Weston super-Mare appoint Forest Green Academy boss Scott Bartlett as new manager

A former Weston player, Bartlett,37, will continue his academy job at The New Lawn after chairman Dale Vince and boss Mark Cooper rubber-stamped his new opportunity.

Bartlett beat a number of candidates to land the post with the Seagulls, who sit in 18th position, two points and two-places above the relegation zone, after eight straight league losses.

Bartlett has a short, but impressive senior management resume, with four wins from five matches in two–spells as caretaker Forest Green boss, the only defeat coming in the National League play-off final against Grimsby Town at Wembley Stadium.

Bartlett replaces Ryan Northmore as manager, who departed following the  FA Cup loss to Division One South and West side North Leigh.

Bartlett said: “Weston have given me a brilliant opportunity and I’m determined to make my appointment a success.

“The club have some top players, but the team seem to have lost their way after a good start to the season. My immediate job is to get us back on track and moving in the right direction up the table.”

With former Bristol City captain Wade Elliott now working under Bartlett in Rovers' academy, the former midfielder will have the support needed to make both roles a success.

“You only have to look at the success of part-time teams in the National League last season, with Braintree Town and Dover Athletic, to see what’s possible.

“Both Danny Cowley at Braintree Town and Chris Kinnear at Dover Athletic were working full-time as teachers alongside their football roles – and I’m lucky to have the support of FGR chairman Dale Vince, and manager Mark Cooper, to continue with my day job at The New Lawn.

“The academy is in a brilliant place, we’ve got 160 kids in the youth system and this opportunity with Weston will broaden my experience and forge a great link between the two clubs.”