By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 25 – West Ham United co-owner David Gold believes David Beckham could play a key role in the club’s bid to move into London’s Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games.
Gold rates Leytonstone-born Beckham as the ideal ambassador to help the Premier League club win the right to move into the Stadium.
“David Beckham could play a massive part, because of his roots, in helping West Ham win the Olympic Stadium,” Gold told the Sunday Express.
West Ham are one of several bidders to take over the Olympic Stadium and are the favourites, with their main rivals being AEG, the entertainment group that own Los Angeles Galaxy, the club Beckham currently plays for.
The 35-year-old former England captain played a high-profile and important role in London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, including appearing in promotional videos and travelling to the International Olympic Committee Session in Singapore in July 2005 to attend the final vote.
He is now playing a similar role in England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
“We know what a great ambassador he is,” said Gold.
“Now we see David as an ambassador not just for West Ham but also for East London where it all started for him.
“I can see him playing a big part.”
Preliminary talks have begun with Beckham’s representatives in moves that started soon after Gold and David Sullivan took over the club seven months ago.
“And maybe he can still play for us in the autumn of his career,” said Gold.
“For him to join a club like us and help us bring another dream to fruition would be perfect for everyone.
“We want him aboard.
“He is an East End boy and an iconic figure and if he tells us what he’d like to do we’d love to work with him.
“He started in the East End and has lived and played all over the world.
“Now he has a fantastic opportunity to come home to his roots and be right in the middle of it all.”
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734803388labto1734803388ofdlr1734803388owedi1734803388sni@y1734803388akcam1734803388.nacn1734803388ud1734803388
Related stories
July 2010: Big boost for West Ham hopes of taking over Olympic Stadium
June 2010: Exclusive – Westfield Stratford mall owner not against West Ham Olympic Stadium move
June 2010: West Ham proposal to take over Olympic Stadium backed by experts
May 2010: Exclusive – Money will not decide if West Ham gets Olympic Stadium claims legacy company
May 2010: West Ham bid to take over Olympic Stadium supported by London 2012 architect