TOASTING a hugely successful month on and off the pitch, Forest Green manager Ady Pennock has called on the club's supporters to crank up the noise and keep the club in the Vanarama Conference promotion shake-up.
Rovers saw off relegation battlers Nuneaton Town thanks to Jon Parkin's seventh goal in four league matches, a result that lifted the men from the New Lawn into the play-offs zone.
Thrilled with his side's form – plus the January captures of Charlie Clough, Corby Moore, Stuart Fleetwood and James Marwood – Pennock is unlikely to be a major player on transfer deadline day.
Instead his mind has already turned to this weekend's clash with Grimsby Town, who are one place and four points better off in the current standings.
Pennock said: "I really appreciate the fans who turned up (on Saturday) in the freezing cold – it was windy and horrible and they came in their numbers.
"But Grimsby will be a huge game, so I want them to bring a friend or two friends with them next week.
"I want the place to be rocking. Grimsby will bring good support and I want us to see if we can match them vocally, appealing for everything."
Four league wins in a row have made Pennock and Parkin the stand-out candidates for the respective manager and player of the month awards, although it was not always plain sailing against Liam Daish's Nuneaton.
"I love 1-0 wins and conditions weren't great at all, so I'll take that all day long," Pennock said.
"It was one of those games where you just have to get the three points, and although there wasn't a lot of excitement in the match I thought we managed it really well.
"Now we've got a massive game against Grimsby next week. It's lovely to be in the play-offs going into February, and it's a credit to everybody here, but there's still a long way to go yet."
On Parkin's incredible hot streak, the Rovers boss added: "He's in great form and has turned the fans round.
"I can remember hearing people behind me shouting and hollering at him but he's worked ever so hard and has been different class for us."
One man who will play no further part in Forest Green's campaign is striker Lee Hughes, who has completed his expected return to Kidderminster Harriers.
The 38-year-old's contract has been terminated in order for him to move back to Aggborough, where he began his professional career and scored 70 goals in 139 appearances between 1994 and 1997.
Pennock said: "I'd like to thank Lee for his professionalism both on and off the pitch. It's a fantastic move for him and his family.
"Unfortunately due to the form of the other strikers he was unable to play as often as he would have liked. I wish him all the best."
