Under fire Farsley Celtic chairman Paul Barthorpe has resigned from the crisis-hit football club.
The Celts have not played at their home ground this season due to delays installing a new artificial surface. Home fixtures are currently being held over 60 miles away at Buxton’s Tarmac Silverlands Stadium.
The Celts today confirmed that four of its directors are set to take over the running of the football club.
In a statement issued via Farsley’s website, Mr Barthorpe said: “I have held talks with the board about taking a step back and resigning from the chairman role and letting the board take full control in running the club, which they have effectively been doing for the last week anyway, and when this is finalised I’m sure they will announce it.
“Having put in so much hard work and money over the last six years, for it to be like this really hurts.
“But I hope this act means there will be more support and more positivity towards the club and the board, as they are all, like me, volunteers, all good guys and all have the club at heart, and we are all desperate for this to work out.”
Directors Paul Glover, Josh Greaves, John Stubbs and Jon Wickham will be taking the lead in running the football club and its associated business FC2010 Ltd.
In a statement, they confirmed chairman Paul Barthorpe had resigned from the football club after almost six years.
All four said: “It’s a great honour to be the custodians of this incredible football club and we are excited by the challenges that lie ahead. We are very proud to be involved and our focus now is to work together with stakeholders and fans to build a sustainable and successful club on and off the pitch for the long term.
“We’d like to call on all supporters, the wider Farsley community, everyone connected with the club and local businesses to come together and back us as we look to forge a sustainable future for Farsley Celtic FC.
“A lot of work lies ahead, but if we are all united we are confident we can achieve a stable future for the club we all love.”
They said further information on the laying of a new pitch at The Citadel will be provided in due course.
The club will hold an open meeting sharing further information at a date to be confirmed next week. The meeting will be open to supporters and members of the public. A meeting with supporters’ club members will be held tomorrow (Thursday).
Mr Barthorpe currently retains his stake on the holdings company, FC2010 (Holdings) Ltd.
A spokesperson for the Farsley Celtic Supporters Club said: “Farsley Celtic Supporters Club welcomes Paul Barthorpe’s resignation from football club operations.
“We’re looking forward to supporting the club as it looks to move forward.”
Farsley Celtic announce new manager
Farsley Celtic have announced David Stockdale as their fourth manager of the season.
The former Fulham, Brighton and Ipswich goalkeeper has huge experience as a player, ranging from Premier League to National League level. David was most recently the manager at Blyth Spartans.
He said: “I’ve been to The Citadel to watch Farsley before, I have friends who have played for Farsley in the past and I’m a local lad – I was born in Armley and I live in Farnley. I’m a local lad and I want to help. I’ve been coming here for a long time.
“I’ve spoken to the directors and I was impressed with what they are aiming to do with the club.
He added: “Plans are in place for moving forward and I’m looking forward to helping the club get back to its former self.”
Stockdale had already spoken to the players and also met some of the board last night.
“It was great to meet some of the fantastic people connected to the club. Hearing from the women’s team, deaf team and the youth set up about what they have been doing during some unsettled times at the club was inspirational.”
Clayton Donaldson was sacked in September, his replacement Pav Singh left as manager in January. Stockdale replaced former Leeds United manager Neil Redfearn, who quit after less than three weeks in charge last Thursday.
Farsley Celtic sit third from bottom in the National League North and are without a win since Boxing Day.