League One Season Preview 2006/07 – Cheltenham Town

Write-up by David Walker

Cheltenham Town

Odds: 100/one

Previous 5 Seasons2005/06 – 5 (League Two, Promoted), 2004/05 – 14 (League Two), 2003/04 – 14 (League Two), 2002/03 – 21 (League A single, Relegated), 2001/02 – 4 (League Two, Promoted).

2005/06 Cup ProgressFA Cup Fourth Spherical vs Newcastle United (h) – misplaced 1-.Carling Cup Second Round vs Sunderland (a) – lost one-.Football League Trophy Southern Segment Semi Ultimate vs Colchester United (a) – misplaced 1-.

Best Objective Scorer 2005/06: Kayode Odejayi (striker) – 13 goals.

Players OutMichael Taylor (Halifax Town – Free of charge), Gary Bradshaw (North Ferriby United – Free), Scott Musgrove (Stamford – Free of charge).

Cheltenham City won promotion to League One via the play offs at the expense of Grimsby City and manager John Ward feels they are better equipped to compete in the division than previous time all around. The club’s only experience at this stage was in 2002/03 but they have been relegated straight back again to the dungeon after one season. Nonetheless, narrow defeats against Newcastle United and Sunderland in the FA and Carling Cup’s previous season will fill the club with optimism for following season’s problem.

Ward has been promised transfer funds by Chairman Paul Baker he also warned that a mass influx of gamers would not happen. At the time of writing, no new gamers have joined the Whaddon Road outfit, but a number of players and management have pledged their futures to the newly promoted club.

Assistant supervisor Keith Downing has agreed a clean contract extension, thought to be a three yr offer, although Ward not too long ago signed a new 5 year contract. The two have been courted by other clubs but have pledged their foreseeable futures to the Robins.

Striker Steve Guinan has also committed himself to a additional season at the club right after early negotiations appeared to break down and Guinan himself stated he was “anxiously unhappy” at the prospect of only a 1 12 months deal.

Defender Jamie Victory has also been offered a limited expression agreement as he methods up his recovery from groin surgical procedure and hopes he can extend his stay with the Robins.

1 player who has departed the club is defender Michael Taylor, who has joined Conference play-off losers Halifax City. The 23 year outdated, who started his career at Blackburn Rovers, spent two a long time at Whaddon Road and ended very last period with a mortgage spell at Forest Green Rovers.

VerdictArguably a single of the weaker teams in League One particular following time, Cheltenham City could emulate the 2002/03 marketing campaign which noticed them bow out after one particular time. You can back again them at 9/four to be relegated.

About the Author

David Walker runs UK Betting free of charge wager and UK poker sites. A totally free e-mail program: “Seven Days to Greater Betting” is available at equally of these sites.