West Ham club legend Tony Cottee joins Rio Ferdinand in backing takeover bid by PAI Capital

TONY COTTEE is the next West Ham legend to throw his backing behind PAI Capital’s takeover bid. The former Hammers forward joins Rio and Anton Ferdinand in backing PAI Capital’s approach to buy the east London club. Cottee scored 146 goals in 336 appearances for West Ham and is very much a fan favourite – […]

TONY COTTEE is the next West Ham legend to throw his backing behind PAI Capital’s takeover bid.

The former Hammers forward joins Rio and Anton Ferdinand in backing PAI Capital’s approach to buy the east London club.

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Cottee is backing PAI Capital’s transfer takeover bid for West Ham[/caption]

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Cottee is a West Ham legend loved by the fanbase[/caption]

Cottee scored 146 goals in 336 appearances for West Ham and is very much a fan favourite – which could prove to be a huge asset in helping the PAI consortium win the Hammers faithful over.

In an official statement confirming the support for the bid, Cottee said: “I’ve been following the bid closely and have had detailed discussions with the PAI team recently.

“Having got to know the people involved and having had the opportunity to learn more about their plans, I’m pleased to announce that I’m fully behind PAI bid.

“Everyone knows how much this club means to me.

“I want the best for the West Ham players, the staff, and the fans, and I’m confident that PAI will deliver on all fronts.

“We’ve spoken at length about what is needed – those discussions have included Rio, Anton [Ferdinand] and the rest of the bidding team – and we are all on the same page about what can be done.

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“There is a real passion from everyone involved, and a confidence that we can reach the goals we have set out to achieve – the first one, of course, is getting the fans to believe in this bid.

“We want the fans to support this, and I’m hoping that I can help with that conversation.”

PAI Capital are delighted to have Cottee on board and state an important second bid is being prepared.

PAI Capital Managing Partner Nasib Piriyev added: “We approached Tony Cottee to come on board and are delighted to announce that this West Ham legend has joined the PAI Capital team and know he is keen to interact with fans immediately and articulate our vision while we focus on the details of our important second bid.

Everyone knows how much this club means to me.

Tony Cottee

“We think this appointment shows our true intentions and our desire to have nothing but a positive relationship with the fans.”

Philip Beard, who is heading up PAI Capital, told talkSPORT on Tuesday although another bid is being prepared, it is the current ownership’s right to turn the offer down.

He said: “That’s the plan (second bid).

“I’m not going to give any numbers out about what it is going to go in as, but as Simon has said, it is clear that Mr Sullivan, Mr Gold and Mrs Brady own the club, particularly Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold.

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West Ham fans are far from happy with the lack of signings this summer as the Hammers gear up for a European campaign with a razor-thin squad[/caption]

“It is their right to turn down any offer. 

“I want to be able to be a better communicator, that will only happen with this project if we buy the club.

“One of the things that really is important to me is that the fans are everything to a football club.”

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