Rovers have had quite the year. Albeit bearing the disappointment of relegation in April, the buzz is back around The New Lawn heading into 2025.
Currently 12 unbeaten in the league, Rovers will be looking to build on what has been a transformative year under manager Steve Cotterill who was appointed in January 2024.
Experienced boss Cotterill - with nearly 950 games in elite football management - has helped return the good feeling amongst the fanbase and squad posting 20 wins from 42 league matches during his tenure - a win percentage just shy of 50%.
The Gaffer led us to seven wins in the League Two campaign despite a torrid fixture list that in included each of the top nine sides in the league, including Wrexham and Mansfield Town twice.
Astute summer recruitment was crucial with a number of arrivals including Sean Long, Liam Sercombe, Ben Tozer, Tom Knowles, Adam May, Jed Ward (loan), Joe Quigley and Harry Cardwell.
Rovers also recently re-captured the signature of Jordon Garrick who made an important impact at the back end of last season following a return from a serious hamstring injury.
These signings boosted a squad that kept its core including Jordan Moore-Taylor, Ryan Inniss, Jamie Robson, Marcel Lavinier, Charlie McCann, Jacob Maddox, Teddy Jenks, Emmanuel Osadebe, Harvey Bunker, Kyle McAllister, and Christian Doidge.
Outstanding on-loan goalkeeper Ward also offers both competition and quality to young 'keepers Jamie Searle and Fiachra Pagel in the goalkeeping trio.
Forming the right backroom staff was also important. Rob Edwards joined the coaching unit alongside Dan Connor with Wayne Brown appointed goalkeeping coach.
Two new additions in the recruitment department in Russell Milton and Tom Carter were also key summer changes.
On-the-pitch, Rovers started the season with four consecutive away matches - and eight away games by the time September was out.
Despite the tough run, we have pieced together a number of positive results, including away wins at Sutton United, Solihull Moors, and Eastleigh.
Our FA Cup campaign was halted in the First Round by Stockport County - a game we took our League One hosts to extra time after Christian Doidge's deserved equaliser in normal time.
An FA Trophy run that began with a penalty shootout win against Braintree Town in early December continues in the new year with Chorley the visitors to The New Lawn on Saturday, 4 January.
At this stage in the National League, we sit third with a game in hand on Barnet who are top going into the New Year's Day round of matches.
Rovers boast the joint-best defensive record with only 19 goals conceded so far this season and going into the new year, we are also unbeaten at home in the league since April 2024!
Cheer on the boys on New Years Day when we face Yeovil Town at The New Lawn - 3.00PM - as we kick off 2025!
