Paul Bowden-Brown steps down as Ramsgate chairman to reduce stress levels in his lifestyle

PAUL BOWDEN-BROWN has stepped down as the chairman of Ramsgate due to ill health.


 

The club are second-from-bottom in the Isthmian League South East Division table 10 points from 15 games, five points clear of winless East Grinstead Town, who parted company with their Kent-based manager Matt Longhurst yesterday.

“Many of our supporters would have noticed that after recent heart surgery our Chairman Paul Bowden-Brown has been wearing a heart monitor,” said a club statement.

“Paul this week has had to inform the shareholder that results from the monitor has shown it is essential that he reduce the stress levels in his lifestyle. It is with regret that he has tendered his resignation as chairman.

“Whilst he wishes to continue the sterling work he’s been doing with regard to stadium development in his capacity as a director, it is with great sadness that on Doctors advice he must retire from running, organising and funding the playing side of the first team.

“Jason Lillis has been informed and has agreed to stay on and help restructure the club by helping further develop our large youth section giving a strong pathway to the first team and beyond.

“The new chairman will be James Lawson who has been responsible for some valuable work in the youth section and he will ensure that these ideals are realised. James will be well known to many at the club and it continues his family’s long-standing connection to this club.

“With the suddenness of Paul’s resignation the transition period will be made as painless as possible by James appointing many of his committee and staff from existing personnel within the club structure.”

The Rams welcome Whitstable Town to Southwood Stadium tomorrow (15:00).

Lloyd Blackman’s side are in tenth-place in the table with 22 points from 16 games and came home from Guernsey with a 2-0 win on Wednesday night, despite having five players’ unavailable for the game.

Visit Ramsgate’s website: www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk