DAVID Gold has spoken for the first time about persistent rumours that he is looking to buy Ipswich Town.The man whose family are listed at joint 133rd in the Sunday Times Rich List with a £550million fortune, did not rule out the possibility that he would make a move for the Blues in the New Year.

By Derek Davis

DAVID Gold has spoken for the first time about persistent rumours that he is looking to buy Ipswich Town.

The man whose family are listed at joint 133rd in the Sunday Times Rich List with a £550million fortune, did not rule out the possibility that he would make a move for the Blues in the New Year.

He admitted that a number of clubs had approached him about making a significant investment once his involvement with Birmingham City ends but stressed he had not made any future plans. Gold, 71, said: “We still own a controlling share in Birmingham City and I am the chairman and until a deal is finally done that remains the case.

“As such we can't have a significant financial interest in any other club so it would be inappropriate of me to make mention of any other club until a deal to sell Birmingham City is completed, and that is not necessarily a forgone conclusion.

“I would not at this stage bet my house that it will be completed.”

Gold and brother Ralph, along with other directors at St Andrews, sold shares to Chinese businessman Carson Yeung who now owns 29.9% of the club. Yeung has made it clear that he intends to mount a full takeover for City and hopes to be in complete control in December.

If it goes through then Gold will be clear to launch a bid for another football club with Brighton also known to be willing to talk in detail as his fiancée has a home in East Sussex.

He said: “I have had half a dozen clubs asking what the position is and what my possible plans might be for the future and would I like to invest in their football club.

“It is not just Ipswich who are looking for investment. All clubs at Championship level need lots of investment to take them to the higher level. It is understandable that there will be speculation about what David Sullivan and David Gold might want to do after Birmingham - if indeed the deal goes through.”

Gold, and his business partner David Sullivan have been linked with Ipswich Town since June, although Blues chairman David Sheepshanks has consistently denied being approached by either.

A Town spokesman last night repeated: “The club continue to search for new investment.”