Gone are the days when a local double-glazing magnate could buy a football club and lead them to modest success. Nowadays chairmen have far grander designs and deeper pockets. Owning a football club is the ultimate display of narcissism. An ostentatious demonstration of wealth and perhaps the only way to get thousands of grown men to sing your name. Be that as it is, the role can attract an odd bunch. Let us salute football’s maddest chairmen.
Jesus Gil
Gil (pictured) made his name as a provincial politician purveying sexist, racist and homophobic ideals via a low-brow populist agenda. During 17 years as Atletico Madrid chairman he got through 39 managers, was involved in 80 court cases and threatened to kill his players three times. Dead now, much to the chagrin of fascists and managers seeking a quick pay day
Mohamad Al Fayed
By hook or crook Al Fayed wanted a British passport. Be it cash for questions, owning Fulham football club or encouraging his son’s fateful relationship with Princess Diana, he tried it all. Alas, no avail, although the Egyptian may seek solace in the fact that he was a pioneer of big-spending foreign ways.
George Reynolds
A villain from the old school, Reynolds did time as a youth but went on to make a fortune in kitchen surfaces. Bought Darlington FC in 1999 and promptly built the £20m, 22.000 seater, George Reynolds Arena. Access restrictions limited attendances to 6,000, but no matter, Darlington’s average crowd never exceeded 4,000. Served 3 years in 2006 after being caught with £500k in the boot of his car.
Luciano Gaucci
Gaucci took a hands on approach to squad recruitment at Perugia. He tried to sign a female player, sacked South Korean Ahn Jung Hwang after he scored the goal that knocked Italy out of the 2002 World Cup and snapped up Colonel Gaddafi’s son, Muammar. A low lying Serie A team before he took charge, Perugia are now in bankrupt and languishing in Serie C/1.