West Ham will kick off their build-up to the 2002-03 Premiership
campaign with a host of friendlies against lower league sides and are
likely to finish with a prestigious clash against foreign opposition 10
days before our opening league clash at St. James' Park.
After battling through a gruelling week of warm weather training and
conditioning work in Portugal, the Hammers will return to face Leyton
Orient on Friday, July 21 in a testimonial match in honour of Len
Cheesewright, the O's chief scout whose discoveries include a certain
Glenn Roeder back in the early 70s.
After visiting Brisbane Road, we then embark on a journey around the
south that takes in Southend United, Colchester United, Norwich City,
Dagenham & Redbridge and Reading, before the final dress rehearsal on
Friday, August 9.
Although yet to be confirmed, it is expected that an established
European side will provide the opposition, with a neutral venue likely
given that the Upton Park pitch will still be in the final stages of its
move 15 metres towards the new Dr Martens Stand.
The full list of confirmed friendly matches reads as follows:
FIRST TEAM
campaign with a host of friendlies against lower league sides and are
likely to finish with a prestigious clash against foreign opposition 10
days before our opening league clash at St. James' Park.
After battling through a gruelling week of warm weather training and
conditioning work in Portugal, the Hammers will return to face Leyton
Orient on Friday, July 21 in a testimonial match in honour of Len
Cheesewright, the O's chief scout whose discoveries include a certain
Glenn Roeder back in the early 70s.
After visiting Brisbane Road, we then embark on a journey around the
south that takes in Southend United, Colchester United, Norwich City,
Dagenham & Redbridge and Reading, before the final dress rehearsal on
Friday, August 9.
Although yet to be confirmed, it is expected that an established
European side will provide the opposition, with a neutral venue likely
given that the Upton Park pitch will still be in the final stages of its
move 15 metres towards the new Dr Martens Stand.
The full list of confirmed friendly matches reads as follows:
FIRST TEAM
v Leyton Orient
(Len Cheesewright Testimonial)
Friday, July 19
Kick-off: 8.00pm
v Southend United
Tuesday, July 23
Kick-off: 7.45pm
v Colchester United
Friday, July 26
Kick-off: 7.30pm
v Norwich City
Tuesday, July 30
Kick-off: 7.45pm
v Dagenham & Redbridge
Friday, August 2
Kick-off: 7.45pm
v Reading
Monday, August 5
Kick-off: 8.00pm
RESERVE TEAM
v Purfleet
Wednesday, July 24
Kick-off: 7.30pm
v Braintree Town
Wednesday, August 7
Kick-off: TBC
v Heybridge Swifts
Saturday, August 10
Kick-off: 3.00pm