Obit - Malcolm Dix


Malcolm Dix (FN 55-58). The following has been kindly supplied by James Dix, son of Walter Malcolm Hutton Dix (Malcolm Dix) FN 55-58, who died on 10th November 2021. “Born to Walter and Rita Dix in May 1942 at Kenton, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Malcolm attended St Bees School following his time at Ascham House prep school. After leaving St Bees he worked in sales throughout the country eventually being recalled home in 1971 to become managing director for Walter Dix & Co on the retirement of his father. Whilst living in Newcastle in the 1960s he founded Dix Enterprises, which managed musical acts in the city. His most well-known band being The Gas Board featuring a young Brian Ferry and Mike Figgis.
	Malcolm was heavily involved in sport within the city and will be well known for his association with Newcastle United AFC, Newcastle Gosforth Rugby Football Club, Eagles Basketball, and Sports Newcastle (Newcastle Sports Council). During the 1970s he led a series of protests against the board of Newcastle United in an attempt to democratise the club and force fan representation on the board, taking them to the High Court in an effort to force change. In the 1980s he was able to attract the backing of Sir John Hall and formed the Magpie Group which allowed enough shares to be purchased from minority shareholders to force through a takeover signalling ‘The Entertainers’ era at the club. He was rewarded for his services to the club by being made Honorary Vice President for life in 1992. As Sir John said recently ‘If Malcolm had never fought the first battle we would never have won the war. What Malcolm did not just for the football club but this city must never be forgotten’.
In recognition of his services to the club, his funeral service was held at his beloved St James Park , the first funeral ever to be held there and thus allowing as many people as possible to attend the service.
At Newcastle Gosforth RFC Malcolm held a number of roles, and as its Chairman moved the club from Gosforth Park to its current Kingston Park site in the early 90s. More recently he helped to facilitate the building of the Newcastle Eagles basketball arena on the Scotswood Road. Malcolm’s passion was in youth sport and as Chairman and President of Sport Newcastle he provided sport’s funding to young athletes throughout the North East, providing Jonathan Edwards with his first pair of running spikes amongst other things. Fundraising was often via the legendary Sport Council Dinner. His association lasted nearly 43 years and now the ‘Malcolm Dix trophy’ will be provided to the athlete chosen as the ‘Sporting Success of the Year’, thereby cementing his enduring legacy.
	Malcolm Dix with his father, Walter, at Newton by the sea in Northumberland, aged 13-14 years.
He was a keen member of the St Beghain Society and was honoured to be its President between 2006-2008 as well as being chairman of the North East Branch during the years 1992-2008. Malcolm spent large amounts of time involved in charitable causes: Chairman of The Tyne Theatre and Opera House Preservation Trust, Director of Friends of Beamish and Chairman of the Beamish Development Trust, Member of the Council of Northumbria - Order of St John, Trustee of the Glenn McCory Foundation, Variety Club special events committee member, and Director of North East Federation of Sport and Recreation. He is survived by his wife Mary and five children and ten grandchildren and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”