FORMER Witton boss Brian Pritchard has accepted a request from Barnton that he helps them for the rest of the season.

The Villagers announced on Tuesday that Danny Meadowcroft, who played briefly for Albion when Pritchard in charge, would stand in as manager following Leon Knight’s departure last week.

And one of the defender’s first calls was to the 41-year-old.

“I’ve asked him to come help me,” said Meadowcroft.

“He’s a guy I have a lot of respect for and talk with regularly, and I think he can be a massive asset for the club.”

Pritchard resigned as Witton manager in August 2014 only four games into a new season.

A record-holder for appearances made by a player at the Northwich club, he had switched to the dugout three years earlier following a temporary spell sharing the job with Dave MacPherson.

He guided Albion to promotion from the Northern Premier League’s Division One North in his first campaign following a play-offs final victory against Curzon Ashton.

They then finished fourth in the top flight the following term, only to lose to FC United of Manchester in a play-offs semi final.

Meadowcroft had spent a month at Wincham Park earlier the same season, making eight appearances.

He will continue playing for Barnton as they attempt to secure promotion from the North West Counties League’s second tier.

They occupy top spot, two points clear of closest-rivals Hanley.

“It’s vital we carry on the good work done already and finish as strongly as we can,” added Meadowcroft, who confirmed Andy Burgess – number two to Knight – is to stay at Townfield.

Midfielder Kev Pollard will carry on as captain.

Barnton are scheduled to host higher-ranked Ashton Athletic on Saturday in the Men United Cup quarter finals, kick off 3pm.

Meanwhile another ex-Albion boss has also returned to work this week.

Tony Sullivan, who resigned at the end of last season following Witton’s relegation from the Northern Premier League’s top flight, has agreed to take over at Cammell Laird for the remainder of the campaign.

He picked the team for the first time ahead of Tuesday’s Cheshire FA Senior Cup encounter with neighbours Tranmere Rovers, which they lost 5-0.

Sullivan, 41, was manager at the Birkenhead-based club from November 2010, leading them to the Northern Premier League Division One North promotion play-offs final in 2013.

He was appointed as Albion boss in October the following year after Anthony Sheehan, who had replaced Pritchard, stepped down.