David Gold, former Birmingham City chairman, dies aged 86

Former Birmingham City chairman and co-owner David Gold has died aged 86 after a short illness.

Gold spent 12 years as Blues’ chairman before he sold his shares in 2009. He had been the co-chairman of West Ham United with business partner David Sullivan since 2010.

West Ham confirmed the news in a statement this afternoon (January 4).

The club said Gold ‘died peacefully with his devoted daughters, Jacqueline and Vanessa, and his fiancée Lesley, by his side’.

The statement from the east London club, read: “It is with deep sadness that West Ham United FC confirm that Joint-Chairman David Gold passed away peacefully this morning following a short illness.

A lifelong and ardent West Ham United fan, David Gold was born in Stepney in September 1936 and grew up at 442 Green Street, directly opposite the Boleyn Ground. As a promising young schoolboy player, he represented the Club’s boys’ team between the ages of 13 and 16 and later appeared in the youth team.

“After forging a career as a hugely successful businessman, his life came full circle in January 2010 when he became Joint-Chairman of West Ham United following the successful takeover that helped to steady the ship and protect the Club’s future during a period of great financial uncertainty.”

Statement from David Sullivan

Following the news, Gold’s business partner and West Ham’s co-owner David Sullivan, 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.

“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.”