WE ARE now on the threshold of the greatest season in the proud history of Forest Green Rovers.

Beating Tranmere Rovers 3-1 at Wembley was the start of the next chapter in the marvellous journey of FGR, as the ‘little club on the hill’ was on its way to the Football League.

The Wembley win was one of romance and realism. The romance came in the first half. Fast attacking football brought three goals. Realism came in the way the lead was protected in the second half.

Tranmere were not allowed to build the momentum to get back into the game.

Manager Mark Cooper’s team closed the game down – much as the Leeds side of his father Terry used to do. For Mark, the day was a tactical triumph.

The pace of Kaiyne Woolery was used to expose the sluggishness of the Tranmere defence and then an energetic defensive performance ensured the half-time lead was not lost.

Changes have since been made on and off the field. Helen Taylor has become CEO and Phil Butterworth replaces David Drew as vice chairman. These are two very popular appointments.

We have an administration that is pro-active rather than re-active. The club is ready.

I hate pre-season friendlies. The half-paced, haphazard performance against Brimscombe was typical. I defy anyone to say they enjoyed it. I went because ‘The Meadow’ is such a welcoming place.

Saturday was so different. Against a determined Bristol Rovers side, it was a genuine game – and Forest Green were a revelation.

Everyone, whether first-timers, trialists or academy players were comfortable on the ball. Passing was swift and incisive. No weak link could be spotted. New signings Lee Collins and Scott Laird brought a stability to the defence while Bradley Collins excelled in goal. His distribution was first class. Jordan Simpson gave an excellent cameo performance.

While much progress has been made there is one situation that needs clearing up.

A group of senior players (Rob Sinclair and Rhys Murphy among them) have not been given squad numbers and obviously do not figure in the manager’s plans. This situation needs to be cleared up in the interests of everyone.

Apart from the excellence of the football I took three things away with me. Firstly, there was Shamir Mullings’ goal celebration with arms spread out looking like the Angel of the North.

Secondly, at the end of his interview with SNJ Ash, manager Mark smiled and perhaps even laughed. More of the same please, Mark. We do not see enough of that side of you.

Most memorable of all was chairman Dale Vince. I had a brief conversation with him and he was positively glowing. It was obvious how much the club’s progress means to him and equally obvious he knows how much it means to us. We are all moving forward together.

Bad weather has pushed cricket into the background, but we need to remember Gloucestershire are still unbeaten in the T20 Blast.

Given good weather this competition really works as sell-out crowds at Cheltenham and Bristol prove. Benny Howell deserves to play for England and Liam Norwell for our county team. Neither of our quick left-handers (Matt Taylor or Chris Liddle) have delivered yet. I would replace both with Liam and Chris Dent in the side.

T20 is coming to a climax in this area. Next Sunday (July 30) sees the final of the Lighthouse League to be staged at Malmesbury. Penny and I sponsor this competition for all the right reasons and look forward to making the appropriate presentations.

Penny and I did not meet until our middle years and she never saw me play cricket. Perhaps that is a good thing, but I wish she could be transported back to Oaksey one June night.

The game was Rodmarton v Coates, with Rodmarton in trouble chasing a biggish Coates total. Blacksmith Frank Baldwin joined me at the wicket and I suggested a careful approach. “Never,” exclaimed Frank – we can win this game.”

We put on 50 a bit sharpish, but then I hit ‘Shaver’ Allen to Bernard Taylor at cover. We did not win but it was tremendous fun.

That is exactly what T20 is all about and good luck to the Siddington club, anxious to reform and play that sort of cricket. Join – you will never regret it.