Edwards to quit as United chairman

Martin Edwards is to quit as chairman of Manchester United at the end of the season.

The end of his 22-year reign on the board was announced by the Stock Exchange today.

Edwards has also resigned as a non-executive director of United plc.

A former chief executive of the Old Trafford club, he steps down with immediate effect.

Edwards decided to take this action just five days after a Sunday newspaper made allegations about his private life – the latest in a series of lurid tales.

Oliver Houston, spokesman for Shareholders United, said they were glad he had decided to go.

In a statement, Houston said: “It is not before time. Why Sir Roy Gardner (plc chairman ) and Peter Kenyon (chief executive) allowed him to resign, rather than sack him, is beyond us.

“Hopefully we can draw a line under his reign. On numerous ill-judged occasions, he has tried to sell off our club and made a personal fortune in the process.

“His vacancy should now be filled by a supporter-elected director as Shareholders United proposed at the recent AGM.”