Peter Swales

For the historian, see Peter Swales (historian).

Peter Swales (25 December 1932 – 2 May 1996) was Chairman of Manchester City F.C. from 1973 until 1993, when he was replaced by Francis Lee after a long protest by supporters. He was blamed for the club's failure to keep pace with neighbours Manchester United F.C. after City's late 1960s/early 1970s heyday and various acts of mismanagement such as allowing Malcolm Allison's eccentric dismantling of the side in 1979. Swales was also a prominent figure in the Football Association and some fans believed he stayed on to preserve that status rather than further the fortunes of the club. He made his fortune in the radio and hi fi business and had also invested in Altrincham F.C..

He held a variety of prominent positions within the game including Chairman of the FA's International Committee and he was also a vice-president of the F.A.

He died two years after leaving City, on 2 May 1996 aged 63, after suffering a heart attack. He was survived by his wife and three daughters.

The last interview recorded with him was performed by author Gary James and appeared in the fanzine Bert Trautmann's Helmet. It was quoted extensively in a profile of him in James' Manchester The Greatest City.

A minute's silence was impeccably observed prior to the City-Liverpool game of 5th May 1996.

See also

• Manchester City F.C. ownership and finances

References

• James, Gary (2002). Manchester: The Greatest City. Polar Publishing. ISBN 1-899538-09-7. 
• James, Gary (2003). Farewell To Maine Road. Polar Publishing. ISBN 1-899538-19-4. 

Footnotes

Business positions
Preceded by Albert Alexander Followed by Eric Alexander	Manchester City F.C. chairman c.1973 – 1994	Succeeded by Francis Lee