found further down the ladder, Sullivan is looking into the possibility of investing in his hometown club Cardiff City, as well as Norwich, whom he also holds in high regard.

The 60-year-old, who is worth around £450m according to the Sunday Times Rich List, has stressed that nothing will be taken further until Yeung's takeover is completed but assuming that deal is confirmed next month, he is certain he will return to football. "I have always said if and when I leave Birmingham I will be at another club within 12 months because I love football," said Sullivan. "It is part of my life and part of my kids' life."

Sullivan, who is looking at the possibilities of buying both with and without Gold, maintains that the decision to sell to Yeung is the right one because of the board's strained relationship with the fans as well as the financial rewards.

"I think for the shareholders and supporters of Birmingham this is a very good deal," added Sullivan. "It's like a marriage that is gone wrong and needs a change. This is a deal that works for everybody."


the london paper

Harry Redknapp calls for end to Millwall v West Ham Cup games
The former Hammers boss says the London rivals should never be drawn together in the Cup again, following the ugly scenes between opposing fans at Upton Park on Tuesday



One man was stabbed as hooligans caused havoc in and outside the Boleyn Ground.



And Redknapp, who played for and managed West Ham, reckons the only way to stamp out the violence is to cancel the fixture altogether.

In his Sun column the Spurs boss said: "I don't like saying this but I am afraid there is only one answer if the Hammers and Lions are ever drawn to face each other again - put the balls back in the hat and draw them out again.

"When the two names were drawn together it was just asking for trouble and that is exactly what we got because of the history between them.

"And if they ever meet in the League then the game should be played behind closed doors because the human cost of these kind of disturbances is just too high to bear any longer."


Kevin Nolan could be set to return to Bolton from Newcastle on loan, while Fulham are being linked with Salzburg hot-shot Marc Janko.

DAILY EXPRESS

Aston Villa are poised to spend £12million on two defenders as manager Martin O'Neill gives his answer to critical fans.

Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov has warned Cristiano Ronaldo he wants to win the Champions League in Madrid next May.

Francis Jeffers has been fined £26,000 and told he will never play for Sheffield Wednesday again after his red card at Port Vale on Tuesday.

Joleon Lescott took a parting swipe at David Moyes by declaring that Manchester City are far better equipped than Everton to challenge the Premier League's 'big four'.

West Ham's Carlton Cole has responded to racist abuse at Upton Park on Tuesday by telling Millwall fans: "Your monkey taunts were wasted on me."

Arsenal claimed a £26million windfall as they eased into Thursday's Champions League group stage draw with a 3-1 win over Celtic.

DAILY STAR

Glenn Hoddle claims there is only one destination for David Beckham if he is serious about the World Cup - and that is Chelsea.

Gary Megson has launched a sensational bid to bring Kevin Nolan back to Bolton - only seven months after selling him to Newcastle.

Defender Josh Gowling, 24, has joined Gillingham on a two-year deal.

Bournemouth defender Jason Pearce is a target for Plymouth Argyle.

Greek champions Olympiakos are ready to take Tottenham's Mexican ace Giovani Dos Santos, 20, on loan.

Sunderland striker Roy O'Donovan, 24, is wanted by Southampton boss Alan Pardew.

Former Arsenal and Crystal Palace winger Julian Gray, 29, is on trial with Cardiff.

FC Twente boss Steve McClaren is poised to sign Sheffield United's David Carney, 25.

DAILY MAIL

Reading boss Brendan Rodgers has made a £300,000 offer for Southampton striker Grzegorz Rasiak, while Wolves have gone back to Reading with a £1.8m bid for James Harper.

FC Twente boss Steve McClaren has opened talks with Sheffield United's David Carney, who has been told he has no future at Bramall Lane.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is launching a £6million bid for Hull defender Michael Turner.

Zenit St Petersburg are favourites to sign Roman Pavlyuchenko after Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy ruled out a loan move.

Bolton, who sold Kevin Nolan to Newcastle last January, want him back on loan.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is poised to sign prolific Salzburg striker Marc Janko on a season-long loan, with a view to a £6million deal next summer.

Birmingham are poised to sign Middlesbrough's want-away star Tuncay for £5million.

West Ham will not be thrown out of the Carling Cup or have to play behind closed doors, despite the violence during Tuesday's victory against Millwall.

THE SUN

Harry Redknapp has blasted soccer's night of shame and insisted West Ham and Millwall must never meet again in cup competitions.

Arsenal's Eduardo was branded a diver and a cheat on Wednesday night by furious Celtic, who want the striker banned by UEFA.

Brendan Rodgers wants Watford's Tommy Smith to snub a late bid from Portsmouth to join him at Reading.

Gary Megson wants to bring Kevin Nolan back to Bolton, just seven months after selling him to Newcastle for £4million.

Peter Reid is free to join Stoke as Tony Pulis' assistant after leaving his job as boss of the Thailand national side.

Francis Jeffers has been bombed out by Sheffield Wednesday over Tuesday's attack on Port Vale's Tommy Fraser.

DAILY MIRROR

Arsenal striker Eduardo was embroiled in a cheat storm after firing the Gunners into the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Ipswich manager Roy Keane has had a job lot £7million bid for Sunderland's Carlos Edwards, Grant Leadbitter, Daryl Murphy and Nyron Nosworthy accepted.

Andriy Shevchenko's Chelsea career seems finally over - after the striker was told he will be dumped from their Champions League squad.

Arab tycoon Sulaiman Al-Fahim claims he has taken full control of Portsmouth - plunging the crisis club into further meltdown.

Aston Villa are closing in on a double swoop for Stephen Warnock and Richard Dunne.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is hoping to pull off a £2million swoop for Middlesbrough's Andrew Taylor.

Spartak Moscow have made a £10million offer to re-sign Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Gary Megson has launched a shock bid to bring Kevin Nolan back to Bolton - only seven months after selling him to Newcastle.

Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen is trying to push through a £4million deal for Feyenoord star Jonathan De Guzman.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is making a £5million move for Uruguay star Diego Arismendi.

Hull are ready to offer Reading's Liam Rosenior a route back into the Premier League.

Joleon Lescott completed his move to Manchester City then hit back at David Moyes for trying to turn Everton's players and fans against him.

Danny Webber is expected to complete a switch to Middlesbrough on Friday after he spurned the chance to sign for Swansea.

THE TIMES

Andriy Shevchenko's future at Chelsea appears even bleaker after the Ukraine striker was told on Wednesday that he is unlikely to be named in the club's squad for the group stage of the Champions League.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

West Ham striker Carlton Cole has spoken of the despicable monkey chants that added a new level of nastiness to the mayhem at Upton Park on Tuesday night.

THE GUARDIAN

West Ham will need to prove to the Football Association they did everything possible to prevent the ugly scenes that marred Tuesday's Carling Cup tie against Millwall to stave off the possibility either of being forced to play behind closed doors or cast from the competition.

THE INDEPENDENT

West Ham striker Carlton Cole has led the way in condemning the racist Millwall fans who showered him with monkey chants during Tuesday's violence-strewn Carling Cup tie with Millwall.


Spartak Moscow have made a £10m offer to re-sign Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko.
The Mirror

Ipswich manager Roy Keane is to raid his former club for four players with Carlos Edwards, Grant Leadbitter, Daryl Murphy and Nyron Nosworthy set to leave Sunderland.
The Mirror

Striker Andriy Shevchenko finally looks set to leave Chelsea after he was left out of their Champions League squad.
The Mirror

Chelsea are set to re-ignite their interest in Feyenoord forward Jonathan de Guzman.
The Mirror

Aston Villa are closing in on a double swoop for Blackburn defender Stephen Warnock and Manchester City centre-back Richard Dunne.
The Mirror

Middlesbrough are set to sign striker Danny Webber who was released by Sheffield United in the summer.
The Mirror

Bolton have launched a bid to re-sign midfielder Kevin Nolan from Newcastle United.
The Mirror

Sunderland are set to launch a £6m bid for Hull defender Michael Turner.
Daily Mail

Brazilian side Internacional have rejected a £14m bid from Tottenham for midfielder Sandro.
The Independent

Celtic captain Steve McManus has rejected the opportunity to join Ipswich Town on loan. (The Guardian)

Notts County director of football Sven Goran Eriksson has failed in his bid to tempt Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved out of retirement.
: Daily Mail

Manchester United are set to sign Empoli's Italian duo Manuel Pucciarelli and Alberto Masacci. (Daily Telegraph)

Wigan are ready to make a £1m move for Honduras forward Carlos Costly, who currently plays for Polish side GKS Belchatow. (Daily Telegraph)

Birmingham are set to sign Middlesbrough forward Tuncay for £5m. (Daily Mail)

Stoke are lining up a £5m bid for young Uruguay midfielder Diego Arismendi.
The Mirror

The Potters have also made a renewed offer for Cardiff City midfielder Joe Ledley. (The Times)

Bolton have had a £6.5m offer for midfielder Achille Emana turned down by Real Betis. (The Times)

Fulham are poised to sign Salzburg striker Marc Janko on a season-long loan.
The Mirror

Hull are interested in signing Reading defender Liam Rosenior.
The Mirror

Reading manager Brendan Rodgers is hoping Watford striker Tommy Smith will snub interest from Portsmouth and instead join the Royals.
The Sun

Greek champions Olympiakos are ready to take Tottenham forward Giovani dos Santos on loan. (Daily Star)

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle believes David Beckham should pursue a move to Chelsea to keep alive his dream of playing at next year's World Cup.
Daily Star



New Portsmouth owner Sulaiman Al Fahim has vowed to turn the club into a major Premier League force after finally taking control of the south coast outfit.
The Sun


Furious Celtic players have called for Eduardo to be banned after the Arsenal striker appeared to dive to win a penalty during the Gunners' 3-1 Champions League victory on Wednesday.

[Marc the Hammer]

Fair play to Cole

Cheers CH

[Bishy]

Cheers CH

Thank Good for good ol' Eduardo and his inability to remain on his feetin the penalty area. Takes a bit of the focus off us and will hopefully allow us to get back to transfers and preparing for the weekend.

[Jarvo]

Nice work CH

Wonder how the papers know we won't be kicked out of the competition?

[Jameslegend]

But those Millwank fans were 100% innocent!! It's all lies!!

Cheers CH

[FDiMcA]

Just heard this on the BBC World Service felt it bellonged in this thread:


We all recall frequent dissapearances following health scares of many communist despots, followed by the state (usually their long term number 2) issuing creaky recordings of the leaders voice or written statements from the leader that say nothing new, that feature no indication of current affairs. Concerns are rising inside the British foreign office that respected independent community KUMB is going through a simmilar phase. About a month ago concerns were voiced over the absence of mysterious but benevolent leader UTJ. There then followed a few weeks of simple messages to the community using the official seal of UTJ, the messages mentioned the absence and suggested no 2. Gnome was ably handling things. In recent days observers suggest that Gnomes profile has risen sharply in contrast to a renewed absence of UTJ. Gnome is busy closing down threads and making oblique statements. It is now feared that earlier this summer UTJ was removed (it is not believed that he was in ill health or particularly old). Observers suggest this could be a significant development and it has been suggested that things had not been the same since a diplomatic mission from KUMB to meet amabasador Duxbury.

[Norridge]

:arry: seems to have conveniently forgotten we played Millwall four times in the championship days, and didn't have any of the grief that went on the other night.

[Bishy]

All hail Gnome! :raver:

[Gnome]

Just heard this on the BBC World Service felt it bellonged in this thread:


We all recall frequent dissapearances following health scares of many communist despots, followed by the state (usually their long term number 2) issuing creaky recordings of the leaders voice or written statements from the leader that say nothing new, that feature no indication of current affairs. Concerns are rising inside the British foreign office that respected independent community KUMB is going through a simmilar phase. About a month ago concerns were voiced over the absence of mysterious but benevolent leader UTJ. There then followed a few weeks of simple messages to the community using the official seal of UTJ, the messages mentioned the absence and suggested no 2. Gnome was ably handling things. In recent days observers suggest that Gnomes profile has risen sharply in contrast to a renewed absence of UTJ. Gnome is busy closing down threads and making oblique statements. It is now feared that earlier this summer UTJ was removed (it is not believed that he was in ill health or particularly old). Observers suggest this could be a significant development and it has been suggested that things had not been the same since a diplomatic mission from KUMB to meet amabasador Duxbury.

It's quite simple really. The rest of the mods have staged a coup and we currently have UtJ kept under house arrest pending a full trial on the charge of failing to buy a round. After the guilty verdict is delivered by the independent and impartial judiciary system of the newly declared People's Republic of Kumb, UtJ will be locked in solitary confinement where he will be forced to watch Stoke v Blackburn on endless loop in punishment for his crimes.

Meanwhile we will go from glory to glory under the leadership of .......wait who's that at the door?

[Tommy B]

ta very much ch

[Dyl]

for f*** sake! Tuncay to birmingham for £5m! ****ing bid for him Zola!

[bobd_uk]

for f*** sake! Tuncay to birmingham for £5m! f***ing bid for him Zola!

We don't seem to have £5m!!

[BMLGirl]

Also from the Daily Mail today:

Among the bizarre sights at Upton Park during the hooligan horror Carling Cup game on Tuesday was West Ham’s Italian sporting director Gianluca Nani rising to his feet – to much bemusement around the directors’ box – when the home fans sang: ‘Stand up if you hate Millwall’. Another unusual occurrence was one of the West Ham stewards stripping off his official jacket before joining in a pitch invasion. :shock:

[SirStoneyOfBow]

Also from the Daily Mail today:

Among the bizarre sights at Upton Park during the hooligan horror Carling Cup game on Tuesday was West Ham’s Italian sporting director Gianluca Nani rising to his feet – to much bemusement around the directors’ box – when the home fans sang: ‘Stand up if you hate Millwall’. Another unusual occurrence was one of the West Ham stewards stripping off his official jacket before joining in a pitch invasion. :shock:

Nani = Legend.

Just for that. :lol:

[Dyl]

Nani :lol: (if it's true obv)

and we seem to have £5m to spend on an untried italian, but not on Tucay who is EXACTLY what we need.

[bobd_uk]

and we seem to have £5m to spend on an untried italian, but not on Tucay who is EXACTLY what we need.

£5m spread over 3 years is a very different deal to £5m in a lump right now!

[BLT319]

Tuncay wants 70k a week....

[Dyl]

Tuncay wants 70k a week....

will he accept £30k?

[Cuenca 'ammer]

Wigan are ready to make a £1m move for Honduras forward Carlos Costly, who currently plays for Polish side GKS Belchatow.

What a great name for anyone let alone a footballer...

:lol:

[ageing hammer]

[quote="Cuenca 'ammer"]Wigan are ready to make a £1m move for Honduras forward Carlos Costly, who currently plays for Polish side GKS Belchatow.

What a great name for anyone let alone a footballer...

I will keep going til I get this quoting lark right