Fans gathered at the Boleyn Ground for the annual free Open Training event on Thursday which saw the players put through their paces on a baking hot day.
Alan Curbishley's squad took to the pitch mid-morning and enjoyed a full work-out that took into account the midweek exertions at Peterborough United and the fact there is another first-team game at Southampton on Friday night. Those players that figured for Kevin Keen in a West Ham United XI match at Cambridge United on Wednesday night focused fully on post-game warm-down and conditioning.
After the training session, which included a practice game on half the pitch, a number of players took part in special programmes with the West Ham United Community department and a large contingent of local youngsters. These included Robert Green doing a goalkeeping masterclass, Mark Noble and Scott Parker working on midfield drills and Lucas Neill taking charge of a leadership session. Members of the Ladies' team were also involved while James Tomkins, on his way back after a knee knock on England duty, visited the Learning Zone centre.
In an impromptu session, players also signed autographs including those that had travelled over from early morning work at Chadwell Heath including George McCartney, Lee Bowyer, Matthew Etherington, Luis Boa Morte and Dean Ashton who are all hoping to be involved at some point over the weekend. The club has games against Grays Athletic on Saturday, under Kevin Keen's stewardship, and Ipswich Town on Monday to follow the tough test away to the Saints. Ashton, who has been battling a stomach bug, was the last to arrive but stayed for an extended period to sign autographs and meet fans.
While James Collins was another welcome sight as he steps up his training, Valon Behrami and Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson also got their first proper taste of the Boleyn Ground with the former among a group of players also featuring Matthew Upson and Julien Faubert that met with guests gathered inside the stadium. The players will next be back at the stadium on Saturday week for the Bobby Moore Cup game against Villarreal. Tickets are on general sale and for more information, click here.
