Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has died at the age of 78.

Having joined the Toffees' board in 1989, Kenwright went on to become chairman in 2004 by succeeding Phillip Carter.

A statement from the Premier League club said: "Everton is in mourning following the death of chairman Bill Kenwright, who passed away peacefully last night aged 78, surrounded by his family and loved ones. 

"Everton's longest serving chairman for more than a century, Bill Kenwright led the club through a period of unprecedented change in English football. 

"A lifelong Evertonian, he became a board member on October 23, 1989, and then on Boxing Day 1999 his True Blue Holdings consortium acquired the club. 

"Initially vice-chairman, he succeeded his close friend Philip Carter as chair in 2004. In his 19 seasons as chairman, the club secured 12 top-eight finishes, including a top-four finish in 2005, a run to the 2009 FA Cup final and European qualification on six separate occasions. 

"The club has lost a chairman, a leader, a friend and an inspiration. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Everton are with his partner Jenny Seagrove, his daughter Lucy Kenwright, grandchildren and everybody who knew and loved him."

Born in Liverpool, Kenwright was a successful theatre and film producer when he was asked to join Everton's board in 1989.

He then bought a 68% stake in the Merseyside club 10 years later and in June of this year, owner Farhad Moshiri asked him to remain as chairman in order to help the club through a "period of transition".

It was announced just last month that a deal to sell Everton to American investment firm 777 Partners had been agreed — although the process is still ongoing amid reports of issues regarding the supply of information to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Kenwright had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his liver eight weeks ago.

Everton had announced earlier this month that the surgery had been "completely successful" but complications meant Kenwright needed a lengthy stay in an intensive care unit before continuing his recovery at home.