‘The only time I fell out with Freddy was when we sold to Mike Ashley’
Steeped in Tyneside life Drama in the skies
FREDDY Shepherd was born in Byker in 1941. He grew up in the area but spent three years being schooled in Australia with his brother, Bruce. He trained as a marine engineer, before building up family firm Shepherd Offshore, which he remained a director of until his death. In 1991, he joined the Newcastle United board with Sir John and Douglas Hall after four-year takeover wrangle with Gordon McKeag. Shepherd was appointed vice-chairman of the club and the Magpies won the First Division title and ing for Shearer but he didn’t want to sell to them.
“They wanted £15m, which today wouldn’t even buy you a reserve player, but back then it was a world record.
“Freddy came in to tell us and we were all amazed, we were asking if we could afford it.
“I remember that day Shearer came into the stadium with Freddy on the podium and there were 12,000 fans there to see him – it was wonderful.”
Sir John said that, even during his own time as chairman, he may have been “the figurehead” – but his son Douglas Hall and Freddy were “the power behind the throne”.
“Freddy was always involved in the day-to-day running of the club. People promotion to Premier League. In July 1996, the Magpies signed Alan Shearer from Blackburn Rovers in a world record £15m deal. In March 1997, Newcastle United were floated on the Stock Exchange. In September, Shepherd succeeded Sir John Hall as chairman. In August 2005, he persuaded Michael Owen to sign in a £16m transfer. But, in June 2007, Mike Ashley bought his shareholding for £38m and Shepherd left the club soon after. don’t realise how much work it takes behind the scenes to run a football club. He was a tough man, a strong personality, but that’s the way you’ve got to be if you’re going to run a business.”
Sir John was one of many stunned by Freddy’s death.
“I never thought I would be talking about Freddy like this,” he said.
“I’m 10 years older and I thought I would be the first to go.
“But I’m very proud to have known him all these years and I’m proud of him as a friend, to have had the honour to share all the times we have together. I think I speak on behalf of fans all over the world when I say we owe Freddy a great debt.” left Mike Ashley HOVERING over the Tyne, a Royal Navy helicopter pilot lands on the Quayside.
Those taking a walk along the river banks had an excellent view on Thursday.
Two Wildcat helicopters have been based at HMS Calliope as part of a weeklong visit to the region.
A Royal Navy spokesman said: “Two Wildcats from 815 Squadron have spent a week in the North East promoting naval engineering.”
The chopper swooped in to land in the shadow of the Sage on the Quayside.
The pilot approachedover the river and you could see the ripples on the water created by the rotor blades.
They then swung round to be above the bank before dropping down to land.
Military helicopters have been spotted hovering around Newcastle throughout the week.
The British Army confirmed they had been taking part in own their routine practices over the city.