Forest Green collect prize in the end
FOLLOWING their Sky Bet League Two title triumph on Saturday – secured with a 2-2 draw away to Mansfield – Forest Green Rovers finally got their hands on the trophy at the Museum in the Park in Stroud on Sunday afternoon, writes James Williams.
Players Dom Bernard, Jordan Moore-Taylor, skipper Jamille Matt and a number of other officials from the club attended the event with representatives from Stroud District Council.
Rovers were not able to lift the trophy at Mansfield because it had been over 200 miles away with the title-favourites Exeter.
With Port Vale beating the Grecians 1-0 to earn the win they needed to get into the play-offs, the trophy was ultimately in the wrong place.
Former Exeter centre-back Moore-Taylor said on Sunday: “It was so nice to finally do it (win the title). When we saw the (Exeter) result everyone was buzzing.
“It was a long time coming and we probably should’ve wrapped it up a bit sooner, but the way we did it on the final day, I don’t think you can beat. To do it and with as many fans as we had travel, everyone is so happy.”
Club owner Dale Vince was awarded a celebratory plaque by Stroud District Council leader Doina Cornell and her fellow councillor Steve Robinson.
Vince said: “It was an amazing day because it was unexpected. We managed to come from behind twice and win it on goal difference. A real Hollywood type ending, you’d script that in a film.
“It felt like the right outcome because we had been top for so long. It would have felt like there was something missing, but now we’re champions it just feels right.
“It’s been great fun, it’s great for the fans, it’s great for Stroud, it’s great for everybody involved.”
And the Forest Green fans did not miss out either with the club yesterday inviting supporters to be pictured with the League Two trophy at the New Lawn Stadium in Nailsworth.