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Celtic (Scotland), Diosgyoeri VIK (Hungary), Benfica (Portugal), Altay Izmir (Turkey), CA Spora (Luxembourg), Sparts Prague (Czechoslovakia), Politechnica Timisoara (Rumania), Dinamo Zagreb (Yugoslavia), FC Sion (Switzerland), Haugar FC (Norway), Fortunia Dusseldorf (West Germany), Casino Salzburg (Austria), Hibernian (Malta), Waterford (Eire), Hvidovre IF (Denmark), Fram Reykjavik (Iceland), Ilves Tampere (Finland), Feyenoord (Holland), Kastoria (Greece), Dinamo Tbilisi (USSR), Newport (Wales), Crusaders (Northern Ireland), Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus), Waterschei (Belgium), Partizani tirana (Albania), Malmo (Sweden), Real Castilla (Spain), West Ham United (England), Roma (Italy), Carl Zeiss Jena (East Germany), Slavia Sofia (Bulgaria), Legia Warsaw (Poland), Valencia (Spain), Monaco (France)
CASTILLA C. de F. (Spain)
First Round - 1st leg: (Santiago Bernabeu Stadium) 1-3
17th September 1980
Conflicting reports as to whether a programme was ever issued for the game in Spain: Any information gratefully received
Cross
Att: 40,000
Parkes
Stewart
Lampard
Bonds
Martin
Devonshire (Brush)
Morgan (Barnes)
Goddard
Cross
Brooking
Pike
Match Tickets
Billy Bonds and Castilla captain Bernal shake hands before the kick-off
THE FIRST LEG:
Played in Madrid, ended with the Hammers facing a two-goal deficit. Those who travelled to the match had vivid recollections of 90 mintutes of swaying fortunes; for those of us that stayed at home, an on-th-spot radio broadcast and the press dealt comprehensively with Castilla's 3-1 victory; but it was a result over which the Hammers could hardly enthuse. The first meeting was another of those matches of two halves. A goal in the 18th minute and an overall superiority gave Hammers, supporters a satisfying feeling at the interval - although a second counter would not have been undeserved and could have stemmed the Spaniards' subsequent enthusiasm.
For the Hammers the second half was a tragedy; for Castilla it was patently the fulfilment of many of their hopes. They took their chances, and will understandly face the return with additional confidence. West Ham will be at full stretch in order to erase the two-goal margin against them - and make progress to the next round.
Match Pass
Image courtesy of Simon Lord
CASTILLA C. de F. (Spain)
First Round - 2nd leg (Upton Park) 5-1 (a.e.t.)
1st October 1980 (agg 6-4)
Competitive soccer at European level returned to Upton Park after an absence of over four years.
Unfortunately, the indiscretions of a handful of miscreants brought disappointment to many who were expected at Upton Park. Events in the few days leading up to the return game dictated that this second leg will now be played before a strictly limited attendance behind closed doors.
The official attendance on the night goes in the record books as 262, that included the players, match officials, administration staff, and media, and qualifies as the lowest-ever figure for a First Team fixture at Upton Park.
Cross 3, Pike, Goddard
Att: 262
Parkes
Stewart
Lampard
Bonds
Martin
Devonshire
Holland (Brush)
Goddard (Morgan)
Cross
Brooking
Pike
RARE Match Ticket
This one was issued to club secretary Eddie Chapman
SPECIAL SOUVENIR ISSUE
Although the general public could not be admitted to the match, a special OFFICIAL 20-page edition of "Hammer" was produced.
The number of copies available were limited, and quickly became a "collector's item" because of the special circumstances surrounding the match.
SECOND LEG:
The national press, plus TV and radio focussed a great deal of attention on the unusual circumstances surrounding the match, those fortunate enough to be present had an experience which will be given a special pigeon - hole in soccer memories.
The rival teams each having a portion of the match in which they were generally on top. The Hammers set the tone with a gloriously-struck 25-yard shot from Geoff Pike after Pat Holland beat three men on the run. On the half-hour Trevor Brooking was fouled on the edge of the penalty-area, and his free-kick was headed home by David Cross to level the aggregate. Cross knocked back the ball for Paul Goddard to crash in the third five minutes before the interval, and it appeared the contest was ended.
Castilla had other ideas, especially as they had twice been foiled by good saves from Phil Parkes in the first half. Skipper Bernal hit a wonderful shot from around 30-yards eleven minutes after the resumption to level the aggregate again, and his team survived a bar-rattling header from Cross to take the tie to extra time.
By now, limbs were obviously begining to tire, but substitutes came on. One, Nicky Morgan, began the move that ended with Cross heading in again; and the seal was set on a great night as Cross completed his hat-trick in the last minute.
POLITEHNICA TIMISOARA (Rumania)
Second Round - 2nd leg (Upton Park) 4-0
22nd October 1980
Bonds, Cross, Goddard, Stewart
Parkes
Stewart
Lampard
Bonds
Martin
Devonshire
Holland
Goddard (Morgan)
Cross
Neighbour
Pike
Match Tickets
HAMMERS BITE, FIRST
COUNT DRACULA would have managed a bloodthirsty grin at the hungry way West Ham
put the bite on the Rumanians at Upton Park.
WEST HAM'S injured midfield star Trevor Brooking today echoed the justified optimism of his team-mates after last night's Cup Winners' Cup cakewalk. Bubbling Brooking said: "That four goal cushion will be more than enough to see us through to the quarter finals." Brooking, out of action with a groin injury, watched from the players' enclosure as Hammers tore timid Timisoara apart in a surprisingly one-sided second round, first leg 4-0 win in front of an Upton Park crowd at it's most raucous. Hammers' skipper Billy Bonds said that he banked on the crowd to prove Hammers' greatest collective ally. The West Ham captain led by superb example with a tremendous headed goal in the 24th minute to put the frighteners on the rattled Rumanians. As Brooking said: "I thought the lads were magnificent and I don't want to take anything away from them when I say I was disappointed with Timisoara. "They didn't seem to have much appetite for the battle. "They played four at the back plus a sweeper, but he played so square that we were able to get behind them amazingly easy. "Obviously, it will be a vastly different game out in Rumania in two weeks time, but I'm confident our lead will be sufficient. It was just as important they didn't score tonight and our defence did it's job perfectly." With Brooking absent, more responsibility inevitably fell on the slim shoulders of Alan Devonshire and he responded with tremendous character. I had a lot more room in midfield than I expected and they looked scared to make a tackle at times. "Certainly, it's going to be much more physical out there but there's no way we're going to throw away a four goal lead." Devonshire was just one of two Hammers who had to force themselves through the pain barrier against the Rumanians. The other, striker Paul Goddard. looked palpably less than fit but toiled on regardless and scored Hammers' second goal after 25 minutes. "We thought they were vulnerable down the flanks and that's how it proved. Now all we have to do in Rumania is score one more goal and they have to get six to qualify. I can't see them doing that but they're bound to kick a bit out there." It was a superb all-round display from a Hammers' outfit but I thought that little midfield man Geoff Pike was the pick of the bunch. He had some competition from experienced Rumanian general Ion Dumitru but Pike hardly put a foot wrong all night. The Rumanians looked frightened to death." Three goals in the space of five minutes effectively destroyed Timisoara's token challenge. After Bonds and Goddard had put Hammers on their way. Scottish defender Ray Stewart made it three from the penalty spot after rugged defender Viorel Visan had pushed Goddard in the back. Timisoara did have a goal disallowed ten minutes after the break by Austrian referee Heinz Fahnler and their depression was made more acute soon after when giant skipper Dan Paltinisanu was booked for a crude lunge on Jimmy Neighbour. Hammers' only hiccup came in the 71st minute when Stewart missed from his second spot kick attempt after Rumanian goalkeeper Auriel Moise had brought down Goddard. This time, Stewart angled his shot again wide to the right of Moise who made a superb save. It was the first time Hammers had failed to score from Stewart's spot-kicks from 15 efforts. But that fourth goal wasn't. long in coming. Pat Holland did well to evade one tackle and then feed Goddard whose shot was only parried by Moiseas far as Cross who had the simplest of chances. Hammers' manager John Lyall summed up the optimism in the camp when he said: "Four goals is the ideal cushion. "After England's setbacks in Rumania I would hope we have restored something of our reputation. The match proved there are still great qualities about the English game."
POLITEHNICA TIMISOARA (Rumania)
Second Round - 2nd leg (1 May Stadium) 0-1
5th November 1980 (agg: 4-1)
Att: 25,000
Parkes
Stewart (Brush)
Lampard
Bonds
Martin
Allen
Holland
Goddard
Cross
Neighbour (Brooking)
Pike
Can you help with an image?
Match Ticket
BUBBLING UP
Their finest hour as Hammers survive battering by Rumanians
East London fans paraded their claret-and-blue colours with well-behaved pride as West Ham staged their finist hour in Rumania to reach the European Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-finals. At half-time, with the score sheet clean and the 4-0 first-leg lead still intact, Hammers had already climbed a Rumanian Everest by surviving a ferocious battering. Italian referee Ricardo Lattans kept a firm, and sometimes fussy, grip, but nevertheless there were three bookings in a breathtaking first-half. Jimmy Neighbour, received the yellow card for time wasting. But there was a more sinister aspect to the booking of Rumanian defender Muricea Murar for an over-the-top tackle on Patsy Holland. Timisoara then had winger George Cotec cautioned in the 21st mintute for a taking a nose-dive in a clumsy attempt to earn a penalty. The 25,000 crowd were spell-bound by the all-action football on display, with Hammers under continual bombardment. Their most gallant gladiator, Ray Stewart had to retire from the battle in the 32nd minute with a leg injury and was replaced by Paul Brush.
Timisoara’s danger man was the 30-year-old midfielder Nadu Dumitru, capped 60 times by Rumania – who spelled danger every time he had the ball. There was a touch of world class about Dumitru’s free-kick from outside the box, which bent and struck the angle of post and bar.
West Ham lived dangerously and Geoff Pike kicked off the line from defender Dan Paltinisanu. As the first-half thundered on, Timisoara became increasingly frustrated at the way Hammers soaked up the pressure and at times thrusted five men into the mainstream of attack. One wondered and hoped that the London side might see a chink of light and hit the Rumanians on the break. But even the gallant Hammers couldn’t hold the flood-tide forever and in the 55th minute they conceded only their third goal in nine games. It was dispatched powerfully and clinically by sweeper Paltinisanu, with Phil Parkes appearing to get a touch in a vain attempt to bring off a diving save. There were still 35 minutes of death and glory for West Ham to survive. And the strain of Timisoara war song to the tune of Yellow Submarine poured from the loudspeakers across the murky afternoon.
In the final minute Rumanian goalkeeper Auriel Moise was booked for discent. But as the electronic scoreboard mercifully showed full-time, dejected Rumanian fans were treated to a jauntier version of Bubbles, Hammers’ own theme song.
DINAMO TBILISI (U.S.S.R.)
Third Round - 1st leg (Upton Park) 1-4
4th March 1981
Cross
Att: 34,957
Parkes
Stewart
Lampard
Bonds
Martin
Devonshire (Allen)
Neighbour
Goddard
Cross
Brooking
Pike
Match Tickets
ELECTRIC DYNAMOS
Live-wire Russians shock West Ham with power play
Sporting Upton Park emotionally rose to salute the Soviet masters from Tbilisi who gave West Ham a lesson in the European Cup Winners Cup quarter-final. Dynamo waltzed and weaved magical moves that shattered West Ham’s dreams of a glorious second Division title, League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup treble.
Two goals up at half-time, the Russians had already established their supremacy. Even when David Cross pulled a goal back nine minutes after the interval – his 28th of the season – jaunty Dynamo bounced back with their third goal 60 seconds later. It was a superb display belying the theory in Europe that the Russians can only play a stereotyped style. Tbilsi coach Nodar Achalkatsi said: “I think West Ham underestimated us but even by our standards, that was a very special performance. We had 11 players playing at their best”. West Ham manager John Lyall said: “If we have got to go out of the competition I’m glad it will be against a side of Dynamo’s class. “they are a great team, balanced with a load of skill. They have everything you can admire in a side. “It’s a long time since I have seen such clinical finishing from any team. “having said that I was a bit disappointed with our performance and just when we looked like getting back into the game they hit us with another quick goal.”
Dynamo’s captain Alek Chivadze, a neat precise player scaored the opening goal in the 24th minute with the panache that emphasised just why he is Russia’s footballer of the year. Six minutes later Hammers knew that they needed a miracle to save anything from the wreckage when dapper striker Vladimir Gutsaev coolly cashed in on Ray Stewart’s fumbling to rifle home the second. By guts and effort Hammers poured back into the game with that goal from Cross in the 54th minute, only to have their hopes brutally dashed once more.
The hit-man was 24-year-old winger Ramaz Shengelia with that quick goal to make it 3-1. Then in the 67th minute, Shengelia – seven caps for Russia – completed the rout. A gruelling 4,000-mile round trip to Tbilisi for the second leg in a fortnight’s time – even with a heartbreaking deficit of three goals – will be a well worth while second lesson for chastened Hammers.
DINAMO TBILISI (U.S.S.R.)
Third Round - 2nd leg (Dinamo Stadium) 1-0
18th March 1981 (agg: 2-4)
Peason
Att: 80,000
Parkes
Stewart
Lampard
Bonds
Martin
Brush
Neighbour
Goddard (Pearson)
Cross
Brooking
Pike
Did You Know..
West Ham had a limited Replica copy of the Tbilisi programme printed. The programme had the same content as the original but there were colour changes within.
Over-stamped on reverse "W.H.U.F.C. REPLICA COPY"
IRONS CURTAIN CALL
Pearson goal restores that West Ham pride
Stuart Pearson salvaged West Ham’s pride with an 87th minute winning goal against the classy masters from Georgia. Hammers, the stubborn heroes of the League Cup final against Liverpool only five days ago, went out with a tremendous flourish from the European Cup Winners’ Cup. Despite the aggregate 4-2 defeat, it was a tremendous performance by West Ham’s campaign-hardened players, who fully lived up to their East End nickname of Irons, following their tortuous 28-hour journey, straight after their extra-time saga at wembley on Saturday.
That vital goal came from substitute Pearson, who replaced Paul Goddard. High above the towering tiers and an 80,000 crowd, the Union Jack fluttered proudly alongside the hammer and sickle. West Ham’s possession football early on dominated the game. But the Georgians – they hate to be called Russians – defended methodically with dogged determination. West Ham’s determination was apparent, with Frank Lampard and Paul Goddard both receiving early warnings, without an official reprimand from German referee Walter Eschwell. The half-time whistle came as a welcome relief to West Ham, who had climbed a mountain against the side that had learned to respect in the tremendous game at Upton Park weeks ago. As the game thundered into its second half. It was hard to visualise how the stalemate could be broken. An enormous banner at the side of the ground read in three-foot letters: Greetings to the Sportsman of England. Pearson went on for Goodard with 20 minutes remaining and the East London side broke out with a vengeance. And it was Pearson who clinched one of the most magnificent results in west Ham’s history.
After the final whistle, Hammers skipper Billy Bonds took his men to the far touchline for an emotional salute to the band of West Ham fans, who had been well behaved after their journey to this soccer outpost. Hammers manager John Lyall said: “Didn’t we do well! Not many sides in the world could come here and get a result. What a way to go out of Europe against one of the greatest sides in the world. “Regrets ? If only we could have seen Tbilisi before they came to Upton Park for that first leg a fortnight ago.”
Dinamo Tbilisi v. West Ham United
Match Ticket
This one belonged to club secretartyEddie Chapman
SPECIAL "CONTINENTAL" EDITION
Similiar "Special Edition" Away programmes were produced for some of the European games in the mid 60's by the West Ham United Supprters club. Unlike those editions this was commissioned by the club itself.
ANGLO-ITALIAN CUP WINNERS CUP 1992-93
COMPETITION STRUCTURE
The preliminary round of the Anglo-Italian Cup featured all twenty-four Barclays League First Division Clubs, arranged into eight groups of three teams each. The clubs in each 'mini league' played each other on a 'round-robin' basis, with the eight winners progressing to the international stages.
Group Matches:
West Ham United v. Bristol Rovers
2nd September 1992: Upton Park 2-2
Southend United v. West Ham United
30th September 1992: Roots Hall 3-0
CREMONESE (Italy)
International Stage: Stadio Giovanni Zini 0-2
11th November 1992
Att: 1,639
Miklosko
Brown
Dicks
Potts
Martin A.
Allen M.
Robson
Parris (Keen)
Morley
Allen C.
Holmes
Match Ticket
BONZO’S LADS IN BASHING
West Ham walked into an Italian dirty tricks war
Billy Bonds’ team were elbowed, punched, kicked and stamped on as they lost this Anglo-Italian Cup tie. Bonzo’s boys have been criticised this season for their increasing disciplinary problems. But they deserved praise here for somehow keeping their cool. Italian sides have always been known for their cynicism. But with four of their players booked for bad tackles, Cremonese took their tough tackles to the extreme.
Hammers full-back Julian Dicks was their number one target. He was kneed in the face, punched and clattered by crude challenges. The Italians were clearly aware of his tough reputation and temper troubles back home, where he has been sent off twice this season and is currently serving a domestic five game ban. But to his credit, Dicks kept his cool and on the whole avoided confrontation.
Martin Allen was the only Hammer booked – his seventh of the season – for a late tackle. Cremonese, whose only defeat this season has been in the cup against Paul Gascoigne’s Lazio, turned up the heat after the interval. Yugoslav international Mathias Florjancic gave them the lead with a 50th minute bullet header. The pacey Slovenian, who looked a constant danger, then broke through again 13 minutes later, rounding Ludek Miklosko to score the second. And Bonds must now be hoping the club can rush through a work permit for Canadian international Alex Bunbury, a £200,000 signing earlier this week.
Nearly 200 West Ham fans arrived late for the game after setting out at 4pm on Tuesday! They arrived ten minutes after kick-off and were among the 1,639 crowd – most of them West Ham fans – who saw them go down.
REGGIANA (Italy)
International Stage: Upton Park 2-0
24th November 1992
Allen C. 2
Att: 6,872
Miklosko
Breacker
Dicks
Potts
Martin A. (Brown)
Allen M.
Robson (Bishop)
Holmes
Morley
Allen C.
Keen
Match Ticket
Ladbrokes
Betting Poster
MORLEY OFF!
3-1 Clive Allen scoring First Goal
5-1 West Ham victory by 2-0
Mama mia as bad-boy Trevor lashes out
Trevor Morley became West Ham’s fifth red card of the season to take the shine off their Anglo-Italian Cup victory at rain-lashed Upton Park.
It blemished the gloss on Clive Allen’s two-goal strike that moved Hammers a step closer to the play-offs. Three players were booked and Morley went after an off-the-ball head-butting incident in the 29th minute. Italian referee Graziano Cesari missed it, but a linesman ruled that Morley butted Reggiana defender Gianluca Francesoni in retaliation for an earlier incident. Morley joins Julian Dicks, twice, George Parris and Mike Small on the Hammers list of red card shame. Morley later revealed he was sent-off for punching. But West Ham manager Billy Bonds said: “Punching? Head butting? It doesn’t really matter. He went. But Trevor thought the bloke was going to pop him and he got in first. “The only good thing is that he’s not banned in the English league. “It was very disappointed with the Italians. They haven’t lost this season and conceded only four goals, but they didn’t even try to make a game of it.
There was more bad news for West Ham when skipper Alvin Martin limped off in the second half with a groin injury. But two-goal Allen ensured 10-man Hammers finished with smiles on their faces. Allen headed in a close-range chance after Reggiana keeper Luca Bucci pushed out Kevin Keen’s 64th minute fierce shot. And 10 minutes from the end he beat Reggiana’s off-side trap to beautifully volley home a splendid cross by Dicks.
The Hammers lost their opening game in the tournament 2-0 away to Cremonse. But they were decisive winners to boost their play-off hopes. Their football was crisp, always threatening against a subdued Italian side that rarely wanted to leave their own half. The Italians themselves had three men booked – Vivani, Parlato and substitute Accardi.
COSENZA (Italy)
International Stage: Stadio San Vito 1-0
8th December 1992
No programme was issued for the game in Italy
Allen C.
Att: 800
Miklosko
Breacker
Dicks
Potts
Martin A.
Allen M.
Rush
Parris
Jones
Allen C (Brown)
Keen (Foster)
Match Ticket
HIT-MAN CLIVE ON TARGET TO RUB OUT MAFIA
Clive Allen was the most lethal hit-man in Mafia country. The West Ham marksman was bang on target with an amazing piece of shooting that rub out Cosenza in the Anglo-Italian Cup. The hit was set up by Hammers’ debut kid Steve Jones just before half-time with a cross from the right that Allen volleyed home from 30 yards. Allen’s skipper Alvin Martin gasped: “I think it was worth turning up just to see the goal. It was incredible.”
The Italians who come from this town where the Mafia call the shots could not believe it either and, by the end, their furious fans were fighting each other on the terraces. But it needed a strike of that quality to quell Cosenza, who unleashed a series of reckless tackles in mud bath conditions.
Midfield star Martin Allen added: “The had a couple of lunatics. I don’t know what planet they came from but we kept our heads. “But we also had a laugh sliding around. We showed character, and our fans were superb.”
Skipper Martin said: “Billy Bonds told us he didn’t want anymore silly situations and we didn’t get over involved.” It was a miracle the game went ahead at all. English referee Michael Gilkes inspected the pitch at 3pm and ruled it unplayable. But he agreed to delay his decision and eventually gave the go-ahead against a background of thunder and lightning.
Players caked in mud were virtually unrecognisable as they slid around trying to keep their feet. It was incredible there were no bookings or injuries.
Cosenza had a superb Fabris volley disallowed for offside, and Martin survived furious penalty appeals when he appeared to hold Negri back as he shot from close range. But Hammers were unlucky themselves when Jones nearly capped a superb debut with a close-range shot as he followed up a Matthew Rush pass. George Parris also tried an ambitious 50-yard chip which went just wide before a Julian Dicks free-kick nearly went in via the boot of Balleri.
S.C. PISA (Italy)
International Stage: Upton Park 0-0
16th December 1992
Att: 7,123
Miklosko
Breacker
Dicks
Potts
Martin A.
Allen M.
Rush
Bishop
Bunbury
Allen C. (Jones)
Keen (Robson)
Match Ticket
Team Sheet
SCRAP IT
Aggro-Italian Cup a farce blasts Bonzo
Billy Bonds has boldly come out and said what everybody else thinks of the football flop of the season: ‘Kick the Anglo-Italian Cup into touch’
West Ham’s blunt boss has no time for a competition that is more trouble than it’s worth – and should have been named the AGGRO-ITALIAN PUP. What else can you call a tournament which, after 32 games, has pulled in an aggregate of only 120,697 paying punters –and seen a disgusting avalanche of brawls sending’s-off, nine from England and nine from Italy. It’s always going to niggly and nasty when clubs from England and Italy clash.
Matthew Rush led the red card roll as tempers boiled over in their 0-0 draw with Pisa at Upton Park. There were several ugly incidents before the tie erupted after 56 minutes. Italian Giovani Fasce was sent off for hacking down Rush. The West Ham star got the red card for retaliating, Hammers boss Billy Bonds snapped afterwards: “It was stupid for him to retaliate the way he did. He will be fined.” First we had Trevor Morley now Matthew Rush ordered off in the tournament and there’s no way I’m making excuses for them. Both retaliated and deserved everything they got. “But who needs these nasty undercurrents in every game you go into? In my view, they are just not worth all the aggro.
Bonds stresses: “ I can’t talk for West Ham, It’s only my opinion as manager. “But I honestly doubt it’s worthwhile going on with in 1993-4. We would certainly think twice about entering it again.
UEFA INTERTOTO CUP 1999
Competing Teams at the 3rd Round Stage ...
RCD Espanyol (Spain), Montpellier HSC (France), Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt (Belgium), Juventus (Italy), Trabzonspor (Turkey), Perugia Calcio (Italy), SC Heerenveen (Holland), Hammarby IF (Sweden), West Ham United (England), FC Jokerit (Finland), SC Austria Lustenau (Austria), Stade Rennais FC (France), Hamburger SV (Germany), FC Basel (Switzerland),
K. Sint-Truidense V.V. (Belgium), FK Austria Wien (Austria), NK Varteks (Croatia), FC Rostov (Russia), Kocaelispor (Turkey), MSV Duisburg (Germany), K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen (Belgium), FC Metz (France), Polonia Warszawa (Poland),
Vasas SC (Hungary)
F.C. JOKERIT (Finland)
Third Round - 1st leg: Upton Park 1-0
17th July 1999
Kitson
Att: 11,098
Forrest
Potts (Wright)
Minto
Ferdinand
Ruddick
Lomas
Sinclair (Keller)
Lampard
Cole
Di Canio
Kitson
Match Ticket
Finns go home happy, with the chance of slaying giant
Hammers had a one-way ticket to ride as they kept on track for a UEFA Cup spot at sun-drenched Upton Park. But after starting like an express train against Jokerit of Finland and going a goal ahead they eventually ran out of steam to leave themselves with a tricky – albeit not insurmountable – second leg in Helsinki.
“For the first 30 or 40 minutes I thought we’d go on and score three or four,” admitted Harry Redknapp after seeing his side railroad the fragile Finns for long periods. “We looked ever so bright early on but we’ve only been training for nine or ten days and on a hot day it became difficult.
Indeed West Ham went for the Jokerit jugular from the off, and with Paolo Di Canio showing that he has lost none of that Italian inventiveness during the summer break, he twice set up Trevor Sinclair during the opening minute for an angled shot and then a close-range header. A goal was just around the corner, though , and on 17 minutes Minto released Di Canio down the left and after unbalancing Aki Hyrylainen on the by-line, he floated over a cross to the far post where Paul Kitson smartly out jumped Erik Holmgren to put the Eastenders into a deserved lead.
Midway through the half, Di Canio almost got on the score sheet himself when he collected a short corner from Minto and whipped in a curler from the touchline which Pasi Laaksonen acrobatically diverted over. Having spent the first-half redundantly topping up his tan, Craig Forrest – deputising for the ill Shaka Hislop – finally made his first save four minutes from the break when Jokerit skipper Petri Helin stole upfield and Tero Koskela sent a looping header goalwards. In a bid to make the second leg an academic exercise, Ian Wright replaced Steve Potts for the restart. But still the experienced European campaigner could not put any more daylight between the Premiership side and a team seemingly the equivalent of a well-drilled third division outfit. A distinct lack of atmosphere caused by a combination of high admission prices, live television coverage and the holiday season, failed to drive the tiring Hammers onto the victory their early superiority had demanded. Jokerit who – now in mid-season – looked the most threatening as they began to abandon their 10-man defensive blanket in favour of the occasional counter-attack. Midway through the half, Mika Nenonen’s 20-yarder was held at full stretch by Forrest and 10 minutes later, the Finnish under-21 international fired inches wide froma similar range.
“When you lose you can never be satisfied,” admitted jovial Jokerit coach Pasi Rautianinen clearly relieved that the anticipated goal avalanche failed to materialise. “But West Ham played the better football and had many, many opportunities. Although I’m satisfied with our morale, we are realistic, we know we are still the underdogs.”
F.C. JOKERIT (Finland)
Third Round - 2nd leg: Olympiastadion, Helsinki 1-1
24th July 1999 (agg: 2-1)
Lampard
Att: 7,667
Hislop
Jones (Potts)
Ruddock
Ferdinand R.
Minto
Sinclair
Lampard
Lomas
Keller (Lazaridis)
Di Canio (Carrick)
Kitson
Match Ticket
GLOSS FINISH
Frank Lampard’s sensational saving ace wiped the smiles off the Jokers’ faces. And although that equaliser enabled Hammers to keep their European torch burning, they knew the Intertoto flame could so easily have been snuffed out in the drizzle of Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium.
Indeed, West Ham’s double-Dutch date with Heerenveen could have been assured inside the opening five minutes.
However, Kitson’s point-blank header was miraculously tipped over by Laaksonen, who then stood helplessly as Lampard scorched the post with a sizzling 25-yarder.
Hammers certainly had the bit between their teeth early on as debutant Jones was booked for tugging Ristila, before Lomas was involved in an unsightly, unpunished scuffle with Koskela. But after adopting the same 10-man defensive blanket that had served them so well at Upton Park, the Jokers then dealt West Ham a cruel hand on 33 minutes when Koskela spun Lampard in the box and fired a low 15-yarder across the greasy surface and beyond Hislop. After the break, Lampard, Di Canio and Keller each went wide in their quest for the leveller but with both legs and ideas in short supply, extra-time was looming on the horizon in the land of the midnight sun.
On 70 minutes, however, Di Canio was upended on the edge of the box, and it was the cue for Lampard to arrow an unstoppable right-footed 18-yard free-kick over the wall and under the bar. Hammers’ progress into the next round was all but assured with a quarter-hour left when Koskela’s rash two-footed tackle from behind saw Di Canio carried off as the Finn was sent off. The closing stages saw midfielder Michael Carrick come on for his official first team debut, just four days ahead of his 18th birthday. “I can’t complain,” confirmed Jokerit coach Pasi Rautiainen. “The better team is now going to go further in the competition, There’s no question about that.”
SC HEERENVEEN (Holland)
Semi~Final - 1st leg: Upton Park 1-0
28th July 1999
Lampard
Att: 7,485
Hislop
Potts
Ruddock (Pearce S.)
Ferdinand R.
Minto
Sinclair
Lampard
Lomas
Keller (Moncur)
Di Canio (Carrick)
Wanchope
Match Ticket
FRANK AND FEARLESS
Lampard’s stunner decks brave Dutch
West Ham take a fragile lead to Holland thanks to a wonder strike from Frank Lampard. The Hammers midfielder gave them a dream start to this InterTwoBob Cup semi-final with a stunning goal after only six minutes. But hopes of an early goal would lead to a landslide victory proved unfounded as Heerenveen slowly snuffed out West Ham’s threats. Lampard struck with an awesome finish from fully 30 yards. He dispossessed midfielder Arek Radomski in the centre circle and strode through the gulf provided by Heerenveen’s defence before unleashing a magnificent right-foot shot. South African World Cup keeper Hans Vonk could only watch as the ball clipped the underside of the bar on its way into the top corner. But West Ham failed to capitalise on their early dominance and now have their work cut out in the second leg.
New-boy Paulo Wanchope was denied the perfect start to his Hammers career. He missed with a header after only eight minutes following a precision cross from Paolo Di Canio after more good work by Lampard. And, in the second half, the Costa Rican had two efforts saved by Heerenveen’s alert keeper. In the opening exchanges, the visitors were streets behind the Hammers who looked far fitter and sharper than in their previous two matches.
The Hammers gifted their opponents the usual amount of space in midfield that flattered them. But, despite Heerenveen’s neat approach play and pretty passing, they lacked the distinctive cutting edge. But, as the match wore on, they grew steadily in confidence. Talan brought a fine save out of Shaka Hislop when he turned on his heels and fired low from 15 yards. West Ham were forced to make a defensive reshuffle 10 minutes after the break when Neil Ruddock limped off with a hamstring injury. He collapsed in a heap while chasing back and knew immediately his game was over. Boss Harry Redknapp had to introduce centre-half Ian Pearce for his first senior game since breaking his leg. Substitute John Moncur was quick enough to spot Vonk off his line. He tried his luck with a cheeky lob from the centre circle that just cleared the bar. Moncur provided further entertainment and heroics with his unflinching commitment. He dusted himself down after a bone-crunching collision with Hansma that left him pole axed for nearly a minute. Almost instantly on his return, he unlocked Heerenveen’s defence with a beautiful 40-yard pass that switched play out to the right flank. That left Wanchope in the clear just 20 yards from goal but he could only thump his shot straight at the keeper. Wanchope was denied again by the alert Vonk as West Ham grew increasingly frustrated at failing to break down their Dutch opponents.
Trevor Sinclair came close to giving West Ham a more comfortable lead for the second leg when he combined cleverly with Di Canio. The Italian flicked the ball high over Heerenveen’s defence and Sinclair was on it like a flash. With a deft right-foot volley, he flashed a shot just wide of the opposite post. Substitute Paul Kitson missed another golden opportunity when he fired over from six yards.
Hislop
Lomas
Pearce S.
Ferdinand R.
Minto
Lampard
Foe
Moncur (Cole)
Di Canio (Kitson)
Sinclair
Wanchope
HARRY’S GOT A RIGHT WAN
Paulo is Hammers’ goal Heer-o
Paulo Wanchope nuged West Ham closer to the UEFA Cup with a goal that could be worth £3million.
That’s how much Hammers chiefs reckon they will scoop from TV rights and sponsorship with a decent run in Europe. A first-half strike from Wanchope saw off Heerenveen and sealed West Ham’s place in the InterTwoBob Cup where they will face classy French side Metz in the two-legged final.
Heerenveen kept Shaka Hislop busy with long-range shots but they needed to be far less predicatable with their attacking play to score the three goals they needed for survival. Hammers seized the lead in the 25th minute. Di Canio’s short corner reached Frank Lampard 30 yards out and his stinging drive was parried by Vonk – but only to Wanchope, who rammed the ball into the roof of the net from close range. Bodewijn Pahlplatz almost replied immediately but Hislop held his effort at the second attempt. Pahlpatz was the most effective Heerenveen player on the night and Hislop denied him again in the 32nd minute, tipping round the post. Rio Ferdinand and Di Canio combined to feed Sinclair moments later but Vonk was on hand to deny him.
Hislop denied Radoslav Samardzic with his best save of the night moments before the break. The impressive Ian Pearce and Ferdinand dealt comfortably with Romano Denneboom, apparently the rising star in Dutch football, and the disappointing striker was removed on the hour.
Sinclair was denied by the outstretched legs of Vonk after good work from Marc Vivien Foe while Di Canio was foiled by an excellent block tackle by Gerard De Nooijer. Hislop dealt well with two more long-range Pahlplatz efforts but Hammers could have added another in the dying seconds. Substitute Paul Kitson cut inside Johan Hansma but curled a shot agonisingly wide of the far post. To get the fans behind Harry’s heroes, the board have decided to slash admission prices for the final by almost half. Many tickets will be £10 with kids tickets £5.
UEFA INTERTOTO CUP FINAL 1999
FC METZ (France)
Final - 1st leg (Upton Park) 0-1
10th August 1999
Att: 25,372
Hislop
Potts
Minto
Lomas
Ferdinand R.
Foe (Kitson)
Sinclair
Di Canio
Wanchope
Lampard
Moncur
Match Ticket
Another fine Metz!
Euro’ bid on brink
The around-goal frailty already evident in West Ham’s outings this season was exposed at Upton Park , when their French visitors went away with a vital Intertoto Cup final first leg lead – leaving in ruins hapless Hammers’ hopes of sneaking into Europe proper through the backdoor.
Metz proved to be the first really useful opposition encountered up to now, efficient enough to suggest that the return leg in France will be little more than a formality for them. For all their huffing and puffing in attack, West Ham have been horribly short of finishing power on the evidence provided so far. Tuesday was no different… except that this time Hammers could conjure nothing from half-chances, rather than only the bare minimum from a string of openings.
Di Canio and Wanchope, as usual, had plenty of tricks, and Hammers plenty of the ball. But overall there was no real cutting edge against adversaries who were thoroughly well organised and composed in defence.
In fact, Hammers were so short of ideas of how to penetrate opponents with numbers behind the ball that Metz must be gloating about the second leg. For it’s going to take something more than our favourites have shown yet for West Ham to win by a two-goal margin in France, as they must now.
Teamsheet
The so-important away goal for Metz came after just 11 minutes when lost defensive concentration allowed the otherwise largely ineffective Newcastle discard Saha to head home an excellent Boffin cross. Would this have befallen had injury-riven Hammers been able to field anything like a normal rearguard? Ce la vie!
Home frustration was compounded when the golden touch hitherto illuminating Frank Lampard’s season deserted him with a 60th minute penalty chance after Di Canio was felled. The spot-kick, not that badly struck, was well saved by Letizi. Both players were booked in the ensuing scramble. Similarly, the element of fortune needed as other balls flashed across the Metz box was also lacking.
But some of us will not be too despondent over a burst Euro’ bubble.
FC METZ (France)
Final - 2nd leg (Saint Symphorien Stadium) 3-1
24th August 1999 (agg: 3-2)
No programme was issued for the game in France
Att: 19,559
Sinclair, Wanchope, Lampard
Hislop
Potts
Keller
Lomas
Ferdinand R.
Foe
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio (Cole)
Lampard
Moncur
Match Ticket
Official club teamsheet which not available
to supporters
Hammers' book their place in the UEFA Cup
West Ham turned the tables on Metz to book a place in the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history on Tuesday night. The Hammers, trailing 1-0 from the home leg, were in the driving seat by half-time as Trevor Sinclair and Frank Lampard grabbed the goals that gave them a 2-1 aggregate lead. Substitute Nenad Jestrovic pulled a goal back for Metz in the 68th minute but the Hammers were still on course for victory on away goals. And Paulo Wanchope fired the final nail in Metz's coffin 11 minutes from time when he latched onto a John Moncur through ball and served up a cool finish.
The Hammers had an early scare when Toyes glanced a header wide from Meyrieu's cross. West Ham had the ball in the net on the quarter hour when Keller played Di Canio in with a clever ball but as he tucked the ball home the linesman's flag had already gone up. Lampard's shot deflected through a crowd of players for Foe to react first with a swivelling shot that beat Letizi but again the Hammers were thwarted by the offside flag. On 23 minutes, however, Di Canio, architect of so many of West Ham's moves, set up Sinclair whose rasping left-foot drive nestled itself into the bottom of the net. Gaillot should have equalised but he volleyed over Boffin's cross from just eight yards. Wanchope then hit the bar for West Ham with what looked like a cross. But the Hammers were able to celebrate a vital second goal when Lampard played the ball down the right for Di Canio and then raced into the box to volley home the resulting cross.
Metz paid for the wasteful finishing of Louis Saha in the second half but still had enough chances to equalise. Meyrieu, who had been a threat throughout, struck a 35-yarder that came crashing off the bar. But substitute Jestrovic did pull a goal back for Metz in the 68th minute. He teased Steve Potts, shuffled to his left and hit a blistering effort beyond Hislop's despairing dive. Metz, now scenting blood, piled forwards but the Hammers soaked up the pressure and then found a killer third goal on the break. Moncur threaded a pass through the home defence and Wanchope cleverly rounded Letizi to put the tie beyond any doubt.
Hammers boss Harry Redknapp brought on Joe Cole for Di Canio and he had two efforts towards the end.
There was a brief skirmish on the terraces during the second half when the away fans appeared to be sprayed with tear gas but the situation quickly calmed down.
UEFA CUP 1999-00
Competing teams ...
Crvena Zvezda (Serbia), Montpellier HSC (France), FK Partizan (Serbia), Leeds United (England), Udinese (Italy), Aalorg (Denmark), Stabæk IF (Norway), Deportivo La Coruña (Spain), VfL Wolfsburg (Germany), Debreceni VSC (Hungary), Steaua Bucuresti (Romania), LASK Linz (Austria), HJK Helsinki (Finland), Olympique Lyonnais (France), FK Vojvodina (Serbia), SK Slavia Praha (Czechoslovakia), Maccabi Tel-Aviv (Israel), RC Lens (France), HIT Gorica (Slovenia), Panathinaikos (Greece), SK Sigma Olomouc (Czech Republic), RCD Mallorca (Spain), Torpedo Kutaisi (Georgia), AEK Athens (Greece), Hajduk Split (Croatia), Levski Sofia (Bulgaria), FK Bodø/Glimt (Norway), SV Werder Bremen (Germany), Skonto Riga (Latvia), Widzew Lódz (Poland), Inter Slovnaft Bratislava (Slovakia), SK Rapid Wien (Austria), Lyngby FC (Denmark), Lokomotiv Moskva (Russia), Roda JC Kerkrade (Holland), Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), Helsingborgs IF (Sweden), Karpaty L'viv (Ukraine), Lokomotivi Tbilisi (Georgia), PAOK (Greece), Lech Poznan (Poland), IFK Göteborg (Sweden), Parma (Italy), Kryvbas Kryvy Ryh (Ukraine), FK Teplice (Czech Republic), Ferencvárosi TC (Hungary), Celtic (Scotland), Hapoel Tel-Aviv (Israel), Viking FK Stavanger (Norway), Sporting CP (Portugal), West Ham United (England), NK Osijek (Croatia), FC Zürich (Switzerland), Lierse SK (Belguim), RSC Anderlecht (Belguim), SCT Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia), Tottenham Hotspur (England), Zimbru Chisinau (Moldovan), Zenit Sankt-Peterburg (Russia), Bologna (Italy), Anorthosis of Ammóchostos (Cyprus), Legia Warszawa (Poland), Lausanne-Sports (Switzerland), Celta de Vigo (Spain), Hapoel Haifa (Israel), Club Brugge KV (Belgium), Ajax (Holland), Dukla Banská Bystrica (Slovakia), MTK Hungária (Hungary), Fenerbahçe (Turkey), AB København (Denmark), Grasshopper-Club Zürich (Switzerland), Lonikos Nikea Piraías (Greece), FC Nantes-Atlantique (France), SC Beira-Mar (Portugal), Vitesse Arnhem (Holland), Grazer AK (Austria), Spartak Trnava (Slovak), 1.FC Kaiserslautern (Germany), Kilmarnock (Scotland), AS Monaco (Franc), St Johnstone (Scotland), CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria), Newcastle United (England), Amica Wronki (Poland), Brøndby IF (Denmark), Omonia Lefkosía (Cyprus), Juventus (Italy), Aris Thessaloníki (Greece), Servette FC Genève (Switzerland), SL Benfica (Portugal), Dinamo Bucuresti (Romania), Atlético Madrid (Spain) Ankaragücü (Turkey), Roma (Italy), Vitória FC Setúbal (Portugal)
NK OSIJEK (Croatia)
First Round - 1st leg (Upton Park) 3-0
16th September 1999
Margas and Di Canio the Euro hairos as Harry boys make it cut 'n dried
West Ham returned to top-level European football for the first time in more than 18 years with a bang. The happy Hammers gave their fans a Euro treat at Upton Park as they swept aside Osijek of Croatia with ease in the UEFA Cup first round, first leg. Goals from Paulo Wanchope, Paolo Di Canio and Frank Lampard gave Harry Redknapp's men a three-goal cushion to take to Eastern Europe in a fortnight. Osijek's recent European experience may be far greater than West Ham's but only a Balkan nightmare will stop the Premiership club progressing to the second round.
Wanchope tapped in a simple opener just before half-time for the Intertoto qualifiers, Osijek's goalkeeper Mario Galinovic gifted Di Canio the second moments after the restart and Lampard crashed in the third as the Hammers cruised home. After a frantic start of hustle and bustle, the visitors rarely troubled the Redknapp's depleted back-line. Javier Margas, back in West Ham colours in more ways than one, enjoyed a comfortable return alongside the long-serving Steve Potts and new-boy Igor Stimac. Chilean World Cup star, Margas, had dyed his hair claret and blue to celebrate his return to the Hammers' starting line-up. Margas' first season in English football was plagued with problems which eventually resulted in his return to South America. The £2million centre-back injured a knee, came back too quickly, played badly and disappeared back to Chile with his wife claiming she missed home.
He made just three appearances but returned to East London this season determined to make a fresh start and Redknapp was forced to throw him back into West Ham's first-ever UEFA Cup tie after an incredible list of injuries to key defenders. Defensive duties were few and far between for Redknapp's men but they earned the right to play football by scrapping hard in midfield. Once in the ascendancy, however, the Hammers always looked capable of piling up a luxurious first-leg lead. A goal before half-time eased the pressure and a sudden loss of concentration by Galinovic after the break was a bonus. After producing a brilliant reflex save to deny Trevor Sinclair moments after the restart, he dropped a long throw from Steve Lomas, which was cleared, and then gifted a goal to Di Canio. Galinovic was trying to play a back-pass out to his right wing but only succeeded in finding West Ham's flamboyant Italian. Di Canio danced past the keeper with a trademark hip-swivel and rolled the ball into an open goal. Redknapp's team relaxed and started to play with a freedom beautifully illustrated by their third. John Moncur, Sinclair and Di Canio linked-up fluently down the right and found Lampard's run into the area. The midfielder rifled the ball past Galinovic at his near-post.
It added a UEFA Cup goal to three Intertoto goals and a Premiership strike for the goalscoring England Under-21 star. The Hammers took their foot off the gas once three goals ahead. Osijek came forward bravely in a bid to salvage a goal to keep their hopes alive for the second leg in a fortnight. But they rarely troubled Shaka Hislop in the West Ham goal. Sub Dumitru Mitu failed to connect clearly with a half-chance and highly-rated wing-back Marko Babic blazed into the side-netting from a narrow angle.
Match Tickets
NK OSIJEK (Croatia)
First Round - 2nd leg (Gradski Vrt) 3-1
30th September 1999 (agg: 6-1)
Kitson, Ruddock, Foe
Att: 15,000
Hislop
Potts
Ferdinand (Ruddock)
Lomas
Stimac
Foe
Sinclair (Newton)
Kitson
Di Canio (wanchope)
Lampard
Keller
Teamsheet
Kitson the hit man for Hammers
Paul paves the way to victory
Paul Kitson, West Ham's forgotten striker, netted the crucial first goal to keep the Hammers on the European trail. The former Newcastle striker has found himself on the bench all season as the flamboyant Paulo Wanchope and Paolo Di Canio grabbed the headlines. But Harry Redknapp turned to the 28-year-old in Osijek and Kitson repaid his faith with the first away goal which effectively killed off the tie.
Sub Neil Ruddock smashed home a late goal and Marc Vivien Foe got the third in stoppage time after Stanko Bubalo had equalised in the second-half - but it was Kitson's strike which knocked the fight out of the Croatian side. Kitson has barely had a look-in since playing in the first two Intertoto Cup games back in July. Wanchope and Di Canio struck a prolific partnership in the opening weeks of the season which left him watching from the subs' bench. After two goalless Premiership outings, however, the Hammers boss chose to pair Kitson with Di Canio and the double-act did the trick. Kitson released the Italian in the 26th minute and then drifted into the box to meet the right-wing cross with a firm header past Domagoj Malovan.
The goal made the aggregate score 4-0 to West Ham and temporarily silenced the noisy Osijek support. Redknapp had expected the Croatian cup winners to come out fighting in front of their passionate fans and the home side enjoyed the better of a scrappy first 15 minutes. Rio Ferdinand, back after missing four games with an ankle injury, watched thankfully as a Bakir Besirevic free-kick hit his foot and looped behind for a corner.
The lively Dumitru Hitu flashed a left-foot drive past Shaka Hislop's right-hand post with the West Ham keeper beaten but the Premiership side remained solid. West Ham weathered the early storm with ease and began to spread their wings. Kitson only just failed to turn a Di Canio cross onto the target and then the mercurial Italian released Frank Lampard for what should have been the opener in the 21st minute. Lampard, prolific in the Intertoto competition, drove into the area and lined up his finish but the low drive was blocked by the foot of keeper Domagoj Malovan. Di Canio wanted a penalty when he seemed to be tripped by Damir Vuica after a sharp turn on the right-hand side of the penalty area. Dutch ref Jack van Hulten waved away the operatic appeals but the Italian picked himself off the deck to orchestrate the crucial opener. He was found on the right by Kitson and then measured a pinpoint cross for the striker, who drifted towards the far past and made no mistake with a close-range header.
Marc Vivien Foe hit the post after the break and Kitson was denied a second by Malovan's diving save. Hitu chipped onto the roof of the net before Bubalo gave the home fans something to cheer when he collected a pass from Jurica Vranjes and drove low past Hislop. West Ham finished on top, however, with sub Ruddock also marking his comeback with a goal.
The big defender, on for Ferdinand, crashed a Lampard cross into the roof of the net seven minutes from time and Foe headed his first for the club to seal a 3-1 second-leg win and 6-1 aggregate triumph for the Hammers.
Tourist guide to the City of Osijek
Morning after the night before
STEAUA BUCHAREST (Romania)
Second Round - 1st leg (Stadion Steaua) 0-2
21st October 1999
Att: 12,500
Hislop
Potts (Margas)
Ruddock
Lomas
Ferdinand
Foe
Sinclair
Moncur
Di Canio (Cole)
Lampard
Wanchope
Image courtesy of Michael Oliver
Match Ticket
Hammers fizzle out in the Bucharest drizzle
East London's football Europhiles were given food for thought after West Ham's European adventure lost its gloss in Bucharest. The Hammers, who romped gleefully through this summer's InterToto and made light work of Osijek in the UEFA Cup first round, were convincingly beaten in the wind and rain by Steaua Bucharest. Harry Redknapp's men toiled hard against the Romanians in the first leg of the UEFA Cup second round but were deservedly beaten on a rotten night in Eastern Europe. A goal in each half gave the hosts a two-goal cushion to take to Upton Park but Frank Lampard almost put a different complexion on the tie with an 80th minute header which was ruled out for offside. The England midfielder headed against the bar four minutes from time and saw a free-kick deflected wide as the Premiership side fought hard for a vital away goal. But Steaua held out to spark celebrations in the Romanian capital.
This was always going to be West Ham's toughest test on their return to European competition and so it proved as Laurentiu Rosu and Sabin Ilie grabbed the goals. In a surreal start to the evening, actor Larry Hagman, alias JR Ewing of Dallas, had been the unlikely guest of honour presented
to the teams in the Bucharest drizzle. The Texan oil baron incurred the wrath of the West Ham fans by placing himself firmly in the Steaua corner for his first "soccer" experience. But the American soap villain of yesteryear, who came complete with Stetson and video camera, must have read the script because he looked to have chosen wisely once play got under way.
Steaua rattled the Hammers with neat passing on a dreadful pitch and Shaka Hislop was the busiest man in the stadium during the opening exchanges. The Romanians came to terms quickest with the slippery surface which, Hagman may have noticed, made a mis-timed tackle look like an assasination attempt. John Moncur was quickly into the ref's notebook and other West Ham players made hard work of defending as the home team came out firing. The European champions of 1986 have been enduring hard times by their own impressive standards and recent league games have been boycotted by fans. The locals turned out in numbers though to cheer their side on, despite the cold and rain. Steaua's form had been the reason for the stay-away protest but they tore into West Ham with gusto. Shaka Hislop was forced to save from Ionel Danciulescu and Ilie inside the first three minutes as the West Ham defence struggled to cope with conditions and a vibrant young Steaua side. The Hammers keeper then produced a wonderful reflex save to deny Christian Ciocoiu and was called into action again to save from the same player after Lampard gave the ball away in midfield. West Ham looked to have weathered the storm but wasted two golden chances to secure a crucial away goal. Marc-Vivien Foe, released by Lampard, chose to try and find Paolo Di Canio to his left, despite being clean through on goal. His pass was intercepted by Albert Duro and Di Canio was given offside anyway.Moncur rifled a shot from 25-yards which keeper Zoltan Ritli spilled straight into the path of Paulo Wanchope, who dragged his shot horribly wide. The misses looked more costly when Steaua retaliated. Rosu flashed a shot past Hislop which rebounded to safety off the post in the 39th minute. But Rosu found the target moments later. He collected a pass from Ciocoiu and fired low past Hislop from eight yards. The pattern continued after the break. Steaua pressed forward and seized on another mistake. Steve Potts played the ball straight to Ilie in the penalty box and the Romanian finished clinically. Joe Cole, on as a second half sub for the unhappy Di Canio, led a brave fightback, prompting the Hammers to their most penetrative football in the last 15 minutes, but they could not break through. Lampard twice came close but the Hammers have an uphill battle if their European trail goes any further.
STEAUA BUCHAREST (Romania)
Second Round - 2nd leg (Upton Park) 0-0
4th November 1999 (agg: 0-2)
Att: 24,514
Hislop
Margas
Ferdinand
Ruddock
Sinclair
Lomas
Lampard
Keller (Kitson)
Cole
WAnchope
Di Canio
Match Ticket
West Ham crash out
Frustrating end on a bad-tempered night at Upton Park
West Ham's European adventure came to a frustrating end on a bad-tempered night at Upton Park. The Hammers created enough chances to win a hatful of games against Steaua Bucharest but somehow failed to find the net even once to bow out 2-0 on aggregate. But the main talking point was fresh controversy surrounding Neil Ruddock just 24 hours after being cleared of any wrongdoing in the Patrick Vieira spitting incident. The West Ham defender appeared to head-butt Steaua Bucharest's Albert Duro after just 16 minutes of a tempestuous first half of the second round, second-leg UEFA Cup clash.
Home players were incensed that Duro had escaped at least a yellow card for a series of fouls including one terrible tackle from behind on the returning Paolo di Canio. And it appeared as if Ruddock decided to take matters in his own hands as Czech referee Lubomir Pucek lost control of the game.
Thankfully the second half was played in a better spirit but that was of little consolation to Harry Redknapp's side who have now scored just one goal in their last six games.
After a minutes silence to mourn the loss of former Hammers stars Johnny Byrne and Dave Bickles, the Upton Park faithful turned up the volume to a deafening level that they kept up until the final whistle. And the passion of the fans seemed to transmit itself to the players as tempers threatened to boil over. Duro was lucky to escape a booking for a terrible challenge from behind on di Canio after 14 minutes and seconds later fouled the Italian again right in front of the assistant referee. Again no yellow card was produced but from the resulting free-kick West Ham sought to dish out some justice of their own, Neil Ruddock heading over before then appearing to headbutt Duro as he lay on the ground.
Amazingly the referees' cards remained in his pocket once more as Ruddock departed the scene quickly and laughably the first caution was given to Laurentiu Reghecampf for kicking the ball away as West Ham were awarded a free-kick. Eventually Duro was booked just before the half hour along with Steve Lomas as the challenges flew in thick and fast.
Meanwhile the home side were carving out plenty of chances against the former European champions and could easily have been level or better at half time. Frank Lampard had the first shot on target after eight minutes but fired his drive too close to Zoltan Ritli. The goalkeeper was far less happy with balls in the air, however, and consistently dropped crosses that the Hammers somehow failed to capitalise on. After 11 minutes Lomas' cross was spilled but Wanchope was unable to get to the loose ball while Lampard wasted a good opportunity to open the scoring minutes later, failing to control di Canio's overhead kick in the area. There was little Ritli could do on 23 minutes when Wanchope's downward header from Margas's free kick evaded his despairing dive but this time the far post came to his rescue.
Teenage star Joe Cole then embarked on a mazy run before setting up di Canio in the area but somehow Ritli saved with his legs and then repeated the trick from Sinclair's follow-up. Lampard then shot inches wide on 31 minutes when he had three team-mates in support and another Ritli fumble again just evaded the long legs of Wanchope. West Ham continued creating chances right up to the interval, Cole's shot parried by Ritli and Di Canio scuffing his shot wide from five yards. West Ham continued to pour forward but time and again missed great chances to break the deadlock and give themselves real hope of progressing. Lampard came agonisingly close five minutes into the second half, dropping back to receive Keller's free kick five yards outside the area and hitting a brilliant first-time volley that flew inches wide of the far post. Sinclair then should have done better with a free header from Keller's cross before di Canio spurned another excellent opportunity. He controlled Wanchope's flick six yards out but then completely missed his kick with the goal gaping and Ritli gratefully gathered.
Lampard then looked certain to score on 58 minutes until a brave block from Ilie Miu, sprawling full length, kept out the England international's goalbound effort.
At the other end the Hammers were given two reminders, however, that they could not afford to devote all their attention to attacking, Ionel Danciulescu left in acres of space down the left flank only to drag his shot across the face of goal. And Sabin Ilie almost killed the tie on 62 minutes with an audacious chip from 25 yards that caught Hislop off his line but clipped the outside of the post. A minute later it was the home side's turn to hit the woodwork, Sinclair's superb first-time volley palmed on to the bottom of the post by Ritli. As West Ham tired visibly the visitors could have killed off the tie, Hislop making three breathtaking saves in the space of five minutes towards the end. But to rub salt into the wounds, Duro then cleared Wanchope's header off the line to sum up the Hammer's frustrations.
UEFA CUP 2006-07
Competing teams ...
Chornomorets Odesa (Ukraine), Hapoel Tel-Aviv (Israel), Braga (Portugal), Chievo (Italy), Levadia (Estonia), Newcastle United (England), Molde (Norway), Rangers (Scotland), Standard (Belgium), Celta (Spain), Maccabi Haifa (Israel), Litex (Bulgaria), Derry (Ireland), Paris St Germain (France), Hertha (Germany), OB (Denmark), Legia (Poland), Austria Wien (Austria), Panathinaikos (Greece), Metalurh Zaporizhya (Ukraine), Lokomotiv Moskva (Russia), Zulte Waregem (Belgium), Hearts (Scotland), Sparta (Czech Republic), Fenerbahce (Turkey), Randers (Denmark), Salzburg (Austria), Blackburn Rovers (England), Schalke (Germany), Nancy (France), Ethnikos Achnas (Cyprus), Lens (France), Liberec (Czech Rebublic), Crvena Zvezda (Serbia), AZ Alkmaar (Holland), Kayserispor (Turkey), Rubin (Russia), Parma (Italy), Eintracht (Germany), Bondby (Denmark), Atromitos (Greece), Sevilla (Spain), Besiktas (Turkey), CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria), Setubal (Portugal), Heerenveen (Holland), Marseille (France), Mlada Boleslav (Czech Republic), Atvidaberg (Sweden), Grasshoppers (Switzerland), FC Rapid Bucharest (Romania), Nacional (Portugal), Trabzonspor (Turkey), Osasuna (Spain), Basel (Switzerland), Rabotnicki (Macedonia), West Ham United (England), Palermo (Italy), Lokomotiv Sofia (Bulgaria), Feyenoord (Holland), Ruzomberok (Slovakia), Club Brugg (Belgium), Sion (Switzerland), Leverkusen (Germany), Partizan (Serbia), Groningen (Holland), Xanthi (Greece), Dinamo Bucharest (Romania), Slavia (Czech Republic), Tottenham Hotspur (England), Start (Norway), Ajax (Holland), Artmedia (Solvakia), Espanyol (Spain), Wisla Krakow (Poland), Iraklis (Greece), Livorno (Italy), Austria Karnten (Austria), Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia), Auxerre (France)
PALERMO (Italy)
First Round - 1st leg (Upton Park) 0-1
14th September 2006
West Ham need to climb football's own version of Mount Etna if they are to reach the group stages of the UEFA Cup after losing the home leg of their first-round tie to Palermo. The Sicilian side snatched the priceless away goal in the last minute of the first half - and in controversial circumstances. West Ham claimed the ball had gone out of play but Palermo played on and Aimo Diana picked out Andrea Caracciolo to slot his shot past Roy Carroll.
West Ham dominated possession and Carlos Tevez enjoyed their best chance with a volley from Bobby Zamora's cross. But the Hammers will need to be much sharper in front of goal in a fortnight's time - they must score at least twice to keep alive their hopes of a European campaign. Less than three years ago, when Alan Pardew took over a side struggling in the Championship, it seemed unthinkable West Ham would be back in European competition. Pardew has built a whole new generation at Upton Park, which he has supplemented with overseas stars like Yossi Benayoun and now Tevez and Javier Mascherano. But Pardew was concerned about their relative inexperience and despite dominating possession West Ham were outsmarted tonight.
Palermo have plenty of European experience. They reached the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup last year and finished eighth in Serie A last season. Pardew changed things and employed a 4-4-3 formation early on with Tevez and Benayoun to the right of Zamora while Mascherano swept very deep just in front of the back four. But as Palermo worked their way into the game Pardew switched to his usual 4-4-2, with Tevez through the middle. The Argentinian was effective in both positions but could not fashion the opening West Ham's early dominance deserved. Pardew's men had rediscovered a pace and rhythm to their play that was missing in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday but they wasted three early corners and Tevez could not pick out Lee Bowyer's charging run into the box.
The Italians hardly enjoyed any notable possession in the opening 15 minutes - but still came closest to scoring when David Di Michele turned Anton Ferdinand in the box only to scuff his shot wide. Palermo began to enjoy more time on the ball and it took both Danny Gabbidon and Paul Konchesky to halt a dangerous run from the influential Marco Bresciano. West Ham switched to 4-4-2 and Tevez continued to show flashes of class, turning into space and spreading play well for West Ham. But they still could not find the breakthrough. Konchesky's long-distance free-kick, won by Tevez, deflected wide and from the corner Ferdinand was unmarked but headed past the far post.
Nigel Reo-Coker sent two drives over the bar before West Ham worked their best chance of the half. Zamora latched on to Bowyer's ball down the left and picked out Tevez with a pin-point cross. The Argentinian's low volley was saved brilliantly by keeper Alberto Fontana. Then, just a minute before the interval West Ham were stung when Diana found Caracciola to give Palermo the lead.
West Ham stuck with their 4-4-2 formation after the break and kept the pressure on but Palermo's swarming defence prevented them from getting any decent shots on target. Carroll saved West Ham from falling further behind when he rushed off his line quickly to block Caracciola, who had escaped the offside trap to latch on to a long ball. Matthew Etherington came on for Bowyer and pulled back a neat ball into the box - but it was agonisingly just behind Tevez and Zamora. Benayoun tried to fashion a shooting chance but was closed down quickly. Tempers frayed when Palermo keeper Alberto Fontana through-ball behind claiming he had been fouled by Benayoun - only for the referee to award a corner. Zamora became involved in a shoving match and though no cards were shown for the incident the game was at boiling point. Di Michele had two swipes at Zamora and was booked. Pardew then made a double substitution with 15 minutes remaining - swapping Tevez and Zamora for Marlon Harewood and Carlton Cole. Harewood hit the post with his first touch of the ball from Benayoun's cross. Etherington kept the attack alive but was booked for diving in the box.
West Ham pelted balls forward but nothing fell right for them in the box and they now face a major challenge to turn the result around in a fortnight's time.
PALERMO (Italy)
First Round - 2nd leg (Stadio Renzo Barbera) 0-3
28th September 2006 (agg: 0-4)
No official programme was issued for the match in Italy. As is the custom for these European games the Palermo club issued an electronic version in PDF format to journalists a few days before the game. Subsequently copies of the PDF version were printed and sold at the ground.
Having no official programme, this gave the opportunists the chance to cash-in on the numerous "Un-official" versions that were also on offer around the ground, some examples are shown below.
Hammers fade and die
West Ham's disappointing start to the season continued as they bowed out of the UEFA Cup at the Renzo Barbera Stadium. Palermo midfielder Fabio Simplicio struck either side of half-time before David Di Michele added his team's third goal in the 67th minute to see the Italians advance through to the group stages. Alan Pardew's men controlled the opening half and had plenty of chances to overcome the 1-0 first leg deficit. However, Palermo goalkeeper Alberto Fontana had an outstanding night to deny the Londoners on numerous occasions.
Alan Pardew's surprising decision to leave striker Bobby Zamora out of his starting XI in favour of Carlton Cole proved a shrewd move, with the latter creating plenty of goalscoring opportunities. But the West Ham boss was left disappointed as his team's hopes of reaching the group stages of the competition were extinguished. The Hammers began in confident fashion and almost took the lead with five minutes played. Carlos Tevez got past his marker, surged inside the area and fired in a dipping volley which Fontana palmed away for a corner. Shortly after, Cole headed wide from Paul Konchesky's free-kick as West Ham continued to push forward.
At the other end, Di Michele tried his luck from the distance but his shot did not trouble Roy Carroll. Carroll did well to save Fabio Simplicio's powerful effort as Palermo applied more pressure in midfield. Midway through the first half, a defensive misunderstanding between James Collins and Danny Gabbidon could have cost the Hammers dearly, as Di Michele intercepted the pass and shot from inside the area - but Carroll denied him. West Ham had plenty of chances to take the lead before the break but found in in-form Fontana their worst enemy.
The Palermo keeper stood strong to deny Cole's effort on target and his next save proved all the more impressive as he palmed away Harewood's acrobatic shot from inside the area. One minute later, West Ham fans could not believe their luck as Fontana palmed Collins' header over the crossbar. Just when West Ham were playing at their best, Palermo scored just before the interval. Eugenio Corini's free-kick from the left found Simplicio, whose right footed effort towards the far post surprised Carroll.
Palermo picked up were they left off after the break and could have extended their lead in the 53rd minute had Carroll not made a fantastic save from Cristian Zaccardo's powerful strike. West Ham replied with Cole latching onto Lee Bowyer's cross but his header going inches wide of the far post. West Ham's hopes of a comeback were crushed shortly after the hour mark with Simplicio striking his second of the evening. Di Michele got easily past Gabbidon and served an unmarked Simplicio inside the area, who lobbed the ball past Carroll and into the back of the net. Five minutes later, Palermo struck again with a fast break catching West Ham's defence off-guard.
There was little Carroll could do to save Di Michele's bullet from close range. Andrea Caracciolo could have completed a wonderful night for the hosts with a minute remaining but his right-footed effort fizzed wide, much to the relief of a dejected Carroll.
Match Ticket
Team Assessment
Empoli v. Palermo (Serie A) 24th September 2006
Did you know...
The Hammers had the game between Empoli and Palermo watched four-days before the return UEFA Cup game. This six-page A4 size Team Assessment was produced to help the team overcome their Italian counterparts.
Hope you find it interesting, this copy belonged to Carlos Tevez, not sure what he would have made of it?
Images courtesy of Stuart Allen
Un-official Pirate Programmes
I know there were more variations produced any help with images gratefully received.
Do you have a European Memorabilia item you would like to share?
