Football Season Review

Cheltenham Town endured a frustrating campaign which ended in a 17th place finish under manager Gary Johnson. He was given the benefit of the doubt having guided the club back into the league at the first attempt in 2016 despite having only retained their Football League status on the penultimate weekend of last season. He made several changes to the squad last summer which included the blow of losing striker and leading goalscorer Billy Waters. He looked to have improved the squad however with the additions of midfielder Nigel Atanagana and winger Kevin Dawson. It was the acquisition of striker Mohamed Eisa from Greenwich Borough which proved to be his greatest success however as he took to league football like a duck to water. He scored four goals in his first three games but the side struggled and they spent a week bottom of the table at the start of September; winning just one of their opening seven league matches. There were hopes of a play-off challenge at the turn of the year but they were unable to realise the potential shown in their best performances, which included a 3-0 home win over Mansfield Town and a 3-0 win away at Swindon Town. A 6-1 home thrashing at the hands of Coventry City on the penultimate weekend of the season left Johnson’s future in doubt. His greatest ally has been Chairman Paul Baker but he had subsequently stood down and there could be changes at Whaddon Road this summer. A bid has already been accepted for influential midfielder Harry Pell whilst they are unlikely to hold on to Eisa, who finished as leading goalscorer with 25 goals and was voted player of the season. They will need to keep the likes of the versatile Carl Winchester if they are to avoid another struggle next season.

Player of the Season: Mohamed Eisa