NEW Warrington Wolves board member Stuart Middleton has taken over as vice chairman at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Mr Middleton, creative director of Card Factory PLC, is a lifelong Wolves fan and a long-standing season ticket and executive box holder.

His position was ratified at a recent board meeting and confirmed this week – he will take up the post with immediate effect.

Prof Steven Broomhead, chairman of the club, said: “I am delighted that Stuart has agreed to take on this role.

“He will bring his commercial expertise and success together with his passion for the club to an already strong, business focused, performance driven board.”

Mr Middleton added: “These are exciting times for Warrington Wolves and I look forward with relish to the start of the 2016 season and beyond.

“The club is a big part of me and I will do whatever needs doing in whatever the role demands of me.

“I am extremely grateful to my fellow directors for their support and promise to do my utmost to fulfil the role to the best of my ability.”

Simon Moran, owner of the club, said: “Stuart was the obvious choice to be vice chairman.

“We are both Warrington lads and since Stuart joined the board earlier in the year he has made a huge difference, both in terms of advice and investment. We wish him well in his new role.”

Meanwhile the new official club store opens at The Halliwell Jones Stadium today, Thursday.

Kevin Penny and Ben Westwood are set to perform the official opening at 9am, Daryl Clark and Chris Sandow will be in place between noon and 1pm and Tom Lineham and Ben Harrison will be meeting fans between 6pm and 7pm.

The new 2016 range of kits and training ranges will now be available for those who ordered them at the member’s day at Pyramid.

As will those who have ordered them online.