Rafi Razzak to step down as Basingstoke chairman after 25 years in the job

RAFI RAZZAK has announced he will step down as Basingstoke Town chairman and withdraw his financial support at the end of the season as the club look towards a ‘Plan B’.

Razzak has been in charge at the Camrose for 25 years but the long-standing chairman has decided it’s time for somebody else to take over.

He said: “I have enjoyed my involvement with Basingstoke Town FC and my connection to the club will continue until I am happy that a suitable long term plan for the club is achieved.

“Therefore, I will continue to be actively involved during the review, before handing over the reign to the new chairman and leaving the club in a financially secure position.”

As part of Razzak’s exit, the club will be forming a ‘Plan B’ to determine the long-term future of the Hampshire outfit, including where they will play.

Town have played at the Camrose since 1946 but the club feel the ground is no longer suitable without changes that may not be economically or practically feasible.

The club had hoped to move to a new ground at Old Common Road, ‘Plan A’, but Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council refused to grant a formal option for the site.

In a review of their options, Basingstoke will consider whether it would be worth them finding an existing ground they could upgrade, groundsharing or even merging with another club.

The final decisions from the review will be made next May as Razzak leaves the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier outfit.