Wolves’ Sir Jack Hayward tells of family feud

Monday 10th January 2011, 2:59PM GMT.

Sir Jack Hayward
Sir Jack Hayward

Wolves’ former owner Sir Jack Hayward today told how he had been “demonised” by his children and grandchildren in a bitter family feud.

The 87-year-old described court papers lodged by his family in the battle over £100 million of his personal fortune as “vicious, vindictive and full of hatred”. “They accuse me of being a bully,” he said today. “They say I am losing my marbles. It is incredible and very distressing.”

His daughter Susan Heath, 62; elder son Rick, 59; and six of his grandchildren are suing after being removed as beneficiaries from trusts set up by him.

The two children claim he illegally cut them out of the funds after a fall-out over his decision to sell Wolves for £10 in 2007 on the understanding new owner Steve Morgan invested £30 million in the club.

Sir Jack said: “When you read the affidavits you think ‘Who is this demon they are writing about?’

“What the hell have I done other than give them money and property? They all got their houses and chunks of money.

“Sue and Rick got three or four million on my 70th birthday. What more do they want?”

Wolves life president Sir Jack said his children claimed he was “going gaga”.

“They very kindly want to protect me and dole out so much money a month for my expenses,” he went on.

“They want to take control of my companies and give me an allowance to pay for my lavish lifestyle, which amounts to a cottage in the Bahamas. I am 87 and so surely I am entitled to a world cruise once a year?

This is my money and I should be allowed to spend it as I wish.”

Officials said none of the members of the family involved in the case against Sir Jack wished to comment.

The case is set to go to court in Nassau in the Bahamas on May 2 and is expected to last up to 10 days.

Mr Hayward’s youngest son Jonathan, 54, resigned as chairman of Wolves in 1997 and two years later was sued for £237,000 by his father over financial “irregularities”.

The matter was settled out of court in favour of Sir Jack and Jonathan was removed from the trusts at the centre of the current court action, with which he and his children have no involvement.


  1. 1
    Chris

    Sounds like Jack has all his marbles and loves Wolves.

    I wish someone would give me £3m !!

    Still, think I’d be a bit annoyed if my dad sold Spurs for £10.

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  2. 2
    Sir Billy Quiet

    Families and money!

    If I was Sir Jack I would leave it all to the Wolves!!

    Lets hope he manages to keep it out of the hands of the tax man.

    £100M fortune suggests his marbles are working fine!

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  3. 3
    jeff

    who’s money is it?

    as it’s sir jacks he can do what he likes with it, ungrateful kids

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  4. 4
    Segoat

    Sir Jack’s kids and grand kids are just ungrateful. He sold Wolves to the right buyer on a promise and Steve Morgan fulfilled those promises.

    Sir Jack did the right thing. Hey, you can put me in the will and give me a bunch of money. I won’t complain! I’ll be grateful!

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  5. 5
    Linda

    I think Jack lost his marbles 17years ago to have given the money grabbers another 3million each.I’m sure Jack has made a lot through investments so why haven’t they.
    Jack obviously came to his senses and feels they have had enough. Sod ‘em all do what you want Jack. I have never had a lot of money my husband and I have always worked hard for everything we have but my family will have what I choose to leave them,we will never go without to fund the families needs. We have always done our best and the time now is ours. Enjoy life and do as you want not what they want. They have had too much and are greedy, good luck They have got a bloody cheek and deserve to lose they obviously have money to waste .

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  6. 6
    Roy

    Well what is new. Ungrateful is not even suffice. If i was Sir Jack, i would give it all to charity and move away from these money grabbing tentacles. For God sake he gave you millions!!!! Millions!!!! Be thankful. They guy is 87, they think he is losing his marbles but they taking him to court? ha-ha. He should dis-own them and all.

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