David Gold is the latest name to be linked with the potential purchase of West Ham United FC.
Gold, the current Chairman of Birmingham City has, according to reports, agreed to sell his 50% stake in the Blues to Hong Kong businessman Carsen Yeung, who has long been linked with a move for City.That sale is likely to boost Gold's personal coffers by around £40million - a figure, which it is claimed, the 72-year-old entrepreneur is set to reinvest in the Hammers - a club he once held a 30% stake in.
Talking about a rumoured bid for the Hammers last week, he said: "Does it surprise me that there's speculation? I've had great ties as a young man [to West Ham] and as a boy. I played for them as a boy, so it's not surprising.
"I did, at one time, own 30% of the football club along with my partner, David Sullivan. All of my young life I spent there, so I'll always have an affiliation with West Ham until the day I die - I can't not have that."
Gold, born in East London during the 1930's to a poor family once harboured hopes of playing for his beloved West Ham as a pro but, according to his autobiography, was prevented from doing so by his father.
Along with his stake in Birmingham City, he is head of Gold Group International, the parent company of such famous brands as Ann Summers and Knickerbox.
CB Holdings, the group set up to control West Ham United in the wake of Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's departure have publically maintained that they will sell the club once a reasonable price could be obtained.
That price has however deterred any interested parties up to this point - much to the frustration of the club's supporters and, no doubt, the management team of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke, who have been forced to work on a shoestring as a result of zero investment and disappearing transfer receipts.
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