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By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X) West Ham’s shareholders’ decision to exercise their right to take up their full quota of Vanessa Gold’s shares in the first round of pre-emption demonstrated their intent to lock Amanda Staveley out of control of the football club. And it would seem such was Daniel Křetínský’s desire to make a deal which did not include PCP Capital Partners that working with David Sullivan was deemed preferable to working with Amanda Staveley. At this point, it’s difficult to understand what motivation he might have had. Perhaps the fact that Staveley wanted overall control of the football club was the deciding factor. But it does seem odd that Křetínský would go into partnership with Sullivan, whom he had sought to distance himself from as recently as June. Indeed, Claret & Hugh revealed at the time that Křetínský and his fellow shareholders had encouraged Sullivan to resign as chairman in an attempt to distance the football club from the fallout surrounding him. Shareholders United To Keep Křetínský In Control As was made clear to Claret & Hugh earlier this evening, there was a unified decision from Sullivan, Daniel Harris, Tripp Smith and Terry Brown to ensure Křetínský had the largest shareholding and, as a result, stop Amanda Staveley from gaining any form of control over the football club. The shareholders have made their choice. Where I believe they may have badly misjudged the situation is in assuming many West Ham fans will find the outcome cause for celebration. Whilst Křetínský might prefer to have David Sullivan as his partner, a Staveley and Křetínský axis is infinitely preferable to many West Ham fans who moved heaven and earth to try and get Sullivan out of the football club. Now his position as a shareholder has actually strengthened although West Ham insist he does not have operational control. Staveley Offered Supporters Something Different In many respects, one of the chinks of light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel was that the club could go on to bigger and better things under Staveley, who had proven her ownership credentials during her time at Newcastle United. She certainly wasn’t presenting herself as somebody interested in becoming a silent investor. Reports suggested Staveley wanted to pursue ownership of the London Stadium if her West Ham investment succeeded, potentially opening up possibilities which supporters have discussed for years. She even turned up to watch the Hammers against Wolves this week and cheered the team on, with C&H subsequently learning that she had attended as Vanessa Gold’s guest. Instead, West Ham’s existing shareholders have closed ranks and chosen the status quo. Křetínský remains in control and Sullivan remains a major part of the ownership structure. Not Everyone At West Ham Will Be Celebrating It is worth pointing out that this would have been a very, very difficult situation for a lot of people who work at West Ham, many of whom would not have favoured this particular outcome. Ultimately, the shareholders were entitled to exercise their pre-emption rights and they have done exactly that. They have also seemingly decided amongst themselves that Daniel Křetínský remaining the dominant shareholder represents the best way forward for West Ham. That’s their decision. But they shouldn’t assume West Ham supporters will be celebrating with them.