Arsenal life president Ken Friar dies aged 92 after 70 years service to the Gunners
· Yahoo Sports
Arsenal have confirmed the passing of life president Ken Friar at the age of 92. Friar dedicated 70 years of service to the club before being appointed life president in 2020 following his departure from his position as executive director.
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In a heartfelt tribute, Arsenal posted on their website: "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' and he leaves an extraordinary life of service to the club as his legacy. One that will surely never be matched. Rest in peace."
The tale of how Friar came to join Arsenal is firmly embedded in Gunners folklore. In 1945, he accidentally kicked a ball beneath a parked car belonging to Arsenal manager George Allison, as per The Mirror.
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The young Friar's passion and enthusiasm caught Allison's attention - a manager who claimed two First Division titles and an FA Cup during his tenure - earning him a position as a runner in the club's box office. Having begun full-time employment in 1950, the Islington-born administrator worked his way up to become Arsenal's secretary in 1973 and subsequently their managing director.
After 23 years in that capacity, Friar transitioned roles in 2000 to spearhead Arsenal's relocation from Highbury to a new stadium. His legacy lives on at the Emirates through The Ken Friar Bridge, featuring a statue portraying him as a young footballer prior to his momentous encounter with Allison.
Friar was honored with an OBE for services to soccer in 2000 and also received the Freedom of the Borough of Islington. He wed Gwendoline in 1957, and the couple went on to become grandparents. Gwendoline sadly passed away at the age of 88 in December 2020 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Despite transitioning to a non-executive capacity that same year, Friar continued to arrive early for fixtures at the Emirates to address various club matters. He witnessed 11 title victories as an Arsenal supporter, including seeing the Gunners end their 22-year wait to lift the Premier League trophy once more in May.
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Arsenal added: "He will never be forgotten by all those who knew him, be they players who he meticulously talked through a contract, members of the local council who he quietly but persuasively explained the club's value to the Borough, staff members who delighted in hearing his treasure trove of stories gleaned over many decades but most of all his family and close friends, who loved him for the kind, generous, wonderful father, grandad or friend that he was."