Everton chairman Bill Kenwright dies aged 78 after cancer battle

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has died at the age of 78 following battle with cancer, the football club has announced.

A statement on the club’s website said: “Everton Football Club is in mourning following the death of Chairman Bill Kenwright CBE, who passed away peacefully last night aged 78, surrounded by his family and loved ones…

“The club has lost a chairman, a leader, a friend, and an inspiration. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Everton are with his partner Jenny Seagrove, his daughter Lucy Kenwright, grandchildren and everybody who knew and loved him.”

The chairman had a cancerous tumour removed from his liver in August.

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Liverpool-born Kenwright was a successful theatre and film producer when asked to join the Everton board in 1989. He was also known for his role as Gordon Clegg in Coronation Street and was a regular in the soap between 1968 and 1969. However, he continued to make guest appearances as the character until 2012.

Kenwright bought a majority 68 per cent stake in Everton in 1999 and became deputy chairman before replacing Carter in his current role.

In June this year, Everton owner Farhad Moshiri announced he had asked Kenwright to remain as chairman and help the club through a “period of transition”.

Kenwright had come under pressure from a section of fans who protested at how the club was being run.

It was announced last month that a deal to sell the club to American investment firm 777 Partners had been agreed.

The prospective new