The 2025–26 season is the 139th season in the history of Cheltenham Town Football Club and their second consecutive season in League Two. In addition to the domestic league, the club also will participate in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the EFL Trophy.
Managerial changes On 20 September, the club parted company with Michael Flynn after 68 games in charge with a win ratio of 36.8%. Ten days later, Steve Cotterill returned after 23 years to become the new manager on a three-year contract.
Transfers and contracts In DatePos.PlayerFromFeeRef. 1 July 2025 CF Lee Angol Morecambe Free 1 July 2025 CB Robbie Cundy Notts County 25 July 2025 RM Ryan Broom Fleetwood Town 28 July 2025 CB James Wilson Bristol Rovers 8 August 2025 LB George Harmon Ross County 15 August 2025 LW Josh Martin Newport County 4 October 2025 CM Ben Stevenson Cambridge United 10 October 2025 CB Jonathan Tomkinson Norwich City 10 November 2025 RW Hakeeb Adelakun Salford City 8 January 2026 CF Jake Bickerstaff Wrexham Undisclosed LB George Nurse Shrewsbury Town Free
Out DatePos.PlayerToFeeRef. 18 July 2025 CF Matty Taylor Salisbury Free Transfer 29 July 2025 LW Liam Dulson Maidenhead United Undisclosed 1 September 2025 LM Ethon Archer Luton Town 29 January 2026 RB Darragh Power Bohemians Free Transfer
Loaned in DatePos.PlayerFromDate untilRef. 7 July 2025 LB Taine Anderson Bristol City 7 January 2026 29 July 2025 CB Jokūbas Mažionis Ipswich Town 2 January 2026 29 July 2025 CF Jake Bickerstaff Wrexham 8 January 2026 1 September 2025 LM Ethon Archer Luton Town 3 January 2026 CM Isaac Hutchinson Bristol Rovers 6 January 2026 CB Sam Sherring Milton Keynes Dons 31 May 2026 CF Tom Taylor Ipswich Town 13 January 2026 21 January 2026 CM Cole Deeming West Bromwich Albion 31 May 2026 27 January 2026 CF Josh Davison Tranmere Rovers 2 February 2026 CAM Harry Ashfield Wrexham CF Mo Faal CM Isaac Hutchinson Bristol Rovers
Loaned out DatePos.PlayerToDate untilRef. 17 July 2025 CF Sopuruchukwu Obieri Gloucester City 9 January 2026 21 July 2025 CB Cameron Walters Evesham United 19 September 2025 CM Harry Tustin Salisbury 19 November 2025 10 October 2025 CB Ibrahim Bakare Gateshead 9 January 2026 31 October 2025 CF Tom King Worthing 3 January 2026 9 February 2026 CDM Scot Bennett Weston-super-Mare 31 May 2026 12 February 2026 CB Mark Barber Taunton Town Work Experience 17 February 2026 CM Harry Tustin Hereford 17 March 2026 LB Freddy Willcox 24 February 2026 CM Tommy Backwell Weston-super-Mare 31 May 2026
Released / Out of Contract DatePos.PlayerSubsequent clubJoin dateRef.30 June 2025 CB Tom Bradbury Harrogate Town 1 July 2025 GK Owen Evans Barnet GK Max Harris Weston-super-Mare CM Brandon Liggett Evesham United CM Tom Pett Oldham Athletic CF Ryan Bowman 9 December 2025 CM Harry Pell Bath City 18 December 2025 12 December 2025 CF Lee Angol 6 January 2026 RW Hakeeb Adelakun Doncaster Rovers 6 January 2026 22 January 2026 CDM Liam Kinsella Hednesford Town 22 January 2026 3 February 2026 CB Ibrahim Bakare CM Harrison Sohna
New Contract DatePos.PlayerContract untilRef. 2 June 2025 DM Liam Kinsella 30 June 2026 2 July 2025 GK Joe Day 30 June 2027 3 July 2025 CM Harry Tustin Undisclosed CB Cameron Walters 4 July 2025 LB Freddy Willcox 30 June 2026
Pre-season and friendlies On 19 May, Cheltenham Town announced they would begin pre-season preparations with a trip to face Bishop's Cleeve. A week later, a second fixture was added, against Worcester City. A third fixture was later confirmed, against Evesham United. On 3 June, two home friendlies were announced, against Wycombe Wanderers and Swansea City. A week later, a sixth friendly was announced against Bristol City.
Competitions League Two
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches On 26 June, the League Two fixtures were released, with Cheltenham visiting Cambridge United on the opening day.
FA Cup
Cheltenham were drawn at home to Bradford City in the first round, Buxton in the second round and Leicester City in the third round.
EFL Cup
Cheltenham were drawn at home to Exeter City in the first round and away to Cardiff City in the second round.
EFL Trophy
Cheltenham were drawn against Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle and Tottenham Hotspur U21 in the group stage.
Statistics Appearances and goals Players with no appearances are not included on the list; italics indicate a loaned in player
|colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season:
References