Chairman stands down to support son

Rainworth Miners Welfare chairman Mark Hawkins is standing down to support his son's playing career and concentrate on his business interests.

Hawkins, pictured, took over at Kirklington Road in April 2013 to successfully inject a new lease of life into the First Division South's Wrens after relinquishing his position on the board of neighbouring Mansfield Town days after the Stags clinched a return to the Football League.

Hawkins explained his decision to fans in a statement released by the Wrens on Monday. Admitting to a case of divided loyalties since his son Jack left the club at the start of the season to join Worksop Town, he said he'd been forced into taking the decision "reluctantly" as he'd been finding it impossible to marry the switch with his work commitments.

Hawkins said: "It is with a heavy heart that I have taken this step, but work commitments have made it impossible to continue in a role that I consider an essential part of the club's infrastructure.

"A club of Rainworth’s stature deserves and needs a chairman who can give a one-hundred percent commitment and unfortunately due to work commitments that is no longer possible. In addition, I feel as a father that my son also needs my support, something I have done throughout his career."

He added: "I have really enjoyed my time as chairman but I feel the club needs someone who can move the club forward, something I feel I can no longer do and have reluctantly decided to move aside to facilitate this."

Rainworth secretary Les Lee said: "I would like to thank Mark for his time at the club and wish him well for the future."

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