Comments on: Jeff Stelling’s West Ham Countdown

By: WHU Kim

WHU Kim — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:01:49 +0000

Great that we are playing a team we’ve never played before so it’s a good draw for both sets of supporters. I am hoping to get a ticket so looking forward to it.

By: SJ Chandos

SJ Chandos — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:05:32 +0000

Goatygav, my understanding is that the court have given Hansa till 6 March 2009 to work out arrangements to pay it’s creditors. As part of the process Hansa listed all of its assets and that included it’s valuation of the club at £250m. The creditors are not pushing the issue in the hope that Hansa can work out deals to reimburse them and the knowledge that administration will see them receive very little. There was certainly no specific stipulation by the court that West Ham had to be sold by March! This link was made by our poisionous tabloids and the misinformed Guardian!

BG’s financial arrangements are beyond my limited financial expertise, but it is not beyond the relms of possibility that he is seeking to cut his losses and restructure his assets to recover his overall business position. Perhaps Hansa is part of that strategy, as is West Ham Utd FC! There is also the possibility that BG will sell a % of West Ham Utd PLC to refinance the club, rather than go for an outright sale.

One thing is absolutely certain, it is West Ham Utd PLC that is the affiliate of the Premier League, not Hansa. Tey will only face administration and a points deduction if the club fail to meet our direct financial obligations such as player/staff salaries, transfer instalments, payments on loans, etc. The club can do this because it is largely self-financing and firewalled from BG’s other business concerns and liabilities.

I hope that this helps?

By: LaurieinSpain

LaurieinSpain — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:20:57 +0000

Terrific draw for us. Gotta be delighted that a few of the teams you really dont want to draw till the Semis are drawn against each other too. Should be a fairly diluted fifth round with plenty of mugs to go round… be great to do what Millwall did and make it to a Final on the back of an easy run of games. Kettering in the semi!!! COYI!!
And is it just me or could we really finish January with a stronger squad than the one that started it.. hopefully it will feature Dyer starting to fire on all cylinders, the few glimpses we got of him mean I have everything crossed.

By: Goatygav

Goatygav — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:40:47 +0000

Not too sure that’s the case SJ. Haven’t the Icelandic courts given BG ’til the March deacline to sell?

By: eastend

eastend — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:36:35 +0000

Everyone in the country will be looking at the draw and saying here’s your next shock but i’m not so sure. Although a tricky tie i don’t see why we can’t go there and do them over just like we did against Barnsley! 3-0 Hammers all the way!

By: SJ Chandos

SJ Chandos — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:58:36 +0000

Why are you sweating Chris, that ‘must sell before March’ nonsense is a figment of some Guardian hack’s twisted imagination!

Yes this is an excellent draw. 5th round here we come!

By: E1

E1 — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:02:53 +0000

THIS IS THE ONE win this and I also have a good feeling this could be our year I just hope it does’nt cost us in the league, injuries,suspensions and tierdness. Still it’s all a bit more exciting now and long trem I feel a lot happier.
COYI !!!!!

By: Graybo

Graybo — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:15:05 +0000

Ah, well done, lads… plenty of optimism.

That’s what I like, a few bubbles floating up to the sky )

By: Goatygav

Goatygav — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:06:54 +0000

COME ON YOU IRONS!!!! Would really love to see us do well in the cup this year.

By: chris

chris — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:50:47 +0000

Good draw!Just hope BG can find a buyer before march,
I’m starting to sweat!!!!!