{"id":150601,"date":"2018-05-23T11:29:05","date_gmt":"2018-05-23T11:29:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.soulcentralmagazine.com\/its-not-true-david-gold-insists-he-personally-told-james-collins-about-west-ham-exit-before-email-storm\/"},"modified":"2018-05-23T11:29:05","modified_gmt":"2018-05-23T11:29:05","slug":"its-not-true-david-gold-insists-he-personally-told-james-collins-about-west-ham-exit-before-email-storm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/soulcentralmagazine.com\/index.php\/2018\/05\/23\/its-not-true-david-gold-insists-he-personally-told-james-collins-about-west-ham-exit-before-email-storm\/","title":{"rendered":"‘It’s not true’ – David Gold insists he PERSONALLY told James Collins about West Ham exit before email storm"},"content":{"rendered":"
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West Ham co-chairman David Gold<\/a> has insisted he personally spoke with James Collins<\/a> about the defender leaving the club at the end of the season BEFORE he was sent an email confirming his departure.<\/p>\n

Fan-favourite Collins was released by the Hammers this summer after 11 years of service, but sources had told talkSPORT the 34-year-old defender was unhappy<\/a> with the nature of his unceremonious exit.<\/p>\n

Sources close to Welshman on Saturday claimed he had no idea he was being let go before being notified of his release via an email.<\/p>\n

A former West Ham team-mate later insisted he \u2018categorically knew\u2019<\/a> Collins was not told face-to-face that he was being released by West Ham this summer.<\/p>\n

But, speaking in an exclusive interview with talkSPORT on Wednesday, Gold insisted that was not the truth.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Hammers chief said he spoke to the centre-back after the final game of the season against Everton<\/a>, where Collins was seen in tears as he left the pitch.<\/p>\n

Asked if the club verbally told Collins he was being released before sending him an email, Gold said: \u201cOh absolutely. I spoke to James after the [Everton] game.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the league and the FA demand is when you release a player you must send an email to them as well as a copy to the player \u2013 you have to do that.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I did speak to James and we had a conversation, so that\u2019s not quite true.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not true when people are assuming that we just sent him an email.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

West Ham supporters voiced their anger<\/a> at the lack of fanfare surrounding the long-serving star\u2019s exit, while Vinnie Jones<\/a> told talkSPORT the whole scenario was \u2018the lowest thing I\u2019ve ever heard\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Collins is a cult hero at the east London club \u2013 the Wales international is affectionately known as \u2018Ginge\u2019 and \u2018The Ginger Pele\u2019 to\u00a0the Hammers faithful.<\/p>\n

Players who spend more than ten years at one club are usually awarded a testimonial match to end their tenure. Collins actually played in Mark Noble\u2019s testimonial match in 2016, yet he will leave the club without one.<\/p>\n

Gold did not touch on this, but explained there is every chance the 34-year-old could be re-signed by West Ham this summer if new manager Manuel Pellegrini<\/a> thinks he is good enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, we could still bring James back,\u201d the chief\u00a0added.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the manager\u2019s decision, but we can reemploy James tomorrow. The manager will make that decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, I did speak with James at the end of the season on the basis that he might not be coming back because, if the new manager decides that James doesn\u2019t fit his requirements, than we must move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

READ MORE:\u00a0\u2018We will spend more money this summer than in any previous window\u2019, says co-chairman David Gold<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n