ON the brink of a new season, Great Yarmouth Town Football Club has a new chairman.

In a surprise move, Stephen Brierley has stood down and, following his departure, the club appointed Colin Jones as his successor at a committee meeting on Monday evening.

Mr Jones released the following statement on his appointment: “It is an absolute honour to be voted in as chairman of Great Yarmouth Town Football Club.

“The fact that I was voted in unanimously shows support and a unity amongst the committee.

“I believe that the people at this club are the right people to bring it forward and I would not have taken on the responsibility without that team around me.

“Having said that, I would gladly listen to anyone who wishes to become involved in the club in any capacity.

“My predecessor, Mr Stephen Brierley, effectively funded the club in recent seasons – and everyone does need to acknowledge that.

“This season would probably have been the same, and that would not be fair on him or the club.”

The new chairman continued: “I do not personally feel it is right for any club to be so reliant on an individual; it’s not sustainable in any long-term plan.

“The club now needs to strive to be self-sufficient and not to spend more than it earns; it really isn’t rocket science.

“We must now actively be searching for local businesses and individuals to support the club and this is my primary goal as of this moment.

“Survival is paramount and for that we need finances and we need people. It will be a difficult season ahead and I think the mantra for this season is ‘back to basics’,” said Mr Jones.

“We have to be up front about that to the managers, the players, the committee, the sponsors and the fans.

“This season is about building the foundations from which we can build on, and everybody I have spoken to is ready and willing to face that challenge and although daunting.

“It’s a challenge I think both I and everybody else are ready for.”