One of the most controversial and arguably successful entrepreneurs in British history passed away this week aged 94. He died in a land where he owned billions of pounds in assets, but was vilified and denied citizenship.
Shady dealings and cash for questions.
Mohamed al- Fayed – who owned Harrods and the Ritz in Paris – attracted controversy for his part in the Parliamentary cash-for-questions scandal and shady dealings with the powerful.
Yet, he will be remembered most fondly for throwing millions to save a moribund English football club from obscurity in the days when Wrexham saviour Ryan Reynolds et al had probably never even watched a game.
The romantics felt he was mad.
When Fayed bought Fulham in west London, in the summer of 1997, for £30 million – peanuts compared to today’s transactions – it was struggling on crowds of less than 4,000 in the lower divisions.
The romantics, including me, felt he was mad; the cynics thought it was a ploy to earn the elusive British passport.
Turned a team of journeymen into winners.
Either way, his money helped turn a team of journeymen British players into promotion winners. He brought in former England star Kevin Keegan as manager and promised Premier League football in five years; it came in four, at a rundown club where hope rarely sprang eternal.
Fayed wore the black-and-white scarf on the pitch at Craven Cottage, at half time. Yet he never pretended to be a football man.
“I like number five!”
When people asked him who was his favourite player, he used to reply: “Number five!”
He also brought Michael Jackson – who wouldn’t have found Fulham on the map – to Craven Cottage.
Strangely, he built a statue in Jackson’s honour. The club removed it, diplomatically, years later to make way for a more appropriate statue of 1966 world cup winner George Cohen.
Yet, Fayed’s 16 years at Fulham meant this weekend they play Manchester City, rather than Lincoln City.
From barrow boy to the top tables.
The football club was among the first to pay tribute.
Fayed came from beginnings as humble as he football club he bought. In Cairo, he sold Coca Cola from a barrow and sewing machines door-to-door.
Despite this, he rose to dine at the top tables around the world and made billions from what may be called, politely, shrewd deals that often raised questions.
Dodi’s death broke the man.
The death of his son Dodi, in the fateful car crash in Paris in 1997, ultimately broke the man. He claimed Princess Diana carried his grandchild and the two were to marry.
For years, Fayed disputed the unlawful killing findings of the inquest. He believed the British establishment, who continued to refuse him citizenship, had murdered his son. He felt they se didn’t approve of the relationship with a royal.
Pain that he took to his grave.
