Scarborough chairman Cope resigns

The Seadogs won their league title in Cope's second season as chairman

Scarborough Athletic chairman Simon Cope has resigned because of personal, family and work commitments.

Cope was a key figure in the new club's formation, following the demise of the former Scarborough FC. He intends to stay on as a director.

New acting chairman Tony Brown told BBC York: "It was a surprise, but time was of the essence and I think he was finding it a bit too much.

"Because of him, Scarborough now has a football club that it can be proud of."

Scarborough FC lost their football league status in 1999 and were later relegated to the second tier of the Conference. The club could not make ends meet and folded in 2007.

It was through him that everything happened, basically

Acting chairman Tony Brown

Scarborough Athletic was formed in its place on 25 June 2007 and is still nicknamed 'The Seadogs' to preserve a link with the former club.

They won the Northern Counties East League Division One title in April 2009 and now play in its Premier Division.

"Simon was the main man who set up (the new club), got it all running and had to go cap in hand to lower leagues to find a place that would accept a brand new football club," Brown said.

"Simon took the issue up and, finally, got us a place in the Northern Counties East League.

Scarborough players celebrated their title by burying Cope in a scrum

"The club has moved forward through him, through all his hard work and through the efforts of the remainder of the board.

"It was through him that everything happened, basically."

Brown is now acting chairman until the Annual General Meeting in November and is interested in taking on the role permanently.

"I have the time, I'm retired," he added. "I can give the effort to Scarborough Athletic, which is, basically, what I want to do.

"If I do a good enough job, and things move in the right direction, then I would hope when it comes to the AGM that people may just consider what I've done in the two months."