Arsenal Life President Ken Friar Dies Aged 92

Arsenal have paid tribute to life president Ken Friar, who has died at the age of 92.

The club said no one had an influence on Arsenal quite like “Mr Friar”. “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 tribute on its website. “He leaves an extraordinary life of service to the club as his legacy. One that will surely never be matched.”

Arsenal’s players will wear black armbands in his memory during Tuesday evening’s Champions League game at home to Lille. More tributes are planned when the Gunners host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, October 24.

Friar was born in Islington, north London, in August 1934. He joined Arsenal at the age of 11 in 1945 as a messenger, after a chance meeting with then manager George Allison.

He rose through the ranks over the decades. Friar became club secretary in 1973 and managing director in 1983. He later played a leading role in the club’s move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium.

He stayed on the board until 2020, when he stepped down as an executive director and became life president. 

Friar received an OBE for services to football in 2000, and in 2004 he was given the Freedom of the Borough of Islington, an honour from the local council for people who have served the area.