GLOUCESTESHIRE have confirmed that director of cricket John Bracewell is to leave the club.

The 56-year-old New Zealander first took charge in 1999 and returned for the second time in 2009.

Bracewell led Gloucestershire to five one-day trophies during his first spell, as well as the Division Two title in 2002.

His time at the club will officially end on January 31, 2015.

"There are times in a coach's career when he has to take the training wheels off and let his charges make their own decisions on how they move forward. I feel this time is now," Bracewell told the club website.

"This group of players are ripe to produce and I would like to thank them and my coaching staff for their hard work and desire to learn and improve.

"I would also like to thank the members who have travelled this journey. Your loyalty to this young group growing up through what has been one of the toughest periods in our history will be rewarded I'm sure."

Gloucestershire chief executive, Will Brown said: “We would like to thank John for all of his hard work and dedication to Gloucestershire County Cricket Club over his time with the club. He led the club through an unparalleled period of success and will rightly always be regarded as one of our most successful coaches ever. We wish him all the best with the next stage in his career.”