David Sullivan has led tributes after his West Ham co-owner and long-term business partner David Gold passed away aged 86.
The Hammers announced the shock news of Gold's death after a short battle with illness. They said he died peacefully with his daughters, Jacqueline and Vanessa, and fiancée Lesley by his side.
The lifelong West Ham fan and former youth team player became joint-chairman of the club after launching a successful takeover bid alongside Sullivan in January 2010. Prior to that, the pair spent 16 years in charge of Birmingham City Football Club from 1993 to 2009.
Over the course of nearly three decades, Gold and Sullivan became synonymous with one another in football circles and Sullivan was quick to pay tribute as he highlighted the "pride" they felt when they both took over West Ham.
Sullivan said on West Ham's official website: “On behalf of everyone at the football club, it is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of our colleague and friend, David Gold.
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“Of all our joint ventures, none gave us more pride and happiness than the day we took ownership of West Ham United, our Club, in January 2010. David had a long-standing connection with the Hammers, having grown up opposite the Boleyn Ground in Green Street, and represented the Club at junior level. He always wanted what was best for West Ham United, and his passing is a great loss for all of us.”
A heartfelt tribute was also paid by first-team manager David Moyes, who pointed out that Gold remained a regular visitor at their training ground and a "source of great support".
Moyes said: “I am extremely sad to hear this news and, on behalf of all of the players and my staff at the training ground, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to David Gold’s family at this very difficult time.
“Mr Gold was a regular visitor to Rush Green and always a source of great support and encouragement to myself and the players. It was clear that he had a genuine and sincere love for the Club and was a true supporter at heart. He took a great interest in the people working behind-the-scenes and was always keen to help in any way he could. He will be greatly missed.”
Gold and Sullivan ended a period of uncertainty with their purchase of West Ham when the club had overall debts of around £100million. The club had previously been controlled by a consortium led by an Icelandic bank, which assumed ownership after former chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson ran into serious financial difficulties.
After purchasing the club, the pair admitted the move made little commercial sense before they went on to oversee the move from Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium.
“We would not buy this club at all if this wasn’t West Ham,” said Sullivan at the time. “It makes no commercial sense for anyone to buy this club. It is a serious mess.”
But Gold added: “We are not potty fans. We are sensible in our approach, and are measured.”
After the shock news of Gold's death, West Ham will be back in action tonight (Wednesday, January 4) as they take Leeds United at Elland Road.
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