A lifelong Hammers fan, Mr Gold was born in east London in 1936 and raised in a house on Green Street - directly opposite the club's former stadium, the Boleyn Ground.

West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan said: "On behalf of everyone at the football club, it is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of our colleague and friend, David Gold.

"Of all our joint ventures, none gave us more pride and happiness than the day we took ownership of West Ham United, our club, in January 2010.

"David had a long-standing connection with the Hammers, having grown up opposite the Boleyn Ground in Green Street, and represented the club at junior level.

"He always wanted what was best for West Ham United, and his passing is a great loss for all of us."

Mr Gold was also a former chairman of Birmingham City.

Hammers vice-chairman Karren Brady was among those paying tribute, writing on Twitter: "To a great man, a great friend for over 30 years and a complete gentleman - you will be missed. Rest in peace x."

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish wrote on Twitter: "Terrible news, David was an absolute gentleman, always had kind and supportive words for me when things were tough.

"He knew how to win with grace and lose with dignity. He loved football and he loved his club. I will miss him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends."

Former Hammers forward Carlton Cole wrote on social media: "Mr Gold was a favourite of mine at the club."

"Always had time for me and wanted me to win in life. A very kind & warm-hearted man. Thank you for the conversations and memories. RIP."

Found fame and fortune in business world

Mr Gold represented West Ham's boys' team between the ages of 13 and 16 and later appeared in the youth team.

Despite showing promise at football in his younger years, he would find his fame and fortune in the world of business.

He was the owner of Gold Group International (GGI), the parent company of retailer Ann Summers and lingerie chain Knickerbox.

Mr Gold entered football club ownership in 1996 with long-term business owner David Sullivan, buying a majority stake in Birmingham City.

The pair, alongside Karren Brady, helped turn around the fortunes of the then-struggling Midlands club, though often remained at odds with the fans.

After the club suffered relegation from the Premier League to the Championship in 2008, Mr Gold announced his intention to sell his shares in the club. The sale took place in 2009.

Buying his boyhood club

A year later, in January 2010, it was announced that Mr Gold had bought a 50% share in West Ham with long-term business partner Mr Sullivan.

Despite his support of the club, Mr Gold, and Mr Sullivan, had several run-ins with the West Ham fan base, most notably over their decision to move the club from its Boleyn Ground home to the London Stadium in 2016.

Mr Gold and Mr Sullivan had stressed the need to move the club to the state-of-the-art facility to help push the side towards European football.

But some of the club's fans were upset at the decision to move the club from its home of 112 years to a stadium which had originally been purpose-built to host track and field events for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Writing about the decision in his biography, David Gold: The Ultimate "Rags To Riches" Story, he admitted he was torn about the decision.

"Whilst on the one hand I was excited by the possibilities of moving to the Olympic Stadium, I knew it meant demolishing Upton Park and having the site redeveloped into flats, which really troubled me," Mr Gold wrote.

"I also knew a lot of fans didn't want to move but ultimately we all, as fans, want success. We want to win the FA Cup, we want to get into Europe and challenge the top teams in the Premier League.

"We had explored every possibility of rebuilding Upton Park but there were road blocks and restrictions at every turn. So the reality was that, to secure the commercial future of the football club, we simply had to move."

However, initial fan anger over the move has calmed in recent years, particularly in light of the club's development under current manager David Moyes.

'A source of great support'

Paying tribute, Mr Moyes said: "I am extremely sad to hear this news and, on behalf of all of the players and my staff at the training ground, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to David Gold's family at this very difficult time.

"Mr Gold was a regular visitor to Rush Green and always a source of great support and encouragement to myself and the players.

"It was clear that he had a genuine and sincere love for the Club and was a true supporter at heart.

"He took a great interest in the people working behind-the-scenes and was always keen to help in any way he could. He will be greatly missed."

Mr Gold had two daughters Jacqueline and Vanessa with his first wife, Beryl Hunt, who he married in 1957.

The pair divorced in 1972. Though Mr Gold did not re-marry, he had lived with fiancée, Lesley, in their Surrey home since 2012.