West Ham joint chairman David Gold has claimed there is a plan C for the future of West Ham, if they fail to move into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games

West Ham joint chairman David Gold has claimed there is a plan C for the future of West Ham, if they fail to move into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games.

Discussing the future of the club, Gold remained optimistic about moving into the Stratford venue, but said the club could extend the chicken run in the East Stand or move to 'a mystery third' venue.

"Perhaps it (the chicken run) could be extended, there is always that possibility. Although I am reluctant to say this, there is a mystery third possibility. Another site," he said.

"I don't know enough, except there is a tiny chance I can just share with you, there is one other possibility.

"If this didn't happen, we wouldn't say that's it. Remember, what we are looking to do here, we know that this football club is very capable of challenging."

Gold and West Ham's priority is to move into the Olympic Stadium where between 55,000 and 60,000 could watch the Hammers, and the former Birmingham chairman is more than willing to compromise on the running track to get his wish.

"It's a problem, but not insurmountable (the running track), I don't believe it is beyond the wit of man to incorporate athletics," he said.

"In other words I will sit down with the athletics people and find a way forward. They might have to compromise a bit, we might have to compromise.

"We will have the full sized pitch which is in accordance with FIFA. They want pitches to be standard for tournaments, which is bigger, which will suit us.

"The pitch will be closer to the stadium by a few metres, for that feel, that atmosphere and I'm warming towards it (the running track staying).

"The plan is, when we reduce it to 55,000 to take a lot of seating from the ends and incorporate those into facilities which become cheaper seats, make a change in the pricing structure and it's where kids and families might go.

"It goes back to business not legacy. I can't bear to hear it (legacy), it's not some kind of badge, it has to be driven by finances, because that drives the world."

Money which would certainly help the club would be naming rights of the stadium and Gold refused to rule out that happening.

"It is an option. I'd like to think it could be done without rights, he said."

"I like to think you could do it (without naming rights). From a commercial point of view of course naming rights makes sense."

By Matt Diner