NOW you know, ladies and gentlemen! Since I have been writing this column I have continuously been questioned about Forest Green Rovers FC.

Who are they? Where do they play? What league are they in? Even worse has been the question: Why do you not go to Swindon Town?

This week’s media coverage has answered all these questions. From a centre spread in “The Sun” to being a question on “Have I Got News For You” and with Radio 4 capturing Bob Hunt’s effusive and exhilarating commentary from Wembley, the Nailsworth club has finally imposed itself on the consciousness of so many, near or far.

The facts are simple. Nailsworth is now going to host league football. Swindon Town are to play Forest Green on equal terms. Other once-mighty clubs will be climbing up the hill to the New Lawn. Never has league football been played in such a small place.

A new season will bring so much to savour, and I do not mean just the appealing vegan food.

Mrs Light has just uttered a warning about me to readers. “If you meet him beware – he is insufferable at the moment, gloating all the time.”

It was a wonderful day at Wembley apart from the high prices (£40 plus) which kept many families away and the fact that there are only two promotion places available into the Football League is a long-running sore. Those who lead the league are letting member clubs and fans down.

Proper credit must be given to Mark Cooper for his planning and tactics. We saw a ruthless, relentless Rovers team. Tranmere were simply not allowed back in the game after half-time.

At last we saw an FGR team determined never to give a sucker an even break.

It was also a privilege to be among the sea of Cirencester sporting faces at Ernie Rutter’s funeral. It was a splendid celebration of his life.

Rev Canon Karen Schmidt led the service, her Christian voice ringing out pure and true. The tribute by Andrew Hughes captured the flavour of a life happily lived, and what a joy it was to hear music from Guy Mitchell and Roger Whittaker.

Two very good cricket and football teams could have been selected from those attending.

Phil Carter, still fit and raring to go, could have managed the cricket XI. Me, Terry Day (Bibury) and Tony Frape (Coates and Cirencester) could have led the bowling attack. Andrew Hughes (Cirencester Town) could be in charge of the football XI who would have used a simple game plan – give the ball to Harry Parker (Cirencester Town) and he would have done the rest.

If Harry did lose possession his Town colleague Johnny Tugwell would soon have won the ball back.

I had played cricket against Ernie on the now-lost cricket ground on The Whiteway where Stratton played. Ernie kept wicket and his large frame meant you were often batting in the shade!

The ground has now been swallowed up by the rugby club but in the north-west corner the old hut/pavilion still remains.

Professional sportsmen know there will be a time in their careers when they have to move on. Younger players are emerging to take their place.

This has happened to Sam Wedgbury at Forest Green. Sam, a first class example of a pro footballer, was told he was not wanted over the telephone and was understandably upset.

I understand there were a number of mitigating circumstances but I still think he should have been told face to face. The club should aspire to do things in a more humane fashion.

When I was chairman of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club a loyal and much-loved member of staff needed to be told he was moving on. I drove to Bristol to tell him, it was the least I could do. Happily we are still friends.

Back to Wembley – my clearest memory is of a diagonal pass from Liam Noble that found Christian Doidge wide on the left. More importantly it drew burly centre half Steve McNulty out of his comfort zone. Doidge left him for dead and smashed the ball home.

One line from Shelley’s poem Ozymandias instantly came to me to sum up that joyous afternoon and I misquote it here.

“Look on our Works, McNulty, and despair.”

There was no despair for Forest Green Rovers.