Shearer and Che Guevara on his team

Aug 11 2008 by Alastair Gilmour, The Journal

“The theatre is wonderful, it’s a jewel and we’re helping break down barriers. The Chinese community is putting an IT centre there; it’s very important to have people working in the place and the trust office will be based there, too. Incredibly it’s not on any of the tourist maps, so we’re getting that put right.”

But, as always with Malcolm Dix, the conversation soon finds its way back to sport. “I’d love to see Newcastle United win some silverware before I die,” he says. “I was 12 when I went to the 1955 Cup Final, but I was working in London when we won the Fairs Cup.”

The honours will surely come, but it’s obvious he regards a 44-year marriage to Norwegian-born Mary, with their four daughters, one son and six grandchildren, as a personal lifetime achievement, rating family stability the most worthwhile prize of all.

I’d love to see Newcastle United win some silverware before I die.

Malcolm Dix's CV

Chairman of Newcastle Sports Council 1977-1992.

Created the Sports Development Trust fund in 1978 and remains a trustee.

Awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Honour in 1992 for outstanding contribution to sport.

Secretary of Sport Newcastle from 2000, chairing the special events committee which organises the annual dinner and other fund-raising events.

Secretary of the Sports Development Trust and an executive member of North East Federation of Sport and Recreation and North East Sport.

Chairman, Tyne Theatre and Opera House Preservation Trust.

Consultant to Two Triangle Productions Limited, a film, television and theatre production company led by former world boxing champion Glenn McCrory.

Joined the Beamish Museum Development Trust as a trustee in 1992 and was its chairman from 1995 to 1999. Now a director of The Friends of Beamish.

Committee member, The Variety Club of Great Britain (special events).

President of The St Beghian Society – his brief is to attract youth and sport involvement.

Council member of The Order of St John in Northumbria (St John Ambulance).

Trustee, Newcastle Eagles Community Foundation (fundraising).

Trustee, The McCrory Foundation (administration and fundraising).

The Questionnaire

What car do you drive?

:: Rover.

What’s your favourite restaurant?

:: Scalini’s in Gosforth.

Who or what makes you laugh?

:: Ross Noble.

What’s your favourite book?

:: The latest Wilbur Smith – wonderful writer.

What’s your favourite film?

:: The Blues Brothers.

What was the last album you bought?

:: The ELO Collection.

What’s your ideal job, other than the one you’ve got?

:: Chairman of Newcastle United!

If you had a talking parrot, what’s the first thing you would teach it to say?

:: We’ll win the Cup.

What’s your greatest fear?

:: Looking down from heights – vertigo.

What’s the best piece of business advice you have ever received?

:: Never admit you’re wrong, even if you are.

What’s the worst piece of business advice?

:: Buy Northern Rock shares/pension with Equitable.

What’s your poison?

:: Glenlivet single malt and Hardy’s ‘Stamp’ Australian red wine.

What newspapers do you read, other than The Journal?

:: The Times.

How much was your first pay packet and what was it for?

:: £3.10.0 as office junior.

How do you keep fit?

:: Bike and walking.

What’s your most irritating habit?

:: Interrupting conversations.

What’s your biggest extravagance?

:: King prawn in garlic sauce.

Which historical or fictional character do you identify with/admire?

:: Don Quixote!

Which four famous people would you most like to dine with?

:: Muhammad Ali, Bill Gates, Winston Churchill and Vladimir Putin.

How would you like to be remembered?

:: I never gave up!