Long-time chairman exits Blackburn

Blackburn Rovers Chairman John Williams has resigned after 14 years, becoming the second high-profile departure under the club’s new owners.

Williams announced his resignation on Friday, less than two months after former manager Sam Allardyce was sacked by Venky’s Group.

He had been at the club since 1997, when he was appointed chief executive by the late Jack Walker, and took over as chairman in 2005.

“With our new owners, I have no doubt this is a new dawn for the club,” Williams said.

“There is a new order, a new way of doing things and I believe the time is right for me now to move on.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish the club, its owners, management, players, employees and supporters all the very best for the future.”

Williams was believed to have come close to resigning over the treatment meted out to Allardyce, and will reportedly be replaced from within Indian poultry giant Venky’s.

Chairperson Anuradha Desai, who orchestrated a 46-million-pound takeover of Ewood Park in November, has already handed Blackburn directorships to Gandhi Babu and Mahesh Gupta.

Managing director Tom Finn added: “All of us here at Ewood Park, our owners and I am sure all our fans, would like to take this opportunity to thank John for the contribution he has made during his tenure and we send him our best wishes for the future.”