The club was formed in the 1880s and spent 50 years in regional leagues before turning pro in the 1930s and spending the next 50 years in the Southern League. They made the fifth tier (now National League) in the 1980s and then, under manager Steve Cotterill, made the Football League in 1999. In 1998 they won the FA Trophy and had their best-ever…

These days it’s mainly about Forest Green Rovers, some 20 miles away in Nailsworth. After the 2022-23 season, Rovers were relegated to League Two. In older times it would have been local neighbors Gloucester City and Hereford, now three leagues below them in the

Cheltenham Town Ladies are unfortunately called the Robinesses, but they had a big season in 2022. They won their league and regional Cup, so they were promoted to the FA Women’s National League at tier 3 for the 2022–23 season, where they still play today. See ctlfc.com for…

A few years back the team recorded one called “Cotswold Pride” for an FA Trophy run, but everybody seems to act like that never

Their ground is called Whaddon Road—officially the fantastic Jonny-Rocks Stadium, named for a local limo service—and holds 7,066, most of it seating but with a couple of terraces. The main stand is the Jelf Stand, where you find the ticket office, bar, and club shop. The away fans will be just to the right of this stand, in the all-seated…

GETTING THERE: It’s about two miles from the station, so a taxi may be the best bet. The walk is just over an hour, adding a swing through Pittville Park on the way (see Around Town). PUBS: There’s a bar in the ground, but a steward in the car park recommended the Sudeley Arms as a proper pub. It was closed, so we can’t report on it, but it…