Robins chairman resigns to navigate another club from an 'unthinkable fate'

The Chairmanship at Ilkeston Town FC has been handed over after David Hilton tendered his immediate resignation.

A statement issued on the club website and shared via social media expressed David Hilton's "deep sadness" but said that an opportunity had arisen for him to navigate another club away from what he described as an "unthinkable fate and hopefully assist them in getting back to where they belong."

His statement continued: "An opportunity has arisen for me to help navigate another club away from an unthinkable fate and hopefully assist them in getting back to where they belong.

“My time at Ilkeston has been an unbelievable one. I’ve met some wonderful people over the past few years and sadly lost a few along the way. The memories of it all will remain with me forever.

“I’m completely comfortable leaving the club in the condition that it is now in. I’ve delivered on all of my promises and finally you have a club that can sustain at a good level without the risk of losing it.

“The facilities are something we should all be extremely proud of. The playing squad and coaches are undoubtedly one of the strongest at step three. More importantly, they are all great people too and will certainly be trying their very best to deliver success.

”I have many people to thank at the club which include my business partner and friend Andrew Nally who you all know. Andrew will now step up and be solely responsible for the running of the club.

“I would like to thank all of the players and management with whom I have been involved, and Mark Frost in particular, as everything we have achieved would not have been possible without him. Mike and Kelly Pike have also played a key part and they always have the best interests of the club at heart.  There are many more I owe so much gratitude to and they all know who they are.

“This is certainly not the last you will see of me, I will follow the club with the same passion and interest I’ve always had since 2019 when I first invested, albeit frequently from afar. I want the club to continue being successful, every last one of you deserve nothing short of that and I am sure with Andrew, and so many other good people at the club, this will be delivered sometime soon.

“Carry on supporting the club as you always have. The support you have shown not just to the club but to me personally has been truly remarkable and I’d like to say a massive thank you to you all, this includes all the hard working volunteers who do so purely out of love. Apart from myself leaving, the club is completely unaffected and will continue to be driven forward and grow, with the juniors’ continued expansion being the key to that. Inevitably it will be your backing that makes anything possible. I am only sorry and saddened that I now have to step away from your journey.

“I send well wishes to you all and good luck for the future.”

On Wednesday evening (25th January), it was formally announced that Mr. Hilton had taken over as Chairman at struggling National League side Scunthorpe United having been at Glanford Park to lead talks. Former Notts County owner Alan Hardy previously took to his social media account to concede to an alternative bidder for the club known as the Iron, and wished them every success.

Scunthorpe United are the subject of a winding up order from HMRC over an alleged unpaid tax bill, and are fighting for their survival in the National League.