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{{Short description|British sports administrator (1941–2021)}}
'''Edward Maurice Watkins''' [[CBE]] (born November 1941)<ref>{{cite web |title=Football Faculty UK Limited |url=https://www.manchestercheck.com/uk/10026269/football-faculty-uk-limited |website=Manchester Check |language=en}}</ref> is the former chairman of [[Association football|football]] club [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]]. He has represented high-profile clients in criminal trials including [[Eric Cantona]] and [[Stuart Hall (presenter)|Stuart Hall]].
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
[[File:Maurice Watkins (solicitor).jpeg|thumb|Watkins in 2011]]
'''Edward Maurice Watkins''' [[CBE]] (30 November 1941 – 16 August 2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=Football Faculty UK Limited |url=https://www.manchestercheck.com/uk/10026269/football-faculty-uk-limited |website=Manchester Check }}</ref> was a British [[solicitor]] and [[sports administrator]] best known as being a long-time director and the club solicitor of [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]. He had represented high-profile clients in criminal trials including [[Eric Cantona]]<ref>{{Cite news|title=The story of Cantona's kung-fu kick|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30916435|access-date=16 August 2021}}</ref> and [[Stuart Hall (presenter)|Stuart Hall]].<ref name="Belfast Telegraph">{{Cite news|title=BBC's Stuart Hall 'had room set aside to entertain lady friends' says former colleague|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/bbcs-stuart-hall-had-room-set-aside-to-entertain-lady-friends-says-former-colleague-29238933.html|access-date=16 August 2021|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>


After leaving Manchester United, he served in multiple other sports administration roles including as chairman of [[British Swimming]], overseeing the team's successful [[2016 Summer Olympics|Rio 2016]] and [[2020 Summer Olympics|Tokyo 2020]] [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] cycles.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Britton|first=Paul|date=16 August 2021|title=Ex-Manchester United director Maurice Watkins passes away aged 79|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/death-manchester-united-maurice-watkins-21320361|access-date=16 August 2021|website=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> He was joint senior partner of Brabners LLP solicitors in Manchester.
He was a Director of [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]'s football board. He was also the club's solicitor. He is Joint Senior Partner of Brabners Chaffe Street LLP Solicitors in Manchester.


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Watkins was educated at [[Manchester Grammar School]] and [[University College London]].
Watkins was educated at [[Manchester Grammar School]] and [[University College London]].

Watkins died on 16 August 2021, at the age of 79, after suffering from [[prostate cancer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/alex-ferguson-tokyo-crystal-palace-manchester-british-b1903245.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/alex-ferguson-tokyo-crystal-palace-manchester-british-b1903245.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Former Man Utd director Maurice Watkins dies aged 79|work=[[The Independent]]|date=16 August 2021|access-date=16 August 2021}}</ref>


== High profile legal work ==
== High profile legal work ==
At a January 1995 match with Crystal Palace [[Eric Cantona]] performed a 'kung fu' kick into the crowd following abuse from Matthew Simmons. Watkins represented Cantona at the ensuing assault trial.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Features/2012/Dec/maurice-watkins-exclusive-interview-about-eric-cantona.aspx|title=Watkins' view: Selhurst saga|accessdate=21 June 2013|date=1 December 2012|publisher=Manchester United|work=ManUtd.com}}</ref> Watkins represented former [[BBC]] broadcaster [[Stuart Hall (presenter)|Stuart Hall]] at Hall's trial for indecent assault, at which Hall admitted to indecently assaulting 13 girls.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2318348/Stuart-Hall-Its-A-Knockout-cheerleader-recounts-horrific-moment-BBC-veteran-sexually-assaulted-her.html|title=Stuart Hall pushed me up against a wall and tried to force himself on me: It's A Knockout cheerleader recounts horrific moment BBC veteran sexually assaulted her|accessdate=21 June 2013|date=2 May 2013|publisher=Daily Mail|work=Daily Mail}}</ref> Watkins' effective representation lead to Hall receiving a jail sentence of 15 months for the charges.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-22932222|title=Stuart Hall jailed for 15 months for sex assaults|accessdate=21 June 2013|date=17 June 2013|publisher=BBC|work=BBC}}</ref>
At a January 1995 match with Crystal Palace [[Eric Cantona]] performed a 'kung fu' kick into the crowd following abuse from Matthew Simmons. Watkins represented Cantona at the ensuing assault trial.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Features/2012/Dec/maurice-watkins-exclusive-interview-about-eric-cantona.aspx|title=Watkins' view: Selhurst saga|accessdate=21 June 2013|date=1 December 2012|publisher=Manchester United|work=ManUtd.com}}</ref> Watkins was solicitor for former [[BBC]] broadcaster [[Stuart Hall (presenter)|Stuart Hall]] at Hall's trial for indecent assault, at which Hall admitted to indecently assaulting 13 girls.<ref name="Belfast Telegraph" />


== Positions ==
== Positions ==
Line 13: Line 18:
* Member of the FA [[Premier League]] Legal Advisory Group
* Member of the FA [[Premier League]] Legal Advisory Group
* FA [[Premier League]] representative on the Association of European Union Premier Professional Leagues (EPFL)
* FA [[Premier League]] representative on the Association of European Union Premier Professional Leagues (EPFL)
* Member of Working Group for Financial Matters of the [[FIFA]] Task Force "For the Good of the Game"
* Member of working group for financial matters of the [[FIFA]] Task Force "For the Good of the Game"
* Non-Executive Director for the Rugby Football League
* Interim chairman and non-executive director of the [[Rugby Football League]]
* Chairman of [[European Rugby League]]<ref name="European Rugby League">{{cite web |title=European Rugby League board pay tribute to Chair Maurice Watkins on his passing |url=https://europeanrugbyleague.com/articles/2008/european-rugby-league-board-pay-tribute |publisher=European Rugby League |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=16 August 2021}}</ref>
* Interim Chairman for the Rugby Football League
* Regional Chairman for [[Coutts Bank]]
* Regional chairman for [[Coutts Bank]]
* Trustee of the Professional Footballers Pension Scheme
* Trustee of the Professional Footballers Pension Scheme
* Chairman of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charity
* Chairman of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charity
* Chair of Governors at the Manchester Grammar School
* Chair of governors at the Manchester Grammar School
* Chairman of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain
* Chairman of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain
* Chairman of [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley Football Club]] (2013–2017)
* Chairman of [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley Football Club]] (2013–2017)
* Chairman of [[British Swimming]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/swimming/20696354 |title=British Swimming name Maurice Watkins as their new Chairman |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2014-08-04 |date=2014-08-04}}</ref>
* Chairman of [[British Swimming]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/swimming/20696354 |title=British Swimming name Maurice Watkins as their new Chairman |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=4 August 2014 |date=4 August 2014}}</ref>
* Chairman of the [[British Basketball|British Basketball Federation]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 August 2018|title=Maurice Watkins appointed Chair of British Basketball Federation|url=http://basketballscotland.co.uk/2018/08/08/maurice-watkins-appointed-chair-of-british-basketball-federation/|access-date=10 September 2020 |website=Basketball Scotland}}</ref>


== English Premier Football ==
== Career in football ==
[[Martin Edwards]] asked Watkins to become a director of Manchester United Football Club in May 1984 on the same day as [[Bobby Charlton]]. In 1991, when Martin Edwards floated Manchester United on the stock exchange, Watkins joined the PLC Board as a non-executive director. Edwards and Watkins were the only two directors who served both on the Football Board and the PLC Board. At the [[Annual General Meeting|AGM]] in 2005 [[Malcolm Glazer]] opposed Watkins' re-election to the PLC board along with two other directors [[Philip Yea]] a fellow non-executive director and Andy Anson. After Malcolm Glazer had completed his takeover of Manchester United he de-listed it from the stock exchanged and made it a private company once again. Watkins remains on the club's football board and is the club's lawyer.
[[Martin Edwards]] asked Watkins to become a director of Manchester United Football Club in May 1984 on the same day as [[Bobby Charlton]]. In 1991, when Martin Edwards floated Manchester United on the stock exchange, Watkins joined the PLC Board as a non-executive director. Edwards and Watkins were the only two directors who served both on the Football Board and the PLC Board. At the [[Annual General Meeting|AGM]] in 2005 [[Malcolm Glazer]] opposed Watkins's re-election to the PLC board along with two other directors [[Philip Yea]] a fellow non-executive director and Andy Anson. After Malcolm Glazer had completed his takeover of Manchester United he de-listed it from the stock exchange and made it a private company once again. Watkins remained on the club's football board and was the club's solicitor.


Watkins has overseen numerous high-profile [[association football|football]] transfers both at home in the [[United Kingdom]] and abroad. He has also represented clubs and players before [[FIFA]], [[UEFA]], [[the Football Association]], the [[Premier League]] and [[the Football League]] disciplinary bodies. Also he has represented players and clubs at the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] and international and league compensation tribunals. He has worked with the [[South Africa]] and [[Nigerian]] Premier leagues in respect of broadcasting and regulatory matters as well as the Egyptian Sports Council and UAE footballing authorities.
Watkins oversaw numerous high-profile [[association football|football]] transfers both at home in the [[United Kingdom]] and abroad. He has also represented clubs and players before [[FIFA]], [[UEFA]], [[the Football Association]], the [[Premier League]] and [[the Football League]] disciplinary bodies. Also he represented players and clubs at the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] and international and league compensation tribunals. He worked with the [[South Africa]] and [[Nigerian]] Premier leagues in respect of broadcasting and regulatory matters as well as the Egyptian Sports Council and UAE footballing authorities.


Watkins regularly speaks on football and sports law issues within the United Kingdom and internationally. He has represented both [[the Football Association]] and the [[Premier League]] at conferences in [[Egypt]], [[France]], [[Qatar]], [[Spain]], [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] and [[Japan]].
Watkins regularly spoke on football and sports law issues within the United Kingdom and internationally. He represented both [[the Football Association]] and the [[Premier League]] at conferences in [[Egypt]], [[France]], [[Qatar]], [[Spain]], [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] and [[Japan]].


In 2012 Watkins was named interim [[Rugby Football League]] Chairman when [[Richard Lewis (tennis and rugby league)|Richard Lewis]]' moved on.<ref>{{cite web|title=Past RFL Presidents|url=http://www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/history_and_heritage/past_rfl_presidents|work=therfl.co.uk|publisher=[[Rugby Football League]]|accessdate=14 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214122510/http://www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/history_and_heritage/past_rfl_presidents|archive-date=14 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2012 Watkins was named interim [[Rugby Football League]] Chairman after the departure of [[Richard Lewis (tennis and rugby league)|Richard Lewis]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Past RFL Presidents|url=http://www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/history_and_heritage/past_rfl_presidents|work=therfl.co.uk|publisher=[[Rugby Football League]]|accessdate=14 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214122510/http://www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/history_and_heritage/past_rfl_presidents|archive-date=14 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>


On 29 June 2012, Watkins stepped down from the board of Manchester United Football Club Ltd after 28 years with the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Club-News/2012/Jun/maurice-watkins-to-leave-manchester-united-board.aspx|title=Director leaves United board|accessdate=29 June 2012|date=29 June 2012|publisher=Manchester United|work=ManUtd.com}}</ref>
On 29 June 2012, Watkins stepped down from the board of Manchester United Football Club Ltd after 28 years with the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Club-News/2012/Jun/maurice-watkins-to-leave-manchester-united-board.aspx|title=Director leaves United board|accessdate=29 June 2012|date=29 June 2012|publisher=Manchester United|work=ManUtd.com}}</ref>


On 30 May 2013 it was announced that Watkins would become chairman of Championship football club [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/maurice-watkins-set-for-chairman-role-30052013-846222.aspx|title=Maurice Watkins CBE steps back into football to become chairman of Barnsley Football Club|accessdate=30 May 2013|date=30 May 2013|publisher=Barnsley FC|work=barnsleyfc.co.uk}}</ref>
On 30 May 2013, it was announced that Watkins would become chairman of Championship football club [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/maurice-watkins-set-for-chairman-role-30052013-846222.aspx|title=Maurice Watkins CBE steps back into football to become chairman of Barnsley Football Club|accessdate=30 May 2013|date=30 May 2013|publisher=Barnsley FC|work=barnsleyfc.co.uk}}</ref>


On 31 August 2017, Barnsley announced that Watkins was leaving the club's board of directors and his role as chairman.<ref>[https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2017/august/club-statement-mw/ Club Statement. Maurice Watkins CBE] Barnsley Football Club, official website. Retrieved 31 August 2017.</ref>
On 31 August 2017, Barnsley announced that Watkins was leaving the club's board of directors and his role as chairman.<ref>{{cite web |title=Club Statement: Maurice Watkins CBE. |url=https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2017/august/club-statement-mw |website=www.barnsleyfc.co.uk |publisher=Barnsley Football Club |access-date=31 August 2017 |date=31 August 2017}}</ref>


== Charitable support ==
== Charitable support ==
Watkins is involved with several causes. Previous roles have included Chairman of the New Children's Hospital Appeal. With his leadership the appeal successfully raised £20 million to provide beds for parents on wards and additional and up-to-date equipment at the new state-of-the-art [[Royal Manchester Children's Hospital]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Chairman Maurice Watkins receives North West Pride award {{!}} RMCH |url=https://rmchcharity.org.uk/news/chairman-maurice-watkins-receives-north-west-pride-award |website=rmchcharity.org.uk}}</ref>
Watkins was involved with several causes. Previous roles have included Chairman of the New Children's Hospital Appeal. With his leadership the appeal successfully raised £20 million to provide beds for parents on wards and additional and up-to-date equipment at the new state-of-the-art [[Royal Manchester Children's Hospital]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Chairman Maurice Watkins receives North West Pride award {{!}} RMCH |url=https://rmchcharity.org.uk/news/chairman-maurice-watkins-receives-north-west-pride-award |website=rmchcharity.org.uk|date=18 October 2023 }}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 46: Line 52:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.brabnerschaffestreet.com Brabners Chaffe Street LLP Solicitors]
*[http://www.brabners.com Brabners LLP Solicitors]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Watkins, Maurice}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watkins, Maurice}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:Alumni of University College London]]
[[Category:Alumni of University College London]]
[[Category:Manchester United F.C. directors and chairmen]]
[[Category:Manchester United F.C. directors and chairmen]]
[[Category:English solicitors]]
[[Category:English solicitors]]
[[Category:Sports law]]
[[Category:Sports law]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Association football law]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing]]
[[Category:British rugby league administrators]]
[[Category:British rugby league administrators]]
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:Deaths from prostate cancer]]
[[Category:Alumni of the UCL Faculty of Laws]]
[[Category:People educated at Manchester Grammar School]]

Latest revision as of 21:59, 8 October 2024

Watkins in 2011

Edward Maurice Watkins CBE (30 November 1941 – 16 August 2021)[1] was a British solicitor and sports administrator best known as being a long-time director and the club solicitor of Manchester United. He had represented high-profile clients in criminal trials including Eric Cantona[2] and Stuart Hall.[3]

After leaving Manchester United, he served in multiple other sports administration roles including as chairman of British Swimming, overseeing the team's successful Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic cycles.[4] He was joint senior partner of Brabners LLP solicitors in Manchester.

Personal life

[edit]

Watkins was educated at Manchester Grammar School and University College London.

Watkins died on 16 August 2021, at the age of 79, after suffering from prostate cancer.[5]

[edit]

At a January 1995 match with Crystal Palace Eric Cantona performed a 'kung fu' kick into the crowd following abuse from Matthew Simmons. Watkins represented Cantona at the ensuing assault trial.[6] Watkins was solicitor for former BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall at Hall's trial for indecent assault, at which Hall admitted to indecently assaulting 13 girls.[3]

Positions

[edit]
  • Director of the British Association for Sport and Law (Former President & Chairman)
  • Member of the FA Premier League Legal Advisory Group
  • FA Premier League representative on the Association of European Union Premier Professional Leagues (EPFL)
  • Member of working group for financial matters of the FIFA Task Force "For the Good of the Game"
  • Interim chairman and non-executive director of the Rugby Football League
  • Chairman of European Rugby League[7]
  • Regional chairman for Coutts Bank
  • Trustee of the Professional Footballers Pension Scheme
  • Chairman of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charity
  • Chair of governors at the Manchester Grammar School
  • Chairman of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain
  • Chairman of Barnsley Football Club (2013–2017)
  • Chairman of British Swimming[8]
  • Chairman of the British Basketball Federation[9]

Career in football

[edit]

Martin Edwards asked Watkins to become a director of Manchester United Football Club in May 1984 on the same day as Bobby Charlton. In 1991, when Martin Edwards floated Manchester United on the stock exchange, Watkins joined the PLC Board as a non-executive director. Edwards and Watkins were the only two directors who served both on the Football Board and the PLC Board. At the AGM in 2005 Malcolm Glazer opposed Watkins's re-election to the PLC board along with two other directors Philip Yea a fellow non-executive director and Andy Anson. After Malcolm Glazer had completed his takeover of Manchester United he de-listed it from the stock exchange and made it a private company once again. Watkins remained on the club's football board and was the club's solicitor.

Watkins oversaw numerous high-profile football transfers both at home in the United Kingdom and abroad. He has also represented clubs and players before FIFA, UEFA, the Football Association, the Premier League and the Football League disciplinary bodies. Also he represented players and clubs at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and international and league compensation tribunals. He worked with the South Africa and Nigerian Premier leagues in respect of broadcasting and regulatory matters as well as the Egyptian Sports Council and UAE footballing authorities.

Watkins regularly spoke on football and sports law issues within the United Kingdom and internationally. He represented both the Football Association and the Premier League at conferences in Egypt, France, Qatar, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Trinidad and Tobago and Japan.

In 2012 Watkins was named interim Rugby Football League Chairman after the departure of Richard Lewis.[10]

On 29 June 2012, Watkins stepped down from the board of Manchester United Football Club Ltd after 28 years with the club.[11]

On 30 May 2013, it was announced that Watkins would become chairman of Championship football club Barnsley.[12]

On 31 August 2017, Barnsley announced that Watkins was leaving the club's board of directors and his role as chairman.[13]

Charitable support

[edit]

Watkins was involved with several causes. Previous roles have included Chairman of the New Children's Hospital Appeal. With his leadership the appeal successfully raised £20 million to provide beds for parents on wards and additional and up-to-date equipment at the new state-of-the-art Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Football Faculty UK Limited". Manchester Check.
  2. ^ "The story of Cantona's kung-fu kick". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  3. ^ a b "BBC's Stuart Hall 'had room set aside to entertain lady friends' says former colleague". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  4. ^ Britton, Paul (16 August 2021). "Ex-Manchester United director Maurice Watkins passes away aged 79". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Former Man Utd director Maurice Watkins dies aged 79". The Independent. 16 August 2021. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Watkins' view: Selhurst saga". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  7. ^ "European Rugby League board pay tribute to Chair Maurice Watkins on his passing". European Rugby League. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  8. ^ "British Swimming name Maurice Watkins as their new Chairman". BBC. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  9. ^ "Maurice Watkins appointed Chair of British Basketball Federation". Basketball Scotland. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Past RFL Presidents". therfl.co.uk. Rugby Football League. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  11. ^ "Director leaves United board". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  12. ^ "Maurice Watkins CBE steps back into football to become chairman of Barnsley Football Club". barnsleyfc.co.uk. Barnsley FC. 30 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  13. ^ "Club Statement: Maurice Watkins CBE". www.barnsleyfc.co.uk. Barnsley Football Club. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  14. ^ "Chairman Maurice Watkins receives North West Pride award | RMCH". rmchcharity.org.uk. 18 October 2023.
[edit]
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