Otley pair resign from key roles (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Otley rocked by decisions of Paul Carter and Gary Walker

10:30am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Otley By Bill Marshall

Two prominent committee members of Otley Rugby Union Football Club have resigned.

Paul Carter has stood down as club chairman, while Gary Walker has done likewise as rugby chairman.

Otley RUFC issued a brief statement on their website confirming the resignations.

It said: “The committee accepted, with regret, the resignation of chairman Paul Carter and subsequent resignation of chairman of rugby Gary Walker.”

Carter replaced Paul Jaques in the autumn of 2009 but Otley were relegated from National League One in 2010-11 and are currently in a relegation berth this season in SSE National League Two North.

Walker became director of rugby in July 2009, stepping down from that role due to business pressures last November while remaining chairman of rugby.

The club are expected to issue a fuller statement next week.

There might be issues off the field in a time of recession but the Otley players are still fully focussed on avoiding relegation, although they missed a golden opportunity on Saturday when they could only draw 22-22 with fellow strugglers Leicester Lions having led 22-12 after 29 minutes.

The first team have no game this weekend but director of rugby Tom Rock is still confident that they can beat the drop.

The experienced Howard Parr should be in the squad for a week on Saturday, when the Cross Greeners are aiming for back-to-back away wins at Bromsgrove.

Otley won 11-5 at Kendal on January 21 – the first week that the newly-returned Parr was missing – and Rock said: “It will be good to have him in the squad as he has already taught our two second rows so much.”