Former forward, and a very good one too (6)

I believe the answer is:

expert

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'a very good one too' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'former forward' is the wordplay.
'former' becomes 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime).
'forward' becomes 'pert' (both can mean cheeky or disrespectful).
'ex'+'pert'='EXPERT'

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for expert that I've seen before include "At the right moment" , "The person who knows" , "Specialist, pundit" , "Highly skilled or knowledgeable person" , "Clever" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.

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