A NEW chapter in the boardroom at Middlesbrough has began after confirmation that one of the club’s key decision makers, Keith Lamb, has brought an end to 25 years service as chief executive.

Lamb was heavily involved in all major decisions since being appointed shortly after Boro had emerged from liquidation in 1986.

Together with chairman Steve Gibson, he helped steer the club through the most successful period in the club’s history, even if there have been problems to overcome  along the way.

Lamb’s decision – which is thought to have been the result of a mutual agreement – to step down and become a non-executive director of the Championship club means there will have to be a reshuffle in the way Middlesbrough recruit players.

While Gibson has always officially sanctioned transfers, Lamb has tended to be the main negotiator on new contracts and leading discussions on both incoming and outgoing deals.

Now it is understood that chief operating officer Neil Bausor and club secretary Karen Nelson, who has always been heavily involved in the paperwork of deals, will work closely with Gibson.

Gibson said: “I want to thank Keith for his integrity, commitment, dedication and loyalty to the club and to me personally.

“Keith’s involvement has been crucial to the most successful period in the club’s history, including not only the move to the Riverside Stadium and the development of the Rockliffe training facility but also winning our first major trophy and reaching a European final.

“I am delighted that Keith will continue to work with the club as a non-executive director and this will enable us to draw on his wealth of experience and talent to fashion the future strategy of the club.”

As well as being around through Middlesbrough’s rise from liquidation towards becoming one of the Premier League’s big spenders during the late 90s and through the millennium, Lamb encountered highs and lows.

He was instrumental in bringing the likes of Juninho and Fabrizio Ravanelli to Teesside, but he was accused – even by Gareth Southgate – as the man who wasted £12.7m on Afonso Alves, something which Lamb denies.

Lamb experienced two relegations – one being the result of Boro being docked three points for failing to fulfil a fixture at Blackburn on Boxing Day in 1996 – but travelled with the club through European adventures, one ending in Eindhoven in 2006 for the UEFA Cup final.

But it is Middlesbrough’s failure to climb back in to the Premier League in the last two seasons that has contributed to his exit, as tighter financial constraints have led to huge changes in the way he and the club operates.

In his role as non-executive director the 64-year-old will continue to be a member of the International Football Association Board which he has been a part of since 2006.

But, in a statement issued yesterday, Lamb insisted the club is progressing towards a return to brighter times under Tony Mowbray.

Lamb said: “After almost 25 years in the role during some of the most challenging, exciting and successful periods in the club’s history, the time is right for me to make way for someone else.

“I have enjoyed every minute of my time as chief executive and now look forward to exploring new opportunities and challenges.

“I want to thank all the staff who have given me their help and support during my time at the club. I am pleased that with Tony Mowbray and Mark Venus at the helm the club is able to look forward to an exciting future.”

* Boro stalwart Malcolm Danby will be presented with his MBE by Lord Crathorne at a special event at the Riverside Stadium tonight from 6pm.

Tony Mowbray, David Parnaby, Mark Proctor, Stephen Pears, George Courtney and Gary Pallister are among those who will be in attendance.