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Cheltenham appoint the most successful manager in club’s history after woeful start to 25/26 season

Cheltenham Town appoint the most successful manager in the club’s history after suffering a woeful start to the 25/26 season.

The legendary boss Steve Cotterill returns to the Robins after 23 years, his backroom team includes Rob Edwards and Russell Milton, with Ashley Vincent continuing as first team coach. Also a senior role for the vastly experienced Keith Burt.

Cheltenham currently sit bottom of League Two with 4 points from 10 games played, 1 win, 1 draw, 8 defeats, 4 goals for, 24 goals against. At the weekend, they fell to a 7-1 defeat away at Grimsby.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Cheltenham Town Football Club are delighted to confirm that Steve Cotterill has returned to the Robins as first-team manager.

The Cheltenham-born former Robins player and manager takes over for a second time having enjoyed a hugely successful spell between 1997 and 2002.

During that time Cotterill won three of his five career promotions as a manager, firmly establishing Cheltenham Town in the Football League having taken them up from the Southern League to EFL League One, as well as winning the FA Trophy at Wembley in 1998.

The 61-year-old has signed a contract until the summer of 2028.

Club chairman David Bloxham said: “I am very pleased to confirm that Steve Cotterill is returning to us as manager.

“Those are words many people never thought they would hear but having held discussions with Steve and his agent over the past few days, we all believe that the time is right for him to return.

“Steve is a manager with vast experience and a record of success going back many years. I think it’s fair to say that we would not be able to attract someone with his record of success unless he wanted the opportunity to rejoin his home-town club and the place where it all began for him.

“I’d like to thank our owner Mike Garlick and my colleagues on the Board for their work towards making this happen. The Club would not have been in a position to appoint Steve without Mike’s full support. I would also like to thank all our supporters for their patience and forbearance in recent times while we have been trying to re-organise the club.

“The directors and former principle shareholders have worked really hard over the past few months to bring new ownership to Cheltenham Town and to re-structure the football management in order to give us the best chance to improve and move forward.

“We have all been bitterly disappointed by our start to the season, but positive action has been taken and there are still a lot of games left for us to turn things around.”

As part of the changes Cotterill will be appointing his own assistant manager with former club captain Aaron Downes stepping down from the role.

“I would like to thank Aaron for his efforts since returning to the club at the start of last season,” said Bloxham.

“He is another terrific club man who has worked hard in difficult circumstances and I’m sure he has a good coaching career ahead of him.

“I would now like to appeal to everyone to get behind the new manager and the players, starting with our home match on Saturday. I really believe this can be the start of a new era for our football club.”

Steve Cotterill started his career as a youth team player at Cheltenham Town way back in the 1980-81 season and later played for Alvechurch, Burton Albion, Wimbledon, Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth. His managerial career started at Sligo Rovers in the Republic of Ireland before returning to Gloucestershire to manage the Robins in 1997.

After five years at the helm, he has since taken charge of nine other clubs since 2002 including Stoke City, Burnley, Notts County, Portsmouth, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, Birmingham City, Shrewsbury Town and Forest Green Rovers. He won promotion from League Two as champions with Notts County in 2010 and achieved the double by winning the League One title and EFL Trophy with Bristol City during the 2014/15 season.

Cotterill will be in the dugout for his first Cheltenham game in 23 years against Fleetwood Town at the EV Charger Points Stadium on Saturday 4th October, 3pm kick-off.

Welcome home, Steve!

@robinstrust wrote: “Dear Steve, Welcome home. A lot’s changed since you left.

“We’ve had our ups. Seven seasons in the third tier. Three promotions. Cup runs and close calls. All built on the foundations you laid back in 1997.

“And we’ve had our downs. Relegations. Goal droughts. Players come, players go.

“But we stay. Always. Through the rain, through the doubt, through it all.

“It hasn’t been easy. Some days we’ve wondered why we do it to ourselves. Picked another team. Cared a little bit less. But where’s the fun in that?

“And now – hope. A new owner. A familiar face in the dugout. A man who knows what it means.

“We’re not asking to win every game – I mean none of us would be Cheltenham Town fans if that was the case – we just want a club that we can be proud of.

“And we know you’ll give us that. So whatever happens, know this: we’ll be with you. This Saturday. And every 90 minutes after.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Cheltenham appoint the most successful manager in the club’s history after a woeful start to the 25/26 season…

@rosselvin0906: The return of Russ could equally be as important as Cotts. Great to see two club legends back when the club needs them the most. Time to pack out WR and get behind the boys #ctfc

@daveckerridge: Amazing news!! God has returned! We’ve now got the best chance to stay up and move forward. Welcome back Steve!!

@ShaneSt85775523: It wouldn’t surprise me if we see 6000 Saturday. Club really needs to use this and new ownership to promote a feel good atmosphere into the club cos we really are at a low point. Bit of effort and a fans forum asap could be a massive turning point we desperately need

@ShaneSt85775523: Thank you mr garlic, THANK YOU!!! Time for us fans to do our bit now, loud and proud, no more moaning no more shit board because Mr garlic I believe could not of got anyone better for the job in hand in this current situation. Back the club, back the team, back mr garlic #ctfc

@CTFCHector:
Weeeeeve got super Stevie cotterill
He knows exactly what we need
Sherring at the back
Thomas in attack
He’ll keep us in the English football league
#ctfc

@Garthwaite14: 🎶 Ooh aah Stevie Cotterill 🎶 #CTFC

@HarrisonS_CTFC: Fuck it, bring it on

@CTFC_2012: The final roll of the football league dice… Hopefully the GOAT can pull it off. We’re with you gaffer, see you Saturday! #ctfc

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