Cheltenham Town F.C.

Early Years: 1887–1940

Cheltenham has a history of football prior to The Robins. In 1849, the first use of three official referees in a match, two in field and one in tribune, was recorded in the town. However, the modern club was founded in 1887 by Albert Close White, a local teacher. The club spent its first three decades in local football. Notable players from those days included former England international Philip Bach, cricketers Gilbert Jessop and brothers Charles Barnett and Edgar Barnett.. In December 1931 the club moved to Whaddon Road and turned semi-professional in 1932–33, joining the Birmingham Combination whilst adopting new colours of red and white hooped shirts, black shorts, and red and white stockings. Former England international George Blackburn was appointed player coach, and led the team to third place in their debut season. The following year the club entered the FA Cup, featuring a ten-game journey to the third round before losing to Blackpool in front of a record attendance at the Athletic Ground in Cheltenham. Following a disappointing season in 1934–35, brightened only by winning the Leamington Hospital Cup and the discovery and sale of centre froward James Currier to Bolton Wanderers, the club applied for membership and were accepted to join the Southern League for the 1935–36 season. Town kicked-off their debut Southern League campaign with two firsts. The club appointed its first manager with "complete power" of team selection in George…

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Key Names of caretaker managers are supplied where known, and the names of caretaker managers are highlighted in italics and marked with an asterisk (*).

Sources: League

Third Division / League Two (level 4) Champions: 2020–21 Play-off winners: 2002, 2006 Football Conference / National League (level 5) Champions: 1998–99, 2015–16 Runners-up: 1997–98 Southern League (level 6) Champions: 1984–85 Runners-up: 1955–56, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1996–97 Southern League Midland Division Champions: 1982–83 Cheltenham League Champions: 1910–11, 1913–14 Southern League Division One North Runners-up : 1976–77 Cup

FA Trophy Winners: 1997–98 Southern League Cup Winners: 1957–58 Runners-up; 1968–69, 1984–85 Leamington Hospital Cup Winners: 1934–35 Midland Floodlit Cup Winners: 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88 Gloucestershire Senior Cup Winners: 1998–99 Gloucestershire Senior Amateur North Challenge Cup Winners: 1929–30, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35