'Everton have lost a great Evertonian' - reaction after chairman Kenwright dies

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Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney): Devastated to hear the sad news about Bill Kenwright. Known Bill since I was young and he’s had a huge impact on me as a person and my career. Great man and a big inspiration. Thoughts are with all Bill’s family and friends

Tributes for Bill Kenwright continue on social media:

Former Everton captain Phil Neville (@Fizzer181): R.I.P Mr Chairman and thank you for everything you did for Everton football club.

Robbie Fowler (@Robbie9Fowler): Deepest sympathy to the Kenwright and Everton fc family and friends #RIPBill

David Speedie (@DavidSpeedie10): Sad to hear Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright has passed away. Football rivalries should always end when the full time whistle goes. He tried his best at Everton and often had to bear the brunt at times harshly. He should always be remembered as Mr Everton. RIP pal.

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On Instagram Everton fan and former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew has paid tribute to Kenwright (@tonybellew): "Heartbroken! This man was the driving force behind me achieving my lifelong dream!

"Always there to support me, we'd speak all the time about various things and of course Everton!

"He was the most passionate Evertonian I ever met and knew everything about the club.

"I'll never forget you chairman and will be forever grateful for your support through thick and thin.

"My thoughts are with his partner Jenny, his daughter Lucy and also his family and friends."

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Everton chairman Bill Kenwright, an acclaimed West End theatre and film producer, has died at the age of 78.

Kenwright had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his liver eight weeks ago.

He had been on the board at Everton since 1989, taking over as chairman at Goodison Park in 2004.

The Liverpudlian was also one of the UK's most successful theatre producers and played Gordon Clegg in Coronation Street between 1968 and 2012.

Kenwright was awarded a CBE for his services to film and theatre in the 2001 New Years Honours List.

Everton said it was "in mourning" following the death of the club's longest-serving chairman for more than a century.

Read more on Bill Kenwright here.

Tributes from players are continuing to flood through for Bill Kenwright on social media:

Jamie Carragher (@Carra23): Really sad news this. A huge Evertonian who served & loved his club to bits. I’ll never forget his & Everton’s support every year around the Hillsborough memorial. RIP Bill.

John Aldridge (@realaldo474): RIP Bill nice knowing you.

Gerard Deulofeu (@gerardeulofeu): BILL REST IN PEACE. You always believed in your magic guy.

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Bill Kenwright had been on the board at Everton since 1989, taking over as chairman at Goodison Park in 2004.

As well as losing their chairman, the club said it has lost "leader, a friend, and an inspiration".

What are your fondest memories of Kenwright in his time involved with Everton?

Pay your tributes to Kenwright here

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Former Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi has paid tribute to Bill Kenwright on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"RIP to a hero! Played a big part in my career in and my life, I'll forever be grateful," he said.

Iwobi also posted a photo of a text conversation between himself and Kenwright in May 2022, where the Everton chairman said: "No one is more pleased than your chairman that you are on the way to becoming an Everton legend Alex.. I'm so proud of you coz I know it's not always been easy. Be our hero tomorrow...again!! God bless you."

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Mayor of Greater Manchester and Everton Football Club fan, Andy Burnham on Sky Sports News: "It does feel like the end of an era, Bill was a big hearted person. Such generosity and backed so many people that needed help, perhaps people did not see that in the media.

"He had a deep love for his club and the city he was from, it is an emotional night tonight."

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Bill Kenwright spent 19 seasons as Everton chairman, overseeing 12 finishes inside the Premier League top eight, including fourth place in 2005 while the Merseyside club were also FA Cup finalists in 2009.

Everton said he had led the club through "a period of unprecedented change in English football".

In February 2016, Kenwright sold a 49.9% stake in the club to Iranian businessman Farhad Moshiri, who increased his shares to 94% in January 2022.

In September, owner Moshiri agreed to sell his 94% stake to American investment fund 777 Partners.

The club said Kenwright had "worked hard" alongside Moshiri "right up until the day" of his liver operation to help facilitate the proposed takeover.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, players past and present have been paying tribute to Bill Kenwright:

Ashley Young (@youngy18): RIP Mr Chairman Thank You for The Welcome You gave me when I joined Our Club.

Shane Duffy (@shaneduffy): Such sad news for a great man. RIP bill thank you for everything you have ever done for me and my family.

Tony Cottee (@tonycottee9): So sad to hear of the passing of Bill Kenwright. Everton have lost a great Evertonian and I have lost a friend … RIP Bill.

Actor Sir Ian McKellen on X, formally known as Twitter has paid his respects: "Bill Kenwright (1945-2023).

"Like many grateful actors I am in debt to Bill Kenwright for employment. "Frank & Percy" at his The Other Place will be his last theatre production. And "The Critic," will be his last film.

"He seemed to have known everyone in the business and to care about them. Yet every chat would veer round to his equal passion – Everton football. The city that gave us The Beatles and two major football teams, also bred a unique impresario.

"Whether the West End lights will be turned off in his memory, certainly our business will be dimmer now he has gone."

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Bill Kenwright Limited Productions has also released a statement regarding Kenwright's passing: "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.

"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 produced over 500 West End, Broadway, UK touring and international theatre productions, films and music albums. His impact on the arts industry has been profound."

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Before becoming Everton chairman, Bill Kenwright made his name in the TV, film and theatre industries.

In a multiple award-winning career spanning six decades, Kenwright produced more than 500 West End, Broadway, UK touring and international theatre productions, films and music albums.

He was awarded a CBE for his services to film and theatre in the 2001 New Years Honours List.

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Liverpool Football Club have paid their respects to Bill Kenwright on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Rest in peace, Bill Kenwright. The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool FC are with Bill’s family, friends and everyone at Everton."

Earlier this month, Everton announced that Bill Kenwright had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his liver.

The club said the surgery was "completely successful", but complications meant Kenwright required a "prolonged period in an intensive care unit".

Everton said at the time Kenwright had returned home and that his recovery was expected to be "lengthy, but complete".

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Bill Kenwright was a boyhood fan, he had gone to Goodison Park from a young age and when he was invited to the board in 1989 then he was able to help run the club.

He eventually rose to deputy chairman in 1999 and that was when he bought a 68% majority in the club - for £20 million pounds.

Named chairman in 2004 and held that position ever since.

Bill Kenwright had been on the board at Everton since 1989, taking over as chairman at Goodison Park in 2004.

The Liverpudlian was also one of the UK's most successful theatre producers and played Gordon Clegg in Coronation Street between 1968 and 2012.

Kenwright was awarded a CBE for his services to film and theatre in the 2001 New Years Honours List.

Everton have just announced their chairman Bill Kenwright has died aged 78. Here is the club's statement in full: "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.

"Everton’s longest serving chairman for more than a century, Bill Kenwright led the Club through a period of unprecedented change in English football.

"A lifelong Evertonian, he became a board member on October 23, 1989, and then on Boxing Day 1999 his True Blue Holdings consortium acquired the Club. Initially vice-chairman, he succeeded his close friend Sir Philip Carter as Chair in 2004.

"In his 19 seasons as Chairman, the Club secured 12 top eight finishes, including a top four finish in 2005, a run to the 2009 FA Cup final and European qualification on six separate occasions.

"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."