It was an uncertain time for all going into the 2020/21 season, with a pandemic wreaking havoc on the world and the agonising uncertainty over the futures of fan’s beloved clubs. The loss of Bury in 2019 and the loss of Macclesfield in 2020 left many with a deep lying worry over their team’s future.
Michael Duff’s first full season in charge was one of success, with no worries of relegation and Cheltenham Town’s highest League Two finish since 2001/02, but it was followed by a disappointing play off second leg and an unerring expectation heading into the new season.
In 2020/21, Duff took the club one step further, winning their first ever automatic promotion from League Two following a 1-1 draw against Carlisle. This meant that it was all to play for in the final game of the season.
Cheltenham, Cambridge and Bolton could all win the league with results in their favour and a drastic swing in goal difference for the latter.
SEPTEMBER
An unusual season had a fittingly unusual start, rather than kicking off with the first league game of the season in August, clubs started with the first round of the Carabao Cup in September. Cheltenham came up against come familiar faces as they travelled to League One promotion contenders Peterborough United, who had signed midfielder Ryan Broom the month before.
A second half goal from Liam Sercombe saw Cheltenham to a 1-0 win in a real statement of intent. Fan favourite Mo Eisa also lined up for the home side but was kept out by debutant Josh Griffiths.
EFL Trophy action followed, Reuben Reid scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Newport at Rodney Parade.
The first league game of the season was less successful, a 78th minute equalizer and 90+2 winner saw surprise package Morecambe leave the Jonny Rocks Stadium with all three points. Next came round two of the Carabao Cup and a trip to Championship side Millwall, former robin Matt Smith got on the scoresheet in a 3-1 win for the lions.
The second league game came with the first win, a 3-0 win over Tranmere Rovers who had been relegated from League One the previous season, a good challenge and a great win for Cheltenham. A positive Covid test for Grimsby meant that Cheltenham’s last game of September was postponed.
OCTOBER
Fin Azaz and Sam Ling meant that Cheltenham started the month off with a second win on the bounce, coming out 2-0 winners away to Leyton Orient with George Lloyd unlucky to have a goal taken off him and given to the defender. Cup action followed as Plymouth travelled to Whaddon Road in the Papa John’s Trophy, another 2-0 win saw the robins beat the side who were promoted in third place last season.
Another 2-0 win brought a fourth win on the bounce, this time Crawley were the victims thanks to Andy Williams and a third own goal of the season. Grimsby finally made the trip to Cheltenham and walked away with all three points, a disappointing night which left Duff’s side in fifth place.
A fourth 2-0 win in five games turned things back around, now relegated Southend fell to goals from George Lloyd and Liam Sercombe at Roots Hall. Cheltenham climbed into the top three. Scunthorpe were the next visitors and an early Reuben Reid penalty was enough to see them off. A 0-0 draw at home to Mansfield followed before a trip to Port Vale brought a third league defeat of the season, Scott Brown’s side winning 2-1.
The last game of the month was the biggest of the season so far, Gloucestershire rivals Forest Green Rovers making the short trip across the county. It was derby day delight with goals from Will Boyle and another from Andy Williams giving Cheltenham their first win over FGR since 1998.
NOVEMBER
November started with another loss, this time away to Oldham Athletic. Despite scoring first, Duff’s side couldn’t come away with any points due to goals from George Blackwood and Harry Clarke. The FA Cup came to town the week after with Northern Premier League side South Shields falling to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Cheltenham Town.
The final group game of the Papa John’s Trophy followed, Cheltenham beating Norwich U21s 1-0 to top the group. A 2-1 win away to Carlisle and a 3-0 win over Walsall were followed by a top of the table clash against Cambridge United, a Paul Mullin goal in the fifth minute of added time leaving each team with a point.
A third cup game of the month saw Cheltenham beat Crewe Alexandra 2-1 in the second round of the FA Cup, a third win of the season over League One opposition. The game was marred by the actions of Crewe captain Perry Ng who spat on robins coach Wade Elliot after the game, subsequently receiving a six match ban.
DECEMBER
Cheltenham entered December second in the table and started it off with a 2-1 win away to Bradford thanks to goals from Alfie May and Chris Clements. Next up was a very special occasion as the robins faithful descended upon Whaddon Road for the first time this season, a crowd of 1000 in attendance to witness the eight goal thriller and a 5-3 win.
The only cup game to see fans at the Jonny Rocks Stadium saw Portsmouth make the trip up north. A disappointing 3-0 loss followed, and Cheltenham bowed out to last season’s runnners up. It was Cheltenham’s turn to make a trip up north next, a 0-0 draw away to Salford was the result.
The third and final game on show for supporters came soon after, a 91st minute goal from Ryan Delaney giving Bolton all three points. A poor run of form followed as it took Duff’s side six games to pick up another league win. A 3-0 loss to Barrow and draws against Stevenage and Colchester rounded up the month and year.]
JANUARY
The new year kicked off with the visit of Mansfield Town in the third round of The FA Cup, an extra time winner from Will Boyle set the robins up with a glamour tie against Manchester City. In the meantime, two 1-1 draws against Bolton and Newport, which included a world record breaking goal from Tom King, left Cheltenham in sixth place, fourth points off top.
The BBC cameras came to town on the 23rd as the Premier League leaders came to Whaddon Road. Alfie May’s goal in the 59th minute gave robins fans hope of an historical upset but an equalizer from Phil Foden on the 81st minute was followed by goals from Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres. It wasn’t the upset the country had hoped for but it was a game which put the town on the map with the footballing world sharing their respect for Michael Duff and his side.
Back to League Two and back to 2-0 wins, Oldham came in search of a league double over Cheltenham but goals from Alfie May and Andy Williams said otherwise. The month was brought to a close with a 0-0 draw at the New Lawn, with town unable to capitalise on Ebou Adams 69th minute sending off for Rovers. Andy Williams almost stole the three points late on but the linesman flagged for offside.
FEBRUARY
February started with a trip to Football League new boys Harrogate, a game now infamous for the commentators’ comments on the buses to leads heading past the ground. Meanwhile on the pitch, a goal from Will Boyle on the stroke of half time was enough for a 1-0 Cheltenham win. Next up came Walsall who fell to a 2-1 defeat on their own turf, Josh Griffiths in especially fine form that afternoon.
A seventh league defeat followed, with Bradford coming out on top at Whaddon Road, leaving Cheltenham in third, one point above fourth. What followed was one of the biggest games of the season, Cheltenham travelled to league leaders Cambridge knowing that a defeat could spell the end of a title challenge, losing would have left the club eight points off the top.
Sean Long proved to be the difference as a depleted and almost makeshift Cheltenham side came away with all three points after Long headed home Alfie May’s cross. It was a backs to the wall game for large parts but goal line clearances from Ben Tozer and fine form from Griffiths helped the robins to victory.
Yet another 2-0 win followed as goals from new loan signings Callum Wright and Sam Smith saw off Scunthorpe.
MARCH
A 1-0 win over Southend was followed by a 3-2 win against Port Vale giving a string start to March. It proved to be an inconsistent month however as after a 3-1 loss to Mansfield came a 1-0 win over Exeter City thanks to a late Andy Williams goal.
Then came a 2-0 loss to Barrow, then a 2-0 win over Salford, another loss to Morecambe, this time 1-0, followed by a 4-0 win over Tranmere.
APRIL
It was one of the games of the season, goals from Conor Thomas, Will Boyle and Alfie May, as well as a screamer from Callum Wright left Tranmere Rovers for dead in a huge second v third tie in front of the Sky Sports cameras. The game also saw Bolton Wanderers climb into the top three at Tranmere’s expense.
Grimsby were up next and the inconsistent form continued. Will Boyle scored in a 1-1 draw against the Mariners and had a winner ruled out for a foul while battling for a header. Cheltenham found themselves just two points off top, with a game in hand. On the 10th of April a Conor Thomas penalty was enough to beat Leyton Orient, elsewhere Cambridge were beaten 4-0 by Exeter City.
Cheltenham Town were top of the league.
A Jordan Maguire-Drew goal saw Cheltenham fall to defeat at Crawley, Cambridge’s win over Newport saw them retake the top spot. A 1-0 win over Stevenage was accompanied by a 4-2 win for Cambridge at Leyton Orient. Another 1-0 win for Cheltenham, this time over Colchester, put the robins back on their perch as Cambridge fell to Stevenage.
Tuesday the 27th of April is a day that will go down in club history. Joshua Kayode opened the scoring at Whaddon Road to put Carlisle one up and to put the robins faithful into a panic. Up stepped Chris Hussey, striking a free kick on the edge of the box into the top right corner.
1-1.
Cheltenham Town were promoted.
MAY
The first of May brought the first game and the first chance to wrap up the title. Harrogate had beaten Cambridge in a 5-4 thriller the night before and left Cheltenham in the knowledge that three points will mean the league is theirs.
Newport 1-0 Cheltenham.
Next up was Harrogate. Cheltenham went into the final game of the season knowing that only a win would confirm the title. A draw versus the Sulphurites and a win for Cambridge over relegated Grimsby would hand United the league on goal difference.
These worries were put to bed by an inspired Callum Wright. A fine run from the man on loan from Leicester saw Sam Smith fire home to put Cheltenham ahead after Harrogate took an early lead and Sercombe equalized soon after.
Alfie May made it 3-1 going into half time before Wright found the net himself, finding the bottom corner to make it 4-1.
Cheltenham Town were champions.
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