CONSULTANT coach Phil Vickery says Cinderford' s players have 'done nothing but impress him' since he joined the club in December.

The Foresters have won eight out of their last 10 games and Vickery insists the standard of National League One is 'higher than people give it credit for'.

He told The Forester: "I came with no expectations and no real ideas about the ability of the players, but I've been very impressed by the standard.

"Teams in this division play with more ambition and they want to have a real go. I actually find it quite inspiring.

"I started playing rugby not to scrum and maul, but because I wanted to get my hands on the ball.

"People should come and watch for themselves, especially as some of the Premiership games I've seen this year have been painful."

Vickery admits there are times when he wishes he was still out there playing, but he accepts his time has gone. He now wants to help Cinderford's young guns develop, which is why he can be seen prowling the touchline on match days, writing notes.

He said: "When I watch games I like to study individuals and that's why I'm making notes – I'm not writing recipes.

"I know I come with a lot of baggage but the other coaches here are fantastic, they always welcome ideas.

"Cinderford is a proper club and it's not just about the first-team, it's about the boys in the seconds, thirds, Colts and juniors. It's all about getting people out there, enjoying the game."

PHIL Vickery was part of the England team that won Sport Relief's First Nations Home Challenge.

Over seven days, the teams covered a gruelling distance of more than 1,000 miles around the four nations by running, cycling and sailing against the clock.

The England team was captained by Phil's former England rugby team-mate Josh Lewsey and also featured Martin Corry, cyclist Chris Boardman, TV personalities Rob Edmond and Phil Spencer, triathlon star Richard Stannard and queen of sailing Dame Ellen MacArthur.