John Williams resigns from Blackburn Rovers post

Williams has been at Blackburn for 14 years

John Williams has resigned as executive chairman at Blackburn Rovers.

Williams has been at the club for 14 years after initially joining as chief executive in 1997.

He took the decision to step down following talks with the club's Venky's owners, who took over at Ewood Park last November.

"There is a new order, a new way of doing things and I believe the time is right for me now to move on," Williams told the club's website.

"I would like to take this opportunity to wish the club, its owners, management, players, employees and supporters all the very best for the future."

606: DEBATE It's disappointing to learn there's no longer a role for him at the club Rover the Top

There were doubts whether Williams would continue in the aftermath of Sam Allardyce being sacked as manager by the owners in December.

And, although he decided to stay in an executive chairman role he took up in 2005, Williams has now left citing "this is a new dawn for the club".

Managing director Tom Finn added: "All of us here at Ewood Park, our owners and I am sure all our fans, would like to take this opportunity to thank John for the contribution he has made during his tenure and we send him our best wishes for the future."