BASKETBALL legend Alan Cunningham has stepped down as co-owner of Solent Stars, leaving Bob Paulley in sole charge.

But the charismatic 6ft 7in former Harlem Globetrotter, who has won every honour in the English game, is not severing his ties completely.

The 48-year-old, pictured above during his playing days, will remain a shareholder and has accepted a role as club ambassador.

A born entertainer, the Arkensas-born forward nicknamed 'Swoop', has been living on the south coast for the best part of two decades and after spells with Kingston, Worthing Bears and London Towers, joined Solent as co-owner, player and coach in the summer of 1997.

The transformation was instant. After six years devoid of trophies, the reborn Stars gave their long-suffering fans something to cheer about again, winning the National Division 2 and play-offs in 1998 and clinching the Division 1 championship a year later.

Since calling time on his extraordinary playing career last year, Cunningham has been seen less and less around the club and director Jim Rumsey said: "Alan has found it difficult because of work commitments to play a full part in the day-to-day management of the club.

"His influence has been seminal over the past few years and has provided us once again with a national profile."

Cunningham himself said: "I've had a fantastic time with Solent Stars and, although my future involvement won't be as much as in the past, I will still be there supporting the team and hope they can achieve good things."

The big man's place on the club's board will be filled by Michael Ball, Stars' new director of basketball.

Ball moved into the area after leaving a job with England Basketball and is coach to the England women's under-20 team.

He has already held trials to relaunch a Solent women's side and will work closely with coach Mark Scott on the senior men's programme.

Rumsey said: "Michael is particularly interested in creating a pathway for both men and women that goes from the youngest players to the National League senior squads. The club is conscious that it needs to bridge the gap between the youth and senior programmes. Jimmie Guymon's seven-year youth plan has now run its course and, with Michael and Jimmie getting together, a new era can begin."

Another new appointee to the board is club stalwart Pete Axon, who has led the supporters' association - the Stargazers - for many seasons. His enthusiasm knows no bounds and he brings experience from the world of business to help in his new role as Stars' director of off-court activities.

There are also plans in the pipeline to appoint a director of marketing and communication and to consolidate the scouting system.

Rumsey said: "The directors are always happy to receive any comments about club activities and developments. They can be sent to solentstars@hotmail.com."