DAVID HOCKADAY has parted company with Skrill Premier club Forest Green Rovers by mutual consent.
Hockaday took over as manager of the Gloucestershire outfit in September 2009.
In his first season in charge he saw his Rovers side finish 21st in the league and only avoid relegation due to the demotion of Salisbury City.
The next season saw the club beat the drop by goal difference alone, despite a final day defeat to Tamworth.
Hockaday’s side improved dramatically in 2011/12, finishing 10th after significant investment from club chairman Dale Vince.
Rovers invested heavily again this summer and were touted among the favourites for automatic promotion to the Football League. They got their campaign under way with an emphatic 8-0 win over Hyde but have since recorded just four more league wins.
They currently find themselves 16th in the table after a run of seven defeats in eight games and, despite that terrible form, Hockaday feels he leaves the club in a strong position.
Speaking to the club’s website, he said: “Football is a results driven business and recently results haven’t been good enough.
“I feel I have left the club, both on and off the field, in the best shape it has ever been.
“I am proud of what I’ve achieved here and feel the time is right to move on.
“I wish everyone at the club the very best – Forest Green Rovers will always have a place in my heart.”
Commenting on Hockaday’s departure, Dale Vince said: “I’d like to thank David, personally and on behalf of the whole club – for all he has done in his time here.
“A lot of the changes David has brought are not as readily visible as a scoreline and are less immediate in their impact – but they are vital to the long term success of the club.
“David has been a key player in the transformation of FGR and I wish him all the very best in his next role.”
Hockaday’s assistant, Gary Seward, has taken over as interim manager until a permanent appointment is made.
