Everton chairman Bill Kenwright dies, aged 78

Everton Chairman, Bill Kenwright looks on prior to the Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park on April 07, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
(Image credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has passed away at the age of 78. 

Diagnosed with cancer in 2015, Kenwright was recently admitted to intensive care, following complications during an operation to remove a tumour from his liver. Everton recently released a statement that he had been discharged and was expecting to make a "lengthy but complete recovery". The club announced his passing on Tuesday.

“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,” a club statement said.

Actor Bill Kenwright who plays Gordon Clegg in the television soap opera Cornation Street, poses in the famous street with his guitar shortly before the release of his new record which he will sing on the programme, 23rd July 1968.

Bill Kenwright appeared in Coronation Street during his youth (Image credit: Brian Taylor/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)

A boyhood Everton fan, Kenwright had an acting career in his youth in which he played Gordon Clegg in ITV soap Coronation Street. He later became a theatre producer, best associated with West End hits Blood Brothers and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, appearing on 2007 BBC One series Any Dream Will Do as a judge.

Kenwright was invited onto the Goodison Park board in 1989, becoming Everton's majority shareholder in 1999 and succeeding Littlewoods director Philip Carter in the role of chairman five years after that. 

In 2016, Kenwright sold the majority of his Toffees stake to Farhad Moshiri, who kept him as chairman. 

The Liverpudlian last attended Goodison on January 3, amid fan protests over Moshiri and the board.

More Everton stories

In our season preview for Everton, FFT looked at whether Sean Dyche could lead the Toffees away from relegation and build on last year's survival in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, former Everton star Theo Walcott admitted this year that he should never have gone to the 2006 World Cup.

TOPICS
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

Read more
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Daniel Levy, chairman of Tottenham Hotspur (R) and Tottenham Hotspur Men's Manager, Ange Postecoglou, spectate the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Tottenham could receive seismic Qatari investment - but Daniel Levy will continue as chairman: report
Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho in line for shock Premier League return
David Moyes smiles on his return to Everton in January 2025
'The atmosphere is a lot more positive: when a new manager comes in it gives everyone a new lease of life, players that haven’t played as much get a new chance to impress' - Everton behind-the-scenes update after David Moyes makes immediate impact
A youthful looking David Moyes in the Everton dugout back in 2002
David Moyes' first ever starting XI at Everton - where are they now?
Sean Dyche on the touchline for Everton
Sacking Sean Dyche could either make or break Everton, with no in between
James Tarkowski and Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Aston Villa at Goodison Park on January 14, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
Watch Everton vs Aston Villa: Live streams, TV channels as David Moyes takes first game in charge of Toffees
Latest in Stories
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed