Alan Burrows made a bombshell announcement this morning informing Motherwell fans he will be stepping down as the club's chief executive after more than eight years at the helm.
The season-ticket holder turned club chief started working with the Steelmen in September 2007 as part of their communications team under predecessor Leeann Dempster, and soon started having a bigger say on the inner-workings of the club.
By 2014, he was appointed to the role of chief executive when Dempster left for Hibs and the job he has done there speaks for itself, with the club becoming fan-owned in October 2016 before enjoying record turnover, season ticket sales and transfer fee received when they sold academy product David Turnbull to Celtic in 2021 for £3.25million.
He has worked with 11 different managers from Mark McGhee to Ian Baraclough, to Stephen Robinson and now Steven Hammell.
And during his tenure the club has been praised for its work in the community, from backing suicide prevention campaigns to supporting foodbanks, launching a charity kit and supporting various other projects in North Lanarkshire over the years.
On the pitch the club played in two domestic cup finals, finished third in the Scottish Premiership in 2020 and also played in European competitions. He was also at the helm when Motherwell beat Rangers in the 2015 Premiership play-off final to avoid relegation.
The man named Scottish CEO of the Year at the Scottish Business Awards in 2019 is now heading for, as yet unkown, pastures new and will step down at the club once his successor has been appointed.
But he leaves amid the club struggling at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership and facing the real prospect of a relegation battle.
It has been 38 years since Motherwell played outside the top flight and whoever does come on board will have big shoes to fill.
As Burrows took to Twitter to announce his impending exit, the news brought with it praise for the job he has done in ML1 but it has also left fans concerned for the future.
Praise came from the likes of user Ernie Romer who said: "So sad to see this news. The club will never have a CEO who knows the club the support or the community like you. From the days of Steelmen Online it’s been obvious that you bleed Claret and Amber. All the best for whatever is next you will be sorely missed."
Stephen Russell said: "Really sad to read this. He's a terrific ambassador, excellent administrator and had a clear vision for the club and its role in the wider community. We'll be a lot poorer without him. He'll be sorely missed."
And user @MotherwellSuper commented: "Alan Burrows is the best signing the club has made in many a long year and feels like the heart is being ripped out of this club with him leaving. I wish you nothing but success on your journey."
William Lynch commented: "You can walk away with your head held high as you have done more for this club and the transformation in your tenure from the state of the infrastructure i.e pitch, stadium etc. Some people forget. But you have my thanks and I wish you and your family all the best for the future."
Ian Mulvey posted: "Would’ve been good for him to have left during a high & not while there are concerns like there are now. No doubt he’s ‘Well thru & thru & has served the club tremendously through hard times, terrible times and made good times possible. Gave a lot of himself to MFC."
For others, though, the announcement has left them worried.
Concerned user Colin Atherton said: "What an absolute catastrophe for the club. This is the worst possible situation for the club and the fans. Alan is a priceless asset and he’s irreplaceable. The only way is down from here."
A comment from @Frazzle read: "This is terrible news. Went over and above his role constantly and always had the club and supporters at heart. I genuinely fear for the future of MFC now, but I don’t blame him one bit for leaving- I’d have been away years ago if it was me. Awrabest."
User @Neely792 said: "Tells you things aren't right at the club . The appointment of Hammell saw it going only one way . Cheap option probably forced . All good things come to an end."
Nick McPheat posted: "Who knows what this means for the direction of the club going forward - but any Well fan whose immediate emotion isn’t one of concern is quite simply at it."
User @IKM1986 said: "Can’t help but be worried by this move, we are extremely unlikely to get someone in who has the same love for the club. Concerning times for the club I think."
A post from @steveumb read: "I'm not saying his replacement shouldn't be a Motherwell supporter, but it needs to be someone experienced and qualified. Employing folk who hang about Fir Park has now reached the dug out and look where it's getting us."
Bob Logan said: "Terrible timing before such a massive game on Saturday. What's going on at Fir Park???"
Meanwhile, current players and ex-pros have praised his work at the helm.
'Well hero Louis Moult, who has just returned to parent club Burton Albion from his second spell with the Steelmen due to injury, posted: "A huge credit to the football club and community in everything he’s done on and off the park. He’s always been there for me and my family personally and professionally which speaks volumes for the passionate, caring person that he is. Good luck in the future."
Former Hibs striker Tam McManus posted: "Big shoes to fill. Done an outstanding job at Motherwell in the main & helped foster a real community spirit off the park. Good luck Alan Burrows."
Ex-Well striker and current Dundee United frontman Tony Watt simply said: "Legend."
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