Addison back in business at Forest Green Rovers

Thirty years after he first made his mark as a manager by guiding Hereford United to a famous FA Cup victory over Newcastle United, Colin Addison has returned to the managerial merry-go-round at Forest Green Rovers.

The vastly experienced 62-year-old, whose managerial career has also seen him steer Newport County to the quarter-finals of the European Cup-Winners' Cup and face the wrath of Jesus Gil at Atletico Madrid, took over at the Gloucestershire club this week, following the dismissal last Saturday of Nigel Spink.

The former Aston Villa goalkeeper lost his job after five successive defeats at the start of the season left Forest Green at the bottom of the Nationwide Conference. Addison watched his new team on Tuesday when, under the temporary management of Spink's No 2 Paul Birch, they won 3-2 at Burton Albion to secure their first points of the campaign.

Addison, who began the season as assistant manager of Newport County, took charge at The Lawn on Wednesday. He said: "It's a challenge I'm looking forward to." His most recent managerial spell in the Conference was at Yeovil Town, whom he steered to second place in 2001. Before then he was in charge of Scarborough for a while.

Trevor Horsley, the Forest Green chairman, said: "The board was unanimous in its decision to appoint Colin. His experience at all levels of football will hold the club in good stead for the remainder of the campaign."

Forest Green are still bottom despite Tuesday's triumph, but only on goal difference behind Kettering Town. At the other end of the table, Doncaster Rovers are two points clear at the top after a 1-0 home win over Kettering on the same night. Gareth Owen struck the winner from 20 yards.

In the Conference feeder leagues, Tiverton Town top the Dr Martens League on goal difference after a 2-1 home win over Bath City on Wednesday. St Albans City have a 100 per-cent record in the Ryman, which they lead by two points following Tuesday's 2-1 home victory over Canvey Island. In the UniBond, Accrington Stanley also have maximum points – they are five points clear after a 2-1 win over Vauxhall Motors on Wednesday.