Forest Green Rovers - the world’s greenest football club, has today announced the departure of its Director of Football, Rich Hughes with immediate effect as he leaves the Bolt New Lawn to join Portsmouth FC.

Rich joined FGR as Head of Recruitment in 2018 and grew with the club - as it progressed in League 2 becoming champions last season, by which time he had progressed to Director of Football. Prior to joining the club, he had stints in scouting and recruitment at Macclesfield, Tamworth, Burnley, Wigan Athletic and Everton.

Dale Vince, Chairman, Forest Green Rovers, commented:

“This is an opportunity Rich wanted to take and we never stand in the way of our people’s progression, staff or players - we appreciate all that Rich has done in his time here and wish him well on this next step.

“However, this is the second time that Portsmouth have made an approach and the second time they have done so in breach of EFL regulations - we expected better.

“The rules are clear, clubs must not approach staff or players of other clubs - before having written consent. Portsmouth disregarded this rule again - they approached Rich before asking for permission let alone before getting it. This aspect of football needs to change.”

The recruitment process for the club’s new Director of Football is now underway.