Sam Longson (original) (raw)

Sam Longson OBE (11 April 1900 – 17 January 1989) was a British businessman and chairman of Derby County F.C. Longson founded a road haulage business in Chapel-en-le-Frith that became the largest in Derbyshire. He sold the company by 1967 and also built and sold a hire purchase business. Longson joined the board of directors of Derby County in 1952 and became the chairman in 1966. He was key in bringing Brian Clough to Derby as manager in May 1967, under whose leadership the club won the league in 1972. Clough helped win support to Longson as chairman after he briefly lost the position. Longson's relationship with Clough broke down in 1973 and he accepted Clough's resignation after a disagreement over the manager's media appearances.