Reviewing 2025/26

After 9 game weeks Cheltenham sat bottom of the league and had just been beaten 7-1 by Grimsby Town. But the appointment of Steve Cotterill back as manager 23 years after his first stint at the club sparked the team into life and by Christmas they were as high as 18th, finishing the campaign in the same position. A whopping 13 points clear of relegation and the were comfortable for a fair few games before the end.

That managerial change is arguably the only reason they remain a Football League club.

Looking ahead to 2026/27

The Gloucestershire club were in League One as recently as 2024 and haven't been in the fifth tier since 2016 but it's fair to say they're going to be one of the relegation contenders for the season ahead.

The arrivals of Shaun McWilliams and in particular Joe Tomlinson will help to bolster the squad but with many of last season's squad having left, there's a real need for fresh blood and if they don't manage to add another 5 or 6 players in this window, they could be in real trouble.

Court Offside Tip

Another rough season ahead I feel but honestly, anything north of the drop and they'll be happy enough. 22nd is as close as you get to relegation but may as well be 8th because all it means is that you start 27/28 in League Two again.