Thursday, May 3, 2012

Colin Sexstone steps down from Bristol City boardroom

Colin Sexstone is standing down as chairman of Bristol City just 11 months after assuming the position.

The victim of a boardroom reshuffle, the 63-year-old Bristolian is quitting the board of directors and leaving the club he has served for 11 years.

Fellow director Keith Dawe will take over as chairman on June 1, while Jon Lansdown, son of club owner Steve, will take a more prominent role in football matters.

Sexstone served as chief executive for ten years after being head-hunted from Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in 2001.

His role changed last June when Steve Lansdown stood down as chairman to move into tax exile in Guernsey.

Guy Price was appointed chief executive with Sexstone taking over as chairman, but, despite landing the top job at Ashton Gate, his role has diminished during his time at the helm.

The first indication that Sexstone was being eased aside came when he was not included in the three-man panel to interview prospective new managers following the sacking of Keith Millen in October.

He also ceded control of transfer bargaining to Dawe, while Price was placed in charge of all matters appertaining to the club's ambitious £92 million stadium project at nearby Ashton Vale.

Sexstone said in a statement: "In full consultation with the owner and board of directors of Bristol City Football Club, I have decided to step down as executive chairman of the club with effect from May 31.

"The new board of directors has settled in extremely well over the last 12 months and it is clear that a full-time executive chairman is not required.

"After 16-and-a-half years working full-time in professional sport, I will take this opportunity to explore new and different career paths, including working with my son in his sports business.

"It has been a huge pleasure and privilege to work for Bristol City over the last 11-and-a- half years and I wish the club every success in the future, especially regarding the new stadium at Ashton Vale, in which I have been so deeply involved.

"I will, of course, continue to support and help the club in any way possible."

A vastly-experienced sports administrator – Sexstone left the RAF to become chief executive at Gloucestershire in 1997 – he became the public face of City's battle to gain planning permission for their new stadium project.

With Lansdown often back in Guernsey and unable to attend important meetings, it was Sexstone who campaigned vociferously for a 30,000 all-seater stadium to replace Ashton Gate.

He was also the driving force behind Bristol's bid to become a World Cup city, an initiative that ultimately came to nothing after Russia was selected by FIFA delegates to host the 2018 tournament.

While in charge at Gloucestershire, the county enjoyed the most successful period in its history, winning an unprecedented five one-day titles in two seasons between 1999 and 2000.

City's majority shareholder Steve Lansdown said: "Colin can look back at his time with Bristol City with pride.

"To be stepping down as the club is entering its sixth consecutive season in the Championship is a great legacy – and I would personally like to thank him for all his hard work over the last 11-and-a-half years, in particular the blood, sweat and tears he has put into the new stadium project.

"I wish Colin all the best with his new ventures, but I am sure he will still find room in his schedule to be at Ashton Gate from time to time, especially on matchdays."

New chairman Dawe has been on the board since 1996 – joining at the same time as Lansdown. The club's second largest shareholder, Dawe is the owner and CEO of Resource Solutions Group.

He said: "I'm very proud to become chairman of the club. I look forward to working with the rest of the board, as I have done for the past 16 years, to continue the progress of this great football club."

Former Arsenal, Tottenham and England defender Sol Campbell has announced his retirement from football. He last played in March 2011.

Colin Sexstone steps down from Bristol City boardroom

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