Football
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Sir Phillip Carter, Everton's most successful chairman, dies

Former Everton chairman Sir Philip Carter has died aged 87, the club have announced.

Carter also served as president of the Football League and a vice-president of the Football Association but it is as chairman of Everton throughout the 1980s -- the most successful period in the club's history -- that he will be remembered.

Under his stewardship, the club won two league titles, an FA Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup, which is still the Toffees' only piece of continental silverware.

"Everton Football Club is deeply saddened to announce that Sir Philip Carter has passed away," Everton said in a club statement. "Sir Philip died peacefully at home on Thursday morning after a short illness.

"He served Everton with immense distinction over three spells.

"At this time it would be appreciated if everyone can please respect the family's wish for privacy."

Carter became a director at Goodison Park in 1973 and assumed the role of chairman five years later with Gordon Lee as manager. But the appointment of former player Howard Kendall as manager in 1981 and the subsequent backing of his boss despite calls from some quarters for him to go, would prove his shrewdest decision.

The Toffees won the FA Cup in 1984, the first of three consecutive final appearances, while also reaching the League Cup final.

The following year, Everton would win the First Division and the Cup Winners' Cup, finishing second in the league the next season before being champions of England again in 1987.

Carter's first spell as chairman ended with Peter Johnson's takeover of the club but he returned to his position under Bill Kenwright and would remain chairman until 2004 when he was replaced by Kenwright and appointed life president.

Carter returned for a final spell on the board in 2008.

"Words cannot describe my feelings of loss primarily as a friend but also as an Evertonian," Kenwright told the club's official website. "Sir Philip was simply a giant... a great man, a great leader and the very best friend and colleague anyone could ask for. I never once met him without calling him chairman. I never will.

"That title was his by right. He will always have a major place in our great club's history.

"To his wondrous Lady Rita and his family we send the deepest of condolences together with our undying love and gratitude for his life."

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