Cheltenham Town Football Club: Introduction

Cheltenham Town Football Club is a professional football club based in the town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. The club has a rich history, steadily rising through the ranks of English football, and has become a respected side in the lower divisions of the English Football League (EFL).

Currently, Cheltenham Town plays football in English League Two. Indeed, the Football Fan Base wishes the team and supporters all the luck in the world. So, here’s our overview of the club.

Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.

Cheltenham Town Football Club: Basic Information

• Full Name: Cheltenham Town Football Club
• Nickname: The Robins
• Founded: 1887
• Stadium: Completely-Suzuki Stadium (known traditionally as Whaddon Road)
  • Capacity: 7,200
• Colors: Red and white stripes (home kit)
• Current League: EFL League One (as of the 2023–24 season)
• Chairman: David Bloxham
• Manager: Wade Elliott (although managerial changes are common)

History

• Foundation and Early Years: Cheltenham Town was founded in 1887. For much of its early existence, the club played in local and regional leagues and was a semi-professional side.
• Progress through Non-League Football: For a significant portion of its history, Cheltenham Town was a non-league club, playing in various divisions below the Football League. In the 1990s, under the management of Steve Cotterill, the club began its rise through the divisions.
• Promotion to the Football League: Cheltenham earned promotion to the Football League for the first time in its history in 1999, after winning the Conference (now known as the National League). They initially competed in the fourth tier (then called Division Three, now League Two).

Cheltenham Town Football Club: Notable Achievements

• Football League Trophy: Cheltenham’s first major success came in 2002 when they won the Football League Trophy (also known as the EFL Trophy).
• Promotions to League One: The club has experienced multiple promotions to League One, the third tier of English football, including notable promotions in the 2001–02 and 2005–06 seasons.
• 2020–21 League Two Champions: One of Cheltenham’s most successful seasons came in 2020–21 when they became League Two champions, earning automatic promotion to League One. This was the club’s first-ever league title in the Football League system.

Cheltenham Town has won the Conference twice (1999 & 2016) seeing two promotions to the league system. But, major honours are few and far between.

Be that as it may, Cheltenham has won the FA Trophy in 1998 and have a host of minor cups and honours. For example, they won the Leamington Hospital Cup in 1935. So, the club has a long history but no major showings yet. However, the core fans are just as loyal to their team as any other supporter.

Recent Performances

• Since their return to League One, Cheltenham has managed to stay competitive, aiming for stability and consolidation in the division. Their performances have been a mix of battling against relegation and aiming for mid-table safety. They are famous for their resilience and team spirit, particularly against larger and more financially robust teams.

Cheltenham Town Football Club: Rivalries

• Gloucester City: Being geographically close, Cheltenham has a historical rivalry with Gloucester City, although they have rarely met in recent years due to playing in different divisions.
• Forest Green Rovers: In more recent times, Cheltenham’s rivalry with Forest Green Rovers has gained more significance, especially as both clubs have often competed in similar divisions. This rivalry is known as the “El Glosico” due to the Gloucestershire connection.

Stadium – Completely-Suzuki Stadium (Whaddon Road)

Cheltenham plays its home games at Whaddon Road, a small but passionate ground with a capacity of around 7,200. It has been the club’s home since 1932 and is famous for its tight-knit atmosphere, which can be intimidating for visiting teams despite the relatively small size.

Club Identity and Support

• Nickname: Cheltenham Town have the nickname “The Robins,” a nod to their red and white home kit.
• Supporters: Cheltenham has a dedicated fanbase, though relatively small compared to larger clubs. The community-based feel of the club is one of its defining characteristics, with a family-friendly atmosphere and strong local ties.
• Youth Development: The club places a strong emphasis on youth development and has brought through several players who have gone on to higher levels in football.

Cheltenham Town Football Club: Notable Players and Managers

• Steve Cotterill: The most successful manager in Cheltenham’s history, Cotterill led the club from non-league to the Football League and won several promotions. His era laid the foundation for the club’s future success.
• Grant McCann: A former Cheltenham player, McCann had a successful career at various levels of English football.
• Michael Duff: Another prominent figure, Duff played for Cheltenham before embarking on a solid playing career and later returned as a manager, helping the club to promotion in the 2020–21 season.

Current Situation (as of 2023–24 season)

• Cheltenham is competing in EFL League One, aiming to secure its status and continue progressing as a stable Football League club. Recent seasons have seen Cheltenham evolve into a consistent lower-league side with aspirations of further improvement.

Philosophy and Playing Style

Cheltenham Town has traditionally been known for a pragmatic and hardworking style of play. In their more successful periods, particularly under Steve Cotterill and Michael Duff, the team was noted for its defensive organization, teamwork, and counter-attacking ability.

Cheltenham Town Football Club: Community Engagement

Cheltenham Town plays an active role in its local community. The club actively engages in various community initiatives, including working with local schools and charities and promoting grassroots football. Their connection to the town and its people has been an integral part of their identity.

Cheltenham Town FC has gone from a humble non-league side to becoming a respected club in the Football League, embodying resilience and ambition in their steady rise through the English football pyramid.

Promote Cheltenham Town Football Club

How can Cheltenham Town win a promotion? Well, you can do this here at the Football Fanbase, of course. Our football network exists so that you can promote your favourite soccer team. For example, you can respond to football articles or even create your own.

**Information updated on September 6, 2024.