Cheltenham Town FC: A Homecoming Story Transforms League Two Strugglers

The Return of a Legend

On 30 September 2025, Cotterill returned to League Two club Cheltenham Town on a three-year contract, marking one of the most emotional homecomings in English football. The club parted company with Michael Flynn after 68 games in charge, and ten days later, Steve Cotterill returned after 23 years to become the new manager. For Cheltenham Town FC, this appointment represents more than just a managerial change—it’s a reunion between the club’s most successful manager and his hometown team.

From Crisis to Hope

Cheltenham were bottom of the Football League when Cotterill returned, having just lost 7-1 against Grimsby. The situation appeared dire for the Robins, who compete in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of English football. However, the impact was immediate and profound. Cheltenham won three and drew one of their four League Two matches in October to claim 10 points, earning Cotterill the League Two Manager of the Month award for October.

The 61-year-old manager’s first spell at Cheltenham between 1997 and 2002 was legendary. 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.

Building for the Future

Cotterill’s return has reignited hope at Whaddon Road. “Everyone just wants us to do well and that has been really powerful. Maybe it was down to me being a local lad but everybody is getting back in love with each other again,” the manager explained. The transformation hasn’t just been tactical—it’s been cultural, reconnecting the club with its supporters and restoring belief in the dressing room.

The 2025–26 season is the 139th season in the history of Cheltenham Town Football Club and their second consecutive season in League Two, with the club participating in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the EFL Trophy. While the club battles to avoid relegation from the Football League, the appointment of Cotterill has provided the catalyst for what could be a remarkable survival story.

Looking Ahead

For Cheltenham Town FC supporters, Cotterill’s return represents hope and stability. His three-year contract until 2028 signals a long-term commitment to rebuilding the club. The early signs are promising—the team has lifted itself from the bottom of the table and is fighting to establish itself safely in League Two. As the season progresses, the Robins and their legendary manager face a crucial test: can they replicate the magic of their first partnership and secure the club’s Football League status? If October’s revival is any indication, Cheltenham Town FC may yet write another remarkable chapter in their storied history.