Former Brighton, Celtic and Everton star sends this perfect message after Bill Kenwright death

Everton announced on Tuesday that Kenwright had died following a battle with cancer.

Duffy, 31, started his career at Everton and worked his way through the youth ranks and went on to make five first team appearances for the Toffees. Duffy also went on to play for Blackburn, Brighton, Celtic, Fulham and is now currently in the Championship at Norwich.

The former Seagull posted: "Such sad news for a great man. RIP Bill, thank you for everything you have ever done for me and my family."

Brighton chief executive and deputy chairman, Paul Barber said, “Bill loved Everton with all his heart, and as well as being a fabulous Premier League colleague, he was always generous and complimentary about how our club was progressing. He will be sorely missed. Our condolences are with Bill’s partner, Jenny, his family and friends, and everyone at Everton, at this very sad time.”

Kenwright, who succeeded Sir Phillip Carter as chairman in 2004 after first joining the board at Goodison Park in 1989, had a cancerous tumour removed from his liver in August.

Liverpool-born Kenwright was a successful theatre and film producer when asked to join the Everton board in 1989.

He bought a majority 68 per cent stake in the club in 1999 and became deputy chairman before replacing Carter in his current role.

Everton boss Sean Dyche said: “It’s a very sad time for everyone at Everton Football Club to lose our chairman, someone who has been such an amazing servant to the club in so many ways.

“His influence in bringing me to Everton in the first place was important and I have nothing but gratitude and respect for his unwavering support of myself, the staff and our players.”