Jump to content

Matthew Harding

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Dpmuk (talk | contribs) at 15:03, 25 July 2019 (As before possible copyvio (at a minimum too closely paraphrased). Also not sure this information is appropriate for an article, at least without more context.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the American world traveler of the same name, see Matt Harding.

Matthew Harding
Born
Matthew Charles Harding

(1953-12-26)26 December 1953
Haywards Heath, Sussex, England
Died22 October 1996(1996-10-22) (aged 42)
Middlewich, Cheshire, England
SpouseRuth Harding
Children3

Matthew Charles Harding (26 December 1953 – 22 October 1996) was a British businessman, vice-chairman of Chelsea Football Club and a major financial supporter of New Labour.

Early years and education

Harding was born in Haywards Heath, Sussex, the son of Paul Harding, an insurance executive. He attended Abingdon School in Abingdon-on-Thames from 1964 until 1971.[1] He was a member of the badminton first team, for which he was awarded half-colours, in addition to being a cricket first XI player, captain of the colts cricket team and a member of the hockey second XI.[2] Although he enjoyed the sport, he did not enjoy the school ethos, earning a single 'A' Level in Latin. He did, however, return to the school just weeks before his death to speak to a small group of sixth formers about his road to success.

Career

He left school and went to London. Through his father's friendship with Ted Benfield, he joined the insurance brokers Benfield, Lovick & Rees and it was in the insurance industry that he made his fortune, starting out by making the tea and going on to be a director. By 1980, he had acquired a 32% stake in the company, becoming one of Britain's 100 richest men.

Chelsea FC

A banner at Stamford Bridge in 2014, in tribute to Harding. It reads "Matthew Harding's Blue & White Army"

A lifelong fan of Chelsea Football Club, Harding responded to Chelsea chairman Ken Bates' call for new investment in the club in 1993 and invested £26.5 million and joined the board.[citation needed] Chelsea named one of the stands at Stamford Bridge the "Matthew Harding Stand".

Bates later described Harding as "evil" just a year after his death.[3]

Death and legacy

Harding died at the age of 42 in a helicopter accident in October 1996, while flying back from a Chelsea match at Bolton Wanderers, along with the pilot and three passengers, including journalist John Bauldie. The crash of the Eurocopter AS355 Écureuil 2 aircraft took place at night and in poor weather, near Middlewich, Cheshire. An investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch found that the pilot did not have the experience or qualifications necessary to safely pilot by instruments in such conditions.[4]

Personal life

His son Patrick Harding is now a semi-professional footballer who plays for Burgess Hill Town F.C.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Valete et Salvete" (PDF). The Abingdonian.
  2. ^ "Badminton" (PDF). The Abingdonian.
  3. ^ Glendenning, Barry (25 March 2017). "Rogues' gallery: English football's worst owners, from Becchetti to Bates". The Observer. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Pilot 'unable to control' Harding helicopter". BBC News. 27 November 1997. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Cuckfield Cosmos crowned winners of Matthew Harding Cup final". West Sussex Gazette. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2018.

Sources

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matthew_Harding&oldid=907828831"