CHRIS BLIGHT has stepped down from his position as chairman of Newport County and has also resigned from the Conference board.
Announcing his departure from the Exiles after a ten-year association with them, he said: “Recent events within the club have brought certain issues into the arena of our local media and fan forums – some favourable and some to the contrary.
“Like many other club chairmen up and down the country, I have to accept ‘the rough with the smooth’, and after nearly ten years of involvement with this club, I think that I have had a good measure of both ends of that spectrum.
“Invariably, as at most clubs at this level, the chairman/director role is an unpaid post, that often demands attention 24/7, both physically and financially. Seasons are long, and even the so called ‘closed season’ is a busy time for all involved.
“I have experienced some wonderful occasions in my time with the club, including the winning of the FAW Cup, promotion to the Conference Premier, followed by the trip to Vegas and then that wonderful bash at the Celtic, and then, of course, Wembley shared with 11,000 other Newport Supporters – the most special of days. These achievements by the club have made it all so much worthwhile, and the above are the hard earned prizes of success.
“However, directors are simply custodians of the business for the time that they are involved, and the board environment is one that is always subject to change. I knew that one day, I would need to leave the role, and sadly, the time has come for me to do so.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to stand down, as chairman and also as a director. At the same time, I will have to stand down from my position as a director on the board of the Football Conference.
“My departure will offer the opportunity for a new chairman to be found and appointed, in the superb new surroundings of Rodney Parade.
“I would like to sincerely thank everyone that has had a role to play in my time with the club, including all of the hard working volunteers upon whom we have relied for so long, together with club staff, directors, and most importantly our supporters, many of whom I have had the experience of travelling with up and down the country in these last ten years.
“In addition, I would like to wish Justin and his squad every success for the forthcoming season. I am fully aware of his desire to see this club succeed.
“And finally, I wish to thank everyone for allowing me the opportunity and privilege of being a part of the history of this wonderful club.”
