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Chippenham Town was rocked by chairman Derek Hooper's resignation as the club went into its most crucial phase of the season, it emerged this week.

Hooper, 61, stunned directors at a routine board meeting a fortnight ago by announcing he was standing down to spend more time with his wife, who is ill.

He will stay on as a director. Board member Sandie Webb said: It was a shock, we had no idea it was coming. Derek handed in his resignation and left the meeting.

I have to say though that that was the best meeting I have been at for 18 months because from that point we were united and strong.'' The club will run without a chairman as it comes to terms with defeat to Halesowen in last Thurs- day's play-off semi-final.

Webb, who herself stood down as chairman last December, said the board knows finding another chairman will not be easy.

We need someone a bit younger with drive and energy,'' she said. You never know what will happen but there are not many people who fit the bill out there.'' In the meantime the club has a £15,000 debt and a pressing need to bring in enough cash to maintain manager Adie Mings' playing budget.

The board has already backed Mings' budget request for next season and is now waiting for his transfer targets.

"He has told us the type of player he wants to bring in but we don't know who yet. I am sure he has a list of names,'' said Webb.

The feeling is that we have a lot of really good young players but we need a bit more experience to help maximise their talent.''

11:28am Thursday 8th May 2008

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