West Ham delighted by Olympic Stadium bid verdict

West Ham's new home at the Olympic Stadium will be a "great place for sport and most importantly for the community", club co-owner David Gold pledged on Friday. Gold said he was "overwhelmed" by the Olympic Park Legacy Company's decision to make the Hammers their official preferred bidder to become tenants of the £537million venue after the London 2012 Games.Gold said the club would work hard to maintain the heritage of the Hammers at their new home. Replicas of the World Cup winners statue may be made and talks still need to be held about whether the John Lyall gates are moved from Upton Park.He said: "Keeping the heritage of West Ham will be a challenge but it is doable."The thing that we have here but do not have at West Ham is space. I am not exactly sure what will happen, we still have to think about the details and maybe a replica of the statue could be made to come here (to the stadium). The one thing I can guarantee is that we will keep the heritage of the football club."Gold said: "It is overwhelming and I feel huge pride. It is a great honour because it is such an iconic stadium."This is going become world renowned. I just feel really proud and I am having to pinch myself. I cannot really believe that I am standing here."Overlooking the venue in Stratford, east London, West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said: "We are absolutely thrilled - not only to be named preferred bidder but also to be named unanimously."They beat Tottenham, who launched a joint bid with sport and entertainment giant AEG.They also need to try and beat relegation but Brady insisted the club can still afford to move to the Olympic Stadium even if they did not avoid the drop from the Premier League.