Latest Opinion

Well. I wrote in my last article about how much excitement we had 'suffered' at Upton Park during the last month, what with the Wednesday, Birmingham and Villa escapades. How little did I know that all of this was about to be eclipsed by the events of one of the most extraordinary weekends I have ever known as a Hammers fan.

Our story begins on Friday morning last. Still basking in the glory of Wednesday night's incredible victory we get a tip-off here at kumb that all is not well down at Upton Park. Rumour has it that Manny Omoyinmi played in an earlier round of the Worthington Cup for Gillingham whilst down there on loan. We check it out - lo and behold, he actually played in two games - both against Bolton. Now we all know that this is against the rules - don't we?

We run the story, and within hours it's all over the internet, radio, Dixons shop windows from Basildon to Basingstoke - every bloody where. The Football League call an emergency meeting to decide our punishment. Horrified Hammers the length and breadth of the country sigh and say 'it could only happen to us'.

Now everyone has their say. Harry Redknapp says he doesn't know what all the fuss is about; after all Manny only touched the ball twice. John Gregory says Villa nearly made the same mistake after recent signing Benito Carbone told them he hadn't played in the competition even though he had (five minutes as a sub for former club Sheffield Wednesday). Nauseating Villa chairman Doug Ellis says we should be thrown out. Manny Omoyinmi - well, noone knows what has happened to Manny since Friday. He certainly hasn't been seen anywhere near Upton Park.

Saturday arrives. The shock news certainly affects the boys as we go three down within twenty minutes to a bouyant Man.Utd side, and despite another thrilling fightback we go down 4-2. You couldn't have picked a worse side to face after news like this. Oh yeh, Di Canio picks up another yellow card which means he will begin a suspension somewhere around January 10th ...

The Football League announce that the quarter-final tie must be replayed. Villa say publicly that they're disappointed as the tie will be played at Upton Park. I suspect in actual fact that they can't believe their luck at getting another chance. West Ham 'can only apologise for the small administrative error'. Small administrative error? That's like calling World War II a slight disagreement between old mates...

Fans everywhere begin a witch hunt - heads must roll for this.

Publicly all is quiet at Upton Park on Sunday, although by now Terry Brown must be deciding who will go. Oh, and Harry confesses that it was he who gave Gillingham permission to play Manny in the Bolton games. Nice one H ...

Monday luchtime, and the final chapter in a story that you couldn't have made up is revealed: club secretary Graham Mackrell and football secretary Alison O'Dowd resign. Although the responsibility for the cock-up lay directly with O'Dowd Mackrell, who is in overall charge resigns - perhaps honourably - too.

The only good news to come from a wretched weekend is that Villa striker Dion Dublin broke his neck on Saturday, and will be out of the game for a minimum of three months - therefore missing the replay. Now I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, but if there's any comfort to be taken from a weekend such as this then I'm grabbing it with both hands.

Now we're used to horrendous blunders at West Ham - but this really takes the biscuit. How on earth, in this day and age when football is a multi-million pound industry, can this have happened?

Don't kid yourselves that Mackrell and O'Dowd are solely to blame for this either. They might have been made scapegoats by the club but everyone involved in this sorry saga deserves a good kick up the arse. Firstly - and most importantly - the player himself. Apparently Manny informed the club that he had not played in the competition previously. How can anyone make such a fundamental error? Jeez, it wasn't just one game either - come on Manny, what were you thinking of son?

And Harry Redknapp. Now he has admitted that he gave Gillingham permission to use Omoyinmi, but he didn't believe that they had actually played him. Anyone who has read any of my previous articles will be aware that I am a staunch supporter of Redknapp - but I'm sorry Harry, I can't defend you on this one. Even if the player said he hadn't played surely it's only the matter of a quick phone call to confirm this with the Gills. Obviously this is too much to expect.

O'Dowd, who was in charge of the administrative duties had little choice but to call it a day. However, I'm not so sure that Mackrell had to go too - still, full marks to the man for such an honourable decision. From what I've heard he has been an excellent ambassador for the club since his arrival from Sheffield Wednesday in June, and will be sadly missed.

At least the club have (reluctantly) agreed to let the fans in for free to the replay - that is, assuming you have kept your ticket stub from the first game, or have some proof of payment. I have this vision of thousands of fans desperately rummaging through those black plastic council sponsored bin-bags in a desperate effort to retrieve said item before the dustman whisks it away. Me? I always keep mine with the match programme. My grandfather started this particular trend off with the '66 World Cup final; that particular ticket remains one of my proudest possessions (along with that programme - anyone with a clue how much this is worth these days send an email to the address on the right ...)

I have a feeling however that we'll cruise the replay; everyone will be so up for it I don't give Villa a chance. Especially with Dublin missing, who has scored 9 of their 16 league goals this term. Mind you, it looks like we'll have to do battle without Di Canio, who, following the booking against Man.Utd on Saturday, will start a suspension in the same week as the tie - so I guess that evens things up a little. And if I'm not mistaken we'll also be without both Shaka and Craig Forrest who'll both be taking part in some farcical 'international' tournament during January and February.

Whatever, this whole saga is a balls-up of comical proportions that should have no place in a business the size of West Ham United Football Club. Especially considering the Wanchope and Stimac affairs earlier in the season, when we were fined for similar indiscretions.

Harry Redknapp, Terry Brown, Graham Mackrell, Alison O'Dowd, Manny Omoyinmi - hang your heads in collective shame. You've made us look like a bunch of monkeys over this. Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea fans must be pissing themselves at our latest attempt to shoot ourselves in the foot.

Believe me, us success-starved fans will accept nothing less than victory in the replay. I for one wouldn't like to speculate on the consequences of defeat in the replay - let's pray it doesn't come to that ...

* Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.

* Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the highlighted author/s and do not necessarily represent or reflect the official policy or position of KUMB.com.