LORD Mawhinney felt the time was right for the Football League's "new generation" to have a change in leadership.
Following yesterday's announcement he will stand down as chairman of the league after their awards dinner next March, Lord Mawhinney has written to the member clubs outlining the reasons for his decision, which the 69-year-old maintains he had been considering for a while.
By the time he stands down, the former Conservative Party chairman will by then have held the post for more than seven years, having taken the reins in January 2003.
As well as the League's re-branding in 2004, Lord Mawhinney has overseen the introduction of the fit and proper persons test for prospective club directors and the publication of spending on agents' fees.
Lord Mawhinney, who became MP for Peterborough in 1979 and later held the seat of North West Cambridgeshire until 2005, felt by stepping down, fresh leadership will be able to take the League forward into the 2010/2011 campaign.
"I am conscious that during my tenure about 70% of owners and chairmen of our clubs have changed," Lord Mawhinney wrote.
"A new generation of club leadership suggests that it could be time for new League leadership.
"Under League regulations, board members have to retire at age 70 though our custom and practice, as in the Football Association, is that this can happen at the end of the season in which the member turns 70. I will attain that age next July.
"My decision to stand down is not a 'spur of the moment' decision.
"I have been discussing it with family and friends for some time."
League clubs will be consulted in the appointment of his replacement, which will be overseen by his fellow independent director Ian Ritchie.
Mawhinney has offered his input into that process, but added: "Initially the board will need to determine if it wishes to continue the tradition of an independent chairman.
"Secondly it will have to decide what structure of leadership it wants to establish."
Mawhinney concluded by reflecting on the "good progress" made by the league as a whole.
"During my years I have enjoyed much support from clubs and the board and am grateful to all of you," he said.
"Together we have made good progress and I have enjoyed shaping a better league than the one I inherited."
By the time he stands down, the former Conservative Party chairman will by then have held the post for more than seven years, having taken the reins in January 2003.
As well as the League's re-branding in 2004, Lord Mawhinney has overseen the introduction of the fit and proper persons test for prospective club directors and the publication of spending on agents' fees.
Lord Mawhinney, who became MP for Peterborough in 1979 and later held the seat of North West Cambridgeshire until 2005, felt by stepping down, fresh leadership will be able to take the League forward into the 2010/2011 campaign.
"I am conscious that during my tenure about 70% of owners and chairmen of our clubs have changed," Lord Mawhinney wrote.
"A new generation of club leadership suggests that it could be time for new League leadership.
"Under League regulations, board members have to retire at age 70 though our custom and practice, as in the Football Association, is that this can happen at the end of the season in which the member turns 70. I will attain that age next July.
"My decision to stand down is not a 'spur of the moment' decision.
"I have been discussing it with family and friends for some time."
League clubs will be consulted in the appointment of his replacement, which will be overseen by his fellow independent director Ian Ritchie.
Mawhinney has offered his input into that process, but added: "Initially the board will need to determine if it wishes to continue the tradition of an independent chairman.
"Secondly it will have to decide what structure of leadership it wants to establish."
Mawhinney concluded by reflecting on the "good progress" made by the league as a whole.
"During my years I have enjoyed much support from clubs and the board and am grateful to all of you," he said.
"Together we have made good progress and I have enjoyed shaping a better league than the one I inherited."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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