Peter Hill-Wood dead: Former Arsenal chairman dies, aged 82

Hill-wood played a pivotal role in the formation of the Premier League and was the man who appointed Arsene Wenger as manager, having succeeded his father as Arsenal chairman in 1982

(Getty)

Former Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has died, aged 82.

The Premier League club issued a statement on Friday morning to announce the news publicly, having joined the Arsenal board in 1962 and assuming the role as chairman in June 1982 following the death of his father, Denis.

Hill-Wood remained at the helm of the club until June 2013 when he stepped down due to ill-health, and he was the man who appointed Arsene Wenger as manager and also played a key role in the formation of the Premier League.

Arsenal posted a lengthy statement on their club website that paid tribute to Hill-Wood’s time in charge, which spanned more than three decades and the most successful era the club has seen during its existence.

“It is with deep regret that we announce the death of former chairman Peter Hill-Wood, at the age of 82,” it read.

“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.”

Hill-Wood was responsible along with David Dein for the appointment of Arsene Wenger (Getty)

During Hill-Wood’s time in charge, Arsenal won five league titles – two under George Graham and three Premier League titles with Wenger – as well as five FA Cups, a League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

The 2003/04 ‘Invincibles’ season also took place under Hill-Wood’s watch, while he played a key role in the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, and he leaves a lasting legacy of the Hill-Wood family that includes his grandfather, Sir Samuel Hill-Wood, and father, Denis, that together with the Bracewell-Smith family spanned from 1927 until the Stan Kroenke takeover clicked into gear over the last decade.