By Michael Lynch
January 20 2004

West Ham United confirms that Bournemouth current Chairman Peter Phillips has given his permission for their first-team coach Peter Grant to talk to the Club regarding their vacant coaching position which he hopes he will fill.

 

Phillips says on the matter:

"Peter is young and ambitious and this is a great opportunity for him to further his career.

Although we will be very sorry to lose him, I do not think it would be right for the club to stand in his way.

"Peter has done a first rate job for AFC Bournemouth in the past three years.

"He has formed an outstanding management team with Sean O'Driscoll, and will not be easy to replace.

"Nevertheless, we wish him every success.

"West Ham United is a club with a great tradition for playing attractive football and developing high quality youngsters.

"Over the years we have had a good relationship with the Hammers and I'm sure that Peter will help to maintain and build on this in the future."

West Ham United manager Alan Pardew says:

"I am looking for Peter to start on Friday and be involved in the build up to our FA Cup Fourth Round tie at Wolves on Sunday.

"Peter is brave enough to ensure the team plays the football in the manner demanded by a big club like West Ham United.

"He will drive everyone mad with his unrelenting enthusiasm and demand the same degree of professionalism he displayed both as a player and coach.

"This is unsurpassed by anyone I have played with or managed during my career."

Peter signed for Reading under Tommy Burns who was a good friend and team-mate from his Celtic days.

On the West Ham United manager, Peter says:

"I was the first player Alan spoke to because he knew I was good friends with Tommy and said that wouldn't hinder me and I'd be treated like anybody else.

"But then he left me out of the team and so I asked him if I was being hindered!

"But I trained hard, got back into the team, did well, and I think I won him around as a player and as person.

"I like the way Alan worked, his honesty and determination to succeed.

"He has always been very focused and wants to keep doing things better.

"Pards proved to me he has the character, drive and enthusiasm to be a top boss.

"He did ever so well at Reading and you can see he is totally focused on what he is trying to do at West Ham United.

"I'm surprised he has given me this opportunity now because I have never worked under him as a coach.

"I know he hated playing against us (Bournemouth) when he was manager of Reading so maybe that's where it's come from!

"It is a fantastic opportunity for me and I cannot thank Bournemouth enough as all the money in the world couldn¹t have bought me everything I've learned at Dean Court."

 

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