Paul joins the club from Welsh league side Risca United where he has achieved a great deal in a small time, responsible for taking the side from near the bottom of Division 3 to Division 1 in a short period of time.

Currently completing his UEFA A license, the club felt that Paul was the outstanding candidate and has the ambition and drive to not only keep the club in the Southern Premier League this season but also to take the club forward long term.

Chairman Stuart Tait had the following to say regarding the appointment...

"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 Managers role.

Paul comes with a vast amount of experience in the non league game having played at Southern League and Welsh Premier League 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 whist 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 AFC may we welcome Paul to the club and wish him the success he desires."

Paul will officially take charge of the team for Tuesday's League Cup match against Bishops Cleeve, with caretaker Brian Burke unavailable Rich Wilkins will take charge of the team in today's league match vs Kings Lynn Town.

Paul had the following to say regarding his appointment...

"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. 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 Bishops Cleeve on Tuesday."