Former Newcastle United CEO Freddie Fletcher Dead At 71

Former Newcastle United CEO FREDDIE FLETCHER has died at the age of 71, according to Louise Taylor of the London GUARDIAN. Fletcher, who was diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer in January, "played a pivotal part in the club's transformation during the early '90s when he had a key role in KEVIN KEEGAN's appointment as manager." Fletcher was also the Commerical Dir at Rangers where he helped JOHN HALL launch a takeover of Newcastle in '91. Once Hall had bought the administration-threatened club he "appointed the fiery Scot" who was widely known as "The Rottweiler" on Tyneside as CEO in January '92. On Tuesday, Hall paid tribute to his "long-standing friend and colleague." Hall said, "He was instrumental to the success of Newcastle United. It's sad to think we have lost a truly great friend." Newcastle's former Chair FREDDY SHEPHERD also worked closely with Fletcher during the '90s and said, "John Hall and myself were the money men but Freddie was the real driving force behind the Newcastle United revolution in the early 1990's" (GUARDIAN, 8/28).