JIM STYNES has officially relinquished his position as Melbourne president to devote his energy and time to his family and his health.

The announcement that he would stand down, made by vice-president Don McLardy at the club's AGM in Stynes' absence, was followed by a standing ovation from Melbourne members to acknowledge Stynes' contribution, with loud applause filling the room for more than 30 seconds.

McLardy will officially become president later on Wednesday evening when his nomination is accepted unanimously by the board.

Peter Spargo will join Guy Jalland as vice president.

Former Melbourne captain Greg Healy has filled a casual board vacancy and will be football director, his specific role being to oversee all aspects of the football department.

The appointment of Healy was Stynes' final official act as president.

On announcing the decision, McLardy read a statement from Stynes, who was an apology for the evening after undergoing another operation on Wednesday as he battles cancer. 

The statement read: "As Melbourne enters what promises to be an exciting new season and an exciting new era I see this as an opportune time to step down as Melbourne president.

"It will give the football club the best chance to be 100 per cent prepared for round one and it will give me the time to fully focus on my health and my family.

"I am very proud of what the board has been able to achieve since I took on the presidency in June 2008, particularly bringing a greater sense of unity and purpose to our football club.

"I have full confidence that Don McLardy and the board will continue that work. Don has my full support to lead the club and the Demons can rely on me to help out in an advisory capacity at any time."

McLardy said Stynes would remain available to the club in an advisory capacity, and it would be remiss not to acknowledge the "immeasurable contribution he (Stynes) has made.

"His playing record speaks for itself, where he stood up for our club 264 times and on the way won a Brownlow Medal and four best and fairests.

"Three and a half years ago when our club was at its lowest ebb he stood up again.

"He has been an inspiration to the whole club. On so many occasions in the past year he has led by example and he has got up and fought when it seemed impossible."

McLardy said Stynes had chosen to stand down only at a time when he felt it was in the best interests of the club and when the club was in a sound position and poised for success.

He also had a message from the Melbourne champion to pass on to members: "He will see you all at the first game."

While Stynes may have been reluctant initially to take on the presidency after Paul Gardner resigned in 2008, the role he played in reversing the club's fortunes was significant.
 
During his tenure, which began in June 2008, the club has stabilised financially and now sits in a position where it looks set to flourish on and off the field.
 
That the 45-year-old Stynes has performed the job while battling cancer has been inspirational to many. He was diagnosed with melanoma in 2009.
 
His overall influence is hard to measure but his influence on the culture of the club appears profound. What can be said is that he now sits alongside Norm Smith and Ron Barassi when the key figures in Melbourne's history are discussed.
 
It was not only his presence as president that mattered. He brought clarity to decision-making and a calm passion to the position.
 
Stynes achieved much as president. The first and most important achievment was to restore a belief inside and beyond the club that Melbourne mattered.

He stabilised the club's financial position, overseeing the demolition of the club's debt and building trust with club supporters and sponsors.
 
 The long-held ambition of successive Melbourne administrations to connect the commercial and football arms was achieved when the club moved into AAMI Park, with the facility for a training ground at Cranbourne in place.
 
Stynes attracted people he trusted back to the club and backed the already appointed coach Dean Bailey. The strategy to invest in youth and rebuild from the bottom was endorsed and while the process will take time, Stynes' unwavering support of the young group has been important.
 
Patience and trust were key aspects of the regeneration but with the Demons back in surplus Stynes gradually raised expectations for on-field success.

When it became apparent after Geelong thrashed Melbourne in August last season by 187 points that progress was not being made as quickly as he envisaged, he made the tough decision to sack Bailey as coach.
 
At the time Stynes took responsibility for taking his eye off the ball, a reality no-one could blame him for. The club had lost direction in its on-field ambitions and Stynes admitted he was not able to give the matter his full attention.

His close mate Garry Lyon returned as an interim football director sorting through the issues as the club made a raft of significant appointments in its football department.
 
The bright future Melbourne now offered became clear as Mark Neeld was appointed coach and Neil Craig accepted the position as director of sports performance. Former Sydney Swans and St Kilda conditioning manager David Misson became the elite performance manager.
 
Although No.1 draft pick Tom Scully left for GWS Giants, the club secured Mitch Clark from the Brisbane Lions during trade week. This was a significant vote of confidence in the club's direction.
 
Clark, the highly rated key position player, will wear Stynes' number 11 for the Demons this season.
 
It was while wearing that number 11 that Stynes made his name on the football field after Melbourne recruited him from Ireland as part of the Ron Barassi inspired Irish experiment.
 
The highpoint of Stynes football career was the 1991 Brownlow Medal, but he also won four club best and fairest awards and still holds the League record of 244 consecutive games between 1987 and 1998. He is a member of the AFL and Melbourne's Hall of Fame.
 
Although he carries no official title with the club his connection remains undiminished. Now is Stynes' time with his family. When Melbourne's history is written the period 2008-2011 will be remembered as Stynes' time.