This is the first in a new series. Enjoy
Sure, West Ham have taken a big gamble by splashing out 1.5 million ponds on Don Hutchinson, especially after what they went through with Joey Beauchamp. But the former Liverpool midfielder, who also scored Hammer's first premiership goal of the season courtesy of a penalty on his debut in the midweek defeat by Newcastle, arrives at Upton Park with a promise to reform. No more bungee jumps and no more Budweiser Labels.
"I am 23 and its time to make my mark in football." says the club record signing, who played as a makeshift striker against his hometown club. "I want to make the backpage headlines instead of the front, My reputation is nothing to do with the real me.
I am afraid it scares me a bit, being a northern lad coming down to the bright lights, but I`ve got to handle it. It's time to grow up and put my career back on track."
Hutchinson, who was fined two weeks' wages and transfer-listed after his antics on holiday in Cyprus, insist that the parting by Liverpool was amicable and it was his decision to move on.
"I wouldn't have been surprised if they bombed me out, but they stood by me. I don't think any other club would've done that.
"But I couldn't see myself getting back in the first team in the near future, so I wanted to get away for purely football reasons. And I am delighted to be joining West Ham. They are a Premiership club with a tradition of playing good football."
Sure, West Ham have taken a big gamble by splashing out 1.5 million ponds on Don Hutchinson, especially after what they went through with Joey Beauchamp. But the former Liverpool midfielder, who also scored Hammer's first premiership goal of the season courtesy of a penalty on his debut in the midweek defeat by Newcastle, arrives at Upton Park with a promise to reform. No more bungee jumps and no more Budweiser Labels.
"I am 23 and its time to make my mark in football." says the club record signing, who played as a makeshift striker against his hometown club. "I want to make the backpage headlines instead of the front, My reputation is nothing to do with the real me.
I am afraid it scares me a bit, being a northern lad coming down to the bright lights, but I`ve got to handle it. It's time to grow up and put my career back on track."
Hutchinson, who was fined two weeks' wages and transfer-listed after his antics on holiday in Cyprus, insist that the parting by Liverpool was amicable and it was his decision to move on.
"I wouldn't have been surprised if they bombed me out, but they stood by me. I don't think any other club would've done that.
"But I couldn't see myself getting back in the first team in the near future, so I wanted to get away for purely football reasons. And I am delighted to be joining West Ham. They are a Premiership club with a tradition of playing good football."
