Arsenal are honouring their life president Ken Friar OBE during Saturday's Premier League match against Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
Friar, who was 92, died on Tuesday, October 13, and Arsenal players wore black armbands during their Champions League win over Lille in his memory.
Commemorations at the Emirates
Further tributes will take place as Arsenal host Everton on Saturday afternoon. Players will be out slightly earlier ahead of kick-off, a tribute will be read out over the PA, and the matchday programme is dedicated to him.
Friar was a former board member, managing director and secretary of the club, and was appointed life president in September 2020.
Nine decades with Arsenal
Born in Islington in 1934, Friar's association with Arsenal lasted nine decades. It began with a chance meeting with then Arsenal manager George Allison, who gave the 11-year-old a job as a messenger and runner for half-a-crown-a-week in wages.
After completing his studies at Highbury County Grammar School five years later, Arsenal hired Friar full-time and convinced him to turn down a better-paid job elsewhere. He started in 1950 as a junior in the box office before becoming assistant secretary to administrator Bob Wall in 1965.
Rise to managing director
Friar was involved in Highbury hosting the world title fight between Muhammad Ali and Henry Cooper in 1966, and by 1973 had been promoted to club secretary. In 1983, he was appointed managing director and became the person running the club on a day-to-day basis.
During the George Graham era, Friar made important decisions, including how to tackle the rise of hooliganism and the remodelling of the stadium.
The Emirates Stadium move
Friar spent decades leading Arsenal's proposed move to a new stadium, whether Wembley, Alexandra Palace or elsewhere, and became director responsible for the move away from Highbury. The Emirates Stadium opened in July 2006.
He was involved in Queen Elizabeth II officially opening the stadium and the first team travelling to Buckingham Palace to meet her. During Arsene Wenger's reign, Friar was a board member, and he continued to be a titan at Arsenal.
Honours and lasting legacy
Friar was awarded an OBE for services to football in 2000, honoured with the Freedom of the Borough of Islington in 2004, and in 2014 was informed the South Stand Bridge was to be renamed The Ken Friar Bridge. A statue was constructed depicting the 11-year-old Friar when he had that chance meeting with Allison on Avenell Road in 1945.
In 2020, he stepped down as executive director and was appointed life president, taking more of a back seat but still working at the club from time to time. He is seen as one of the most important figures in Arsenal's 140-year history.
