Jordan a loyal supporter, says ex-Sky Blues chair

Former Coventry City chairman Bryan Richardson has said his friend Eddie Jordan, who has died aged 76, jokingly called him a "mug" when he asked him to invest in the club.

The Formula One legend, who had aggressive prostate cancer, died in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Mr Richardson, who was the chairman of the Sky Blues from 1993 until 2002, was good friends with the former racing boss, and took him to his first Coventry City game.

The Irishman became a "very loyal supporter", Mr Richardson said, but he dismissed rumours that the former broadcaster was ever close to investing in the football club.

Jordan, who was known across the world for his outspoken, mischievous character, set up independent F1 team, Jordan Grand Prix, in 1991

The team won four grands prix in its 15 years in the sport ,and challenged briefly for the drivers' championship in 1999, before suffering declining fortunes and being sold in 2005.

Mr Richardson said he first met Jordan about 30 years ago through a mutual friend and the pair "got on famously".

"We became friends and had a lot of fun together," he said.

"He was an extraordinary character - always lively, always interesting, very kind and very generous."

Prior to his successful broadcasting career, which saw him become a television pundit, first for BBC Sport and then for Channel 4, Jordan sold his F1 team in 2005.

It was at this point that rumours spread that he may be interested in investing in his favourite football club.

Mr Richardson said: "After Eddie sold his team, I said 'come on then Eddie, why don't you put some money into the football club' and he said 'I'll leave that to mugs like you'.

"That was the closest it ever got."

In a statement Jordan's family said with "profound sadness" that he died with his family by his side in Cape Town on Thursday.

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