A hearse adorned with a West Ham United wreath carried the club’s late chairman David Gold on its final journey yesterday.
His funeral cortege stopped at the lifelong fan’s east London childhood home and the site of the Hammers’ former Boleyn Ground, where family members left tributes.
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David Gold’s funeral cortege stopped at the East London venue of the Hammers’ former Boleyn Ground, where family members left tributesCredit: John Rainford
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David Gold died last month after a short illnessCredit: PA
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The West Ham United wreath adorns the hearseCredit: Louis Wood
Fans turned out to pay their respects to David, who died aged 86 last month after a short illness with daughters Jacqueline and Vanessa and fiancee Lesley by his side.
Vanessa and Jacqueline shared a video of bubbles floating around the London Stadium, echoing the club’s official song – ‘Forever Blowing Bubbles’.
In a card on the coffin, Lesley wrote: “May you fly through the universe, win all your football games.
“May you be successful in your endeavors, make a hole in one each day and know those you have loved and those who have gone before you.”
The eight-mile funeral procession started and finished at the club’s London Stadium, where a private celebration of David’s life was held.
Past and present West Ham players attended. Among them, Andy Carrol and defender James Collins.
Hammers co-chairman David Sullivan said: David had a long-standing connection with the Hammers, having grown up opposite the Boleyn Ground on Green Street and represented the club at junior level.
“He always wanted what was best for West Ham United, and his passing is a great loss to us all.”
A lifelong fan, David was born half a mile from the Boleyn Ground where the Hammers played from 1904-2016.
Source: Hearse with West Ham United wreath takes club’s late chairman David Gold on final journey
