No bigger Blue than Bill Kenwright – Tributes paid to former Everton chairman

Tributes have been paid to “no bigger Blue” Bill Kenwright at a memorial service for the former Everton chairman.

Kenwright died in October aged 78 simply a few weeks after a significant operation to take away a cancerous tumour from his liver and after his household held a small, personal funeral, his associates and colleagues from the world of soccer and leisure attended Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral to pay their respects.

Current Toffees supervisor Sean Dyche and his first-team squad – in addition to the membership’s youth groups – have been current in addition to former managers and ex-players.

Sir Kenny Dalglish headed a delegation of officers and former gamers from Everton’s near-neighbours Liverpool, boxer and I’m A Celebrity runner-up Tony Bellew and Coleen Rooney, the spouse of former Everton ahead Wayne, have been additionally in attendance, whereas there have been additionally stars of stage and display.

Mayor of Manchester and Everton fan Andy Burnham mentioned: “Nobody was a bigger Blue than Bill. Nobody had a bigger coronary heart than Bill.

“The legacy of Bill Kenwright is countless acts of generosity which lifted thousands of lives.”

On the constructing of a brand new floor at Bramley-Moore Dock, which the membership will transfer to for the beginning of the 2025-26 season, Burnham mentioned Kenwright’s “mission has been accomplished”.

However, Burnham mentioned his proudest second got here when Kenwright was requested to handle the service for the twenty fifth anniversary of the Hillsborough catastrophe held at Anfield.

“His finest hour came in front of the Kop in 2014: here was the chairman of my football club giving a speech which was so right and so full of emotion – and I couldn’t have been prouder of him that day,” he added.

Margaret Aspinall, the former chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group who misplaced her son James within the 1989 catastrophe which claimed 97 lives, constructed up an in depth relationship with the former Everton chairman after he supplied his assist within the wake of the tragedy.

“On behalf of our city we are all going to miss Bill tremendously. Bill Kenwright will never walk alone,” she mentioned.

Kenwright’s long-term associate, the actress Jenny Seagrove, admitted: “He wasn’t my Bill, he was our Bill. He never forgot where he came from.”

Former Everton midfielder Peter Reid additionally spoke on the service, saying: “What a fitting tribute it would be if we could win a trophy for him. No pressure Dychey.”

Current captain Seamus Coleman mentioned that on his arrival on the membership from Sligo Rovers in 2009, Kenwright “helped me understand what Everton Football Club meant to people. Thank you Mr Chairman for making me an Evertonian”.

Away from soccer, Rufus Norris, inventive director of the National Theatre, described Kenwright as “legendary”.

“The Chairman was a remarkable man who touched so many lives, and I will miss him dearly. So will everyone at Everton Football Club.”

– Seamus Coleman

— Everton (@Everton) December 18, 2023

“He was an absolute giant in the theatre world,” he mentioned.

Everton within the Community’s Spirit choir sang Elton John’s ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues’, whereas there have been additionally solo performances from Marti Pellow and former Spice Girl Mel C, who sang a tune from Kenwright’s long-running West End musical Blood Brothers.

In maintaining along with his theatrical background there was a standing ovation from the congregation on the conclusion, which completed with a soundbite of Kenwright himself saying: “For one last time, good night and God bless.”