BRIAN Kirk has admitted to feeling bittersweet after resigning as chairman of Abingdon Town.

The 65-year-old, who was also secretary, match secretary and discipline secretary at the Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 1 East outfit, stepped down from all roles on Monday.

Kirk helped save the Abbotts from the brink of collapse after arriving in 2018 and hopes his successor can help the club progress.

He said: “I achieved my original goals and am more than happy with what we did.

“Next season the plan was to grow the profile of the club. It has so much potential.”

Kirk, who played for Town in the 1970s, became secretary in November 2018 and soon took on more roles at Culham Road.

In December of that year, the club warned that if they could not raise £20,000 to refurbish their kitchens and bar within two months they would be forced to shut.

He invested his own money in the facilities to help avoid closure, but Abingdon continued to struggle on the pitch and were rock bottom of the table before the coronavirus pandemic brought an early end to last season.

A host of well-wishers greeted the news with messages of gratitude to Kirk, which left the former chairman feeling “emotional”.

One tweeted: “Best of luck trying to replace him, people like Brian are like gold dust in grassroots football.”