Freddy Shepherd dead: Alan Shearer leads tributes to former Newcastle chairman

A pivotal figure in the St James’ Park club’s rise during the 1990s, he was chairman for 10 years from 1997.

Shepherd eventually sold his share of the club to Mike Ashley and recently, along with brother Bruce, was 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.”

Legendary Newcastle striker Alan Shearer lead the tributes to Shepherd by tweeting: “So sad to hear my great friend and former @NUFC chairman Freddy Shepherd has passed away. I owe him a huge debt for bringing me home. RIP.”

Born and bred in the north east, Shepherd was the owner and managing director of the Shepherd Offshore Group for more than 40 years.

He set up the Triple S group in 2008 but is best known for his influential role at Newcastle.

A director of the Magpies from 1992 until 2007, Shepherd served as vice-chairman to Sir John Hall as the club finished Premier League runners-up in both 1996 and 1997, playing a key role in signing Alan Shearer from Blackburn for a world-record £15million.

Shepherd became Newcastle chairman in 1997 and oversaw several dalliances with the Champions League, while his decision to appoint Sir Bobby Robson saw United finish as high as third in 2003.

A tribute to Shepherd on the Newcastle Chronicle read: “Born in 1941, the local business magnate rose from humble roots and became an important fixture of North East life and business.

“Through his relationship with club owner John Hall, Freddy was a pivotal figure at the club throughout the 90s and was at the centre of many of its most important days.

“Pivotal in bring Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer to the club, Freddy was at the heart of the scene during the team’s greatest years and was key in pulling together the ‘Entertainers’ team.

“He also came to be one of the most important business figures in the region, described by the Financial Times in 2010 as a “North East oligarch”.

“The son of a lorry driver, his business career began in the haulage business and would eventually end with a multi-million pound empire.

“Freddy made his fortune through property development, particularly along the banks of the River Tyne, and ran Shepherd Offshore Group with his brother Bruce.”

TRIBUTES TO FREDDY SHEPHERD

Alan Shearer – “So sad to hear my great friend and former NUFC chairman Freddy Shepherd has passed away. I owe him a huge debt for bringing me home. RIP.”

Chi Onwurah (MP for Newcastle Central) – “I’m sad to to learn of Freddy’s death and my thoughts are with his family. He made a huge contribution to Newcastle – both the football team and the economy. Freddy was a massively significant figure in the region and his association with our football team will ensure his place in the folklore of the city.”

Steve Harper – “Very sad to hear the news about Freddie Shepherd. He took NUFC to mixing it with the big boys. Thoughts with his family #RIPChairman.”

Malcolm Dix (Newcastle United’s vice life-president) – “I’m so sorry to hear this news. We had our differences over the years of course, but Freddy was always a larger than life character, a fellow who put his heart and soul everything he did. At Newcastle United he did as much as he could in terms of strengthening the team. And from a business point of view he’ll be a great miss. Together with his brother they did an awful lot of good for the North East. His heart was in the football club, you can’t deny that at all.”

Newcastle FC – “We are saddened to hear of the passing of former Newcastle United chairman, Freddy Shepherd. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”