GARY Hackett and Jon Ford have left Bromsgrove Rovers by mutual consent.

The decision came at a meeting with chairman Tom Herbert at the Victoria Ground last night (Tuesday).

It ends speculation about the pair's future and brings the curtain down on their 16-month spell in charge.

Ford has been offered the opportunity to stay on as a player but a managerial replacement has yet to be named.

The decision also comes on the back of Rovers finishing third in the Dr Martens Western at the first attempt.

Herbert said they left on good terms but that the season was "not good enough", hitting out at the team's failure to secure promotion to the Premier, just 12 months after gaining promotion to the Western through the back door of second place in the Midland Alliance.

He said: "It was on results alone. I am disappointed. We were 20 weeks on top spot and it just faded away. It's not good enough."

The chairman also believes he had given Hackett and Ford the keys to unlock their rivals.

"I wanted promotion, I thought the budget was good enough to get promotion," he added. "I have put a lot of money into this club and I don't want second fiddle for anything. We're as good as anybody. When the going got tough it didn't happen."

Hackett and Ford took over at the beginning of last year with the team treading water in the Midland Alliance. Rovers immediately went on to lose just twice in 26 games, securing a place in the Dr Martens Western when Alliance champions Stourbridge failed to meet ground requirements.

This season started in spectacular fashion, Rovers going 12 games without defeat and occupying top spot for many weeks. Things went down hill after Christmas but they never fell below fifth.

Now the re-building process starts for next season and Herbert says there will be players going in and out of the Victoria Ground.

"I just want everything right for Bromsgrove Rovers," he added. "I am disappointed for the crowd."

What do you think? Should Gary Hackett and Jon Ford have gone? Write to us at 5 High Street, Bromsgrove, B61 8AJ or e-mail steve.carley@midlands.newsquest.co.uk