THIS column is written in a state of shock, mental numbness and total disbelief. Mrs Light took me to the pictures to see the latest Star Wars film.

A dull script, predictable plot, average acting and far too many aerial battles resulted in more than two hours of total boredom. I have learned my lesson.

Thank goodness for Forest Green Rovers. They have brought some real excitement to my life. At swampy Southport, an injury-time goal by Kurtis Guthrie earned three points and on Saturday two goals in the last 10 minutes earned another three at home to Macclesfield.

Stirring stuff and we remain top of the table!

Since the Devon debacle on Boxing Day (Torquay 4, FGR 1) all six matches have been won.

The squad and manager have proved themselves. Manager Pennock is in “Fergie-like” control at The New Lawn. He has demonstrated this by the ins and outs during the transfer window. If you are not committed to the Rovers way you are moved on.

At the same time, as some senior players have left, in have come young players (Kieffer Moore and Ben Jefford) not just as stop gaps but as players for the future.

It has been a good January in so many ways. It was not an easy win on Saturday as it was not until the final few minutes that aerial supremacy counted. The challenge to Cheltenham Town is being maintained.

A brutal fixture list means five of the next seven fixtures are away with two especially long trips (Barrow, Gateshead). All the spirit and resolution of the team will be needed.

Spirit and resolution is certainly something that Gloucestershire Northern Senior League side Longford have shown.

Despite some wretched defeats their young players have kept going. Now they are to be helped by former England full back, Stuart Pearce, who has signed as player-coach.

“I came from non-league and I want to put something back,” said Pearce. What a splendid attitude.

Too many modern players forget their roots and do little in return to serve the game that made them. Not Stuart. I believe Longford are due to play at Bibury on March 5. He deserves a fine reception if he is in the squad. A true Cotswold welcome, please, for this genuine football man.

I enjoyed a pleasant encounter with a genuine cricket man during the week. Phil Carter and I have served the game at every level, local and national, for well over 100 years collectively. Phil is still extremely active.

As youngsters we played as often as we could. “Six days for me,” said Phil, “and I practised on the seventh. If my missus wanted to see me she knew where to find me.”

Neither of us understand why so many youngsters are lost to the game and local clubs are searching for players. Exams may be a genuine reason for those above the age of 15, with there being so much pressure on teenagers, but Phil had a worrying explanation for why older players are disappearing from the game.

He suggested in present times too much emphasis is placed on fitness. People go to a gym, pound away on a machine, looking at a screen or wearing headphones and listening to whichever current cacophony is all the rage.

This takes the place of being in the fresh air, playing a game with your mates and properly testing yourself. Neither of us veterans can understand this at all.

These machine-merchants must be the same people who like Star Wars! Find a real challenge, gentlemen. You will have so much more to remember.

Gloucestershire sports lovers were spoiled for choice on Saturday. There was a full house at Kingsholm to endure the pain of a last-minute defeat. It was a mighty game but such a sad ending, testing the fortitude of all “Shed heads”.

Meanwhile, after a morning inspection there was a good day of racing at Cheltenham, enjoyed by all, especially Wiltshire trainer Alan King and residents of Yanworth if they invested in the horse of the same name which won the 3.00 race.

Mrs Light and I were elsewhere otherwise we would have spotted the Cotswold connection.

Our three major local soccer clubs, Cheltenham, Forest Green and Swindon were all at home as well. Too much choice, I am afraid, but fixture liaison is impossible. It was a pity some of us had to miss out somewhere.

The news of Rich Hudson’s coaching success made good reading last week. He had as a companion on his course, the Australian Jason “Dizzy” Gillespie.

A fine international cricketer, Dizzy is now coach of county champions Yorkshire. I hope Richard took the opportunity to remind him of how Gloucestershire have defeated the White Rose county twice in successive years in key 50-over cup matches.

As a good Gloucestershire lad, I am sure he did.