Building for the (new) Future

In April 2024, the Robins Trust launched Cheltenham Town: Building for the Future, a blueprint for how we - as supporters, shareholders, and stakeholders - believe our club can grow, on and off the pitch.

The plan was deliberately ambitious. It was born out of a desire to not just reflect on where we are as a club, but what we could be.

We laid out practical proposals across a range of areas - from ground development and community leadership, to supporter engagement and long-term sustainability.

Above all, it was designed to be a conversation starter: A document to prompt action, dialogue, and collaboration. The Cheltenham Town community wholeheartedly bought into this vision - and off the back of the publication, Trust membership increased by 40%.

Laying the groundwork

On the pitch, 2024/25 was a season of mixed fortunes. There were memorable moments and performances from players who were previous unknowns under a manager who has bought into what our Club is all about. While we didn’t hit the heights some had hoped for, there were grounds for optimism.

It wasn’t a season defined by promotion or relegation, but one where foundations were laid - and sometimes, that’s exactly what’s needed.

Off the pitch, progress was slower than we hoped.

Some of the ideas we presented didn’t get the reception we would have liked, and that naturally led to a degree of frustration - especially as many of our suggestions were rooted in what fans told us they wanted to see.

It also became clear that the Club’s focus was going to shift to seeking new investment, meaning that many of our proposals were put on ice as the finite resources were shifted in that direction.

What hasn’t changed is our desire, and commitment, to playing our part in shaping a Cheltenham Town that is fit for the future.

Our role as a Supporters Trust isn’t just to challenge or push for progress, it’s also to work in partnership with our fellow owners, to build, support, and offer ideas that are grounded in the long-term sustainability and success of the Club.

Many of the proposals in Building for the Future remain just as relevant today, and with renewed energy around the possibility of new investment, we believe this is the moment to revisit the proposals and consider how the Club might put them into action.

Our progress as a Trust

While progress has been slower than we would like on some fronts, the Trust has not stood still. Over the past 14 months we’ve made tangible strides:

• Shadow Board engagement: We’ve worked closely with the Club's Supporter Liaison Officer, other Supporters Trusts, the Football Supporters Association and the EFL to shape and support the new Shadow Board - a key step in ensuring the Club is compliant to the Fan Engagement protocols of the new Football Governance Bill.
• Bike shelter installation: A direct outcome of fan feedback - we’ve delivered a new bike shed at the stadium, offering a small but meaningful improvement to the matchday experience and our club’s environmental footprint.
• Investor readiness: Behind the scenes, we’ve built a robust set of criteria and key questions for any prospective investors - ensuring that if new owners arrive, we are ready to ask the right questions on behalf of fans.
• Trust Growth and Skills: We’ve welcomed new members to the Robins Trust Board with expertise in areas like finance, communications and operations, to help turn ideas into action and strengthen our collective capability.
• Membership: We’ve increased our membership by 40%, guaranteeing that the fans' voice is represented in Club investment discussions.
• Football Governance Bill: Continued to support work to finalise the Football Governance Bill’s passage through Parliament, including facilitation cooperation between Max Wilkinson, MP for Cheltenham and the Football Supporters Association.
• Retro shirt release: We released the third edition in our range of retro Cheltenham Town shirts. This is our spin on the 1996/97 home shirt, which has been an enduring fan favourite.

A New Chapter?

Which brings us to the present day - and potentially, a pivotal moment in Cheltenham Town’s future .

The announcement of a period of exclusivity with prospective investor Mike Garlick represents an opportunity. Mike brings a wealth of football and business experience, from taking Burnley to the Premier League and Europe, to current involvement in clubs with sustainable, community-minded visions.

While any investment is still subject to due diligence, the prospect of a new majority shareholder with proven leadership, and a record of sustainable investment and success, is cause for optimism. If confirmed, we believe this could be the fresh start needed to bring many of the plans in Building for the Future to life.

Our vision has always been clear: Modernise the club; grow off the pitch; strengthen on it.

That vision requires investment - not just financial, but in leadership, infrastructure, and long-term thinking.

We hope the arrival of new ownership will provide that.

Our future role

In the weeks and months ahead, we will continue to do what we’ve always done: Represent the fans; offer solutions; and partner with the Club to shape the future.

We will be requesting a meeting with Mike Garlick prior to any investment being finalised, to establish an open and constructive working partnership as joint owners of the Club.

We will be consulting openly with our members as we finalise our Robins Trust 2030 Strategy, which will lay out our own vision and goals for the next five years: From growing our influence and membership, to improving representation and accountability.

We are also planning a Strategy Day for the Trust Board, with support from the Football Supporters’ Association this summer.

Looking ahead - together

This isn’t about the last 14 months. It’s about what comes next.

We believe the Trust has helped lay strong foundations. But a new era is the time for clarity, collaboration and action - from all corners of the club. From the Trust, the Club Board, staff, volunteers, and potentially new ownership.

There is no quick fix. But there is a fresh opportunity to move our Club forward - if we work for it, together.

We’re ready to play our part.

Let’s get to work.