Cheltenham Town have parted company with manager Mark Yates, with immediate effect.



A popular figure and promotion-winning captain during his playing days, Yates returned to take charge at Whaddon Road on December 22, 2009 after leaving Kidderminster Harriers.





He has since overseen more than 250 matches, twice guiding the club into the League Two play-offs (2011/12 and 2012/13).





Yates also led Cheltenham to the third round of the FA Cup on two occasions, where they took on Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.





The 44-year-old was the third longest serving manager in the top four divisions of English football, behind only Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger and Paul Tisdale of Exeter City.





His final match at the helm was the 4-1 home defeat by Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday, which left Cheltenham 18th in the table.





His successor will become the club’s eighth permanent boss in the Football League era following Steve Cotterill, Graham Allner, Bobby Gould, John Ward, Keith Downing, Martin Allen and Yates.





A further statement from Robins chairman Paul Baker will follow at 10am only on ctfc.com.