'It's imperative we keep Cheltenham in the EFL'

THE man who led Cheltenham Town into the Football League for the first time 26 years ago says it is “imperative” the Robins preserve their status among the country’s elite 92 clubs this season.

- JON PALMER

But Steve Cotterill, who has returned to his hometown club as manager on a three-year contract, says time and patience will be required as he bids to turn around the fortunes of a team bottom of Sky Bet League Two after ten games.

After taking his first training session yesterday morning, Cotterill was officially unveiled to the media, confirming his newly-assembled backroom staff of Keith Burt (head of recruitment), Russell Milton (chief scout) and Rob Edwards (assistant manager), while Ashley Vincent remains first-team coach.

With a home match against Fleetwood on Saturday to prepare for, Cotterill knows there is little room for sentiment in their current predicament, but he did admit it was an emotional occasion as he returned to the club he represented on the pitch as a teenager before going on to play in the Premier League with Wimbledon.

‘The news of his second spell as boss has been met with an overwhelmingly positive reaction from supporters, whether or not they are old enough to remember his groundbreaking tenure of three promotions between 1997 and 2002.

“It has been an emotional day, that’s for sure,’ Cotterill said, before pausing to regain composure.

“The game is nothing without the fans, whether it’s the older ones or the 1887 Red Army and the younger ones, it’s all about the supporters. If you make them happy, it’s what the game is all about. To have that level of support from all of them is incredible for me.”