Hearse with West Ham United wreath takes club’s late chairman David Gold on final journey

A HEARSE adorned with a West Ham United wreath took the club’s late chairman David Gold on a final journey yesterday.

His funeral cortege stopped at the East London childhood home of the lifelong fan and the site of the Hammers’ old Boleyn Ground — where relatives left tributes.

John RainfordDavid Gold’s funeral cortege stopped at the East London site of the Hammers’ old Boleyn Ground — where relatives left tributes[/caption]

PADavid Gold passed away last month following a short illness[/caption]

Louis WoodThe West Ham United wreath adorns the hearse[/caption]

Fans came out to pay their respects to David, who died aged 86 last month after a short illness with daughters Jacqueline and Vanessa and fiancée Lesley at 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 round the universe, win all your football matches.

“Succeed in your endeavours, hit a hole in one each day and meet those whom you have loved and 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. These included 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 in 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 for all of us.”

A lifelong fan, David was born half a mile from the Boleyn Ground stadium where the Hammers’ played between 1904 and 2016.