THREE Bridges Football Club chairman Alan Bell is stepping down from the hotseat after 20 years in charge.
He announced his intention to take a more hands-off role at the club’s annual presentation evening in May and this was confirmed at their AGM on Sunday.
He is to become president while current vice chairman Paul Terry will take over from Alan as chairman.
The president’s role has remained vacant since the death of Jim Steele in March 2003.
Bell, 67, revealed: “I’ve enjoyed being chairman and have been honoured to hold the post.
“My main ambition as well as the club’s was to win Sussex County League Division 1. When we won it last season I felt very chuffed and excited.
“The win to me was more important than promotion.
“The club’s progression has been my main objective and over the last 20 years since the clubhouse burned down it has been rebuilt on and off the pitch.
“We have a superb football team and football management, the youth set-up is among the best in the county with a total of 17 teams and we also have a veterans’ team.
“It’s not a sudden decision and for me it feels like the right time to step down as the club faces a new challenge of playing in the Ryman League.
“It’s important for me to spend more sparetime with my wife Hazel and my grandchildren and to go travelling in the USA and other places abroad.
“Paul Terry has supported me excellently over the last 15 years as vice chairman and now has the opportunity to continue the work and help the progression.”
Terry, 58, who is also the clubhouse manager paid tribute to his predecessor at the AGM and now looks forward as the first team embark on a new adventure in the Ryman League.
He said: “Alan advised me three years ago he wanted to step down in the future but several obstacles came up.
“We thought this was a good time, having won the league and County League Cup double - what a way to go! It’s a hell of an act to follow.
“We’ve had a huge culture shock since we joined the Ryman League and it’s a big learning curve.
“We will aim to carry on the same way as Alan has done with no major changes.
“I will ask (manager) Paul Faili just to keep us in the Ryman League next season and after a year perhaps we’ll go for it.”