Raith Rovers have confirmed new appointments to the board as it undergoes something of a shake-up over the coming weeks.
Club sponsor and internationally-renowned author Val McDermid has accepted an invitation to join the board at Stark’s Park, as has Kirkcaldy-born businessman John Sim.
McDermid has supported the Kirkcaldy club all of her life and, as well as being the main shirt sponsor this season, the crime writer sponsors the away stand at Stark’s Park which was named in honour of her father who was the scout who brought the legendary Jim Baxter to Kirkcaldy.
Meanwhile, Sim – who is now based in Thailand but still flies over to see Rovers matches – played a key role in the change of ownership which happened at the club nine years ago and is both a significant shareholder in the club’s holding company and majority shareholder in the company which owns the stadium.
“These appointments further strengthen the club’s board of directors, and we are certain that both Val and John will make significant and valued contributions going forward,” a club statement said.
Chairman Turnbull Hutton had already announced his intention to step down before the end of the year after the Kirkcaldy club revealed a near £100,000 profit for the year ending June 2014 helped in no small part by good Scottish Cup and Ramsdens Cup runs.
He has now formally stepped down after chairing his final board meeting, and the club now aims to have just two companies in the Raith Rovers framework Raith Rovers and Stark’s Park Properties ideally with cross-representation on the respective boards.
The new directors will join existing board members Mario Caira, Eric Drysdale, Alan Young, Tom Phillips, Tom Morgan and David Wann at the board’s next meeting within the next few weeks.