EPL West Ham United co-Owner David Gold "has admitted he would sell some of his stake in the club if he can find an Upton Park sugar-daddy," according to Martin Lipton of the London MIRROR. However, Gold insisted that he and partner David Sullivan "will not make the mistake they did at Birmingham -- and put the future of the Hammers at risk." Gold believes that the only way West Ham can realize its ambitions of becoming a top-four club "is by combining significant outside investment" and its planned move to the Olympic Stadium. That would mean handling over at least a partial share in the club to a cash-laden investor, although Gold maintains that "he and Sullivan do not want to sell lock, stock and barrel." Gold added that "the sort of money required to turn the Hammers into a genuine force -- even with the move to the Olympic Stadium, now unlikely before '16 -- rarely exists." Gold said, "You have to be a billionaire to make a major difference and there aren't many of them about" (MIRROR, 11/15). GOAL's John Stammers reported Gold then explained that "securing the Olympic Stadium would be a massive boost to the club in terms of attracting big-name players and help boost revenues, but assured fans that the chairmen will not take any unnecessary risks or sign over-demanding players." He said: "We’re not going to be a top-four club straightaway. But one day, it’s possible, if there is a super-wealthy West Ham fan who wants to come and join the club, that could change things for us" (GOAL, 11/16).
