Standing down after three decades of service

Redhill chairman John Park has stood down after nearly thirty years of service to the Ryman South club.

Park, pictured, blamed ill health for his decision to step aside from a post he has held on a number of occasions and returned to in 2011 as the successor to Andy Wheeler who resiged after eight years at the helm.

Following a meeting of the Surrey club's committee, secretary and development director Jerry O'Leary was unanimously voted in as chairman elect until the Lobsters hold their AGM in June. O'Leary will continue to act as the club's secretary until he is confirmed in his post at the end of the season.

Park, 67, also served the Lobsters as president and commercial manager over the decades and his legacy as chairman includes bringing their Kiln Brow ground up to Ryman League ground grading standards.

Officials have paid tribute to their outgoing chairman whose successor has been tasked with continuing the job of building new relationships throughout the local community so the club can keep growing.

In a statement on their website, the club said: "John Park has served the club in various capacities over the years and the committee expressed its heartfelt thanks for everything he has done for the football club. John steps aside and leaves the club in a solid position in which to build for the future."

"Jerry's role will be to build new relationships and guide the club in its future ambitions to provide football and facilities for everyone in the local community. Jerry's knowledge of managing sports projects will be invaluable in this task."

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