Arsenal Life President Ken Friar OBE dies aged 92

Arsenal have announced the death of Life President Ken Friar OBE, who served the club across nine decades and was one of the most influential figures in the history of English football.

"Since our formation in 1886, there have been many inspirational individuals who have driven our club forward, but no one has had an influence on Arsenal Football Club quite like 'Mr Friar'," the club said in a statement.

Friar was born in Islington on August 13, 1934, and first came to the club in 1945 at the age of 11, when manager George Allison spotted him playing football on Avenell Road outside Highbury and offered him a role running messages for half-a-crown a week.

He joined Arsenal full-time in 1950, rose to club secretary in 1973 and was appointed managing director in 1983. In that capacity he oversaw the George Graham era and guided the club through some of the most turbulent years in English football.

Friar's most enduring legacy was his role in delivering the Emirates Stadium. Appointed director responsible for the club's relocation from Highbury to Ashburton Grove in 2000, he drove the project through years of planning and negotiation until the stadium opened on time and on budget in July 2006.

He received an OBE for Services to Football in 2000 and was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Islington in 2004. In 2014, Arsenal renamed the South Stand Bridge in his honour, unveiling a statue depicting him as the young boy on Avenell Road.

Friar stepped down as executive director in 2020 and was appointed Life President, continuing to attend matches and contribute to club matters until his final years.

Arsenal said his family and friends are in their thoughts at this difficult time.