THE rumour mill had killed off Coleford. Demoted, demoralised and devastated by an exodus of players the future looked grim.

But how quickly things can change. Three months on and the club is buzzing.

Coach and club chairman Martyn Leach takes up the story: "I was determined to try and keep the club going. With Terry Smith and a handful of senior players who had stuck by us we decided to carry on. I'm glad we did because we have had great support from the town. Now things are beginning to look really good."

The highs and lows of Forest football have often featured at Coleford, admits Leach.

"I was fed up with people telling me they had heard rumours we were folding," he said.

He says the club was struggling. The Second team had been abandoned as players quit and the First team was propping up the Premier division. Add to that a lack of cash.

The transformation has been remarkable. Two sides play every week and 34 players have signed. Bells Golf Club are sponsors and the club's pro, Stuart Jenkins, has paid for the kit.

The club has also been excused rent on their changing rooms for a season – as long as they carry out improvements.

"We have had help from Travis Perkins, Jewsons and Express Windows and members of the club have carried out all the work themselves. Lots of local businesses have also given us support and we are grateful and very pleased," ?said Leach.

The plan is to consolidate this season before making a bid to return to the Premier League.

"We have had a good start and thing are very promising. We should have won on Saturday as we missed a couple of chances but that's the way it goes. I'm sure we will improve," said Leach.

Twice Coleford had to come from behind to draw. They did so with goals by Jack Holson (2) and Jamie Powell.