FORMER Everton chairman Peter Johnson has died aged 84.
Johnson was at the Goodison Park helm between 1994 and 1998.
In 1995, while he was with Everton, the Toffees were the FA Cup winners.
The Johnson family stated in a statement that their loved one “died peacefully surrounded by his partner, Mel, and daughters, Susie, Kate, and Charlotte.”
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Peter Johnson, our Chairman from 1994 to 1998 and for our FA Cup win in 1995,” Everton posted on social media after learning of Johnson’s passing.
“Our condolences go out to Peter’s family and friends at this sad time.”
Johnson started managing Tranmere, a neighboring Merseyside team, before joining Goodison.
Tranmere moved up to the second tier from the fourth during his tenure at Prenton Park.
The FA banned a person from managing two teams at the same time in 1998.
The following year, Johnson received £20 million from Bill Kenwright for selling him his majority share in Everton.
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After that, Johnson returned his focus to Tranmere, which he eventually sold to Mark Palios, the former FA chief, and his wife, Nicola, in 2014.
Following Johnson’s passing, Palios stated: “Peter became Chairman and Owner just after I finished my playing career at Tranmere, but over the years, our paths crossed both professionally and socially, and our friendship grew even closer when Nicola and I took over the reins from him in 2014.”
In addition to his keen business sense and quick wit, he was deeply committed to giving back to his community.
“There might not even be a Tranmere Rovers now if he hadn’t stepped in during the 1980s.
“I will miss him terribly, and everyone who loves the Club owes him a big debt of gratitude. Peter, I appreciate everything you’ve done. Godspeed.”
