Pritchett has cited a number of reasons that have influenced his decision, in a move that has come as a surprise, and draws a close on a largely successful period for the club who had been facing relegation from Step 5 at the time of his appointment in 2016.

Pritchett told http://www.tuffleyroversfc.co.uk: “It has been a really difficult decision for me, but I’ve ultimately come to the decision that I am going to step down from my role as manager.

“I’ve got a really important year coming up with work and some of the challenges presented by Covid-19 mean I need to put even more into that. I want to continue playing, having enjoyed my season in 2019/20, so I felt like it was the right time to make this decision.”

In confirming Pritchett’s departure, Rovers’ chairman Dan Boon positively acknowledged his time at the club: “I would like to thank Pritch for his time as manager of the first team, which I am extremely grateful for. He has been someone I have had a great relationship with and I’m sad to see him leave the role.”

The new Rovers chairman then confirmed that assistant-manager Richard Cox would temporarily take up the reins until the club are in a position to make a decision around a more permanent appointment.