We're not skint, say Hammers

  • by Staff Writer
  • Thursday, 17th July 2008

West Ham have denied claims of a financial crisis in the wake of comments made by Bobby Zamora yesterday.

The outgoing striker claimed that he was sold to Fulham because West Ham United 'needed the money' - comments that followed earlier tabloid stories regarding the club's purportedly perilous financial position. Those claims were dismissed today by an unnamed 'senior club source', who told the BBC:

"We effectively have four teams on the payroll - that is far too big a squad. We will be signing players and have specific requirements. We don't have to sell before we buy necessarily.

"The optimum squad size is probably 26/27 players. Our squad has become so big for a couple of reasons - the relegation battle we had in 2006/7 and the spate of injuries of 2007/8."

The club insider went on to talk about the club's goals for the forthcoming season, with special emphasis placed upon the improvements made to the club's medical side with view to reducing the unprecedented number of injuries suffered last year.

"We are trying to make the best of the know-how and expertise that we have at the club," the source added. "The aim is to have first-class medical and training facilities, to rival those at the biggest European clubs.

"At best, we managed to field six or seven of our first team at any one time last season. Just imagine how well we could have done had the likes of Kieron Dyer, Craig Bellamy, Julien Faubert and Dean Ashton available all season."

Fire sale? Pah ...

Former club MD Paul Aldridge dismissed rumours of a 'fire sale' in May 2003 following West Ham United's relegation from the Premiership - just weeks before the club's crown jewels were sold en masse.

In stark contrast, the current administration has already signalled its intentions by capturing fans-favourite Dean Ashton on a long-term contract, whilst talk of a new deal for current HotY Rob Green, if proved correct, would go another step further in assuaging the minds of concerned supporters.

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