TODAY marks a fresh start for Forest Green Rovers and Gary Owers as the former Sunderland and Bristol City midfielder begins his first working day at the helm of the Nailsworth side.

Owers has been handed the task of guiding Rovers back into the Conference and becomes Rovers' seventh manager in as many years.

The popular 36-year-old takes over from Alan Lewer, whose contract was terminated at the end of the season after Rovers were relegated from the Conference.

Owers beat off strong challenges from Jimmy Quinn and Shaun Taylor, and immediately agreed a one-year deal with a further one-year option after deciding to quit his role as player-manager at Southern Premier side Bath City. "It's a great opportunity for me," said Owers.

"There were three factors that convinced me to take the job. Firstly, the fact that they could have been a Conference club next season and the fact that they're definitely going full-time and moving to a new ground."

Owers left Forest Green to join Bath City back in October 2003, initially as player-coach, but within a month the sacking of Alan Pridham saw him take charge. City were struggling in the bottom four at the time, but Owers helped transform their fortunes, with the side eventually beaten by Dorchester in the division play-offs.

His crowning glory saw him lead the club to a memorable FA Cup run which saw City knock out Conference champions Barnet and reach the second round before bowing out at Peterborough United.

Owers can boast a rich professional career that spanned more than 600 Football League appearances.

He made his name with Sunderland where he racked up more than 300 appearances in eight years of loyal Roker Park service that included the 1985 Milk Cup final against Norwich and the 1992 FA Cup final against Liverpool.

Owers moved south in 1994 in a £250,000 switch to Bristol City, then under Joe Jordan. Four years later he moved to Notts County in a £15,000 transfer. On his release from County in 2002 he was signed by Forest Green manager Nigel Spink. Bath City stand to receive some compensation from Forest Green as Owers had a year of his Twerton Park contract still to run.

Meanwhile, Northwich Victoria have taken a step nearer securing their Conference status after their new Victoria Stadium was issued with a safety certificate on Friday.

Approval was granted after seating work was finished last week. A positive response now from an official ground inspection team would end relegated Forest Green's hopes of earning a late reprieve and another crack at the Conference.

Owers added: "If Forest Green are in the Conference then playing is a definite no-no. If they're in Conference North then I'll probably register, but with a view not to play if I can help it."