Newcastle United were saddened to learn of the death of vice life president Malcolm Dix earlier on Wednesday. He was 79.
A long-standing Magpies supporter, shareholder and catalyst for change, Malcolm was steeped in football and sporting tradition on Tyneside. His grandfather, Walter Dix, was an early football pioneer, playing for the Newcastle Rangers club before buying shares in Newcastle East End in 1890.
Club Historian Paul Joannou knew Malcolm well, having both been part of the Newcastle Supporters’ Association – an early group aiming for boardroom change – during the late 1970s. He said: “Malcolm was black and white through and through and absolutely committed to pushing for that change; from as early as the Sixties he was a rebel shareholder attempting to remove what was a closed-shop ownership of United.”
Malcolm was later part of the Magpie Group with Sir John Hall which eventually forced transformation on and off the pitch at St. James’ Park as the 1990s began. He was instrumental in helping Sir John track down existing shareholders as the Magpie Group increased its stake and pressed ahead with a headlining takeover.
He was also a dedicated supporter of sport in general on Tyneside, serving as chairman of the Newcastle Sports Council, now Sport Newcastle, for several years, and was latterly president.
The thoughts of everyone at Newcastle United are with Malcolm’s family and friends.