Arsenal to wear black armbands against Lille after death of Ken Friar

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Arsenal will wear black armbands during their Champions League match against Lille at Emirates Stadium in memory of life president Ken Friar, who has died at the age of 92.

The club announced his death around seven hours before kick off, according to football.london, which understands the armbands will be worn as an initial tribute. Further tributes are planned for Arsenal's next home match, against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, October 24.

Friar had been Arsenal's life president since 2020, having stepped down from his role as an executive director on the club's board. Before that, he served as club secretary and managing director, and was central to the club's move from Highbury to Emirates Stadium in 2006.

Arsenal released a statement confirming his death. It read: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of life president Ken Friar OBE. 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.”

The statement concluded: “Our thoughts are with Ken Friar's family and many friends at this difficult time.”

A life dedicated to Arsenal

Friar's association with the club began in 1945, at the age of 11, when he was hired directly by then Arsenal manager George Allison after a chance encounter outside Highbury. He was paid half a crown a week as a messenger, running between the stadium's front door and the box office.

Five years later, he turned down the chance to become a trainee stockbroker in order to join Arsenal's box office as a junior. Within 15 years he had risen to assistant secretary under Bob Wall, whom he succeeded as general manager in 1973. A decade after that, he became managing director.

In 2000, alongside Danny Fiszman, Friar took on a new directorial role responsible for overseeing Arsenal's relocation from Highbury to a new stadium. That same year, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to football. During the move to Islington, the borough where he was born in 1934, he was also given the Freedom of the Borough honour.

Honoured outside Emirates Stadium

Arsenal named the South Stand Bridge in his honour in 2014, and a statue depicting Friar as a young footballer now stands on Avenell Road outside Highbury's Marble Halls.

Arsenal's tribute against Lille will mark the first public acknowledgement from the players, with a further commemoration expected when the Gunners host Everton later this month.