May | 2024 | EXTRA TIME

Hammer of the Year ‘23/24

⚒️ Jarrod Bowen !!!!

The England international goes into the final weekend of the season having been directly involved in no fewer than 30 goals in all competitions, scoring 20 and assisting ten more. Jarrod Bowen’s tally of goals scored in the Premier League is 16 in 34 appearances for the Hammers, which means that he has equalled Paolo Di Canio’s Premier League record for the most Hammers goals in a single season.

Bowen was overwhelmingly voted Hammer of the Year by West Ham supporters, with Ghana attacker Mohamed Kudus capping an impressive debut campaign in east London by finishing in second place.

But Kudus did not go home empty-handed, as the 13-goal winger scooped the Goal of the Season award for his incredible individual 70-yard run and finish in the 5-0 UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg win over SC Freiburg at London Stadium in March.

At the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was presented with the Save of the Season trophy for his fingertip stop to keep out a fiercely-struck volley from Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard in the Premier League visit of the Gunners to E20 in February.

Two promising homegrown players were also recognised, with midfielder George Earthy capping a season in which he made his first-team debut and scored his first goal for the first-team by being named Mark Noble Young Hammer of the Year, and defender Ezra Mayers winning the Dylan Tombides Award for the outstanding Academy of Football scholar.

May 17, 2024 at 10:22 pm Leave a comment

David Moyes‘s last home game…

…was the reason for a fair tribute written by Axel Steinsberg in 👉🏻The Guardian, and fortunately this last home match turned out a fond farewell for the manager on a sunny afternoon. David Moyes’s four and a half years as West Ham manager (second time around) came to an end with a stirring come-from-behind 3-1 (0-1) victory over Luton Town!

After a dire first half from the Hammers, three second half goals from Ward-Prowse, Soucek and young George Earthy secured a 3-1 win that has all but sent Luton Town down to the EFL Championship.

It was ironic that 19-years-old Earthy (pictured), a youth-team product who came in as a substitute for only his second PL game, scored the last home goal under the Scot who sometimes was criticised for his refusal to give younger players a chance.

The win was a fitting finale for the Scot, who can leave with a smile and his head held high.

A successful relegation battle won, three European campaigns and a UEFA Europa Conference League trophy all won, West Ham’s first silverware in 43 years. It’s been massive. Thank you, David Moyes, for giving us the best time as West Ham supporters for a long time! The “Moysie era” has been the best period for West Ham since the tenure of manager John Lyall!

May 11, 2024 at 2:44 pm Leave a comment

LC24

What is the Leadership Conference?

The Leadership Conference is an opportunity for leaders in every sphere – across contexts, traditions, generations, and cultures – to gather as one, encounter Jesus, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Christ-centered leadership has the power to change lives and transform the world.

The annual Leadership Conference is organised and hosted by Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, pioneers of Alpha, an introduction to the Christian faith running in churches of all denominations in 140 countries. Nicky Gumbel was Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton, a large central London church, for 17 years. Nicky and Pippa now work to support Alpha globally. They are also the authors of a daily Bible commentary BioY.

The best moments of Leadership Conference 2024 can be watched here online, on demand, all for free. AVAILABLE FROM 29 MAY

These are some of the key questions addressed at the LC24:

How can we lead with courage and integrity at a time of instability?
How can we empower and make space for emerging leaders and foster collaboration between generations?
How can we envision, encourage and challenge those we lead in our communities and workplaces?
How can we build resilience, while avoiding isolation and burn out?
How can we hold onto hope, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus?

The next Leadership Conference LC25 will be held in London, Royal Albert Hall, on 5–6 May 2025.

Book your tickets here before midnight on 9 May 2024 and save up to £25 on selected ticket types. Use Promo Code: FLASH48

May 9, 2024 at 8:27 am Leave a comment

David Moyes Leaves

👉🏻 www.whufc.com (Club statement)

I have watched the manager’s last game before this club announcement (spotted on Match of the Day):

May 7, 2024 at 7:00 am Leave a comment

Farewell at Chelsea

Chelsea away was going to be the game in which I bid my personal farewell to David Moyes. This season I had been to West Ham v Sheffield (2-0) at the London Stadium in autumn, and in December I watched Fulham away.

It wasn’t to be a happy farewell: West Ham lost 0-5 at Stamford Bridge. That was the same result as earlier this season when I had watched West Ham lose at Fulham with an identical score.

Already 0-3 down at halftime, David Moyes tried to freshen up his tired looking team by introducing James Ward-Prowse for Edson Alvarez.

Later Danny Ings came on for Michail Antonio.

Jarrod Bowen who had hit the woodwork three times, and Vladimir Coufal gave their shirts to fans after the game

“The fans have been great but I feel bad for them,” West Ham manager David Moyes told Sky Sports.

“I don’t normally have teams who get beaten like this but we are lacking some ingredients – mental toughness and leadership to get better results, or at least not get hammered.

“The fans played their part and I can only say I’m really sorry for how it played out.”

Well, these have been massive years for West Ham. But now they need a fresh start next season, with a massive overhaul for an ageing squad.