ALTON and District Sport Council chairman Joe Walters has announced that he will be resigning “as soon as practically possible”.

He is now urgently seeking a replacement who is untainted by the history associated with the development issues surrounding the new sports centre.

Having fought long and hard to secure the best sports centre for Alton, and one which he believed would be a centre of excellence for years to come, Mr Walters said: “I’m truly sorry and deeply aggrieved that Alton and District Sports Council was unsuccessful and the town and its surrounding villages are now sentenced, for the foreseeable future, to live with the new centre whose priority is commercial and not for the benefit of sport or welfare of the general public.

“I do, however, sense that the town and its electorate, having gone through this particular mill, are now wiser and better prepared for bigger and more significant battles ahead.”

Having led Alton and District Sports Council through what has been a difficult planning process, Mr Walters feels he is not the right person to take the sports council forward.

“Notwithstanding the above, if Alton and District Sports Council is to usefully contribute toward the future of the town’s sport and recreation it needs a new direction, and someone untainted with the past encounters to guide it into the future.

“I’m asking for a volunteer to take on the role of chairperson, as soon as possible. In addition, Alton and District Sports Council needs a secretary – a post which has been vacant for as long as I’ve been chairman.”

Both of these roles are voluntary and, assures Mr Walters, “in more settled times are not onerous”.

Anyone interested should call Joe on 07774 512401.