West Ham United co-chairman David Gold has died at the age of 86.
Gold died after a’short illness,’ according to the Premier League club.
According to David Sullivan, Gold ‘always wanted the best for West Ham’.
David Gold, who died at the age of 86 following a brief illness, was a lifelong supporter of West Ham United. When Gold was a kid, he didn’t have to go far to find his childhood club. West Ham’s former co-owner grew up at 442 Green Street, in a house immediately across from Upton Park, and he was always destined to be a lifelong Hammer.
Gold, whose death was confirmed by West Ham on Wednesday, was a fan of the club. He was a promising schoolboy footballer who played for the club’s boys’ team between the ages of 13 and 16, as well as the youth squad. Football ran in his veins. He did not succeed as a professional, but after a successful business career, he would find a way to return to the game.
It had been a difficult journey. Gold described growing up in “abject poverty” with no money in his family. He began working at the age of 14 in order to make ends meet. Gold and his brother, Ralph, would go on to establish Gold Group International, the parent firm of Knickerbox and the Ann Summers adult shop chain. The Gold brothers assisted David Sullivan in launching the low-brow Sunday Sport newspaper in 1986.
Sullivan’s relationship with Gold grew stronger. They joined the football world in 1993 when they purchased Birmingham City, who would go on to gain promotion to the Premier League nine years later. Karren Brady has been named the Midlands club’s new manager.
She is the first woman to serve as managing director of a Football League team.
A rewarding relationship was formed. Sullivan, Gold, and Brady moved from Birmingham to West Ham in January 2010. It was a trying moment. West Ham’s Icelandic owners had left the team in dire financial straits, and relegation from the Premier League was looming. West Ham claimed in a statement yesterday that gold had a role in “steadying the ship and protecting the Club’s future during a period of great financial uncertainty
She is the first female managing director of a National Football League franchise.
A fruitful partnership was created. In January 2010, Sullivan, Gold, and Brady relocated from Birmingham to West Ham. It was a difficult time. West Ham’s Icelandic owners had abandoned the club, and relegation from the Premier League was on the horizon. In a statement issued yesterday, West Ham stated that gold had a role in “steadying the ship and protecting the Club’s future during a period of great financial uncertainty.”
“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,” Sullivan said yesterday of his longtime buddy.
“Of all our joint ventures, none has given us more pride and happiness than the day we purchased West Ham United, our Club, in January 2010.” David had a long history with the Hammers, having grown up in Green Street, directly across from the Boleyn Ground, and having played for the club at a young age. He was always concerned with what was best for West Ham United, and his death is a big loss for all of us.”
Gold was a well-liked public figure who was proud of his Jewish origins. Many people characterised him as a friendly and generous man, and he was a constant presence at West Ham’s training field.
“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,” David Moyes, the manager of West Ham, said. “Mr Gold was a frequent visitor to Rush Green, and he was always a great source of support and encouragement to myself and the players.”
“It was clear that he genuinely loved the Club and was a true supporter at heart.” He took an interest in the folks who worked behind the scenes and was always eager to assist in any way he could. He’ll be sorely missed.”
Gold’s 25% share in the club is expected to transfer to his daughters, Vanessa and Jacqueline, and the family will have a presence on the board. With a 38.8% interest, Sullivan is the club’s largest shareholder. Daniel Kretinsky, a Czech billionaire, has been an increasingly important voice since purchasing a 27% share in November 2021.
Gold’s daughters and girlfriend, Lesley, were by his side when he died, according to West Ham.
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