Kenwright is a life-long fan

Kenwright had spent the previous five years as deputy-chairman, while Keith Tamlin has also resigned as a director.

The changes are part of boardroom restructuring and follow Trevor Birch's appointment as chief executive.

"To say Sir Philip Carter is a hard act to follow is an understatement," said Kenwright, who also owns the club.

Kenwright continued: "Through hard times and good times, through thick and thin, Sir Philip Carter has been there for Everton for the best part of 30 years.

I now have the onerous responsibility for ensuring that this great club moves forwards Bill Kenwright Everton appoint Birch

"It is not only a great honour for me to become chairman of a club I have always loved.

"It is a great honour and a privilege to succeed a man of such stature - a great chairman and the most successful chairman in the club's history.

"He represents the bedrock on which the modern Everton has been built.

"I now have the onerous responsibility for ensuring that this great club moves forwards into a new era of prosperity and success."

Former chief executive Mike Dunford has also left Goodison as the club attempt to streamline in order to allow Kenwright and the True Blue Holdings group, which helped him buy the club five years ago, to have total control.

The changes also mean that Carter ends his second spell as chairman after taking over at the end of the controversial Peter Johnson era.

Carter's first spell as chairman lasted from 1978 to 1991, during which period Everton won numerous trophies.

Tamlin has been a director at Everton since August 1974 and has been heavily involved with the burgeoning youth policy. He now becomes deputy president.

The announcement comes on the day Birch starts his new job as chief executive.