Downing gets the nod

Cheltenham Town have named caretaker boss Keith Downing as the permanent successor to John Ward.

Former caretaker manager handed permanent position

Cheltenham Town have named caretaker boss Keith Downing as the permanent successor to John Ward. Downing and assistant manager Bob Bloomer have signed 18-month contracts at Whaddon Road, with former player John Brough expected to continue to take control of the youth team. The 42-year-old expressed his delight at being handed the position on a full-time basis, labelling it a 'privilege' and an 'honour'. He told the club's official: "I'm really honoured to be given the job. My ambition was to manage a football club although I never envisaged that it would be here. "I may not be the most glamorous name that some people wanted but I'm equipped, I'm experienced, I know what I want to do and I'm very driven to get there. "I'm very privileged to be given this start, it's a League One status club and not many people get a chance like that."