Coventry City Football Club have announced that Coventry born businessman John Clarke OBE is to be Gary Hoffman's successor as vice chairman.
Mr Clarke is a lifelong Coventry City fan and was an associate director before becoming a full director when Joe Elliott left the board to become Life President of the club.
Mr Clarke, as founder and chief executive of his public relations company Century PR, will bring plenty of experience and know how to the board.
Clarke was the man responsible for negotiation the shirt deal with City Link, who have their headquarters in Coventry and it is in this area of operations that he will work in order to bring more much needed investment into the club. He will be working to forge partnerships with businesses and companies in order to promote Coventry City Football Club.
Mr Clarke received his OBE for 'services to the community of Coventry' at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2005.
In response to his appointment as club vice chairman, Mr Clarke said to the CT: "I am delighted and indeed honoured to have been appointed vice chairman and look forward to supporting the chairman Ray Ranson, my fellow directors and the club's senior management in our mission to bring better times back to the club."
"I have been involved with the club as an associate director and more recently as board director for the past four and a half years and I am aware of how much effort is being undertaken behind the scenes in order to create a platform for the club's future success."
"One of the key components of the club's strategy is to ensure that the club has a strong local presence and I will be working closely with our Life President Joe Elliott and our loyal group of local associate directors to ensure that we all play an integral part in the club's future direction at a local level."
"As people associated with the club are aware, I have Sky Blue blood running through my veins and have supported the club from the terraces to the board table, from the Jimmy Hill era to the present."
"My role as vice chairman will include improving communication, bringing the club closer to the fans and the business community as well as creating partnerships with local sporting and educational organisations."
John Clarke, as well as running Century PR and being a director and vice chairman of Coventry City, is also the managing editor and majority shareholder of the magazine Mind Your Business . He is also a governor of Coventry University, board director of the Coventry Transport Museum and a founder member and former vice chair of the NSPCC Coventry Business Group.
Mr Clarke and his wife, Celeste, have raised thousands of pounds in aid of the NSPCC trough their annual garden party at their home near Kenilworth.
Coventry City Chairman Ray Ranson said: "John is a very active supporter of the club on many levels. He has worked very hard for the club and is actively strengthening local links with business and the community."