FOREST GREEN ROVERS are in the play-offs. Grown men wept. I know as I was one. Tension, joy and deep pride all combined to make April 25 a wonderful day for those on a hill top near Nailsworth.

The game was not a classic. The players knew how much it mattered, so did the crowd and it showed. Passing was hurried and hasty with the ball in the air far too often. Measured play was in short supply but effort was there in abundance. Every Rovers player did their utmost in search of a victory.

As it happened they did not need one, a draw being sufficient to enable the club to reach the milestone.

The match ended with chairman Dale Vince joining manager Ady Pennock in the post-match press conference.

Dale the dreamer and Pennock the pragmatist is a simplification, but an accurate one. Both men are taking the club forward. It is now happy, united and successful. The play-offs are a lottery and anything can happen but the general strength of FGR is such that the move to the Football League is not far away. The fact that the play-off opponents are Bristol Rovers showed everyone how far FGR have come.

Dover played their part. They wanted to win and easily could have done so. Rovers, however, had heroes in defence, especially goalkeeper Steve Arnold and centre half Charlie Clough. Captain David Pipe was his usual inspirational self and front man Kurtis Guthrie ran and ran.

The determination and discipline of the players stood out. Only seven fouls were given against Forest Green despite the full-blooded nature of the contest. Well done everyone for keeping your head.

The whole afternoon and evening were a credit to the club and to professional football. We saw all the youth teams parading proudly. At half-time the ladies' section received their hard-earned trophies. Another deserved award, the Brian Frean Memorial Trophy went to coaching supremo Sam Reid, truly my man of the season.

Anything can happen now. Ady knows it will be tight, and assures me the players are practicing penalties, but whatever does happen it will not take away from the triumphant euphoria of last Saturday.

Meanwhile, over the hill and not far away, Cheltenham Town were relegated from the Football League. Chairman Paul Baker will probably be the butt of much criticism but people should remember his support and leadership of the club. Without him Cheltenham would not have lasted 16 years in the league.

Sunday, in grey, cold weather, Mrs Light and I headed for cricket at Bristol. We both enjoyed a good £5 lunch, sampled the wide range of beers on offer and put fear into the hearts of many Bristol Rovers fans. It was a chance that could not be missed.

The pavilion balcony was cold and windy but the seats in front of the new stands were a welcome sun trap. Many gentlemen removed their shirts but Mrs Light tells me all fell short of the ‘Poldark’ standard. I cannot comment.

Gloucestershire were put in by Derbyshire on a wicket as fresh and green as a current Cotswold cornfield and the worst was feared. Fortunately our batting line-up is a talented one as a score of 200-3 indicated.

However, talent needs to be accompanied by resolution and too many batsmen played suicidal shots. Derbyshire bowled better as the day progressed and the Gloucestershire score of 275 fell far short of the anticipated total.

Hopefully, we will be able to savour a dual victory on Wednesday – FGR over Bristol Rovers and Glos CCC over Derbyshire.

The deaths of Tom O’Loughlin and Henry Archer were announced in this paper last week. Both were local footballers of some distinction. Tetbury-based Tom was a skilled wing half (midfielder in modern parlance) for Stonehouse in their Western League days, Forest Green and, of course, Tetbury Town.

Henry attended Cirencester Grammar School, leaving at 14 to join Wolverhampton Wanderers, where manager Major Buckley had a promising group of young players known as the ‘Buckley Babes’.

On returning to Cirencester, Henry used his trusty left foot to good effect playing for the Town club. Many people will know Henry as a licensee of both The Tavern Inn at Kemble and The Golden Cross in Black Jack Street. Both men will be missed and remembered.