By Pete Oliver

Scott was a favourite with the Bees fans as a player

When Andy Scott was forced to retire from playing following the discovery of a potentially fatal heart problem, it might have spelled the end of his football career at the age of 32.

In April 2005 the striker was told he was suffering from the same condition which killed Cameroon international Marc-Vivien Foe in 2003.

But rather than turn his back on the game, Scott embraced a youth-team coaching role at Leyton Orient.

And he has made impressive progress to his current position of transforming Brentford's fortunes as their new manager.

606: DEBATE Scott has something that Terry, Leroy and Fitz never had - love and respect for and from the players Breentford-greeny

"It was a big blow to me but I have never been one to mope around. If you mope around, hang your head and worry about what's happened you will never get anywhere in life," Scott told BBC Sport.

"I was just glad to be alive and have the opportunity to move on and be successful in another career.

"Once I stopped playing I had to look out for something else to do. I wanted to go into coaching, the opportunity arose at Orient and I felt comfortable in that role."

After cutting his teeth at Brisbane Road, Scott was given the chance last summer to return as assistant manager to Terry Butcher at Brentford, where he had three happy years as a player and helped win the Division Three (now League Two) title in 1999.

I have an affection for the club and fans - although at the end of November they might not have said the same about me Andy Scott

"I enjoyed my time at the club when I was playing here. I have some good friends here and that affection does not leave," the 35-year-old explained.

"I have an affection for the club and a great rapport with the fans - although at the end of November they might not have said the same about me."

At that point the Bees were struggling and by the second week of December former England captain Butcher was sacked and Scott was asked to take over the reins.

Five games later, with three wins and a draw behind him, he was appointed on a permanent basis.

"I am more comfortable in my current role than as assistant, because I am making the decisions," Scott said.

It's been a long time since some of these players have had that kind of backing and I think they were shocked when they realised how passionate it can be Scott on the fans

Most of those appear to be paying off with Brentford continuing their winning streak to climb into mid-table in League Two with the core of the squad that had struggled so badly through the autumn.

"I played a big part in getting a lot of them here so I knew what they were capable of, but for one reason or another they were not performing to the best of their ability," the former Sheffield United stalwart added.

"They needed to work a little bit harder as a group and be a bit more solid to give us the platform to be more productive going forward.

"I wanted to stop losing games by going out and trying to win them and being positive and that has spiralled and snowballed forward."

Scott went as a supporter to watch Brentford in play-off and LDV Vans Trophy finals following his departure to Oxford in 2001.

"I know how good the fans here can be and after the game against Chesterfield it was like old times again. The place can be rocking.

"It's been a long time since some of these players have had that kind of backing and I think they were shocked when they realised how passionate it can be."

I would like to make sure we have something stable to build on, and make it a bigger and better club Scott on the future

With the Bees buzzing again the play-offs remain a possibility, although Scott insists such talk is kept in-house.

"There should not be any expectation on us. When I took over we were four points away from relegation," he said.

"We have been picking up points and the momentum has taken us forward. The big test will come when we have a blip and how we handle that, although I am confident that they players will respond.

"If that takes us a long way, great. If it takes us to safety, that's OK. As long as we are building and we can add to the squad in the summer to make sure we challenge."

Not a man to dwell on the past, Scott - who is just a fortnight into an 18-month contract - already has his eyes on what he hopes to foster in the future.

He has trimmed his squad by releasing seven unwanted players and has his sights set on long-term goals.

"We will see how it goes this season but maybe the contract can be made a bit longer," Scott added.

"I have made it clear I would like to be involved in developing the club from the bottom up - from the youth team and centre of excellence - to make sure we have got something stable to build on, and make it a bigger and better club."