The long-serving chairman of Everton, Bill Kenwright, has passed away at the age of 78.

According to Skysports on Tuesday, the club officially confirmed his death in a statement on its website, expressing their deep sadness over the loss of their chairman.

The statement said, “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.”

Bill Kenwright’s association with Everton dates back to 1989 when he first joined the board, later becoming deputy chairman in 1999 after acquiring a majority share in the club.

His tenure as chairman of Everton spanned nearly two decades.

Kenwright had been battling liver cancer, receiving a diagnosis in early August. He recently left the hospital after undergoing emergency surgery to remove a cancerous tumor.

Earlier this year, Bill Kenwright agreed to stay on Everton’s board at the request of the club’s owner, Moshiri, to assist during a transitional phase. Moshiri, who began investing in Everton in 2016, finalised the sale of the club to 777 Partners last month, pending regulatory approval