HARRY Evans has stepped down as Vale Royal Athletics Club’s chairman after four years in the role.

He told the club’s members at last week’s annual meeting that he felt the time was right for somebody else to became the Knights Grange-based club’s figurehead.

Alan Parsons, whose daughter Jess is an up-and-coming middle distance runner at the club, takes his place with Chris Boyce as his deputy.

“It’s a relief in some ways, “ said Evans, who coaches the club’s sprinters.

“I’m proud of the things I achieved as chairman, but I am a firm believer in keeping things fresh and so wanted to make sure this year was definitely my last.”

He will continue in his honorary position as the club’s president.

Parsons and Boyce, volunteers like the rest of the amateur club’s committee members, will be tasked working with Cheshire West and Chester Council to improve facilities in Northwich and Winsford.

“I’ll be around for a while yet to make sure the transition is a smooth one,” added Evans.

“But at my time of life I can’t carry on being chairman along with all the other duties I do. It’s good to have new faces at the table.”