Stafford Rangers chairman resigns as club signals 'culture change'

John Hayne has stepped down with immediate effect as both chairman and director at the club. He was appointed to the board in 2019 and elected chairman in February last year.

Stafford Rangers say a new chairman will be appointed in the coming weeks. The decision follows what the club described as "difficult and challenging years".

Hayne said: "I was honoured to be the chairman over the last year and enjoyed my time at the club. I wish the club all the very best for the future."

The club has endured challenging seasons on the pitch. Rangers were relegated from the Northern Premier League at the end of the 2023/24 season before struggling in the Northern One West last campaign, where they narrowly avoided relegation.

This season, Stafford currently sit 21st in the table and are battling to retain their step four non-league status.

Hayne's departure comes shortly after US-based investors George Bruneau and Nathan Owen invested in the club. Stafford Rangers said the board of directors "unanimously approved" the investment in January, adding that it will "eventually hugely benefit the football club".

The investment has been made through shares rather than a loan, meaning there is no requirement for repayment or interest.

In a statement, the club said: "The years were sometimes tempestuous given the team's struggles on the pitch. The chairman of a football club will always be a target for fans expressing their discontent at tough times.

"What fans and shareholders did not see was the daily support and involvement he had with the club making him the 'go to' director for any issues be it operational challenges in the social club or problems in and around the ground. They are not glamourous but are vital and are often imperative to ensure our continuity.

"John also financially helped the club putting money in to facilitate short term cash flow issues and most notably agreed to provide the funding for a commercial loan to the club in 2023. 

"There needs to be a culture change now at the club with a board willing and able to deliver a structure and skill set to give it the opportunity to move forward.

"We recognise that these are challenging times for the club on the pitch. Everyone has a vision and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but we ask that this be respectful and, in a manner, and tone that carries as many as possible along for the journey ahead."