Arsenal president for life Ken Friar has died aged 92 and the club have planned a tribute for their Champions League game against Lille at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal players will wear black armbands in memory of president-for-life Ken Friar in the Champions League match against Lille. football.london understands.
The club announced his death at the age of 92, seven hours before kick-off. Further awards will be made at the next home game against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, October 24.
Friar became Arsenal’s president for life in 2020 after stepping down as chief executive of the club’s board. He was previously club secretary and chief executive and led their move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium in 2006.
“Arsenal” issued a statement about it. The club said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Life President Ken Friar OBE.
“Since we were founded in 1886, there have been many inspirational people who have driven our club forward, but none have impacted Arsenal Football Club as much as ‘Mr Friar’ and he leaves behind an extraordinary life of service to the club. One that will surely never be matched. Rest in peace.”
The statement concluded: “Our thoughts are with Ken Friar’s family and many friends at this difficult time.”
His first role at the club came after the Second World War, in 1945 when he was 11 years old. Friar was recruited directly by Arsenal manager George Allison after a chance encounter near Highbury.
He ran from the entrance gate of the stadium to the ticket office, earning half a crown a week as a messenger. Five years later, Friar turned down the opportunity to become a stock exchange trainee in favor of participating in the treasury at a young age.
For 15 years, he was Bob Wall’s assistant secretary. He replaced the latter when he became Arsenal’s general manager in 1973.
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Ten years later, he became managing director. He then joined Danny Fiszman as the new director responsible for Arsenal’s move from Highbury to their new stadium in 2000.
In the same year, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Football. He was awarded the Freedom of the Borough when the club moved to his native Islington in 1934.
The South Stand Bridge has been named in his honor since 2014. Here is a statue of Friar as a young footballer on Avenell Road outside Highbury’s Marble Halls.