In a press conference broadcast on Sky Sports News, Rovers manager Steve Kean said: "He has been here a very long time. He's done a fantastic job over the years, at times tough times financially for the club. "He's led the club through so it's disappointing that he has decided to stand down. "I've always had a great relationship with John, probably more when I was first-team coach I had more contact with him. "I've not really had as much contact in the last couple of months as I did in my other job. I wish him all the best and I'm sure he would wish us all the best." Williams arrived at Ewood Park in 1997 as chief executive with Rovers in the doldrums, and the team were relegated to the second tier in 1998. However, fortunes turned and promotion was secured under Graeme Souness in 2000-2001 and the club then went on to win the League Cup the following season and qualify for Europe. Although the highs of Europe were counter-balanced by flirting with the lower reaches of the league, Williams leaves the club in a far healthier position than he found it. Williams told the club's official website: "With our new owners the Venky's Group, I have no doubt this a new dawn for the club. "There is a new order, a new way of doing things and I believe the time is right for me now to move on. "I would like to take this opportunity to wish the club, its owners, management, players, employees and supporters all the very best for the future." The news of Williams' departure came as Rovers counted down to Saturday's visit to the DW Stadium. It is a vital game for their opponents, who start the game second from bottom and without a league win since they defeated Wolves on Boxing Day. In contrast Blackburn are ninth and will be looking for their fourth away win when they make the short trip to Latics as they attempt to make up for their 1-0 home defeat to Tottenham in midweek. Defender Chris Samba, who has committed himself to the club until summer 2015, told the club's official website: "We were unlucky, we just didn't get that lucky bounce. We didn't deserve to lose, but we did everything we could, we played very well. "Saturday is an important game for us. We want to get back to winning ways and we are going to be ready to be on the front foot to win the game."
