West Ham Online

It’s been everywhere the last couple of days that an American Investor has started the ball rolling to buy the Golds shares. So who is it? And will it lead to a full takeover? My first guess is it’s something to do with Tripp smith starting a takeover with his mates…

https://www.claretandhugh.info/american ... he-making/

Just as long as whoever it is ends up with control of 38.9% of the club individually or as a collective, then Sullivan can be vetoed on everything. However it's only 33.1% with Smith and the Golds' share combined. Kretinsky would have to be in agreement (it's hard to imagine he wouldn't be) with them over Sullivan as things stand, unless he's happy to sell 6% of his shareholding as well to seal the deal. I assume Sullivan will be doing everything he can to keep the controlling percentage of shares to carry on running it like his fiefdom.

Thanks Alan 

C&H

West Ham Takeover Tied to London Stadium Future

Claret & Hugh understands that two potential investors have held discussions with West Ham shareholder Albert Tripp Smith over acquiring the 25% stake previously owned by the late David Gold.

Last week, ExWHUEmployee revealed that a US-based investor had begun instructing lawyers with a view to purchasing the Gold family’s shares. Initially, just 12.5% of the holding was expected to be sold, but as we exclusively revealed yesterday, financial issues at Ann Summers—reportedly involving £13m in losses and a £5m bailout—have forced the family to sell their entire West Ham stake.

It has now emerged that Tripp Smith, who already owns 8% of the club, is in active talks with two US-based investment groups. The founder of CSO Capital Partners and former Blackstone managing director, Smith is well-versed in handling distressed assets and high-level finance. Frankly, it’s no surprise he’s at the centre of this.

Sources have confirmed that the delay has been partly due to the Gold shares being tied up in probate, along with other London investment opportunities being explored.

There’s growing belief that David Sullivan lacks the financial firepower to push the club forward, and although no immediate change is expected, any investment is likely to be tied to the future ownership of the London Stadium.

One thing is clear: Tripp Smith didn’t buy into West Ham to sit quietly in the background. A completed deal for the Gold shares could be the first domino to fall in a wider play for control of both club and stadium.
 

Quite right, Freudian slip.

Kretinsky is in the process of taking ownership of Royal Mail, not the Post Office. They are two separate organisations

Adsiron wrote: ↑14 May 2025, 09:03

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑10 May 2025, 17:21 For the love of Trevor Brooking, just hurry up and get on with it Kretinsky in buying all these fuckers out and in turn stop any know-nothing Yank pretenders looking for a quick buck.

I doubt that this will happen as Kretinsky must be too busily wrapped up in his new ownership of Post Office. That'll keep him busy for years to make them profitable I reckon. 

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑10 May 2025, 17:21 For the love of Trevor Brooking, just hurry up and get on with it Kretinsky in buying all these fuckers out and in turn stop any know-nothing Yank pretenders looking for a quick buck.

Do you know anyone who's been stupid enough to buy a season ticket based on a rumour, Sir Alf?

Send them my way, if you do.  I have some magic beans for sale.

Hmmm might help boost season ticket renewals if fans think we might be bought? Imo, Nothing will happen, it never does. 

Monsieur merde de cheval" wrote: ↑12 May 2025, 02:09 You just know it'll  be whoopie goldberg

Where's the law/rule that states unequivocally that an investor in a football club must (MUST) be a fan of that club?

If you found that the company managing your pension had some of it's fund's shares in Millwall and Tottenham, would you fuck that pension off and start a new one to prove (to others) how West Ham you are?

You just know it'll  be whoopie goldberg

goose wrote: ↑10 May 2025, 09:30

Mad Ferret" wrote: ↑10 May 2025, 09:16 Let’s hope he’s more serious than the Czech cսnt.

Yeh fuck him putting tens of millions of his own money into the club.

This old chestnut is always thrown out there to us peasants..- like chub bait- . whenever  smurf is squirming in his high chair

I just hate what the game's become already and it's just going to get worse should the main player's get their own way. Almost at the point of fuck it just have it and all the circus shit it creates.

Traditions mean fuck all in the modern game and it shouldn't be that way, they should be celebrated instead.

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑11 May 2025, 06:00

Pub Bigot" wrote: ↑11 May 2025, 04:04

southbankbornnbred wrote: ↑10 May 2025, 19:24 Dunno whether a particular individual has inquired about the Gold family shares, and it might well be this gaming industry fella.

But it’s well known that several US businessmen, and consortia, have been asking about Premier League clubs. Including a group around Woody Johnson, the owner of the New York Jets.

The Yanks feel there’s still more value in English football. But most are not big “investors” in terms of pumping cash into clubs. They want returns.

Woody is widely regarded as the worst owner in the NFL and he loves London (he was previously Trump’s US ambassador to the UK). He’s also looking at Palace, reportedly.

Most of these people are not saviours.

The worry is once the foreign owners have the controlling 14 stake in the league they’ll make drastic changes to ensure returns, such as removing promotions and relegations.

That's my fear. And how many Yank Owners are we up to now in the League, 10? 

Off the top of my head I think next season the Clubs ran by Yanks will be -

Liverpool 
Arsenal
Chelsea
Bournemouth 
Everton
Leeds
Palace
Fulham
Glazers
Burnley

The direction of travel isn't looking good and once you get to the magic 14 number of control, the game will be up and in comes the likes of the 39th game abroad, Super League revisited and so on. Yank investors now recognise just what a massive investment potential the Premier League is and won't think twice in shaping it their way. Richard Masters would probably in time be replaced with some Yank too I reckon, if they continue in this way. 

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑10 May 2025, 16:20

El Scorchio" wrote: ↑10 May 2025, 16:13 Jeff bezos please. 




 

Only if he promises to launch the poison dwarf in to space on a 1 way trip in his apt dildo shaped rocket. 

I forget Radcliffe is effectively running Man Utd although they are still big investors in the Club so back to down to 9? Bit more of a complicated set up there, so not sure who gets ultimate say.

Pub Bigot" wrote: ↑11 May 2025, 04:04

southbankbornnbred wrote: ↑10 May 2025, 19:24 Dunno whether a particular individual has inquired about the Gold family shares, and it might well be this gaming industry fella.

But it’s well known that several US businessmen, and consortia, have been asking about Premier League clubs. Including a group around Woody Johnson, the owner of the New York Jets.

The Yanks feel there’s still more value in English football. But most are not big “investors” in terms of pumping cash into clubs. They want returns.

Woody is widely regarded as the worst owner in the NFL and he loves London (he was previously Trump’s US ambassador to the UK). He’s also looking at Palace, reportedly.

Most of these people are not saviours.

The worry is once the foreign owners have the controlling 14 stake in the league they’ll make drastic changes to ensure returns, such as removing promotions and relegations.

southbankbornnbred wrote: ↑10 May 2025, 19:24 Dunno whether a particular individual has inquired about the Gold family shares, and it might well be this gaming industry fella.

But it’s well known that several US businessmen, and consortia, have been asking about Premier League clubs. Including a group around Woody Johnson, the owner of the New York Jets.

The Yanks feel there’s still more value in English football. But most are not big “investors” in terms of pumping cash into clubs. They want returns.

Woody is widely regarded as the worst owner in the NFL and he loves London (he was previously Trump’s US ambassador to the UK). He’s also looking at Palace, reportedly.

Most of these people are not saviours.

MaryMillingtonsGhost wrote: ↑10 May 2025, 17:35 Looks like the usual season ticket renewal date razzle-dazzle with regard to marquee signings has worn somewhat thin. The midget cսnt probably thinks a change in ownership as opposed to centre forward will appease the ungrateful masses and reap better results. All speculation to come to nothing, of course. DO go to bed.

Is that prick owner of the Cowboys still around, maybe we could tempt him over here?

Good for a laugh anyway.

Dunno whether a particular individual has inquired about the Gold family shares, and it might well be this gaming industry fella.

But it’s well known that several US businessmen, and consortia, have been asking about Premier League clubs. Including a group around Woody Johnson, the owner of the New York Jets.

The Yanks feel there’s still more value in English football. But most are not big “investors” in terms of pumping cash into clubs. They want returns.

Woody is widely regarded as the worst owner in the NFL and he loves London (he was previously Trump’s US ambassador to the UK). He’s also looking at Palace, reportedly.

Most of these people are not saviours.

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑10 May 2025, 16:20

El Scorchio" wrote: ↑10 May 2025, 16:13 Jeff bezos please. 




 

Only if he promises to launch the poison dwarf in to space on a 1 way trip in his apt dildo shaped rocket. 

The fact whetstone is talking about it shows there's something in it . He'd rather see us in the Isthmian league than the see porn dwarf relinquish control .