Clitheroe Football Club can confirm that Stewart Fort will be stepping down from his role as club chairman at the end of the playing season. In his three years in the role, he has overseen more than £200,000 of improvements to the Eco Giant Stadium at Shawbridge and seen crowds more than double and turnover treble from 2019-20.

Stewart said “It was always my intention to rekindle my love of the game by getting involved with my local non league football club. I was always very clear that any support I could bring to bear would be focussed on the physical infrastructure rather than on the playing staff, which in turn would provide a sustainable platform from which the club could prosper. I am now looking to focus my energies on my own business interests, but I will still be a regular visitor to the ground and I am looking forward to enjoying the facilities and matches as a spectator. The club is in excellent shape and in Andrew Jackson, the club has a vastly experienced replacement to move the club forward.”

Current vice chair Andrew Jackson said “Stewart has been a breath of fresh air and has always been focussed on improving the club’s commercial side. He has delivered step changes which otherwise would have taken decades and his contribution cannot be underestimated. I am also delighted that Stewart will not be a stranger at the ground and can enjoy the fruits of his labour at games. We already have a very strong volunteer base and we have also been looking to inject fresh ideas to complement me and my fellow Board members as we plot our future course. I am delighted that Ross Hibbert, from Clitheroe Wolves, has agreed to join the Board as a Director to reflect the increasingly close links between the two organisations, and I hope to be able to announce further new Directors in due course.”

Lee Roe will also be stepping down as a director, "When one of your best mates asks you to help out with a project, its always a yes and so when Stewart asked me to become a director at Clitheroe FC to help manage media etc I didnt hesitate to accept. Its been a fantastic three years with some incredible highs.
It was always my intention to improve the match day experience for fans, and it all started with a new sound system, then a big screen, match announcer, social media and more. For Clitheroe FC to have been voted best awayday match experience last season was the culmination of a lot of hard work, but well worth it.
I wish every single member of staff, squad, volunteer and of course the amazing fans the very best going forward, I have loved being a part of this incredible club and will visit when I can get away from my other projects."