David Gold insists that West Ham initially tried to buy the Olympic Stadium outright — and blames Tottenham and Leyton Orient for forcing the government to agree to rent it out instead.

West Ham and the government have been widely criticised for negotiating a 99-year lease, with detractors arguing that the taxpayers will foot the majority of the running costs.

But West Ham’s co-chairman defended his club and argued that they were on the verge of buying the stadium until their rivals Tottenham and Leyton Orient complained.

West Ham chairman David Gold insists his side were keen on buying the Olympic Stadium

Premier League outfit West Ham will move into the Olympic Stadium at the beginning of next season

‘It was a difficult process as a lot of people are aware of,’ Gold said, at the Leaders in Sport conference. ‘When it became available it became available for sale, the idea was with Newham Council we were going to purchase it, we won that bid.

‘But because the government wanted to guarantee the stadium for the Rugby World Cup and some athletics, because there were issues raised by other football clubs, Tottenham Hotspur and of course Barry Hearn from Leyton Orient, the government had to renege on a sale deal and pursue a lease deal.

'We're right on the edge of a shopping centre so we hope that's going to increase the female fanbase.'

The majority of West Ham supporters were opposed to the move away from their beloved Boleyn Stadium — still fondly known as Upton Park — to the Olympic Park. But Gold is confident they have slowly turned the fans to favour the move.

Former Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn was against West Ham from buying the Olympic Stadium

‘Slowly but surely, over the last two, two-and-a-half-years, we’ve won those fans over, with promising to make the stadium like the home of West Ham,’ he added.

‘It was very important for the fans, it was important they knew it was their home and not a rented facility. They were worried about the running tracking — a running track around football stadium doesn't work — but we’ve got retractable seating in.