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More change at the top at County as chairman Foxall resigns due to ill health

GONE: Newport County chairman Gavin Foxall <i>(Image: Huw Evans Agency)</i>
GONE: Newport County chairman Gavin Foxall (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

NEWPORT County AFC chairman Gavin Foxall has resigned from the board because of ill health.

Foxall has been absent since mid-January while receiving treatment for an illness and has stepped down from the club board and the Supporters’ Trust.

A boyhood County fan, he has been at the Rodney Parade helm since 2017 but has become the latest leading figure to leave in a season of change.

"We would like to place on record our thanks to Gavin for his significant contribution and hard work over the years," read a club statement. "We wish Gavin a speedy recovery."

County will now need to appoint a new chairman while an EGM looks likely at some stage as the club contemplates a change of structure after the appointment of Miami-based businessman Jon Pratt as a co-opted director.

He joined the board in February, intially to add business acumen, but with a view to doing more.

Any alteration to the club’s structure would need the backing of 75 per cent of the members at an EGM.

READ MORE: County to consider change of club structure

South Wales Argus: County chairman Gavin Foxall talks to Salford's Gary Neville during the Covid lockdown season
South Wales Argus: County chairman Gavin Foxall talks to Salford's Gary Neville during the Covid lockdown season

County chairman Gavin Foxall talks to Salford's Gary Neville during the Covid lockdown season (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Earlier this month Kevin Ward stepped down from the board after being appointed chairman of Newport Live, citing a conflict of interests.

That was followed by the confirmation that general manager Nigel Stephenson had left for health reasons, with Kelly Anderson having fulfilled that role on an interim basis since late last year.

Sporting director Darren Kelly left for Hartlepool in February and Gareth Evans was promoted to club secretary after Matthew Higgins left for West Ham United.

County are on the brink of retaining their League Two status thanks to an upturn in fortunes since manager Graham Coughlan arrived in mid-October, sitting 12 points clear of the drop zone with nine games to play.

There was plenty of change with Foxall at the helm with Michael Flynn leading the club to the Great Escape from relegation in 2017 and a number of lucrative cup runs.

The Exiles went agonisingly close to promotion twice, losing a pair of League Two play-off finals in controversial circumstances.

The board currently features Pratt and directors Shaun Johnson, Mike Everett, Bob Herrin, Mark Crook, Peter Madigan, Paul Marks and Joe Crocker.