Alan Shearer has led the tributes to former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd.
Shepherd, who brought the England legend back to St James’s Park in a world record deal, has died suddenly aged 75.
Shearer and team mates remembered Shepherd as a Titan of the Tyne – a boss with the ambition to get United challenging with the elite.
“He loved his football. He loved Newcastle United and it is incredibly sad news, said the Geordie hero.
“He was very passionate. When he was chairman, he was desperate for us to do well. It was his life. He loved every minute of it.
“He brought me home. He made it happen, and he was the one twisting my arm to come back home. I owe him so much.”
Along with the Sir John Hall, the businessman oversaw the big spending of the Kevin Keegan era and near misses in the Premier League and FA Cup.
Under Shepherd, Newcastle regularly finished in the top seven, and as high as runners up.
He led the club to several memorable European campaigns including into the latter stages of the Champions League under Sir Bobby Robson.
He hired some of the biggest names to manage Newcastle including Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit and Graeme Souness.
And he wasn’t afraid to gamble on a big transfer, Shearer “my best” and club record £17m deal for Michael Owen, the “worst.”
In an interview with the Daily Mirror in June, his last about Newcastle, he said of landing Shearer in 1996: “That was the best signing ever.
“Will Newcastle do a deal like that again? Could you ever come up with another Alan Shearer?
“Well actually I did, but it was made of bronze, a statue to stand outside the stadium!”
He was chairman for a decade until Mike Ashley bought the club in 2007.
St James’ Park was extended to 52,000 under his reign and he was criticised for making a profit out of the club including salary and share dividends, along with the Halls.
He resigned from the board in 1998 after a sting caught him mocking fans for buying merchandise and calling Geordie woman “dogs”. He also labelled Shearer “Mary Poppins”.
However he returned ten months later, and pushed the club to the top of the Premier League.
Former player Lee Clark said: “He was a born and bred Geordie who wanted nothing but the best for Newcastle United.”
Keeper Steve Harper said: “RIP Chairman. Freddy took Newcastle to mixing with the big boys.”
Shay Given added: “Terrible news. We had so many great memories at the Toon.”
Shepherd came from a humble background, the son of a lorry driver, also became a major employer in Newcastle, with his Shepherd Offshore business along with brother Bruce.
Current MD Lee Charnley, who rose through the ranks under Shepherd, said: “He had a huge passion not just for the club, but for the city and region it represents.”