Mark Yates has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Kidderminster Harriers after calling time on his near four-year reign as manager to take over at Cheltenham.

Yates and his assistant Neil Howarth left yesterday after compensation was agreed with chairman Barry Norgrove and were later unveiled as the new management team at the Football League club, where they were players together for four years between 1999 and 2003.

Former caretaker John Schofield, once on the staff at Walsall, will remain on the coaching staff.

It brings to an end the tenure of what was the fifth longest-serving boss in the Blue Square Premier, who would would have celebrated four years at the helm next month.

Today Yates starts a new adventure as a Football League manager, although the 39-year-old will never forget his time at Aggborough.

He said: “It was my first manager’s job and I will always be grateful for that. I think we have done well together and I go with my head held high, wishing the club every success for the future. It’s been rewarding, exciting, everything – it has been a real rollercoaster ride.

“Both the club I have left and the club I am going to have a special place in my heart, and I will always have a lot of time for Kidderminster Harriers. They have been good to me and we part on good terms.

“But this is the right move for Mark Yates. Everybody wants to progress in life and I am no different.”