Ken Friar

Kenneth John Friar OBE is a director of Arsenal Football Club, he lives in Winchmore Hill, North London. He is currently the club's acting managing director.

Ken Friar was born in Islington and went to school in Highbury (St John’s School and Highbury County Grammar School). He began working at Arsenal part-time as a 12 year old and has been with the club for over 50 years.

He rose through the club ranks to become Company Secretary replacing Bob Wall in 1973. During this time, he took part in discussions held in the 1970s between the boards of Arsenal and rivals Tottenham Hotspur FC to share a new stadium at Alexandra Palace. In 1983 was appointed Managing Director, a role he lasted in until 2000. During this time Friar has taken an active role in negotiating manager and player contracts as well as fostering Arsenal's links with the community and supporter groups. He stepped down from this role to concentrate on the club's move to the Emirates Stadium, but remains a board member. On May 1, 2008 it was announced that he had become acting Managing Director on the resignation of Keith Edelman.

He was awarded his OBE in the 2000 for services to Association Football. The London Borough of Islington awarded him the freedom of the borough in 2004. [ [http://www.islington.gov.uk/Council/CouncilNews/PressOffice/2004/10/839.asp Freedom of Islington for Arsenal pair ] ]

As at 27th March 2007 he owned 47 shares representing 0.07% of Arsenal Football Club after he transferred 147 to the Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood. [ [http://www.plusmarketsgroup.com/story.shtml?ISIN=GB0030895238&NewsID=24595 PLUS Markets Group ] ]

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