Karren Brady West Ham Vice Chairman
The head of a consortium attempting to buy West Ham has rejected the claims of Hammers co-owner David Sullivan that they did not have the proof of funds for the deal. Former Queens Park Rangers chief executive Philip Beard is fronting up the consortium and he has vigorously rejected claims made by Sullivan last week that the group did not have the money for the deal. Beard’s consortium is believed to have made an offer of more than £400 million but saw it rejected by Sullivan and David Gold who are understood to have no intention of selling West Ham. The initial approach was made in February and Beard has rejected Sullivan’s claims and insisted the consortium provided proof of funds and met the asking price.
Philip Beard said: “It is not my intention to engage in a public debate on the comments made by David Sullivan last week but, upon advice, it is necessary to correct unhelpful and inaccurate statements. In response to David Sullivan’s comments about the nature and value of the bid put forward by the consortium, I can confirm that a formal offer was made which was in fact the figure that David Sullivan had initially asked for. Our city lawyers were instructed and David Sullivan was provided with a proof of funds. At no point were we asked to produce further information about our football strategy. It was quite clear to me that David Sullivan’s sole focus was on price. We remain committed to pursuing opportunities to purchase the club. We have been actively working on this for over six months and have a strong vision for the club, the London Stadium and its place within the Olympic Park as a whole. It is backed by prominent personalities in sport, as well as West Ham legends who love the club and want to play a role in its development. We wholeheartedly welcome their support and hope that we will, together, have the opportunity to deliver the project that we have planned.”
After news of the approach was made public Sullivan saying: “The offer was derisory. They never produced any proof of funds and were looking to raise funds to do the deal.”
Sullivan added he was of the opinion the approach regarded the club as “property not a football deal” and that the “vague proposal was not in the best interests of West Ham, its shareholders or supporters”.
Sullivan and Gold have been in charge of the Hammers since 2010 and were responsible for the controversial move away from the Boleyn Ground to the London Stadium in 2016. Part of Beard’s bid for West Ham includes the intention to make attending matches at the London Stadium a more fan-friendly environment. Beard added that “there is a lot that can and should be done to improve the experience” of matchdays at the London Stadium. However, Sullivan confirmed that the pair have no intention of relinquishing control of West Ham.
David Sullivan said: “We have no desire to sell the club but get approached by many weird and wonderful people who lack the funds and have no experience in running a football club.”
A West Ham spokesperson reiterated the stance that despite interest “we have received no formal offers to buy the club.”
