WHUFC.com
West Ham United's youngsters are feeling good ahead of Tuesday's FA Youth
Cup fourth-round tie
19.01.2010
West Ham United's U18 players cannot wait to take on Queens Park Rangers in
the FA Youth Cup fourth round. The Hammers' youngsters host the R's at the
Boleyn Ground on Tuesday, having trained at the stadium on Monday morning.
Tony Carr's side go into the game in good form, having lost just two of
their last eleven matches in all competitions, and on the back of a 3-1 FA
Premier Academy League victory over Fulham on Saturday. Four of the squad -
midfielder Nicky Barrett and forwards Cristian Montanoand Robert Hall and
defender Callum McNaughton - spoke of their confidence ahead of one the
biggest games of their young careers so far. "It's been good over the last
few weeks," said Barrett. "We've been training well and had a good game on
Saturday, so I think we should win on Tuesday. We've got a good chance.
They'll come and try and play their football, too."
Montano, who locked horns with Arsenal's Sol Campbell at reserve-team level
a week ago, said team spirit was high going into Tuesday's match. "We're
confident," said the Colombia-born forward. "It's a team thing. We've kept
together and we're up for the game, which has helped us. Tony Carr has
helped us, as well, as he's encouraged us and told us we can do well. "We
don't really get the chance to play at the Boleyn Ground every game. It's
more a once a year thing, so if we stay in the FA Youth Cup, we get another
chance. Everyone is buzzing about it."
Still only 16, Hall has already turned out for England at U17 level this
season. The prolific forward has scored five goals in eight games for Carr's
team this term, and is looking forward to showing what he can do against
QPR. "I think club football is more exciting. Obviously pulling on the
national shirt is very exciting, but I always get a buzz [when I play for
West Ham] and this is where I want to play. This is where our careers will
start, so this is our most exciting game of the season. "It's been good
recently. The team helps me and my strike partner Cristian and [fellow
forward] Danny Purdy all work together. Whoever scores the goals, we all
deserve it."
Second-year scholar McNaughton has recently returned from injury and is
eager to play his part on Tuesday, with a fifth-round tie at home to
Newcastle United the reward for the winners. "The last eleven games, we've
only lost two, so we've put in some good performances and everyone is
playing well," said the 18-year-old. "There's good confidence in the
dressing room. There's a lot of banter and there's no arguments. Everyone is
getting along with each other. "Newcastle would be another exciting tie, but
we've got to make sure we get this one out of the way first. Another home
game would be very exciting."
Tickets for the game will cost £3 for adults and £1 for children, while
whufc.com will have free live commentary of the game.For more information,
click here.
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David Sullivan and David Gold seal West Ham takeover
By Simon Austin
Bbc.CO.UK
Former Birmingham City owners David Gold and David Sullivan have taken
control of West Ham. The duo bought a 50% holding, valuing the club at
£105m, and will have the final say on all matters. Sullivan said Gianfranco
Zola will remain as Hammers boss and Karren Brady will join the club as
vice-chairman. "We're taking on a huge task at a club with enormous problems
and it will take time for us to turn it around," Sullivan told BBC Radio 5
live. Scott Duxbury has stood down as West Ham's chief executive, BBC Sport
understands, with Sullivan and Brady taking over the day-to-day running of
the club. Sullivan added: "We have short-term goals and long-term goals. In
the short term, we want to stay in the Premier League and in the long term
we would like to be challenging for the top four and Champions League
football. "There will be some transfer funds available to the manager this
month. "January is not the best time to buy players - you don't get many
bargains in January - but the club has such an unbalanced squad, players
will have to be bought, loaned or acquired. "Myself and my partner David
Gold will be honest with the fans about the books, the imbalance of the
squad and the crazy wages the Icelandic owners paid out that has brought the
club to its knees. "But this is an important day for us. For 20 years, this
is the club we wanted. "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."
The deal concludes a long-running saga over who will succeed CB Holding,
which has indicated the club is £38m in debt, as owners of West Ham. Lotus
F1 chief Tony Fernandes pulled out of the race on Monday night, while
finance firm Intermarket and Italian Massimo Cellino were also interested.
However, Sullivan is still keen for Fernandes - and others - to invest in
the club as he and Gold look to attract wealthy investors to the Hammers.
"We have bought 50% and I have an option to buy the other 50%. If they
[wealthy fans] want to get involved with West Ham they will be very
welcome," he confirmed. "Anyone who wants to be put in £10m or £15m can buy
10 or 15% of the club and come along and join us. "We will be approaching
Tony [Fernandes] in the hope that he will join us in a kind of national
unity purchase of West Ham. We will welcome other investors."
Gold and Sullivan, who left Birmingham City in November following Hong Kong
businessman Carson Yeung's takeover, have been determined suitors of the
Hammers for several months. They once held shares in the club and boast the
liquid assets required to deal with the club debt. The main shareholder in
CB Holding is Icelandic bank Straumur, which retains the other 50% in the
club and is in no hurry to sell, BBC Sport understands. At one stage
Fernandes was seen as the favourite to take over but admitted defeat on
Monday evening when he told his Twitter feed: "Deal lost on West Ham.
Hopefully new owners protect what's good. We gave awesome deal and new ideas
to rejuvenate a club and bring excitement."
West Ham had effectively suspended any activity in the January transfer
window until the takeover situation is resolved. Former Chelsea favourite
Zola and assistant Steve Clarke took the managerial reins at West Ham in
September 2008 following Alan Curbishley's acrimonious departure from the
club. The pair guided West Ham to ninth in the table last season after a
sticky start. The Hammers are currently 16th in a season that has been
plagued by injuries and off-the-field distractions. But Sullivan is
confident Italian Zola can turn the club around on the pitch and stated:
"West Ham 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."
That will be welcome news to Zola who, speaking on Friday, said: "I know I
can do this job but you always have to prove yourself every day. "I am not
going to go to anyone and say 'look, I am doing well'. The results do the
talking. If what I am doing is not good enough on the pitch it is right they
change."
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Come and join us
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 19th January 2010
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan has offered his fellow bidders in the race to buy West Ham
the chance to join his East End revolution. Sullivan beat off the likes of
Tony Fernandes and fans consortium Intermarket to land a 50% share of West
Ham United last night (the rest remining in the hand of creditors CB
Holding). But rather than revel in his victory, Sullivan has proposed the
possibility of all parties working together in future for the benfit of the
club. "We welcome other partners," he said. "Anyone who wants to put
£10-£15million in, come along and join us - we welcome other investors. "I
will be approaching Tony [Fernandes], who was one of the unsuccessful
bidders but a very passionate West Ham fan and we hope he will join us. The
more of us that join forces, the more money becomes available. "West Ham is
a bigger club than Birmingham with bigger aspirations. We say to anyone else
- if they're passionate, come and join us."
Sullivan also confirmed that despite having bought just half of the club, he
has the option to buy the remainder for an undisclosed fee at a future date.
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Sullivan - Zola staying
Hammers' new co-owner confirms manager stay
Last updated: 19th January 2010
SSN
West Ham United's new co-owner David Sullivan has confirmed that manager
Gianfranco Zola will remain in charge of first-team affairs. Sullivan and
David Gold have completed their takeover of the Upton Park side after buying
50 per cent of the club on Tuesday, sparking immediate rumours of possible
changes. With the Hammers currently struggling at the wrong end of the table
it had been thought the club's new owners could axe the popular Italian.
However, Sullivan believes in stability and insists he will back Zola in the
transfer market to turn around their fortunes on the pitch. When questioned
on whether Zola was staying at the helm Sullivan told Sky Sports News:
"Absolutely. He's categorically staying. "I'll be sitting down with him to
work on transfer targets. We as outsiders realise he needs a few additions
to enhance his chances of staying in the Premier League."
West Ham had been linked with a move for ex-Manchester City boss Mark Hughes
and, along with denying he was keen on the Welshman, Sullivan is looking to
promote stability at the club. "At Birmingham we don't change managers
frequently. In 16-and-a-half years we sacked two managers that's all. We
believe in stability," he continued. Although Sullivan is excited to take
over the club he loves he admits the finances are a mess and that they will
invest serious money in order to straighten things out. He admits securing
their top-flight status remains their immediate goal, although he has
unveiled a seven-year plan in which he wants them playing UEFA Champions
League football. In order to boost their annual turnover Sullivan is hoping
to persuade the government to let the club play in the new Olympic Stadium,
which will be the centrepiece of the 2012 Olympic Games. "I don't think we'd
have bought West Ham if we were not West Ham fans," he added. "From a
business point of view I don't think anyone would buy West Ham. It's a
serious mess. "We are West Ham fans. We have a seven-year plan to get them
into the Champions League and turn them into a big club. Over the seven-year
period we do plan to spend a lot of money. "We'll do what is necessary over
the coming years to turn the corner for West Ham. West Ham if they would
have kept their best young players would have been the best team in the
country, but they sold them all. "We'll buy and keep the players. We have a
long-term plan to be in the Champions League, short term is all about
survival and getting behind the team. These are exciting times. "We're
deeply and passionately involved with West Ham. It's where we've always
wanted to be. It's where I've wanted to be for 20 years. I was never popular
with the Birmingham fans. "We've got the club that we've always wanted.
Myself and David 20-odd years ago owned 27 per cent of West Ham. West Ham is
the club that we've always wanted to own. "We hope we can persuade the
government to let West Ham move to the Olympic Stadium, which is in the same
borough as West Ham. It's a natural home for the club. All the people of
East London would support that move."
Sullivan has an option to purchase the remaining 50 per cent of the club and
he has confirmed he would welcome aboard additional investors, including
Tony Fernandes. The Malaysian businessman was vying, along with Gold and
Sullivan, to buy the club, before finally admitting defeat in his attempts
to secure a takeover. Sullivan knows there is a long and hard road ahead for
the West Ham board and believes their challenge would be much easier if
Hammers fans got together and invested in the club. "We've bought 50 per
cent of the club," he concluded. "I've got an option to buy the other 50 per
cent of the club. If they want to get involved they'd be most welcome. "We
welcome long-term partners. It involves a lot of money. Anyone who wants to
put £10million to £15m into the club they can buy 10 to 15 per cent of the
club. "We welcome other investors. We'll approach Tony. He's a very, very
passionate West Ham fan. We hope he will join us in some sort of national
unity purchase of West Ham."
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Stability means safety
Hammers will beat the drop now, says Gale
Last updated: 19th January 2010
SSN
Tony Gale believes the West Ham takeover will keep them clear of relegation.
Former Birmingham owners David Sullivan and David Gold have confirmed they
now own 50 per cent of the Upton Park club, having splashed out
£52.5million. One of the first things Sullivan, who has been taken
operational and commercial control, has done has assured fans that manager
Gianfranco Zola will be staying. And with new investment in the playing
squad also promised and Gale, who played for the club between 1984 and 1994,
believes the takeover is also good news on the field, as much as on it. "I'm
really pleased that it is stable now, now the manager and the players can
get on and not think about these off-field things that have been going on,"
he told Sky Sports News. "I'm sure that David and David will want to sit
down with the management and players and assure them everything's going to
be fine now."
The Hammers are currently 16th in the Premier League having picked up just
one win - over bottom club Portsmouth - in their last eight games. Sunday's
goalless draw at Aston Villa was enough to lift them out of the relegation
zone and Gale believes they can stay there now there is some stability at
the club. "I think we're definitely good enough (to get out of relegation
trouble) providing we don't sell players between now and the transfer
deadline - and I've heard David say that hopefully we'll be investing in a
couple, so that's really good news," he said. "If there was a change in
manager now, it would be so unsettling, destabilising that it may just rock
the boat too much and tip us over the edge. So I think it's vital he stays."
"The players we've already got there are good enough and with the strikers
returning next week to fitness - Carlton Cole and Franco - hopefully it will
fire us up the table."
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West Ham's transfer targets
By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
ESPN
January 19, 2010
David Sullivan and David Gold have already drawn up an impressive list of
potential signings following their takeover of West Ham. Here, Soccernet
profiles the club's January targets. The new owners have been privately
working on the transfer targets for some time now in anticipation of winning
the takeover battle which went to the wire until Tony Fernandes admitted
defeat late on Monday night. Karen Brady, who worked with Sir Alan Sugar on
the hit TV show The Apprentice, will now be heading up the backroom team to
bring in new players and will be telling a few targets: "You're hired".
Here is a shortlist of the players that the new Hammers hierarchy are likely
to target in what remains of the January transfer window.
1. Jo - Manchester City/Everton
The big Brazilian centre forward arrived in English football with a big
reputation and a big fee to go with it, but failed to make an impact at
Manchester City following an £18 million move from CSKA Moscow and has been
out on loan to Everton where he has fallen foul of David Moyes' strict
disciplinary code. He can be brought in on loan and is one of the South
American players in the Kia Joorabchian stable, the middle man who brought
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to Upton Park.
2. Benjani - Manchester City
Another misfit at Eastlands having been sold off by Portsmouth to help meet
their crippling debts. The Zimbabwean was restored to the City team by new
boss Roberto Mancini, but with the club aspirating to much greater heights,
Benjani would be available at a modest price, or again on loan.
3. Mathieu Flamini - AC Milan
Arsene Wenger regretted letting him go in the summer of 2008 but had no
choice as the midfield destroyer came to the end of his contract and went
off to join the Rossoneri. Flamini has since fallen out of favour with
Leonardo and Milan are prepared to let him go, again at a modest price, or
on loan. However, it is rumoured Manchester City are also in the hunt for
the Frenchman.
4. Yakubu - Everton
The Nigeria international initially made a big impact with the Toffees after
signing in an £11.25 million deal from Middlesbrough in 2007 and is
undoutedly a natural goalscorer, but he has been hampered by injuries.
Yakubu is getting valuable playing time at the African Nations Cup though
and David Moyes might accept the striker needs to get back his rhythm and to
achieve match sharpness by playing more games on loan.
However, there is no place on that list for former Chelsea forward Eidur
Gudjohnsen, who has been widely touted as a Hammers target. Sullivan and
Gold might consider the Monaco striker to be carrying a touch too much
weight, or maybe too heavy a price tag.
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Freshfields and DLA lead on Sullivan and Gold's takeover of West Ham FC
Author: Jeremy Hodges
www.legalweek.com
19 Jan 2010 | 11:14
David Gold and David Sullivan, the former owners of Birmingham City FC, have
bought a 50% stake in the Premier League club - valuing it at £105m - from
asset management company CB Holding, whose major shareholder is troubled
Icelandic bank Straumur. The bank will retain the other 50% of the club,
although Sullivan and Gold do have an option to purchase the remaining
stake. Freshfields advised CB Holding with finance partner Neil Falconer
leading the firm's team, supported by finance associate Lauren Giblin.
The banks turned to Jones Day, which fielded a team led by business
restructuring partner Adam Plainer alongside restructuring partner Paul
Bromfield and banking partner Ed Borrini. Sullivan, the owner of The Daily
Sport and Sunday Sport, instructed DLA Piper with associates Patrick
Tweedale and Sarah Walters taking the lead roles. Plainer commented: "We are
pleased to have worked with the syndicate of banks on this deal, which
should ensure that West Ham can continue in the Premiership without any
uncertainty hanging over the club's future."
West Ham was taken over by CB Holding in June last year when the club's
former chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson was declared bankrupt in the wake of
the Icelandic financial crisis. Straumur has a 70% stake in CB Holdings with
the remaining 30% owned by a number of Icelandic banks. Straumur, which was
taken over by the Icelandic Financial Supervisory Authority in March last
year, was granted a nine-month moratorium on its debt repayments by a
Reykjavik court in mid-December.
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West Ham owners eye Olympic Stadium
Reuters - 1 hours ago
442.com
LONDON - David Gold and David Sullivan, the former owners of Birmingham
City, have completed the takeover of Premier League club West Ham United,
and want the new Olympic Stadium to be the club's future home. Straumur bank
said it had sold CB Holding's 50 per cent stake in the club and that
Sullivan and Gold would take immediate operational and commercial control.
"We are West Ham fans, we have a seven-year plan to get them into the
Champions League and turn them into a big club," Gold told Sky Sports News.
"We hope we can persuade the government to let us move to the Olympic
stadium which is in the same borough. It's a natural home for West Ham
United."
Gold said manager Gianfranco Zola's position was safe despite the club
hovering above the relegation zone after winning just four league matches
this season. A spokesman for Straumur told Reuters the deal valued West Ham
at 105 million pound. West Ham were acquired by CB Holding, a unit of
Iceland's bailed-out Straumur-Burdaras bank, in June.
That takeover followed the collapse of the business empire of former owner
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, who bought West Ham in 2006 for about 85 million
pounds and who had borrowed heavily from the Icelandic bank. Straumur, a
major lender to Gudmundsson's holding company, was taken over by Iceland's
financial authorities in March. Sullivan, David and Ralph Gold sold Premier
League Birmingham City to Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung in October.
Gold and Sullivan were among a clutch of suitors for the east London club.
Tony Fernandes, the CEO and founder of AirAsia, was among the interested
parties, but his bid was reported to have floundered when he failed to gain
the 100 percent ownership he was seeking. "Deal lost on West Ham. Hopefully
new owners protect what's good. We gave awesome deal and new ideas to
rejuvenate a club,' Fernandes posted on his Twitter social networking site.
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Where will Gold and Sullivan take West Ham?
by: Ahmed Bilal 19Jan
Soccerlens.com
West Ham have had more than their share of problems off the field as a
football club and the news today that David Gold and David Sullivan had
completed a 50% takeover of the London club will be welcomed by the fans.
Any Premier League takeover these days is accompanied by a set of promises
and criticisms, and West Ham's is no different. Sullivan (correctly) pointed
out the problems at West Ham, the imbalanced squad, the high wages, the
heavy debt – and promised not only to stabilise the ship but also to push
the club forward into competition for European places in the next decade.
Sullivan on the short term: "We will spell out the book we are taking over.
The imbalance in the squad and the crazy wages the Icelandics were paying
that brought the club to its knees." "Zola is absolutely staying. I can say
that categorically. 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."
Sullivan on the long term: "We have a seven-year plan to get them into the
Champions League. We are deeply and passionately involved in West Ham. It is
where I have wanted to be for 20 years. We have done [what we have done] in
a way that is good for Birmingham and we have got the club we wanted. Over
the next seven years we will spend a lot of money."
Sullivan said part of their plan for the future of West Ham is to move from
Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium. "It is the natural home for West Ham." So
far so good. They've talked the talk, but having seen several takeovers for
other clubs in England in recent years go pear-shaped, West Ham will be
hoping that the former Birmingham owners can walk the walk too. The fact
that they are English and have prudent management history of a football club
before works in their favour, but how much money will they be prepared to
spend if, as they say, they want Champions League football? The stadium move
would hold the key to increased revenues / spending. First up is
stabilisation – and it should be good to see who Zola can now bring in to
shore up the squad.
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The Gold Standard - Part 1
Posted by Billy Blagg 1 hour, 37 minutes ago
ESPN
David Sullivan and David Gold have completed their takeover of West Ham with
Sullivan confirming that has a seven-year "plan to take the Hammers into the
Champions League." Sound familiar? With plans to move West Ham from Upton
Park to the Olympic site post 2012, Sullivan has big plans for West Ham
although I suspect the opportunity to relocate to an area just miles from
their current home surely always made the Hammers a more viable proposition
than their balance sheet currently suggests.
Sullivan is a big West Ham fan and fought to win the battle for control of
the club. He added: "It was a struggle all the way, and we finally pulled it
off close to midnight. There were two others fighting hard as well, Tony
Fernandes came close, but we have got it and I cannot tell you how delighted
we are."
Sullivan confirmed that Karen Brady will be hired to oversee the
transformation of the club. Sullivan said: "She's on her way there now." So
it's head down over at Green Street currently, I suspect. I'm thinking of
popping over to see if there is actually thunder and lightning as she pulls
past the gates.
I'm currently collecting my thoughts on the whole matter and will be back
later with something that may possibly be a large dose of cynicism.
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Gianfranco Zola staying as West Ham manager, says David Sullivan
Telegraph.co.uk
By Giles Mole
Published: 10:06AM GMT 19 Jan 2010
New West Ham owner David Sullivan has confirmed Gianfranco Zola will remain
as manager at Upton Park. Gianfranco Zola will be given funds to strengthen
squad .Former Birmingham owners Sullivan and David Gold completed their
takeover of West Ham last night. Karren Brady, who was managing director at
Birmingham, will become vice-chairman at Upton Park. On Zola, 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."
Sullivan also said that he and Gold would welcome additional investors. "We
will spell out the book we are taking over," said Sullivan. "The imbalance
in the squad and the crazy wages the Icelandics were paying that brought the
club to its knees. "I say to anyone else out there, if they want to get
involved they are most welcome. It's a long-term job and we want people to
come and join us. We welcome other investors."
Sullivan admitted the fact that the pair are West Ham fans had a big
influence on their desire to get involved at Upton Park. He said: "I don't
think we would have bought West Ham if we weren't fans. "We have a
seven-year plan to get West Ham into the Champions League and turn them into
big club. "We represent east London and Essex and we are deeply and
passionately involved with West Ham. It's where we have always wanted to be.
"We plan to spend a lot of money and we hope to persuade the government to
let us move to the new Olympic Stadium, and I believe the people of east
London would support that move."
A full statement from Sullivan read: "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. "I would like to thank former executive chairman
Andrew Bernhardt and CB Holding who assumed control of the club in difficult
circumstances through no fault of their own. "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."
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Sullivan - Hammers deal a dream
Tue, 19 Jan 10:21:48 2010
Yahoo.co.uk
New West Ham owner David Sullivan says taking over the club was the
fulilment of a lifelong football ambition. Lifelong Hammers fan Sullivan has
taken control after acquiring 50% of the club in a deal which values the
club at £105million with David Gold joining as joint chairman and Karren
Brady becoming vice-chairman. Former Birmingham City owner Sullivan, who
reassured manager Gianfranco Zola that his job is safe, is looking forward
to reviving the fortunes of the east London club. "We've got the club that
we've always wanted," he told Sky Sports News. "We are West Ham fans and I
don't think we would have bought West Ham if we hadn't been fans as, from a
business point of view, it is in a serious mess. "But we are deeply and
passionately involved with West Ham. David was brought up opposite the West
Ham ground. "I was never popular with Birmingham fans because I admitted I
was doing a job there to the best of my ability. West Ham is a club we've
always wanted to own and we've come back. It is nice to get the club back in
the hands of east Londoners and these are exciting times.
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David Sullivan completes West Ham takeover deal: Full statement
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:15 AM on 19th January 2010
Daily Mail
David Sullivan has acquired 50 per cent of West Ham United and with
immediate effect will have operational and commercial control of the
football club. The deal, which was concluded late on Monday night, values
the club at £105million. Mr Sullivan, a lifelong West Ham fan was brought up
in Hornchurch and studied economics at Queen Mary College, Mile End. He
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.'
David Gold, Mr Sullivan's long-time partner at Birmingham City, will join
the club as joint chairman and their former colleague Karren Brady, will be
appointed vice chairman.
Mr Sullivan added: 'I would like to thank former executive chairman Andrew
Bernhardt and CB Holding who assumed control of the club in difficult
circumstances through no fault of their own. '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.'
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David Sullivan and David Gold complete takeover of West Ham United
New owners confirm Gianfranco Zola will stay as manager
Champions League and move to Olympic Stadium on agenda
Marcus Christenson guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 19 January 2010 09.29 GMT
David Sullivan and David Gold have completed their takeover of West Ham
United, buying 50% of the club with an option to acquire the remaining 50%.
They will have operational and commercial control of the club with immediate
effect and the duo, who sold Birmingham City to Carson Yeung this season,
said Gianfranco Zola will definitely stay on as the club's manager. The deal
values West Ham at £105m.
"We will spell out the book we are taking over," Sullivan said on BBC 5
Live. "The imbalance in the squad and the crazy wages the Icelandics were
paying that brought the club to its knees."
Sullivan confirmed that Karren Brady, who was managing director at
Birmingham, will become vice-chairman at Upton Park. He told Sky Sports that
the club was in a "serious mess". "I don't think we would have bought West
Ham if we weren't fans. It is a serious mess there but we are West Ham fans
and it is nice to see that we beat off two foreign investors.
"Zola is absolutely staying. I can say that categorically. 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," he added, revealing
that he wants to take West Ham into the Champions League in the next decade.
"We have a seven-year plan to get them into the Champions League.
"We are deeply and passionately involved in West Ham. It is where I have
wanted to be for 20 years. We have done [what we have done] in a way that is
good for Birmingham and we have got the club we wanted. Over the next seven
years we will spend a lot of money."
Sullivan said part of their plan for the future of West Ham is to move from
Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium. "It is the natural home for West Ham," he
said. "We hope to persuade the government to let us move into the new
Olympic Stadium and I believe the people of east London would support that
move."
Sullivan and Gold became the favourites to buy the east London club after
their rival Tony Fernandes, chief executive of AirAsia and team principal of
the new Lotus F1 team, pulled out of the race.
Sullivan added: "West Ham is a bigger club than Birmingham with bigger
aspirations and I appreciate that we have to achieve a lot more. 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."
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