Mark Hetherington has stepped down from his position as Bluebirds director, the club has announced.

‘We are saddened to announce that Mark Hetherington has decided to step down as a Director of Barrow AFC and will no longer be an active investor in the Club,’ read a statement on the Bluebirds’ official website.

Hetherington was a key member of the consortium, alongside chairman Paul Hornby and fellow directors Tony Shearer and Kristian Wilkes, who purchased the club from Paul Casson in 2018, and helped oversee the backing of the club’s promotion to the Football League for the first time in 48 years.

‘His energy, knowledge and enthusiasm will be missed at the Club, but he understandably feels that he needs to concentrate on the health challenges he faces personally and also those of his family,’ explained the statement.

‘We would like to wish Mark well in those challenges and also thank him for all he has done for the Club.’

As a result of Hetherington’s departure, the Bluebirds board will now be looking for a new investor to join the club as a 10% shareholder.