The type of link could be the problem, but another thing to look at first is links back to the home page from within the Forum php pages.
If you donĂ¢â‚¬â„¢t have a link (preferably a Text Link) back from inside the forum pages to the Home Page, then Google will treat the whole Forum as a Ă¢â‚¬Å“Blind Alley or Cul-de-Sac. This link should be in the "Header" or "Footer" ensuring its presence on every page.
You might also consider a stand alone structure of Home Page plus a descriptive page for EACH of the primary "Search Phrases" that you wish to be found for. Each of these pages should link to each other and the Home Page plus of course link into your Forum. Try to keep this group of pages down to single figures if you can.
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