Miles Cartwright, 53, who has been a member of the Huntriss Row club for 30 years, has previously taken positions as vice, bar and games chairman.

He said: “We need to reduce the factions within the club. We need everyone to realise we all want the same, and that will be my main focus as chairman. It is not going to be easy but I’m going to give it a go.”

The club spiralled into turmoil after the council Scarborough Council ordered the club to take steps to ensure non-members were not gaining entry.

It was later found not to be complying with various licensing conditions.

Former chairman Johnny Johnson stepped down from his position after MP Robert Goodwill asked for his resignation.

Mr Cartwright said the club had suffered because of the recent smoking ban and through the gradual rise in the price of alcohol.

He said: “A lot of social clubs are going through the same. It is a bit sad, but we have got to try and battle through.”

He added: “We have over 1,000 members, with 200 of them coming to the club on a regular basis. It would be great to see the other 800 members here more often.

“I really want the club back on an even keel, unite the members and go forward.”

On a personal level for Mr Cartwright, his new position at the club is just one of a number of new chapters in his life.

He is soon to lose his job as press assistant at Polestar Greaves, after the shock announcement the Eastfield printing plant would close.

Mr Cartwright said: “I will be very sad to leave. I have worked there for two years and made some very good friends there.

“Previous to that I was in sales all my working career and it was a change I thoroughly enjoyed. Working in a factory was totally different to me.”

On a more positive note, the 53-year-old is soon to start up his rallying career again after a 30 year break.

He and his friend, driver Andrew Frost, raced together in 1976.

Now they are coming out of retirement to tackle next year’s Historic National Championship.

The pair will be competing in a 1966 155 break horse-power FordMk1 Lotus Cortina.

Mr Cartwright said: “Andrew decided it was about time we came out of retirement to see if we could still do it! Historic rallying is a fantastic growing sector in the sport.”

l Other Conservative Club members have been successful in gaining the following positions:

Malcolm Fletcher, vice chairman

Ray Dargue, finance chairman

Stuart Rayner, bar chairman

Brian Parker, games chairman