HULL CITY fan Simon Monkman was unveiled as the club's first ever chief executive on Wednesday and immediately told worried fans "I'm not here to change the constitution."

The 36-year-old father of four is confident that he can bring in enough new revenue to enable the constitution debate to stay on the back burner.

He said: "I don't see the constitution as one of the immediate priorities. I think there are other wins to be had and more immediate results I can get by other means."

Blues chairman Ivor Beeks, who picked Monkman from more than 200 people who applied for the £60,000-a-year-job, also confirmed that changing the constitution is not on the short-term agenda.

He said: "It's not one of his tasks to change the constitution. That's not on the menu at this moment in time. There are more urgent and pressing things to be done and creating more business is more important than changing the constitution."

Beeks brought him into increase revenue at the club and one of his first tasks will be to lure a new sponsor to the club to replace Verco, who are standing down after 13 years at the end of the season.

He will have no say on team affairs.

Beeks is convinced he's got the right man.

He said: "He's got a great deal of enthusiasm, excellent ideas and a lot of experience for someone of his age. I'm very confident he can open up some new income streams for us."

Monkman built his reputation with the Bass Group and as business and communications development officer for the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) and will be set budget targets when he takes up his position on February 25.

He said: "What I bring to the club is a fresh pair of eyes and what I'm about is bringing in lots of new iniatives and running pilot schemes and trials."

And he defended his salary when some fans felt the money should have been spent on a new player.

He said: "Would they prefer to spend the money on someome whose going to perform once or twice a week or on someone whose going to perform seven days a week because that's what I intend to do.

" I think I'm value for money because I know how hard I'll work to achieve that success."

And although he refused to divulge his plans, at this stage, he promised an open and imaginative style with consulation and focus groups.

He said: "I intend to be high profile and you can expect a no-ideas-discounted outlook on the way forward.

"I'm keen on holding focus groups with the key groups that are interested in Wycombe Wanderers Football Club and I want people to know that we take their views seriously.

"My job is to ensure that the commerical activities of this business provide the funds that Lawrie Sanchez needs to continue his excellent work."

February 14, 2002 13:38