SCARBOROUGH chairman John Russell appears set to resign, claiming to be burned out.

Russell has been rocked by the news that his wife, Gillian, has a serious blood disorder and faces surgery.

He has also had to work hard to calm fans' fears regarding the financial plight of the Nationwide Conference club.

He said: "I am worn out. We need a new chairman with some drive an some light who can take us forward.

"We are short of money and are having to restructure the club, but there is no way I or Brooks Mileson (club owner) are going to let this club die."

The reclusive Mileson - who took over the club when he bought a controlling interest from Russell late last year and is thought to have pumped in nearly £1 million since then - sacked chief executive Kevin Green and commercial manager Paddy Mullen at a recent board meeting.

And it is yet to be seen whether more cash will be available for squad strengthening as the club bid to return to the Football League.