Scott Bartlett, academy manager at Forest Green Rovers is leaving the club after nine years.

Bartlett is leaving FGR to further develop his management career in recruiting and coaching players, stepping away from the administration involved with running an academy of more than 100 young players.

Bartlett joined FGR in 2010 from Salisbury City, under David Hockaday and played a season in the National League before a knee injury forced him to retire at 32 years-old.

Remaining a part of the club, Bartlett has been a constant presence at FGR – leading its academy into the EFL structure, as well as taking the first team to a National League play-off final at Wembley, as caretaker manager. Bartlett also had a short and successful spell at National League South outfit Weston-super-Mare.

During his time at the academy, Bartlett nurtured the talents of Aden Baldwin and Jordan Stevens, who joined Bristol City and Leeds United respectively, earning Rovers substantial transfer fees in the process.

On leaving FGR, Bartlett, said: “It’s been an incredible journey and I’ve loved every minute. FGR has become a huge part of my life, but the time is right for me to develop my career elsewhere. I’ve decided to focus on what I am best at – recruiting, coaching and managing players.

"Running the academy is all consuming – we took it into the Football League and continued to develop it, achieving category 3 in record time. I’m so proud to have brought EFL Academy football to FGR – and to have left strong foundations and principles that will allow it to keep growing.

"I’m really grateful for the opportunities the chairman has given me, and I also want to pass my sincere thanks on to everybody who has supported me along the way. I wish the club the very best for the future and look forward to seeing the Academy develop.”

Chairman Dale Vince added: “Scott is taking his footballing career in a different direction, he leaves with our thanks, and full support. He’s been at the club since I got involved in 2010 and will be missed. Scott has laid the foundations for our Academy and practically built it himself, taking us from non-league to cat 3 - a very high standard and a great achievement. I wish Scotty all the best in his next move.”