CHAIRMAN Mark Duffy has offered his resignation to the committee of Sydenhams Wessex League strugglers Christchurch.

The 56-year-old has cited ongoing work commitments in Jersey as the primary reason and his intent to relinquish the role is set to be discussed at a committee meeting tonight.

Duffy, at the helm for the past three-and-a-half years, revealed that vice-chairman Mick Ryan had reluctantly taken on added duties in his absence this season and said the time had come to step aside for the good of the club.

“You cannot be an effective chairman if you are never there,” said Duffy.

“I was reluctant to stand this season because I knew what my work commitments would entail. The committee asked me to give it a go but has it been a success? Probably not.

“You lose touch and it is exacerbated by the fact we hire the facilities from a limited company. Different things crop up and need dealing with.

“Mick Ryan has been burdened by a lot of it. He made it quite clear he did not want to be chairman but has ended up with the lion’s share of the responsibility.

“We have a fairly big committee and a lot of people have an opinion. The chairman needs to be there to manage those opinions and Mick has had to take on more than his fair share of that.”

Duffy continued: “When I do a job I want to do it well. If you cannot do that then you have to step aside.

“I have seen very few matches this season and have had more telephone conversations with (manager) Adie Arnold than face-to-face meetings. It is very difficult to have a direct influence from the end of a telephone line.

“When results are difficult on the pitch it presents more and more challenges off it, especially at a club like Christchurch. When things happen, like Graham Kemp leaving Dorchester Town, there is a stimulus for people to try and get such matters on the agenda.”

Duffy remains open to returning to football should his work situation change but indicated he may seek pastures new.

He added: “I would like to get involved again in the future but whether that would be a Christchurch, I don’t know because there is a lot to deal with that is out of our control (with regard to the facilities).

“I am still very passionate about the club and wish them well. The people are very committed and do a fantastic job.”

Ryan is expected to take the chair on an interim basis.