On the ball for kick-off
CHELTENHAM Town’s Open Day was a resounding success. A selection of great players from the past returned to take on a supporters’ XI, while the current squad, manager Michael Duff and his backroom team met fans, signed autographs and posed for photos at the club’s training ground.
The veterans ran out 4-2 winners in the match thanks to a brace from Andy Gallinagh and one each from Jason Eaton and Neil Grayson.
Jordan Pearce and James Pegram replied for the supporters, who were managed by goalscoring great Mark Boyland.
Duff, Grayson and last year’s player of the year Luke Varney took part in a Q&A session hosted by Sky Sports presenter Ed Draper.
The giant flag made in tribute to Leyton Orient manager Justin Edinburgh was also unveiled.
Cheltenham visit Orient on the opening day of the season in what will be the London club’s first competitive match without their manager, who died in June at the age of 49.
Nearly £2,000 has been raised by Robins fans to produce the flag, which reads “He made you dream again” with the rest of the cash going to the Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation set up by his family in his memory.
The flag will be paraded at Brisbane Road before kick-off at Saturday’s game and then remain in the away end for the rest of the campaign.
There were three coaching sessions put on for young fans at Seasons, with the Academy, Community Trust and Cheltenham Town Ladies all involved.
Associate director Murry Toms said: “We are really pleased with how the day went and we wanted the emphasis to be on interaction.
“The current players were a credit to the club, the legends were brilliant and the coaches put on some fun sessions for the kids.
“It was great to see so many young fans enjoying themselves and the past, present and future coming together.
“Seeing Neil Grayson score with a trademark header was also a highlight!”
The legends squad, who included current youth team goalkeeper Freddie Lapworth was as follows: Freddie Lapworth; Steve Jones, John Brough, Steve Elliott, Richard Walker; Keith Knight, Andy Gallinagh, Lee Howells, David Norton; Jason Eaton, Liam O’neill. Subs: Simon Goodwin, David Parker, Nick Gazzard, Neil Grayson, Damian Spencer.