When Amercian Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen sadly passed away at the weekend it was felt as far afield as West Ham United.
Allen, who co-founded Microsoft will Bill Gates, died aged 65 from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as reported by the BBC but had been linked to a takeover of West Ham over the summer.
Described as a ‘remarkable individual on every level’ his former business partner Gates painted a picture of a world without Allen saying “Personal computing would not have existed without him.”
AIlen’s passing also marked a sad day for many Hammers fans.
The Seattle Seahawks owner, was linked with a potential takeover by website West Ham World back in May and it caused quite a stir.
Allen also owned MLS outfit Seattle Sounders and NBA team Portland Trail Blazers as part of his privately held company Vulcan Inc.
The takeover reports never amounted to more than speculation.
But with a net worth of just under £20 billion it is fair to say supporters were keen for the rumours to be true.
Fans pleaded for the magnate to help push the club to the next level and perhaps even make a real football stadium out of the disliked former Olympic Stadium.
West Ham supporters staged angry protests last season demanding a change of ownership after growing fed up of David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady.
Broken promises over transfer ambition, spending and the stadium move were the major bones of contention.
A big transfer outlay and the appointment of title-winning manager Manuel Pellegrini has bought Sullivan and Gold some time.
But many fans feel the club will struggle to compete and achieve success long-term unless they attract an owner with serious wealth and ambition.
West Ham fans hoped Allen would be that man.
Not just for his extreme wealth but his nous too. This was a man that knew how to run a successful sports team.
It was not to be, though, as the world loses a pioneer another bubble bursts for West Ham.
Supporters can take pride, though, that their historic club was mentioned in the same breath as such a leading global figure.
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