FOREST GREEN have been handed a massive boost ahead of their opening Conference game of the season at Mansfield Town on Saturday.

As exclusively revealed in the SNJ last week, green energy tycoon Dale Vince OBE, managing director of Stroud-based energy firm Ecotricity, is now set to become the majority share holder at the New Lawn.

A statement issued by the club on Tuesday morning said: “Forest Green Rovers Football Club can confirm that Dale Vince, founder and MD of Ecotricity, is in the process of taking a major shareholding in the Limited Company.

“Dale, who has a passion for the game of football and who together with his sons regularly plays five-a-side, has agreed to invest ‘a sizeable sum’ in his local club.

“He has attended several meetings with directors of the club in recent weeks and attended matches as well as meeting with David Hockaday, the club’s manager.

“Dale will be working with the Forest Green board to develop a plan to ensure the club’s long-term success.”

Vince said: “Forest Green is a great club and I'm really pleased to have the chance to work with them and join them in their endeavours both on and off the pitch.

“I'm currently talking with the directors about a number of things that Ecotricity can do to help the off the pitch (or non football) side of things, and with the manager, Dave Hockaday, to see what we can do to strengthen the team while the transfer window is still open.

“There's a fantastic team spirit at the club and it's already been a real pleasure for me to be a (small) part of that. “I'm looking forward to the kick-off of the season this coming weekend and to the many great things we can do together in the coming years.”

Vince,48, is Britain’s wealthiest green entrepreneur and in 2009 was ranked 657th richest man in the UK.