Slimbridge co-chairman Barry Gay said: “We had a very emotional meeting – Drive is not only a manager but has become a friend, and I would like to thank him for everything he has brought to the club.

“He has done amazing work with us since taking over the reins from Freddy Ward and built up a fantastic team spirit. Drive has also been a massive influence on the fact that we now have three teams, our firsts, reserves and our under-18s representing the club now, and helping us to build a path of progression through the sides to the first team. We wish him all the very best, except when they play us of course, and he will be welcome at Thornhill Park any time.”

Driver-Dickerson took over as manager at the start of the 2018/19 season after joining the club as assistant to Freddy Ward following the departure of Leon Sterling.

Gay added: “We have asked Tom Speers and Tom Deakin to take the side for next Wednesday’s Gloucestershire Senior Cup against Gloucester City, and we will have an executive committee meeting on Monday to decide our next steps”.

Tim Blake