Liverpool owner Mike Gordon on board plane that skidded off runway at John Lennon Airport

‘The man who runs Liverpool’ escaped injury after his private jet ran off the runway at Liverpool Airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning

Jack de Menezes
Wednesday 11 December 2019 08:03 EST
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The private jet veered into the grass verge
The private jet veered into the grass verge (THOM O'DONNELL/VIA REUTERS)

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One of Liverpool Football Club’s owners, Mike Gordon, was on board a private jet that skidded off the runway at Liverpool Airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning, it has been confirmed.

Gordon was on board with three crew members when the aeroplane came off the runway after landing, having flown from Hansom Field in Massachusetts in the United States.

All four escaped injury and Liverpool confirmed that “he would like to pass on appreciation to the amazing staff at Liverpool Airport and the emergency crews for their amazing work”.

Liverpool Airport remains shut due to the incident, though authorities confirmed that there were no injuries reported, and an investigation will be carried out in to why the jet ran off the runway.

A Liverpool Airport spokesman said: "I can confirm that around 6am a private business jet with four people on board - three crew and a passenger – landed ok but then came off onto the grass. For whatever reason it has skidded off the runway.

"There are no injuries but because of where it has ended up we have had to close the runway. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines before travelling."

Issuing an update on Wednesday morning, Liverpool Airport said: The Airport is currently closed, please contact your airline for any further information on your flight.

“We will update you as soon as we have more information.”

Emergency services attended the scene immediately, but it’s understood that Gordon was fine and has continued with his planned schedule for the day.

Billionaire Gordon is the president of club owners Fenway Sports Group, and is referred to as ‘the man who runs Liverpool’ as he is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Premier League leaders. He was on a Bombardier BD-700 1A11 Global 6000 jet which was pictured on the grass at the airport on Wednesday morning, with flights cancelled until the afternoon at the very least.

He owns an approximate 12 per cent share in FSG, second only to principal owner John W Henry, and is in charge of regular matters at Anfield along with chief executive Peter Moore.

The incident followed Liverpool’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday night.

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