BRISTOL Rovers have sacked director of football John Ward following their relegation from League Two.

Ward began his second spell as Rovers boss in December 2012 but moved upstairs in March with the club struggling near the bottom of the table and the reins were handed to his assistant Darrell Clarke, who was unable to stop their slide to the Conference.

Chairman Nick Higgs said: “Due to the situation we find ourselves in, it is no longer economically viable to have a first team manager and a director of football.

“We would like to thank John for his services, but now is the time to be making these changes.”