Card Factory founder seeks to ‘pass the baton on’ at Championship football club

Card Factory founder Dean Hoyle is to step back from the day-to-day running of Championship football club Huddersfield Town as he battles ill health.

Former Burnley FC chief executive Dave Baldwin, who has been advising the football club since May, has been brought in as managing director.

Hoyle said Baldwin will “look at all options to pass the baton of our club to someone who can genuinely take it forward”.

The football team is in a precarious position at the bottom of the Championship and already six points from safety. Last season they finished third and only a play-off final defeat to Nottingham Forest prevented a return to the Premier League.

In a statement to supporters, Hoyle said: “Over my tenure I’ve always been honest with everyone and told everyone how things are rather than sometimes what they want to hear. I suppose the same now applies to myself.”

Hoyle owned the club for 10 years up to 2019 before selling to Phil Hodgkinson. However Hodgkinson’s businesses Pure Group and Pure Legal collapsed into administration last year and Hoyle, who still had a 25% stake in the club, came back in.

Hoyle said: “When I got the call from Phil Hodgkinson around this time last year, I had no option but to reluctantly step in and provide urgent financial support to the Club whilst being – as I remain – the minority shareholder. This I have provided and more.

“I genuinely thought, after a break of two years after my illness, I could return with the same energy and enthusiasm as when I first became chairman in 2008.

“It has become clear to me over the last 12 months that this is not the case. I’ve tried my best to front it up to both staff at the club and supporters, but now the time has arrived where I must listen to medical advice and take a total step back; my health comes first and foremost.”

Baldwin, who has also held senior roles at Bradford City and the English Football League, will now take over the running of the club.

Hoyle added: “Not connected to my decision to step away, I acknowledge supporters’ feelings. Certainly not all, but many, want change with new energy and direction at the top. Every successful business needs this in abundance. I totally understand these feelings and, whilst it hurts, I get it.”