Hammers agree final settlement with former chairman Brown

Happy at last: Terry BRown

Brown sold his majority holding in the Hammers to an Icelandic consortium as
part of an £85million takeover in November 2006, remaining as a director.

But following the fall-out from the Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano transfer
saga - which eventually saw the Barclays Premier League club fined £5.5million -
certain contractual agreements with Brown, such as a £1.2million salary and
seats in the directors' box at Upton Park, were withdrawn.

All parties have, however, now come to an agreement to signal an end to all
outstanding disputes between the two parties.

West Ham chairman and owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson said: 'It is time to move on from old disputes and legal battles. My focus, and that of the whole board, is on the
future.

'To do that we need to draw a line under past issues and also recognise that
what matters is building a successful football club.

'Terry Brown has a long history with West Ham United as former chairman and
leading shareholder and there is no reason for the club and Terry to be at odds
with each other.

'We have settled our differences and Terry will be a welcome guest at the club
as we move forward into the new season.'

Brown was also glad to see the mtter resolved. He said: 'I am pleased that we have brought these matters to a sensible conclusion.

'Mr Gudmundsson has made clear his focus is on the future, not the past, and I
totally support that vision.

'West Ham United has always been a special part of my life and I am delighted
that I will again have an opportunity to show my support for the club.

'The new chairman and board genuinely believe in this great club and I wish
them every success in the years ahead.'

Manager Alan Curbishley takes his squad to America for a short tour at the end
of the month, which will include a match against the Major League Soccer
All-Stars led by David Beckham in Toronto.

However, it remains to be seen just who will be in the Hammers squad for the
start of the new campaign.

Premier League rivals Fulham have been given permission to speak to both Bobby
Zamora and John Pantsil, while Sunderland have targeted their former defender
George McCartney.

Curbishley could move for Leicester full-back Joe Mattock after England's
Under-19 European Championship campaign in the Czech Republic, which will also
feature young Hammers James Tomkins and Freddie Sears.