by Staff Writer
Wednesday, 25th June 2025
Enjoy our daily round-up of today's stories involving West Ham United not covered elsewhere in KUMB's news section.
Iron Maiden vs Burnley
On Tuesday afternoon Premier League newcomers Burnley hosted a special friendly match, welcoming legendary Iron Maiden bassist - and diehard Hammer - Steve Harris and the Iron Maiden football team to the Gawthorpe Training Ground for an entertaining 3-3 draw, following the band’s triumphant show at the Co-Op Live arena in Manchester the night before.
A team comprised of Clarets staff, captained by former Burnley skipper and current Academy Coach Jack Cork, took on an Irons side made up of Harris, the band’s management, road crew and support band The Raven Age.
"We’ve been playing these matches all around the world for years and we were delighted to be able to get a game in," Harris told Burnley's website. "We’ve been lucky enough to play at clubs like Barcelona, LA Galaxy and Bayern Munich and Burnley felt like the obvious choice in the North West.
"I’m really pleased to see Scott [Parker] and the team back in the Premier League and wish them all the best next season… except for when they play West Ham, of course."
VC addresses the hoi polloi
Karren Brady has released a statement addressing a number of supporters' concerns in the wake of the latest round of criticism regarding the club's transfer policy... and just about everything else. The vice chair also insisted negotiations between the board and the fans, via the Fan Advisory Board vehicle had "shown what collaboration can achieve".
"Constructive conversations with the Board have helped us take meaningful actions such as freezing Season Ticket prices for both the Men’s and Women’s teams for the 2025/26 season and expanding our concessionary pricing to make football more accessible for all age groups in General Admission bands," said Brady. "These are real wins, made possible by listening to and acting on your feedback."
A number of questions ranging from enquires regarding rail seating and stadium security were answered, which you may read here and/or discuss the statement on the KUMB Forum.
Watch out, Wimbledon
Tomas Soucek is not your typical footballer. The potato salad-munching Czech Republic international confirmed as much when he revealed he harbours a preference for tennis over the footballers' traditional second sport, golf.
"I like to play tennis when possible," the midfielder told West Ham's website. "It’s something I’ve always enjoyed since I was younger, and I even just enjoyed watching tennis. I used to play with my Dad, but now I play with many friends in the summer when I have time off. When I can find the time, this is the sport I want to play.
"It's a good sport because you can stay on the move. I'm not, for example, a keen golf player because I want to move a little bit more. It's a good challenge when you play in pairs (doubles). I really like to enjoy hitting the ball, and I'm competitive, so it's good competition against other competitive friends."
So watch out Messrs Sinner, Alcaraz, Zverev and Draper - big Tom could be coming for you soon...
Emerging Hammers Festival held
West Ham United held an Emerging Hammers Festival at Chadwell Heath for football players of South Asian or Asian heritage earlier this month, reported the club's website. The 'Academy Experience and Insight Day' welcomed a total of 22 players, with a focus on promising players within the U8 and U9 age groups, and provided an opportunity for players to compete in a vibrant, supportive atmosphere, fostering both camaraderie and competition.
"I think it was a very successful day," stated Foundation and Academy Link Mentor Rashid Abba. "We've been planning for this for the last eight weeks. The boys you've seen today, they went through a talent process to be selected to represent West Ham United at the Premier League National Emerging Talent Festival, and we wanted to invite them here to Chadwell Heath to celebrate, and I think it's been fantastic.
"They really enjoyed getting coached in an Academy environment by the full-time Academy lead coaches as well, so I think it was an experience where parents felt included, and I think the boys really enjoyed it as well. I think overall it's been a success, and now we want to continue this moving forward."
Well Jel... Nikica is a manager
Hot on the heels of Joey O'Brien, Nikica Jelavic - who spent a mere six months at Upton Park before being shipped out to China 18 months shy of his contract end - has become the latest ex-Hammer to make the step up into management having been granted the vacant role at Croatian club NK Lokomotiva.
Having ended his playing career at Lokomotiva Zagreb in 2021 the forward, now 39, took charge of Lokomotiva’s youth side and has impressed sufficiently to be promoted to the senior role ahead of the start of the 2025/26 season. He'll replace Silvijo Cabraja, who was fired in March with the club facing possible relegation.
Having survived that, it has been confirmed Jelavic will take the role on. “Everything is already planned," academy chief Jurica Cabraja told Sportske Novosti. "So, Jelavic will take over the senior team in the summer, and (Ante) Ivanda will take his place.
* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.