Plymouth Albion appoint woman to chair club for first time in its history

Plymouth Albion have appointed a woman to chair the rugby club for the first time in its 140-year history.

Local business-woman Ali Hannaford has joined the club's board and takes over as chairman.

The 55-year-old is also the chairman of the Newton Abbot food manufacturing company Paramount 21.

She said it was a "real honour to be asked to become chairman of Plymouth Albion Rugby Football Club".

The news comes a few months after Plymouth Albion was taken over by former players Bruce Priday and David Venables after entering administration in March.

The club had struggled to raise enough money to clear long-standing debts and in 2015 was saved by a £250,000 cash injection from local businesses.

New owner Priday commenting on the appointment of Hannaford said: