West Ham United have announced the sale of the Boleyn Ground to a local property group.
The Club announced this morning that the team's home for the last 109 years had been sold to the Loughton-based property developer Galliard Group."Following a competitive bidding process, West Ham United selected Galliard Group as the purchaser for the site ahead of a number of other national and international companies," a statement posted on whufc.com this morning read.
"The Club was impressed with Galliard Group's links to the local community and their commitment to honouring the history of the Hammers at the Boleyn Ground as part of their proposed development."
The club's CEO Karren Brady added: ""We opted to reach an agreement with Galliard because they are a local London developer and employer with origins in east London.
"We know they are committed to working closely with the local community and Newham Council on proposals to transform the site into a residential and retail village, which will benefit the local community and east London's regional economy.
"In addition, and most importantly for us, we can see that Galliard are passionate about working with West Ham United to engage their supporters to help deliver a fitting legacy that will honour the tradition of the famous ground.
"We are confident that West Ham United fans will be excited about their vision and the way they plan to respect more than 100 years of West Ham history at Upton Park."
KUMB.com understands that West Ham turned down more lucrative bids in order to go with the Essex-based Galliard Group, who will turn the site into a predominantly residential area - dispelling myths that the ground would be replaced by a supermarket or place of worship.
In addition to the homes, the Group - who were heavily involved with the Emirates Stadium - are planning to preserve the Club's memorial garden, currently situated on Green Street, whilst a lasting legacy to Bobby Moore and other heroes of the past is planned for the centre of the new development.
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