Heroes of the new millennium - Steve Perrin, Alex Meechan, Jim Harvey

Moving onto the current decade, Rovers were on the brink of losing their Conference status as the final few minutes of the 1999-2000 season approached, but Paul Hunt (see Legends section) came on as a sub, scored, and secured a third season in the Conference. Winning against Kettering that day was like winning a cup final all over again.

 

Rovers then made a second appearance in the FA Trophy final at Villa Park, in 2001, losing again 1-0 this time to Canvey Island.

 

As the decade moved on, season after season of toil and trouble appeared to be the order of the day as Forest Green played on amongst a host of ex League teams, mostly full time outfits in big stadia. Rovers seemed to have a squad of players that changed each year, along with the manager.

 

Chairman Trevor Horsley (see legends section) foresaw that the only way for the Club to survive at National Football League level was to join the bigger outfits and become a full time team, in a Football League standard stadium, with other non footballing revenue streams to help fund the team.

 

Between 2002 and 2006 the new stadium was planned and built and Forest Green Rovers are in their third season as a full time outfit for 2007-08. We are finally able to compete with the bigger clubs on an equal footing.

 

Steve Perrin joined Rovers as reserve keeper and was thrust into the first team for the Trophy semi final in 1999. Unfortunately he lost his place for the final that year but soon established himself as first choice. His fantastic reflexes kept Rovers in many a game until his departure in 2005.

 

Another great servant to the Club this decade was Alex Meechan, currently the Club’s leading scorer in the Conference and with most appearances as well. Alex always promised much and was a handful going forward, and scored some memorable goals in a Rovers shirt since joining in 2000. He finally moved on to pastures new in 2007.

 

Perhaps it is now too close to the current day to chose another name for this section, who know who will find their name on piece by the end of the decade? There are a number of contenders out there. Jim Harvey is building the team up to be Championship contenders and a further visit to Wembley would not now be unexpected.

 

Forest Green Rovers are going from strength to strength as they move on towards their 120th year playing the beautiful game.