West Ham get Olympic stadium nod

IMPRESSION: An artist's view of how West Ham's new home would look

WEST HAM UNITED has been confirmed as the preferred bidder to take over the Olympic Stadium in East London.  The Hammers saw off stiff competition from London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur, to inherit the stadium after the Olympics in 2012.  Their plans to have a 60,000 stadium for major football matches, athletics events and concert gigs was seen by the OPLC (Olympic Park Legacy Company) as a better use of the stadium.  Tottenham’s plan had been to bulldoze the stadium, and turn it into a complete football stadium, using Crystal Palace as a redevelopment plan to host athletics events.

At a press conference yesterday, Baroness Ford, the chairman of the OPLC confirmed it was a unanimous decision.  “We had to inspect and take both bids into serious consideration, but our recommendation to the Mayor of London and ministers are that the Olympic Stadium is to be used by West Ham United.”  Although Boris Johnson still needs to ratify the decision, it would be a massive shock if the Mayor of London opposed the recommendation.

The battle to win the tenant rights to the stadium has been fraught to say the least.  All of the London 2012 team have been putting their full backing into West Ham’s bid.  Chairman of the bid, Lord Coe has always maintained that if Tottenham had got the nod, it would have broken promises made to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) when London won the right to host the games back in 2005. 

PONDERING: Daniel Levy is unhappy and is thinking about legal action

Tottenham seem unhappy with the decision.  Their chairman Daniel Levy is considering the possibility of legal action, as he feels the athletics track issue totally overshadowed the club’s bid.  Despite this, Ford denies this element and insists both bids were taken extremely seriously.  Lord Sugar, former chairman of Spurs has also slammed the OPLC decision, calling it “weak and gutless.” 

Some West Ham fans seem a bit cautious about the decision.  Yesterday morning, ex-Hammers defender Tony Gale told Sky Sports News of his pressing concerns.  “I worry that if West Ham get the stadium, it isn’t what the fans want.”  I’ve spoken to many supporters and not one person was for the move.”  However, Tottenham fans don’t seem as disappointed as the club’s board are, with one lifelong fan telling Sky News yesterday of his delight; “Every Spurs fan I know will be happy that we’re not going to Stratford – we were annoyed that Spurs even got involved.”

It seems like commonsense as prevailed, and hopefully, it will secure the long-term future of the Olympic Stadium after the games in 2012.  With West Ham’s struggles on the pitch well-documented, this is probably the best news they’ve had all season.  So, it would now be such a shame if such a promising venue would be hosting npower Championship football in two seasons time.  Maybe it’s time for the players to start playing for the shirt, to avoid this plight. 

FA Cup 5th Round Review - More Gripping Drama

This blog was first published on February 15th at http://happydude88.livejournal.com/

Records were broken, the unexpected stirred and games were breathless to keep up with it, the 2010 FA Cup is turning into one of the best of recent years, and 5th round weekend failed to disappoint those hardcore fans. Sure, there weren’t any giant-killing upsets, but the efforts of many were impressive, even if the scoreline went against them, even flattered the opposition.

Cup holders Chelsea remain firmly on course to successfully defend their trophy at Wembley on May 13th. Championship play-off contenders Cardiff City gave the Blues a run for their money in the first half, but crumbled in the second forty-five as Ancelotti’s side coasted into the quarter-finals with consummate ease. Didier Drogba has carried on the form he was showing before he left for Africa, Danny Sturridge continued his record of scoring in each round so far and with a side minus Petr Cech, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, then the remaining sides must fear the men from the Kings Road.

West London rivals Fulham also made it through, with League Two side Notts County, recently bought for £1, putting up very little resistance against the Cottagers. Fulham are certainly dark horses for this competition, injuries are clearing up slowly and in Bobby Zamora, they have a striker in the form of his life. It might be too late for South Africa, but Fabio Capello must keep his eye on Zamora as an alternative to the bumbling Emile Heskey.

Heskey disappointed again at Crystal Palace, and so did his Aston Villa team-mates, as Neil Warnock’s side came within three minutes of causing a stunning upset at Selhurst Park. In a classic cup-tie, Palace took the lead twice; including a stunning free-kick from Newcastle reject Darren Ambrose, finally showing his true potential. It had to take a gutsy header from Villa captain Stilian Petrov to take the tie back to Villa Park. Martin O’Neill will know his young chargers were in a game and with the replay now due for four days before the Carling Cup final, it could be seen now to the boss as a major inconvenience.

Another cash-strapped club made it through into the last eight, as Portsmouth overcame a brave Southampton in the South Coast derby. Saints had their chances, but failed to take them and when Pompey got theirs, they showed their Premiership class, despite being rock-bottom of the division and fighting a battle to stay in business. A final scoreline of 4-1 did flatter them though, considering there were two goals in stoppage time as Alan Pardew’s League One side pressed for a leveller.

Reading’s Jimmy Kebe broke a record, for the quickest FA Cup goal ever. It took him just seven seconds to find the net against West Brom. However, Roberto di Matteo’s Baggies gritted out a 2-2 draw, despite being down to ten men and trailing twice. It is a missed opportunity for Reading, and they may well struggle now in the Hawthorns rematch.

Both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur earned unwelcome replays, as they battle it out for 4th place in the Premiership. City’s multi-millionaires looked weak and lacked passion on Saturday night, Stoke with the Rory Delap weapon fully deserving their second crack at the whip, despite a devastating medial ligament injury to Matthew Etherington. Tottenham outclassed Bolton in the second half of their encounter at the Reebok, but wasted chances again and Tom Huddlestone’s failure from the penalty spot highlighted this face well and truly. They will be disappointed not to get the job done, and need goals fast if their season doesn’t want to end up disintegrating.

Birmingham City also progressed. They worked hard for their narrow 2-1 win at Derby County. A last-minute winner from Liam Ridgewell was lucky, but sometimes, you need luck to progress and Alex McLeish’s side will fancy their chances now to bring silverware back to the Midlands.

With four replays required, the sixth round draw still is incomplete and messy, but the prospect of West Brom v Aston Villa, Fulham v Tottenham and Chelsea v Manchester City would whet anyone’s appetite. The FA Cup continues to provide its old romance and great stories, but the men from Stamford Bridge are looking increasingly tough to beat.