Cheltenham Town F.C.
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football club Cheltenham Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. The team competes in EFL League Two, the fourth 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. They were relegated to League Two after three seasons in the third tier.
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The club spent its first three decades in local football. Notable players from those days included former England international Philip Bach,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> cricketers Gilbert Jessop and brothers Charles Barnett and Edgar Barnett.Template:Citation needed.
In December 1931 the club moved to Whaddon Road<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and turned semi-professional in 1932–33, joining the Birmingham Combination<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> whilst adopting new colours of red and white hooped shirts, black shorts, and red and white stockings.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Former England international George Blackburn was appointed player coach,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following a disappointing season in 1934–35, brightened only by winning the Leamington Hospital Cup<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the discovery and sale of centre froward James Currier to Bolton Wanderers,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the club applied for membership and were accepted to join the Southern League for the 1935–36 season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Town kicked-off their debut Southern League campaign with two firsts. The club appointed its first manager<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with "complete power" of team selection<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> in George Carr, and fielded an all professional eleven in the first game of the season against Barry.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite a flying start in the season opener,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A notable result during the run was the club's record victory, beating Chippenham Rovers 12–0 in the Third Round Qualifying.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The 1936–37 season was Carr's last, resigning in April 1937.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Off the field, the club moved to establish itself as a limited company.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Carr's replacement was former Arsenal forward James Brain.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> But he took the team to the FA Cup first round, losing 3–0 to Watford,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> while Newport County knocked Town out the Welsh Cup at the quarter-final stage.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Two of the side's consistent performers, winger Cliff Thorley and goalkeeper Jack Wheeler earned moves to Bristol City<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Birmingham<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> respectively. Crisis was averted when players, shareholders and supporters contributed to keep the club in business following a financial crunch.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Cheltenham rebranded as "The Robins" for the 1938–39 campaign, wearing white shirts with a robin emblem and red sleeves.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
A promising start to the 1939–40 season was curtailed by the outbreak of World War II.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following a pause, the Southern League established a limited regional programme, often featuring guest players,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
1985–1999
They won promotion to the Alliance Premier League (now the Conference National) in 1985, but were relegated seven years later.Template:Citation needed
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.Template: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.Template: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.Template: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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="fchd">Template:Cite web</ref> Gould resigned as Cheltenham Town manager in November 2003 and was replaced by John Ward.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Cheltenham started life in League One with a 1–0 win against Gillingham.<ref name="clubhist">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Early in the 2008–09 season, Keith Downing left Cheltenham Town<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and was replaced by Martin Allen.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Allen's team started poorly with a club-record seven consecutive defeats, 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Allen was formally cleared of misconduct but still left the club by mutual consent in early December.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Former Cheltenham captain and Kidderminster boss Mark Yates was appointed manager on 22 December 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Yates, ahead of his first full season with Cheltenham, revamped the squad, releasing eight players,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=fchd/>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Robins also enjoyed a good run in the FA Cup, eventually losing out 5–1 to Premier League side Everton.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The season included a run of 21 home league games without defeat.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The play-offs saw Cheltenham face Northampton Town with Cheltenham losing both home and away games by 1–0.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
After finishing in the play-offs for two consecutive seasons, Cheltenham Town's 2013–14 season proved to be difficult.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Cheltenham finished the season in 17th place.
On 25 November 2014, Mark Yates was sacked by Cheltenham Town after almost five years in charge.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Cheltenham subsequently appointed Paul Buckle as team manager,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but he was dismissed after just 79 days.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In March 2015 Gary Johnson was appointed manager.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Robins secured their league status with a 1–0 win over Hartlepool United in the penultimate game of the season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He oversaw a major clearout of the squad with eleven players released.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 10 September 2018, ex-Cheltenham player Michael Duff was appointed after the departure of Gary Johnson.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Duff guided the Robins to 16th.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Cheltenham missed out in the play-offs to Northampton Town, losing 3–2 on aggregate.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Cheltenham guaranteed their return to League One with a 1–1 draw at home to Carlisle United.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons, Cheltenham finished 15th and 16th respectively in League One.<ref name="fchd"/> 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.<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref><ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
At the start of the 2023–24 season, Cheltenham failed to score a goal in their opening eleven matches which equalled a Football League record.<ref name="2324REL">Template:Cite news</ref> This start to the season cost Elliott his job.<ref name="BBC-20Sep2023">Template:Cite news</ref> He was replaced by Darrell Clarke, but despite form improving significantly, Cheltenham were still relegated to League Two on the final day of the season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="2324REL"/> Clarke left for Barnsley at the end of the season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 31 May 2024, Michael Flynn was appointed as Cheltenham Town manager.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Kit sponsors and manufacturers
Table of kit suppliers and shirt sponsors appear below:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| 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.<ref name="Stilliard">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="Stilliard"/>
Traditionally, Cheltenham's main rivals were Gloucestershire neighbours Gloucester City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Players
Template:Updated<ref name="First Team">Template:Cite news</ref>
Current squad
Template:Fs start Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs mid Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs end
Out on loan
Template:Fs start Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs mid Template:Fs player Template:Fs player Template:Fs end
Player of the Year winners
Template:As of<ref name="Cheltenham Town History">Template:Cite web</ref>
| 1966 | Template:Flagicon Gerald Horlick |
| 1967 | Template:Flagicon Ronnie Radford |
| 1968 | Template:Flagicon Joe Gadston |
| 1969 | Template:Flagicon Frank Conboy |
| 1970 | Template:Flagicon Alan White |
| 1971 | Template:Flagicon Allan Jefferies |
| 1972 | Template:Flagicon Pat Casey |
| 1973 | Template:Flagicon Richard Wilkes |
| 1974 | Template:Flagicon Pat Casey |
| 1975 | Template:Flagicon Dave Lewis |
| 1976 | Template:Flagicon Jeff Miles |
| 1977 | Template:Flagicon Ray Dean |
| 1978 | Template:Flagicon Terry Paine |
| 1979 | Template:Flagicon Dave Dangerfield |
| 1980 | Template:Flagicon Wayne Hams |
| 1981 | Template:Flagicon Alan Ollis |
| 1982 | Template:Flagicon John Dyer |
| 1983 | Template:Flagicon Paul Tester |
| 1984 | Template:Flagicon Norman Pemberton |
| 1985 | Template:Flagicon Brian Hughes |
| 1986 | Template:Flagicon Neil Hards |
| 1987 | Template:Flagicon Kevin Willetts |
| 1988 | Template:Flagicon Ray Baverstock |
| 1989 | Template:Flagicon Mark Buckland |
| 1990 | Template:Flagicon Mark Buckland |
| 1991 | Template:Flagicon Kevin Willetts |
| 1992 | Template:Flagicon Kevin Willetts |
| 1993 | Template:Flagicon Steve Brown |
| 1994 | Template:Flagicon Martin Thomas |
| 1995 | Template:Flagicon Chris Banks |
| 1996 | Template:Flagicon Jason Eaton |
| 1997 | Template:Flagicon Jamie Victory |
| 1998 | Template:Flagicon Chris Banks |
| 1999 | Template:Flagicon Neil Grayson |
| 2000 | Template:Flagicon Russell Milton |
| 2001 | Template:Flagicon Mark Yates |
| 2002 | Template:Flagicon Julian Alsop |
| 2003 | Template:Flagicon Martin Devaney |
| 2004 | Template:Flagicon Shane Higgs |
| 2018 | Template:Flagicon Mohamed Eisa |
| 2019 | Template:Flagicon Luke Varney |
| 2020 | Template:Flagicon Ben Tozer |
| 2021 | Template:Flagicon Ben Tozer |
| 2022 | Template:Flagicon Alfie May |
| 2023 | Template:Flagicon Alfie May |
| 2024 | Template:Flagicon Liam Sercombe |
| 2025 | Template:Flagicon Sam Stubbs |
Club management

Template:Updated<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
| Manager | Steve Cotterill |
| Assistant Manager | Rob Edwards |
| First Team Coach | Ashley Vincent |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Joe Day (player-coach) |
| Head of Recruitment | Keith Burt |
| Chief Scout | Russell Milton |
| Head of Medical | James Redman |
| First Team Physiotherapist | Georgia Pearson |
| Strength and Conditioning Coach | JJ Beasley |
| First Team Performance Analyst | Dave Cohen |
| Academy Manager | vacant |
| Lead Professional Development Phase Coach | Dave Palmer |
| Academy Head of Coaching | Pete Haynes |
| Lead Foundation Phase Coach | Sean Hall |
| Head Groundsman | Matt Utteridge |
| Kit Man | Alfie Wilkes |
| Club Doctor | Dr. Sophie Risebero |
Club ownership
The club is owned by a core ownership group of two main shareholders and numerous smaller shareholders.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The following own 10% or more of the club, and are required to be identified on the club's website in accordance with English Football League regulations:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Majority owner, Mike Garlick (who owns at least 75%)<ref>Notification of Whaddon Road Weighs in Limited as a person with significant control on 22 August 2025 [1]</ref> and the Cheltenham Town supporters' trust, the Robins Trust (14.7%).
On 23 August 2025, the club announced that Mike Garlick had completed his acquisition of a controlling interest in the club combined with a commitment for future investment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Garlick was previously chairman of Burnley from 2015 to 2023, and currently owns Gibraltarian club St Joseph's and Spanish side Antequera.<ref>Cheltenham in takeover talks with ex-Burnley chairman BBC Sport. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.</ref>
Board of directors
| Chairman | David Bloxham |
| Vice Chairman | vacant |
| Directors | Dave Beesley, Mike Garlick, Alison Garlick, Paul Godfrey, Clive Gowing |
| Associate Director | Mark Cuzner |
Managerial history
Sources:<ref name="Cheltenham Town History"/><ref name="FY1920">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Key
- Names of caretaker managers are supplied where known, and the names of caretaker managers are highlighted in italics and marked with an asterisk (*).
- 1932–1934 George Blackburn (coach)
- 1934–1935 George Watson (coach)
- 1935–1937 George Carr
- 1937–1948 Jimmy Brain
- 1948–1950 Cyril Dean
- 1950–1952 George Summerbee
- 1952–1953 William Raeside
- 1953–1958 Arch Anderson
- 1958–1960 Ron Lewin
- 1960–1961 Peter Donnelly
- 1961 Tommy Cavanagh
- 1961 Roy Shiner*
- 1961–1965 Arch Anderson
- 1965–1966 Harold Fletcher
- 1966–1973 Bobby Etheridge
- 1973–1974 Willie Penman
- 1974–1979 Dennis Allen
- 1979 Terry Paine
- 1979–1982 Alan Grundy
- 1982 Roger Thorndale*
- 1982–1983 Alan Wood
- 1983–1988 John Murphy
- 1988 Dave Lewis*
- 1988–1990 Jim Barron
- 1990 John Murphy
- 1990–1991 Dave Lewis*
- 1991–1992 Ally Robertson
- 1992–1995 Lindsay Parsons
- 1995 Peter Higgins*
- 1995–1997 Chris Robinson
- 1997–2002 Steve Cotterill
- 2002 Graham Allner
- 2002 Chris Banks, Mark Yates, Bob Bloomer*
- 2002–2003 Bobby Gould
- 2003 Bob Bloomer*
- 2003–2007 John Ward
- 2007–2008 Keith Downing
- 2008–2009 Martin Allen
- 2009 John Schofield*
- 2009–2014 Mark Yates
- 2014–2015 Paul Buckle
- 2015 Russell Milton*
- 2015–2018 Gary Johnson
- 2018 Russell Milton*
- 2018–2022 Michael Duff
- 2022–2023 Wade Elliott
- 2023 Kevin Russell*
- 2023–2024 Darrell Clarke
- 2024–2025 Michael Flynn
- 2025 Aaron Downes, Ashley Vincent*
- 2025– Steve Cotterill
Club records
Template:Updated.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
| Record attendance | 10,389 vs. Blackpool, FA Cup third round, 13 January 1934 at Athletic Ground, Cheltenham<ref name=New>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Record attendance at Whaddon Road | 8,326 vs Reading, FA Cup first round, 17 November 1956<ref name="FY1920"/> |
| Record transfer fee paid | Aidan Keena from Sligo Rovers (January 2023)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Record transfer fee received | £1.5m Mo Eisa to Bristol City (July 2018)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Record win | 12–0 vs Chippenham Rovers, FA Cup third qualifying round, 2 November 1935<ref name="FY1920"/> |
| Record defeat | 1–10 vs Merthyr Tydfil, Southern League, 8 March 1952<ref name="FY1920"/> |
| Record appearances | Roger Thorndale – 703 (1958–1976)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Record goalscorer | Dave Lewis – 290 |
| Record goals in a season | Dave Lewis, 53 in all competitions (1974–1975) |
| Fastest goal | Graham Green vs Hillingdon Borough, 11 Seconds, Southern League, 11 February 1967<ref>url=https://www.ctfc.com/news/2020/december/graham-green Template:Webarchive | title=Graham Green 1947-2020</ref> |
| Oldest player | Derek Bragg (aged 42 years 2 months 23 days) vs. Farnborough Town, 7 April 1999 |
| Youngest player | Sopuruchukwu Obieri (aged 15 years and 303 days) vs. West Ham United U21s, 7 November 2023 |
Honours
Sources:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
League
- Third Division / League Two (level 4)
- Football Conference / National League (level 5)
- Southern League (level 6)
- Champions: 1984–85
- Southern League Midland Division
- Champions: 1982–83
- Cheltenham League
- Champions: 1910–11, 1913–14
Cup
- FA Trophy
- Winners: 1997–98
- 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
External links
Template:Cheltenham Town F.C. Template:EFL League Two Template:Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Template:Authority control
- Cheltenham Town F.C.
- 1887 establishments in England
- Association football clubs established in 1887
- Sport in Cheltenham
- Football clubs in Gloucestershire
- Football clubs in England
- Cheltenham Association Football League
- Southern Football League clubs
- National League (English football) clubs
- English Football League clubs