One of the co-owners of West Ham David Gold has died, he was aged 86.
His demise was reported via the club;s website on Wednesday,Gold died after suferring from a illness,
A West Ham statement said: “It is with deep sadness that West Ham United FC confirm that our beloved joint-chairman David Gold passed away on Wednesday morning following a short illness.
“David Gold, 86, died peacefully with his devoted daughters, Jacqueline and Vanessa, and his fiancée Lesley, by his side.”
According to the other West Ham co-owner David Sullivan, who bought the club with Gold in 2010, said: “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.
“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 lifelong West Ham fan, Gold was born in Stepney in September 1936 and grew up opposite the Boleyn Ground.
Gold was chairman and co-owner of Birmingham City before he and Sullivan bought West Ham from an Icelandic consortium, led by Eggert Magnusson, which had run into financial problems.
Gold and Sullivan fought many fires together – relegation in 2011, leaving Upton Park in 2016 and protests at the London Stadium – though West Ham finished sixth and seventh in the past two seasons and reached the Europa League semi-finals last season.