Swindon Town’s academy manager Alex Pike will leave the club to take up a new role elsewhere.

Pike was named academy manager at the start of last season as part of a restructuring of the management system but is now ending a six-year association with the academy.

Before his most recent role, he had held multiple positions at the club including four years as the Foundation Phase lead coach.

Under Pike’s watch, the U18s made the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals last season.

Several young players have also made first-team breakthroughs during his tenure, including Joel McGregor, Redman Evans, Jaxon Brown, and Sonny Hart.

Following the announcement, Pike said he was “extremely proud” of the academy’s progression during his time there.

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He added: “It has been incredible to represent my home club for several years within the academy.

“The programme has developed dramatically in the last few seasons because of the care and innovation of the staff involved, which we are all extremely proud of.

“I would like to say thanks to everyone who has been part of my time at the club and wish everyone the best going forward.”

In a statement on the club website, Swindon Town thanked Pike for his “several years of work” and wished him well moving forward.

Following the decision, Head of Football Jamie Russell confirmed that the club is now seeking a replacement for Pike.

He said: “Alex has moved the academy forward in his time in charge, and he deserves a lot of credit for the way he has led the club's academy and the influence and guidance he will now leave as a lasting positive for all of those who worked with him during his time with the club.

“Looking forward, new ambitions and new ideas will continue to drive us to come into the academy and with Alex's departure, we feel this is a fantastic opportunity to build and shape the football development programme for the long term.

“In terms of next steps, the club will now seek a replacement to continue to lead the academy and continue its promising upward trajectory in what we aim to be a very exciting future.”