MARK Harris has said he is in no hurry to appoint a successor to Scott Dundas as Witton Albion’s manager.

He has asked Paul Ogden to pick the team for today’s FA Trophy clash with Ossett Albion, after which the club’s directors have arranged to meet.

“If we need Oggie to carry on, then that’s what will happen,” said the Witton chairman.

“He’s more than capable of holding the fort.”

Dundas was sacked, along with his assistant Wayne Brotherton, on Tuesday following a 4-2 home defeat against Bamber Bridge.

It was Witton’s fifth league defeat of the season, their third in the past four matches in all competitions.

 

 

Harris said: “No club wants to sack a manager, and this is only the second time we’ve had to do so in the past seven years.

“But it simply didn’t work out with Scott.

“I don’t believe the board’s expectation of promotion is unrealistic, particularly when backed with a budget to match.”

Indeed, the next manager will be tasked with keeping Witton in contention for a play-offs place.

Harris told the Guardian that rumours are untrue he has already hired a replacement for Dundas.

“There’s a front runner, but he’s not been offered the job – nobody has,” he added.

“Nothing is definite, and a deal has certainly not been done.

“The reality is that in football you need a Plan B. Occasionally there’s a Plan C and D too. You just hope you never have to use them.

“For now, we must steady the ship; it’s vital we get back those Wittoners who have stopped coming to games.”

He said a player exodus, predicted by Dundas in a statement issued to the Guardian after his dismissal, had not materialised in the days since.

None have been released, although Niall Green and Kyle Diskin are unlikely to feature this afternoon.

“Contrary to what’s been written, we don’t want a purge of the players that came with Scott from his previous club,” said Harris.

“Those that are under contract will not be allowed to go unless or until an offer is received that’s equivalent to our valuation of them.”

That includes captain Darren Chadwick and striker Lee Cropper.

Winger Chris Baker trained with the rest of the squad on Thursday, while Witton have stressed to goalkeeper Danny Roberts – arguably their best performer to date this term – that he is an important part of their plans.

Harris added: “Paul Ogden has done a superb job this week ensuring not only that we have a squad to face Ossett, but that it’s also a strong one.”

Witton announced on Friday that Alex Salmon, a striker previously with Workington who scored a hat-trick for Albion’s development team in midweek, had signed along with four others.

Among them is former skipper Anthony Sheehan, who had a brief spell as manager last season.

Defensive duo Ryan Connor and Theo Chrisokhou, along with goalkeeper Dominic Garner, complete a list.

If Saturday’s game ends level, then a replay is scheduled for Tuesday.