IT WAS colder at Forest Green on Saturday than in the Arctic Circle!

Now I am an experienced international traveller, I can confirm this and I doubt if anyone at the Boreham Wood game would disagree. There were, however, some heart-warming aspects that made facing the nailbiting Nailsworth cold worthwhile.

Firstly the football – two goals, three points and a clean sheet speak for themselves but that is far from the whole story.

A 12-minute debut from new signing Omar Bugiel was more warming than my teatime cocoa and crumpets (thank you, Mrs L).

Omar, signed from Worthing, was a revelation, showing a desire and a determination that rattled a tiring Boreham Wood.

Our visitors had not just parked one bus, they had brought a whole depot. Every Rovers attack was faced by two solid walls of five. Home-team possession counted for little as attackers could find no space.

 Rovers did not give up and the team responded to the manager Mark Cooper tweaking matters.

On came substitute Keanu Marsh-Brown, followed by new signing Omar.

Chris Dodge put us ahead and then Omar, to whom the crowd had already opened their hearts, reacted quickly and dramatically to a rebound from the visiting goalkeeper. No-one noticed the cold anymore.

It had been a good New Lawn day, I was able to squeeze into a crowded Carol Embrey Suite and join Richard Atkins (Radio Gloucestershire) for lunch. He was accompanied by Mrs A who his increasing number of listeners know is a footballing wife.

My tomato and barley soup was as pleasant as the company.

Once home I caught up with my Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard reading.

There in the golf results, keeping me informed about Minchinhampton seniors, I saw the name Jim Ridge.

Was this the same Jimmy Ridge I first encountered on the cricket field more than 60 years ago?

It was a schoolboy game and I played a ball towards cover, declining a single and making my ground as an Exocet missile thudded into the wicket keeper's gloves.

Jim showed on that day what for many years was the “best arm” outside the professional game.

Playing for Gloucestershire Gipsies just a few years ago, Chris Coley told me with wonder and amazement that Jim, who must have been around 70, still had his fine arm.

In our sporadic meetings Jim was always an affable companion and a very able cricketer. I am delighted to see he is still mentioned in despatches, albeit in a different sport. Forest Green make the long trip to Gateshead on Saturday.

The International Athletics Stadium where “The Heed” play is not for me. The press desk is magnificent with a fine view of the three jumping pits and the finishing line for races over a variety of distances.

The football takes place somewhere across the athletics track, but it is so far away I can't confirm any details.

In addition, I am gently mocked in Gateshead because of the way I speak.

I'm continuously asked what paper I represent and the reply sets off a cacophony of guffaws among the assembled press.

These are followed by requests to “say’t again man”. Not next week lads, sorry.

I hope finally to make it to Fairford Town, unless there is storm, tempest or I am distracted by too many phone calls.

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club members have been informed not only of the date of the AGM but that there are places available on the club's executive board.

Many callers think I can still influence such matters. No chance lads, sorry.

However, I can explain what being a board member means.

The best advice to anyone thinking of standing is to go ahead, back yourself and go for it. You never know where your application may lead.