George Gillett passes away at 87: A look back at former Liverpool co-owner's Anfield era

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rush The Kop or go back to LFC Live.

His three-year spell at Anfield alongside fellow American tycoon Tom Hicks remains one of the most turbulent and divisive eras in Liverpool’s modern history.Tributes paid to former Canadiens ownerMolson led tributes on behalf of the Canadiens organisation, highlighting Gillett’s personal commitment to the franchise and the city during his eight-year tenure as owner."On behalf of the entire Canadiens organisation, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to George's family," Molson said in an official statement."George immersed himself in the Montreal community and was appreciated by everyone in the organization. We sincerely appreciate his contributions to the Montreal Canadiens during his time as owner."While supporters in Montreal remember Gillett for breathing financial life into the Canadiens, his time on Merseyside unfolded in starkly different fashion.The turbulent Anfield era and public InfightingGillett acquired a 50 per cent stake in Liverpool in February 2007 alongside Hicks, purchasing David Moores’ controlling shares and taking over the club in a leveraged buy-out.

But when your public persona is more important than the facts, that makes it difficult to have a rational relationship."Gillett revealed that he had attempted to broker a clean exit for himself, offering Hicks the first opportunity to purchase his half of the club."We were very fair," Gillett explained. We didn't put pressure on him, but he ultimately did not get to the finish line."Fan Hostility and the Failed Dubai DealAs fan protests intensified outside Anfield, the hostility from supporters effectively ruled out any transaction between the two partners."The fans' reaction has been so negative towards him—and towards us if we sold to him—that it has now made that an untenable alternative for us," Gillett said.Instead, Gillett attempted to sell his share to Dubai International Capital (DIC), a move that Hicks actively blocked.

Gillett identified that veto as the definitive breaking point in their relationship and a primary catalyst for supporter fury."He threatened to block me selling to Dubai International Capital that was certainly one of the things that made the fans upset," Gillett noted. Following a high-stakes legal battle in the High Court, independent chairman Sir Martin Broughton and the Liverpool board forced through a takeover deal to Fenway Sports Group (then New England Sports Ventures), effectively ending the Gillett and Hicks regime.Gillett’s passing at 87 follows the death of his former business partner Tom Hicks, who passed away at the age of 70.