AFTER nearly 30 years at Redhill Football Club, chairman John Park has stood down, admitting the stress was affecting his health.
Park, 67, who has been president and commercial manager over the decades as well as several spells as chairman, stood down at the end of last week and the Lobsters are expected to appoint his successor at a board meeting tonight (Monday).
Park still intends to be involved with odd jobs around the Ryman League club, but admits he is glad to be free of the "incessant" pressure.
"I've been chairman four times, vice-chairman three times as well as president and commercial manager – it's been a long sentence but one I've enjoyed greatly," Park said. "I've stepped down because the stress was affecting my health.
"It's been something that's been building up over time. Andy Wheeler and I said we wanted to get this club heading back in the direction of where it should be and to finally get that promotion was the icing on the cake for me.
"But last season was a gruelling, worrying one and then that has continued this season. The pressures are incessant and really my health has to come first."
As well as promotion to the Ryman League, Park helped get the Kiln Brow ground up to standard and counts that among his legacies at the club.
And the Lobsters stalwart hopes to see a "shake up" under his successor as the club bid to avoid relegation in the second half of the season.
"It's the end of an era but I just want to take a back seat now," Park said. "Everyone has been wonderful during my time at the club but a shake-up is needed and perhaps that will happen now."
