David Gold was surprised in the home dressing room this afternoon with a special cake in honour of his 75th birthday.
The Chairman was caught unawares by the manager and the entire first-team squad after they came in from training on the Boleyn Ground pitch. Forced to give an impromptu speech, the Chairman told a story of his own playing days before being surrounded by the squad for a special group photo.
After a chorus of Happy Birthday and the candles were blown out, there was also a special word for new recruits Guy Demel, Henri Lansbury, David Bentley and Sam Baldock, who were all getting their first taste of the Upton Park pitch as Hammers.
The manager said: "We managed to persuade him to go into the dressing room. We produced the cake for him and the lads gave a very good rendition of Happy Birthday. He was slightly embarrassed by it but I think he enjoyed it in the end."
Earlier on, the entire first team lined up for the 2011/12 team photo. All took part except for Papa Bouba Diop who has been in France this week waiting for his visa. The shot will get its first airing in the Peterborough match programme in a fortnight's time. As well as the team photo, the players were on hand to make it a day to remember for a group of young fans.
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