Both club and supporters knew only to well the enormity of the task ahead of them when the 2006/07 season kicked-off at Swansea's Liberty Stadium.
Not only had they been given one of the toughest opening day's fixtures, their only other previous stab at League One level (2002/03) had ended in heartache on the final day, with relegation.
The Robins were everyone's favourites for a swift return to League Two, it was up to John Ward and his battling boys to prove all the doubters wrong - surviving at this level would be a greater achievement than even getting there in the first place.
Well, they certainly upset the apple-cart on day one when the mighty Swan's were tamed into submission on their home soil. Goals from Grant McCann and Kayode Odejayi sent home the happy hoards of fans back to England with an almost unreal optimism.
In fact, by the time the first week of the campaign had been completed Tranmere Rovers had also been sent packing with their tails between their legs and a dream start achieved.
Even two successive reversals were tempered by the fact that The Robins finshed off the month of August 2006 with a victory in the Carling Cup against Bristol City, followed by a good League One win over Millwall.
One month down and Cheltenham were already defying the odds and sitting comfortably in sixth place.
However, September was a different kettle of fish and clearly allowed all the doubters to regain some ground. It started with the long trip to Carlisle and finished with another arduous trek, to Gillingham. Of the eight games played only one resulted in a win and with us seemingly unable to even grab a draw at this stage of the season, the other seven were obviously lost.
We were going no further in The Carling Cup either, despite a spirited display against West Brom and the League One picture was looking less rosy, sat as we were in an uncomfortable 20th position.
Whilst results were not good at least no-one was giving us a hiding. If anything it appeared to be down to a lack of confidence more than ability. John Ward, as ever, remained positive and quite determined to raise the ante within his squad of players. His fervour, despite the challenge of going up against some 'big budget' clubs at this level, never once waned.
October started well with a real commando style raid at Huish Park and JJ Melligan sneaking in at the death to win it for The Robins. But the next three games epitomised the varying levels of performance the side appeared capable of at this stage of the proceedings.
Against Doncaster Rovers some basic errors cost them dearly and at Orient a real lack lustre performance got what it deserved, absolutely nothing. Then came the first ever encounter with twice former European Cup winners, Nottingham Forest. The Robins put in a battling performance which probably deserved more than the scant return it got, however the loss meant the club were now bottom of the pile but one.
At this stage some the pundits were suggesting that it could be all over by Christmas for Cheltenham Town, luckily the squad had turned a deaf ear to the so called experts and were determined to prove them wrong. If nothing else, why do things the easy way when you can do them the Cheltenham way!
John Ward realised that his side required some form of lift and a beefing up, particularly as he was going to lose the services of midfielder McCann to Barnsley. To that extent the impressive Kristian O'Leary was brought in on loan from Swansea City. He was an instant hit, both on and off the field of play with his no nonsense command of the middle of the park.
His attitude seemed to suit the Robin's style of play and give everyone a much needed wake up call. He bossed the team into action during his debut and, as November neared its conclusion, he helped Cheltenham gain their first league win in almost two months.
The good it did was evident both in the manner and mood of the other players. It also enabled the club to sneak out of the bottom four of the division, mentally a big step forward.
December may have only provided one further win, but we cracked another barrier in gaining the two draws against Bristol City and Bradford. You could see some additional resolve and a bit of grit within the team, qualities often missing earlier on during the campaign.
Having spent almost half the season either simply wining or losing matches, January heralded a new found confidence within the squad. The fact that they could come away from a fixture with a least a point indicated that fortunes might just be reversable.
Losing Grant McCann and Brian Wilson to other clubs and by not being able to retain the services of O'Leary, suggested that League Two might once more raise it's ugly head over the wall. If anything that was so far from the eventual truth for it seemed to actually bring the best out of so many individuals within Ward's squad.
At Bristol City a great win was overshadowed by the awful injury to midfielder Scott Brown, yet it was incidents such as this that instilled an even greater determination within the team. A catalogue of injuries throughout the season seemed intent of knocking the boys back and at times it appeared to be a case of one step forward, then two back.
On the injury front John Ward's cause had been hampered when robbed of the much needed services of Vincent, Victory, Bell and Brown to season ending injuries. Plus, for the greater part of it, the skills and goal threat of striker Steven Gillespie who was also missing through a broken shin.
When keeper Shane Higgs, for much of the season a hero between the sticks, incurred a freak injury at Brentford it seemed the gods might actually be against you. Regardless of these setbacks, as 2007 progressed so did The Robins.
Table-wise matters were not getting much easier. This was due mainly to the comparable efforts of those other clubs close to us and by mid March the side was still in the thick of it and in need of a boost.
That came undoubtedly with a fantastic performance at impressive new facilities of Doncaster Rovers. Two-nil, and it could have been a lot more with Rovers attempting to get back into the game, was just what the doctor ordered.
The Robins, who were now locked in a battle with eight other clubs at the foot of the table. A simple but logical target was set by manager John Ward - think of it as a mini league of eight teams of which we want to be in the top half.
Bearing in mind that we were to play five of those other teams during the final run-in of eigth matches it made perfect logic.
The Doncaster result certainly breathed a fresh impetus into the team which gave them the added confidence to go on and survive. Cheltenham finished the campaign at the top of that mini league and survival proved to be an even greater achievement than getting into League One in the first place.
Player of the Year: Shane Higgs
Top goalscorer(s): (15) Kayode Odejayi
Most appearances (all comps): (51) Kayode Odejayi
Coca-Cola League One: 17th - 54pts
Average home league attendance: 4,359
League Cup: R2 - West Bromwich Albion
FA Cup: R1 - Scunthorpe Utd
LDV Vans Trophy: Area Q/F - Shrewsbury Town
