Former Arsenal chairman Sir Ship Keswick has passed away at the age of 84 with the Gunners posting a touching tribute on their official website.
Keswick was Arsenal chairman between 2013 and 2020 having stepped down shortly after his 80th birthday.
The club's statement read: "It is with great sadness that the club reports the death of former Chairman, Sir Chips Keswick.
"A lifelong Arsenal supporter, he was a regular at Highbury after first standing in the boys’ enclosure in 1949 and listed his early heroes as the Compton brothers and Jimmy Logie but, above all, goalkeeper – and later manager – George Swindin, as young Chips was a budding schoolboy keeper himself.
Sir Chips Keswick was Arsenal chairman between 2013 and 2020
GETTY
"But it was in the banking industry Sir Chips made his name, where he was a very senior figure for many years, rising to become Chairman of Hambros Bank and also a Director of the Bank of England.
"It was during his successful banking career that he became good friends with our former Chairman, Peter Hill-Wood – a former Vice-Chairman of Hambros – and Peter recognised that his business acumen, common sense and love of the Gunners would make him an ideal board member at Highbury.
"He joined the board, along with Lord Harris, on November 24, 2005, and proved himself to be a clear-thinking, popular and influential presence in the boardroom, and when Peter Hill-Wood stepped down as Chairman in June 2013, Sir Chips was the natural choice to take up the prestigious position.
"Sir Chips very much lived the values of Arsenal Football Club and guided the club expertly for the subsequent seven seasons, stepping down in May 2020, shortly after he had celebrated his 80th birthday.
"During his time as Chairman, he oversaw the club’s regular participation in the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup victories of 2017 and 2020 with the latter, fittingly, a successful ending to his very positive association with the club.
"Retirement allowed him to spend more time with his beloved family as well as indulge in his other great sporting passion, horse racing – he was a respected owner of numerous racehorses over the years.
"Sir Chips will be greatly missed by everyone at Arsenal who knew him and we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Lady Sarah and their children David, Tobias and Adam."
Keswick held the position of Arsenal chairman during Arsene Wenger's final years in charge at the Emirates.
Sir Chips Keswick was Arsenal chairman during Arsene Wenger's final years in charge
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He also played a role in the Gunners choosing to hire Mikel Arteta, who has helped push the club back towards the top of English football.
Arsenal fans paid tribute to their former chairman on social media.
One fan wrote: "RIP and condolences to his family and friends."
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Sir Chips Keswick stepped down in 2020
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Another message read: "Rest in peace Sir Chips."
A third posted: "RIP, your service to the club was greatly appreciated."
One other person said: "Another legend. RIP."
