CORNISH Pirates owner Dicky Evans has stepped aside as a new Board of Directors takes over at the Greene King Championship club.
The Kenya-based businessman took control of the club in 1995 when, as Penzance & Newlyn RFC, they were on the brink of bankruptcy.
Since then he has transformed the operation on and off the field – and the rugby fraternity of Penzance and beyond have much to thank him for.
The Pirates are now successfully established as a strong Level 2 outfit with aspirations of one day bringing Premiership rugby to Cornwall.
In recent months Evans has been working hard to transfer ownership of the club to a group of 70 shareholders led by a new seven strong board.
He has confirmed a new two year major sponsorship deal for the club and will continue to be represented in the boardroom by current director Martin Hudson.
In a statement on the club website he stated: "I have sold the business totally debt free for £1 and written off all loans to both the professional club and to the members club including numerous costs over the years associated with the upkeep of the clubhouse, Westholme, as well as the nursery training pitch sorted in the late 90s."
Outlining his reasons for standing down, he added: "Family, age, health, distance, weariness, frustration, other business commitments stacked up and brought me to the conclusion last September that I should resign and I did so but kept it amongst close colleagues initially."
He added: "The Pirates will now move into an exciting new era with new ideas and new energy."
Evans paid special tribute to past coaches Jim McKay, Chris Stirling, Harvey Biljon and current director of rugby Ian Davies highlighting also the EDF Trophy win in 2007 and British & Irish Cup success in 2010 as stand-out moments in a "terrific journey".
He concluded: "However that's in the past- It's now time to get that stadium built people and I hope to be there to see it."
– Dick Straughan