Following the euphoria experienced towards the conclusion of the previous campaign Cheltenham fans eagerly awaited the build up to the 2007/08 season.

A second successive term in League One, against the likes of Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, should have been enough to whet the appetite. But there were clear signs during the summer of 2007 that it was likely to be another season of struggle.

Cheltenham fans generally appreciate that there are financial constraints to be considered but the early noises coming from the club suggested that the intention, at least, was to try and establish the Robins in League One.

Nevertheless, the summer months saw a host of experienced players departing Whaddon Road. The likes of Odejayi, Victory, Melligan, Bell and Armstrong all moved on, yet those replacing them were not encouraging spectators to come and support the team.

A welcome opening day victory against Gillingham quietened a few of the knockers but during those early stages of the campaign the team's results were living up to the bookies pre-season predictions. Cheltenham Town looked to be one of the firm favourites for the drop.

A quick exit from the Carling Cup at Southend, plus a poor return in the League meant that by the beginning of October the knives were certainly out. Then, following a very poor performance away at fellow strugglers Port Vale, boss John Ward resigned from his post to join Carlisle United.

Just two months into the season it was looking bleak for the team and an unenviable task for Ward's suuccessor, Keith Downing.

In his favour Keith knew the players well, he'd been Ward's assistant at Cheltenham, but his managerial credentials were light and the doubters were unlikely to give him to much room for errors.

He maintained the in-house approach and appointed reserve team coach Bob Bloomer as his deputy. The pair enthusiastically set about their task but it was going to be a massive undertaking for the two men, both untried in management at this level.

Downing, despite the financial limitations, certainly needed to inject some experience into the group and he produced a bit of a coup by persuading the ex Aston Villa and Blackburn full back Alan Wright to join the cause.

Wright, remarkably without a club at this stage of the season, had been training with Sheffield United to maintain his fitness. He came into the club, rolled up his sleeves and inspired the squad right from the kick off.

However, the team struggled to make any real headway in the league with everyone else near the bottom also scrapping for points. The team managed only a further two wins between Downing's appointment and the end of the year. Surprisingly, one of those victories was at home to a resurgent Leeds United.

The year 2007 ended with the Robins wallowing deep in the relegation zone and likely to soon be adrift of the pack. Supporters were almost resigned to the fact that the current season would simply fade away into oblivion and relegation seemed a certainty.

That way of thinking, thankfully, is not within Keith Downing's character and it was a case of 'new year, new hope'.

The Cheltenham manager immediately raised the ante for his beleaguered squad during the January transfer window. Championship side Bristol City were pushing for promotion to the Premiership and had a glut of players not getting any decent first team football. Their boss, Gary Johnson, allowed two of them, striker Steve Brooker and midfielder Alex Russell to join the Robins on loan.

Brooker was returning from a long injury lay off but he had previously scored a lot of goals at this level for both City and Port Vale. Russell, an experienced playmaker, was the sort of footballer lacking in Cheltenham's ranks at the time. The impact of both men was immediate and the side registered four wins out of five during January.

February was less fruitful but by the end of March most associated with the club thought that League One safety was just a formality, particularly after the fantastic result at Elland Road where the club recorded an emphatic double over the once mighty Leeds United. Injuries within the squad were still attempting to de-rail the team and a third Bristol City man, defender Richard Keogh, was also brought in on loan.

Now, with everyone on a high things suddenly changed. The fortunes of Bristol City took a downward step and Brooker was recalled to his parent club. To make matters even worse for Cheltenham, Russell picked up a stomach muscle injury that was to limit his performance and further appearances for the Robins.

All in all it seemed to conspire against what should have been a relatively comfortable run in for Cheltenham Town.

With just half a dozen a games to go the Robins appeared unable to stagger over the safety line and tantalizingly were also being pressurised from below by both Bournemouth and Gillingham.

Cheltenham never seem to do anything in a simple way, hardly a season passes without some end of campaign excitement for the fans to endure. This was no exception and if anything, it was worse than normal as it all went down to the final Saturday.

For the Robins it was a home game against Doncaster Rovers and a Cheltenham win would ensure their League One status. Their opponents also needed the win to secure automatic promotion to the Championship.

Several other permutations were on the cards and a near capacity crowd at Whaddon Road watched anxiously as events unfolded on the pitch before them, while hundreds tuned into news from both Carlisle and Leeds.

Goals from Steven Gillespie and Paul Connor, plus a string of fantastic saves by goalkeeper Shane Higgs, were enough to secure safety with a 2-1 victory.

It had taken another monumental effort from everyone associated with the club to maintain it's position in League One for a third successive campaign.

Player of the Year: David Bird

Top goalscorer(s): (16) Steven Gilespie

Most appearances (all comps): (51) David Bird & Shane Higgs

Coca-Cola League One: 19th - 51pts

Average home league attendance: 4,310

League Cup: R1 - Southend United

FA Cup: R1 - Brighton & Hove Albion

LDV Vans Trophy: Area Q/F - Brighton & Hove Albion