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 on 13-8-1934 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. A bronze bust of him was unveiled at the club's AGM on 27 October 2011 to mark his 60 years with the club.
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, he 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.[1]
As at 27 March 2007 he owned 47 shares representing 0.07% of Arsenal Football Club after he transferred 147 to the Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood.[2]
On 14 April 2011, The North Bridge, which joins Arsenal's Emirates Stadium to Drayton Park, close to Arsenal tube station, was renamed ‘The Ken Friar Bridge’ in tribute to Club Director Ken Friar OBE.[3]