His departure comes at the end of one of the most successful seasons for the club on the pitch and, with funding secured and work finally commencing on the building of a new 300 seater stand in time for the start of next season, he has decided now is the right time for him to bring his chairmanship to an end.

The eight years under the leadership of Gerry Byers witnessed trophy winning success throughout the club with Ballinamallard Utd Reserves crowned Fermanagh & Western Division 1 Champions in 2002 and the club establishing itself competitively at national level winning the Irish League Second Division title in 2003, the Irish Youth Cup twice in 2002 and 2006 and only this month lifting the inaugural Irish Youth League Section B title.

With the senior and youth sections of the club coming closer together during this period increased success was also achieved at youth level both locally and nationally with Ballinamallard teams continuing to win Brendan Keogh Youth League and Mid Ulster Youth League titles, and also winning the club's first trophies at the Foyle Cup and in the new National Youth League. Gerry was also largely responsible for bringing ladies football to Ferney Park in recent years.

Off the pitch during his tenure Gerry Byers oversaw the development of new changing rooms and training facilities at the club and most recently the appointment of contractors to build a new stand at Ferney Park which will enable the first team to play at home once again after a season based in Armagh.

Addressing the club's end of season awards function on Saturday night at Ferney Park clubhouse the outgoing Chairman was warmly received by players, management and club members as he reflected proudly on his period in the hot seat. He explained how it was now time for him to concentrate his energies on other matters away from the club and he paid tribute to a number of individuals for their contributions and assistance during his eight years at the helm.

These included both first team managers with whom he worked, Harry McConkey and Whitey Anderson, and who he acknowledged had brought great honour to the club by bringing the first Irish League title to County Fermanagh, a second Irish Youth Cup and, in this his final season as Chairman, the club's highest ever table finish at Irish League level.

Vice-Chairman Peter Beckett, as well as Ballinamallard Utd Youth manager John Quinn, Reserves manager Manager Gordon Lee, and first team manager Whitey Anderson each publicly praised Gerry's immense contribution to the development of the club over the last eight years.

Peter Beckett said, "The fact that the club has celebrated a memorable season in which it brought the first Irish Youth League title to the county, the Reserves seriously challenged for the Fermanagh & Western Division 1 title, and Ballinamallard Utd were the surprise package of the inaugural season of the IFA Championship by pushing former Premier League clubs Portadown, Donegal Celtic, Loughgall and Ards to the wire, is testament to the growth of Ballinamallard Utd FC as a competitive club under the leadership of Gerry Byers.

"Off the pitch," he continued, "we are indebted to Gerry for his tireless work in building Ballinamallard Utd's standing and reputation as a valued Irish League club, and for his role in developing the club's physical infrastructure. It is these longer term achievements for the benefit of Ballinamallard Utd FC which will be Gerry's legacy after 8 years dedication to the club as Chairman. We look forward to him continuing to serve the club in whatever way he can and we wish him well for the future."