THERE were thirty-eight heroes at Grimsby on Saturday, all of whom were on the terrace. There were ten super heroes on the field. Yes, Forest Green lost but by the smallest of margins.

Grimsby is a difficult place to visit at the best of times. They have huge support and more importantly noisy support. Referees are left in no doubt about what decisions to make. An indecisive one can be easily influenced.

To visit with five senior players absent and lose by just one goal indicates the spirit and ability in the squad. In no way was the performance on Saturday a relegation one. It was the sort of display that will take us up the table. We will not play in front of a hostile crowd of 4,360 every week.

Discipline on the field is causing problems as suspensions weakened the side on Saturday. There will be no comment from me on incidents I did not see but I have seen three bookings this season for time-wasting. This is frustrating and unnecessary and an area where actions needs to be taken.

Praise is due for our much-maligned defence. A clean sheet was kept at Swindon and the only goal against at Grimsby was a penalty. This represents a considerable improvement.

This bodes well for the visit to Exeter on Tuesday. The Grecians will supply dangerous forward Jayden Stockley with as many high crosses as they can. Defensive determination can win the day, but to be on the safe side Rovers need to practice penalties.

It does not get any easier with prolific scores Luton arriving at the New Lawn on Saturday, but this is what being in Division 2 means. We are having a roller coaster ride and it is a ride to be enjoyed I intend to do exactly that.

Supporters of Cirencester Town must have enjoyed the second half of the game against Barnstable.

A three-goal comeback enabled them to win the game. My Sunday newspaper gives the man of the match award to veteran striker Alan Griffin. There is obviously much life let in the experienced Griffin’s legs.

Another award that we must cheer from the rooftops is that made to Steve Silk and his team at the Gloucestershire County Board. They have been awarded County Board of the Year at the annual Chance to Shine award evening.

The leadership in the offices and the coaches on the ground were rightly praised and I would add to that our local clubs (Fairford, Lechlade, Poulton, Cirencester and many more) who respond to the Board’s leadership.

The statistics our Board have achieved tell the whole story. 117 Primary Schools and 43 Secondary Schools have been involved and more than 30,000 children reached.

This is a wonderful story. Cirencester Veteran (there are other words) Phil Cooper has been a mainstay of the Board for many years, helping it emerge from some rocky times. He must be smoking another celebratory cigarette.

Belatedly it is the turn of athletics to feature and the Somewhere Else Running Club deserve a special mention. They held a jolly celebration evening at the Corinium Hotel and donated proceeds of the raffle to the Churn Project .

They have a forthcoming event known as the Painswick Rudolph Rampage. I cannot believe a place so peaceful as Painswick staging a rampage, but I am sure Chair Marion Coates is to be believed.

Incidentally Marion and her husband Paul have just taken part in an event on the South Coast that meant running 1 mile, then 10 kilometres followed by another 5K. It was called a Santa Fun Run, and both had to be dressed in Santa gear.

They are a tough lot these runners. Mrs Light, a former Highgate Harrier cross country runner, tells me she used to train on Hampstead Heath in similar conditions to this snowy Sunday morning.

I am writing a review of the year for the edition of December 28.

Please contact me via the newspaper if you know of anyone worthy of a mention. There are no guaranties, but I am anxious not to miss anyone out.