His appointment as the gaffer was heralded as an arrival of the cavalry for stricken League Two club Forest Green Rovers (FGR) as they seek to fight their way out of a potential double relegation, but after just six games, four weeks and a day, the former premier league striker has been sacked from his post.

The trigger for the decision, coming in an announcement late last night that his tenure had been terminated, is believed to have centred around news earlier in the day that the Football Association will impose a four-match touchline ban on Deeney, as well as a £1,500 fine, in the wake of a disagreement with officials at the end of FGR's December away game against Swindon.

However, with just three points mustered from six games (three draws and three losses), dismay and panic has been growing among fans and Deeney was forced to make an apology at the start of this week after he gave his team a public slating for Saturday 0-2 performance, at home in Nailsworth, against Harrogate.

Dale Vince, chairman of FGR said: "These are decisions nobody likes to make, but we have acted this way to give FGR the best possible chance of improving results and climbing the league table. We wish Troy all the best for the future and thank him for his efforts."

The club added that its search for a new head

coach will begin straight away - meaning that FGR will see its seventh manager since Rob Edwards led the squad to an historic victory as champions of League Two in 2022.

Crispin Thomas, a senior ambassador for FGR who also edits the Football Gone Rogue fan site, said: "You couldn't make it up," adding that the fear now was that the club could go "from the pan into the fire".

Dan Connor will take charge of the team for tomorrow's away match against Gillingham.

● Troy Deeney's tenure as manager was 29 days. Liz Truss lasted 44.