Former Foxes chief to lead Grantham

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Grantham Town have appointed a new chief executive with a wealth of experience to spearhead their three year plan to reach the Football Conference.

Former Leicester City CEO Barrie Pierpoint, pictured, was named on Monday as the man to drive the Premier Division club's development. Pierpoint spent ten years at the Foxes, turning it from a loss-making club into profit and successfully floating it on the stock market in 1997.

Pierpoint, who was unveiled to supporters at a fans meeting in the MCS Centre at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium on Monday night, was also the CEO at both Portsmouth and Bradford. Grantham's Board say they are delighted to make such a ‘prestigious’ appointment by securing the services of someone with a proven record of commercial success at the highest levels of the game over more than 15 years.

Hailing his arrival, Gingerbreads Chairman Peter Railton said: "It is a very unique appointment at this level of football. Barrie will be involved in every aspect of the club as part of a three year plan to take forward and revolutionise Grantham Town.

"The Chief Executive is to generate new income streams and will work with the existing staff and people at the club, work within the community and increase gates and club income."

On the pitch, the Gingerbreads are under new management following the return to the helm of Wayne Hallcro and Jimmy Albans over Christmas and Pierpoint is looking forward to the opportunity to support them by successfully delivering the club’s development plan.

He said: "The Board of Directors are trying to attract new investors and fans to the club. That in turn leads to better chances to attract players. The club has made a good start to building a youth structure and the number of young players getting first team experience now shows the success of that. Building on the start made with an academy is the next natural step.

"I have taken the role to help the club deliver the three year plan of development and achievement. If everybody works together I believe that we can have a fantastic club here in two to three years’ time. It is a challenge that excites me to take things on for Grantham Town and I want to be part of that development."

Pierpoint also revealed how he decided to join Grantham’s revolution after watching the Gingerbreads take on Matlock Town earlier this season and speaking with fans and club volunteers before and after the game.

He added: "The Board approached me and invited me to look at what the club is about. I was immediately impressed with the facilities at the club and the family involvement there. I saw things about the football club that I liked and a Board of Directors who want to make things happen here. I was familiar with the club from a number of years ago when I visited with my former clubs, so knew some of the background."