CHELTENHAM TOWN

LAST SEASON

LEAGUE ONE 15th FA CUP Second Round

LEAGUE CUP Third Round TOP SCORER Alfie May ( 26)

FAN FILE

Last season was a fabulous journey to new grounds and unprecedented heights. Beating former Premier League sides in Ipswich and Sunderland were astonishing highlights. The big talking point is Michael Duff. A club legend as a player and manager, he has now departed for Barnsley after leading us to our highest- ever finish in club history. He’s going to the top. This season will be different because after overachieving last season, and with a new manager at the helm, it will be staggering if we manage to improve our league position.

Our key player will be Alfie May [ above]. The striker netted 23 league goals last season and will be tasked with emulating that feat. His success will determine how our campaign goes.

I won’t be happy unless we beat Forest Green Rovers home and away.

Our most underrated player is Sean Long [ below], a dependable defender who can play well in several positions.

Fans think our ground is unique and full of character. At the foot of Cleeve Hill, Whaddon Road is picture perfect.

The active player I’d love to have back is Marlon Pack. The classy midfielder has joined Portsmouth on a free from Cardiff. I’d love to see him in a red- and- white shirt again. The thing my club really gets right is our training ground. It’s a cut above most other lower- league clubs. I’m least looking forward to playing

Bristol Rovers. The away end is awful. Look out for Callum Ebanks, a young forward with lots of promise, who has cut his teeth locally on loan. The opposition player I’d love here is

Sheffield Wednesday’s Barry Bannan. He’s the best player in League One.

The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is that he is a popular replacement for Duff. Wade Elliott has been promoted from first- team coach; he’s articulate, clever and already knows the inner workings.

The pantomime villain will be Dale Vince, Forest Green’s chairman. He loves the sound of his own voice. The one change I’d make would be replacing the main stand. It’s old and badly needs to be modernised.

We’ll finish just above the relegation line, with everything crossed.

FFT VERDICT 24TH

With legendary manager Duff departing, plus key men such as Leicester loanee Callum Wright, this could be a gruelling campaign. New boss Elliott is popular, but it will be hard to make 2022- 23 the continuation of an era and not the end of one. Tough times are ahead.