FORMER Minehead AFC chairman Brian Walder admitted this week he is happy to relinquish a number of the tasks he had previously been responsible for at the club.

With John Burns taking over as chairman a few weeks ago, this left Mr Walder as secretary and treasurer. However, this week it was announced that Scott Burnett has become the club’s general secretary with immediate effect.

Mr Burnett brings with him almost a decade of international football administration experience with FIFA, including two years as an assistant to Secretary General Jérôme Valcke. He is currently completing a postgraduate degree in Football Industries at the University of Liverpool, and will focus on strategic projects including relations with governing bodies and next season’s 125th anniversary celebrations.

The club is also pleased to announce the appointment of Alex Pope as sponsorship executive. Alex, who has worn the club’s colours having represented the first team when home from Southampton Solent University where he recently completed a degree in Football Business Studies, has already enlisted the services of several of the club’s players to form a fund-raising sub-committee. Already, one large funding application has been submitted and more are in the pipeline.

The club is also in talks with two other media experts who, it is hoped, will head up another sub-committee to help promote the club and its partnerships with sponsors.

Since being granted a 25-year lease on the Recreation Ground towards the end of last season, all at the club have been working hard and many people have come forward offering help.