2020–21 Forest Green Rovers F.C. season explained

Club:	Forest Green Rovers
Season:	2020–21
Manager:	Mark Cooper (until 11 April)^[1] Jimmy Ball (interim as of 11 April)
Mgrtitle:	Head Coach
Chairman:	Dale Vince
Stadium:	The New Lawn
League:	League Two
League Result:	6th (lost playoffs semi-final)
Cup1:	FA Cup
Cup1 Result:	First round
Cup2:	EFL Cup
Cup2 Result:	First round
Cup3:	EFL Trophy
Cup3 Result:	Second round
League Topscorer:	Jamille Matt (17)
Season Topscorer:	Jamille Matt (17)
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Prevseason:	2019–20
Nextseason:	2021–22

The 2020–21 season was Forest Green Rovers' 132nd season in their history and the fourth consecutive season in EFL League Two. Along with League Two, the club also participated in this season's editions of the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy.

The season covers the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.

Transfers

Transfers in

Date	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee
1 July 2020					Free transfer	^[2]
3 July 2020					Free transfer	^[3]
7 July 2020			Jack Evans		Free transfer	^[4]
8 July 2020					Free transfer	^[5]
15 July 2020					Free transfer	^[6]
16 July 2020			Jake Young		Free transfer	^[7]
20 July 2020					Free transfer	^[8]
21 July 2020					Free transfer	^[9]
10 August 2020					Free transfer	^[10]
26 August 2020					Free transfer	^[11]
7 January 2021					Undisclosed	^[12]

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Date until
23 September 2020					End of season	^[13]
16 October 2020					End of season	^[14] ^[15]
11 January 2021					End of season	^[16]
19 January 2021					End of season	^[17]

Loans out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Date until
15 August 2020					End of season	^[18]
8 October 2020					November 2020	^[19]
12 October 2020						^[20]
27 November 2020					December 2020	^[21]
1 December 2020					January 2021	^[22]
5 January 2021					End of season	^[23]
5 January 2021					End of season	^[24]
8 February 2021					March 2021	^[25]

Transfers out

Date	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee
1 July 2020					Released	^[26]
1 July 2020					Released	^[27]
1 July 2020					Released	^[28] ^[29]
1 July 2020					Free transfer	^[30]
1 July 2020						^[31]
1 July 2020					Released	^[32]
1 July 2020					Released	^[33]
1 July 2020					Released	^[34]
1 July 2020					Released	^[35]
2 July 2020			Oliver Artwell		Free transfer	^[36]
31 July 2020			Alfie Saunders		Free transfer	^[37]
8 August 2020					Free transfer	^[38]
3 September 2020			Daniel Bradshaw		Free transfer	^[39]
5 January 2021					Undisclosed	^[40]
10 January 2021					Undisclosed	^[41]

Competitions

EFL League Two

See main article: 2020–21 EFL League Two.

Matches

The 2020–21 season fixtures were released on 21 August.^[42]

Play-offs

See main article: 2021 English Football League play-offs.

FA Cup

See main article: 2020–21 FA Cup.

The first round draw was made on 26 October 2020.^[43]

EFL Cup

See main article: 2020–21 EFL Cup.

The first round draw was made on 18 August, live on Sky Sports, by Paul Merson.^[44]

EFL Trophy

See main article: 2020–21 EFL Trophy.

The regional group stage draw was confirmed on 18 August.^[45] The second round draw was made by Matt Murray on 20 November, at St Andrew's.^[46]

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Last updated 23 May 2021.

|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Goalkeepers|-

! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Defenders|-

! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Midfielders|-

! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Forwards|}

Top scorers

Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by squad number when total goals are equal.

Last updated 23 May 2021.

width=60		width=60	Position	width=80	Nationality	width=60		width=180	Player	width=100	EFL League Two	width=80	EFL Cup	width=80	EFL Trophy	width=80	FA Cup	width=80	Total
1	FW		14	Jamille Matt	17	0	0	0	17
2	FW		10	Aaron Collins	11	0	0	0	11
3	FW		18	Jake Young	6	0	1	1	8
4	FW		9	Matty Stevens	2	0	3	0	5
	MF		17	Odin Bailey	4	0	1	0	5
5	MF		11	Nicky Cadden	4	0	0	0	4
6	DF		5	Chris Stokes	2	0	1	0	3
	MF		8	Ebou Adams	3	0	0	0	3
	MF		20	Elliott Whitehouse	2	0	0	1	3
	FW		23	Josh Davison	3	0	0	0	3
7	DF		6	Baily Cargill	2	0	0	0	2
	MF		7	Carl Winchester	2	0	0	0	2
	DF		15	Jordan Moore-Taylor	2	0	0	0	2
8	DF		2	Kane Wilson	1	0	0	0	1
	MF		21	Scott Wagstaff	1	0	0	0	1
	Own goals				1	1	0	0	0
	TOTALS				63	1	6	2	72

Cleansheets

Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by squad number when total cleansheets are equal.

Last updated 23 May 2021.

width=60		width=60	Position	width=80	Nationality	width=60		width=180	Player	width=100	EFL League Two	width=80	EFL Cup	width=80	EFL Trophy	width=80	FA Cup	width=80	Total
1
	GK		1	Luke McGee	11	0	0	0	11
2
	GK		24	Lewis Thomas	5	0	1	0	6
TOTALS					16	0	1	0	17

Disciplinary record

Includes all competitive matches.

Last updated 23 May 2021.

Position	Nationality	Number	Name	League Two		EFL Cup		EFL Trophy		FA Cup		Total
				width=60 style="background: #FFEE99"		width=60 style="background: #FF8888"		width=60 style="background: #FFEE99"		width=60 style="background: #FF8888"		width=60 style="background: #FFEE99"		width=60 style="background: #FF8888"		width=60 style="background: #FFEE99"		width=60 style="background: #FF8888"		width=60 style="background: #FFEE99"		width=60 style="background: #FF8888"
MF		8	Ebou Adams	11	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	12	3
MF		20	Elliott Whitehouse	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1
DF		6	Liam Kitching	6	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	7	0
FW		10	Aaron Collins	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
DF		6	Baily Cargill	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
MF		7	Carl Winchester	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
DF		2	Kane Wilson	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
DF		5	Chris Stokes	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
FW		14	Jamille Matt	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
MF		17	Odin Bailey	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
DF		22	Udoka Godwin-Malife	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
DF		15	Jordan Moore-Taylor	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
MF		21	Scott Wagstaff	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	0
MF		4	Dan Sweeney	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
MF		11	Nicky Cadden	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
DF		3	Dom Bernard	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
FW		12	Taylor Allen	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
DF		16	Jack Evans	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
FW		23	Josh Davison	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
GK		24	Lewis Thomas	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
DF		25	Jayden Richardson	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
MF		26	Vaughn Covil	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
			TOTALS	69	4	1	0	4	0	1	0	75	4

Notes and References

1. Web site: Forest Green sack head coach Cooper . BBC . 12 April 2021.
2. News: Forest Green Rovers signs Dan Sweeney . 1 July 2020 . . 1 July 2020 .
3. News: Forest Green signs Nicky Cadden . 3 July 2020 . . 3 July 2020 . 4 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200704022248/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/july-2020/news-forest-green-signs-nicky-cadden . dead .
4. News: Forest Green signs Jack Evans from Blackburn Rovers . 7 July 2020 . . 7 July 2020 . 8 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200708000349/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/july-2020/news-forest-green-signs-jack-evans-from-blackburn-rovers . dead .
5. News: Forest Green signs Kane Wilson . 8 July 2020 . . 8 July 2020 .
6. News: Forest Green swoop for former Portsmouth goalkeeper . 15 July 2020 . . 15 July 2020 . 15 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200715215858/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/july-2020/news-forest-green-swoop-for-former-portsmouth-goalkeeper2 . dead .
7. News: Former Sheffield United striker pens two-year Forest Green deal . 16 July 2020 . . 16 July 2020 . 16 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200716093015/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/july-2020/news-former-sheffield-united-striker-pens-two-year-forest-green-deal . dead .
8. News: Forest Green confirm signing of experienced striker Jamille Matt . 20 July 2020 . . 20 July 2020 . 20 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200720202040/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/july-2020/forest-green-confirm-signing-of-experienced-striker-jamille-matt . dead .
9. News: Rovers capture Moore-Taylor from MK Dons . 21 July 2020 . . 21 July 2020 . 21 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200721100734/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/july-2020/signing-rovers-capture-moore-taylor-from-mk-dons . dead .
10. News: FGR capture exciting attacking midfielder Elliott Whitehouse . 10 August 2020 . . 10 August 2020 . 25 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200925222836/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/august-2020/signing-fgr-capture-exciting-attacking-midfielder-elliott-whitehouse . dead .
11. News: Rovers swoop to sign Wagstaff . 26 August 2020 . . 26 August 2020 .
12. News: Cargill checks into innocent New Lawn . 7 January 2021 . . 7 January 2021 . 21 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210121225358/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/january-2021/signing-cargill-checks-into-innocent-new-lawn . dead .
13. News: Wing-back Richardson joins on loan . Forest Green Rovers - Official Site . 23 September 2020 . 13 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201013091023/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/september-2020/signing-wing-back-richardson-joins-on-loan . dead .
14. Web site: Bailey re-joins on loan . Forest Green Rovers FC . 16 October 2020 . 24 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201024033448/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/october-2020/signing-bailey-re-joins-on-loan . dead .
15. Web site: Forest Green extend Bailey loan deal . British Broadcasting Corporation . 11 January 2021.
16. Web site: Hutchinson makes Rovers move . Forest Green Rovers FC . 11 January 2021 . 17 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210117142017/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/january-2021/signing-hutchinson-makes-rovers-move . dead .
17. Web site: Davison links up with FGR . Forest Green Rovers FC . 19 January 2021 . 7 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210207044528/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/january-2021/signing-davison-links-up-with-fgr . dead .
18. News: Smith departs for Yeovil . 15 August 2020 . . 15 August 2020 .
19. Web site: Covil makes Salisbury loan switch . Forest Green Rovers FC . 9 October 2020 . 11 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201011104435/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/october-2020/news-covil-makes-salisbury-loan-switch . dead .
20. Web site: Allen Joins Pitmen On Loan From FGR . Hednesford Town FC . 12 October 2020.
21. Web site: Allen makes Brakes loan switch . Forest Green Rovers FC . 27 November 2020 . 7 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201207004541/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/november-2020/news-allen-makes-brakes-loan-switch . dead .
22. Web site: Evans makes loan switch to Crusaders . Forest Green Rovers FC . 1 December 2020 . 21 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210121233315/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/december-2020/news-evans-makes-loan-switch-to-crusaders . dead .
23. Web site: Harrogate Town sign Forest Green Rovers striker Josh March on loan . Gloucestershire Echo . 5 January 2021.
24. Web site: Stevens makes Boro loan switch . Forest Green Rovers FC . 5 January 2021 . 9 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210109183616/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/january-2021/news-stevens-makes-boro-loan-switch . dead .
25. Web site: Jack Evans makes temporary City switch . Forest Green Rovers - Official Site . 8 February 2021 .
26. News: Dawson swaps the Lawn for Meadow Park . 23 September 2020 . Gloucester City AFC - Official Site .
27. News: Robbie gets Frear factor . 23 September 2020 . Heart of Midlothian - Official Site.
28. News: Forest Green Rovers confirm player releases . 15 June 2020 . . 15 June 2020 . 15 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200615181515/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/june-2020/news-forest-green-rovers-confirm-player-releases . dead .
29. News: Weston bring back Dayle Grubb to the club following spell with Forest Green Rovers . 9 August 2020 . . 6 August 2020 . 9 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200809072018/https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/sport/football/weston-re-sign-grubb-following-forest-green-release-1-6781555 . dead .
30. News: Nathan McGinley: Defender joins Motherwell on two-year deal . 16 June 2020 . . 15 June 2020.
31. News: Former Nottingham Forest defender announces retirement with 'emotional' message . 15 July 2020 . . 14 July 2020.
32. News: Junior Mondal Joins The Coasters . 23 September 2020 . AFC Fylde - Official Site.
33. News: Stags land commanding centre-half . 17 July 2020 . . 17 July 2020.
34. News: Liam Shephard joins Exiles on one-year deal . 2 September 2020 . . 2 September 2020.
35. News: Grimsby Town sign Welsh international midfielder George Williams . 14 August 2020 . . 13 August 2020.
36. News: Hungerford sign up Artwell . 8 July 2020 . Non League Daily . 2 July 2020.
37. News: Ross McNeilly 30/7/20 . 9 August 2020 . . 31 July 2020.
38. News: Northampton Town Sign Joseph Mills . 9 August 2020 . . 9 August 2020.
39. News: Trio sign for City . 23 September 2020 . Winchester City - Official Site . 21 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200921082612/http://www.winchestercityfc.co.uk/club-news/posts/trio-sign-for-city . dead .
40. Web site: Kitching joins Barnsley for club record fee received . Forest Green Rovers FC . 5 January 2021 . 8 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210108183854/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/january-2021/news-kitching-joins-barnsley-for-club-record-fee-received . dead .
41. Web site: Carl Winchester joins Sunderland . Forest Green Rovers FC . 10 January 2021 . 10 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210110220950/https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/january-2021/news-carl-winchester-joins-sunderland . dead .
42. News: Sky Bet League Two fixtures 2020/21 . 21 August 2020 . . 21 August 2020.
43. Web site: FA Cup first round: Chorley, Skelmersdale and Marine to face EFL clubs . . 26 October 2020.
44. News: Carabao Cup Round One draw confirmed . 18 August 2020 . . 18 August 2020.
45. News: EFL Trophy Regional Groups confirmed . 18 August 2020 . . 18 August 2020.
46. Web site: Papa John’s Trophy Round Two draw . English Football League . 27 November 2020.