Kenyon to quit post

Peter Kenyon will leave his post as chief executive at Chelsea on Oct. 31, the club said yesterday.

Kenyon, 55, will continue to serve as a non-executive director and will represent the club on various UEFA and European Clubs' Association committees.

Kenyon, formerly head of sportswear firm Umbro, made his name at Manchester United, where he spent six years, three as chief executive, before leaving to join Chelsea in February 2004 following the takeover of the club by Roman Abramovich.

Since then, backed by the Russian's huge investment, Chelsea have won the Premier League twice plus the FA Cup and League Cup twice each.

They reached the Champions League semi-finals five times in six seasons, losing in the final of Europe's leading club competition to Manchester United on penalties in 2008.

"I am extremely proud of my time at Chelsea and of the friendships I have forged with everyone here," Kenyon said.