Cheltenham Town F.C.

Association football club in Cheltenham, England

Football club
Cheltenham Town
Full nameCheltenham Town Football Club
Nickname(s)The Robins
Founded1887; 137 years ago (1887)
GroundWhaddon Road
Capacity7,066
ChairmanDavid Bloxham
ManagerDarrell Clarke
LeagueEFL League One
2022–23EFL League One, 16th of 24
WebsiteClub website
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
Current season

Cheltenham Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. The club compete in League One, the third level of the English football league system.

Founded in 1887, the club spent much of its early history competing in local football circles, before moving to the Birmingham Combination in 1932 and then the Southern League in 1935. They spent the next 50 years in the Southern League, winning the Midland Division in 1982–83 and then claiming the Premier Division title in 1984–85. They were subsequently promoted into the Alliance Premier League in 1985, where they remained for seven seasons until they were relegated in 1992. They finished as runners-up of the Southern League Premier Division for four of the next five seasons, and were promoted into the Conference in 1997.

Under the stewardship of Steve Cotterill, Cheltenham won the 1998 FA Trophy final and then secured promotion into the Football League for the first time after winning the Conference title in 1998–99. He left the club after the 2001–02 season, having guided them to the FA Cup fifth round and promotion with victory in the 2002 Third Division play-off final. Immediately relegated after one season in the Second Division, they secured another promotion as manager John Ward guided them to victory in the 2006 League Two play-off final. Relegated after three seasons in the third tier, the club's 16-year stay in the Football League ended with relegation back to the National League in 2015. However manager Gary Johnson led Cheltenham to the Conference title with a 101-point tally in 2015–16, making them the first club in 26 years to secure an immediate return to the Football League as champions of the Conference. After Michael Duff took over from Johnson, he led the club to its first Football League title, winning the 2020–21 League Two title.

Nicknamed the "Robins", they have played at Whaddon Road since 1932. The club contests rivalries with Gloucester City, Hereford United and recently Forest Green Rovers.

History

Early Years: 1887–1940

Cheltenham has a history of football prior to The Robins. In 1849, the first use of three official referees in a match, two in field and one in tribune, was recorded in the town. However, the modern club was founded in 1887 by Albert Close White, a local teacher.[1]

The club spent its first three decades in local football. Notable players from those days included former England international Philip Bach,[2] cricketers Gilbert Jessop and brothers Charles Barnett and Edgar Barnett.[citation needed].

In December 1931 the club moved to Whaddon Road[3] and turned semi-professional in 1932–33, joining the Birmingham Combination[4] whilst adopting new colours of red and white hooped shirts, black shorts, and red and white stockings.[5] Former England international George Blackburn was appointed player coach,[6] and led the team to third place in their debut season. The following year the club entered the FA Cup, featuring a ten-game journey to the third round before losing to Blackpool in front of a record attendance at the Athletic Ground in Cheltenham.[7] Following a disappointing season in 1934–35, brightened only by winning the Leamington Hospital Cup[8] and the discovery and sale of centre froward James Currier to Bolton Wanderers,[9] the club applied for membership and were accepted to join the Southern League for the 1935–36 season.[10]

Town kicked-off their debut Southern League campaign with two firsts. The club appointed its first manager[11] with "complete power" of team selection[12] in George Carr, and fielded an all professional eleven in the first game of the season against Barry.[13] Despite a flying start in the season opener,[14] Town could only finish sixth in the Western and ninth in the Central sections of the league. However, the season did feature an FA Cup run to the first round where Brighton and Hove Albion were taken to a replay.[15] A notable result during the run was the club's record victory, beating Chippenham Rovers 12–0 in the Third Round Qualifying.[16]

The 1936–37 season was Carr's last, resigning in April 1937.[17] Town finished eleventh as the Southern League switched to a single division, with the side featuring appearances from future England international Tim Ward before his move to Derby County.[18] Off the field, the club moved to establish itself as a limited company.[19]

Carr's replacement was former Arsenal forward James Brain.[20] After losing two stalwart performers for the club - Cliff Lang to illness and Ernie Williams to injury - Brain couldn't improve on eleventh place in the league.[21] But he took the team to the FA Cup first round, losing 3–0 to Watford,[22] while Newport County knocked Town out the Welsh Cup at the quarter-final stage.[23] Two of the side's consistent performers, winger Cliff Thorley and goalkeeper Jack Wheeler earned moves to Bristol City[24] and Birmingham[25] respectively. Crisis was averted when players, shareholders and supporters contributed to keep the club in business following a financial crunch.[26]

Cheltenham rebranded as "The Robins" for the 1938–39 campaign, wearing white shirts with a robin emblem and red sleeves.[27] Another FA Cup run ended against league opposition in the first round as Cardiff City won a replay following a 1–1 draw at Whaddon Road.[28] In the league, Town had another bottom half finish. All 16 league wins came at home, and only on six occasions did Cheltenham avoid a league defeat away from Whaddon Road. Once again, the threat of closure hung over the club.[29]

A promising start to the 1939–40 season was curtailed by the outbreak of World War II.[30] Following a pause, the Southern League established a limited regional programme, often featuring guest players,[31] and Cheltenham finished next to bottom of the league's Western division. At the season's end the club announced it would "not arrange any more fixtures until further notice".[32]

1985–1999

They won promotion to the Alliance Premier League (now the Conference National) in 1985, but were relegated seven years later.[citation needed]

Cheltenham Town's traditional colours

The appointment of Steve Cotterill as manager during the 1996–97 was the start of a period of success at the club which resulted in Cotterill being their most successful manager.[citation needed] Four months after taking charge he guided the club to runners-up spot in the Southern Football League Premier Division, but they won promotion to the Football Conference as champions Gresley Rovers were unable to meet the required ground capacity for Conference membership.[citation needed] In 1997–98, Cheltenham finished runners-up in the Conference and were close to champions Halifax Town until the end of April 1998.[citation needed] They secured a place at Wembley in the 1998 FA Trophy Final, beating Southport 1–0 in front of a crowd of 26,837 at Wembley Stadium. In 1998–99, Cheltenham secured the Conference title and entry to the Football League.[33]

Football League (1999–2015)

After two mid-table finishes in Division Three, Cheltenham finally won promotion to Division Two (via the Division Three playoffs) at the end of the 2001–02 season. Shortly after winning promotion, Cotterill left Cheltenham to join Stoke City as their manager.[34]

Cheltenham replaced Cotterill with first-team coach Graham Allner who had won the Conference championship with Kidderminster Harriers in 1994. Allner and assistant manager Mike Davis, who was originally assistant to Cotterill, were sacked in January 2003, after six months in the job, with Cheltenham near the foot of Division Two.[35] Cheltenham turned to Bobby Gould, one of the most experienced managers in English football whose exploits include an FA Cup victory with Wimbledon in 1988.[36] Cheltenham continued to struggle, and defeat in their final game of the season condemned the club to relegation back to Division Three after just one season.[37] Gould resigned as Cheltenham Town manager in November 2003 and was replaced by John Ward.[38]

During the 2005–06 season, a new stand for visiting fans was added (The Carlsberg Stand). They finished the season in 5th, earning a place in the play-offs. In the semi-final Cheltenham beat Wycombe Wanderers 2–1 away and drew 0–0 in the second leg at Whaddon Road.[39] In the play-off final, Cheltenham beat Grimsby Town 1–0, securing a place in League One for 2006–07. The match at the Millennium Stadium on 28 May 2006 was attended by 29,196 people.[40]

Cheltenham started life in League One with a 1–0 win against Gillingham.[41] Following Cheltenham's 3–0 defeat to Port Vale, manager John Ward announced he had agreed a four-year contract with League One side Carlisle United. A highlight of the season was winning twice against Leeds United.[42][43] Cheltenham's survival was secured on the final day of the season as they beat Doncaster Rovers 2–1 at Whaddon Road, denying their opposition automatic promotion.[44]

Early in the 2008–09 season, Keith Downing left Cheltenham Town[45] and was replaced by Martin Allen.[46] Allen's team started poorly with a club-record seven defeats in a row, part of a 15-game run without a victory. The club narrowly avoided administration, and the 10-point penalty that would go with it, before Allen revealed that all the players at the club were up for sale.[47] The season finished with Cheltenham's relegation back to League Two on the penultimate day of the season after three seasons in League One as they had conceded over 100 goals in all competitions.[48]

Cheltenham won their first match of the 2009–10 season against Grimsby Town 2–1, but fell dramatically down the table soon after. On 20 October, Martin Allen was "put on gardening leave" amid allegations he racially abused a nightclub bouncer, and assistant manager John Schofield took temporary charge.[49][50] Allen was formally cleared of misconduct but still left the club by mutual consent in early December.[51] Former Cheltenham captain and Kidderminster boss Mark Yates was appointed manager on 22 December 2009.[52] Cheltenham continued to struggle through the rest of the season, only managing to avoid relegation on the final day of the season, although they finished four points ahead of the relegated sides.[53]

Yates, ahead of his first full season with Cheltenham, revamped the squad, releasing eight players,[54] including defender Shane Duff, who had just completed his tenth year with the club. The season proved to be successful to begin with, with the Robins remaining close to the play-off positions, but they collapsed in the second half of the season and finished 17th, with only five wins in 26 games in 2011.[37]

Despite losing in the first round of the League Cup, they reached the Football League Trophy south quarter-finals and were handed a lucrative tie at Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup third round.[55] The Robins ended the season in 6th and defeated Torquay United 2–0 at home and then 1–2 away in the play-off semi-finals. The play-off final was contested at Wembley Stadium on 27 May 2012. Crewe Alexandra defeated Cheltenham Town 2–0 with goals from Nick Powell and Byron Moore in front of a crowd of 24,029.[56]

The Robins also enjoyed a good run in the FA Cup, eventually losing out 5–1 to Premier League side Everton.[57] On 6 November 2012, manager Mark Yates oversaw his 150th game in charge of the team in a 1–0 win against league leaders Gillingham. Cheltenham finished 5th, once again qualifying for the end of season play-offs after being pipped to the third promotion spot on the last day of the season by Rotherham United.[58] The season included a run of 21 home league games without defeat.[59] The play-offs saw Cheltenham face Northampton Town with Cheltenham losing both home and away games by 1–0.[60]

After finishing in the play-offs for two consecutive seasons, Cheltenham Town's 2013–14 season proved to be difficult.[61] Any hopes of a third consecutive play-off place were ended by March. The highlight of the season was a trip to Premier League side West Ham United, with the club eventually losing 2–1 at Upton Park.[62] Cheltenham finished the season in 17th place.

On 25 November 2014, Mark Yates was sacked by Cheltenham Town after almost five years in charge.[63] Cheltenham subsequently appointed Paul Buckle as team manager,[64] but he was dismissed after just 79 days.[65] In March 2015 Gary Johnson was appointed manager.[66] In April 2015, after Bryan Jacob, a lifelong supporter, gave the club's supporters trust £222,000 in his will, members voted to use the money to accept a long-standing offer from the club for a permanent seat on its board of directors. Football fan Clive Gowing was subsequently elected. The club said it would also name a stand and supporters' player-of-the-season award in Jacob's memory.[67] On 25 April 2015, Cheltenham Town lost at Whaddon Road to Shrewsbury Town, which meant that Cheltenham were relegated from the Football League after sixteen seasons.[68]

Return to the Football League (2016–)

After only one season outside of the Football League, Cheltenham secured an immediate return on 16 April 2016 with a 2–0 home win against FC Halifax Town.[69] The team amassed 101 points, scoring the most and conceding the fewest goals, on their way to becoming champions, finishing 12 points clear of second-placed local rivals Forest Green Rovers. January signing Dan Holman was joint winner of the National League's Golden Boot award, with 30 goals, having netted 16 times in just 18 games for the Robins. Danny Wright, a summer signing, finished the season with 22 league goals and 11 assists, winning the Supporters Player of the Year award.[70]

For the club's return to the Football League, manager Gary Johnson largely kept faith with the players that had won the previous year's National League. The 2016–17 season proved to be a struggle with a number of players finding the step up to League Two more difficult than had been hoped. The Whaddon Road pitch also came in for criticism, from both supporters and visiting managers, as it struggled to cope with its high levels of use (Gloucester City were in the final season of a ground-share at Cheltenham during 2016–17).[71] Results improved somewhat during the spring, although Johnson was absent on sick leave from March onwards while recovering from heart bypass surgery, leaving his assistant Russell Milton in charge.[72] The Robins secured their league status with a 1–0 win over Hartlepool United in the penultimate game of the season.[73] They finished the season in 21st place.

During the close season a recovered Gary Johnson returned to work and signed a new two-year contract.[74] He oversaw a major clearout of the squad with eleven players released.[75] In the 2017–18 season the club ultimately only gained one point more than in the previous year (51 compared to 50), and finished in 17th place in League Two. By far the biggest success of an otherwise low-key year was Sudanese striker Mohamed Eisa. Signed as a free transfer from non-league football, Eisa scored 23 league goals for Cheltenham during the season and ultimately moved to Bristol City, for a transfer fee reportedly in excess of £1m (a club record sale), in July 2018.[76] At the end of the season, long-serving club chairman Paul Baker stood down from the role after 20 years, handing over the chairmanship to Andy Wilcox.[77]

On 10 September 2018, ex-Cheltenham player Michael Duff was appointed after the departure of Gary Johnson.[78] Duff guided the Robins to 16th.[79] The following 2019–20 season was very successful, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion in 4th place. Final league standings were decided on a points-per-game basis following disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[80] Cheltenham missed out in the play-offs to Northampton Town, losing 3–2 on aggregate.[81]

In 2020–21, Cheltenham returned to League One as champions after five seasons in League Two. Due to the ongoing disruption caused by COVID-19, the vast majority of fixtures in 2020–21 took place behind closed doors. The Robins reached the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2006 before narrowly losing out to eventual 2020–21 Premier League champions Manchester City. Cheltenham were leading the match with ten minutes to play before eventually losing 3–1.[82] Cheltenham guaranteed their return to League One with a 1–1 draw at home to Carlisle United.[83] On 8 May 2021, Cheltenham won their first ever Football League title, beating Harrogate Town 4–1 on the final day to secure the League Two championship.[84]

In the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons, Cheltenham finished 15th and 16th respectively in League One.[37] As one of the smallest clubs operating at that level, they were greatly helped by the form of striker Alfie May who scored a total of 43 league goals over the two seasons.[85][86] At the end of the 2021–22 season, head coach Michael Duff left for Barnsley and was replaced by Wade Elliott who was promoted internally from the role of first-team coach.[87]

Elliott was sacked on 20 September 2023 after overseeing a goalless run of seven defeats in eight games.[88] On 29 September 2023, Darrell Clarke was named as the new manager.[89] Before taking charge on 2 October, Clarke watched his new side lose 2–0 at Lincoln City on 30 September.[90] Cheltenham lost their first game under Clarke, defeated 2–0 at Whaddon Road by Fleetwood Town on 3 October 2023, extending their goalless run to a record eleven league games.[91] Cheltenham scored in their next league game, a 1–1 draw with Derby County on 7 October 2023,[92] extending their opening winless streak to 13 matches (12 league, one EFL Trophy).

Kit sponsors and manufacturers

Table of kit suppliers and shirt sponsors appear below:[93]

Year Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Back of shirt sponsor Short sponsor
1977–1978 National Express
1981–1982 Coffer Sports
1982–1985 Umbro
1984–1986 Whitbread
1986–1988 Henson Duraflex
1988–1989 Gulf Oil LP
1991–1992 Hero
1992–1993 Technik
1993–1994 Club Sport
1994–1995 Klūb Sport Empress
1995–1996 Matchwinner
1996–1997 UK Endsleigh Insurance
1997–1999 Errea
1999–2004 Towergate Insurance
2004–2008 Bence Building Merchants
2008–2009 Mira Showers
2009–2011 PSU Technology Group
2011–2013 Barr Stadia Gloucestershire Echo
2013–2014 Gloucestershire College
2014–2015 Marchants Coaches
2015–2016 LCI Rail
2016–2020 RK Lewis Transport

Rivalries

Gloucestershire outfit Forest Green Rovers are currently seen as the club's main rivals. Fixtures between the two sides are humorously named El Glosico, a play-on-words of the famous El Clásico fixture.[94] In recent years, the rivalry has grown heated due to the close proximity between the clubs, the fight for the 2015–16 National League title (Cheltenham and Forest Green finishing 1st and 2nd respectively) and, between 2017 and 2021, both competing in League Two.[94]

Traditionally, Cheltenham's main rivals were Gloucestershire neighbours Gloucester City.[95] Due to Cheltenham's rise up the leagues, the last competitive meeting between the two sides was in 1997, meaning the rivalry is now of less significance but is still keenly discussed by both sets of fans. They also used to maintain fierce rivalries with Kidderminster Harriers and Hereford United.[96] The Hereford rivalry is nowadays less significant, however, due to United going out of business in 2014 and reforming as Hereford FC. The new club and Cheltenham are yet to meet in a competitive fixture.

A survey conducted in August 2019 revealed that fans of The Robins also consider fellow West Country sides Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Swindon Town, as well as South East England side Oxford United, as rivals.[97]

Players

As of 14 February 2024[98]

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Northern Ireland NIR Luke Southwood
2 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Sean Long (captain)
3 DF Wales WAL Ben Williams
4 DF England ENG Tom Bradbury
5 DF England ENG Andy Smith (on loan from Hull City)
6 DF England ENG Lewis Freestone
7 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Liam Kinsella
8 MF England ENG Liam Sercombe
9 FW England ENG Matty Taylor
10 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Aidan Keena
11 FW England ENG Rob Street
14 DF England ENG Jack Shepherd (on loan from Barnsley)
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Will Ferry
17 MF England ENG James Olayinka
19 FW England ENG George Lloyd
21 GK Northern Ireland NIR Jamie Pardington
23 MF Guyana GUY Elliot Bonds
25 MF England ENG Josh Harrop
26 FW England ENG Joe Nuttall (on loan from Oldham Athletic)
27 MF England ENG Jordan Thomas
29 FW England ENG Tom King
32 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Greg Sloggett
33 DF Sierra Leone SLE Curtis Davies
34 MF England ENG Tom Pett

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
16 MF England ENG Daniel Adshead (on loan at AFC Fylde)
20 GK England ENG Max Harris (on loan at Weston-super-Mare)
No. Pos. Nation Player
22 DF Scotland SCO Liam Smith (on loan at Grimsby Town)
28 MF England ENG Adulai Sambu (on loan at Hungerford Town)

U18 Squad

As of 1 August 2023[98]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
30 MF England ENG Freddy Willcox
31 GK England ENG Jude Franks
35 MF England ENG Brandon Liggett
39 FW England ENG Sopuruchukwu Obieri
40 DF England ENG Cameron Walters
GK England ENG Archie Burford
GK England ENG Tom Way
DF England ENG Alex Wilkie
DF England ENG David Romer
No. Pos. Nation Player
DF England ENG Eddie Lewis
DF England ENG Tino Shumba
MF England ENG Alfie Taylor
MF England ENG Bradley Burgess
MF England ENG Harry Tustin
FW England ENG Dan-Lewis Bamana
FW England ENG Rhys Dockree
FW England ENG Ibrahim Olateju

Player of the Year winners

As of 1 May 2023[update][99]

Year Names
1966 England Gerald Horlick
1967 England Ronnie Radford
1968 England Joe Gadston
1969 England Frank Conboy
1970 England Alan White
1971 England Allan Jefferies
1972 England Pat Casey
1973 England Richard Wilkes
1974 England Pat Casey
1975 England Dave Lewis
1976 England Jeff Miles
1977 England Ray Dean
1978 England Terry Paterson
Year Names
1979 Scotland Dave Dangerfield
1980 England Wayne Hams
1981 England Alan Ollis
1982 England John Dyer
1983 England Paul Tester
1984 England Norman Pemberton
1985 England Brian Hughes
1986 England Neil Hards
1987 England Kevin Willetts
1988 England Ray Baverstock
1989 England Mark Buckland
1990 England Mark Buckland
1991 England Kevin Willetts
Year Names
1992 England Kevin Willetts
1993 England Steve Brown
1994 Wales Martin Thomas
1995 England Chris Banks
1996 England Jason Eaton
1997 England Jamie Victory
1998 England Chris Banks
1999 England Neil Grayson
2000 England Russell Milton
2001 England Mark Yates
2002 England Julian Alsop
2003 England Martin Devaney
2004 England Shane Higgs
Year Names
2005 Northern Ireland Shane Duff
2006 England Brian Wilson
2007 England Shane Higgs
2008 England Dave Bird
2009 England Dave Bird
2010 England Julian Alsop
2011 England Keith Lowe
2012 Portugal Sido Jombati
2013 England Scott Brown
2014 England Byron Harrison
2015 Northern Ireland Trevor Carson
2016 England Danny Wright
2017 England Billy Waters
Year Names
2018 Sudan Mohamed Eisa
2019 England Luke Varney
2020 England Ben Tozer
2021 England Ben Tozer
2022 England Alfie May
2023 England Alfie May

Club management

Whaddney, mascot of Cheltenham Town
As of 18 January 2024[100]
  • First Team Manager: Darrell Clarke
  • First Team Assistant Manager: Ian Baraclough
  • First Team Coach: Ashley Vincent
  • Goalkeeping Coach: James Bittner
  • Head of Recruitment: Russell Milton
  • Recruitment Analyst: Ben Pickford
  • Head of Medical: Gavin Crowe MSC MSST
  • Sports Therapist: James Redman
  • Lead Physical Performance Coach: Sammy Gilchrist
  • First Team Performance Analyst: Tom Carter
  • Academy Manager: Tim Bell
  • Lead PDP Coach: Dave Palmer
  • Academy staff: Richard Cox, Calum Wands, Elliott Massingham, Jonathan Lewis, Sean Hall, JJ Beasley, Dan Still, James Bryden, Luke Norman
  • Head Groundsman: Matt Utteridge
  • Kit Man: James Murphy
  • Club Doctor: Dr. Sophie Risebero

Club ownership

The club is owned by a core ownership group of four large shareholders and numerous smaller shareholders.[101]

The following have a "significant interest", as defined by the English Football League, in the club:[102] Simon Keswick (who currently owns 29.6%), C. Jennings - an individual represented by the Cayman Islands-based CTFC Investments Ltd (24.1%), former chairman of the club's board of directors Paul Baker (17%), and the Cheltenham Town supporters' trust the Robins Trust (8.9%).

The only one of the four main owners directly represented on the club's board are the Robins Trust in the form of fan-elected director Dave Beesley.

Board of directors

  • Chairman: David Bloxham
  • Vice chairman: Paul Bence
  • Directors: Paul Godfrey, John Murphy, Clive Gowing, Dave Beesley (Fan-elected Director), Murry Toms
  • Associate director: Mark Cuzner

Managerial history

As of 20 September 2023[update][99]

Key
  • Names of caretaker managers are supplied where known, and the names of caretaker managers are highlighted in italics and marked with an asterisk (*).
Dates Names
1932–1934 England George Blackburn (Coach)
1934–1935 England George Watson (Coach)
1935–1937 England George Carr
1937–1948 England Jimmy Brain
1948–1950 England Cyril Dean
1950–1952 England George Summerbee
1952–1953 Scotland William Raeside
1953–1958 Scotland Arch Anderson
1958–1960 England Ron Lewin
1960–1961 England Peter Donnelly
1961 England Tommy Cavanagh
1961 England Roy Shiner*
1961–1965 Scotland Arch Anderson
1965–1966 England Harold Fletcher
Dates Names
1966–1973 England Bobby Etheridge
1973–1974 Scotland Willie Penman
1974–1979 England Dennis Allen
1979 England Terry Paine
1979–1982 England Alan Grundy
1982 England Roger Thorndale*
1982–1983 England Alan Wood
1983–1988 England John Murphy
1988 England Dave Lewis*
1988–1990 England Jim Barron
1990 England John Murphy
1990-1991 England Dave Lewis*
1991–1992 Scotland Ally Robertson
Dates Names
1992–1995 England Lindsay Parsons
1995 England Peter Higgins*
1995–1997 England Chris Robinson
1997–2002 England Steve Cotterill
2002 England Graham Allner
2002 England Chris Banks/England Mark Yates/
England Bob Bloomer*
2002–2003 England Bobby Gould
2003 England Bob Bloomer*
2003–2007 England John Ward
2007–2008 England Keith Downing
2008–2009 England Martin Allen
2009 England John Schofield*
2009–2014 England Mark Yates
Dates Names
2014–2015 England Paul Buckle
2015 England Russell Milton*
2015–2018 England Gary Johnson
2018 England Russell Milton*
2018–2022 Northern Ireland Michael Duff
2022–2023 England Wade Elliott
2023 England Kevin Russell*
2023– England Darrell Clarke

Club records

As of 5 February 2021[103]

  • Record attendance
  • Record attendance at Whaddon Road
  • Record transfer paid
  • Record transfer received
  • Record win
    • 12–0 vs Chippenham Rovers, FA Cup third qualifying round, 2 November 1935
  • Record defeat
  • Record appearances
    • Roger Thorndale – 703 (1958–1976)[107]
  • Record goalscorer
    • Dave Lewis – 290
  • Record goals in a season
    • Dave Lewis, 53 in all competitions (1974–1975)
  • Fastest Goal
  • Oldest player
  • Youngest player
    • Cameron Walters (aged 16 years, 9 days) vs. West Ham United Under 21, 18 October 2022

Honours and achievements

Source:[109][110]

League

Cup

  • FA Trophy
  • Leamington Hospital Cup
    • Winners: 1934–35
  • Midland Floodlit Cup
    • Winners: 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88
  • Gloucestershire Senior Cup
    • Winners: 1998–99
  • Gloucestershire Senior Amateur North Challenge Cup
    • Winners: 1929–30, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35

References

  1. ^ "Until very recently it was thought that Cheltenham Town Football Club was founded in 1892". CTFC. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  2. ^ "England players: Phil Bach". englandfootballonline. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Week's Football in Brief". Cheltenham Chronicle. 2 January 1932. p. 8. Retrieved 19 November 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ Kaye Jay (22 June 1932). "Better Football for Cheltenham". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 1. Retrieved 20 November 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  5. ^ "C.M.C. Footballers Clash With Selectors". Gloucestershire Echo. 6 July 1932. p. 5. Retrieved 20 November 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "Player Coach for Cheltenham". Gloucestershire Echo. 28 July 1932. p. 6. Retrieved 20 November 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Town Out of Cup at Last After Great Fight". Gloucestershire Echo. 13 January 1934. p. 8. Retrieved 8 November 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ Kaye Jay (3 May 1935). "Town Win Leamington Hospital Cup". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 9. Retrieved 21 November 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  9. ^ "Currier's Transfer". Gloucestershire Echo. 30 April 1935. p. 6. Retrieved 21 November 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  10. ^ "Cheltenham Join Southern League". Western Daily Press. 5 June 1935. p. 4. Retrieved 21 November 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  11. ^ "Cheltenham Town A.F.C. Appoint a Manager". Gloucestershire Echo. 20 May 1935. p. 6. Retrieved 21 November 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  12. ^ "Cheltenham Town's 'Gates' Down". Gloucestershire Echo. 25 June 1935. p. 7. Retrieved 21 November 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  13. ^ Corinthian (29 August 1935). "Cheltenham Town Football Teams for Opening Games". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 6. Retrieved 21 November 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  14. ^ "Town Make a Flying Start in the Southern League". Gloucestershire Echo. 31 August 1935. p. 6. Retrieved 21 November 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  15. ^ Corinthian (2 December 1935). "Magnificent Cheltenham Defence Takes the Honours". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 5. Retrieved 21 November 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  16. ^ "Town Overrun Chippenham". Gloucestershire Echo. 2 November 1935. p. 6. Retrieved 21 November 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  17. ^ "Town Manager Resigns". Gloucestershire Echo. 5 March 1937. p. 8. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  18. ^ "Derby County Sign On Young Cheltenham T. Half-Back". Derby Daily Telegraph. 8 April 1937. p. 14. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  19. ^ "Cheltenham Town Association Football Club". Companies House. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  20. ^ "Mr. J. Brain New Town A.F.C. Manager". Gloucestershire Echo. 8 April 1937. p. 8. Retrieved 5 December 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  21. ^ Olympian (10 May 1938). "Cheltenham Town A.F.C.'s Season Reviewed". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 5. Retrieved 5 December 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  22. ^ "Town Go Down Fighting in F.A Cup at Watford". Gloucestershire Echo. 27 November 1937. p. 6. Retrieved 5 December 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  23. ^ Olympian (11 March 1938). "Town Were in a Spirited Mood". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 7. Retrieved 5 December 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  24. ^ "Thorley Transferred to Bristol City". Gloucestershire Echo. 11 March 1938. p. 8. Retrieved 5 December 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  25. ^ Olympian (17 March 1938). "Wheeler Joins Birmingham". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 5. Retrieved 5 December 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  26. ^ "Town A.F.C. to Continue in Southern League". Gloucestershire Echo. 30 December 1937. p. 5. Retrieved 5 December 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  27. ^ Olympian (7 July 1938). "'The Robins' at Whaddon-Road". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 5. Retrieved 11 December 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  28. ^ "Town Knocked Out of the F.A. Cup by a Gift Goal". Gloucestershire Echo. 30 November 1938. p. 8. Retrieved 11 December 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  29. ^ Corinthian (18 January 1939). "Football Crisis Could Have Been Averted". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 7. Retrieved 11 December 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  30. ^ "Cheltenham Football League Suspends All Fixtures". Gloucestershire Echo. 7 September 1939. p. 4. Retrieved 15 December 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  31. ^ "Southern League Announce Regional Plans". Western Daily Press. 6 October 1939. p. 2. Retrieved 15 December 2022 – via British Library Newspapers.
  32. ^ "Town F.C. to Arrange No More Games". Gloucestershire Echo. 6 June 1940. p. 6 – via British Library Newspapers.
  33. ^ "Memories of 99". Cheltenham Town FC. 22 April 2014. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  34. ^ "Stoke unveil Cotterill". BBC Sport. 27 May 2002. Archived from the original on 16 July 2004. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  35. ^ "Cheltenham sack Allner". BBC Sport. 13 January 2003. Archived from the original on 13 February 2003. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  36. ^ Palmer, Jon (2 May 2017). "Did you know Bobby Gould took charge of Chelsea for two games?". Gloucestershire Live. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  37. ^ a b c "Cheltenham". Football Club History Database. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  38. ^ "John Ward". League Managers Association. Archived from the original on 1 February 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  39. ^ "Wycombe Wanderers football club: record v Cheltenham Town". IIvII. Archived from the original on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  40. ^ "Grimsby 0–1 Cheltenham". BBC. 28 May 2006. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  41. ^ "Club History". Cheltenham Town Football Club. Archived from the original on 14 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  42. ^ Palmer, Jon (17 October 2019). "Leeds United's lowest moment: Cheltenham Town complete amazing win double at Elland Road". Gloucestershire Live. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  43. ^ "Cheltenham vs. Leeds". Archived from the original on 20 November 2016.
  44. ^ "Cheltenham 2–1 Doncaster". BBC News. 5 May 2008. Archived from the original on 5 May 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  45. ^ "Manager Downing leaves Cheltenham". BBC News. 13 September 2008. Archived from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  46. ^ "Allen named new Cheltenham boss". BBC News. 15 September 2008. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  47. ^ "Cheltenham put squad up for sale". BBC News. 3 March 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  48. ^ "League Two club-by-club guide". BBC. 4 August 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  49. ^ Guardian Staff (20 October 2009). "Cheltenham suspend manager Martin Allen over alleged racism at nightclub". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  50. ^ Guardian Staff (20 October 2009). "Martin Allen vows to clear his name following racist allegations". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  51. ^ "Manager Martin Allen parts company with Cheltenham". BBC Sport. 11 December 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  52. ^ "Yates appointed Cheltenham boss". BBC Sport. 22 December 2009. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  53. ^ "League Two Table & Standings". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  54. ^ "Cheltenham Town release eight players". BBC News. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
  55. ^ "Manchester rivals to clash in third round". BBC Sport. 4 December 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  56. ^ "Cheltenham Town 0–2 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  57. ^ "Cheltenham 1–5 Everton". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  58. ^ "Cheltenham 0–0 Bradford". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  59. ^ "Cheltenham Town 3–0 Macclesfield Town". Gloucestershire Live. 23 October 2019. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  60. ^ "Cheltenham 0–1 Northampton". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 24 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  61. ^ "History – Cheltenham Town FC". www.ctfc.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  62. ^ "West Ham United 2–1 Cheltenham Town". Sky Sports Football. 27 August 2013. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  63. ^ "Mark Yates: Cheltenham Town sack manager". BBC Sport. 25 November 2014. Archived from the original on 25 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  64. ^ "Paul Buckle: Cheltenham appoint ex-Bristol Rovers and Luton boss". BBC Sport. 26 November 2014. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  65. ^ "Paul Buckle: Cheltenham Town boss leaves after 79 days at helm". BBC Sport. 13 February 2015. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  66. ^ "Johnson appointed manager". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  67. ^ "Cheltenham Town FC fan elected to club's board". BBC News. 19 April 2015. Archived from the original on 30 November 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  68. ^ "Cheltenham 0–1 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 25 April 2015. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  69. ^ "Cheltenham Town 2–0 FC Halifax Town". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  70. ^ Palmer, Jon (25 May 2018). "The Danny Wright story: Achieving the dream at Cheltenham Town". GloucestershireLive. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  71. ^ "Gloucester City and Cheltenham Town continue ground share". BBC Sport. 6 March 2014. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  72. ^ "Gary Johnson: Cheltenham Town manager to have heart surgery". BBC Sport. 16 March 2017. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  73. ^ "Cheltenham Town 1–0 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 29 April 2017. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  74. ^ "Gary Johnson signs new two-year contract at Cheltenham Town". ITV News. 26 May 2017. Archived from the original on 20 October 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  75. ^ "Cheltenham Town: Eleven players released after 21st place finish". BBC Sport. 9 May 2017. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  76. ^ "Mo Eisa & Marlon Pack: Bristol City sign Cheltenham striker and extend midfielder deal". BBC Sport. 23 July 2018. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  77. ^ "Andy Wilcox named new chairman". Cheltenham Town F.C. Official Site. 16 May 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  78. ^ "Michael Duff: Cheltenham Town appoint Burnley Under-23 coach as manager". BBC Sport. 10 September 2018. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  79. ^ "League Two Table & Standings". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  80. ^ "EFL confirms cancellation of League One and Two season". Goal. 9 June 2020. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  81. ^ "Cheltenham Town 0–3 Northampton Town (2–3)". BBC Sport. 22 June 2020. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  82. ^ "Cheltenham Town 1–3 Manchester City". BBC Sport. 23 January 2021. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  83. ^ "Cheltenham promoted to League One". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  84. ^ "Cheltenham Town 4–1 Harrogate Town". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  85. ^ "Games played by Cheltenham Town F.C. in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  86. ^ "Games played by Cheltenham Town F.C. in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  87. ^ "Wade Elliott: Cheltenham promote first-team coach to head coach role". BBC Sport. 28 June 2022. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  88. ^ "Wade Elliott: Cheltenham manager leaves after winless and goalless run". BBC Sport. 20 September 2023. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  89. ^ "Darrell Clarke: Winless Cheltenham Town appoint former Port Vale boss". BBC Sport. 29 September 2023. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  90. ^ "Lincoln City 2-0 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 30 September 2023. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  91. ^ "Cheltenham Town 0-2 Fleetwood Town". BBC Sport. 3 October 2023. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  92. ^ "Cheltenham Town 1-1 Derby County". BBC Sport. 7 October 2023. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  93. ^ "Cheltenham Town". Historic Football Kits. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  94. ^ a b Stilliard, Ed (21 October 2019). "Disruption for Cheltenham Town fans expected at 'El Glosico' derby match with Forest Green Rovers". Gloucestershire Live. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  95. ^ Palmer, Jon (31 October 2019). ""When I started playing it was Gloucester City, but now this is the rivalry" – Cheltenham Town boss Michael Duff ahead of Forest Green at home". Gloucestershire Live. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  96. ^ "Cheltenham 0 – 0 Hereford". Sky Sports. 24 September 2011. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  97. ^ Swan, Rob (27 August 2019). "The top five rivals of English football's top 92 clubs revealed". Give Me Sport. Archived from the original on 29 September 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  98. ^ a b "First Team". Cheltenham Town FC. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  99. ^ a b "Cheltenham Town History". CHELTENHAM TOWN HISTORY. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  100. ^ "Football Staff". Cheltenham Town FC. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  101. ^ "Confirmation statement made on 27 October 2023 with updates". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  102. ^ "Company Details - Cheltenham Town FC". Cheltenham Town FC. Archived from the original on 18 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  103. ^ "Club Records – Cheltenham Town". Cheltenham Town FC Official Site. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  104. ^ "Town Out of Cup at Last After Great Fight". Gloucestershire Echo. 13 January 1934. p. 8. Retrieved 8 November 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  105. ^ Jon Palmer (29 January 2023). "Cheltenham Town pay club record fee for Sligo Rovers striker Aidan Keena". Gloucestershire Live. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  106. ^ Palmer, Jon (17 August 2018). "Andy Wilcox on his first 3 months as chairman and the start to the season". gloucestershirelive. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  107. ^ "The 703: Roger Thorndale remembered". Cheltenham Town FC Official Site. 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  108. ^ url=https://www.ctfc.com/news/2020/december/graham-green Archived 22 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine | title=Graham Green 1947-2020
  109. ^ "Cheltenham Town Association Football Club – Honours". Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  110. ^ "Cheltenham Town football club honours". Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2015.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cheltenham Town F.C..
  • Official website
  • Cheltenham Town F.C. on BBC Sport: Club news – Recent results and fixtures
  • v
  • t
  • e
Cheltenham Town Football Club
Club
Seasons
Matches
  • v
  • t
  • e
Seasons
Clubs
2023–24 clubs
Former clubs
Competition
Statistics and awards
Finances
Sponsors
Associated competitions
Prospects
  • v
  • t
  • e
Areas
Buildings and
structures
Culture
Education
Politics
Sport
Transport
  • Category
Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata
International
  • VIAF
National
  • United States