Macclesfield Town Chairman Rob Bickerton has announced that he will be relinquishing his position and leaving the Board of Directors after this weekend's game against Morecambe.

Rob began watching the Silkmen in the Conference days in the mid-1990s, got involved in sponsorship as his local business grew, joined the board in December 2000 and became Chairman in November 2002.

Rob said "I have been on the board for seven years and Chairman for five, and I think it's the right time for me to seek new challenges.Five years in a role like this is a long time and it's hard for anyone outside the football industry to realise just how time consuming it can be.I would like to think that I leave the club in a healthier, more competitive position than it was when I joined the board.There is no doubt that competing at this level in football is getting more and more challenging but we have a clear and sound financial situation."

"My aims when I took over as Chairman were to keep the club in the Football League, bring some discipline and stability to our budgeting and general management activities, and to search for external investors to become involved.Obviously, fulfilling the latter of these aims was one of the highlights of my time on the board, in terms of introducing Amar and Bashar to our club."

"Other highlights for me were making the playoffs in 04/05, coming within a whisker of a visit to the Millennium Stadium in 05/06 through the LDV Trophy, being involved in bringing in former England captain Paul Ince as Manager last season, and of course the unforgettable day at Stamford Bridge one year ago this weekend.On the flip side of the coin, the FA investigation was a major challenge for us to manage through, and of course last day survival in the Football League has given all of us some nervous moments."

Director and major shareholder Bashar Alkadhi paid tribute to the outgoing Chairman."Rob has done a tremendous job as Chairman of this football club and he leaves with the very best wishes of Amar and myself, and the other directors.He has helped us steer a course through often difficult times for the past five years and we have greatly valued his friendship and wise counsel.We all wish him and his lovely family all the best and he will always be welcome back at the Moss Rose."

Anyone who knows Rob will know that he always likes to have the final word, and this time is no different. "I'd like to wish the Silkmen the best of luck in the future, and I'd also like to thank everyone who has supported me in my role over the last few years."

The club will make an announcement shortly on the Chairmanship situation.