Architect of quiet miracle (From Stroud News and Journal)

Architect of quiet miracle

COLIN Addison preferred to stay out of the media limelight after Forest Green's 5-2 home victory over play-off hopefuls Dagenham and Redbridge brought their Nationwide Conference season to a triumphant close at the Lawn on Saturday.

Triumphant may sound an incongruous description for a club that, after all, has only finished ninth in the Conference table.

However, in reviewing the course of this fluctuating season it is entirely fitting. Because, without the arrival of the much-travelled, veteran manager last September, Rovers might now be contemplating life back in the obscure confines of the Dr Martens Premier Division, instead of proudly basking in the knowledge that they have established themselves as one of the top ten non-league clubs in the country.

Forest Green fans will not need reminding that for achieving such elevated status they owe a huge debt to Addison, the quiet professional who in the space of just over six months has not so much charted a complete turnaround in Rovers' playing fortunes as conjured up a minor miracle.

It seems almost unimaginable now, but when Addison arrived to replace Nigel Spink as manager early in September Rovers were firmly planted at the bottom of the table, with a playing record that read played five lost five.

And, having escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth in their previous four seasons in the Conference it looked odds-on that the club would struggle to survive a fifth time.

It took Addison a while to acclimatise and get to know the strengths and weaknesses of his squad. But even in those early days results began to improve, although by the end of November, Rovers were still second from bottom just above ill-fated Kettering.

However, it was a promising run in the FA Cup, halted by an unlucky replay defeat at third division Exeter that not only handed Rovers a significant financial boost, but also the belief and confidence that they had the ability to not just survive, but thrive in the second half of the season.

Addison made very few significant changes in the playing personnel except to make a couple of useful loan signings in Steve Cowe and Ben Cleverley. But he made subtle changes in tactical approach and playing style that suddenly paid dividends, and for the past four months Rovers have not looked back.

An unbeaten December, which included a thrilling 2-1 home victory over runaway champions Yeovil, confirmed the renewed optimism and despite losing narrowly mat Yeovil on New Years Day, Rovers went from strength to strength in 2003 putting together another 10-game unbeaten run which saw them soar to mid-table security.

The home defeat by Havant and Waterlooville ended their FA Trophy ambitions at the quarter-final stage in mid-March, but by then a respectable finish was assured and a team that appeared to have little hope last autumn was transformed into a side that earned respect throughout the Conference.

Much of that rise in stature is down to the organisation, discipline and know-how of the 62-year-old Addison who has turned a bunch of individuals who had become used to losing into a unit aware of what they need to do and willing to play for each other.

Under his guidance, club skipper Jon Richardson and Bristol City loan signing Darren Jones have formed a formidable partnership at the centre of defence, while veteran front man Neil Grayson and the sometimes frustrating, but undeniably talented Kayode Odejayi have forged a prolific partnership up front scoring well over 30 goals between them.

This quartet provided the essential backbone of the side, while Kevin Langan, Martin Foster, Gary Owers and, in the second half of the season, Alex Meechan, took Addison's strategy on board, proved their mettle and helped provide the essential blend of an effective and combative team.

Addison knows they are not promotion material yet and will no doubt be busy reshaping the squad in the close season to build on the startling progress he has already instigated. But by any standards he has turned a club in crisis into one that can now look forward to the future with real optimism.