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Retirement beckons as Peter says au revoir

19/ 7/2008

PETER WHITEHEAD enjoys a challenge, and that’s why his decision to step down as chief executive of Rochdale Hornets this week was a tough one to make.

"My blood pressure’s too high. The job itself is stressful. There’s nothing sinister at all, I only wish the club well on and off the pitch in the future. There’s been no rows or anything with anybody, it’s just purely health reasons.

"I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Hornets, the involvement has been great.

"The most challenging part of running a rugby league club is trying to keep the finances in order, and trying to generate enough income to pay all the bills and wages and everything else that goes with it. If we got 1,500 plus supporters for every home game there wouldn’t be any financial trouble, but we don’t, so the commercial side of Hornets is forever looking at new ways to increase the income."

Mr Whitehead paid

tribute to those who work tirelessly to keep Hornets afloat and help maintain the long tradition of professional rugby league in Rochdale. "I would like more people to support this club." he said. "There are a lot of fantastic people associated with Hornets.

"Many of them are volunteers who give up their time for nothing, not just on match days, but at other times as well. The club is not entitled to the support of the town without earning it, but I think it earns it. It’s been going 137 years, it would be a tragedy if this club wasn’t here. The only way it maintains a future is to have enough people watching the game of rugby league here."

He does, though, maintain an optimistic view on the future of Hornets: "The Rugby League is helping, in that next season more money comes to the National League clubs because of a better TV deal with Sky.

"The future still looks good for Hornets even though right at this minute finances are tight, hence the fans forum next Thursday in the hope that we can get some fans to work with the board. The board don’t have all the answers, but they work exceptionally hard, and it’s a very small board. There’s only five people on it and they’ve all got other things to do with their lives as well as being involved with Hornets. This makes life difficult at times.

"In the 14 months I’ve been here I haven’t for one minute questioned the commitment of the board whichhas been demonstrated week in, week out."

Mr Whitehead is also looking forward to the benefits which will accrue from Hornets burgeoning community programme

"We’ve been involved in the community side for over 18 months since Darren Rogers started. He did a year with us.

Matt Gartland took over in January this year and is doing a superb job.

"The support he’s had from schools in Rochdale has been tremendous. What he’s doing is sowing seeds for the future.

"We are hoping, through his efforts that a lot more interest is aroused in rugby league in Rochdale.

"Once youngsters start coming, and bring their parents with them, they might just like it and want to come again."

So what will Peter now do in his spare time?

"I don’t know yet," he said with a wry smile. "I’ve retired once when I finished at Motorama, perhaps I ought to retire again and do it properly this time."

Hornets’ commercial director Karen Reynolds is sad to see Mr Whitehead go, but well understands his plight.

She said: "It is with great sadness that the board has accepted the resignation of Peter.

"The expertise and attention to detail that Peter used in his role was exceptional and benefited Hornets no end.

"But we accept an individual’s health is more important than anything. We are, however, over the moon that Peter is going to stay in contact with the club and has agreed to work with the board on a consultancy basis. His first job will be to chair the forthcoming fans forum being held next Thursday.

"On a personal note I would like to add that Peter’s advice, support and guiding hand has been invaluable and I thank him for that."