HSG said in a statement last night that former captain Paul Harragon, the chairman of the club’s football advisory board, had been appointed to replace Edwards as the Knights’ representative at all functions, including meetings of NRL chairmen.

Edwards did not respond when the Newcastle Herald tried to contact him last night for comment.

Tinkler said in the statement that Edwards, the former HSG executive chairman and one of the key figures in convincing 97per cent of Knights members to vote for the billionaire’s privatisation proposal on March 31 last year, had resigned to spend more time with his family in Sydney.

Edwards had helped negotiate for David Beckham’s LA Galaxy to play an exhibition soccer match against the Jets at Hunter Stadium in November 2010 and for HSG to stage international rugby league and netball matches in Newcastle last year.

Tinkler paid tribute to the former ANZ Stadium chief executive for his role in signing former Dragons and Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.

Edwards’s brother Shane was chief executive of the Broncos for part of Bennett’s 21-year reign in Brisbane.

‘‘We thank Ken for his contribution from the exciting embryonic period in which we took over the Jets, co-ordination of the LA Galaxy visit, and winning the ownership vote for the Knights, to the club’s recent hosting of rugby league and netball Tests in Newcastle and the appointment of Wayne Bennett,’’ Tinkler said.

Once Tinkler took ownership of the Knights, Edwards played less of a hands-on role in the day-to-day running of the business, and he was effectively replaced by company chief executive Troy Palmer as HSG’s public face and spokesman.

Edwards has spent much of the past year based in Sydney working on special projects for HSG and has represented the Knights as executive chairman in negotiations with the NRL.

Tinkler said Harragon would represent the Knights at meetings with other NRL chairmen, and Palmer would replace Edwards as the representative of the Jets and the HSG in dealings with Football Federation Australia and the A-League.

‘‘Paul’s passion for the club and the game will ensure he is a major contributor at all levels,’’ Tinkler said.

‘‘This is a unique appointment that will showcase his business acumen, love of the game from grassroots through to the highest level, and his passion for Newcastle and the game’s history.’’