FOREST GREEN ROVERS are in the play-offs. That simple statement means so much. Grown men wept. I know as I was one. Tension, joy and deep pride all combined to make April 25 a wonderful day for those on a hill top near Nailsworth.

The game was not a classic. It was never going to be. The players knew how much it mattered, so did the crowd and it showed. Passing was hurried and hasty with the ball in the air far too often.

Measured play was in short supply but effort was there in abundance. Every Rovers player did their utmost in search of the vital victory.

As it happened they did not need one, a draw being sufficient to enable the club to reach the memorable milestone.

The match ended with chairman Dale Vince joining manager Ady Pennock in the post-match press conference, and rightly so.

Dale the dreamer and Pennock the pragmatist is a simplification, but an accurate one. Both men are taking the club forward.

It is now happy, united and successful. The play-offs are a lottery and anything can happen but the general strength of Rovers is such that the move to the Football League is not far away. The fact that the play-off opponents are Bristol Rovers showed everyone how far FGR have come.

Dover played their part properly. They wanted to win and easily could have done so. Rovers, however, had heroes in defence, especially goalkeeper Steve Arnold and centre half Charlie Clough. Captain David Pipe was his usual inspirational self and front man Kurtis Guthrie ran and ran.

The determination and discipline of the players stood out. Only seven fouls were given against Forest Green despite the full-blooded nature of the contest. Well done everyone for keeping your head.

The whole afternoon and evening were a credit to the club and to professional football. We saw all the youth teams parading proudly. At half-time the ladies' section received their hard-earned trophies.

Another deserved award, the Brian Fream Memorial Trophy went to coaching supremo Sam Reid, truly my man of the season.

Anything can happen now. Ady knows it will be tight, and assures me the players are practicing penalties, but whatever does happen it will not take away from the triumphant euphoria of Saturday, April 25.

Meanwhile, over the hill and not far away, Cheltenham Town were relegated from the Football League.

Chairman Paul Baker will probably be the butt of much criticism but people should remember his support and leadership of the club. Without him Cheltenham would not have lasted 16 years in the league.