FORMER County Ground legend Colin Calderwood believes Town have landed "one of the best managers around" and expects the Robins to launch a strong League One challenge, writes ANDY CRYER.

The Nottingham Forest boss, pictured, has hailed League One rival Paul Sturrock as a "fantastic appointment" and admits he knows his side will be in for a tough time when they go head-to-head with his old employees.

With the new season just four days away, Calderwood is relishing atoning for Forest's play-off heartbreak last season, but is confident League One newboys, Town, will be far from a pushover as they continue their climb back up the football ladder.

Calderwood, who made 413 appearances for Town between 1985 and 1993, returned to the County Ground last night for a legend's game' in aid of Prospect@Home, where former favourite Jan Aage Fjortoft scored a hat-trick in front of 4,364 fans.

"I have never managed a team at the County Ground before," said Calderwood. "So it will be great for me when we play Swindon this season.

"It looks as though it is going to be a really interesting season for Swindon.

"They have a great manager in Paul Sturrock. His record as a manager speaks for itself really. He was a fantastic appointment as he shown there are not much better at doing what he does.

"I know he will make his side very organised and very hard to beat and anyone playing Swindon Town this season will know they have been in a game."

During his time at the County Ground, Calderwood skippered the Robins through football's lower leagues to the brink of the Premiership, before being sold to Spurs for a then club record 1.25 million in 1993.

He went on to become an established top-flight player and international, playing for Scotland in the 1998 World Cup, but admits it was in Wiltshire where his career was built.

He said: "Before I came to Swindon, I was a relatively unknown defender for Mansfield. Then I came here and had success pretty much constantly.

"It was a fantastic time to be part of the club, anyone here will tell you that. Swindon is where I made my reputation.

"It was the substance of my career and you never forget that. I certainly never will. I owe the club a lot."

He also pointed at the 4,000 plus crowd in attendance last night as proof the club could support higher league football.

He said: "I wasn't expecting so many people to show up.

"There is great support at this football club and hopefully they will come in their numbers this season.

"I remember in the old fourth division days we started of playing in front of 2,500 then by the end almost 11,000 were showing up.

"What I found was a real passion and desire for the club and for football in general.

"I will never forget those atmospheric days in the old Shrivenham Road end."

Calderwood's Forest will again start the coming season as among the bookies favourites for promotion but he insists there are a lot of teams who will prove worthy challengers.

"There are some very good football teams and players in the division," he said.

"Pre-season is over now and I think we are all just looking forward to the start."