NORMAN Halsall has resigned as chairman of Rochdale Hornets – just three weeks after stepping into the role.

Mr Halsall’s decision comes after calls from coach Darren Shaw for the board to stand down and allow new faces to step in and save Hornets.

The club was served with a winding up order by the Inland Revenue for £55,000 at the start of December with the case due to be heard at the High Court in London on 14 January.

The news was broken at a shareholders meeting on Monday 1 December with Mr Halsall taking on the chairman’s mantle later that week.

Shaw criticised the board in an exclusive interview with the Observer in which he cited a lack of ‘leadership and communication’ as reasons for the overhaul.

"I believe it’s in the best interests of the club that the present board step down and allow some fresh faces to carry Hornets forward," he said. "I think we should all thank the board for their service and loyalty over the years, but it’s time for someone else to have a go. For me, there is a lack of leadership and communication right now, and I feel it’s time for change at the top."

Mr Halsall’s decision begs the question ‘What now for Hornets?’ Observer Sport understands Ken Oldham is still in the role of chief executive while a group of supporters were planning to meet on Monday evening to discuss ways in which they could help the troubled club as the deadline on the winding up order looms ever closer.

The uncertainty is weighing heavy on players’ minds according to Shaw who said: "All the lads are committed to the club and want to stay but the longer this goes on the more difficult it becomes for them."

"Mick Fogarty played for Halifax over the weekend and they have a couple of friendlies coming up in which he will play with a view to a contract at the end of it."

If the club cannot find a solution to their current problems quickly, Fogarty could be the first of many to reluctantly depart Spotland.