BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
BOB Garmory has stepped down as Dunfermline chairman in the wake of the club’s promotion to the Championship and has been replaced by managing director Ross McArthur.
Garmory was named as chairman after helping to spearhead the Pars United fans’ group that saved the Fife club from the clutches of administration in 2013, but privately told fellow directors back in October that the season just finished would be his last at the helm.
The 62-year-old’s work commitments have led to him stepping aside, but he will remain on the board and will oversee repairs and maintenance at East End Park.
Garmory said: “It has been a wonderful honour and huge privilege to have been able to fulfil the role of chairman of DAFC.
“However, having completed phase one of our recovery and rebuilding programme it is now time to hand the reins over to Ross McArthur, a man in whom I have absolute faith and trust.
“We all now need to redouble our efforts to support Ross and the board as we work towards our next goal, which is to permanently re-establish our club in the top tier of Scottish football.”
McArthur also played a pivotal role in Pars United and has worked in the day-to-day running of Dunfermline in his role as managing director since the successful community buy-out.
The 50-year-old said: “It is both an honour and privilege to take on the role of chairman at the club that I have supported passionately all my life. When I first got involved trying to save our club, I never saw such a day coming, to be honest.
“However, I intend to continue the good work of Bob by representing our club professionally, and acting with dignity and integrity, as our club still has a lot of bridges to re-build within Scottish Football.
“What was significant for me, was the fact that all of my fellow board members asked me to take on this role, and their backing and support has been, and will continue to be, so important.”
In a further change to the board, Billy Braisby will act as vice-chairman, and David McMorrine, Ian Hunter, Kip McBay, Margaret Ross and Jim Leishman will stay on as directors.
