FREDDIE Fletcher, a former provost of Greenock, commercial director at Rangers and chief executive at Newcastle United, has died after losing a battle with lung cancer.
The Greenock-born 71-year-old, who was widely credited with transforming the fortunes of the English club, was diagnosed with asbestos-related mesothelioma in April. He thought he picked up the asbestos while walking past the Clyde shipyards as a young man.
His working life began as a general store owner in the Strone area of Greenock before becoming a local politician.
He was a director at his home town club of Morton in the 1970s and was a senior Liberal Party councillor serving as Provost of the former Inverclyde District Council from 1977-81.
He was a commercial director at Rangers and was involved in Sir John Hall's takeover at Newcastle United in 1991.
The father of three helped revive the club's fortunes in the 1990s and played a part in the managerial appointments of Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson. He left the club in 2000.
Former Newcastle chairman Freddie Shepherd described Mr Fletcher as the driving force behind the United revolution.
He added: "He was determined beyond belief. You couldn't knock him down with a hammer. His nickname at the club was The Rottweiler and he loved it. He wouldn't give up on anything."
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