DAVID Baldwin admits he has been "completely overwhelmed" by the mountain of good-will messages from fans following his decision to quit City for Burnley.

The director of operations is into his final month at Valley Parade before taking up a similar post with the Premier League club.

Baldwin, who has worked for City since 2007, has been bowled over by the public reaction since the news was revealed by the Telegraph & Argus.

He said: "I've been absolutely taken back by it all. I feel very humbled by the nature of the comments.

"My motivations for doing the job have been to try to make things better for the football club we all support. I'm not one who likes to be in the limelight.

"I do feel guilty at not being able to respond personally to everybody who has sent me a message.

"There have just been so many kind words I have read through Facebook, Twitter, on the T&A website, e-mails and text messages. I wish I had the time to reply to them all.

"It's heart-warming to see that they view my decision as the club potentially losing a good person and recognised what I have tried to do.

"My biggest fear was that people might misinterpret my reasons for going and be potentially agitated by that.

"I live in the locality and will continue to live in the locality and will come to games when the opportunity presents itself.

"People close to me were able to take a much more objective view and said they didn't know why I was ever worried. But to see for myself that weight of public support has been unbelievable."

Joint-chairman Julian Rhodes insisted the timing of Baldwin's departure at this stage of the season should minimise any disruption as City look for a successor.

Rhodes said: "There are two aspects to David's job. Obviously the day-to-day running building towards match days is going to be busy but we have good people who can take that over.

"But the next big thing is when it comes to signing and releasing players, which kicks in April, May, June and July. We need to know exactly what positions we're in before then.

"If David had announced he was leaving in March, it might have caused us a bit more of a problem."

Baldwin yesterday began compiling a dossier on every department, detailing his thoughts on each, to make sure the change-over period goes as smoothly as possible.

He said: "There's no panic with the situation. As I've said, I'm only ever a phone call away and will help as best I can.

"I want to pride myself on a seamless transition so that Julian and Mark (Lawn) can take stock on where they are with it and which direction they want to take.

"Let's not forget there are good people here behind the scenes, who get on with their jobs quietly and do them properly. That will continue.

"There have been a lot of sleepless nights privately during the decision-making process between receiving the offer and going public.

"There was a lot of anxiety about making sure you are doing the right thing for the right reasons and what the ramifications would be for all sides.

"Of course I feel an element of relief that it is now a case of doing a proper hand-over.

"My first working day with Burnley should be Saturday, November 1 against Arsenal at the Emirates. We've come to an agreement that I will be here instead for the Doncaster home game.

"I imagine walking out of the stadium for the last time in an official capacity will be very emotional."