West Ham bid 'one of four'

West Ham United FC's bid for the Olympic Stadium is one of four currently under consideration, it has been revealed.

West Ham, the UCFB College of Football Business, Formula 1 and Leyton Orient are the four parties who are challenging to take the reigns of the stadium post-games.

However Orient's plans - tabled by Chairman Barry Hearn - would involve a ground share with West Ham, something that has already been rejected by West Ham co-chairman David Gold.

"There is no point dwelling on the design of the stadium and the faults of the stadium," Hearn told the BBC. "We have to get on with it, we have to make a fist of it and we have to make sure the Government and the people of this country get maximum value for the investment that has gone into the Olympic Stadium.

"Our idea does that and I think it forms part of a legacy that people in this country can be proud of. Bearing in mind this is the only time in our lifetime that we are ever going to hold the Olympic Games, we need to get something out of it.

"A mixture of usages and a mixture of opportunity within the Olympic Stadium will give us the feeling that we have spent our money wisely and that is really what we are trying to achieve. All sides have to exercise common sense and move forward. I think we have created a very interesting scheme that can do just that."

Gold responded to a question of the possibility of teaming up with Hearn's club via his Twitter account by stating: "Absolutely not."


On your marks: the four contestents

West Ham United: Plan to turn the stadium into a 60,000-capacity venue for football. Temporary seating, a new roof and various other amendments to the existing site are planned as part of a redevelopment scheme.

Leyton Orient: Plan to allow West Ham to ground share with them should they win approved status. West Ham Chairman David Gold has already said the club wouldn't be interested in such a proposal.

UCFB College of Football Business: A partnership between Bucks New University and UCFB offer degree courses, short courses, lecture series, workshops and executive education in the practical setting of a football business. Little is known about their plans for the stadium.

Formula 1: Plan to turn the stadium - and local area surrounding it - into a Formula 1 track had been tabled by Intelligent Transport Services in conjunction with F1.