Pastures new for Aston Villa media boss Phil Mepham

Sep 22 2008 by Edward Chadwick, Birmingham Mail

ASTON Villa’s long-standing communications manager Phil Mepham has left the club.

Press boss Mepham spent eight years in charge of the club’s day-to-day media output but revealed he wanted a change of direction.

Since his “amicable” departure at the start of the month, Claire Huggins has been liaising with journalists.

But she stressed she had not taken the former TV presenter’s job despite being given new responsibilities.

Mepham said: “I felt at 48 it was time for me make a change so I sat down with the club and we and came to a decision.

“It was very amicable and completely of my own volition and everyone remains friends.

“It’s an exciting time for me and I wish Villa all the best and I am sure they will continue to go from strength to strength.

“At this moment in time it’s too early to say what I will do but with my background in sport it’s likely that I will remain within the field,” he added.

“I’ve had a couple of conversations about projects but at the minute I am looking forward to spending time with my family.” The married father-of-two joined Villa as the club’s media and communications executive in 2000 after spending 13 years on screen as Central’s sports presenter.

He has witnessed a number of major changes at the club, including a succession of managers which saw John Gregory followed by Graham Taylor, David O’Leary and current boss Martin O’Neill, and the takeover by American tycoon Randy Lerner.

Ms Huggins said: “I haven’t taken Phil’s job but will be carrying out parts of the role which he did as a restructuring of the department.”