Dave Bird says he hasn't given up on playing Conference or league football again, despite signing for his home town club Cinderford.

It's a terrific coup for the Foresters to sign a player who started the year in Cheltenham Town's first-team squad.

The 27-year-old former Heywood School pupil was twice voted player of the year by Cheltenham Town and has made more league appearances than any other Cheltenham player in the club's history.

However, his contract with the Robins was ripped up in January by mutual consent.

Bird played in Town's friendly at Broadwell this week and is almost certain to start in midfield against Paulton Rovers on Saturday, as Cinderford open their Southern League campaign at The Causeway (3pm). Bird spent the summer with Hereford United, trying to earn a contract, and he got plenty of action in their pre-season programme. However, no deal was forthcoming.

He said: "Hereford have not got a lot of money and they only want 18 players. Their manager (Martin Foyle) was keen on me and wanted me to stay in touch, but they've got four or five midfielders.

"Football's a game of opinions and what I've done in the past doesn't seem to count for anything.

"Now, I just want to go out and play football for Cinderford.

"I don't really know the strength of Cinderford's league, but from what I've seen so far there's a good squad here."