Former Arsenal FC Chairman Peter Hill-Wood Passes On
28th December 2018
The former Army officer and successful banker was chairman of the Gunners -- the third member of his family to fill the role after his grandfather and father -- from 1982-2013
- Born in Kensington, London on February 25, 1936, Peter was educated at Eton College, where he was a schoolmate and lifelong friend of former Arsenal director Sir Roger Gibbs, who sadly also passed away this year
- Peter served in the Coldstream Guards, attaining the rank of lieutenant and, after leaving the Guards, embarked on a highly successful career in the banking industry, rising to become vice-chairman of Hambros Bank
- Peter joined the Arsenal board in August 1962 and became chairman of Arsenal Football Club in June 1982, following the death of his father Denis
LONDON, United
Kingdom- Born in Kensington, London on February 25, 1936, Peter was
educated at Eton College, where he was a schoolmate and lifelong friend of
former Arsenal director Sir Roger Gibbs, who sadly also passed away this year.
Peter served in the Coldstream Guards, attaining the rank of
lieutenant and, after leaving the Guards, embarked on a highly successful
career in the banking industry, rising to become vice-chairman of Hambros Bank
and fulfilling a number of directorships within the industry.
Peter joined the Arsenal board in August 1962 and became
chairman of Arsenal Football Club in June 1982, following the death of his
father Denis. He remained in position until June 2013, when ill health dictated
he stepped down.
During his time at the helm, the club enjoyed unparalleled
success. Early in Peter’s tenure he presided over the appointment of George
Graham as manager and a subsequent, trophy-laden spell that incorporated two
league titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup.
That success was followed by the remarkable era of Arsène
Wenger, appointed by Peter and the board of directors to some surprise from the
footballing world in 1996.
Wenger went on to redefine the club and the game in this
country, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups while Peter was
chairman, including that most remarkable of achievements, the unbeaten season
in 2003/04.
Great success
Peter, who was a key part of the formation of the Premier
League in 1992, was immensely proud of our successes on the pitch but equally
those off it, most notably the move from Highbury to Emirates. He was
instrumental in facilitating our smooth relocation during what was perhaps the
most transformative period in the club’s existence.
As chairman, Peter continued a family tradition dating back
decades to when his grandfather, Sir Samuel Hill-Wood, had assumed the
position. From a famous sporting family in Derbyshire, Sir Samuel had been
chairman at Glossop North End and – like his four sons – played professional
cricket for Derbyshire before relocating to London and becoming involved with
Arsenal.
Chairman from 1927 until stepping down in 1936, having
witnessed the club win their first ever major trophies – four league titles and
two FA Cups – under Herbert Chapman and George Allison, Sir Samuel later
returned to the position at the start of World War 2, guiding the club through
turbulent times until his death in 1949.
After the chairmanship passed on to Sir Bracewell Smith for
12 years, Samuel’s son – Peter’s father – Denis, took the reins. Again, periods
of great success occurred under the Hill-Wood watch as Denis and his board of
directors oversaw our first European trophy, the European Fairs Cup, our first
league and cup double and further success – notably in the FA Cup – later in
his tenure.
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.
-Material from https://www.arsenal.com/