Scott Duxbury resigns as West Ham chief executive

Duxbury, who joined West Ham as their in-house lawyer in June 2002, was made chief executive by former chairman Eggert Magnusson in 2006 and oversaw matters at the club during a turbulent period.

He played a key role in the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, signings that brought the club under investigation from the Football Association.

The FA subsequently found irregularities over handling of the Argentine pair's acquisition - citing third party influence from agent Kia Joorabchian - which cost the club a £5.5million fine in April 2007.

Tevez continued to play and was a major factor in the Irons avoiding relegation in 2007, but further repercussions for the club followed.

Sheffield United, relegated that season, claimed Tevez was ineligible to play for the Irons, a claim later upheld by an independent FA tribunal.

The result was the Hammers were ordered to pay Sheffield United around £20million in compensation for their relegation

But Duxbury remained at the club, helping to handle transfer dealings as well as the appointment of manager Gianfranco Zola in September 2008 following the resignation of former boss Alan Curbishley.

He said: "I am proud of my work at West Ham United but feel the time is right for me to pursue other opportunities.

"I wish Mr Sullivan, Mr Gold and Karren great success in driving this wonderful club forward, and I know under their stewardship the club will prosper.

"Thank you to all the supporters who have kept faith with the club through good and bad times."

Vice-chairman Karren Brady said: "We thank Scott for his valued contribution and wish him every success in the future."