Joint-Chair Vanessa Gold and her family – mourning the death of her Dad David 12 months ago – were at the Rush Green training ground yesterday to honour DG by unveiling a red Acer tree in his memory …and all Hammers no longer with us.
The planting of the tree, accompanied by a memorial plaque, hand-engraved by Terry Gibson, a long-serving member of the Club’s ground staff, 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 to remind everyone of the great DG’s last legacy who grew up as a Hammer, played for the club as a youngster, and who once told me “sneaked into the Chicken Run at half time” growing up in Green Street opposite the Boleyn Ground.
His love and passion for this wonderful club of ours new absolutely no bounds and as he left his poverty stricken childhood behind him became a multi millionaire and poured so much of it back into the club.
Vanessa 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.”
Her words absolutely summed up the man and was echoed in every sad conversation I had personally with so many at the club yesterday.
DG – we were all so very proud of you!