ANDY Mackinder has stepped down as chairman of Trowbridge Town.

Mackinder, who has been involved with the club for 15 years, took the decision because of job commitments.

In a statement to the Hellenic League club's website, Mackinder said: "Many of you will be aware that I have an enormously stressful job that increasingly consumes much of my time.

"As a result, I find that can no longer dedicate the time that the people in this club deserve.

"I have been involved in the club for around 15 years, with most of these as the chairman of the youth.

"It has been a huge privilege to be a part of a club that has grown from five youth teams, and the idea of a re-launched senior team, to an enterprise that now provides football to around 400 boys and girls as well as the adults who play for the first and reserve teams on a Saturday.

"I look back with enormous pride at the colossal growth this club has enjoyed and do not regret, for one minute, the hard work that went into making this happen.

"To become the first Charter Standard Development Club in Wiltshire, to have seen teams win league, cup and county honours, to have helped youngsters become referees and coaches, and to watch young people develop into responsible adults, are the hallmarks of my time with this football club.

Mackinder revealed that he believed his vision of improved facilities for the club was now nearer fruition.

He added: "Many of the conditions that brought about the merger of the senior and youth clubs and our plans for a new chapter, were based on commitments from others.

"In many ways I took on the role of chairman with this in mind.

"Sadly, some have not followed through, but nevertheless, I have subsequently led the transition from two separate clubs into a larger endeavour.

"We now have a refreshed lease on Woodmarsh and developed a clear, open and deliverable plan for developing the ground. I still believe that this is crucial in order to build an enduring Club that Trowbridge deserves.

"I have secured permission from both the Landowner and the Town Council to proceed and have outline plans ready to go.

"Unfortunately, I do not have the time to engage more fully with the local community, the council, the FA and others to deliver this vision.

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