Former Telford defender Neil Howarth is relishing a return to the Football League – as first-team coach at Cheltenham.

Howarth moves to Whaddon Road – where he enjoyed success as a player – with boss Mark Yates, the pair having impressed at Kidderminster Harriers in the Blue Square Premier.

They take over at the Robins following the departure of the controversial Martin Allen from the League Two club.

And Howarth, who played almost 200 League games for Cheltenham and Macclesfield before moving on to Telford United, is eager to get going at home to Bournemouth on Boxing Day.

“It’s exciting to be going back there,” he said. “Myself and Mark both played there and it was a great time for the club. The results haven’t been the best lately but, if we work hard, we can turn it around.”

Howarth proved a hit at Telford after joining in August 2003 and his place as a fans’ favourite was confirmed due to his loyalty when he stayed on after the collapse of the old club.

The 38-year-old went on to serve as player-coach for AFC Telford United until leaving to join Yates at Kidderminster in January 2006.

“It was so difficult to leave Telford because of the emotional attachments I had there,” added Howarth, who was induced into the Bucks’ Hall of Fame last month.

“Telford were great because they were so supportive in letting me go.

“It was maybe a little bit of an easier decision this time, because I had four or five happy years at Cheltenham as a player and it is a chance to get into the Football League.”

Howarth has a close working relationship with Yates, though he did not rule out the possibility of going it alone as a manager one day.

“If somebody asked me the question one day I’d have to think about it,” he said.

By CHRIS HUDSON