David Gold (L) and David Sullivan have taken control of West Ham
Sullivan and Gold, who sold Birmingham City to Carson Yeung earlier this season, are expected to hold a press conference later today to confirm their purchase of the cash strapped West Ham.
They have beaten off competition from fellow Hammers fan Tony
Fernandez, investment group Intermarket and Italian businessman Massimo
Cellino to win control at Upton Park.
Sullivan said: “I have been interested in running West Ham United for
20 years and I can’t wait to start work.
“I enjoyed running Birmingham City for 16-and-half years, but everyone
there knew my true love was always West Ham United.
“It will be an immense privilege to lead this great football club and
more importantly its supporters.
“Our
first priority has to be securing the Premier League status of West
Ham. I believe the players at this club have shown great commitment in
trying circumstances and the new board and I will get behind them in
every way we can.
“We will also look to
bring in new players to supplement the squad where needed once we have
met with the manager.”
Sullivan and Gold will take a 50 per cent stake, and provide money to spend
on bringing in new players this month.
The debts of the club would then be serviced at to an agreed structure,
and the Hammers would finally find some stability after two years of
turmoil.
Sullivan added: “Our long-term aim will be to put the club on a
stronger financial footing. I believe with our new board we have the
expertise and experience to do just that and bring the good times back
to this great football club.
“West Ham
United need stability after all the recent upheavals. We appointed four
managers and parted company with two at Birmingham in 16 years. We
believe in our managers and give them the time and support they need.
“The club is now back in the hands of East Enders, people who
understand the community and its passion for the Hammers. I believe
that depth of feeling will also bring us through what has been a
difficult period.”
Their arrival will also come as welcome news to Zola and his assistant Steve Clarke, who have been forced to operate on a shoe-string budget
and have also seen others linked with taking over their jobs.
Sullivan said: “He is staying, and I will be sitting down with him
tonight to work on some transfers as we realise as fans that the team
needs a few additions.”
Karren Brady, who
was managing director at Birmingham, will become vice-chairman at Upton
Park.
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