by Staff Writer
Monday, 30th June 2025
Enjoy our daily round-up of today's stories involving West Ham United not covered elsewhere in KUMB's news section.
Ince nicked
Former Hammer Paul Ince has been charged with drink-driving after crashing into a central reservation in the Wirral.
Now 57, Ince - who incurred the wrath of Hammers fans back in 1989 when he posed in a Manchester United shirt while he was still on West Ham's books - has been bailed to appear at Chester Magistrates' Court on 18 July.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said officers "were called following reports of a collision" on Chester High Road, Neston. "The incident involved a black Range Rover which had collided with the central reservation barrier," the spokesperson said. "Officers attended the scene and arrested a 57-year-old man."
Ince, who joined West Ham as a 14-year-old in 1982 went to to win 53 England caps while becoming the first black player to captain the Three Lions at senior level.
Heady Eddie
Midfielder Edson Alvarez may not have had much to cheer about last season, but his summer has already proved to be far more productive.
The 27-year-old Hammer led Mexico to a CONCACAF Gold Cup semi final spot courtesy of a 2-0 quarter final win against Saudi Arabia at the State Farm Stadium, Glendale on Sunday, with both goals coming in the second half (an Alexis Vega effort and an Abdullah Madu own goal nine minutes form the end of normal time).
Mexico, who have won the competition nine times previously will now face Honduras at Levi's Stadium, California (a 3am kick off GMT) for a place in next weekend's final, which will be hosted in Houston, Texas. They will face either host nation the USA or Guatemala, who beat Canada 6-5 on penalties to secure their place in the last four.
Mike on his bike
Michail Antonio is set to be confirmed as a free transfer when his most recent (two-and-a-half) year contract expires at midnight tonight (Monday) - ten years after he first arrived in east London.
The 35-year-old striker has thus far been unable to agree terms on a new deal with West Ham, who would only offer a pay-as-you-play deal for a player who, less than nine months ago, was left fighting for his life following a serious road accident.
Fellow Hammers such as Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal and Danny Ings will also be free to arrange new contracts having been similarly released by West Ham. Antonio recently returned to senior action with Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, for whom he made three brief substitute appearances.
Howdy partner
West Ham have extended their existing deal with financial services supplier Jeton. Described as a "multi-year extension to their five-year partnership", the company will continue its position as the club's " Official Unified Finance App partner".
Jeton CEO Harbin Sze told West Ham's website: “We are proud to extend our partnership with West Ham United and to keep building on what we’ve achieved together. Since 2020, our collaboration has helped us grow our brand globally and connect with fans who value innovation, simplicity and trust in financial services."
United's Executive Director Nathan Thompson added: "We’re delighted to continue our successful partnership with Jeton. During the five years our work together has been an integral driver for the global growth of both organisations. We are particularly pleased to have had a key impact in Jeton’s digital transformation last season, with our own growing global digital channels providing the perfect platform to support Jeton’s accelerated growth."
130 not out
Sunday 29 June marked the 130th anniversary of the birth of Thames Ironworks FC, the predecessor to West Ham United which was formed from the ashes of the defunct works' team five years later in 1900.
The birth of the new club, which was formed for the benefit of ship builders on the Thames at the tail end of the Victorian era was announced in the Thames Ironworks Gazette via an article written by foreman David Taylor, who had been given the green light to proceed by managing director Arnold Hills on the basis that a football team would "improve the moral" of dockers.
During its brief existence TIFC won the West Ham Charity Cup (1895/96) and the London League (1896/97 and again 1897/98) while being promoted to the Southern League Division One in 1898/99 as champions of Southern League Division Two.
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