John has made a massive decision for someone who's been involved with football for so long.

Without question [we are looking at bringing in a marquee player]. I have flagged that to the board and, while it comes down to money, I wouldn't discount it.

It's John that has decided to walk away.

Yes, we suffered a loss this year but we are confident in turning that around within the next three years.

Key to our success in the new season is the staff and infrastructure surrounding the squad of players and most important in that equation is the management team.

I'm aware that confidence is at an all-time low in this country and we're trying to change that. A marquee player would go some way to say to the public that, 'yes, we got it wrong last season but this season watch out'. It's all about flair and winning.

But at the end of the day, John's got to do what is right for himself, and that's what he has done.

It's a very high-pressure job, and while he's beaten the cancer well and truly now, there's still some ongoing treatments that take some time and I'm sure that was part of John's thinking.