Ross Laidlaw has slipped quietly out of the Highlanders building. Laidlaw, who has been chairman of the franchise since early in 2009, resigned from his position on the board last month. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn talks to him about his experiences.
Now, after more than eight years' involvement at a provincial and franchise level, it is time to get off the ship.
Laidlaw, who admits he will qualify for the pension next month, had more than two years on the Otago board during a sticky period.
''I came in at the time when Otago had an $8 million mortgage to the bank and the DCC. It took a while, more than a year.
"The council was not going to buy Carisbrook unless they got a venue agreement for their new place. And you could understand that,'' he said.
''The thing was we were dealing with three organisations: the ORFU, the council and then the Carisbrook trust. So it was tricky. That was the first time I had ever dealt with local authorities. And yes, that was different.''
Eventually a deal was done and Carisbrook was bought by the council. Laidlaw then had other fires to see to.
The national union came knocking. They wanted a new chairman for the Highlanders and would he do it?
The Wanaka lawyer accepted and so began a five-year-plus association that would see plenty of changes with the franchise.
One of the first alterations was the separation of the Highlanders and Otago rugby.
''That was pretty tough. I was not a popular boy for the first year or two, because of that. But the NZRU could see it had to be done.''
Laidlaw, who was always an independent director, found the ear of Mike Eagle, future chairman of the NZRU, who was on the Highlanders board at the time, and once he swung in behind the idea it was a done deal.
''Otago was conflicted. Every time they went to a sponsor, they would get asked where was this money going? Otago or the Highlanders? Is it a dollar for one entity or a dollar for another?''
Laidlaw said all the franchises had followed the same lines now.
Other things had to change, both on and off the field.
''But I'm not talking about players. All you can do is make it so the coach can recruit the players he wants.''
He believed the signing of coach Jamie Joseph after a forgettable 2010 season was a major factor in turning around the franchise, which had been bleeding money.
''He has been a big contributor, no doubt. Not just on the field either. Not just in terms of the rugby played on the park. But just the way he greets people, the way he talks to coaches and sponsors.''
The Highlanders have had their ups and downs while Laidlaw has been in the chair.
Success on the field had a great impact on the balance sheet off it.
''Without a doubt. Sponsors want to know you, the crowds come along, everyone is happy. But start losing and the crowd don't come. It is tough on a coach. He may want someone to come in and help but you haven't got the money for that because we aren't winning.''
Laidlaw, who is related to former All Black halfback Chris Laidlaw - ''our fathers are cousins'' - said his five years had been an enjoyable time.
''Before this, I had never been involved in any professional sport of any kind. So it was all new to me.''
Laidlaw said he hoped things had got better in his time but there was still a way to go.
He does not elaborate much on that.
But that was and is his style.
Most comments from him during his reign were 'no comment's.
When he left as chairman of the Highlanders, he simply left.
Made sure there was no public announcement.
Now he can just be a watcher and enjoy the games more, which will be a change.
''I did not really enjoy watching the games live. I would record a lot of games but I would only ever watch it if we won.
"There is just such a lot at stake. You just think of all the effort that has gone in from a whole lot of people, you so want them to win.
''But no team wins every game. Logically, you don't think like that. You want to win every game.''
• Former ORFU chairman Doug Harvie is the new chairman of the Highlanders board.