Jim Holder knows Halstead Town is in good hands.

After 12 years at the Rosemary Lane helm, Holder has decided the time is right to step down as Halstead chairman, but he is confident that his move won’t leave the club in a tough position.

Holder said the reaction he had received since announcing his decision had been fantastic, with plenty of well-wishers being quick to hail the job he has done in more than a decade of leading the Humbugs.

He has also stepped down from his role as first-team assistant manager, with a health problem – that he said was “non-threatening” – and a desire to spend more time with his family as the reasons behind his decision.

And with fans’ participation in projects at the club taking a big increase this year and the first-team riding high in their bid to get promoted from Thurlow Nunn League division one, he felt the time was right to move aside.

Holder said: “I’m proud of what we have achieved and it certainly wasn’t an easy decision to make, but the time is definitely right.

“The people that we have at the club now look very strong and able.

“It’s in good hands and the club is in very good shape – probably the best since I have been there."

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