St Neots owner and chairman Mike Kearns has handed over control of the club to his son with immediate effect.

Kearns’ 92 per cent shareholding in the Southern League Premier Division side has been acquired by son Lee – the club’s managing director.

Kearns snr said: “This is something I have been thinking about for some time.

“With Lee having done such a professional job in the past four years – looking after the day-to-day running of the club and the introduction of the Academy and Scholarship programmes – I believe it is time for him to have total control of the club’s future.

“I hope to support the club from the terraces as and when time permits, but I’ll have no further active involvement in the club.

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped us reach our goals and achieve the success we have done in the past few years.”

Kearns purchased St Neots Town when they were a United Counties League club.

Back-to-back promotions to the Southern League Premier Division followed and they are now in their fourth season at their current level.

Only a controversy penalty decision in a play-off final defeat at Truro back in May cost them another promotion.

And new chief Lee Kearns was quick to recognise that fine progress the club has made under his father while looking forward to the future.

He said: “I ask that we recognise the contribution the outgoing owner and chairman has made while at the same time embrace and support the next exciting chapter in the club’s history.”

The first match of a new era for Saints is tomorrow when they entertain Weymouth at the Premier Plus Stadium.