www.CHAIRBOYS.co.uk - Wycombe Wanderers - News item from Chairboys on the Net

YET ANOTHER CE DEPARTS
(15th April 2010 - updated 16th April 2010)
Woodlands Stand from players tunnel

Joint Wanderers and London Wasps Chief Executive Officer Paul Harrison has left his position at the Club after less than six months, with joint owner Steve Hayes claiming that things hadn't worked out. In a brief official statement, Hayes said, "Paul has spent considerable time and energy on both clubs since he joined us, but sometimes these things don't work out. I thank Paul for everything he has done for us and wish him every success for the future. He is certainly very welcome back at Adams Park at any time".

Harrison, a former City businessman, was appointed in a blaze of publicity under the relatively new club ownership of Hayes on 23rd October 2009. Hayes went on to say that Harrison would be key in the bold ambitions for a new stadium for Wanderers and Wasps, saying less than a month later in an interview for the Evening Standard, "Paul Harrison is now joint CEO of Wycombe and Wasps and he will be looking at ways of pulling things together and there is obvious synergy in various areas." But once again for Hayes, he has failed to gel with his chosen staff, with Harrison being consigned to the ever growing list of executive mis-matches at the Club.

Harrison's departure follows a series of appointments and departures from similar positions at the Club over the past few years, starting when the Club apppointed their first Chief Executive in the form of Simon Monkman back in February 2002. Monkman lasted just six months at the Club and following conversion to a PLC in July 2004, there has been a steady stream of names under titles ranging from General Manager to Operations Manager and culminating in the appointment of Mark Ashton in February 2009 as Wanderers' CE and also as Non-Executive Director of Wycombe's tenants, London Wasps. Ashton's tenure lasted just three months, citing that he wished to pursue a different career. Harrison managed double that time, although COTN understands that the departure has been on the cards since since February 2010.

Since this news item was first published the Bucks Free Press went on to report on 16th April 2010 that Harrison was 'sacked' with Hayes claiming that his lack of knowledge of football cost him his job. Hayes is quoted as saying, "Paul has spent considerable time and energy on both clubs since he ioined us, but sometimes these things don't work out. The fit wasn't right. I have got two clubs and I needed a chief executive that was right for both clubs." Hayes added, ""Crowds are still not going In the right direction and there are still clearly some things which need adressing. Sometimes you have to accept things aren't working and make a decision." The report concludes by saying that Hayes will now bring in his own 'temporary management team' from his previous businesses to work at Adams Park for three months while he goes on look out for his third chief executive inside of a year, with the bullish owner claiming he would find the right person this time.

Executive appointment timeline higlights at Adams Park
February 2002 - Simon Monkman appointed as Club's first Chief Executive
September 2002 - Simon Monkman resigns
July 2004 - Club converted to PLC
September 2004 - John Harrison appointed as General Manager
December 2004 - Mark Austin - Sales & Marketing Director made redundant
June 2005 - Garry Adamson joins as 'Operations Manager'
December 2005 - John Harrison departs as General Manager
May 2006 - Karen Ellis apponted as 'Head of Business Development' January 2007 - Steve Hayes goes full-time as Wanderers Managing Director
February 2007 - Karen Ellis departs
March 2007 - Garry Adamson resigns as General Manager
February 2009 - Mark Ashton appointed as Chief Executive
May 2009 - Mark Ashton resigns
July 2009 - Steve Hayes takes ownership of Wycombe Wanderers
October 2009 - Paul Harrison appointed as Chief Executive Officer

Click here to read all the latest Wycombe news