Arsenal mourn life president Ken Friar, who served the club for 70 years, at 92

Arsenal have announced the death of life president Ken Friar at the age of 92, bringing an end to a remarkable association with the club that spanned seven decades.

Friar first joined Arsenal in 1950, taking a role in the club’s box office before working his way up through the organisation. He was appointed club secretary in 1973 and later became managing director, a position he held for 23 years before stepping back from day-to-day executive duties in 2000.

In an emotional tribute, Arsenal said: “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.”

Friar’s most visible contribution to the club’s modern identity came after he left the managing director role, when he took charge of overseeing Arsenal’s relocation from their historic Highbury ground to the Emirates Stadium. Alongside fellow director Danny Fiszman, he was central to the project that saw the Gunners move into their new home in 2006.

Born in Islington — the same north London borough where Arsenal have played throughout their history — Friar received an OBE for services to association football in 2000. He was also awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Islington in recognition of his contributions to the area.

Friar was named the club’s life president in 2020, a title that reflected the unique and irreplaceable role he had played across more than half a century of Arsenal’s history.