Former Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd passed away peacefully at home on Monday night, his family have announced.
A statement from the family read: '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.
'At this difficult time the family have asked that their privacy be respected.'
The 76-year-old is held in the highest regard at St James' Park and was notably responsible for bringing Alan Shearer to the club in a world-record deal in 1996.