CEO steps down from Sheffield FC as changes at World's Oldest Club continue
Further changes have been announced behind the scenes at Sheffield FC
Sheffield FC CEO Rob Hand has stepped down from his role at the club.
This has been a period of huge change at the World’s Oldest Club with the announcement this week that IAV Holdings, fronted by Jon McClure of Sheffield indie band Reverend and the Makers and artist management mogul David Bianchi, would take a minority stake in the club but oversee its day-to-day running.
Since that announcement on Monday, Rob Hand has stepped away, relinquishing his position as CEO, director and shareholder after agreement with majority shareholder Jeremy Levine.
In a statement from the club, Hand said: “After four years with the club, I have decided to step away to focus on my growing business interests.
“I would like to thank Jeremy and Jack Levine, along with all the staff and players at Sheffield FC. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the current management team of Vill Powell and Graham Abercrombie, as well as Matt Roney during his time as a player-coach and, more recently, as part of the club’s commercial team.”
“I wish the new board structure every success for the future, and will continue to support Sheffield FC as both a corporate sponsor and supporter. Up the Club.”
On Hand’s departure, Levine said: “Rob has made a valued contribution to Sheffield FC over the past four years, particularly through his commitment to the club’s operations during an important period of transition. On behalf of everyone at Sheffield FC, we thank him for his time, energy and support, and wish him every success with his growing business interests. We very much look forward to seeing Rob’s continued support for the club”
Hand has been involved at Sheffield FC for four years, taking over as CEO last year when long-time chairman Richard Tims left the club.
A wave of publicity greeted the new structure at Sheffield FC this week thanks to its high-profile new backers.
McClure, speaking at the press conference on Monday, said: “Our ambition is to breathe life into this club in a way that respects its heritage. But at the same time, we’d like to build something future-facing and inclusive. We want to create something that everyone in this region, and football fans everywhere, can get behind. Sheffield FC belongs to its community, but it also belongs to the story of world football. It’s time that story was told properly.”