Gary Johnson will be Cheltenham Town’s permanent manager for their return to non-league football next season.





The 59-year-old former Yeovil Town and Bristol City boss has agreed a two year deal with the Robins, subject to the completion of paperwork.





Johnson, who led Yeovil to the Conference title in 2002/03, will now set about building a squad to challenge for an immediate return to League Two.





"The club being relegated is a disappointment to everybody, but it's happened and we have to look forward positively now," Johnson said.





"I am really looking forward to the challenge of getting Cheltenham Town back into the Football League as soon as possible because the club deserves to be and should be a League club.





"We have to make sure all our standards are lifted throughout the club, whether it be the standard of play, the quality of the surfaces or anything else.





"I had a very good meeting with the board and now is the time to look at the recruitment needed to be successful at National League level.





"The most important thing is to bring in the best possible group who give the club value for money and I have lots of good contacts, so I will be looking to put together a very competitive squad.





"I have enjoyed everything at Cheltenham apart from the results and I know the potential is here so my job now is to bring that potential out."





Brought in for the final seven games of a turbulent campaign for Cheltenham, vastly experienced boss Johnson was unable to stave off the drop after becoming the club's fourth manager of the season.



A 1-0 home defeat by Shrewsbury Town last Saturday condemned the Robins to the Vanarama National League next term after 16 years in the Football League.





They round off the season at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, with several younger players expected to be given a run out.





The club held a behind-closed-doors trial match at Whaddon Road on Tuesday afternoon which saw a Robins youth team XI take on a team of trialists, with Johnson watching closely from the stand.







