Birmingham City: David Gold on Alex McLeish and Matthew Upson
DAVID Gold has reflected on Matthew Upson’s controversial Blues departure, having been reunited with the England defender at West Ham.
Former Blues owners Gold and David Sullivan are back in the Premier League and proving that their brief break from the game hasn’t dampened their colourful and forthright opinions.
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Along with Karren Brady, now vice-chairman at Upton Park, the former St Andrew’s supremos have already blasted ‘Mr Egghead’ for West Ham’s financial mess, made a karma warning towards Spurs over the transfer of Eidur Gudjohnsen and suggested a barmy name change.
It’s as if the entertaining trio never went away.
So it was always inevitable that the subject of a certain Mr Upson would be addressed.
Upson left Blues for West Ham on the final day of the 2007 January transfer window for an initial fee of £6 million. However, it certainly wasn’t an amicable exit.
Despite his public defiance, former boss Steve Bruce was made to look silly when Upson was sold behind his back. While, by that stage, the player himself was eager to leave having grown frustrated with certain aspects of the club.
Now, having returned to his East London roots, Gold has spoken about the centre-half’s departure from Blues under a cloud three years ago and insisted that it was a win-win situation for all involved.
“It’s great to see my old player, Matthew Upson, back fit and raring to go,” said Gold, who has also hinted that he is willing to offer the player a new contract once West Ham’s finances are sorted.
“He was pleased to see me as I suppose we were both winners (from the move to West Ham). He got a great deal and went to a super club in West Ham, it’s undeniable that it was a bigger club and it enhanced his reputation and chance to play for England.
“All of that was great and, of course, we got great money for the deal.”
Gold has also risked the wrath of his Chinese successors at St Andrew’s, and added extra spice to Blues’ trip to Upton Park in 11 days’ time, by reiterating his belief that Alex McLeish will be snapped up by a top Premier League club.
The 73-year-old continued: “Yes, I think he (McLeish) will eventually be a top-four manager. We all know that it’s all about timing but if the moment is right, I promise you that he will end up at one of the big clubs.”
On the subject of McLeish’s recent handy work in guiding Blues into the top half of the Premier League, Gold added: “It’s great that their fantastic unbeaten run came with the players that myself and David Sullivan had helped bring to the club.
“I’m glad to see that I’ve left Birmingham City after almost 17 years with the club doing so well.”
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