ISTANBUL

Arsenal confirmed on Friday the death of former club chairman Sir Chips Keswick. He was 84.

"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," Arsenal said in a statement.

Keswick succeeded Peter Hill-Wood as chairman in the summer of 2013 and helped The Gunners claim two FA Cups in 2017 and 2020.

Arsenal in a statement heaped praises on Keswick, saying he proved himself to be a clear-thinking, popular, and influential presence in the boardroom.

The London club also extended their deepest sympathies to his wife Lady Sarah and their children David, Tobias, and Adam.