The Chairman of NCEL Division One side South Normanton Athletic has announced he is to stand down.

Peter Kane, who was a founding member of the club back in 1980, was appointed chairman on a temporary basis 18 months ago when his predecessor resigned due to work commitments.

Mr Kane has insisted that his decision is nothing to do with the club's league position, but he has recently got married and wishes to spend more time with his family.

Kane added: "As chairman, I feel that the current committee have done their bit, most have been here for over 20 years, but what this club needs is a new start.

"The potential is great, with the club having its own social club, carparking, floodlights, and major ground improvements in the pipeline. We have just negotiated a further 25-year lease on top of the 5 years left to run on our current one.

"We appeal to ANYONE out there with views on running a club at this level to get in touch with your proposals. The time is right for 'new blood' to take the reins here at South Normanton.

"It's not a weekend job for any committee so if people are serious about organising a new committee to take over, they must think long and hard about the amount of time running a club at this level takes.

"The current lads on our committee are mostly in their retirement ages and are feeling that maybe it's time to step down.

"Having said that, we are all behind our current managers Chris Nicholson and Brian Franks, who had a mammoth task to turn the footballing side of things round. That is still ongoing and, whilst things on the pitch are way from being perfect, we feel that the guys are taking us in the right direction."

Any prospective candidates for all positions at the club please contact Peter Kane on 07984933960 or email kanepeter9@aol.com