Peter Hill-Wood, who served as Arsenal chairman for more than 30 years, has died at the age of 82 after a long illness.
Hill-Wood joined the Arsenal board in 1962 and stepped up to become chairman in 1982, a position he held until he stepped down in 2013 after suffering a heart attack a year previously.
Among his most significant decisions at the helm of the Gunners was the appointment of Arsene Wenger as manager in 1996 - a controversial choice at the time, however the Frenchman went on to be one of the Premier League's most successful coaches.
Peter Hill-Wood, who served appointed Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager, has died aged 82
He also appointed George Graham, who led the Gunners to two league titles and several cups
Tributes poured in from players, including former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas
Lee Dixon, a star of Arsenal's defence in the 1990s, also showed his respect to Hill-Wood
Thierry Henry posted this picture and said he has 'many fond memories of him from Arsenal'
Such is Hill-Wood's standing in football, Arsenal's rivals Tottenham Hotspur sent their tribute
Arsenal fans, including Mail Online columnist Piers Morgan, paid tribute to Hill-Wood
In their statement announcing his death, Arsenal said: 'It is with deep regret that we announce the death of former chairman Peter Hill-Wood.
'As we celebrate the unique achievement of 100 consecutive years in the top flight this season, the Hill-Wood family were at the helm for the lion's share of this special century, a testament to their tenacity and judgment in ensuring we have remained a significant force in English football for so long.
'Peter and his family's influence on the club cannot be understated, but at this most difficult time for his family and friends, it is Peter the man who we remember with great fondness. Our thoughts are with his wife Sally and his children Sarah, Julian and Charles.'
Arsenal will wear black armbands for their trip to Liverpool on Saturday. Their next home game is on New Year's Day against Fulham, where a minute's silence will be held and black armbands will again be worn.
Tributes poured in from former players - both Cesc Fabregas and Lee Dixon tweeted: 'RIP Mr Chairman'.
Thierry Henry posted a black and white image of Hill-Wood to Instagram, with the caption: 'Very sad to hear the passing of Peter Hill-Wood today. Many fond memories of him from my time at Arsenal, and I wish his family and friends great strength over this difficult time.'
Under Hill-Wood, Arsenal enjoyed their greatest season - the Invincibles campaign of 2003/04
It is the appointment of Wenger in 1996 - who had been managing in Japan and was barely known in English football, at a time when foreign managers were rare in the Premier League - for which Hill-Wood will be best remembered.
Wenger went on to guide Arsenal to three Premier League titles - including going through the 2003/04 season unbeaten - and four FA Cups.
Wenger himself remained immensely grateful to the man who trusted him with one of English football's biggest clubs, paying tribute to Hill-Wood when he stepped down in 2013 following a heart attack and a bout of pneumonia.
He told the Arsenal club website: 'He is a very brave man who was bold enough at the time to appoint me.'
The old Etonian also oversaw the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium in 2006
Hill-Wood also brought in George Graham as manager - who led the club to two league titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup; including the 1989 title triumph where Michael Thomas' last minute goal at Anfield snatched the championship from Liverpool.
A well told anecdote from that triumph recalls Hill-Wood puffing on a cigar in the Anfield hospitality suite after the game, declaring that the result was 'never in doubt'.
He also sanctioned the move from Highbury to their current home at the Emirates Stadium in 2006.
Hill-Wood carried on a family tradition of involvement at the top of Arsenal - he assumed the role of chairman after the death of his father and predecessor, Denis, while his grandfather Samuel was also chief in two spells between 1927 and 1949. His 2013 retirement ended 84 years of family involvement in the north London club.
He played a pivotal role in the formation of the Premier League in 1992 as a driving force behind the creation of the new English top division, and continued to be regarded as among the game's leading chairmen until his retirement.
Such is Hill-Wood's standing in the game, Arsenal's local rivals Tottenham Hotspur paid tribute to his achievements: 'We are sorry to hear of the passing of Peter. We send out condolences to Peter's family and friends at this difficult time.'
Tributes also arrived from Arsenal fans, including Mail Online columnist Piers Morgan, who wrote on Twitter: 'Sad news. A great Arsenal man who loved, lived and breathed the club in a way Stan Kroenke will never understand.
'Peter was an old-school, charming guy who ran the club with great style and always provided great copy for journalists if they rang him after a leisurely lunch. RIP.'
Hill-Wood, with former vice-chairman David Dein, celebrate their 1989 league title triumph
In an interview which appeared in an Arsenal match day programme in 2003, the Old Etonian spoke of his desire to modernise the club he loved.
He said: 'I remember my father being absolutely horrified at the thought of having perimeter advertising. It was a case of 'over my dead body'.
'We resisted change but now you can't afford to do that, which is one of the reasons we're planning to move to a new stadium. Much as we all love Highbury, we cannot sustain a world-class team with a capacity of 38,000.
'People have questioned the decision to move on, but I've been going to Arsenal a lot longer than most.'
On the subject of appointing Wenger, Hill-Wood was adamant that the decision to appoint the Frenchman was never a major risk as it was often portrayed.
Hill-Wood joined the Arsenal board in 1962, and served as chairman from 1982 until 2013
He said: 'Every time you appoint a manager it is a gamble but, oddly enough, I don't believe that Arsene Wenger was a major gamble.
'He had already been very successful, he was extremely easy to deal with and had very clear ideas of what he wanted to do.'
Hill-Wood stepped down in 2013, with Sir Chips Keswick replacing him as Gunners chairman, which also handed greater influence to majority shareholder Stan Kroenke.
He said at the time: 'This has been a difficult decision as Arsenal Football Club has been a huge part of my life. Although I am feeling better I feel this is the right time for me to stand down.
'I would like to thank our majority owner, Stan Kroenke, for the respectful and dignified way he has handled this. I know Sir Chips is the right person to take the club forward.'
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2018/12/28/ex-arsenal-chairman-hill-wood-who-appointed-wenger-dies-aged-82/
Main photo article Peter Hill-Wood, who served as Arsenal chairman for more than 30 years, has died at the age of 82 after a long illness.
Hill-Wood joined the Arsenal board in 1962 and stepped up to become chairman in 1982, a position he held until he stepped down in 2013 after suffering a heart attack a year...
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Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
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