Everton chairman, Bill Kenwright is dead

Everton Football Club announced the passing of its chairman, Bill Kenwright, at the age of 78 following a battle with cancer.

“Everton Football Club is in mourning following the death of chairman Bill Kenwright, who passed away peacefully last night aged 78, surrounded by his family and loved ones,” the club reported.

Bill Kenwright assumed the role of chairman in 2004, succeeding Phillip Carter, after initially joining the board at Goodison Park in 1989. He passed away after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his liver in August.

Born in Liverpool and married to British actor Jenny Seagrove, Kenwright was a renowned theatre impresario and film producer before joining the Everton board in 1989.

“The club has lost a chairman, a leader, a friend, and an inspiration,” Everton added.

“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Everton are with his partner Jenny Seagrove, his daughter Lucy Kenwright, grandchildren and everybody who knew and loved him.”

In 1999, Kenwright acquired a majority 68-percent stake in the club, initially serving as deputy chairman before taking on the role of chairman after Phillip Carter. Earlier this year, Everton’s owner, Farhad Moshiri, requested that Kenwright remain as chairman to help navigate the club through a transitional period.

Kenwright had faced criticism from a segment of fans regarding the club’s management, especially in the wake of Everton’s narrow escape from relegation last season. The team currently hovers just three points above the relegation zone this season.