Former Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd passes away
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ByEurosport
Updated 26/09/2017 at 13:28 GMT
The former Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd has died at the age of 76, his family have confirmed in a statement.
Freddie Shepherd, Chairman of Newcastle United looks on during the Barclays Premiership match between Middlesbrough and Newcastle United at the Riverside Stadium on October 22, 2006 in Middlesbrough, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Shepherd became chairman of the club in 1997 after Sir John Hall decided to step down.
He had worked for the club for a number of years before that and successfully brought Alan Shearer in from Blackburn Rovers for a then world-record fee of £15 million.
He also played a big role in persuading Kevin Keegan to return to manage the club.
He eventually sold his shares to Mike Ashley in 2007 and recently he and his brother Bruce were granted the freedom of the city of Newcastle.
"Freddy Shepherd, former chairman of Newcastle United and chairman of Shepherd Offshore Group and Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group, sadly passed away peacefully at his home last night," his family said in a statement.
"At this difficult time the family have asked that their privacy be respected."
Shearer tweeted a tribute to Shepherd on Tuesday afternoon.
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