JD SPORTS Fashion has announced that Chris Bird is to step down from his role as non-executive director of the firm after a nine-year spell on September 30.Mr Bird, who has a number of other business interests including Manchester-based public relations firm The Bird Consultancy, will be replaced by a new non-execetive director "in the near future".JD Sports' executive chairman Peter Cowgill said: ""The Board would like to thank Chris for his valued contribution to the successful development of the business over recent years."