Perry had been in charge at Field Mill for two years

Andrew Perry has stepped down as chairman of Blue Square Bet Premier side Mansfield Town.

Perry, who took over the club along with two fellow local businessmen in July 2008, said he wants to devote more time to his own business.

Fellow director Andrew Saunders takes over as interim chairman ahead of next month's Annual General Meeting.

Perry said: "I would like to thank the fans - the heartbeat of the club. I cannot praise them highly enough."

Perry, Saunders and Steve Middleton, who are all long-standing Stags supporters, bought the club from Keith Haslam in the summer of 2008, shortly after Mansfield were relegated from the Football League.

My decision to leave will not stop the growth of the club Andy Perry

The deal brought to an end 15 years in charge for Haslam, and at the time, Saunders described taking over as a "boyhood ambition".

Perry, whose resignation takes immediate effect, said: "My decision to leave will not stop the growth of the club.

"The club still requires the backing of the whole town."

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