Today, Thursday 4 January, marks exactly one year since the sad passing of West Ham United’s beloved Joint-Chairman David Gold.
To honour the first anniversary of the loss of her father, Joint-Chair Vanessa Gold and her family visited the Club’s Rush Green training ground, where they unveiled a red Acer tree dedicated to the memory of DG and all those in the West Ham United family who sadly are no longer with us.
The planting of the tree, accompanied by a memorial plaque that was hand-engraved by Terry Gibson, a long-serving member of the Club’s groundstaff, becomes a growing and permanent symbol of the West Ham family that meant so much to the Joint-Chairman.
The Gold family were joined by Club Chaplain Reverend Phil Wright, who gave a short blessing and reminded everyone of the lasting legacy of the man who grew up in Green Street opposite the Boleyn Ground and had such passion and love for football and West Ham United throughout his life.
Vanessa Gold said: “It has been a great source of comfort to be here today. Dad loved his garden and the outdoors, and he loved coming to Rush Green to spend time with the players and the manager, so I’m sure he would be delighted by the fact that a tree has been planted here in his memory.
“He would also be so pleased that the tree is also dedicated to the memory of all those in the West Ham family no longer with us. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than being around the people who shared his love for the Club.
“The last 12 months has been an extremely difficult time for our family, but it gives me great pride and warmth to know that Dad will forever be honoured here at the Club’s training ground.”
