Former Liverpool chairman David Moores has died at the age of 76.
Moores occupied the Anfield helm between 1991 and 2007 before becoming the club’s honorary life president after selling to Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
An heir to the Littlewoods empire, who owned the Reds and Everton for more than half a century, his premiership saw 10 major trophies in a 16-year period.
Three managers were appointed during that time in charge, with the late Gerard Houllier becoming the club’s first overseas manager in 1998.
He was also chairman when Graeme Souness’ January 1994 departure constituted the first Liverpool manager to be sacked since 1956.
Among Moores’ early acts as Liverpool figurehead was to lead the club into the newly formed Premier League exactly 30 years this summer.
But the growing financial pressures of the English top flight’s arms race forced him to seek outside investment in the form of American duo Hicks and Gillett.
Their debt-ridden tenure forced Moores to resign from the Anfield board in 2009 and later expressed his regret at relinquishing control to the pair.
The heartache of the turmoil forced him into a self-imposed exile from attending home games, which he ended after a decade in December 2019.
“He eventually left the boardroom in 2007 but, as a lifelong fan, his passion and support for the club remained throughout the rest of his life,” read a Liverpool tribute.
“David returned to Anfield for the first time in a decade to watch Jurgen Klopp’s side beat Everton 5-2 in December 2019.
“The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool FC are with David’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Moores passed away on Friday, just weeks after his wife of 39 years, Marge.
Anfield icon Sir Kenny Dalglish led tributes to the departed former executive.
“Marina and I are both very saddened by the passing of David Moores,” Dalgish wrote on Twitter.
“He was a loyal Liverpool fan whose dream came true when he was appointed chairman and he did a tremendous amount to help the club.
“Our condolences go to his family. He’ll be greatly missed by all who knew him. RIP”
Jamie Carragher added: “RIP Mr Chairman.
“When I think of the good times I had at LFC, David Moores was at the heart of it. He will be sorely missed.
“Thank you for what you did for me & the club.”