Friday 11 December 2015 09:09, UK
Football League chairman Greg Clarke is to step down at the end of the season after six years in his post.
He will stand aside after the League's AGM on June 10 and the process for identifying his successor will begin in the new year, with independent directors Richard Bowker and Debbie Jevans set to head a nomination committee.
Clarke said: "It has been a tremendous privilege to serve Football League clubs over the last six years, they are very much the heart and soul of football in this country.
"I leave with the Football League in excellent health and with solid foundations in place.
"Our clubs are largely in better financial shape, there is a greater solidarity between our three divisions, and we have a cohesive board that is providing progressive leadership to our members.
"Therefore, it is exactly the right time to pass on the baton to my successor.
"I wish them every success and hope they get as much enjoyment and satisfaction from this role as I have."
The Football League is considered the world's original league competition and Clarke has been at the helm since March 2010.
A statement on the Football League's website read: "Greg's tenure has brought stability and improved governance structures at board level which culminated in him moving from an executive to non-executive position in 2013, following the appointment of a full-time chief executive.
"It has also seen record levels of commercial revenue distributed to clubs and, more recently, he received the backing of clubs on recommendations aimed at increasing the number of BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) managers and coaches employed by clubs, that will be formally considered this summer."
