West Ham pay tribute to David Gold ahead of Leeds clash

West Ham and Leeds paid tribute to David Gold ahead of their Premier League game on Wednesday following his sudden death earlier in the day.

The Hammers announced earlier Wednesday that Gold had passed away peacefully in the morning aged 86 after a short illness.

As a tribute to the Hammers co-owner and lifelong fan, a West Ham shirt with his name and number 1 was draped over the seat where he would have watched the game at Elland Road.

A West Ham shirt bearing David Gold’s name and number 1 was placed in his seat at Elland Road

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan sits next to the empty seat with the flowers on it

West Ham announced earlier in the day that Gold has passed away aged 86

A bouquet was also placed on the seat as both clubs paid their respects. A bouquet was also placed on the seat as both clubs paid their respects.

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan took his seat in the director’s box without his business partner before spontaneous applause erupted on the floor before kick-off.

Both pairs of players also wore black armbands in homage to gold.

Crystal Palace and Tottenham players also paid their respects with a minute’s applause before kick-off at Selhurst Park at 8pm.

West Ham boss David Moyes spoke highly of gold ahead of his side’s Premier League clash at Elland Road on Wednesday.

The LED panels on Elland Road show a graphic of Gold following his death aged 86

Both groups of fans shared in the one-minute applause before kick-off on Wednesday evening

Moyes said: “We have known for some time that David was ill but unfortunately he passed away today. Our condolences to his entire family.

“He was a really, really good man. He came to the training ground every Thursday or Friday and ate lunch with us, which we missed in the last few months when we didn’t see him that often.

“Obviously he was someone we really liked.”

Gold, who grew up at 442 Green Street just across from the Boleyn Ground, was a lifelong hammer and in January 2010 he fulfilled a dream by becoming co-chairman of the club.

Following news of his death, Gold’s co-chairman Sullivan said: “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of our colleague and friend.

“Of all our joint ventures, none has made us more proud and happy than the day we took over West Ham United, our club. David had a long-standing connection with the Hammers, having grown up opposite the Boleyn Ground on Green Street and representing the club at junior level.

Tottenham and Crystal Palace players also applauded gold for a minute at Selhurst Park

“He always wanted what was best for West Ham United and his passing is a huge loss for all of us.”

Moyes added: “I am extremely saddened by this news and on behalf of all the players and my staff at the training ground I would like to offer our deepest sympathy to David Gold’s family at this very difficult time.

“Mr Gold has been a regular visitor to Rush Green and has always been a source of great support and encouragement to me and the players. It was clear he genuinely and genuinely loved the club and was a true supporter at heart.

Gold keeps the Championship Playoff trophy aloft after West Ham beat Blackpool in the 2012 final to earn promotion to the top flight

“He took a keen interest in the people working behind the scenes and was always willing to help in any way he could. He will be greatly missed.’

Gold became co-chairman of Birmingham City alongside Sullivan in 1993 and stayed with the Blues for 16 years, eventually selling his stake before taking over West Ham in 2009.

His tenure at the club oversaw the Hammers’ move from the Boleyn Ground to the London Stadium, and he also saw the club’s relegation to the Championship and subsequent promotion back to the top flight in 2012.

More recently, Gold watched West Ham compete in the 2021-22 Europa League and 2022-23 Europa Conference League.

Birmingham commemorated Gold’s death with a statement on Wednesday, saying: “The club is devastated to learn of the death of former chairman David Gold aged 86.

“Our thoughts are with his daughters, Jacqueline and Vanessa, and his fiancé, Lesley, at this incredibly difficult time.”

Meanwhile, Irons vice chair Karren Brady also took to social media to pay tribute to her former colleague.

She tweeted: “To a great man, a great friend of over 30 years and a complete gentleman – you are missed. rest in peace x.’

Gold worked alongside David Sullivan (right) as co-chairman at West Ham from January 2010

Adrian Bevington, former Club England chief executive, added: “David Gold was always a friendly and polite man to talk to. Sad news. Thoughts of his family and those close to him.’

Former Premier League star and England international Stan Collymore also took to Twitter to pay his respects following the death of the 86-year-old.

The now pundit wrote: “Met David Gold a few times, always friendly. I remember a Monday debate on talkSPORT where we were directly on opposite sides of a fan ownership debate, but after it ended he was incredibly amiable. Love to @Jacqueline_Gold and family. Rest in peace David.’

The former West Ham striker also paid tribute to Gold on Wednesday, saying: “Remember as a club we’ve gone in the wrong direction financially and I remember David Sullivan, Karren Brady and obviously Mr Gold came in and it changed.

“It was just a shame that we were done a few years after the acquisition. you [David Gold and David Sullivan] invested a lot of money in the club and you have to understand that we are where we are because of him, David Sullivan and Karren Brady.

The Co-Chair signs programs for fans at the Mark Noble Testimonial Match in 2016