David Gold: West Ham could become another Leeds if they get relegated

David Gold reckons relegation with West Ham would be far more disastrous than suffering the drop previously with Birmingham.

Gold and David Sullivan became joint-chairman at Upton Park last month after paying £25million a piece for a controlling stake in the club.

The pair have fulfilled a lifelong ambition after both growing up supporting the Hammers.

But they made their name in English football in charge of Birmingham after buying the club in 1993 and saving them from bankruptcy.

City suffered two relegations during their reign in 2006 and 2008.

But Gold and Sullivan sold Brum last October to Carson Yeung for £81.5million with the club en-route to consolidation back in the Premier League.

Now they are desperate for the cash-strapped Hammers to stay in the top-flight too ahead of tonight’s home game with City.

Gold admits relegation would be a total disaster as the club’s debts are £110million and fears they could end up in financial turmoil like Leeds who went down in 2004.

“Fans are expecting and we have to deliver,” said the 73-year-old Essex-based tycoon.

“For pride and financial reasons it would be desperate if we were relegated and will shatter our dreams.

“Whilst in the past we have got Birmingham City promoted, we have always budgeted for relegation just in case.

“We ensured if we did ever get relegated that we were favourites to get promoted which we did on two occasions.

“But in this case we have inherited the club and it doesn’t bear our trademark of prudence.

“There is no question relegation would be a complete disaster for West Ham United.

“It is right to concern ourselves and right to work hard to improve the situation both in results and in preparing ourselves for the unthinkable.

“The last time a club like West Ham was relegated with this type of debt was Leeds.

“They went from one disaster management team to the next and went from disaster to disaster.”

Gold is yet to see his beloved Hammers win after taking charge with Sullivan three games ago.

But the East Ender is continuing to support manager Gianfranco Zola after bringing in Ilan, Mido and Benni McCarthy before the transfer deadline.

And Gold is optimistic West Ham will survive this season despite slipping into the bottom three following defeat at Burnley.

He added: “I believe very strongly we will stay up.

“We have three new players and what we did by bringing in those three strikers shows our intent and it should give us the edge.

“This gives Franco a chance.

“He has these three new strikers, they have to be bedded in and now is the time to judge him.”

Gold insists there will be no split loyalties tonight despite 16 years as chairman of Birmingham City, where he enjoyed a good relationship with the club’s fans.

He said: “I would like to go to a Birmingham home match sometime and express my feeling towards them.

“They know we had a great relationship and I hope that will remain forever.

“But on Wednesday they will know we are fighting for our lives - Birmingham aren’t.

“I am sure proper Birmingham fans will understand we are desperate for points and to avoid relegation.

“Birmingham aren’t in danger of going down and I would suggest one of the reasons is because Gold and Sullivan left a legacy of arguable the best side in 20 years or maybe more.

“It was us that brought in the two centre-backs that are making a difference and put together this squad.”

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