Crawley Town appoint former Cheltenham manager Mark Yates as manager

Football News 24/7

Relegated Crawley have appointed former Cheltenham manager Mark Yates as their new manager.

Yates, 45, has been out of work since leaving Cheltenham last November, and takes over a Crawley side who are rebuilding following relegation from League One this season.

He began his coaching career assisting Steve Cotterill at Burnley before taking his first management job at Kidderminster Harriers.

In his first season he led Harriers to the FA Trophy final against Stevenage Borough before returning to Cheltenham as Manager, where he had previously been captain as a player. In successive seasons, 2012 and 2013, he guided Cheltenham to the League Two play-offs.

Mark said: "I'm delighted to be here. I have been out of the game for a few months and when this opportunity it really excited me."

"There's a big challenge ahead but one I am really looking forward too."

Chief Executive Michael Dunford said: “We’re delighted that Mark has agreed to join us. We interviewed some very strong candidates but Mark stood out."

“He has a very deep knowledge of the level we find ourselves at next season and is a first-rate coach. The board spoke to several people in the game who have worked with Mark and they were all very positive about his credentials, his knowledge and his enthusiasm and we are looking forward to Mark taking the club forward."