Old school – that’s the best way to describe Peter Hill-Wood, Arsenal chairman for the past 21 years.
It’s not just the fact he wears the kind of suits that only Old Etonians can, or his close association with Hambros Merchant Bank, that bastion of City tradition, where he practically spent his entire working life.
It’s also the way he chooses to fulfil his role as chairman at Highbury. Never too obtrusive, always in the background, quietly overseeing the club’s affairs with dignity and pride. There are previous few chairman these days of whom you can truly say that.
This is the man whose face appeared on University Challenge recently along with that of several other Premiership chairmen. Guess which one the students couldn’t name?
Yes, it was our very own Peter Hill-Wood – a long serving figurehead at a world famous club yet largely unknown by the public at large. Under a tartan rug, a gin and tonic at his side, watching with quiet satisfaction as Arsenal go about their business – that’s the image we used to have of him, which, in truth, isn’t all that from off the mark.
As players, we always knew something special was afoot if the chairman popped his head around the dressing room door. There he stood – brown pinstriped suit, lucky red socks poking out underneath, with the obligatory cigar in tow. ‘Afternoon, Mr Chairman’, we’d all chorus. ‘Good afternoon lads’, came the low, throaty reply.
Arsenal mourn loss of former chairman Peter Hill-Wood, who has sadly passed away aged 82https://t.co/rq7bD00qjR pic.twitter.com/ZPmJqHsrMR
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) December 28, 2018
His reason for the visit? One of two usually. We were either about to win something and he had come to wish us luck or we had actually done the deed and he wanted to add his congratulations. There was also another reason and this happened only once. He made the trip downstairs to bring us into line.
This occurred after the infamous Old Trafford brawl in 1990, following which several players and the manager, George Graham, were heavily fined and the club was docked two valuable points.
Mr Hill-Wood felt at this point that he had to steady the ship, to remind us of our responsibilities as Arsenal players. On that score, he is more familiar with the values and traditions of this wonderful club than anyone else. It’s in his blood, something he inherited, following on, as he has, from his father and grandfather.
When his grandfather’s business went belly up, prompting a move down south in 1919, that connection with football persuaded Samuel to get involved with Arsenal. “I think he just thought they were the best football team in the south.” An astute judge if ever there was one. Samuel Hill-Wood went on to become chairman.
After his death in 1948, Sir Robert Bracewell-Smith was instated. When Sir Robert died in 1962, Peter’s father, Denis (whose bust sits next to the trophy cabinet in East Stand), took hold of the reins. His son joined the board in the same year. Quite clearly, then, Peter has a seen a few changes in football over that time. What, I wondered, were the biggest ones?
During monthly board meetings the talk rarely turns to football as it used to, even though Arsène Wenger is present. There is a new stadium to build, commercial matters to discuss – that’s what resonates around the old oak-panelled boardroom rather than enquiries surrounding matters on the pitch.
Rest in peace Sir Peter Hill-Wood. If David Dein was a visionary, Sir Peter was the rock on which the church was built. Solid & stable,long term interests of @arsenal at heart. As far from a modern chairman as you could wish for. Blessings to his family. This ❤️ had white sleeves pic.twitter.com/DMa2kSyzSY
— All Guns Blazing (@BlazingAll) December 28, 2018
The club has had to move with the times, embrace modernity, and at the same time try to retain Arsenal’s tradition values. “I remember my father being absolutely horrified at the thought of having perimeter advertising. It was a case of ‘over my dead body’, says the chairman.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Peter Hill-Wood. https://t.co/uce7zJAC8O
— Arsenal FC News (@ArsenalFC_fl) December 28, 2018
The end of the Hill-Wood dynasty is now almost in sight with none of Peter’s three children likely to follow in his footsteps. Rabid Arsenal fans the lot of them, but it is no longer so straightforward to do what their dad did.
There will be a feeling of great sadness when that moment arrives. After all, 83 years in the family is a very long time. As I say, the man is pure old school, as well as a gentleman. An integral part of Arsenal’s proud history.