David Gold, joint-chairman of West Ham United, has died at the age of 86 after a “short illness,” the club has confirmed. Gold was a West Ham player when he was a teenager, and in 2010, he took ownership of the Premier League team. Gold sold his shareholding in the club in 2009 after serving as Birmingham’s chairman earlier.
Following a club takeover in January 2010, he was appointed joint-chairman of West Ham, which, according to the Hammers, “helped to steady the ship and secure the club’s future amid a moment of severe financial instability.”
Gold passed away on Wednesday morning after a brief illness, according to West Ham, with his children Jacqueline and Vanessa, as well as his fiancée Lesley, at his side.
How long has David Sullivan owned West Ham?
David Sullivan and David Gold bought a 50% stake in West Ham from CB Holding in January 2010, giving them complete operational and financial control. At the end of May 2010, Gold and Sullivan paid £8 million (£4 million to CB Holding and £4 million for club debts) to acquire an additional 10% share in the club.
They increased their ownership to 60% and declared that they might soon allow fans to purchase shares. On August 9, 2010, Gold and Sullivan upped their stakes in the club to a total of 30.6% each, leaving Straumur Bank with a 35% ownership stake. “Minority investors,” including former owner Terry Brown, bought an additional 3.8% of the club for about £3-4 million.
