Michael named as new manager

The former Taffs Well, Haverfordwest, Clevedon Town and Risca United star had been successfully combining playing with managing at the latter, pictured, taking the Newport-based club from Division Three to Division One of the Welsh Football League in recent seasons.

As well as winning promotions following his appointment in his third spell at the club at the age of 24, Michael is also credited with reviving the youth and academy system at the Cuckoos who now boast three youth sides and a thriving FAW accredited academy.

In a statement announcing his appointment at the Causeway Ground, officials said the 29-year-old would take the helm for their Southern League clash clash at Bishops Cleeve on Tuesday night after caretaker bosses Brian Burke and Rich Wilkins took charge for one last time for Saturday's 3-0 defeat at King's Lynn Town.

Cinderford Town chairman Stuart Tait is backing the bottom-of-the-table club's newly appointed manager to turn around their fortunes in the EVO-STIK League Southern's top flight.

Tait said: "Having completed our selection process over the past two weeks, it gives us great pleasure to announce that Paul Michael BSC QTS has accepted the clubs offer of taking up the manager's role.

"Paul comes with a vast amount of experience in the Non-League game having played at Southern League and Welsh Premier League [levels] for many years, he has managed in the Welsh League for the past five years as a player-manager.

"During his time with Risca he has put in an incredible amount of work both on the pitch and at the club, this includes setting up FAW Accredited Academy which play in the Welsh Premier Development League while also driving the club to a new state of the art football facility.

"This mirrors the goals that we are aiming to achieve at Cinderford Town. On behalf of the management committee and supporters of Cinderford Town may we welcome Paul to the club and wish him the success he desires."

Newport-born Michael said: "I'm delighted to accept the position of manager at Cinderford Town Football Club. I believe that there is huge potential for this club to develop on and off the pitch in the coming days, weeks, months and years.

"I've been impressed with chairman Stuart Tait and the other members of the club that I have met, this has persuaded me in no uncertain terms that the club is making huge strides off the pitch. It is going to be my role to ensure that the club makes similar progress on the pitch."

"This is a huge challenge given the current league position but one I cannot wait to get started with. If we can stabilise the club on the pitch in the short term, hopefully we go on to make the club a centre for football in the Forest of Dean, create a system where we develop the best young players from across the Forest and give supporters and our wider community a club to take real pride in."

He added: "The community has really rallied behind this football club over recent months; that is exactly the type of club and community in which I would love to have an impact. Good luck to the players and staff in today's game at King's Lynn Town, I cannot wait to get started in our league cup game at Bishop's Cleeve on Tuesday."

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