When Matt Church accepted the job as CEO of Neath RFC in 2019, he did so in the full knowledge the very existence of Welsh rugby's oldest club lay on his shoulders.
Neath were in dire straits following the collapse of then owner Mike Cuddy's construction business.
They were forced to fight off two winding-up orders and saw a huge exodus of players, many of whom left amid suggestions wages had stopped coming through, while they were also relegated into the Championship.
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But a lot can happen in four years, with Church having played a crucial role in helping the club into a much calmer position, while they have finally won promotion to the Premiership.
However, all good things must come to an end, and the 38-year-old has decided he has taken Neath as far as he can.
"The business and the club were broken when I arrived," Church told WalesOnline.
"The ultimate owners and I had to pick up a broken business and club and get it back onto its feet.
"The business had essentially failed but now it's on an improved footing and has every opportunity to become sustainable.
"It has been a hard slog especially given what the world has thrown up over the last few years with pandemic, Brexit, and the world about to go into a recession and wider issues in the game itself. We wouldn't have been able to achieve what we have without the full backing of our sponsors, supporters, players & backroom staff and of course the unwavering financial commitment of our owners - for each group I am eternally grateful.
"From my perspective I feel like I've taken this club as far as I can, and now it's time for someone else to take Neath to the next level.
"So, I am stepping down as chief executive and intend to spend more time with my family and some personal projects."
Next season Neath will finally be back in the Premiership, a competition they have won seven times in their illustrious history.
Church is confident the Welsh All Blacks can be competitive over the coming seasons, but insists their main priority should be financial sustainability through the redevelopment of the Gnoll.
"I'm fairly optimistic about Neath's future," he said.
"Me and Pat Horgan (head coach) have had a lot of strategic meetings, and Pat has a level head and isn't going to blow the budget just because we are in the Premiership.
"We have a good steady hand at the helm. The town is supportive of the club, and rugby is part of the town's fabric which gives us an edge.
"But what is of paramount importance is that the Gnoll gets redevelopment. That is crucial because we need a facility that brings in non-matchday income throughout the year.
"You cannot be a sustainable business if you are only making money one day of the week.
"If the Gnoll gets redeveloped it needs to become a community focused multi-use facility with not only an artificial surface, but stuff like conferences & events, shops & restaurants, community group & meeting spaces, and even as a wedding venue.
"In my opinion that's key to the future sustainability of this rugby club."
Church may not be a name familiar to much of the rugby public but the man from Pembrokeshire is one of the most well-respected young figures in the Welsh game.
He previously spent over seven years as commercial manager at the then Cardiff Blues, while he spent a year in a consultancy role at the Dragons.
Church is well placed to talk about the challenges facing the semi-professional game in Wales.
There has been constant debate over whether the gap between the Premiership and professional level needs to be bridged.
The Welsh Rugby Union are in the process of formulating plans to create an elite eight or 10 team competition to sit in between the Premiership, and the regional game.
Church isn't opposed to the idea, but as always, the devil is in the detail.
"I totally understand the idea behind it but the funding of it, and the budgets the teams operate at is critical to the success or otherwise of this new venture," he said.
"If they don't give teams enough financial backing to sustain talent just below the regional level then the standard won't be high enough, and the production line of players won't be there.
"It needs to be well resourced, funded, and organised properly.
"Is an eight-team league going to produce enough meaningful games? That's another question which needs answered."
Another issue which Welsh rugby has is the relationship between the regions, and the clubs in the Premiership.
Church admits it needs to improve but reveals the relationship between Neath and the Ospreys has been good in recent times.
"The relationship is really good," he said.
"I have regular dialogue with Gareth Walters in terms of academy talent and budding coaches.
"I also have a great relationship with Paul James and James Hook who are obviously in the coaching set up there. We don't have the political baggage, so it's just a sensible business relationship.
"Would I like more Ospreys players and perhaps more Ospreys games at The Gnoll? Yes, but I can't impact that, and that's something the club need to discuss with the Ospreys moving forward."
So, how confident is Church over Neath's future prospects both on and off the field?
"There's no reason why Neath can't be one of the best semi-professional clubs in Wales," he said.
"A hell of a lot of work had gone into getting us into the Premiership, and more work is needed to us sustainable and to stay there.
"Season one and two is where they need to stabilise and secure their position as a genuine Premiership team, and from that the target has to be kicking on into this elite league, provided it gets the go ahead.
"If the funding is correct there's no reason why they can't put Neath forward to enter the elite league because they'll be able to afford the right quality of backroom staff, equipment and general playing resources.
"But the most important thing is redeveloping the Gnoll."
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