Yates poised for Cheltenham job (From Worcester News)

Yates poised for Cheltenham job

8:00am Tuesday 22nd December 2009

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MARK Yates is believed to be on the verge of becoming the new Cheltenham Town manager.

The Kidderminster Harriers boss met with Whaddon Road chairman Paul Baker last Friday and it is thought that the 39-year-old had another meeting with the struggling League Two outfit over the weekend.

The former Robins midfielder is one of the Cheltenham fans’ favourites to replace Martin Allen after he left the club earlier this month.

Baker has reportedly said that the new manager is “someone who is young, hungry and will appeal to the supporters.”

Cheltenham were expected to finish the interview process yesterday after receiving up to 60 applications for the vacancy.

The club, who are only three points above the relegation zone in League Two, are keen to have the new man in place ahead of Boxing Day’s home clash with Bournemouth.

It is thought an announcement could come as early as today. However, Cheltenham will have to agree compensation with Harriers for Yates and probably his assistant Neil Howarth.

But with the pair only contracted to the Aggborough side until the end of this season, it is unlikely that will be a sizeable sum.

The former Cheltenham duo have been at the helm at Harriers since January 2006 and saved the club from relegation to the Blue Square regional leagues.

In the following campaign, Kidderminster reached the FA Trophy final and last term Yates guided the club to the verge of the Blue Square Premier play-off places.

Should Yates leave, Harriers will be keen to find a new manager as soon as possible and Kidderminster chairman Barry Norgrove will have been alerted to the fact that Chester City boss Jim Harvey, who is also thought to be in the running for the Cheltenham job, is working without a contract.

The former Forest Green Rovers chief still lives in Hereford since leaving the Nailsworth outfit and taking charge of the troubled Deva Stadium club.

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