From congratulations on a “job well done” to shock and disappointment, Oxford United fans yesterday had their say on news of Kelvin Thomas’ departure.

As the announcement was made official at a press conference at the Kassam Stadium, supporters paid tribute to a “football man, through and through”.

Marks Sennett, the chairman of supporters’ group OxVox, said: “Kelvin oversaw a period of great change for the football club and can be proud that he oversaw United’s return to the Football League. We wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”

Trevor Lambert, former chairman of OxVox and now involved in running supporters’ group the 12th Man, said: “Obviously all good things must come to an end, but Kelvin has been great for this club.

“He has worked hard to get the club back into the community, which it had lost.

“He formed links with charities and local businesses and, all in all, will be a hard act to follow.”

He added: “I think Kelvin can look back at a job well done.”

Lifelong fan Maurice Earp, 58, from Sandford, said: “Kelvin was somebody who had an open door policy, if you messaged him on Facebook, he would message back.

“But if the club can continue the way it has been doing, the fans will love it.”

Tim Rackley, landlord of the Priory pub next to the Kassam Stadium, said: “We’re so disappointed, we’re going to really miss Kelvin.

“He welcomed us into the family and made us part of the club, so this is a real blow to us. He would often come over and help us out with stuff and send players over, whereas it was a closed shop before that.”

He added: “It has never been a problem to grab a 10-minute conversation with Kelvin, when you email he emails back. And not a lot of clubs can say that about their chairman.”

In April, Mr Thomas was made honorary vice-president of local charity SpecialEffect, which is dedicated to helping young people with disabilities to enjoy computer games. The club raised thousands of pounds for the Charlbury charity and for four-year-old Charlotte Nott, from Horspath, who had the lower sections of her limbs amputated in 2010 after contracting meningitis.

Charity spokesman Mark Saville said: “Kelvin has been nothing but good news for us, because he has been so supportive and helpful in everything he has done.

“As a person we have found him very generous and supportive, so we really do wish him well in whatever he does.

“From the first time I met him he had a genuine interest in helping the whole community, not just us.”