After Seven Years as Club Chairman, Tony Bates stepped aside at last night's Club AGM, and was replaced in the role by Donald Kane.
Tony Bates explained his decision thus: “I became Board Chairman and Managing Director of this great Club in 1999 and have been Club Chairman since 2010. As a company lawyer, I knew when taking on these roles that the needs of a busy Limited Company, particularly one involving a wide spectrum of football related activities, would test my mettle! During this time, the Club has been blessed with a very pro-active Board of Directors and a dedicated group of volunteers, without whom the Club would be unable to function.
I believe that the provision of the 3G pitch and the additional works recently carried out at Park Avenue, combined with the infrastructure already in place, have created a stadium of which the Club can be extremely proud. Nevertheless, in my view, the Club now needs to concentrate fully on the sporting side of the Club. Thanks largely to our excellent coaches and administrators, we have first class Development and/or Academy sides from years 7 to 19, together, of course, with our Ladies and Disability teams, but given our geographical position, there is no doubt in my mind that the Club needs to put greater emphasis on fostering local talent particularly if we wish to continue to represent the town and the wider area in the Welsh Premier League. I also passionately believe that Aberystwyth Town Football Club should, to an even greater extent than at present, constitute a “Community Hub” for the youth of the area and the provision of the 3G pitch has obviously taken a great leap towards that goal.
While I am proud of the Club’s achievements during my time serving the Club since 1999, I am convinced that now is the right time for me to step aside, not only for a younger person but, more importantly, for a person whose knowledge of the game of football is second to none and, in my view, Donald Kane’s appointment last night was an important step in the future of the Club. My own role will change significantly but Donald knows that he will continue to have my full support as a Director”.
Tony Bates explained his decision thus: “I became Board Chairman and Managing Director of this great Club in 1999 and have been Club Chairman since 2010. As a company lawyer, I knew when taking on these roles that the needs of a busy Limited Company, particularly one involving a wide spectrum of football related activities, would test my mettle! During this time, the Club has been blessed with a very pro-active Board of Directors and a dedicated group of volunteers, without whom the Club would be unable to function.
I believe that the provision of the 3G pitch and the additional works recently carried out at Park Avenue, combined with the infrastructure already in place, have created a stadium of which the Club can be extremely proud. Nevertheless, in my view, the Club now needs to concentrate fully on the sporting side of the Club. Thanks largely to our excellent coaches and administrators, we have first class Development and/or Academy sides from years 7 to 19, together, of course, with our Ladies and Disability teams, but given our geographical position, there is no doubt in my mind that the Club needs to put greater emphasis on fostering local talent particularly if we wish to continue to represent the town and the wider area in the Welsh Premier League. I also passionately believe that Aberystwyth Town Football Club should, to an even greater extent than at present, constitute a “Community Hub” for the youth of the area and the provision of the 3G pitch has obviously taken a great leap towards that goal.
While I am proud of the Club’s achievements during my time serving the Club since 1999, I am convinced that now is the right time for me to step aside, not only for a younger person but, more importantly, for a person whose knowledge of the game of football is second to none and, in my view, Donald Kane’s appointment last night was an important step in the future of the Club. My own role will change significantly but Donald knows that he will continue to have my full support as a Director”.
New Chairman Donald Kane paid tribute to Tony's contribution as follows: "On behalf of all the Directors I would like to thank Tony for the incredible work he has done (and continues to do) for the Club as Chairman. Tony has been there at the start for David Evans and myself in his position as Club Solicitor. From successfully negotiating the Safeway deal along with Dai his responsibilities rapidly expanded culminating in taking over as Chairman in 2010.
As Directors we did not want Tony to step down but we also understand that the work, time and effort he put into securing a 3G pitch for Aberystwyth Town has left him pleading for "time off". This was a personal journey for him producing a lasting legacy for the Club and Town. Thank you Anthony."
Tony will remain on the Board of Directors, all of whom were re-elected last night, as follows: Tony Bates, Donald Kane, David Evans, Emyr James, Jimmy Edwards, Kevin Morrison, Thomas Crockett, Tomi Lewis and Rob Berner.
Revd J D Lawrence of St Anne's Penparcau and Llanerchaearn was appointed Club Chaplain, to replace Keith Jones who was awarded the honorary position of Chaplain Emeritus.
Membership of Aberystwyth Town FC Ltd is limited to Vice Presidents and Vice President Season Tickets are available for £150, providing access to every League & League Cup home game, free match day programmes for each game and an official Aberystwyth Town Football Club tie, Scarf or Hat. Please email the Club at abertownfc@live.co.uk if you would like to join.
As Directors we did not want Tony to step down but we also understand that the work, time and effort he put into securing a 3G pitch for Aberystwyth Town has left him pleading for "time off". This was a personal journey for him producing a lasting legacy for the Club and Town. Thank you Anthony."
Tony will remain on the Board of Directors, all of whom were re-elected last night, as follows: Tony Bates, Donald Kane, David Evans, Emyr James, Jimmy Edwards, Kevin Morrison, Thomas Crockett, Tomi Lewis and Rob Berner.
Revd J D Lawrence of St Anne's Penparcau and Llanerchaearn was appointed Club Chaplain, to replace Keith Jones who was awarded the honorary position of Chaplain Emeritus.
Membership of Aberystwyth Town FC Ltd is limited to Vice Presidents and Vice President Season Tickets are available for £150, providing access to every League & League Cup home game, free match day programmes for each game and an official Aberystwyth Town Football Club tie, Scarf or Hat. Please email the Club at abertownfc@live.co.uk if you would like to join.
