FORMER Witton manager Paul Ogden has thanked Albion fans for their support after starting a new job as chief scout at Conference club Mansfield Town.

He told the Guardian that telephone calls from followers of the Wincham Park outfit had touched him.

“It was a surprise, no question,” he said.

“I gave everything I had in my short time at Witton, which I’ve grown to love as smashing club.

“The people there go about their task with a real passion and you can’t help but be affected by that in some way.”

The 64-year-old former Leek Town manager started his new job with the Blue Square Bet Premier promotion-hopefuls last week after new boss Paul Cox asked him to watch potential new recruits.

Ogden left – temporarily at the time – Witton in January to focus upon his day job.

But chairman Mark Harris ended any chance of his return when he appointed joint management duo Brian Pritchard and Dave MacPherson.

Albion lost only five of 24 matches with the duo at the helm, earning the partnership the job on a permanent basis in April after guiding the team to tenth in the Division One North table.