Influential Steve Has Cott The Lot!

The Gaffer’s greatest gaffer with mark yates

- Andy Mitchell

WHO inspires the inspirations in the ever-changing world of football? Which traits stand the test of time?

In the latest in our series, we pick the brains of one of the most familiar faces to grace Non-League’s top table, Stourbridge manager Mark Yates.

The former Cheltenham Town and Crawley Town gaffer surprised many by taking on the task of steering the ambitious Glassboys to promotion from Southern League Premier Division Central having spent is life in full-time football.

He guided Kidderminster Harriers, a club he had represented with distinction as a player, to an FA Trophy final – the first competitive match at the new Wembley Stadium – in his first senior post and took Cheltenham from League Two strugglers to two play-off appearances.

After helping to inspire Solihull Moors to a great escape in the National League and an ill-fated spell back in the Football League with Macclesfield Town, Yates had a brief spell back in charge of Kidderminster before heading to the War Memorial Ground.

But even in the part-time game, his heyday on the pitch at Whaddon Road, winning the Conference title and promotion from the old Division Three, still provides inspiration.

WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST GAFFER AND WHY?

It is a tough one, it would have to be Graham Allner at Kidderminster or Steve Cotterill at Cheltenham Town.

Graham took me on as a young kid but then Steve extended my career and probably took me into the coaching side of it so I would have to say Steve for what he did for me.