Pagham chairman explains why he is stepping down

Tony Shea, right, with Kerry Hardwell, pictured in 2018

Tony Shea is stepping down as Pagham FC chairman – and says he can look back on his near decade in the role with great Lions pride.

Increasing work commitments have prompted the 50-year-old to step down, although the club hope to name a new chairman within the next week or so.

Shea says he is leaving the role with Pagham well-established in the premier division of the Southern Combination League and in a position where they could push for the title in the next two or three years.

Under Kerry Hardwell’s management, the first team are currently doing well in the SCFL Supplementary Shield and have every chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

Shea, who lives at North Bersted, is in charge of catering at Chichester and Worthing hospitals and said his workforce had trebled in size to about 400, and it was work that was taking more of his time and energy.

“My decision to stand down as Pagham chairman was not made lightly. I had to think long and hard about it,” he told the Observer. “I still want to be involved in the club. I can help with sponsorship and other aspects of running the club. It’s a great club and I don’t want to cut my ties.”