Academy Director Tony Carr has given the first of his updates ahead of his Testimonial match, which will take place at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday 5 May, with kick-off at 7.45pm. Click here for up to date ticket information
Hello everyone.
We are now on a countdown towards the match and, with only six weeks to go, it's just a question of waiting for the respective managers to give their permission for their players to take part.
All the letters have gone out and the lads have agreed in principal to take part, including the Chelsea boys Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and John Terry, and the Manchester United boys Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick.
Players from clubs as varied as Luton Town, Swansea City and Hull City have been invited to take part, so there are lots of players who have been asked to be involved.
It is now a question of them being permitted to play by their managers, and subject to them not being involved in cup competitions or play-offs during that week.
From my point of view, it would be nice if the Premier League issues are resolved before the final week of the season, as it might give Carlo Ancelotti and Sir Alex Ferguson a little nudge towards releasing all their players for me!
I'm very hopeful that all the managers will allow their players to take part, but it is now a question of waiting for the official confirmation letters to come through.
We have had a special claret and blue shirt made by Umbro for the event, complete with a specially-designed badge, which we will wear on the night.
Supporters might not be aware but, as the home team, my All Stars will be wearing the claret and blue and West Ham United, who have been invited, will have to wear their away kit. We are still discussing who will have use of the home dressing room!
Regardless of who takes part, it will be a good night, anyway, and tickets are now on sale from the Ticket Office and are being snapped up.
Executive boxes will also be available on the night for those who would like to watch the match in more luxurious surroundings. These will be made available first to the existing box holders before being put on sale for £750, with each box holding up to ten people. I think this is good value, because if everybody turns out, there could be ten members of England's FIFA World Cup squad in action.
This match will be a celebration not only of my career, but also of the careers of the players involved and how far they have come in the game since their young days at West Ham.
I'm really looking forward to the night and I'd like to thank my Testimonial committee for all the hard work they are putting in - including Alvin Martin and Tony Cottee, who have become my unofficial PR men and are spreading the word through the media!
I will be back soon with an update, including details of a couple of extra-special guest players who I have invited to take part.
Keep a close eye on whufc.com for further important announcements over the coming weeks.
Tony Carr
Academy Director