Jim McMahon has formally resigned from his role as Chairman of Motherwell Football Club at the board meeting held last night (Wednesday 31 July).
With eight of those years spent as Chairman, Jim has served on the Club Board for more than 23 years, making him the second longest-serving Chairman in Club history.
During this period, Jim spearheaded the effort in structuring the Society’s legal and financial structure and started talking with John Boyle about how to transition to fan ownership. He was also the original member of 1886.
Over Jim’s career, the Club received numerous poignant letters from current and past players, staff, and board members, all of whom were aware of his approaching retirement. Throughout all of the messages, there was one overarching theme: how much personal and professional assistance he provided to so many people. He was also praised for never having chased the spotlight and for the many hours he put in over a long period of time to support everyone associated with his boyhood club.
We genuinely appreciate Jim’s many years of devotion and dedication to the Club, and we know he will cherish spending more time with his family, particularly the grandchildren.
Jim stated:
“I am incredibly proud to have held the position of Club Chair for the past eight years, having attended my first Motherwell match in the 1950s and continuing to support the Club ever since.” However, as I said at our AGM, it is my time to step away from that position.
Since the Club became fan-owned, I have served as Chair, and I would want to thank many individuals for their tireless work on behalf of MFC throughout that time.
My fellow board members who during that period of time have functioned as a cohesive unit
Alan, Derek, and Brian, who has recently joined the team and brought a wealth of expertise and energy to the position, are three outstanding CEOs.
I have had the good fortune to work with outstanding department heads in three important areas: Bob, Suzanne, and David are the top in the class.
Last but not least, Graham Keys, a superb company secretary.I’m grateful to everyone.
Their efforts have resulted in:
Under fan ownership, the Club has effectively broken even, allowing the Well Society to accumulate almost £800k in reserves.
Our stadium, pitch, and most significantly, our training facilities have all seen major upgrades.
Our streak of 40 years as the Scottish Premiership continues, thanks to our retention of it. Last season, there was a lot of pressure to replace our manager and the backroom crew. Still, we supported Stuart’s decision because we thought he was right. Lennon Miller’s contract was extended, and we recently sold Theo Bair for a substantial transfer price. The Club will gain much from both of them, and neither would have been possible without Stuart.
The Club is now in a different position overall as a result of this operational and managerial professionalism.
I’m wishing the incoming Club Chair and Board all the best for the Club’s exciting upcoming chapter.
Again, thank you to everyone I have had the pleasure of working with and who has made such a significant contribution to the Board during my tenure.
McMahon, Jim
