IT IS all change at Kendal Town FC as outgoing chairman George Gudgeon looked back on an enjoyable but ‘challenging’ tenure.

He made the decision to step down due to ill health and said he was ‘proud’ of everyone who had assisted him during his four-year tenure.

He said trying to make the club financially sustainable had been ‘difficult’.

“There is a good and committed group of people still at the club who will help it to continue to move forward, and I wish them and Kendal Town FC all the best,” he said.

“Unfortunately, over my time at Kendal Town FC, the club has had a small core group of individuals who have not agreed with the way the club has been run.

“Some of this group have been former committee members and others have been supporters.

“I would implore these people to allow the good people on the committee to run the club and either support them or walk away.”

Incoming chairman Barry Hughes said he was ‘pleased and honoured’ to take up the role, paying tribute to Mr Gudgeon and his family who had ‘given their all to the club over the last four years.’

“[Committee member] Jay Rossi has been the driving force behind assembling the new committee and his infectious enthusiasm has rubbed off on everybody,” he said.

“Kendal Town will need to develop in a sustainable manner and it will require a concerted effort from everybody interested in the club to make this happen. Important revenue was lost due to the early closing of the season because of Covid-19.

“This meant five home games plus end-of-season local finals and numerous bookings for the clubhouse did not take place.

“However, because the previous chairman and his committee had adopted a prudent approach to finances, it was not too disastrous and a government grant through the local authority has helped to address the position.

“Expenses going forward including utilities, insurance and ground maintenance continue and the club will be looking at ways to meet these.

“At present it is difficult to plan as no-one knows when our level of the game will be able to start; Covid-19 will continue to play a part for some time to come.

“Together with the fact that businesses and jobs have severely suffered, sponsorship and attracting fans through the gate is going to be challenging.

“Indeed, the Northern Premier League along with the Isthmian and Southern Leagues have yet to find a title sponsor for the coming season.

“I can assure everyone interested in Kendal Town FC that the committee will leave no stone unturned as it seeks to keep the club going in these unprecedented times.”