Preston North End owner Trevor Hemmings has sadly died at the age of 86.

PNE confirmed the news in a statement late on Monday (11 October).

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A director at North End in the 1970s, Hemmings bought a controlling interest in the club in 2010 after it had received a winding-up petition. His Deepdale PNE company acquired 51 per cent of the shares, having originally held 28 per cent.

After relegation to League One in the 2010/11 season, he oversaw North End’s return to the Championship in 2014/15. 

A spokesperson for PNE said: “Preston North End Football Club can sadly confirm the devastating news that its owner Trevor Hemmings CVO has passed away this evening 11th October 2021.

“A further statement will be made in the coming days but in the meantime his family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.”

Hemmings was also a prominent racehorse owner, winning the Grand National on three occasions.

He was born in London in 1935, and his family moved to Lancashire during the Second World War. 

On leaving school at 15, Hemmings began work as a bricklayer’s apprentice. He went on to own holiday camp chain Pontins twice, and was also the owner of Blackpool Tower for a time.

In 2011, he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) for his work as vice-president of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

Hemmings also worked in the property business and owned Irish football club Cork City.

Hemmings is survived by his wife, Eve, and their four children.

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