DARRYL Eales has stepped down from the Oxford United board to take up a new role at Solihull Moors.

The former chairman, who took over as U’s owner in 2014, sold the club to Sumrith 'Tiger' Thanakarnjanasuth earlier this year.

Eales retains a share in United, just under ten per cent, and says he will continue to help the club where possible.

But he is excited at the challenge at Vanarama National League Premier side Solihull.

“I am a little bit heartbroken to be leaving the board at Oxford because it has been an unforgettable four years and I have enjoyed every minute,” he said.

“There are some wonderful people not just at boardroom level but also among the staff and I know I have made friends for life there.

“But most of all I want to thank the fans.

“The big thing for me was to leave the club in good hands and in Tiger I know they have a very good owner who is passionate about his football and who I have no doubt will build on what we started.

“Karl Robinson will get things right on the pitch. We started with a very similar run of results ourselves so I know how that feels and I know that both Tiger and Karl are strong characters who will get things right.

“I hoped to stay involved if I could but the opportunity to help Solihull, my local club, came up and the time feels right to make a clean break now.

“If I look back four years then I know I leave Oxford United in a better place, not just in terms of the league they are in but also with the training ground and the infrastructure.

“I would like to thank everyone and wish the club well for the future.”

Thanakarnjanasuth thanked Eales for his work at the club.

“I know I speak for everyone when I say it has been our pleasure to work alongside Darryl and we thank him for everything he has done for the club,” he said.

“He is a good man and has been a very good chairman. It took courage to make some very big decisions but Darryl always did what he thought was right for Oxford United and he leaves the club in a far healthier position than he found it.

“He knows that he is always welcome back at Oxford and we look forward to welcoming him as our guest any time he likes.”