He submitted a message that was on the Official Website. It read:
IT is with a certain amount of sadness that I take this opportunity of announcing my decision to stand down as Chairman and Director of Barnsley Football Club (2002) Ltd at the end of this season.
I had discussed with Patrick Cryne my wish to stand down at the end of last season but he asked me to stay for a while longer as there were a couple of important issues in which he felt that I could be of help so I agreed.
My involvement as a Director commenced at the end of April 2004 following the receipt of a phone call from Patrick asking me to join the Board, which I did and, on Christmas Even 2004, following the departure of Peter Ridsdale, Patrick invited me to accept the responsibility of the Chairmanship, which I was more than pleased to do because I felt I could assist in moving the Club forward.
The following three and a half years have proved to be successful and enjoyable because during that time we have won promotion to the Championship from League One; retained our Championship status and reached the Semi Final of the FA Cup. In addition we have turned the massive losses suffered by the Club into a small but welcome profit last year. It goes without saying that I am immensely proud of these achievements and I am pleased that I will be leaving the Club in better shape than it was when I became Chairman.
These results could not have been achieved without the cooperation, hard work and commitment of all our staff, both on the playing and non-playing side. So many have played a part that it seems unfair to single out individuals so to all of them I offer my grateful thanks. Could I also say that Patrick and I enjoyed and pivotal partnership during this time because without his financial support this Club would not have survived and I would not have had time to resolve the problems which existed.
To bring the situation up to date, I confirmed to Patrick in February that I did intend to step down completely at the end of the season and we agreed that I should announce that decision when we were out of the FA Cup which, as we all know, was happily a little later that we had perhaps anticipated.
My family and I will continue to support the team from the stands as we have done so for many years and we look forward to seeing the Club continue to prosper both on and off the pitch.
Finally, to the fans, particularly those who took the trouble to come over and say hello from time to time, may I thank you for your support and friendship and, as ever, ask you to get behind the team as I am sure we will make further progress in the future.
Good luck to you all.
Gordon Shepherd
Chairman
Tuesday April 15, 2008.