Pierpoint named as new chairman

Former Leicester City CEO Barrie Pierpoint was unveiled on Tuesday as the new chairman at EVO-STIK League Grantham Town.

Pierpoint, pictured, was also CEO at both Portsmouth and Bradford and succeeds Pete Railton who stood down on Monday after 18 months at the helm.

Railton, who brought his successor to the Meres as CEO in February and helped consolidate the club’s Premier Division status last season, stepped back to concentrate on his business interests but will continue as a director at the Premier Division club.

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. He was appointed on Monday night with immediate effect following a meeting of the club’s board just seven months after arriving to spearhead a three year plan to reach the Football Conference.

His appointment was announced to supporters on Tuesday night at a fans’ forum at the MCS Center at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium. While outlining his vision for the club to supporters, Pierpoint admitted he knew the pressure is on to deliver this season.

He said: "In the last six months, there has been a lot of effort put in to get the club to start to turn the corner financially. I aim to continue to develop the club in the community, raising the profile of the club and getting the finances in place to put a good team out there on the pitch.

"It is a very challenging and difficult year ahead for the club to achieve that, but Pete Railton has done a super job to guide the club to where it is today. There is pressure on me, the board and the team managers to deliver results this season.”

He added: "Together with supporters and local businesses, we can work collectively and successfully. I am looking forward to a good season as I believe we have a strong team which are prepared to work hard for the club."

Keith Horton, who joined the Grantham’s board as commercial director earlier this summer, has been appointed as Pierpoint’s successor as CEO.

He said: "I am pleased that the board have the confidence in my abilities to appoint me to the position of CEO of the club. When I first got involved here, I knew it was a long term project, more than 12 months. We are slowly beginning to achieve what we wanted to.

"The club is more visible locally and the media agreement we have recently signed with Gravity FM to provide live second half commentary on all home games for the 2014-15 season can only help that.

"I can also confirm that we have signed an agreement with a new main club sponsor. At this moment in time I cannot reveal the full details but there will be a formal announcement ahead of our first Saturday home game on August 23."