John Wardle has stepped down from his role of deputy chairman of Manchester City.
Deputy chairman leaves after a decade of service
John Wardle has stepped down from his role of deputy chairman of Manchester City.
Wardle has been at the club for 11 years since obtaining a majority shareholding with his business partner David Makin.
He was invited to remain on the board at Eastlands after selling up to Thaksin Shinawatra last summer, but has now opted to leave the club.
He told the club's
official website: "This has not been an easy decision to make, as I have enjoyed every minute of my time at Manchester City in whatever role I have been asked to do.
"I am proud of the fact that during my time as chairman, we have never dropped out of the top flight and that we achieved the stability that the club and its fans had been craving for so long.
Necessary step
"It was for this reason that I took the necessary step of selling the club last year, as I believed we had taken Manchester City as far as it could go.
"We had a wonderful stadium, top class training facilities and a fantastic Academy system, however it was obvious that further investment was needed.
"Now, with all these things in place and together with Dr Thaksin's investment, I truly believe that the club is set up for a very positive future. We have one of the brightest managers in the game and a great crop of exciting players."
City's new executive chairman Garry Cook added: "Our disappointment at John's stepping down is matched only by our gratitude to him for the dedication he has shown on so many levels to this football club.
"Every single Manchester City fan owes John Wardle an enormous thank you, not just for his financial investment in the club, but for the enthusiasm, emotion and wisdom he has imparted to it."
