Former West Ham captain fell for ‘champers’ scam

Former West Ham captain Kevin Nolan told how he was duped by a conman who ripped off players and staff in a ‘champers and hampers’ sting, a court heard. Stephen Ackerman, 48, is alleged to have turned up at the club’s Chadwell Heath training ground offering cut-price luxury goods including Fortnum & Masons hampers and Dom Perignon champagne. Using the alias ‘Mark Kingston’ he raked in £7,310 from then Hammers boss Allardyce, 61, and players including striker Andy Carroll, 27,…