Hunt is on to replace chairwoman

Tweddle, pictured handing over a man of the match award, succeeded Craig Hughes at The DCS Stadium in September 2015. In the run up to the club's trip to Basingstoke in the EVO-STIK League Southern's top flight on Saturday, the 54-year-old cited family and increasing work commitments for her exit following the launch of a new business venture recently.

In a statement on Thursday paying tribute to the successful businesswoman ahead of the 2-1 weekend reverse for Carl Adam's side, officials said the club's directors would continue to run operations while they looked to bring new directors on board and someone to lead their commercial operations.

The club said: “Melanie has played a pivotal part in the success of the club for over ten years, joining when Stratford were based at their old ground in Masons Road. She has guided the commercial arm of the business through the move to our excellent facilities at Knights Lane and our subsequent double promotion into the Southern Premier League.

“Every club at this level is heavily dependent on its sponsors and Melanie always managed to maximise the club’s relationships with its sponsors even during the recent difficult years of financial stagnation and recession. Without her expertise the club would not be in its current position on or off the field. We would like to thank her for all her efforts and wish her every success in the future.

“The club are actively seeking to appoint another commercial person as well as new members of the board who will add to the skills that will take the club forward. In the meantime the club will be run by the remaining directors.”

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