DON Woodward is to stand down as Wanderers chairman at the end of the month.

Increasing work commitments have been cited as the reason for Woodward leaving the hotseat after two years in the role.

Andrew Howard, who was appointed to the Wanderers board last month, will be the man to step into Woodward's shoes.

Howard, owner of the North Dean-based Beechdean Dairy Farmhouse company and the current British GT3 champion, will officially take over as Blues chairman on August 1.

Woodward, an accountant by profession, was appointed chairman after the Wycombe Wanderers Trust took over the ownership of the club two summers ago following a protracted takeover from Steve Hayes.

He will remain a member of the Trust board and will provide guidance to the new man in charge.

Woodward said: "After two years as chairman of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club, the time has come for me to step down and hand over this challenging and rewarding role to Andrew Howard. "Having worked hard to provide a platform for this next stage of development, I am excited about this next chapter for the club and will remain on the Trust Board to help assist the new chairman in his role.

"I have asked Andrew to take on the role from August 1, ready for the coming season, and wish him every success in this new and exciting chapter for the club."

Howard said: "I have been working closely with Don to ensure I am fully equipped to take on the role as chairman, continuing to build a platform that the club can grow from and I am very much looking forward to Wycombe Wanderers continuing its exciting journey."

Trust Chairman Trevor Stroud said: "I would like to personally thank Don for his tireless commitment and the commendable job he has done as Wycombe Wanderers Chairman over the last two years. His efforts during the takeover two years ago and since have been an integral part of ensuring Wycombe Wanderers' future as a professional football club."

In a statement the Wycombe Wanderers Trust said: "Don took over the chairman’s role at a challenging time for the club and has worked tirelessly since then to establish a platform for growth. In this time the club has gone through many highs and lows and it is a credit to Don that he has steered the club to its current position.

"Due to increasing personal work commitments Don has now decided that the time is right to step down as chairman but he will remain on the trust board and assist the new chairman.

"We would like to thank Don for his vital input to Wycombe Wanderers over the many years and his commitment to the chairman’s role over the last two years."