'A great philanthropist, with a remarkable life' David Cameron's tribute to Sir Jack Hayward
The Prime Minister today paid tribute to 'great philanthropist' Sir Jack Hayward as Wolves fans called for a statue to honour the club's former owner.
David Cameron told the Express & Star: "Sir Jack Hayward was not only a Wolves legend but a successful businessman and a great philanthropist.
"He will be fondly remembered by all those he helped during his remarkable life and I send my condolences to his family."
He was joined in paying his respects by the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, which include the island where Sir Jack made his fortune and started an industrial revolution.
Prime Minister Perry Christie described Sir Jack as 'the single most important figure' in the economic development of the city of Freeport on the island of Grand Bahama - transforming it into a major trading centre that has become the Bahama's second city with a vast port and harbour.
Mr Christie also revealed Sir Jack was still passionate about the city's future in his final days during a phone call between the pair and business partner Lady Henrietta St George.
Mr Christie said: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sir Jack Hayward.
"He was by common acclaim the single most important figure behind the economic development of the city of Freeport, Grand Bahama, in the post-Independence era, having succeeded to the leading position held by his late father, Sir Charles Hayward, in the Grand Bahama Port Authority.
"Sir Jack was a colourful, larger-than-life personality who was held in great affection by the Bahamian people and by successive governments of our nation."
Meanwhile Wolves fans are calling for a permanent memorial to the 91-year-old, who rescued Wolves from financial ruin and owned the club for 17 years, investing greatly in it before selling it for £10 to Steve Morgan on the promise of a further £30m investment.
A book of condolence has been opened at Wolverhampton City Council's Civic Centre headquarters while the city's mayor, Councillor Mike Heap, laid a black and gold wreath at Molineux in honour of the club's former owner.
Sir Jack died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Tuesday.
He is understood to have fallen ill and become short of breath while on his annual round-the-world cruise and was taken ashore in Mexico 10 days ago.
His philanthropy included financing tours of the West Indies by the England women's cricket team in 1969-70 and 1970-71, and sponsoring the first ever women's cricket World Cup in 1973.
