SULLIVAN EYES FULL CONTROL

WEST HAM’S biggest shareholder David Sullivan has the option to take control of the club because he has first refusal on the shares previously belonging to former business partner David Gold, who died in January. Sullivan owns 38.8 per cent of the club with Gold’s 25.1 per cent stake expected to pass to his family in the first instance. Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky owns 27 per cent and has the first option to buy Sullivan’s shares and second option on Gold’s, but only if they are willing sellers. Sullivan will not make a decision until the end of the season, although the sale price to Kretinsky is fixed irrespective of whether West Ham are relegated.