HENRY Howard finance founder Mark Crook has become the first Newport County AFC non-executive director to stand-down, writes Michael Pearlman.

As part of the process that will see Newport County’s Supporters Trust become outgoing chairman Les Scadding’s “board representatives,” and look to takeover the running of the club, all of the non-executive directors will leave their posts.

Howard Greenhaf is the only director listed with County at Companies House, but the likes of Crook, Nathan Blake and Chris Blight will be among those standing down.

“It is with regret that I announce I am stepping down from the board of Newport County AFC,” Crook wrote in a statement obtained by Argus Sport.

“As you are probably aware our former chairman and director Les Scadding has relinquished his majority shareholding of Newport County AFC and gifted it to the Newport County Supporters Trust.

“No member of the Trust’s board has been in contact with me regarding my position as a non-executive director of Newport County AFC but I understand their wish is for me and my fellow directors to step down so the Trust can take full control of the club.

“It is with a heavy heart that I stand down after six months as a non-executive director on the Newport County AFC board but I want the Trust to know that I will always be available to provide any assistance they need in their running of my Newport County AFC.

“I will continue my association and significant financial contribution with the club as a sponsor and official academy partner through my company, Henry Howard Finance, where I am founder and Chief Operating Officer – as well as my season ticket at Rodney Parade.

“I would like to put on my record my appreciation to Les Scadding for his significant investment into my football club as without his generosity, Newport County AFC’s dream of playing in the Football League would remain just that – a dream.

“I wish the Newport County Supporters Trust all the best in running the football club. As a lifelong Newport County supporter, it has been an ambition to help my club and that ambition will always continue.”