JOHN Williams will be remembered as one of Blackburn Rovers’ modern day greats, according to another of the club’s former long-term servants.

The Blackburn Rovers chairman ended his 13-year reign at the club after a severance package was agreed with new owner’s Venky’s on Wednesday, breaking the final real connection with Jack Walker’s golden era.

Rovers’ former record breaking goalkeeper Brad Friedel has led the tributes towards Williams’ Rovers’ leadership and insists he deserves a place “up there with Sir Jack” in the club’s history.

Friedel made more than 350 appearances in eight seasons at Rovers, during which Williams was first chief executive and then chairman, and the now Aston Villa man believes his contribution over the past decade can not be underestimated.

Speaking exclusively to the Lancashire Telegraph, he said: “I have never met the new owners and don’t know what their vision is for the future, so it wouldn’t be fair for me to comment on that.

“All I can say is while John Williams was with Blackburn Rovers he did an impeccable, flawless job and I honestly don’t think anyone could have duplicated what he has done over the past decade.

“John will have to go down very, very high up in the club’s history. In fact I would put him right up there with the greats and only a little bit under Sir Jack.

“John was Jack’s right hand man and his contribution can never be forgotten.”

Williams has overseen Rovers’ longest stay in the top flight since 1936 and, despite battling against the financial odds, has helped the club to reach four European campaigns.

He has also been part of four top 10 finishes and a Worthington Cup final appearance, leaving Friedel marvelling at how Williams balanced the books while maintaining a competitive squad.

“John Williams is a great man,” said Friedel.

“Blackburn Rovers is a great club that has been run impeccably and a lot of that is down to John Williams, in fact most of that is down to John Williams.

“I am really sorry to hear that because Blackburn Rovers was very, very close to his heart.

“John didn’t only make sure Blackburn Rovers stayed in the Premier League, he also maintained a standard of squad that kept the squad competing with the rest on small finances.

“I was there eight seasons, one was in the championship and the rest were in the Premier League. We were in Europe four four of those seasons as well.

“Graeme Souness and Mark Hughes both served under John Williams and did an exceptional job working with him. That says a lot about the man.”

Another Rovers’ legend, Bryan Douglas, has also hailed Williams’ contribution to the club’s recent history.

Douglas, who himself made more than 500 appearances for Rovers between 1952-1969, has remained an integral part of his boyhood club since retiring and had nothing but praise for Williams’ role.

He said: “I really like John Williams and always have. He has tried 110 per cent for the club and came through the Walker era to keep the club well run since.

“He has been soldiering on all this time and trying to address the problems associated with being a small town club.

"He tried to address the problem of getting fans into Ewood Park and it was his suggestion I believe to have cheaper tickets.

“John has done more than his fair share for this club.

“Personally he always made myself and Ronnie Clayton welcome and helped bring about getting a lounge named after us.

"Blackburn Rovers will always have a soft spot for John Williams and everyone will wish him well, I know I do.

“His shoes are very big to fill and it will be interesting to see who does come in to replace him.”