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Chairman John Morris has joined the growing departure list at New Zealand Football but insists his decision has nothing to do with recent upheavals.
Rather, he cites a determination for a greater hands-on role for the board as his reason for stepping-down after six years as head of the national body.
"The rationale behind my decision has little to do with the dark days of December and January, dispiriting and disappointing as they were, but rather more to do with the fact the board will be operating in a more operational manner at least in the medium term," he said.
"This change in the role requires a greater commitment than I could possibly give as chairman."
Morris, headmaster at Auckland Grammar School, said he could not guarantee being able to give both roles the time demanded.
"The last four months have been very challenging but also spectacularly successful," said Morris. "To totally refinance the organisation in such a short space of time is truly remarkable."
Morris, who remains president of the Fifa Under-17 Women's World Cup, also took aim at some sections of the media in the wake of the financial and other problems which have beset the code.
"Various sections of the press are always quick to criticise sporting bodies [witness recent tirades against the NZRU and NZRL] but are conveniently blind to reporting good news and extraordinary progress," he said. "At the same time so-called supporters of our game seem to enjoy deriding everything from the administration of the game to the quality of coaching and playing standard, most often from a standpoint of ignorance."
Of the seven members elected or appointed last June, Phil Johnson, Andrew Smith and Kristin Bowman have resigned and have been replaced by co-opted members Ian Harvey, Mark Aspden and Bill Moran.
Elected incumbents Frank van Hattum and deputy chairman Fred de Jong will stand again at the June 25 congress. Andrew Titter, an appointee, will also seek another term as will Aspden and Moran.
Applications for the appointed and elected positions close on May 25. A three-person panel will make their four appointments known at the congress.
The federations will elect the other three board members with at least one from the North and South Islands.
Morris' resignation follows the departures of staff Graham Seatter, Mike Kernaghan, Paul Smith, Kent Gray, Rob Sherman, Pete Elderkin, Laurie McCall and Michele Cox.
