Forest Green Rovers manager Mark Cooper defended himself after video footage emerged of him calling a supporter a 'S***bag.'

The footage emerged on a social media group on Saturday night after Forest Green's pre-season friendly draw at Bath City.

The video showed Cooper responding to a fan saying "what are you shouting about him for, he's not even here."

He went on to say "go on walk off - s***bag."

Just as Cooper was walking away from the scene, another fan shouted "It's good he's not here."

Cooper then responds by coming through the gate into the stand saying 'call yourselves fans.'

The video ends with Cooper being ushered away by two other supporters.

The abuse is believed to be directed towards Charlie Cooper, who played for League One side Bury in midweek with a move from Rovers to the Shakers on the cards for the midfielder.

Cooper has responded to the footage.

He said: "It was some fans that were having a go at one of my family members, who wasn't even at the game and once you do that then people will say that the manager should control himself.

If it's about football, yes but it if it's not about football then the gloves are off.

"There's two or three people that were there that I went for that are constantly bating so let's hope that the real Forest Green fans sort them out and not leave it up to me.

The Rovers boss also had a message for fans ahead of the new season.

"Just support us like they did last year, they were outstanding last year, away from home - brilliant.

"At home they started to get more and more vocal. The South Stand is key, the North Stand is key and the Main Stand is key so if we can get our three parts of the ground on board then we have more chance of winning games.

Forest Green take on Oldham Athletic in their League Two opener at the New Lawn on Saturday.