MARK Harris announced this week he will continue as Witton Albion chairman, calling on the club to make up time lost during a challenging campaign.

He said previously that this season would be his last at the helm, but now plans to stay for a further two after changing his mind.

“This is my footballing home,” he said.

“The club needs continuity and stability, and as long as I’m wanted here then I’ll stay put.

“If I was to go now, then I know I’d have cold turkey.

“Not only that, but the job isn’t done on or off the pitch.”

He told the Guardian two priorities were at the top of his ‘to do list’; to increase the number of volunteers at the club and engage better with the community close to it.

One cannot be achieved without the other.

He said: “We’ve been caught in a perfect storm of things that have happened at once, and it’s cost us 12 months.

“It’s important now to go through the gears and catch up.

“At the same time, I hope the self-inflicted wounds of this past year can be healed. I don’t think that process has ever stopped, though it has been slowed down by events.

“My message is simple; there is work to be done, but we’ll get to where we want to faster if everybody sticks together.

“It will help massively if as many Wittoners as possible help out, no matter in how small a way. There is always a contribution they can make.”

Harris had originally intended to step down at the end of last season.

He said fans’ comments at last month’s annual meeting had persuaded him to think again.

“I was taken aback and a bit embarrassed by some shareholders’ comments,” he added.

“It was an incredibly humbling moment too.

“I won’t outstay my welcome; if I ever feel I risk doing that, then the supporters won’t see me for dust.

“While I’m here, I’ll promise them total commitment.”