Despite the final day heroics of the 2007-08 season Robins boss Keith Downing certainly needed to strengthen his squad if Cheltenham were to push on in League One. The team had secured their 2008-09 third tier status thanks mainly to a clutch of Bristol City loan players, all of whom had added some quality to the spine of the Cheltenham team.

And if reports in the media were to be believed there was a reasonable chance that all three of the players - Keogh, Brooker and Russell - might be deemed surplus to City's requirements during that summer. The big question confronting Downing was could he entice any of them to make a return to North Gloucestershire?

Most fans realised that bagging a player of Steve Brooker's calibre would take a monumental effort on the part of the club. Even if funds were made available, actually convincing the player that his future lay at Whaddon Road would be nigh on impossible for Downing.

Nevertheless, many supporters felt more confident that  he might get central defender Richard Keogh. The noises coming out of Ashton Gate appeared to suggest that the player was there for the taking. But, as it transpired Keogh seemed compelled to secure his own future as quickly as he could and he disappeared off the radar to sign up with Carlisle United.

That meant of the three former loanees only the ageing and now somewhat injury prone midfielder, Alex Russell, remained available. Then, despite Downing's obvious attentions towards him Russell took his time to survey all the other options open to him and when Downing did eventually get his man it was only achieved by offering him a generous two-year deal.

Throughout this pre-season period the club attempted to allay any fears its supporters had over the lack of new blood arriving. But, doubts were further increased when Downing then failed to hang on to the club's leading goal scorer from the previous season. Striker Stephen Gillespie had enjoyed a successful campaign at Cheltenham the year before but he was intent on leaving Whaddon Road and eventually opted for a move to another League One side, Colchester United. Even though his transfer resulted in the the Robins receiving a record fee the manner in which it was conducted simply gave the doom and gloom merchants even more ammunition to throw in the direction of the club.

Brave statements had been voiced by the manager at the end of the previous season suggesting the club would be looking to advance through the division, but little of what he actually did that summer suggested this would be the case. Downing suffered rebuff after rebuff from his transfer targets and it was sufficient to give rise to the belief that it was likely be another uncomfortable struggle for Cheltenham Town.

Sadly the doubters were not wrong in their predictions and by the time the Robins had completed their first half dozen league games they were rock bottom of League One, already out of a cup competition and leaking goals at an alarming rate. The real sceptics amongst supporters were already on his case and there was little surprise when Keith Downing stood down as early as the September.

In fairness to the Board they were swift to install a replacement and there's no doubting that the arrival of Martin Allen initially brought back the 'good feel' factor for Cheltenham Town. With his unique style he actually negotiated his first loan signing, over a mobile phone, whilst undertaking his initial press conference, assembled to announce his appointment. And, despite a necessary stout second half rearguard action, he enhamced his status even more when producing a win from his opening game, against Bristol Rovers.

Intent on attempting to revive the clubs flagging fortunes and despite being between transfer windows, Allen utilised the loan market with some gusto. In the two months following his appointment he introduced 10 loan players to his squad and sent almost as many away in the opposite direction. In fact, supporters could hardly keep pace with affairs at Whaddon Road and the squad numbers on the back of the players shirts were getting alarmingly higher by the week.

But, so much change in such a little space of time was not necessarily good for consistency. Whilst the defence was now not shipping the amount of goals it did under Downing and the football being played under Allen was more entertaining, games were needlessly being thrown away by a lack of understanding between an ever changing set of players. And despite all the efforts from whatever collection of footballers Martin Allen put out they could never quite prise the club away from the relegation zone.

In many ways the entire season had become an 'Annus Horribilis' and by the turn of the year most Cheltenham Town fans just wanted it to end. Much of the damage threatening the clubs League One prospects had probably occurred over the summer of 2008. However, that was further exasperated by the general credit crunch, some very unpredictable weather which did not help the clubs supply of cash flow and some very untimely long term injuries within the squad.

Eventually the Board of Directors stepped in and grabbed the manager's reigns ensuring that the club was able to ride out all the prevailing difficulties apparent at the time. Their actions undoubtedly dictated how the season was to eventually end but it probably meant the club survived an even greater threat than the relegation that loomed over it all season.

Even then, the final few months of the campaign the ebullient Martin Allen and his 'never say die' attitude ensured that saw some exciting young players were promoted into first team action. By doing so some promising shoots of revival became evident and despite the predictable end to the season the future might just be a little brighter in League Two.

There are many that would say that the radical changes witnessed at Cheltenham Town over the course of 2008/09 were long overdue and much needed. Nevertheless, there are others who might have been a little happier if it had been undertaken through more conventional methods.

But, that's the beauty of this wonderful game!

Player of the Year: David Bird

Top goalscorer(s): (8) Lloyd Owusu

Most appearances (all comps): (40) Scott Brown

Coca-Cola League One: 23rd - 39pts

Average home league attendance: 3,854

League Cup: R2 - Stoke City

FA Cup: R3 - Doncaster Rovers

LDV Vans Trophy: RI - Walsall