ROYSTON Town chairman Rob Stewart resigned this week after eight weeks at the helm – but has urged the club to continue to move forward. Mr Stewart, 42, joined the club at the beginning of December as interim chairman, and immediately vowed to help take T

ROYSTON Town chairman Rob Stewart resigned this week after eight weeks at the helm - but has urged the club to continue to move forward.

Mr Stewart, 42, joined the club at the beginning of December as interim chairman, and immediately vowed to help take The Crows to new heights.

Showing his intent, Mr Stewart targeted promotion back to the South Midland Premier Division, and immediately funded the club's first paid transfer, signing Craig Hammond from Mildenhall Town.

He also financed the transfer of Arlesey striker Ashley Townsend, and introduced performance coach Steve Linger, as well as introducing the popular Crow mascot and a variety of merchandise.

However, because of unforeseen work commitments, Mr Stewart, who is a leading businessman in the property and packaging industry, has decided to step down.

He told The Crow: "I came here with the aim of improving the club and in the short time I have been here I believe I have done that.

"Everyone knew that my role was a temporary one and I made it clear that I would be looking at my position on a month-to-month basis.

"Unfortunately, I just couldn't dedicate sufficient time to the role any more.

"I'm an extremely busy man, and I just felt that Royston was only getting a glimpse of my time.

"The little time that I had would have been ultimately affected, and that would not have been fair."

Mr Stewart, a former Royston Colts manager, hopes that his departure will not affect the club and says he will remain passionate about its future.

He said: "People will obviously be talking about my resignation, but the bottom line is that the club should come first - that's what matters.

"It shouldn't be about me leaving, and their main priority should be concentrating on promotion and the rest of the season.

"I have a lot of passion and enthusiasm for Royston Town, and that will not stop just because I have left.

"Although my time at the club has been brief, it has been good fun and quite inspirational.

"I wanted to bring about change and I think that I have done that - I just wish I had a bit more time.

"I've simply lit the fuse, and now it's a chance for others to take the club forward.

"On the pitch they are doing very well, and Paul Attfield, Tony Galvin, and the players deserve a lot of credit.

"And off the pitch, the committee need to challenge themselves and I hope I have left them with the belief that they can move forward."

Mr Stewart's tenure may have been short, but his time at the club has been vital. He came with much-needed drive and ambition, and has helped steer the club into a potentially bright future.

In a statement Royston president Alan Barlow said:?"In the short time Rob has been with us he has helped to give some extra momentum to the club's development plan, both on and off the pitch, and we all appreciate the time and commitment he has shown.

"Although it's disappointing not to have Rob on board for longer, our success on the pitch started before he arrived at the club, and in no way will his stepping down detract from our commitment to succeed.

"We wish Rob and his family all the best for the future."

However, this may not be the last Royston will see of Mr ­Stewart.

He said: "This is a great club with a lot of potential. At the moment I just have too much going on and I think that it's in everybody's interests that I step aside.

"But this is a club that I believe in ­ so you can never say never!