The CEO of Grimsby Town FC has announced she will be stepping down to take up a new position as she praises the club that will always hold a “huge place in my heart”.
Debbie Cook, who was appointed as the Club Chief Executive in June 2021, is officially set to step down from her role in February next year to take on the role of Director of Community at the English Football League (EFL) and the overseeing of The EFL Trust charity.
The process to recruit a new CEO for Grimsby Town FC will shortly commence, the club has confirmed.
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In a statement, Debbie said: “I love this football club and it will always occupy a huge place in my heart. I’m really proud of what has been achieved in the time I’ve been here. This club is littered with many, many wonderful people that we’re lucky to have and I’ll miss them daily, but I will look forward to seeing them at games.
“I love football but when I took the club’s CEO role, some said they thought it was a strange move for me, having spent nearly the whole of the previous decade as CEO of a national health charity and then a charity working with young and homeless people. But it wasn’t a strange move at all, because I truly believe in the power of our great game to transform the communities they share.
(Image: Jon Corken)
“Every week as I walk around our stadium, I see evidence of this first-hand, so many people who feel a belonging and a connection with their club, trusting them over all other civic institutions. I now feel so privileged to be able to take my passion and support this work at the EFL, as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, to develop this work in another 71 clubs and club community organisations and places, using football to build social value, to reach the otherwise hard-to-reach, to bring joy and support to many.”
Owner Jason Stockwood, who appointed Debbie alongside co-owner Andrew Pettit, said he is “delighted” for her.
“On a personal level, I’m delighted for Debbie,” he said.
“People won’t know that when we first met, we said that our job is to make you successful and if you get a job that’s bigger and better, you’d have my complete blessing and support – and that’s what this is.
“But she’s been brilliant for this football club, a massive part of the culture changes and a great colleague and ally for me over the last couple of years. I’ll miss her, but I’m thrilled for her and it’s no less than she deserves. Debbie and her family will always be welcome at GTFC.”
Original story at https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/
