Glentoran confirmed last night that Stephen Henderson has decided to step down as chairman.
Henderson, who held the position for eight years, is succeeded by Ian Kerr who will be the Oval club’s new non-executive chairman.
Kerr, who takes up his role with immediate effect, served as a club director for 10 years between 2008 and 2018 and also held the role of vice chairman.
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Henderson, who was elected chairman in May 2014 when he replaced Terence Brannigan, will continue to be a director of the club.
He said: “It has been a privilege and incredibly humbling to have been entrusted with the stewardship of this great club, even if it was during some of its darkest days.
“I want to thank each and every one of my fellow directors over those years for all the support.
“With the calibre of people we had, it was easier to make the unpopular decisions that had to be made in the club’s best interest.
“The acid test for any Chair is that they leave the club in a better position than they found it. My colleagues and I can say we did that.
“I wish Ian every success moving forward and hope that a glorious and successful chapter for Glentoran is just around the corner.”
Henderson, who joined the board in 2008, helped steer the Glens through one of the club’s most challenging periods as it wrestled with major financial difficulties.
A Glentoran statement said the lifelong supporter had led the club to “greater financial stability, leading to the purchase of a majority stake by Ali Pour in July 2019”.
It added: “The Board of Directors would like to put on record their thanks for all his dedication and very significant contribution to the club over many years.”
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