Former Hammer in the Old Bailey dock

A former West Ham player has been accused of glassing a bouncer in Notting Hill after an argument over the parking of his female friend’s Porsche, a court heard today.The Old Bailey heard claims that Izzy Iriekpen, 33, allegedly lashed out when he was approached by door staff outside the venue.

The former Hammer, who played for the West Ham Academy between 1998 and 2003, half punched Ymer Topuzi in the mouth before smashing a glass or bottle over the head of Simon Williams, jurors heard. The row was sparked when Iriekpen began talking to a young woman who blocked the pavement outside the bar with her black Porsche, the court was told. When Iriekpen was arrested he told police: “I did it in self defence.” He denies common assault wounding with intent and an alternative charge of unlawful wounding.The trial continues.

Iriekpen joined West Ham as a trainee in August 1998 and was part of West Ham’s Youth Cup winning team of 1999 that included the likes of Michael Carrick and Joe Cole. Injuries disrupted his seasons with West Ham as he twice broke down with cruciate ligament problems. He took loan periods with Leyton Orient and Cambridge United in 2002–03, making 21 league and cup appearances and scoring three goals. Despite being viewed as a promising prospect, he was released in June 2003 without playing a single senior game for the Hammers because of injury.