Welcome to OzHammers.com

OZ Hammers is the Official Australian Hammers Supporters site. We are in regular contact with over 5,000 OZ Hammers and our principal aim is to ensure that all Hammers fans can meet to cheer on the Hammers whenever our matches are broadcast. Live TV broadcasts are always advertised on this site.

OZ Hammers is a non-profit organisation based in Sydney and has affiliated branches in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne & Perth. In the near future, OZ Hammers will offer access to Charity Events, inter-club matches and several other events designed to raise funds for charity. Membership will not be offered and all expenses are paid for by our sponsors and advertisers.

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Archived stories...

1^th May 2008

Dear Sydney Hammers,

THIS SATURDAY night, 3rd of May, we plan a huge OZHammers gathering in Sydney at

The Hakoah Club
61-67 Hall Street
BONDI NSW 2026
Tel: 02 9130 3344
http://www.hakoah.com.au

to celebrate an uneventful season in the EPL!

They say that a week in politics is a long time BUT what a difference a Year makes!

Its down to the last 2 games of the season and  this time the game up at Old Trafford takes place under vastly different circumstances.

This year we get to 'play king maker' as we play a large part in determining where the EPL Title goes AND the UEFA Cup position given that we have the Villains at Upton Park on Sunday May 11.

The Newcastle draw last weekend means that they can't leapfrog us in the table as they visit Chelsea this weekend and Tottenham's last 2 games don't look like 6 points either so we will remain in 10th, just where we have been since November. Therefore, its time to enjoy a few games and simply have some fun with desperate opposition.

OZHammers gathering in Sydney

9.45pm KO - Sat May 3 Man Utd v West Ham - after the loss at Chelsea, ManU must win both of their final games to secure the title. HOWEVER, West Ham have a long history of denying ManU this pleasure AND have beaten them 3 times in a row now, both 1-0 results last season and 2-1 at Upton Park last December. A cracker game with lots of old boys on show.

Saturday night, Hakoah Club, 67 Hall Street BONDI - 9.45pm KO!!!

See you there!

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

1^th April 2008

With only 6 more matches left in our 07/08 season, I must admit that it is a welcome change for the Hammers to be in mid-table obscurity.

We are likely to finish where we have been for the past month or so and that is 10th.  To be honest, I'll take that after last season and given our terrible run of injuries. A rebuilding season is just fine by me even though we continue our inconsistent run of form.

I have only recently returned from London and Upton Park and am pleased to have done so with my record intact.  In fact my friends in my regular seats were delighted to see me as they shrieked "we're going to win" as I took my seat - very funny especially after three consecutive 4-0 defeats.

The first 20 minutes against Blackburn was awful and I lamented that I had brought no luck at all. We desperately needed a first half goal and Deano's 39th minute strike was well taken and just the wakeup call we needed.  After that we went from strength to strength and really played them off the park in the 2nd half.

Sears' winner 9 minutes from time raised the roof and, I expect, he will bring much joy to the fans next season.  He's fast and exciting and a TC style of player. Ashton and Sears up-front is an exciting prospect for the future!  West Ham are really only a couple of (fit) players away from being a very good team.  Add another quality striker, creative midfielder, cover at left back (and let go a few of the squad players so they can't darken our door) and I believe we can challenge up the table from here.

Don't expect major new signings for next season as I see the removal of 'Eggy' as a return to a more frugal approach. In reality we will have several new players in Bellamy, Faubert, Sears, Collins, Gabbidon, Dyer, Parker and the youngsters coming through. These alone are good enough so even a couple of new boys and we will make further progress

Quite obviously, we are not top 4 material and this will take more time to develop, if ever!

Most of all we need to stay fit and have vision, in my experience the latter remains an elusive quality in football management throughout the world.  I'd love to have my turn at control of the levers!

Remaining games are Harry's return with Portsmouth next Tuesday night (H Tues 8 Apr), Bolton, likely to be relegated so a tough scrap (A Sat 12 Apr), the already relegated Derby County (H Sat 19 Apr), resurgent Newcastle (H Sat 26 Apr), Man Utd, beaten 3 straight times on the trot by the Hammers (A Sat 3 May), and finally the pretenders Aston Villa (H Sun 11 May).

The Portsmouth game is the only remaining game that is NOT being televised by Foxtel under viewers' choice as their rights restrict them to at most 37 of the 38 games per team.

We'll shoot for an official Sydney gathering for the Newcastle home game, KO times and scheduling permitting. I'll also attempt to get the rest of our fixtures on live at Hakoah given that KOs will be back to midnight.

I'm predicting only 7 more points from the above as I fear we are almost on our summer break.

I'll be in Cambodia this week on Indochina Starfish duty to launch our football charity.  See the ISF link for more details.

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

11^th February 2008

"Then like my dreams they fade and die...." Thus was the month of January!

We are all over the shop and continue to return highly variable results. Beat Liverpool for the first time in 5 decades (oh alright, just a few seasons) interspersed with losses to Man City, the 'mighty' pie men of Wigan infamy, no FA Cup and then a meek performance at home against the Brummies.

Consistency - until we get there we have no chance at the top 6. With Curbs in charge, I hesitate to suggest that we will never get relegated as he absolutely knows how to get a team to mid-table, but I just can't see him getting us above that. Having said that, this is preferable to last year and we are a far better team with him in charge albeit not as an exciting team.

Our injuries continue and there is speculation that Scott Parker might be out for the rest of the season or just another 4 weeks and there is some considerable mystery surrounding Craig Bellamy as he has gone MIA once more.  He may really be lost to us for the balance of this campaign.  Bobby Z is rumoured to be returning in 2 weeks time but Collins and Davenport are likely out for the season.

During the transfer window, we finally said goodbye to Christian Dailly when he signed for Scottish leaders Rangers. Dailly had been with WHUFC for 7 years. The Scotland defender, and former club captain, was the longest-serving first-team player at the Boleyn Ground - an honour now shared between Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Etherington - and has been described by manager Alan Curbishley as a "fantastic servant". In all, he made 191 appearances for the club, scoring five goals.

There were no additions to the squad, as expected. The off-season will be most interesting as that will really tell us where the club is heading.

We now have a break for 2 weeks before resuming action for four straight Saturdays in London on Saturday 23 February away to Fulham, 1 March at home to Chelsea and then 8 March away to Tottenham.  Our postponed away match against Liverpool is finally scheduled for 5 March at Anfield. I'll settle for 7 points against that lot! Then I get to see WHU v Blackburn on 15 March as I return for my 2nd home game this season! Of course nothing less than a win is required.

Premier League Matches in OZ?
Over the weekend the EPL announced intentions to play an extra fixture from 2010 at several international locations. Australia has been included in the 'list'. The powers have stressed that this would be an extra round so that no team loses its Home advantage or disadvantages season ticket holders on the one hand however they have also stressed that the points would count! I will call this the 'foreign exchange money' round!

I see several major problems with this plan - whilst a West Ham v anyone would be well attended in OZ (and many other countries) just imagine Derby v Wigan! Who would go?? Therefore, as this is quite unashamedly a pure promotional (translate money making) endeavour, the draw for these matches would have to be hand picked otherwise some unattractive games would be staged.

Then imagine if we are having one of our 'off' seasons and need points to avoid the drop and we are one point above relegation after 38 rounds and we draw one of the top 4 clubs for the 'foreign exchange money' round and we then get relegated!

If the EPL makes the 39th 'foreign exchange money' round points count, then this could be grossly unfair to teams top and bottom. If they don't make the points count, or give exemptions, then it's nothing more than exhibition games.

My view - BIG MISTAKE!  The whole experience that is the EPL is not transportable and those who think it is are deluded. Any fan who has been to their home ground with the home fans to see their team play knows exactly what I mean. Anfield, Old Trafford, Goodison Park, Upton Park and even all the other 2nd tier grounds have their own atmosphere and feeling.  You simply cannot bring that with you when the teams tour. All the new stadia spend considerable effort to rebuild the elements that made their original ground so special. Some succeed and some don't but at the end of the day you just can't transplant the home fans.

The objective here is financial and promotional. I think there are far better ways to achieve these objectives without damaging the real drawing power of the EPL.

Somehow I think (hope) its back to the drawing board on this one!

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

10^th January 2008

7 points from 12 over the December Fixture Rush was a quite reasonable result and we remain well on track.  After a terrific win over ManU, I just don't want to hear any more criticism as we have done so well given the horrendous injury toll at WHU.

As I said last month: "Just reflect back 12 months!  We were 18th, on 14 points, scored a mere 8 goals and conceded 18". On 18 December 2006 we had 17 points and on 2 January 2007 we had just suffered the demoralising 6-0 drubbing at Reading and had a mere 18 points.

Today we have 29 points, are in 10th position with a POSITIVE goal difference (when did that last happen?) and we have many players coming back from injury (see http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php).

Julien Faubert made an exciting return in a reserve fixture this week and scored after 39 seconds. Bellamy and Zamora are very close so at **** last Curbs will have a chance to play his first 11.  Can't wait!

At one stage we had 12 front-line players out injured so our 07/08 results are simply outstanding. Alan Curbishley deserves considerable praise for his outstanding management under very tough circumstances.

I just can't believe that some Hammers fans are still whinging? We have done so well with a patched up side all season. Ashton remains out of sorts and I predicted some time ago that it would take him a full season to recapture his form pre-ankle break. He needs time and we must all be patient.

Having said that, our lack of creativity is a problem and we miss Yossie badly. If it was up to me, that is the player type I would seek in this transfer window.  However, we will probably have to wait until the end of the season for such a major acquisition.  I did not expect or demand more than a season of consolidation and it is unreasonable to do so.

Camara and Pantsil are off to the African Cup of Nations for the rest of January and I don't expect that we will see many player movements at this stage

Shame about Everton in the League Cup. They are a quality outfit and we really struggled in those 2 fixtures. The OZ Hammers Tour is still an outside chance as we have our FA Cup 3rd round replay up at Manchester next Wednesday night (6.45am KO ESST Thurs 17 Jan) AND, believe it or not, the winner of that match meets Sheffield Utd in the 4th round. A tantalizing prospect after their chairman's never ending accusations against WHU! Love to see that one!

So, forthcoming matches are Fulham (H 23 Jan), another double dose this time of Man City away (16 Jan FACP, 20 Jan EPL) followed by our postponed fixture against Liverpool (H Wed 30 Jan - KO 6.45am ESST Thu 30 Jan). Then we have 2 games we must expect to win against Wigan (A 2 Feb) and Birmingham (H 9 Jan).

At this time of the year all our fixtures kick off at either 2am ESST (3pm UK) or weekdays at 6.45am (7.45pm UK) neither of which allow us to organise gatherings.  Hopefully February may deliver some opportunities. That potential Blades match is the stand out - the tie will take place on the weekend of 26/27 January!

I wish all OZ Hammers a happy and healthy new year and look forward to seeing you all cheering on the Hammers as soon as possible.

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

10^th December 2007

A fantastic win last night away at Blackburn has propelled WHU back into the top 10. We have 22 points from 15 games, scored 20 goals and conceded 12, only 3 teams have a better defensive record, and we sit very safely mid table. A game in hand against Liverpool, albeit at Upton Park at least, means that we are very well placed.

Just reflect back 12 months!  We were 18th, on 14 points, scored a mere 8 goals and conceded 18!

And now all our injured are returning as well!  Faubert is back in London and training, Craig Bellamy is nearing fitness, Boyer will be back this month with Noble whilst Collins and Freddie are already fit. That only really leaves Anton Ferdinand, Bobby Zamora and Dyer with unknown dates of return.

We therefore enter the December Fixture Rush in an excellent position and with some mouth watering prospects:

This week we have a double dose of the Toffees at home with Everton in the League Cup on Wednesday night London time and again on Saturday afternoon. They are in top form and both fixtures will be end to end stuff. A win on Wed night means a semi final berth in the League Cup and perhaps even a visit to Wembley? (Hmmm - another OZ Hammers tour beacons!)

Boro (A 22 Dec) and Reading (H 26 Dec) are our next two opponents followed by Man Utd (H 29 Dec) and Arsenal (A 1 Jan). These 5 EPL fixtures will determine if we have a real chance of a top 6 finish. On current form we can expect to pick up points in all these matches - perhaps with the exception of Arsenal Away on the first day of the new year?

On January 5, we get the chance to make amends for our poor opening day performance when Man City visit UP in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.

On the transfer front, expect to see a few fringe players make their exit from WHU in January. We have a large squad and whilst that has served us well given the injury list, several of these players will move on to Championship clubs during the transfer window.  Bobby is continually mentioned but I doubt this unless he makes significant progress with his injury and proves his fitness well before 31 Jan.

So, enjoy the turkeys and the goals. All I want is 12 points and a League Cup semi final for Christmas!

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

14^th November 2007

I have just returned from one of my regular visits to Upton Park this time to see us concede a 94th minute equaliser to Bolton!  This was a game we should have had wrapped up some considerable time in advance of that late, late strike. To be fair Bolton missed a sitter midway through the 2nd half when they had a free header due to a defensive lapse.

I retained my 25 year record of never witnessing a defeat at UP - Bolton certainly did not deserve to win and we created the vast majority of chances and, as noted above, we really should have won it.  Matty had a great game, Upson was solid and Carlton Cole played about as well as he could. LBM had a poor game yet still displayed some wonderful touches.

Make no mistake, we have been playing our 'second 11' due to the extensive injury list and any points we gather is impressive.  Curbs has said that he does not want to complain as this would be unfair to the available players. I am impressed by this approach as it is professional and rewards the efforts and standing of all players.

The subsequent result at Derby (boy did I go to the wrong game) is absolute proof that this approach is working.  We tore them apart with our 'second 11' and they could not have done it if they believed they really were 2nd best! A brilliant result.

Tottenham 25 November
We are LIVE on Fox again on Sunday night 25 November however as its Tottenham there is sure to be demand to see us turn over our small northern neighbours!

SYDNEY OZ Hammers are meeting @ The Hakoah Club, 67 Hall Street, Bondi Sunday night 25 November! (KO 12.30am Monday morning)

Spurs have a new manager and have finally won a game so some of the pressure is off. The Hammers should have several long term injuries back for this game so all the stars are aligning for an absolute classic!

AS USUAL Check with your local OZ Hammers Clubs for venues and times!

We have a new Web Site under development and hope to launch this inside the next 4 weeks. This initiative will bring together the Hammers supporters groups throughout Australia and offer membership and a host of other benefits.

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

12^th september 2007

I have a nose bleed!

Having trouble coming to terms with the Hammers position mid table but hopefully I'll get used to it?

This Saturday we are LIVE on Fox again and take on 'Boro at Upton Park where a win will see us not only consolidate our mid table position but almost certainly progress.  With the squad we have we should expect nothing less.

Scott Parker and Freddie Ljungberg are all but available again so this means that we are as close to full strength as possible given the long term injuries to Kieron Dyer and Julien Faubert who realistically will struggle to play again this season. Perhaps Faubert might make it but Kieron is very doubtful. 29 in the full squad is a big number albeit less than last season.

I want a solid season with sensible results and a bit of fun.  No more roller-coasters - never liked them!

As every WHU game is now effectively live on Foxtel, I propose that we only hold gatherings for the major games. Realistically we can't all manage it otherwise.

The standouts are:

Sun 23 Sept 10.30pm KO (Sydney)  Newcastle Away
Sat 29 Sept Midnight KO (Sydney)  Arsenal Home
Sun 25 Nov 11.30pm KO (Sydney)  Tottenham Home (this is a 1.30pm London KO)

After that we are into 1am KOs and members will need to let me know if they are really keen to gather for those matches. KO times are of course subject to change.

AS USUAL Check with your local OZ Hammers Clubs for venues and times!
I'll be at the home match v Bolton on Sunday 4 November so keep an eye out for me.

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

17^th August 2007

Dear OzHammers,

Fox Sports has introduced Viewers Choice to the Barclays Premier League partly as a result of our vigorous complaints relating to their scheduling of the final round back in May. You will all recall that we were unable to see a live broadcast of our final game and 1-0 humiliation of ManU . As a result, we will now be able to watch just about every WHU match LIVE

Here's how it will work...

No matter what match is chosen as the LIVE midnight broadcast game, if we don't want to watch that game, we can press the red button on the Foxtel remote and to access "Viewers Choice". On screen will appear four other matches. All we have to do is then chose which game we want to watch

Last year Foxtel showed up to 6 matches live per week, this year it will be 9 or 10.

It's illegal to show all 38 matches of a club's season but you'll probably see 35 or 36 WHU matches this coming campaign. There's 380 matches played in a season and we will now get between 350-360 of them live on Fox Sports.

SO - I have now settled a deal with The Hakoak Club and WEST HAM MATCHES WILL BE ON AT THE HAKOAH CLUB ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND! We are guaranteed priority!

SYDNEY - LIVE Broadcast of WHU v Wigan Athletic - Hakoah Club, 67 Hall Street, Bondi Saturday night 25 August from 11.30pm.

AS USUAL Check with your local OZ Hammers Clubs for venues and times!

Oh, re the ManCity game, the less said about our performance the better...

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

6^th August 2007

Dear OzHammers,

1. LIVE Broadcast of WHU v Manchester City - Hakoah Club, 67 Hall Street, Bondi Saturday night 11 August from 11pm.

2. OZ Hammers to enter a team in the Over 40s Summer 6-a-side football competition in Sydney.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1. LIVE Broadcast of WHU v Manchester City - Hakoah Club, 67 Hall Street, Bondi Saturday night 11 August from 11pm.

Don't forget our first LIVE BROADCAST of the season at Hakoah this Saturday night!

The Tottenham game is on live from 9pm so you can poke fun at them first before enjoying our match!

Upton Park 3pm London Saturday 11 August
KO midnight Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, 11.30pm Adelaide, 10pm Perth
LIVE on Foxtel - Hakoah Club, 61-67 Hall Street Bondi, Sydney.

Adelaide Hammers @ The Rosemont Hotel

We here in Adelaide would like to get together at the Rosemont Hotel in Hindley St, for the first game against Man City. We will be there from about 9pm onwards and would really like to see all the crowd that we had for the end of last season attend so we can get things up and running for the new season.

Thanks from Paul and Kaye here in Adelaide.

Brisbane Hammers to the Pig n Whistle once again!
Pig n Whistle
123 Eagle Street, Brisbane

Our opening fixture of the 2007/08 season at home to Man City 11th August is live on Fox Sports - midnight kick off EST.

The Brisbane Hammers will be out in force @ the Pig n Whistle as they were for our run in last season - usual 10pm meeting time.

Canberra Hammers
Live at "The City Club"
Lower Level, Garema Centre
Garema Place, Civic
Tel. 02 6248 8917

Page 'Danny Brosnan' at reception and I will sign you in.

Any probs or questions please Call Danny Brosnan on (02) 6127 7203 at work or 0416 053135 after hours.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2. OZ Hammers to enter a team in the Over 40s Summer 6-a-side football competition in Sydney.

I would like to enter 1 or 2 OZ Hammers sides in a Summer six-a-side over 40s football comp. I expect we will have quite a few other EPL supporters clubs represented this season and it's a lot of fun with terrific guys ALL 40+

Its on a Tuesday and/or Wednesday nights (depending on team numbers) at L'Estrange Park Botany starting about 7pm and runs 10 weeks from the 18th of September. It would be great to have an OZ Hammers team in WHU kit.

I refereed in this comp last year and it was great fun. Let me know if you are interested first so I can get the other clubs going too. If you just want to go ahead and organise your own Hammers teams, contact Ros at ESFA or 02 9666 8686.

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

16^th July 2007

The Carlos Tevez saga continues!  Sadly, it now seems inevitable that he will not be returning to WHU. Given the incredible chaos surrounding his agent/owner/pseudo parent in Mr Kia Joorabchian we are probably better off without him.  ManUtd would be very well advised to ensure that they purchase all rights to Carlos's play rather than rely on the hybrid arrangements we have suffered under....

There is no doubt that this has hampered our off-season signings but based on comments from several other clubs and the lack of new arrivals all round, movements to date have been fraught with difficulty.

Notwithstanding all the confusing and misleading information surrounding Carlos, it seems absolutely clear to me that West Ham are now in a very strong if not impregnable position:

1. Carlos's EPL registration is with WHU - that cannot change without the consent of WHU.
    
2. The economic rights to Carlos 'belong' (better expressed as 'under an exclusive agreement') to companies associated with Mr Kia Joorabchian. All that means is that any club that Carlos plays for must pay BOTH companies associated with Mr Kia Joorabchian and Carlos for those services. IMHO this is a very dangerous arrangement for all concerned and would logically be an unenforceable arrangement as it would almost be design be in conflict with many EU laws associated with both Restraint of Trade and Freedom of Employment!
   
   Joorabchian relationship is actually irrelevant to the registration of Carlos.
   
   In another amazing twist, Joorabchian's was last week ordered to be arrested by a Brazilian judge   along with London-based Russian Boris Berezovsky, on allegations of money laundering.
    
3. The Premier League registered Carlos to WHU and confirmed the veracity of that registration in early 2007. We can assume that ALL documents and agreements relating to the deal between WHU and companies associated with Mr Kia Joorabchian were made available this time.  There can be absolutely no doubt that this is correct.
    
4. If Carlos says to WHU that he no longer wishes to play for the club, as seems likely if not already extant, then WHU will have to release him as in all reality a club cannot force a player to fulfil such a contract. The Copa America final in Venezuela has just been completed so we WILL hear more tomorrow!
    
5. Sheffield Utd's claims are laughable and will be dismissed in every court they convince to even entertain them thus wasting more time and money. They made it to the High Court in London on Friday but were refused leave to appeal from the decision of the Arbitration Panel. Rest assured that we will continue to hear their management moan on for the next 10 years.
    
6. An insightful comment by a fellow WHU fan: "Everyone seems happy to judge the fine imposed on West Ham in HINDSIGHT. It should be seen in the context of the time that it was imposed. At that time, it was 90% certain that West Ham would be relegated. If the PL had given them a points deduction, they would almost certainly have been accused of shuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic. However, if as seemed likely, West Ham were relegated, they would also be severely hampered in any attempt for promotion by such a punitive fine." (Phil McDonald)

Season 2007-2008

WHU kick off its season against Manchester City and I am delighted to report that we are LIVE on Foxtel with a midnight KO (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra).

The Hakoah Club is booked and ready (Sunderland v Tottenham from 9.40 pm and then WHU v Man City from 11.55pm).

OZ Hammers are all invited to attend a New Beginning.

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

15^th June 2007

Man City to visit on opening day - WHUFC

West Ham United have been handed a home fixture against Manchester City on the opening weekend of the 2007-08 Barclays Premier League season.

The Hammers will take on City - current managerless and facing an impending takeover - at Upton Park in the first game of the new campaign, which kicks off on Saturday, August 11.

Our first away match was originally scheduled to be a trip to Liverpool just a few days later on Wednesday, August 15. However, with the Reds involved in Champions League qualifiers that week, the fixture will definitely be rearranged for another date. That means our first away game of the season will be a visit to newly-promoted Birmingham City on Saturday, August 18, before the Hammers return to Upton Park a week later for our second home game of the season, against Wigan Athletic.

Other notable fixtures to look out for before Christmas are home clashes against Arsenal on September 29 and Tottenham Hotspur on November 24, while we face away trips to Chelsea on December 1 and Middlesbrough just three days before Christmas.

Reading are the visitors to Upton Park on Boxing Day, with Manchester United in town three days later, before Alan Curbishley's men face a trip to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on New Year's Day.

For the second year running, our final away game of the season is at Manchester United, but the campaign overall ends at Upton Park, with Aston Villa the visitors on May 11. Please note that ALL fixtures are still subject to change. Details of our live Sky TV and Setanta Sports coverage will appear here as soon as they are confirmed.

Click here for a full list of the Fixtures for WHU 2007-08 campaign in the Barclays Premier League.

Strangely enough, I just can't find any record of Sheffield United's EPL 2007-08 Fixtures???

OZ Hammers New Season
I hope to announce major changes in our offerings and setup for the coming season.

Stay tuned!

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

15^th May 2007

Dear OZ Hammers,

I've only just recovered from the elation. I could hardly speak yesterday - a  result of not only 3 hours sleep but also quite a bit of screaming, singing and nervous energy!

Life as a WHU fan is never dull and again it proved to be so this season. In fact WHU must be the ADHD team to support as its a non stop adrenalin rush every year. Just consider it:

2000/2001 - almost relegated, long term manager (HR) sacked, interim unheard of replacement in Glenn Roeder. Still, we beat Man Utd at OT in the FA Cup with that wonderful Di Canio goal, but Fear grips WHU.

2001/2002 - finished 7th in a wonderful season of achievement!  Very Exciting - surely onwards and upwards from here?

2002/2003 - relegated with most ever points and arguably one of our best ever teams! Manager 'retires' with a brain tumor and Sir Trev takes over in an interim capacity.

2003/2004 - Glenn Roeder sacked and again replaced by Sir Trev takes in an interim capacity whilst waiting on Alan Pardew. Legal fight with Reading over poaching of Pardew. Finish 4th in the CCC and reach the Play-Off final v Crystal Palace - lose 1-0

2004/2005 - Poor season in the CCC and just scrape into 6th place. Came good at the death and best Preston 1-0 in the Play-Off final to return to the EPL.

2005/2006 - Glorious first season back in the EPL. Finish 9th, reach the FA Cup final against Liverpool only to lose on penalties after drawing 3-3 in the best ever FA Cup match. Three years running we have enjoyed a final at Cardiff in May! Win a place in the UEFA Cup.

2006/2007 - what a disaster!  Its so convoluted that I can't even bear to write.  However, the best description I can concoct is "they all tried to kill us, we even tried to kill us, we survived, let's sing"!

The Last 9 Weeks
From that heat-breaking 3-4 loss to Tottenham to the incredible 1-0 win against Man Utd, we have seen it all.  I was one of those who said we were doomed as I just could not see us winning a game let alone 7 from 9. We were lucky against Blackburn, but that has to be balanced against incredibly unlucky against Newcastle and Fulham in January, and then we were so despondent that we performed so poorly against Watford and Reading that all seemed lost.

How on earth Curbs turned the players around is beyond me.

Where to From Here?
WHU now has a real chance to grow. We have new professional management and the sleeping giant has a real chance, provided that we have real ambition.

I know I've said it before but this time I am more confident that ever.

The much written about legal challenge will not eventuate. There is no legal standing and the decision cannot be overturned. The independent tribunal was just that and unless it has transpired that THEY acted dishonestly, and surely this is not the case, nothing more will happen.

There of course will be a player clear-out as Curbs finally get the chance to mould his own WHU team.  We all want Tevez to stay but in all honesty this looks doubtful.  My guess is that he will leave England for a Spanish club and set the world on fire there.  He will remain in my heart as his performances in recent weeks have been inspirational.  He has made us £50M!!!

The current back four with Gabbidon replacing Anton plus Upson and Spector (not sure about Davenport) can stay with Green and Walker.  Yossi, Luis BM & Noble in the midfield and The Z man and Ashton plus the kids (Kyel & Hogan).  Otherwise I am afraid its Bye-By! I'd love to add Tevez in there but just can't see it!

That leaves us with 14 senior players plus Kyel and Hogan and that means that we need a LOT of new players. It promises to be an exciting off season....

The OZ Hammers?
A bit of a hibernation but a few new initiatives. I'd like to have us be involved in some charitable endeavours as this is the best way we can put something back:

1. The Indochina Starfish Foundation (http://www.indochinastarfish.org) is a wonderful organisation with which I am involved.  I hope there will be some WHU sponsored teams soon and we can support them. We really need 2nd hand kids boots and shin pads so please help us collect these.

2. We are considering another OZ Hammers tour in the early part of the season.

3. I hope to enter a few OZ Hammers teams in a 'summer-sixes' ESFA (http://www.esfa.com.au)  competition for over 40s.

4. Anything else that any of you dream up - send me an email?

I'll keep the news coming at http://www.ozhammers.com so stay tuned.  I will certainly be pursuing the Foxtel situation with the Australian Government and hope that some progress can be made.

I have also received requests for an OZ Hammers Membership programme and OZ Hammers Polo Shirts. If enough of you want this I will make them available. Please let me know?

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

10^th May 2007

Dear OZ Hammers,

Well I am utterly appalled.

After all my efforts Foxtel have refused to assist and the Man Utd v WHU game will remain on delayed broadcast at 2.30am EST after the Sheffield Utd v Wigan live game.

I mean with all due respect, how many supporters in Australia are there for Sheffield Utd and Wigan compared to WHU and Man Utd?  I mean really! What type of a choice is this - they should show  both games!

The situation is as follows:

1. Foxtel holds the exclusive rights to the broadcast of EPL (English Premier League) games in Australia.
    
2. All EPL matches in the final round are, quite appropriately, played at 3pm on the final Sunday so as to ensure that the final positions cannot be influenced by teams knowing the result of other matches.
    
3. This means that broadcasters need to choose which game they broadcast live assuming that they have only one medium of delivery.
    
4. Foxtel has an effective MONOPOLY and therefore we have no means of legally watching a live broadcast of the match. (I am aware of several people who will watch the match via live feeds that breach licences - I cannot participate in such events nor can I ever promote them.)
    
5. I made representations to Foxtel management with a suggestion that the Man Utd v WHU game be shown live on their Main Event channel and I offered to pay for it!
    
6. They have refused.  They claim that they are choosing to broadcast our game and that it is reasonable to do so on a 2.5-hour delay commencing at 2.30am on Monday morning.
   This is grossly unfair and not only  that its poor service and a poor business decision! Once again, this is a £50m match and we are denied the right to see it LIVE. Who really enjoys seeing a match on delay when they know they could  see it live?  Internationally other broadcasters are using their multi-channel facilities to broadcast 2+ matches when this type of thing occurs. We are left out in the cold and I am NOT impressed.

However, I am not taking this lying down and I will continue in David vs. Goliath mode once again until all avenues are exhausted.

I have been the staunchest of protectors of copyright and licensing throughout my career but where better is the case made for the exhaustion of copyright/licence than this example when the licensee refuses to adequately exploit that licence?  It is trite to claim that broadcast at 2.30am on a Monday morning is effective exercise of the licence as the broadcast is not live nor is it convenient to the audience!

In such a case, even more so when the licence holder is an effective monopoly, another provider should be permitted to broadcast live.

I will be making representations to the Minister for Communications in Canberra tonight!

Send your emails of support as well to the press, to Foxtel and elsewhere as we should have the choice are are promised.

Worst case scenario, I'll have LIVE radio broadcast of the Man Utd v WHU game at Hakoah in Sydney and I'll be funding the bar at Hakoah in Sydney for one almighty party on Sunday night for OZ Hammers.

See you there from 11.30pm Sunday 13th May.

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

9^th May 2007

Dear OZ Hammers,

We edge just that little bit closer to retaining our place in the garden of plenty as many of us for the fist time cheered on Spurs to a win over Charlton on Monday night.  Whilst Mr Pardew may be complicit insofar as he contributed to our present position, it still was NOT nice to see those sad Charlton fans as their dream evaporated.

However, their demise is another life-line for WHU as now 2 of the 3 relegation places are filled and all we need is a draw at Old Trafford to definitely retain our EPL status.

As I said on Monday:  "WHU almost safe after winning 6 of the last 8 games. Its extraordinary. Its a dream that just wont fade and die."

AND after Villa's big win over Sheffield and Wigan's loss (thank you Mark Viduka!), and Charlton's loss to Tottenham, all we need is a point at ManU for guaranteed survival. BUT, even if we lose, as Sheffield MUST get a point at home v Wigan in their last game to ensure they don't go down, the chances of our relegation should be slim.

Whilst there has been criticism of Liverpool for resting 9 players and thereby 'allowing' Fulham to win at the weekend, who can really blame Liverpool for resting tired players in a game that for them held no interest? In any case, this was not the critical result for us - Wiagn v 'Boro, Villa v Sheffield and our match v Bolton were the the results we needed and we got them.

That 3-0 win by Villa on Saturday night was so important as any win by Wigan over Sheffield on Sunday and a point to WHU at Old Trafford would relegate Sheffield on goal difference - so they have to play!

The current standings are:

Even a loss at the hands of Man Utd could be OK provided that Wigan don't win.

Foxtel have decided to show the Sheffield Utd v Wigan, battle for survival match live and our game on delay at 2.30am EST (12.30am WST).  I am making representations to Fox in an attempt to get access to the Man Utd v WHU LIVE signal. They hold the exclusive rights to ALL broadcast of the EPL in OZ so we have no choice but to request access from Foxtel.

Clearly we will all be happy with a PPV situation and I am working on it.

Worst case scenario, I'll have LIVE radio broadcast of the Man Utd v WHU game at Hakoah in Sydney and I'll be funding the bar at Hakoah in Sydney for one almighty party on Sunday night for OZ Hammers.

See you there from 11.30pm Sunday 13th May.

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

6^th May 2007

Dear OZ Hammers,

I can't believe it.  WHU almost safe after winning 6 of the last 8 games. Its extraordinary. Its a dream that just wont fade and die.

AND after Villa's big win over Sheffield and Wigan's loss (thank you Mark Viduka!) all we need is a point at ManU for guaranteed survival provided that Charlton lose to or draw with Spurs on Monday night (surely they can't win both?). BUT, even if we lose, as Sheffield MUST get a point at home v Wigan in their last game to ensure they don't go down, the chances of our relegation should be slim. It really looks like a draw at Old Trafford will be enough.

Our win over Bolton also opens up a UEFA place for Spurs. If they beat Charlton on Monday they will have control of that UEFA place  so they have plenty to play for. Come on Tottenham - time for a favour...

That 3-0 win by Villa on Saturday night was also so important as any win by Wigan over Sheffield next week and a point to WHU at Old Trafford would relegate Sheffield on goal difference so they have to play!

The current standings are:

I was wrong about Fulham as they beat a very different Liverpool team missing their stars . Boro did us a huge favour v Wigan as that result and the Villa win over Sheffield were the really important results for WHU. Fulham are still in the mix though and need a point to be safe.

Even a loss at the hands of Man Utd could be OK provided that Wigan don't win and Charlton get anything less than 2 wins!

All games are 3pm Sunday so Fox have to choose one to broadcast live. I've had a look at the fixture list and the only 2 that appear of any interest are Man Utd v WHU, the potential winners of the League versus a team on the edge of relegation/survival and Sheffield Utd v Wigan, two 'unfashionable' teams battling for survival.  I know which one has the most commercial appeal!  Here's hoping.  We should know on Tuesday which game is to be live.

If it is Man Utd v West Ham, I'll be funding the bar at Hakoah in Sydney for one almighty party on Sunday night!

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

1^st May 2007

Dear OZ Hammers,

Just got the news through from FOX Sports that the Hammers are on LIVE AGAIN at midnight this Saturday against Bolton!!!! What a special favour once more for the OZ Hammers.

After our brilliant demolition of Wigan we now have a real chance of EPL survival. Beat Notlob (aka Bolton) and we should be there next season.

And, for those of you who have not heard, Big Sam Allardyce resigned as manager of Bolton and has been replaced by Sammy Lee, Allardyce's assistant at the Reebok Stadium since June 2005. Click here.

Possibly great news for our clash?

The current standings are:

Charlton wont get more than a point whilst Fulham likewise. Wigan are in free fall and as Boro have to also get at least a point from Saturday's game to avoid mathematical relegation, Wigan too are very unlikely to get more than a point.

Therefore, a West Ham win against a very good Bolton side should be enough!

Oh let it be so............

I am travelling this week and will be in Melbourne, so can't be at the Sydney venue. Hakoah will still be humming to the usual songs as will all our other venues. All we then need is a LIVE feed for the Man Utd game and we can all have one hell of a party. (I have already asked nicely........)

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

24^th April 2007

I am back in Sydney today and after 5 weeks in London, the Hammers future is still uncertain!

I sat in the West Stand on Saturday and witnessed an excellent performance by the team as we despatched Everton 1-0 despite the best efforts of the replacement referee to find an Everton equaliser.

Bobby's 15-minute goal was a thing of beauty and we truly terrorised the Everton goal for those first 20 minutes.

Zamora is such an enigma as his ball control wavers between woeful to inspired. This goal was worthy of a Champions League player.

We should have had more too as he missed 2 other 'easy' chances and failed to even get them on target. Yossi had a great game and may have at last shaken off his injuries as he not only set up Bobby, he too could have bagged a brace. Neill had a great shot flash wide on about the 25-minute mark and that would have made my day.

In the second half Everton improved but only created half chances and we made more of it than the Toffees and were unlucky not to score more.

I am very loath to criticise referees, as it is almost never warranted. However, the referee gave a quite bizarre performance penalising West Ham for what seemed like every challenge. He added 6 minutes of extra time at the end of the second half and seemingly penalised us for alleged time wasting. I cannot explain suffice to say that we made it!

Unbelievably we still have a chance at EPL survival and we get to see it live as our away fixture against Wigan is live on Foxtel at midnight (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) this Saturday night. This is NOT good news as West Ham have lost every live match this season and only scored our first goal on OZ TV last Wednesday versus Chelsea!

We must beat Wigan to have any chance. If the real West Ham turns up then we can do anything!

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

15^th April 2007

What a shame - all the hard work now appears wasted after we slumped to a very disappointing 3-0 loss to Sheffield yesterday. The 'curse' of Foxtel struck again - this season not only have we lost every live game on TV in OZ, we have also failed to score a goal in any of those games!

I returned from Morocco to London on Friday after receiving a call from Russell Corr whilst in the Sahara desert to report the stunning win at Arsenal, but could not make the trip to Sheffield with Si Lewis and the boys and was glad that I was otherwise occupied as the performance was poor.

Having reviewed the Arsenal highlights its now also clear that we were incredibly lucky to win that game so in reality this was not a slump but to be expected - deluded again.

After the Hammers' 3-0 defeat at Bramall Lane, Alan Curbishley today insisted: "There's still a long way to go." "We know we have to win the majority of our games. That hasn't changed. We play Chelsea on Wednesday, then Everton and we have to give it our best shot. "Things can change dramatically in a week but we have to win. We've got to score some goals and the reason we got beat today is we had great opportunities but we didn't take them."

Its true that before the Arsenal game we would have taken 3 points from both the Arsenal and Sheffield games, however this combination of results gives Sheffield a 5 point break on us so its a fallacy to think that we really are OK!

Of course I'll be at the Everton game and a win next Saturday is an absolute must as is a point from Chelsea.

Then again there's that song about bubbles and dreams.....

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

2^nd April 2007

The beautiful weather in London this week, just like West Ham's dalliance with EPL survival, flatters to deceive.  They even promise a fine Easter long weekend, something I am advised almost never happens!

We won 2-0 against Middlebrough and won easily. However, there is still a very long way to go for us to achieve a miracle escape. We play Arsenal away on Saturday at the fabulous new Emirates Stadium and then miss out on an Easter Monday game due to Chelsea's European commitments - perhaps a blessing.

On Friday Charlton play Man City away, on Saturday Wigan have Bolton at home and Sheffield Utd entertain Newcastle. We must get at least a point from Arsenal and continue to hope that the above 3 lose.

On Easter Monday Charlton have Reading at home, Wigan are away to Villa and Sheffield Utd, like us, do not play.

I have new hope but its all so cruel. Our run in is the hardest of all but at least we are scoring again so who knows? It will be tough....

Arsenal v WHU is LIVE on Foxtel with KO at midnight on Saturday - Sydney Hammers should gather at The Hakoah Club as usual!

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

20^th March 2007

A False dawn?

So, a couple of dodgy goals and all of a sudden these is some optimism. The life of a tragic West Ham fan rolls on!

I have been besiged this week with messages of support after winning our first game in what seems like ages? In fact it was so long ago that I actually needed to go and look it up - Sunday 17 December 2006 v Man Utd was our last EPL win! I didn't count our FA Cup win against League 2 Brighton but perhaps we should in this dismal of all seasons.

As I suggested in an earlier report, it will be just like WHU to give us a false dawn and then have the rug pulled out from under us by either the FA or Man Utd on the last day.

Charlton's win really means that its still so hard and our run in against mostly top 10 sides makes it look grim indeed. Still some of these teams may turn off so who knows? 7 points from the next 3 games is the minimum requirement and that may just place us a point behind Sheffield Utd who play Bolton (A), Newcastle (H) and then WHU. During those weeks Charlton play Wigan (H), Man City (A), Reading (H) and Everton (A) and to be honest they look more likely than WHU to survive. How ironic.

I'm off to London this week to cheer on the lads and will definitely be at the Everton game and hopefully a few more.

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

12^th March 2007

I am so despondent with this season that promised so much and has delivered simply the worst year of football results I can recall.

This time last year I was in the early stage of preparing to travel to London for the FA Cup. I was overjoyed to have 17 fellow OZ Hammers join me and boy did we have a great time.

After that I promised myself that season 06/07 just could not be a repeat of 02/03. It loomed in the background but surely we had learnt from that debacle and we had moved on? After 7th in 01/02, no investment in the squad, expectation abounding, a fantastic team - the sky seemed the limit! Right?

Wrong - we crashed - it could NOT happen again! I had learnt, the management just had to be be better this time.

What a disgrace this has all been.

Now on the eve of my annual pilgrimage to Upton Park, I return with so little enthusiasm - and I hate that. I can't believe that I will witness the demise of this team from where we were 12 months ago. I don't know for sure who is to blame but am certain that there will be significant repercussions this time.

The swirl of innuendo surrounding the club only further diminishes my enthusiasm. It however seems that so many locals can't stay away as the ground remains full of season ticket holders and regulars although the reports of fights and other angry scenes perhaps heralds early signs of trouble to come?

Why does this keep happening to us and how can we stop it? We have to get professional. For too long we have not hired the type of people we need and we need management that will promote only on merit with absolute dedication to equity. Players clearly need to be better managed as if only half of what we hear is true, it indicates that we are a club out of control.

Relegation is now certain no matter what spin we want to put on the maths as 3 of our 9 remaining games are against Chelsea, Arsenal and ManU thus leaving only 6 realistic 3 pointers thus delivering a maximum of 38 points - we are simply too far adrift of 17th place for that total to deliver safety. ManCity (11 games left - 30 pts), Sheffield Utd (9 games - 31 pts) need so few points to condemn us. And we need to win ALL those 6 games - it obviously can't happen with this lot!

What I really fear is the significant blood letting that the FA and press promise. If there is major wrongdoing in relation to Tevez and Mascherano, then the damage to our club could be so great that we will languish for a decade in oblivion. If Magnusson departs, as he very well could if the sanctions are too great, then I fear the worst.

As I started I cannot recall a time where there were so few posts on the original WHU email forum. That tells me that my despondency is shared by many of you too.

Forever blowing bubbles.......

DPL

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