Bill Kenwright, who has been the chairman of Everton since 2004, has passed away at the age of 78 after battling with cancer.
The renowned producer of West End shows and films, Bill Kenwright has been on the Everton board since 1989. In his 19 seasons as chairman, the Merseyside club finished 12 Premier League seasons in the top eight, finishing in fourth place in the 2004-2005 season. The club made it to the FA Cup final in 2009 under his leadership.
Farhad Moshiri, an Iranian businessman, bought a 49.9% stake in the team from Kenwright in February 2016 and raised it to 94% in January 2022.
However, an Everton fan base that had “no confidence” in Kenwright to be chairman during the team’s relegation battle the previous season demanded his sack.
Kenwright and the other board members were barred from attending any home games beginning in January due to what the club described as “threatening correspondence” they received before a Southampton game the previous season.
Kenwright served as chairman of the board until his death, but non-executive director Graeme Sharp, chief financial and strategy officer Grant Ingles, and chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale have since resigned from their roles due to fans unrest.
Kenwright had surgery eight weeks ago to remove a cancerous tumor from his liver. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to keep him alive.
Following the death of the club’s longest-serving chairman, Everton declared themselves “in mourning”, saying “The club has lost a chairman, a leader, a friend, and an inspiration”.
Announcing his death on Tuesday, Kenwright’s family said he “passed away peacefully” on Monday night “surrounded by his family and loved ones”.
“Bill was driven by his passions and devoted his life to them; his deep love of theatre, film, music, and his beloved Everton, and the families they created,” a family statement read.
“He impacted the lives of thousands, whether that be through the launching of careers or his unending loyalty, generosity, and unfaltering friendship and support.”
Bill Kenwright was working with Moshiri to sell the club to American investment fund 777 Partners before he embarked on his liver operation. The takeover process is expected to be completed before the end of this season.
