by Staff Writer
Friday, 11th July 2025
Enjoy our daily round-up of today's stories involving West Ham United not covered elsewhere in KUMB's news section.
Return imminent
There is finally light at the end of the tunnel for Crysencio Summerville, who has been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury against Aston Villa back in January.
Having initially been expected to miss just a few weeks, complications eventually ruled the 23-year-old signing from Leeds United out for the rest of the season - having undergone an operation in April - while recent reports suggested he could remain sidelined until September.
However the Netherlands Under 21 winger is finally planning to make his long-awaited comeback towards the latter end of pre-season, later this month. Expected to join the rest of the first team squad in the USA for the forthcoming Summer Series, Summerville - who was signed as "a statement of intent" according to former Head of Recruitment, TIm Steidten - will be keen to begin to pay back the £25million plus add-ons invested in his transfer a year ago.
Ok, Fred
Freddie Potts enjoyed a fabulous season on loan at Portsmouth last season - and is hoping to have the opportunity to shine at West Ham this year.
The latest in a family line of Hammers, following father Steve and brother Danny, Freddie believes it is the "perfect time" to return to his parent club, for whom he made his first team debut nearly three years ago in the Europa League.
"I’m full of confidence at the moment and ready to show what I can do this pre-season in front of the Head Coach," Potts told West Ham's website. "My family are all West Ham fans and it's always been my dream to play for this incredible club, so now I've just got to try and work hard enough to try and prove myself in the first-team.
"I've always had the belief that I can play at any level and I adapted to the Championship as the games went on and I kept my spot, which was good for me. I learnt a lot there and It was a perfect match for me." With that kind of attitude, and two successful loan spells under his belt now he'll not go far wrong.
Cummings on strong
Recent arrival Daniel Cummings is preparing to make his debut in claret and blue when the Under 21s face Worthing at The Sussex Transport Community Stadium this Saturday afternoon.
Mark Robson's side, who will almost certainly be featuring a number of new signings open their pre-season with a fixture against the National League South outfit with Hammers fans keen to catch their first glimpse of a player who scored goals for fun while representing Celtic's reserve's last season.
For those supporters wishing to watch the game live, tickets are available at just £9 for adults and £5 for Under 18s, which Under 6s able to enter free of charge. Unfortunately there will be no live stream, but you'll be able to catch up with all the latest developments on KUMB instead.
Worldnet 2025
Last weekend saw the staging of the latest Worldnet, the annual event for supporters' teams in Doncaster. Previously a haunt of many KUMB members and staff, the weekend saw West Ham represented on this occasion by Trans Pennine Irons.
Knocked out in the group stage, having drawn with Lens and Birmingham before losing to eventual winners Watford, the Hammers entered the plate competition the following day and were unfortunate to be beaten 5-4 on penalties by Manchester United having drawn the game 0-0.
"It was a really good tournament, and we’re already booked in for next year," said player-manager Damian Locke, who became the latest Hammer to represent the England team - following on from the likes of Rob Campbell-White and KUMB Editor Graeme Howlett, who were the first representatives from West Ham to feature for their country (at Worldnet 1998).
"Considering we’ve only been in existence for less than nine months, to progress to the finals [was a result]. Being very unlucky to lose on penalties [to a team who beat us 13-0 last season] just a few months later shows how far the team has progressed."
Bill over the hill
The Football Governance Bill, which will establish an independent regulator for English football with particular oversight on
financial regulation successfully passed its third reading in the House of Commons this week having undergone a number of revisions since first being proposed.
Passed comfortably by 415 votes to 98, the Bill - which is popular with supporters, if not quite so welcomed by the likes of West Ham CEO Karren Brady - now looks set to gain Royal Assent and become law before Parliament closes for summer recess on 22 July.
"There’ll be better supporter engagement, more blocks on unsuitable owners and increased financial and club heritage protections," said the Football Supporters' Association, who have lobbied continuously for the introduction of the Bill. "On top of that, it’ll stop any domestic club from entering a breakaway European Super League."
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