West Ham United would like to clarify that the decision to change the home pre-season match to the SBOBET Cup in aid of the Academy was not made for reasons of commercial gain by either party.
Due to the financial situation at the club, West Ham United are unable to donate a significant percentage of its pre-season gate to the Bobby Moore Fund due to the necessity this season of focusing investment on the club's youth system and wider grassroots football.
The work done by Tony Carr to develop talented youngsters goes beyond just providing the next stars for the first team. It provides a framework for education and growth that benefits dozens of local teenagers every single year. Not all will realise their dreams but all will grow up with the same values and traditions first instilled in Bobby Moore himself more than 50 years ago. The worth of this cannot be measured.
The renaming of a match does not change Bobby's position at the heart of the club. There is the Bobby Moore Stand, the No6 shirt was retired in his honour and the Academy continue to play, with SBOBET's support, in shirts bearing his name. The owners knew him personally and the constant reminders to his magnificent life at the Boleyn Ground serve as fitting testament to his lasting legacy.
Furthermore, as a club, West Ham United have responsibility to work with many charitable causes. As well as the Fund being forever tied to West Ham, the club are linked with Richard House Children's Hospice, the Royal British Legion and newer organisations such as Help for Heroes and Tickets for Troops. Recent local initiatives have also seen the club help those with mental health issues and youngsters with Down's syndrome.
West Ham United will continue to donate significant funds through donating ten per cent of the proceeds from the BM6 merchandise range, as well as making other financial contributions through various auctions. Indeed the club recently confirmed a cheque for £4,000 will be sent to the Bobby Moore Fund, which was a share of a pre-season event at the stadium.
In addition, the club are committed to maintaining the high profile of the Bobby Moore Fund and the fight against bowel cancer - and the players and staff regularly give their time free of charge to support Fund events. SBOBET also continue to strongly back the charity with regular signficant donations of their own and backing fan initiatives.
With SBOBET's support, this club is working towards a more solid financial footing and - with the hope of being able to reinstate a financial share of the pre-season match next season - the ultimate aim is to ensure West Ham United remains stable for generations to come.