It’s a classic tale of rags to riches. From a childhood of abject poverty in the East End to untold wealth as one of Britain’s most intrepid entrepreneurs.
Yet had it not been for his dictatorial father, Birmingham City chairman David Gold’s skills might have been showcased on the pitch rather than off it. It was the mid-1950’s and the austerity of the post-War football was starting to flower into the Swinging Sixties.
West Ham United were sowing the seeds for one of the most fruitful periods in their history – and England’s too. Ted Fenton’s innovative youth policy was to reap a rich harvest, not least with the celebrated trio of Moore, Hurst and Peters. The West Ham manager’s radar was also alerted to a fleet footed left-winger who lived just a long throw from Upton Park. David Gold had sparkled for London Youth, memorably netting the winner against Glasgow in front of a 12,000 crowd at Selhurst Park. He had spent three years playing for West Ham Boys and Fenton offered him apprentice terms.
“It was my dream to become a professional footballer and I felt like a million dollars”, said Gold. “I rushed home to tell my father – in those days you had to have your parents’ consent.
“But my father turned it down. You can’t imagine it happening today, but he wasn’t into football and felt it was a dodgy way to earn a living. I didn’t get on with him and it made me dislike him even more.”
Time didn’t heal the wounds. When Gold’s father died earlier this year, they hadn’t spoken for 35 years. Gold admitted: “I went to his funeral and all the memories of that decision came flooding back.”
Gold was brought up, rather aptly, at 442 Green Street in West Ham. One of his earliest memories came outside Upton Park as a seven year old.
He said: “West Ham must have been training, a ball came bouncing over the stand and I didn’t know what to do with it, so I took it home,
“I thought I was going to be the star of my street. We were very poor and nobody had a proper football. I couldn’t believe it when my uncle took me to the local police station to hand it in.
“Not long after that I started going to the games with a friend. They used to open one of the back gates just after half time and we sneaked in. I remember it being a sea of grey. The scarves, the caps, everything was grey.
“But it was exciting, and I was once within ten feet of the great Stanley Matthews when West Ham played the mighty Blackpool in the FA Cup,”
Improbably Gold also made a one-off visit to Birmingham the club he now owns. “My mum’s family lived in Doncaster, and we were up there visiting when they got tickets to see their team – who were Birmingham.
They were playing Manchester City and you could hardly move. It was an amazing experience and I remember my brother Ralph, who was on my uncle’s shoulders, saying ‘Hey Dave, there’s a million people here! I said ‘how do you know?’ and he replied ‘I’ve counted them!”His footballing dreams ruined, Gold completed his apprenticeship as a bricklayer, while playing for amateur clubs Leyton and Barking. But as the cultural and social revolution of the 1960’s kicked in, football took a back seat. Gold first ran a book shop off Charing Cross Road, before expanding into importing ‘girlie’ magazines from the States. It was the start of the Midas touch. As Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters were starring in the 1966 World Cup final, Gold was sailing to the USA on a business trip aboard the Queen Elizabeth. He said: “My work was my life, I didn’t go to Wembley for the 1964 FA Cup final either (West Ham beat Preston 3-2) but I was there when West Ham beat Fulham2-0 in 1975, and for Trevor Brooking’s remarkable header against Arsenal in 1980. “I went there again with Birmingham City for the 1995 Autowindscreens Trophy final when we beat Carlisle. We took over 55,000 fans and it was a great day.”
Gold’s business empire, believed to be worth around £500 million, is now centred on the Ann Summers and Knickerbox chains. He has also been co-owner of The Sport newspaper and ran an exclusive airline, Gold Air. His £5 million Victorian abode in Surrey has a quirky 19-hole golf course, tennis court, helipad and a runway for his 4-seater Cessna 182.
Gold had designs on owning West Ham, and along with David Sullivan, acquired a 30 per cent shareholding. But when the welcome was less than warm, they switched to Birmingham in 1993. For all his affluence, and success, the likeable Gold is refreshingly down-to-earth. He also remains a frustrated footballer – with a claret-and-blue soul. “Not many get on the first rung as a footballer, and few make it,” he added. “Even less become a chairman, and even less an owner and chairman. I have been very lucky, and I am now totally committed to Birmingham City, and deeply and passionately involved with the club.
“But I would swap everything just to have made one first team appearance for West Ham at Upton Park.”
DAVID GOLD’S DREAM TEAM
GOALKEEPER
Gil MERRICK: England has been graced with some great goalkeepers since the War with the likes of Gordon Banks, Peter Shilton and David Seaman. But I have to choose Gil Merrick who is, of course, a Birmingham legend. Although he won only 23 caps for England he surely would have earned many more had it not been for World War Two.
DEFENCE
JEFF HALL: Maybe I’m biased in choosing Jeff because he played for Birmingham in the 1950’s. He played for England just 17 times, but I’m sure it would have been many more had he not contracted polio and died when he was 29.
BILLY WRIGHT: Not a difficult choice – He won over 100 caps and captained England many times. He had to be in my side.
BOBBY MOORE: Captained England to World Cup victory in 1966, and he was the first name on my team sheet. I saw him play for West Ham on numerous occasions and he worked for me for a couple of years before he died. He was an absolute gent.
RAY WILSON: I found the left-back position rather difficult but settled with Ray Wilson for his memorable performance in the 1966 World Cup.
MIDFIELD
BOBBY CHARLTON: 106 England caps and 49 goals says it all. I’ve met him many times and if only players today behaved on and off the field like Sir Bobby Charlton.
PAUL GASCOIGNE: It’s said that there is a thin line separating madness from genius. Of course I’m talking about Paul Gascoigne. Every team wants a Gazza on the field – and in the dressing room.
WINGERS
STANLEY MATTHEWS: Had it not been for the War he would have won far more than his 54 caps. How can I ever forget the Matthews’ FA Cup Final when Blackpool came back from 3-1 down to beat Bolton Wanderers 4-3. I was privileged to meet Sir Stanley a number of times – and he was a true Knight of the Realm.
TOM FINNEY: Spent his entire career with Preston North End, and scored 30 goals in 76 games for England – which is not bad for a winger! On the many times we have met, Tom has always been charming and unassuming.
ATTACK
NAT LOFTHOUSE: Nicknamed ‘The Lion of Vienna’ Nat Lofthouse was the archetypal English centre-forward, He only won 33 caps but scored 30 goals – he should have been picked more often. I have met him a number of times; he was a big powerful man and could easily be described as a ‘gentle giant’. A true Bolton Wanderers legend.
JIMMY GREAVES: Another remarkable goalscorer, with 44 goals in 57 England appearances. He had electrifying pace, superb ball control and uncanny poaching ability. I’ve met Greavsie many times; he possesses both humility and a very dry sense of humour!