Peter Deakin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Peter Deakin (1954-2004) was raised in Oldham, Lancashire, England. He played Rugby League in the town but made his name through his extraordinary drive in the field of sports marketing.
After a spell learning the industry in America, he returned to make Bradford Bulls big at the box office again, and was so successful that Saracens owner Nigel Wray lured him to Watford, where he delivered five-figure crowds for Premiership club Saracens.
His love of Rugby League proved too great, however, and he leapt at the chance to take over at Warrington Wolves. But he felt there were those at Wilderspool who did not share his vision.
After a short tenure he bought into the vision of Sale Sharks' owner Brian Kennedy and, until hit by the cancer that finally ended his life prematurely, he helped lay the foundations for the club's recent success as a team and as a commercial proposition.
