Former Rothes chairman Rab Mulheron was frustrated to be denied the chance to be part of the Highland League club’s new era after the Spey-siders narrowly avoided going out of business.
Earlier this month Mulheron took over as the Mackessack Park club’s interim chairman after Robbie Thomson resigned.
Just seven days later, the 62-year-old Mulheron walked away.
Mulheron oversaw a turbulent time for the club after the emergence of an unpaid tax bill of £33,000 prompted Thomson’s resignation.
The day before a court hearing, Rothes businessman Richard Forsyth stepped in to save his hometown club from going out of business by making a £20,000 payment to HMRC.
Forsyth offered Mulheron the chance to be the club’s vice-chairman.
But Mulheron said: “I would have loved for Richard to have given me a six-month shot at being Rothes chairman before I handed the reins to someone else, but unfortunately I never got that chance.
“I think a lot of people in Rothes would have wanted me to get that opportunity, including the supporters in the 59 Club. It wasn’t to be, but that’s football.
“Richard Forsyth has done his job and there is certainly no animosity between myself and him.
“He offered me the post of vice-chairman last Saturday.
“I thought it through but I had effectively been acting chairman for the last six months.
“Robbie Thomson wanted to resign but I persuaded him to stay on as I wanted to learn a little bit about the role of chairman from him – I decided it was not for me.”
The former Clachnacuddin, Fort William, Nairn County, Lossiemouth and Rothes manager added: “I am absolutely delighted Rothes’ problems with the taxman now appear to be at an end and I am proud of the part I played in making that happen. Of course I still want to be involved in the Highland League.
“I don’t smoke, I’m not really a drinker, football is my drug, I would be lost on a Saturday without it.
“I would like to think somebody would still like to make use of my experience in the game. It is time to move on. I have enjoyed my time at Rothes and I genuinely wish them well. I certainly hope they start to climb the table.”