Wain stands down as chairman

8 Nov 2015 By David Watters

Andrew Wain has stood down as the chairman of Leek Town but will continue as a director of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League.

Wain, pictured presenting Spalding United with a fair play award on behalf of the EVO-STIK NPL last November, announced he was relinquishing a role he has held for seven years on Saturday, citing his increasing business and personal commitments for his decision.

Under his guidance the First Division South Blues have become an FA Charter Standard Club and earned Football Community Club status. A recent grant-funded redevelopment of Harrison Park was also completed and as well as consistently challenging for promotion, they have developed a thriving academy and junior section that now sees more than 20 teams playing under the club's banner.

The businessman, who lives in Newcastle and has served under three former chairman - Mike Howson, Marvin Clarke and twice under Paul Burston before succeeding him in 2009, was taken to his first match at the tender age of six months by his grandmother.

His family is steeped in Leek Town. Following its foundation in 1946, Wain's grandfather Lol was the first groundsman and his grandmother Winnie was a member of the ladies' committee. His great uncle helped to build the first changing rooms while Wain's father Brian is currently club secretary.

In a statement of the club's website explaining his decision, he said: "I have decided that the time has come for me to stand down and pass on the role to someone else.

"The reason behind my decision is that as the club has developed and the role has become more and more demanding and I find that I cannot commit to the time required of the role due to increasing business and personal commitments.

"I do not intend to resign from the board and will to continue to work as a director of the club I have supported all my life. I know that I have the support of all the existing board members in making this decision. I will also continue in my role as a Northern Premier League director."

He added: "I will continue to offer my services as a director of the club and work with the incoming chairman and the rest of the board to continue to move the club forward, both on and off the pitch."

To read the full statement visit Leek Town's official website at: www.pitchero.com/clubs/leektown

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Where next?

Third round dream very much alive EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Salford City and Stourbridge are just one game away from taking on the Premier League's big guns after the draw for the FA Cup's Second Round paired them with Hartlepool United and Eastleigh.

Saturday's First Division North action review Warrington Town have a two-point lead at the top of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's First Division North table after earning a 1-0 win against Bamber Bridge on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.