2023–24 Cheltenham Town F.C. season explained

Club:Cheltenham Town
Season:2023–24
Chairman:David Bloxham
Manager:Wade Elliott
(until 20 September)
Kevin Russell (caretaker)
Darrell Clarke
(from 29 September)[1]
Mgrtitle:Head Coach
Stadium:Whaddon Road
League:League One
League Result:21st (relegated)
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:First round
Cup2:EFL Cup
Cup2 Result:First round
Cup3:EFL Trophy
Cup3 Result:Group stage
Prevseason:2022–23
Nextseason:2024–25

The 2023–24 season is the 137th season in the history of Cheltenham Town and their third consecutive season in League One. The club are participating in League One, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the 2023–24 EFL Trophy.

Current squad

No.NamePositionNationalityPlace of birthDate of birth (Age)Previous clubDate signedFeeContract end
Goalkeepers
1 6 December 1997 11 July 2023 Free 30 June 2024
21 20 July 2000 1 July 2023 Free 30 June 2024
31 Jude Franks Academy 5 September 2023 Trainee 30 June 2024
Defenders
2 2 May 1995 1 July 2018 Free 30 June 2024
3 31 March 1999 5 January 2022 Undisclosed 30 June 2024
4 27 February 1998 1 July 2022 Free 30 June 2024
5 11 September 2001 24 January 2024 Loan 31 May 2024
6 26 October 1999 1 August 2020 Free 30 June 2025
14 6 March 2001 1 February 2024 Loan 31 May 2024
24 13 September 2001 Academy 5 August 2020 Trainee 30 June 2024
33 15 March 1985 1 July 2023 Free 30 June 2024
40 Cameron Walters 9 October 2006 Academy 6 November 2023 Trainee 30 June 2024
Midfielders
7 23 February 1996 24 January 2024 Free 30 June 2025
8 25 April 1990 4 August 2020 Free 30 June 2024
15 7 December 2000 9 August 2022 Undisclosed 30 June 2024
17 5 October 2000 1 September 2022 Undisclosed 30 June 2024
23 23 March 2000 1 July 2021 Free 30 June 2025
25 15 December 1995 22 January 2024 Free 30 June 2024
29 Tom King 20 September 2006 Academy 1 July 2023 Trainee 30 June 2026
30 Freddy Willcox 11 December 2005 Academy 5 September 2023 Trainee 30 June 2024
32 3 July 1996 2 February 2024 Free 30 June 2024
34 3 December 1991 2 November 2023 Free 30 June 2024
35 Brandon Liggett 6 June 2006 Academy 6 November 2023 Trainee 30 June 2024
Forwards
9 30 March 1990 1 February 2024 Free 30 June 2026
10 25 April 1999 29 January 2023 £80,000 30 June 2026
11 26 September 2001 1 July 2023 Free 30 June 2026
19 11 February 2000 Academy 1 July 2018 Trainee 30 June 2024
26 27 January 1997 1 February 2024 Loan 31 May 2024
27 2 May 2001 1 February 2024 Undisclosed 30 June 2026
39 Sopuruchukwu Obieri Academy 6 November 2023 Trainee 30 June 2024
Out on Loan
16 2 September 2001 1 July 2022 Undisclosed 30 June 2024
20 14 September 1999 3 September 2020 Free 30 June 2024
22 10 April 1996 20 July 2023 Free 30 June 2024
28 28 June 2004 Academy 1 July 2022 Trainee 30 June 2024

Transfers

In

DatePosPlayerTransferred fromFeeRef
1 July 2023 Free Transfer [2]
1 July 2023 Free Transfer [3]
1 July 2023 Free Transfer [4]
11 July 2023 Free Transfer [5]
20 July 2023 Free Transfer [6]
3 August 2023 Free Transfer [7]
2 November 2023 [8]
22 January 2024 [9]
24 January 2024 Free Transfer [10]
1 February 2024 Free Transfer [11]
1 February 2024 Jordan Thomas Undisclosed [12]
2 February 2024 Gregory Sloggett Free Transfer [13]

Out

DatePosPlayerTransferred toFeeRef
16 May 2023 Undisclosed [14]
30 June 2023 Released [15]
30 June 2023 Free Transfer [16]
30 June 2023 Released [17]
30 June 2023 Released
30 June 2023 Zac Guinan Released
30 June 2023 Rejected Contract [18] [19]
30 June 2023 Released [20]
30 June 2023 Released
30 June 2023 Mutual Consent [21] [22]
7 July 2023 Undisclosed [23]
19 January 2024 Undisclosed [24]
1 February 2024 Free Transfer [25]
14 February 2024 Free Transfer [26]
15 February 2024 Free Transfer

Loaned in

DatePosPlayerLoaned fromUntilRef
1 August 2023 2 January 2024 [27]
18 August 2023 2 January 2024 [28] [29]
25 August 2023 2 January 2024 [30]
29 August 2023 2 January 2024 [31]
1 September 2023 1 February 2024 [32] [33]
1 September 2023 2 January 2024 [34]
1 September 2023 1 January 2024 [35]
24 January 2024 End of Season [36]
1 February 2024 End of Season [37]
1 February 2024 End of Season [38]

Loaned out

DatePosPlayerLoaned toUntilRef
18 August 2023 15 September 2023 [39]
12 September 2023 End of Season [40] [41]
1 December 2023 End of Season [42]
16 December 2023 End of Season [43] [44]
1 January 2024 15 February 2024 [45] [46]
1 February 2024 End of Season [47]

Pre-season and friendlies

On 19 May, Cheltenham Town announced their first batch of pre-season friendlies, against Evesham United, Swindon Supermarine, Weston-super-Mare and Bristol City.[48] A fifth friendly fixture was later added, against Birmingham City.[49] The club announced a sixth friendly on June 12, against West Bromwich Albion.[50]

Competitions

League One

See main article: 2023–24 EFL League One.

Matches

On 22 June, the EFL League One fixtures were released.[51]

Abandoned match with Bolton Wanderers

On 13 January 2024, during the away at home against Bolton Wanderers, Iain Purslow, a spectator supporting Bolton suffered a cardiac arrest. The match was suspended in the 29th minute resulting in the players leaving the pitch. The match was abandoned 30 minutes later. It was subsequently confirmed that Purslow died later in hospital.[52] [53] On 15 January 2024, it was announced the match would be replayed in full on 23 January 2024. This necessitated rearranging the Burton Albion v Cheltenham fixture, originally scheduled for 23 January 2024.[54] [55]

FA Cup

See main article: 2023–24 FA Cup.

Town were drawn away to AFC Wimbledon in the first round.[56]

EFL Cup

See main article: 2023–24 EFL Cup.

Cheltenham were drawn at home to Birmingham City in the first round.[57]

EFL Trophy

See main article: 2023–24 EFL Trophy. In the group stage, Cheltenham Town were drawn into Southern Group H alongside Newport County, Bristol Rovers and West Ham United U21.[58]

Notes and References

  1. News: Cheltenham appoint Clarke as new head coach . 1 October 2023 . British Broadcasting Corporation . 29 September 2023.
  2. News: Curtis Davies signs for the Robins . 27 June 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 27 June 2023.
  3. News: Pardington jons the Robins . 29 June 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 29 June 2023.
  4. News: Robert Street is a Robin . 30 June 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 30 June 2023.
  5. News: Luke Southwood re-joins the Robins . 11 July 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 11 July 2023.
  6. News: Liam Smith becomes fifth summer signing . 20 July 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 20 July 2023.
  7. News: Curtis Thompson becomes a Robin . 3 August 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 3 August 2023.
  8. News: Tom Pett joins the Robins . 2 November 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 2 November 2023.
  9. News: Josh Harrop is a Robin . 22 January 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 22 January 2024.
  10. News: Liam Kinsella joins Town . 24 January 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 24 January 2024.
  11. News: Matty Taylor is a Robin . 1 February 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 1 February 2024.
  12. News: Jordan Thomas joins Town . 2 February 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 1 February 2024.
  13. News: Robins sign midfielder Greg Sloggett . 2 February 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 2 February 2024.
  14. News: Hutchinson leaves Cheltenham for Sligo Rovers . 16 May 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 16 May 2023.
  15. News: Dylan Barkers Joins the Bulls . 5 August 2023 . Hereford FC . 5 August 2023.
  16. News: Ryan Broom joins Fleetwood . 26 June 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 26 June 2023.
  17. News: Charlie Brown joins Morecambe FC . 23 June 2023 . Morecambe FC . 23 June 2023.
  18. News: Ryan Jackson departs the Robins . 22 June 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 22 June 2023.
  19. News: Welcome Ryan Jackson . 23 June 2023 . Sutton United FC . 23 June 2023.
  20. News: Shaun MacDonald: Exeter City sign goalkeeper on short-term deal . 16 September 2023 . British Broadcasting Corporation . 9 September 2023.
  21. News: 2022/23 retained and released list . 12 May 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 11 May 2023.
  22. News: Latics Add Raglan To Back Line . 3 July 2023 . Oldham Athletic AFC . 3 July 2023.
  23. News: DONE DEAL : ALFIE MAY IS AN ADDICK . 7 July 2023 . Charlton Athletic Official Site . 7 July 2023.
  24. News: Will Goodwin leaves for Oxford United . 19 January 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 19 January 2024.
  25. News: Thompson signs for Grimsby Town . 1 February 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 1 February 2024.
  26. News: Grant Horton joins Waterford on a permanent basis . 15 February 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 14 February 2024.
  27. News: Oli Hammond joins the Robins on loan . 1 August 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 1 August 2023.
  28. News: Luciano D'Auria-Henry is a Robin . 18 August 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 18 August 2023.
  29. News: Six loan players return to parent clubs . 2 January 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 2 January 2023.
  30. News: Owen Bevan joins Robins on loan . 25 August 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 25 August 2023.
  31. News: Robins sign Cameron Peupion on loan . 29 August 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 29 August 2023.
  32. News: Nathan Butler-Oyedeji joins on loan from Arsenal . 1 September 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 1 September 2023.
  33. News: Butler-Oyedeji recalled by Arsenal . 1 February 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 1 February 2024.
  34. News: Jovan Malcolm makes Robins loan switch . 2 September 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 1 September 2023.
  35. News: Blues’ Josh Williams loaned to Cheltenham Town . 1 September 2023 . Birmingham City FC . 1 September 2023.
  36. News: Welcome to Cheltenham Andy Smith . 24 January 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 24 January 2024.
  37. News: Joe Nuttall checks in on Deadline Day . 1 February 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 1 February 2024.
  38. News: Jack Shepherd joins the Robins' ranks . 1 February 2024 . Barnsley FC . 1 February 2024.
  39. News: Pardington heads to Truro City on loan . 18 August 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 18 August 2023.
  40. News: Sambu joins Hungerford Town on loan . 12 September 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 12 September 2023.
  41. News: Sambu extends Hungerford loan . 4 December 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 4 December 2023.
  42. News: Max Harris rejoins Weston-Super-Mare on loan . 1 December 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 1 December 2023.
  43. News: Adshead joins AFC Fylde on short-term loan deal . 17 December 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 16 December 2023.
  44. News: Adshead extends Fylde stay . 30 January 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 30 January 2024.
  45. News: Chapman to join Sligo Rovers on loan until end of the season . 21 December 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 21 December 2023.
  46. News: Ellis Chapman makes permanent move to Sligo Rovers . 15 February 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 15 February 2024.
  47. News: Liam Smith heads to Grimsby Town on loan . 1 February 2024 . Cheltenham Town FC . 1 February 2024.
  48. News: First batch of Robins pre-season fixtures revealed . 20 May 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 19 May 2023.
  49. News: Birmingham City to visit for summer friendly . 1 June 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 1 June 2023.
  50. News: West Bromwich Albion (H) added to pre-season schedule . 12 June 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 12 June 2023.
  51. News: Robins' fixtures for the 2023/24 season announced . 22 June 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 22 June 2023.
  52. News: Bolton v Cheltenham abandoned after medical emergency in stands. The Guardian. 13 January 2024. 14 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240313131206/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/jan/13/bolton-v-cheltenham-abandoned-after-medical-emergency-in-stands. 13 March 2024.
  53. News: Bolton Wanderers vs Cheltenham Town abandoned after medical emergency in crowd. Ben. Burrows. The Athletic. 13 January 2024. 14 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240227180622/https://theathletic.com/5200181/2024/01/13/bolton-cheltenham-medical-emergency/. 27 February 2024.
  54. News: Cheltenham home game postponed. Burton Albion F.C.. 15 January 2024. 14 March 2024. 15 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240115222606/https://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/2024/january/1501-cheltenham2/. live.
  55. News: Bolton Wanderers get Burton Albion help in fixture pile-up. The Bolton News. 15 January 2024. 14 March 2024. 15 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240115201708/https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/24051587.bolton-wanderers-get-burton-albion-help-fixture-pile-up/url-status=live.
  56. News: First Round Proper Draw . 17 October 2023 . The Football Association . 15 October 2023.
  57. News: Robins draw Birmingham City in Carabao Cup round one . 22 June 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 22 June 2023.
  58. News: EFL Trophy Group and Carabao Cup Draw Details . 21 June 2023 . Cheltenham Town FC . 21 June 2023.