SWINDON Town have lost four of their backroom staff, with three joining up with former manager Mark Cooper at non-league side Forest Green Rovers.

Scott Lindsey, Steve Hale and Tom Huelin have all taken up positions at Rovers, while Town's chief scout Sam Jewell has moved on to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Championship.

The latter announced his departure from the County Ground on Thursday evening, although there has been no official annoucement from either club and it is not known what position Jewell will take up at the Amex.

Meanwhile, Town’s U18s manager Lindsey will become Cooper’s assistant manager at The New Lawn, with Hale named as head of goalkeeping and Huelin joining as fitness coach.

Hale announced the move via social media and while he admitted it was a tough decision he couldn’t turn down a better contract at Forest Green.

“It’s a very sad day for me leaving Swindon Town Football Club and it was a very tough decision to make but one that in the end I had to make with my head rather than my heart,” he said.

"I read an article the other day by a player at Wycombe talking about fears of security with his contract at the end of the season and it's no different for a manager or coach and that includes me.

"I've been offered a better contract and most importantly one offering far greater security for myself and my wife in an industry which is volatile and insecure, so as I said I had to make this tough decision with my head rather than my heart as the heart doesn't pay the bills.

"The first result I will always look for each week will be Swindon's as I'll always remain a fan.

"I thank all the fans, staff and players at the club past and present and wish everybody at the club the best for next season and beyond.

“I look forward to starting a new phase of my career with Dale Vince’s great long-term project at Forest Green Rovers.”

Lindsey has also spent the past two seasons at the County Ground as Town’s under 18 manager and Cooper, who was appointed Forest Green manager before their play-off final defeat last month, said it was important to take Lindsey with him.

“I brought Scott to Swindon to look after the young pros within the first team set-up and he did an excellent job," said Cooper.

“Scott understands exactly how I want to play, he is a very good coach and it’s important that my right-hand man has got my back.

“Steve is a very good goalkeeping coach, he’s well known locally and well respected in the business having worked with Wes Foderingham who got a move the Rangers.

“He will leave no stone unturned, using in-depth analysis to improve our keepers – they’ll really enjoy working with him.”

Meanwhile, Huelin is the third capture from Town, where he was in charge of fitness and conditioning for the under 18 and under 21 teams.

“Tom is a fantastic fitness coach and will work on strength and conditioning, while monitoring daily fitness,” added Cooper.

“He did a really good job at Swindon Town with the scholars and he is a brilliant acquisition for our players.”