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Former Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has died aged 79.
A spokesperson for the American businessman, who owned the Reds for three-and-a-half years before selling up in 2010, confirmed he died surrounded by his family in Dallas on Saturday.
‘Of everything he accomplished in his remarkable life, Tom Hicks’ most cherished title was, “Dad”,’ his family said in a statement. ‘No matter the trials and tribulations he faced in life, he was constant in his generosity and love for his family.
‘He remains a guiding force for our family, and we are deeply honoured to continue expanding his legacy. Although we are devastated by this loss, we are profoundly grateful to have been his children.’
Hicks’ spell at Anfield was mired in controversy after he took a 50 per cent stake in the club alongside fellow American investor George Gillet.
He had hoped to replicate the success he enjoyed in his ownership of American sports teams such as NHL’s Dallas Stars, who won the Stanley Cup in 1999. Hicks also owned Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2010, during which time they won three American West Division titles and appeared in the World Series.
But his time in charge of Liverpool saw the club mount huge debts amid a backdrop of explosive in-fighting with the former chief executive Rick Perry and manager Rafael Benitez, who was replaced with the disastrous appointment of Roy Hodgson.
Liverpool failed to win a trophy, too, during Hicks and Gillet’s co-ownership, and the pair were quickly faced with fan revolts.
This was not helped by Hicks’ son, Tom, calling a Liverpool fan an ‘idiot’ in an expletive-laden email. He later apologised for his choice words.
As the furore continued, Hicks and Gillett had a falling out and the club was put up for sale in 2010.
