Everton chairman Bill Kenwright dies aged 78

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

Kenwright began his involvement with the Toffees in 1989 by taking a seat on the board, before taking majority control of the club - effectively saving it in the process - in 1999.

He appointed David Moyes as Everton manager in 2001, with the Scot going on to become one of the club's most successful managers since they won the 1986/87 First Division title under Howard Kendall.

The Liverpool-born former actor sold the majority of his shares to Farhad Moshiri over recent years, remaining at Goodison Park as chairman.

Alongside his role at Everton, Kenwright was also one of the UK's most successful West End theatre and film producers.

He was also an actor and singer, and starred in Coronation Street in 1968 as Gordon Clegg before leaving the soap after 12 months.

A club statement read: "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 6 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."