Horsburgh, 65, joined the Essendon Football Club board in 2003 and became chairman in late 2005. He has overseen a period of significant change in that time including the appointment of senior coach Matthew Knights and new CEO and managing director Ian Robson.
“We had a board meeting last Friday and I informed the board I would not be nominating for the position of chairman. I do however plan to serve out the remaining two years of my elected term as a director,” Horsburgh said today.
“It has been an honour to be chairman of this great club but succession planning is an important part of any business and the timing makes sense with Ian Robson having just joined the club and a relatively new senior coach in place.
“The recent changes have given the club a real energy and I am very excited about what lies ahead in the coming years. It is a new era and I think it is fitting that a new chairman leads us into that era.
“Being 65, this is also a lifestyle decision. My working life has taken me away from my family for extended periods and it is now time to spend more time with them and in particular my grandchildren.
“I have the board’s support for my endorsement of David Evans as the next chairman of the Essendon Football Club. I am of the view he can do the job very well and should lead this club into the future.”
The new chairman will officially be appointed at the board meeting that immediately follows the December 21st Annual General Meeting.
Horsburgh said there had been some difficult periods during his time as chairman but ultimately it was about doing what he, and the board, believed was in the best interests of Essendon.
“You go into these roles knowing not every decision is going to be popular but this club means an enormous amount to me and you only ever do what you believe is right. I can leave the position knowing the club always came first,” Horsburgh said.
“I think the club is in very good hands. Ian Robson has been an excellent addition and he has a very good management team in place around him to take this club forward.”
Horsburgh also wanted to thank the fans for their support during his time as chairman.
“Essendon has fantastic support and ultimately it is what makes this club great. I encourage all fans to get behind the club, Matthew Knights, his coaching staff and our exciting, young playing list as we strive for the ultimate success,” he said.
“I also want to thank the board for their support during my time as chairman and I look forward to continuing to work with them in my role as a club director.”
