Barnsley will continue to operate just as smoothly without Ben Mansford, insist his replacement Linton Brown and head coach Paul Heckingbottom.

Mansford left his role as chief executive to join Leeds United on Monday and was replaced by former ‘head of commercial’ Brown, who has taken the role on an acting basis but is understood to be the leading candidate for the permanent position. He has also joined the Reds board.

Mansford, 36, who came to Oakwell three years ago after leaving his job as an agent, has been heavily criticised by fans for his controversial move to the Reds’ local rivals Leeds, now a fellow Championship club. 

Heckingbottom told the Chronicle: “It is down to Ben’s own ambition and drive. He worked a lot in Leeds when he was younger and knows the city well. Maybe he is a bit of a Leeds fan. 

“I say fair enough and good luck to him but, for myself and Patrick (Cryne, owner) who are Barnsley born and bred and love the club, we don’t understand his decision.

“Linton knows the club very well and has been very successful at Barnsley already.  The transition will be very smooth and losing Ben won’t be a problem.” 

Brown, 48, is a former footballer for hometown club Hull City among others. He was also commercial manager at Hull City and rugby league club Hull Kingston Rovers then joined Barnsley in 2014, a month before their relegation from the Championship.

He negotiated lucrative deals for ‘club partners’ and ‘club sponsors’ as well as the naming rights of all four stands at Oakwell. He left midway through the 2015/16 season for an agency in London only to return in April after being invited back by owner Patrick Cryne who also offered him a place on the board. 

Linton told the Chronicle: “I need to thank Patrick Cryne, his family and the board for giving me this opportunity. It was a very easy decision to make. When I was asked to come back by Patrick Cryne personally, I felt that was an honour. He invited me to join the board back then and that would have been announced at the end of this month. 

“Patrick said I was a vital part of taking the club forward and that was the main reason I came back. To be asked to join the board of Barnsley FC was the pinnacle of my career. I feel part of the club, and very close to Patrick and his family who have accepted me.

"Being asked to be chief executive is another huge honour and I will do everything within my strengths and powers to deliver for Patrick and to bring success to the club. I am delighted to represent the town, and the club and the fans.”

Linton has mainly been used to the commercial side of sports clubs but is confident he will adapt quickly to his new role which is a lot broader. He said: “I have never been fortunate enough to have the title of chief executive before but I have been on the periphery and I know what the job entails. My past of being a footballer means I know the ins and outs. It will be a smooth transition. I am sure we will have a lot of highs and lows but I am confident that the future will be very bright.”

Linton says he would like to make his role permanent in the future but is currently focusing on preparing the club for the new season in the Championship following promotion. He said: “I would absolutely love the job on a permanent basis. I am not here just for the short-term, I am here for the long-term. 

“The first week has been very enjoyable. Coming into the position, there were a lot of things that needed attention but we’re delighted with the progress we’ve made so far, especially the signing of George Moncur and other negotiations and discussions with targeted players. It’s been hectic and I am sure it will be intense for the next few weeks but I am really enjoying it.”