DORCHESTER Town co-chairman Shaun Hearn is to step down from the club’s board next month, it has been announced.

Hearn’s resignation is set to take effect from October 18 but he will remain joint majority shareholder in the Magpies alongside the Community Trust.

After taking control in 2009, Hearn approached the trust earlier this year with a view to turning Dorch-ester into a community-owned club.

A club statement said: “Shaun will be a great loss to the board with his significant experience in running the club, but he considers that now is the right time to step aside in the best interests of the club.

“Shaun took over the helm of the club in 2009 as majority shareholder and set about tackling the many issues that needed resolving, including the huge financial challenge that faced the club at the time.

“Shaun has always believed in sustainable community ownership, and in 2013 approached the Community Trust with a view to one day achieve this.

“The board of Dorchester Town Football Club thank Shaun for his service to the club over the last four years, and in particular his foresight and bravery in passing half of his shareholding into community ownership.

“The board wish Shaun and his family all the very best for the future, and hope they can all enjoy a very well deserved rest from the pressures of running the club.”