Cheltenham Town Football Club was formed in 1892 and began by playing friendlies before joining the Mid Gloucester League. They were the champions of that league in 1897.

The club turned professional in 1932, the same year that they moved to their current ground at Whaddon Road.

The Robins have spent most of their time since the Second World War in the Southern League although they did manage a spell in the Conference in the 1980`s.

They then enjoyed a rapid rise into the Football League after the appointment of Steve Cotterill as manager in 1997. They progressed from the Southern League into the Conference in 1997. Although the Robins were only runners up behind Gresley Rovers they were promoted because Gresley`s ground was not of the required standard.

Cheltenham were also runners up in their first season back in the Conference and then won the championship in 1999 to progress into the Football League.

After two solid seasons they made the play offs in 2002. The Robins should have secured automatic promotion but collected only four points from their final five games to finish 4th. They made up for this in the play offs, however, beating Hartlepool United on penalties in the semi finals before winning 3-1 against Rushden & Diamonds in the final.

With Cotterill leaving the club for Stoke City Cheltenham were relegated immediately in 2003 after losing their final game of the season 1-0 at Notts County.