The time is right for Owers (From Stroud News and Journal)

The time is right for Owers

TODAY marks a fresh chapter for Forest Green Rovers and Gary Owers as the former Sunderland and Bristol City midfielder begins his first working day at the helm of the Nailsworth side.

Owers has been handed the managerial mantle of guiding Rovers back into the Conference and becomes Rovers' seventh manager in as many years.

The popular 36-year-old Geordie, takes over from Alan Lewer whose contract was terminated at the end of the season after Rovers were relegated from the Conference.

Owers beat off strong challenges from Jimmy Quinn and Shaun Taylor, and immediatley agreed a one-year deal with a further one-year option after deciding to quit his role of player-manager at Southern Premier Bath City.

"It's a great opportunity for me," said Owers.

"There were three factors that convinced me to take the job. Firstly, the fact that they could have been a Conference club next season and the fact that they're definitely going full-time and moving to a new ground."

Owers left Forest Green to join Bath City back in October 2003, initially as player-coach, but within a month the sacking of Alan Pridham saw him take charge.

City were struggling in the bottom four of the Southern Premier Division, but Owers helped transform their fortunes which saw the Romans beaten by Dorchester in the play-offs.

Owers crowning glory saw him lead the club to a memorable FA Cup run which saw City knock out Conference champions Barnet and reach the second round before bowing out at Peterborough.

Owers' side finished the campaign unbeaten in 13 games, including eight wins, and only missed out on the play-offs on goal difference.

As Owers takes his early steps in management, he can however boast a rich profesional career that spanned more than 600 Football League appearances.

Owers made his name with Sunderland where he racked up more than 300 appearances in eight years of loyal Roker Park service that included the 1985 Milk Cup Final against Norwich and 1992 FA Cup Final against Liverpool.

Owers moved south in 1994 in a £250,000 switch to Bristol City under Joe Jordan. Four years later he moved to Notts County in a £15,000 transfer. On his release from County in 2002 he was signed by Forest Green's Nigel Spink.

He soon became a crowd favourite and his stock reached admirable levels for his work with the club's community initiatives with the disability programme.

Bath City stand to recieve some compensation from Forest Green as Owers had a year of his Twerton Park contract still to run.

Meanwhile, former Forest Green boss Frank Gregan is being linked with the vacant position at Bath a long with Darren Perrin and former Forest Green players John Relish and Andy Black.

Northwich have taken a step nearer securing their Conference status after their new Victoria stadium was issued with a safety certificate on Friday.

Approval was granted after seating work was finished and if an inspection team were due to inspect the ground yesterday afternoon.

That would end relegated Forest Green's hopes of earning a late reprieve. Northwich have spent the past three seasons sharing with Witton Albion following the sale of Drill Field.

Owers added: "If Forest Green are in the Conference then playing is a definite no-no.

"If they're in Conference North then I'll probably register, but with a view not to play if I can help it."

FOREST GREEN will be entering teams in the mid-Gloucestershire-mini league. Any children aged eight to 12 are welcome to join. Call Mitch Kitchener on 01453 834860