Welcome to the next instalment of the Gloucester Groundhopper blog.
It was only fitting that I visit the highest ranked club in Gloucestershire, and the team I have supported since I was seven years old, for this blog. Cheltenham Town plays at Whaddon Road, also known as The Jonny Rocks Stadium. If my math is correct, which it rarely is, I've visited Whaddon Road over 250 times, and this visit was a whirlwind, as has become more common in recent years.
It’s All In The Name
Cheltenham Town are known as The Robins. The nickname derives from the fact that Cheltenham play in red, and their kit colour resembles the chest of a Robin.
Some Notable Former Players
Jack Butland (England International)
Michail Antonio (West Ham United)
Joe Rodon (Former Tottenham Hotspur)
Michael Duff (Former Burnley)
Alan Wright (Former Aston Villa)
Some Notable People From Cheltenham:
Brian Jones- Founder Of The Rolling Stones
Eric Dier- Footballer
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards-Olympic Ski Jumper
Robert Hardy- Harry Potter Actor
Richard O’Brien- Rocky Horror Show Actor
History Lesson From AFC Finners
Cheltenham Town Football Club was thought to have been founded in 1892 until recently. However, new evidence suggests that the origins were five years earlier, when Mr Albert Close White returned to his hometown of Cheltenham from college in London to take up a teaching position. Mr White discovered the game of association football while studying, and he is now credited with being the first person to introduce the sport to the town of Cheltenham. In 1887, trials were held at the East Glos Cricket Ground, and the club was born.
The club went on to spend its first three decades in local football, where it won a number of championships and cups. Agg-Recreation Gardner's Ground, Whaddon Lane, and Carter's Field are all within half a mile of the team's current home.
The early 1930s were a pivotal period in the club's history. The club (which had now switched from ruby shirts to red and white shirts, earning them the nickname "the Robins") moved to their current home on Whaddon Road in 1932.
Cheltenham Town began their history in regional leagues before joining the Southern League in 1935, where they would remain for the next 50 years. They made it to the conference for the first time in the mid-1980s, and in 1997, former player Steve Cotterill took over as manager, forever changing the club. Cotterill led Cheltenham to Wembley, where they won the FA Trophy in 1998, and the following season, they won the conference title, allowing them to enter the football league for the first time.
Cotterill would take the club even further, advancing to the fifth round of the FA Cup and securing promotion to League One after defeating Rushden & Diamonds in the playoff final. Cotterill left the club in 2002, and despite being relegated immediately, Cheltenham returned to League One in 2006.
Cheltenham Town were relegated from League One after three seasons, and their 16-year stay in the Football League ended in 2015 when they were relegated to the Conference. Fortunately, they quickly recovered, winning the conference with 101 points under Gary Johnson's direction. Former player Michael Duff would lead the club to their first Football League title in 2021, when they won League Two to return to League One after a 12-year absence.
Honours
🏆Football League Two (Champions: 2020-2021) (Play Off Winners: 2001-2002, 2005-2006)
🏆National League (Champions: 1998-1999, 2015-16)
🏆Southern League (Champions: 1984-1985) (Runners-Up: 1955-1956, 1992-1993, 1993-1994, 1994-1995, 1996-1997)
🏆Southern League Midlands Division (Champions: 1982-1983)
🏆Southern League Division One North (Runners-Up: 1976-1977)
🏆FA Trophy (Winners: 1997-1998)
🏆Leamington Hospital Cup (Winners: 1934-1935)
🏆Midland Floodlit Cup (Winners: 1985-1986, 1986-1987, 1987-1988)
🏆Gloucestershire Senior Cup (Winners: 1998-1999)
🏆Cheltenham League (Winners: 1910-1911, 1913-1914)
🏆Gloucestershire Senior Amateur North Challenge Cup (Winners: 1929-1930, 1930-1931,1932-1933, 1933-1934,1934-1935)
Matchday: Cheltenham Town 1-1 Burton Albion
When you arrive at the stadium, you are greeted by a large sign that reads, 'welcome to Cheltenham Town Football Club.' The club recently updated this sign, which is one of many features that add character to the stadium.
There is a mural depicting many of Cheltenham Town's best moments in history, including promotions and cup wins. In addition, key figures from their history are represented, including former chairman Paul Baker, former manager Gary Johnson, and former players Jack Butland and Steve Elliott.
I entered the Robins Nest Bar, which is located at the stadium's ground level, as I have most other times. I've been going to this bar for years and have gotten to know the regulars and the staff, all of whom are fantastic. So you can imagine my surprise when some Burton Albion supporters claimed otherwise. Despite the fact that there was a large sign, these Burton Albion fans were not wearing masks while moving inside the bar. Finally, they were asked to leave. They were escorted out after causing a commotion that required three stewards to work for their pay, but not before a woman had the final say by telling us where to stick our bar, and believe me when I say, she didn't tell us to stick it anywhere nice. I must say that the bartenders handled the situation admirably, and everything turned out fine. I've had a lot of conversations with away fans in that bar over the years, and they've almost always been lovely, so I'm not going to let that event taint my opinion of away fans.
The bar itself is covered in photos from Cheltenham's past, including their League Two play-off final victory in 2006 and their game against Newcastle that same year. The food available is reasonably priced and delicious. A pint of beer, on the other hand, can cost up to £5.30. Outside the stadium, there is a food truck called 'The Robin's Retreat,' which serves reasonably priced, locally sourced food that tastes good. I would strongly recommend it to any visiting fans.
I am a season ticket holder at Cheltenham Town, but a standard adult ticket can cost up to £28 for an adult, which is the joint highest in League One with Sunderland. You'd expect a lot in return for that price. As you pass through the turnstiles, you are greeted by the stand where you will be staying. This is a stand where you can stand up during games because there are no seats available. I frequently stand in front of the six-yard line. The stand is close to the pitch, so you get a good view. There are also stands on the opposite side of the ground that provide seating. With this being a relatively high level of English football, it is fair to say that the family culture found at lower league clubs cannot be expected; however, the locals are friendly and eager to chat.
The atmosphere at the stadium was relatively quiet, but after speaking with the people housed in this stand (The Optimising IT stand), it became clear that the stand had significant acoustic issues, which the club intended to address in the near future.
Teamsheets:
Cheltenham Town: Manager: Michael Duff
Owen Evans Sean Long Chris Hussey Mattie Pollock Charlie Raglan Matty Blair Conor Thomas Callum Wright ⚽ Liam Sercombe Alfie May Dan N’Lundulu
Subs Scott Flinders Will Boyle Lewis Freestone Ben Williams Elliott Bonds Charlie Brown Andy Williams
Burton Albion Manager: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Ben Garratt Adedeji Oshilaja John Brayford (C) Conor Shaughnessy Thomas Hamer Cameron Borthwick-Jackson Terry Taylor Thomas O'Connor Daniel Jebbison ⚽ Jacob Maddox Charlie Lakin
Subs
Callum Hawkins
Ryan Leak
Michael Mancienne
Joe Powell
Jonny Smith
Lucas Akins
Louis Moult
The game began in favour of Cheltenham Town, who were taking on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's Burton Albion. Cheltenham hit the bar twice in about twenty minutes, once through new loan signing Dan N'Lundulu and once through veteran Chris Hussey, forced a great save from Burton's keeper, and missed an absolute sitter, confirming my theory that Cheltenham go through on goal at least once a game and miss every time. It will come as no surprise that Cheltenham took the lead thanks to a beautiful volley from Leicester City loanee Callum Wright. It's hard to believe that the Robins didn't lead by more than a goal at halftime, but it was probably the best half of football I've seen Cheltenham play all season. However, Cheltenham has a habit of going 1-0 up in a game and then resting on their laurels rather than finishing the game. Cheltenham has only kept three clean sheets this season, so it's critical that they score more than one goal to win a game. Halftime featured the newly revitalised Crossbar Challenge, which added to the entertainment for which you paid a high price. I don't eat the food on offer in the ground right now because, to put it mildly, Gordon Ramsay would call the people serving it 'idiot sandwiches.' It's overpriced and tastes bad. At all costs, avoid. Burton Albion started the second half brightly, having made a sub at half time and changing formation, which Cheltenham couldn't handle. True to form, they conceded as soon as I checked the current league table and stated that I was pleased that the Robins were 12th in League One. Jacob Maddox, who had previously played on loan for Cheltenham, put in a cross, and Daniel Jebbison smashed it straight down the keeper's throat. Time seemed to stand still as the ball slipped through Owen Evans' grasp and into the net, tying the game at 1-1. A close friend of mine pointed out to me at the start of the season that the difference between League One and League Two is in the finishing. Cheltenham have had a lot of chances this season, but only seem to score one or two, whereas their opponents have one chance and score it. For about 20 minutes following this goal, it seemed as if Burton would score again. Cheltenham were unable to maintain possession, and Albion appeared to have all of the energy. They rarely threatened Cheltenham's goal, however. The game appeared to have died out in the final ten minutes. Both teams had agreed to a draw, with neither offering much. The game eventually ended 1-1. The game itself was enjoyable and entertaining to watch, with two former Premier League players, Duff and Hasselbaink, managing the teams. Cheltenham arguably should have won the game, but Burton battled back to earn a point, to which Cheltenham had no response. Both sides are comfortably mid-table in League One, and I'm sure if you offered both clubs that opportunity in August, they would have taken it with both hands.
Scores On The Doors Atmosphere: 5.5/10 Food and Drink: 4/10 Stadium: 6/10 Welcome: 5/10 Overall experience: 7/10 GG
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