DESERVEDLY manager of the month for August, Ady Pennock is much more. It is time to look in depth at the man who has taken us to record-breaking levels.

Arriving at The New Lawn he inherited a large budget and a huge squad but despite this a failing team. Our underachieving side was making the club a laughing stock. Ady stopped the rot and the season ended respectably but there was still much to do.

His hands were tied. Too many inadequate players were on long contracts, filling squad places and tying up valuable cash. With a reduced budget he had much to.

How well he performed. The play-offs were reached was the promise land of the Football League attainable? No! The play-offs games highlighted our faults. The team, who must be praised for getting us there, were too one dimensional, there being no plan B. We were a worthy, industrious side, but something was missing.

Exciting off the field plans for a new ground needed to be matched by on the field progress. Could Ady bring this about?

Indeed he could - in spades. Close season signings brought pace, skill, experience and resolve to the squad, and there was a master card, the appointment of Jamie Day as assistant manager.

Old favourites left, and not everyone was happy. No Sam Russell, Chris Stokes or James Norwood. How could players of that quality be allowed to leave. With poor pre-season results the prophets of doom were vociferous.

The season proper started. It was obvious what O’Connor, Marsh-Brown, Maxted, Jones and Sam- Yorke brought to the squad. There was now genuine competition for every position. Above all there was unity and squad spirit. Everyone was firing on all cylinders.

We saw this at Chester, but we saw something else as well. Two goals were superbly fashioned and spectacularly taken. They were magical, match winning moments., no longer are we an earnest dependable side. We have retained those qualities but have added so much more.

Our forwards have pace, quality and skill but they are also our first line of defence. They harassed, blocked and gave Chester no time to launch quick attacks. The Sinclair-Wedgbury engine room was as effective as ever and from open play Chester produced little.

Captain Pipe, league player of the month, and a revelation this season inspired a defence, valiant all season and a second half Chester revival was snuffed out.

Substitutes were skilfully introduced. The home team were looking for a winner and look what happened! On came the pace and experience of Aaron O’Connor the strength and determination of Delano Sam York, then finally a roustabout cameo from Charlie Clough at centre forward.

Chester had no answer. There was only going to be one winner, the inevitable good taking us into the record books.

Back to the man who has led us there. With typical modesty Ady gives his players credit but he also knows and acknowledges the loyalty, support, ambition and vision of chairman Dale Vince. The partnership of those two men, realists, but at the same time dreamers is giving us all hope, but above all the joy of watching an exciting winning team. These are special days at Forest Green, being part of it is a delight.