Mr Dunnett took control of the majority shareholding in 1961, prior to being elected to parliament for the first time. Representing the Labour Party, he won the Nottingham Central seat in 1964 and then the newly established Nottingham East constituency in 1974 until standing down at the 1983 General Election. He was also Chairman of Notts County from 1967 until 1987 and was President of the Football League and Vice President of the Football Association in the 1980s.

Mr Dunnett is best known in West London for his role in the 1967 plan for Queens Park Rangers to take over Brentford FC and Griffin Park. Had that idea come to fruition, Brentford would have ceased to exist while QPR would have moved in to Griffin Park, at that point significantly larger than Loftus Road. Brentford fans forced Mr Dunnett to change his mind and sell the majority shareholding in February 1967, keeping Brentford FC alive.

The story of the failed takeover in 1967 was re-told by the Club when the 50th anniversary was celebrated in early 2017. The background, how the Club was saved by supporters and Mr Dunnett’s role were outlined in that series.

Condolences are offered to Mr Dunnett’s family and friends at this time.