Cheltenham Town Football Club and Kidderminster Harriers Football Club have reached an agreement for Mark Yates and his assistant Neil Howarth to join Cheltenham Town with immediate effect.

The two clubs have agreed a compensation package and Mark Yates will begin work as Cheltenham Town manager on Wednesday 23 December in time to take charge of the home match against AFC Bournemouth on Boxing Day.

Neil Howarth will take on the role of first team coach at Cheltenham Town and existing assistant manager John Schofield will remain in post as assistant to Mark Yates.

Cheltenham Town chairman Paul Baker said: "We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Kidderminster to welcome Mark and Neil back to Cheltenham Town.

"Despite their absence they have remained good friends of the club. Clearly they have very strong associations with us and some fond memories too.

"I wish them every success in their new roles. The Board has no doubt that they are up for the challenge and I know they cannot wait to get started.

"I must also thank John Schofield for the thoroughly professional manner in which he has looked after team affairs in very difficult circumstances.

"He should be very proud of the contribution he has made and he will have a very important role to play in the future working closely with Mark and Neil."

Kidderminster Harriers chairman Barry Norgrove said: "I'd like to wish Mark and Neil all the very best for the future.

"We're sorry to see them go as they have done extremely well for us but they are trying to progress up the managerial ladder - we wish them every success at Cheltenham as both they and us look to move forward."

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