Crouch will be chairman (From Daily Echo)

Crouch will be chairman

8:16am Friday 2nd March 2007 in Sport By Simon Carter, Sports Editor

LEON Crouch WILL be appointed acting chairman of Saints' football board.

The Daily Echo understands Crouch has softened his position with regards to seeking executive powers if he took on the role vacated by Michael Wilde.

Now he is desperate to ensure everyone involved with Saints gets fully behind George Burley and the players ahead of the final 11 games of the season.

Lymington-based businessman Crouch has told those running the club - PLC chairman Ken Dulieu and chief executive Jim Hone - that he is happy to carry on as chairman.

Saints were today expected to release a statement confirming the apppointment, which should be formally ratified at a PLC board meeting a week today A source told the Daily Echo: "This is the best solution for the club.

"This is an absolutely crucial time of the season and now we can get on with focussing on the football".

Crouch's appointment should end a hectic week where boardroom issues dominated fans' talk instead of the ongoing promotion race.