Sir Jack Petchey, a lifelong West Ham supporter passed away at the age of 98 in Wapping on Thursday
Born in Plaistow and brought up in Manor Park he was a West Ham season ticket holder, former West Ham United director and shareholder until 1987.
Petchey owned a car hire, taxi service and car showroom in Barking Road close to Upton Park, in his autobiography 50/50 Man he explains how he would leave West Ham games early to take advantage of the footfall as crowds walked past his showroom on their way home.
He stuck up a friendship with West Ham director Brian Cearns through his love of squash at Wansted Squash Courts which was owned by Brian’s sister Mabel.
Jack showed interest in buying the Squash club where he was a member but ended up becoming a director of West Ham in 1978 and investing in the Hammers instead of owning 27% of the Hammers shares. Realising he would never be able to own all the shares he sold his West Ham shares in 1990 to David Sullivan and David Gold and went on to buy Watford FC from Elton John, a move he said he later regretted as he remained a Hammer in his heart.
The two Davids later sold their West Ham shares to Terry Brown when they purchased Birmingham City in 1993 but David Sullivan retained 4% of the West Ham shares right up to their compulsory sale when the Icelandic takeover happened in 2006.
The East Ender amassed a net wealth of over £550m and founded the Jack Petchey Foundation to give back to the community.
In his autobiography, he talks of his regret of not becoming West Ham chairman and carried on watching the Hammers with his family
Those wishing to leave a message of condolence can do so by visiting https://sirjackpetcheycbe.muchloved.com/
