Workington Town have officially announced the departure of club chairman Les Smallwood.
He had stood down at the annual shareholders meeting on December 8 after his second spell as a Town director.
Smallwood had served as a director between 2002 and 2009 before linking up with Workington Reds football club on their commercial operations.
A former Seaton Rangers amateur, rugby league has always been his first love and after returning to the Town board in 2016 he was appointed chairman two years later.
At the time he said: “I feel very privileged that my fellow directors have shown faith in me to help steer the club through our next phase.
“I’d like to pay tribute to previous chairs and directors as the role is a very demanding and challenging one.”
Smallwood had taken over from Garry Mounsey who stood down earlier in 2018 and he club ran without a chairman until the end of the season.
They have named an interim chairman in John Pleasance but with few directors remaining active, the club is now searching for new blood to boost the board.
A brief statement said: “We are now actively talking to suitable candidates to join the board or support the management team, and in particular would be very interested in speaking to individuals with strong commercial or health and safety experience.”
It’s a crucial time for Town as they prepare to return to the Championship after clinching promotion from League One last season.
Meanwhile Town have added to their squad for the new campaign by signing a young west Cumbrian who has spent time with Newcastle Thunder.
Half-back Ciaran Walker is described as having all the attributes to be a top player in the future having been a member of Thunder’s Academy squad.
Coach Chris Thorman said: “As part of our club strategy of recruiting the best local talent we are pleased to announce the signing of Cieran.
“If he knuckles down and continues to learn from the staff and our senior players – especially Carl Forber and Jamie Doran – there’s no reason why he can’t be massively successful at Town.
“He’s already a popular member of the squad and has that cheeky edge to him that all good halfbacks need.”
