Boyle to quit Motherwell post

John Boyle has confirmed he will end his controversial reign as Motherwell chairman next month as the club begins to move out of administration.

And the players who were sacked when the club went into administration in April last year will also be given an indication if they are to be paid the money they are owed.

The money brought in by the £1.5m (€2.1m) sale of James McFadden has at last allowed the club to begin to get back to normal.

Boyle informed a board meeting he would step down as chairman and a director at the club's annual meeting in October.

He said: "My intention has always been to step down as chairman and a director in the event of the club being sold or a decision to take the club out of interim administration.

"Since last year I have made it clear that my shareholding in Motherwell is up for sale and that remains the case."

Administrator Bryan Jackson has been running the club since April 2002 and has now begun a process he estimates will take four months.

He said: "There are two main reasons I can now begin this process. First, the cost-cutting measures implemented over the last 17 months not only ensured the club's survival but also brought about a significant degree of financial stability. Second, the club will receive some funds from the sale of James McFadden, although the money generated by the player's transfer will only come to Motherwell over the next two years.

"The process to take the club out of administration will last approximately four months.

"My first task will be to agree creditors' claims and I will be assisted in this by the fact that the club chairman and largest creditor, John Boyle, has waived his rights to any proceeds from the current proposed distribution.

"I will be contacting creditors soon but I must ask parties to be patient as there are complex issues to be resolved.

"The last 17 months have been extremely difficult for everyone involved with the club but I would remind people that had Motherwell not gone into interim administration it would have faced certain closure. Thankfully, that has been avoided."