Getting our heads around the Tony Carr news is difficult indeed.Yes a club legend who, with his chief scout Jimmy Hampson, unearthed some of our greatest names from Tony Cottee through Michael Carrick, Rio, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Glen Johnson. His name is written large in our Hammers Hall of Fame.
His and Jimmy’s contribution to our club history is totally unforgettable so to read the quotes most of us have now seen in the morning papers is disappointing..
Since reading them we have made our own telephone calls and have been assured that at this stage no final agreements have been signed off so over-reaction is not necessarily the way forward!
In our view whatever Tony gets he will deserve. The word legend is thrown around far too loosely in these times but that is exactly the description which fits this man.
He’s an all round good guy although he might have been better advised than to talk with the Daily Mail ahead of what we believe will still be a negotiated outcome. The talking has not yet been concluded.
For the sake of balance, it should be remembered that he was employed on a fixed two year contract back in September 2014 worth around £200- £250k plus expenses and is now a year beyond his natural retirement age.
Alongside that, his testimonial in 2009 is believed to have yielded around half a million pounds from which the club took nothing. The club clearly hold Tony in the highest esteem and that was the reason for that and the offer which followed.
In reality rather than perhaps send this issue to Human Resources Tony should have been allowed to retire – it comes to us all.
Sadly this one could have ended differently. Hopefully WHUFC and Tony can come to an agreement that suits them both.
In the meantime – many thanks top man. You have been a star!
A true legend, you can understand his feelings after 43 years with the club to be dealt coldly with by a human resources person that he doesn’t even know. Hopefully the Dave’s will speak with him personally and smooth the waters and remove any ill feelings, anyone that has watched the academy teams through the years or been coached by him will never forget what he has done for our club, Thanks Tony for all the enjoyment I have had watching the players you scouted and coached.
Great words No32,i echo though sentiments.I will leave any other judgement on this situation to others now.The ones who like to beat the club down at every opportunity & have opinions on everything.Some might call them the bigmouths amongst our support lol
Well done West Ham no32.Tremendous comment.But I will also now go down the antman route & leave all further discussion to others.Your post is a great way to leave this issue for me.
Spot on
I think it would have been a final agreement if there had not been an over reaction.
Seeing the facts as you have described put a different slant on the story, and you are right, talking to the press was a ridiculous thing to do. The main problem is that as fans of West Ham, past experiences tend to push you into thinking that there must be something not quite right.
It’s unfortunate that money is at the forefront of this story. The £14k redundancy headlines does neither side of the argument any favours as Tony has hardly been on a pittance all his tenure at the club. Clearly it could have been handled better by the club as Tony is, as you say, a legend. It would have been better if the two David’s had spoken to him personally about the parting of the ways.
Would have thought it would have been worth keeping an Ambassador role for him even if he is past his sell by date. His knowledge and love for the club would make the transition to the OS just a little smoother.
Hope he is looked after.
Apparently he was offered an ambassadors job or redundancy and opted for the latter.
Mooro66 I know you dont like the constant bashing of our great club so don’t whatever you do go to Wet Pants today.I think they are shredding every concievable part of the club apart.It must be being so cheerful that keeps them going lol
You pays your money you air your views Stan.Admittedly it is not my cup of tea with the prolific grumbling that seems the embodiment of that site but they are allowed their opinion.Me myself I stopped reading it.It was too depressing..Its strange, I always had a belief in West Ham fans being unified but the truth is I have found many to be a total bore & rather irritating since reading our clubs sites.Que Sera Sera.
I’m sure they think the same about me lol
West Ham are missing a trick as usual. Forty three years of experience and knowledge of producing so many top class players……..and they’re pushing him out? Forget the Club Ambassador role he had – make him the Academy’s Chief Consultant!!!
Maybe Terry Westley doesn’t need or want a chief consultant.Why would he want the man who used to run it involved.The Academy was overhauled when Carr moved on wasnt it so why then bring him back.Anyway wasn’t he offered another role but decided on redundancy instead??
More to the point is the fact I just read my mate Banjo make sense & almost be the voice of reason for once haha.Feck me what’s wrong with you Banjio Bellendichi man???? haha 😀
Latest ****ter message from Dave – We offered Tony an ongoing part-time ambassadorial role. He declined. But he’ll always be welcome at the Club. dg
Not sacked. Tony’s two-year, full-time ambassador contract came to an end. He declined an ongoing part-time role dg