CHIEF Executive Richard Neal will leave Suffolk FA early in the New Year.

Richard, who took up the position in September 2017, will be taking up a new role with The FA.

The 41-year-old, who previously worked for Suffolk Sport and was then Youth Sport Manager at Oxfordshire Sport & Physical Activity, has played a pivotal role in developing and growing football in the county over the last seven years.

He also had to guide the county through the challenges thrown up by the Covid pandemic.

Richard (pictured above) said: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce that I will be leaving Suffolk FA in the new year.

It has been an absolute privilege to have been in the position I have within Suffolk football over the past seven-plus years. The scale of some of the challenges we’ve all faced throughout that time is only surpassed by my admiration for the way Suffolk football has continued to face and overcome them.

“Football participation, in whatever guise that may be, is and needs to remain a vital part of Suffolk life, not least because of the values that participation can and (mostly!) does instil in those involved.

“Our recently launched business strategy for 2024-28 encapsulates that and seeks to broaden that to even more people, and that work will continue in earnest.

“From my perspective, the next few months will remain business-as-usual. Whoever follows will join a staff team, Board, and wider community brimmed full of incredible people.”

Suffolk FA Chair Phil Lawler said: “Richard will be a big loss to Suffolk football.

“In his time with us as CEO, he has taken us through some very challenging times which we have come through thanks to his excellent leadership, hard work and commitment. Richard leaves us in a very healthy position as we enter our 2024-28 strategy.

“On behalf of myself, the board of trustees, staff at Suffolk FA and all the Suffolk football community, I would like to put on record our thanks to Richard and best wishes in his next venture.”

The process to recruit for the CEO position will begin in due course.