Former Leeds chairman Leslie Silver dies

Leslie Silver, the former chairman of Leeds United, has died at the age of 89.

The London born businessman, who moved to Leeds with his family in 1940, served as an RAF bomber commander during the Second World War, taking part in more than 60 operations in Europe and the Far East.

After the war, he set up his own paint business, which was so successful it eventually became one of the largest in Europe. In 1982, he was awarded the OBE for his contribution to the paint industry.

In the same year he joined the Leeds United board, becoming chairman the following year. During his chairmanship he brought Howard Wilkinson to Elland Road, and saw the club win the Second Division title in 1990, and the final First Division title in 1992 before the introduction of the Premier League the following season. He stepped down in 1996.

Mr Silver was also the first Chancellor of Leeds Metropolitan University - now known as Leeds Beckett University - where a faculty is named after him.