From the Boardroom - David Gold

Joint-Chairman David Gold wishes Sam Allardyce the best of luck as the new England manager

I want to wish Sam Allardyce the best of luck after he was announced as the new England manager.


We must remember that Sam did everything we asked of him when he was in charge at West Ham and put all the foundations in place for Slaven when he took over.


Sam got us promoted in his first year in charge with that memorable win at Wembley in the Play-Off Final and then kept us in the Premier League the following year.


A lot of people were talking about the second year back in the top flight and the dangers that we could face, but he kept us up once again.


I want him to be hugely successful as we all want England to be successful in the future.


The countdown continues to our first ever game at the new Stadium and we now know who we are facing in the UEFA Europa League third round qualifying stage.


We will be making the journey to Slovenia next week and it gives us the chance to prepare the Stadium for the second leg and our first home game on August 4.


I know everyone on the board is looking forward to it and I know the players and fans will relish the chance to see a historic night for our football club.


Results might not have gone our way in Austria this week but I can assure everyone that Slaven will be more focused on getting the players ready for the first major game in the Europa League.


Pre-season is more about the players building up a good team spirit and the new signings getting to know the rest of the squad which is exactly what they have been doing in America and Austria.


Work is taking place all the time to make sure our new home is ready for the Europa League game and we will soon be installing our new sign at the top of the Stadium.


It will be another momentous moment and really puts our stamp on the new Stadium. We always promised our fans it will feel like West Ham's home.


Each time I go back there I see more work taking place and there is claret and blue throughout the Stadium and we have honoured a number of the legends in the Club's lounges.


The Champions Place stones have also started to be installed with legends such as Bobby Moore, the three World Cup winners, Billy Bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking having their name placed on the specially-designed walkway.


We are establishing the home of West Ham United.


Unfortunately I cannot give any more updates on our pursuit for a new striker.


At the moment we are having to be patient, but other clubs are in the same situation and there is still time for us to get the signings we want to add into the squad.