Football: Roberts back in the fray at Chesham

Non-League notebook

GRAHAM ROBERTS is back in business. The former Tottenham and England defender, who controversially lost his job as manager of Yeovil Town last month, is the new man in charge of the struggling Ryman League club Chesham United.

The Buckinghamshire side, one off the bottom of the Premier Division, relieved Steve Emmanuel of his managerial duties last weekend. He had only been at the helm since October, when he replaced Andy Thomas. Although Roberts will not take complete charge until Tuesday week - he is fulfilling a prior commitment in Malaysia - he has already signed two players from Yeovil: Graham Kemp and Steve Brown.

Colin Lippiatt, who was Roberts' coach at Yeovil, has been confirmed as the man in charge of first-team affairs at the GM Vauxhall Conference club - but as "head coach" rather than manager. Lippiatt will remain a part-time employee of the Somerset side. "It's a fresh challenge. I've never been at the helm since I started in non-League in 1978," the former Woking assistant manager said.

Lippiatt certainly needs to make his mark quickly. Yeovil, who entertain Morecambe tomorrow, have lost all four matches played since he replaced Roberts in a caretaker capacity. "The changes have been unsettling and we have to get back on track," he added.

Yeovil's chairman, John Fry, has said that not appointing a full-time replacement for Roberts will make more money available for player recruitment. Dave Piper, a 20-year-old right-back, has already arrived at Huish Park from Southampton, and more signings are expected soon.

Cheltenham Town have reinforced their quest for the Conference title by buying hard-up Hereford United's top scorer, Neil Grayson, for an undisclosed five-figure fee.