Cheltenham Town

Cheltenham reap groundshare cash
Cheltenham Town will receive a 'six figure sum' from their deal to share Whaddon Road with Bristol Rovers while the Memorial Stadium is redeveloped. Rovers opted to share with Cheltenham ahead of Yeovil and Swindon. Cheltenham chairman Paul Baker told SSB: "It's towards the lower end of a six figure sum." "Hopefully we'll be able to put some of that money into the playing squad but we need to know which division we'll in before we start talking about budgets." Rovers chairman Ron Craig said: "The decision to share with Cheltenham was made with fans in mind as it is the easiest option for travelling. "The quality of the pitch was also a consideration," he added. "We are looking forward to the continued support of our loyal fans during this difficult time away from the Memorial Stadium. "We really appreciate all the backing they have already given us and hope that they continue to do so while we play away from Bristol." Cheltenham Town chairman Paul Baker stressed that both clubs were doing 'everything possible' to minimise the inconvenience caused to local residents. "We have liaised closely with Gloucestershire Police and have confirmed with the Racecourse that their car park facilities will be available on matchdays to operate a Park & Ride service which will reduce traffic congestion near to the stadium. "We would like to welcome Bristol Rovers to Whaddon Road and hope that their supporters spend an enjoyable and successful two years with us."

Downing targets Villa youngsters
Cheltenham Town manager Keith Downing hopes to loan some youngsters from Aston Villa next season. Downing loaned Richard Keogh, Alex Russell and Steve Brooker from Bristol City this season and he hopes to achieve a similar link with Villa. "There's some promising youngsters out there playing that need experience," he told SSB. " would be no better than getting experience at Cheltenham and seeing some good young talent."

Cheltenham in race for Boulding
Cheltenham want to sign former Aston Villa forward Michael Boulding who is a free agent after leaving Mansfield. The 32-year-old scored 25 goals last season but left the club after they were relegated to the Conference. "We are due to meet him at the end of the week," manager Keith Downing told the club's website. "There is a lot of interest in him from elsewhere and he is training with Bradford at the moment, but we have thrown our name into the frame." Meanwhile, midfielder Craig Armstrong appears to have escaped without serious injury after a clash of heads in the second half of Town's friendly against Hinckley. Armstrong was stretchered off with a cut lip, but the club said on Wednesday that he had suffered no ill effects. Cheltenham won the game 2-1 with strikes from Ashley Vincent and Paul Connor. "Ashley took his goal well and led the line well," Downing added. "The goal will also do Paul Connor the power of good. "As I've said before I'm not really interested in pre-season results but it's nice to win again and it's a good morale booster for the boys."

Downing considers Horsfield move
Cheltenham Town boss Keith Downing has handed a trial to Geoff Horsfield as he seeks to add a striker to his squad. Veteran Horsfield, 34, is a free agent after being released by Sheffield United at the end of last season. "Geoff is just training with us at the moment. When fit he is a very good player," Downing told the club website. Downing has also offered trials to defenders Andy Nicholas, who left Swindon at the end of last season, and Callum Hart, latterly of Weymouth. The Whaddon Road boss confirmed that he will not be pursuing his interest in Richard Langley after the former Luton midfielder featured in Saturday's defeat at Oxford. "Richard is a good player but he's similar to what we have at the moment and I need something a bit different," he said.

Cheltenham spirit delights Allen
New Cheltenham Town boss Martin Allen was delighted with his side's spirit after they beat Bristol Rovers 2-1 in his first game in charge. Barry Hayles scored twice to put the Robins in charge, but Allen told Radio Gloucestershire his players coped well after Rickie Lambert replied. He said: "All the players acquitted themselves well and stuck together. "They put their bodies on the line, defended valiantly and held out for the win," he added. "And it was, it must be said, two very good goals by Barry Hayles." Allen was impressed with the way the Whaddon Road crowd got behind his side as the clock ticked down towards full time. And he admitted he thoroughly enjoyed his first 90 minutes at the Cheltenham helm. "It was a lovely occasion, a lovely evening, the pitch was beautiful, the crowd were passionate," he said. "They got behind all the players and gave them real backing, especially in the second half when it was backs to the wall at 2-1."

Memorial to remain home to Rovers
Bristol Rovers chairman Nick Higgs has announced the club will remain at the Memorial Stadium during the redevelopment process. Plans for Bristol's Memorial Stadium to be expanded were given the go-ahead in 2007 but revised when the Stadium Project was delayed in June. The new plans will allow the club to stay during construction without a move to Cheltenham Town's Whaddon Road. The redevelopment process will be done in two phases and should begin in 2009. Rovers chairman Nick Higgs told the club's website the stadium will maintain a capacity of 8,500 at all times during construction. "We will be able to maintain the majority of the corporate and spectator facilities during phase one and replacement facilities will come on line during phase two. "This approach will retain much needed income for the club during construction and accommodate our corporate partners and fans on match days," he added. Higgs said car parking has been reduced "but plans are being made to advance the Park and Ride scheme". He added: "The playing surface will be moved to its new position during the close season between phases one and two. "Due to the current turmoil in the financial markets, it is not certain that we will be able to achieve the necessary funding in the manner we first planned, and the board are now exploring alternative proposals with various other parties. "Needless to say, nothing will be done that will put the club at risk, and progress will be made when the time is right." A further announcement will be made by the club about funding in January.

Cheltenham facing striking crisis
Cheltenham Town boss Martin Allen could try to make a loan signing after being reduced to one fit striker for Saturday's home game against Leeds. Loanee Stuart Fleetwood has returned to Charlton, Lloyd Owusu is suspended and Ashley Vincent has a wrist injury. Damien Spencer has not played since a summer knee operation, leaving Paul Connor as Allen's only forward option. Meanwhile, Allen has extended the loans of midfielders Josh Payne from West Ham and Lewis Montrose from Wigan Athletic.

Cheltenham hope for loan signing
Cheltenham Town manager Martin Allen is in the market for new players with the team hit with injuries. The Robins have only one fit striker in Paul Connor, with Ashley Vincent out injured and Damian Spencer still working his way back from knee trouble. Stuart Fleetwood is returning to Charlton after a one-month loan. Allen told Radio Gloucestershire: "Decent players are wanted by other clubs so it's not always easy to get them but we will keep trying." He continued: "We've got injuries. We've got suspensions but whatever happens, we will put out a team. "There is no criticisms of the players at all for their efforts on the training pitch. "I've got a lot of respect for the players so far since I've been here and with that hard work continuing then over time results will come their way." Cheltenham Town will take on Leeds United at Whaddon Road on Saturday at 1500 GMT.

Finnigan returns for Cheltenham
John Finnigan made his first appearance in a Cheltenham Town shirt for over a year in Monday's 2-0 reserve team defeat to Bristol Rovers. Two heel operations have kept the 32-year-old midfielder out of action since October 2007. He told the Western Daily Press website: "It is a relief to come through it unscathed. "The heel and foot felt good and it is the most positive I have felt about things since I picked up the injury." Midfielder David Bird and striker Damian Spencer also made returns from injury in the game.

Diallo set for Cheltenham switch
Cheltenham Town are set to sign on-loan defender Drissa Diallo from MK Dons on a permanent 18-month deal in January. The 35-year-old joined the Robins on loan from the Dons in September and he has made seven appearances since. Robins manager Martin Allen announced the impending deal for the centre-back at a fans' forum on Thursday. He also confirmed his interest in signing loanees Steve Brooker, a striker from Bristol City, and Leicester's James Wesolowski.

Spencer hopeful of replay role
Cheltenham striker Damien Spencer wants to prove his fitness so he can push for a starting place in the Robins' FA Cup replay at Oldham on Tuesday week. Spencer told BBC Gloucestershire: "I've been coming in early and working hard on strengthening exercises in the last three weeks to get my fitness up." "There is a reserve game on Tuesday and hopefully I can play a bigger part than I did in the game last Monday." Spencer has yet to play a full game since his knee operation in the summer. Cheltenham held a 2-0 half time lead at Whaddon Road on Saturday. But Chris Taylor's early second-half penalty, followed by Danny Whitaker's deflected shot a quarter of an hour from time set up a Boundary Park replay on 18 November (1945 GMT). "The lads are still positive," said Spencer. "Hopefully we can go up there and get a result. "We went there in 2002 and nicked the game 2-1 and anything can happen in the Cup, so you never know."

Bloomer position under discussion
Cheltenham Town have confirmed that assistant boss Bob Bloomer will not take part in first-team training until talks over his future are finished. Bloomer, who has been at the club since 1992 as a player and coach, requested a meeting with manager Martin Allen following speculation over his role. A statement on the Robins website read: "The club is undertaking discussions with Bob about his future at the club. "We are unable to say if his contract will be renewed at the end of May." It continued: "Pending the outcome of current discussions, Bob will not be taking part in first-team training but remains a valued member of staff."

Allen praises Cheltenham effort
Cheltenham Town boss Martin Allen said he could have no complaints about the effort made by his players in the 3-2 loss to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday. The defeat at the Memorial Ground extended Cheltenham's winless run to eight games. Allen told Points West: "Overall the commitment, energy and desire of the players is there. "They do get anxious when they're not winning and when you get anxious you make bad decisions." The defeat to Bristol Rovers leaves Cheltenham lying 23rd in League One, five points from safety. Cheltenham boss Allen to stay positive "We'll reinforce the things we're doing well and the things we need to improve on," said Allen. "We'll keep working on it and keep working hard on the training pitch. "Personally I need to keep strong, keep positive and reiterate what I see as good play and improve it," he added.

Cheltenham capture Reading winger
Teenage Reading winger Michail Antonio has joined Cheltenham Town on a month-long loan deal. The 18-year-old scored in the Royals reserves' 5-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday after being recalled from a loan spell at Tooting & Mitcham. Antonio is available to make his Robins debut in Saturday's League One clash at Leeds United. Cheltenham have also extended the loan of fellow Reading winger Nicholas Bignall, 18, for a second month.

Duff warned not to rush recovery
Cheltenham Town physio Ian Weston has revealed the surgeon who operated on Shane Duff's Achilles only treated it after assurances from the player. Professor Nicola Maffulli told the 27-year-old defender his recovery must take six months to be successful. Weston told Gloucestershire: "He looked at Shane and said 'if you want to rush and come back in three months, I'll refuse to do the surgery'." And he confirmed Cheltenham tried all other options before the operation. The Cheltenham physio said Maffulli is rated as the top surgeon in Europe, with the operation Duff underwent having an 85-90% success rate providing there is a longer rehabilitation process. Weston added: "He said you may get different advice that this kind of surgery only needs three months rehabilitation. "But he said that there was a certain amount of risk of it failing."

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