HAIGH ACCEPTS CHAIRMAN ROLE

HAIGH ACCEPTS CHAIRMAN ROLE

Leeds United Managing Director set to take over chairman’s role...

Leeds United Ladies FC are delighted to announce that Leeds United managing director David Haigh has been appointed as chairman pending the club’s AGM next month.

Haigh succeeds outgoing chairman Steve Russell, Group Managing Director of Ringways Motor Group, whose four-year tenure has seen the club bounce back from near extinction, and re-join the Leeds United family.

David Haigh said: “Leeds United has a rich heritage of promoting women's football and I am proud to be taking on the role of chairman from Steve Russell who has worked tirelessly to get the team to the strong position it is in now.

"We are committed as a club to developing Leeds United Ladies FC and, just as I'm looking to the long term with Leeds United, I look forward to working with the team and management of Leeds United Ladies going forward to help them move towards securing a place in the FA Women's Super League in the coming years."

Russell said: “It has been a true honour to have acted as chairman of Leeds United Ladies FC.   I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my four years at the club and would like to thank everyone involved for all their efforts during that time. 

“As a club we’ve made great strides forward, including securing our first ever match at Elland Road, a 2-1 win over Manchester City last May. 

"Having secured back to back top three finishes in the FA Women’s Premier League, three FA Women’s Premier League Cup Final appearances in four years and three consecutive County Cup wins, I have no doubt that with the quality of people already involved with the club and with David coming in as Chairman Designate, Leeds will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Haigh’s appointment to the position of chairman is viewed as a major coup for the club as they look to secure a bid to join the elite FA Women’s Super League over the coming years. 

Haigh was appointed as MD of Leeds United in July this year having been instrumental in negotiating GFH Capital’s purchase of the club last December.  An Ambassador for Make A Wish Foundation UK, Haigh has already made a significant impact upon the city of Leeds.  In addition to spearheading initiatives to reduce Season Ticket prices and improve fan experiences at Elland Road, Haigh has also done extensive charity work within the city’s local community, including forging close links with St George’s Crypt.

Leeds United Ladies board member and Director of Leeds United Foundation Mick Ferguson said: “We’re absolutely delighted that David has volunteered to succeed Steve as Chairman of the club.  Having a man of David’s quality and connections involved can only lead us to a bigger and brighter future. 

"His enthusiasm for all things Leeds United is beyond question, as evidenced by his generous personal donation to fund the players training kit this season.  I look forward to welcoming David to the club and have no doubt he is the right man to continue the fine work Steve started.”

For more information about incoming chairman David Haigh please visit www.davidhaigh.co.uk.  Alternatively why not follow him on twitter at @haighdavid.

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