FIVE-A-SIDE football company Powerleague has announced that its CEO Sean Tracey is to step down at the start of next year, more than 20 years after starting the business, with Rupert Campbell joining from Adidas to take over the reins.

The company said Mr Tracey will continue to provide support as a senior strategic adviser, and he said he feels it is now the right time to take on new ventures.

He added that having kicked off the business, he is proud that it is now "the UK's leading brand for small-sided football."

It has 460 purpose-built pitches at 46 centres across the UK and Ireland, plus a further 140 league venues. It was acquired in 2009 by private equity business Patron Capital in a £42.5 million deal.

Mr Tracey added that the firm is ideally situated to achieve considerable growth over the next two to three years given that it is experiencing a resilient year of trading and "a pipeline of excellent sites."

It has centres at locations including Glasgow, Hamilton and Paisley.

Rupert Campbell was most recently Adidas' retail director for western Europe. Previously he spent 20 years with Dixons Group, most recently as group programme director. Powerleague said he will be "instrumental" in its UK and overseas expansion.

Mr Campbell said he believes the company has "significant growth potential," adding: "I am delighted to be joining such a great business."