Having narrowly missed the play-offs the previous season, and with the knowledge gained from a season of Division Three football behind them, there was a good deal of confidence that the team could go one better in 2000-2001.

Pre-season acquisitions included two strikers who had helped their respective teams to promotion the previous season. Julian Alsop from Swansea City and Jason White from Rotherham United both arrived with glowing reputations and the season began well enough with an unbeaten run of five games. Following the 2-0 win at Hull City on September 2 the team sat proudly atop the third division table for the first time.

The good form continued despite setbacks against two of the teams who would win automatic promotion - Chesterfield and Brighton & Hove Albion - making it only two defeats from the opening 11 fixtures.

There was also an encouraging 0-0 draw away to Watford in the League Cup, although the second leg in front of the live TV cameras resulted in a disappointing 3-0 defeat.

Despite the positive results there was growing concern regarding injuries and the affect that a crop of long-term absences would have on a small squad.

Jamie Victory sustained a serious knee injury in the third game of the season that would keep him out for a year. John Brough endured similar misfortune at Macclesfield in October and there were a series of recurring problems that disrupted the team and made it virtually impossible for Steve Cotterill to select the same line-up from one game to the next.Matters came to a head at Torquay in January when the team travelled to Plainmoor without 10 senior players yet still, remarkably, pulled off a 2-1 victory.

Such heroics could not be sustained over a longer period and the long list of injuries and suspensions played a decisive role in the team's failure to reach the play-offs.

Once again the players could not be faulted for their application to the cause, yet when the faint hopes were finally extinguished following a 0-0 draw at Leyton Orient in April many had been expecting as much for several weeks.

League disappointment notwithstanding there were a number of positives to emerge from the season.

Cheltenham secured their first win against a Football League team in the FA Cup for 67 years when they defeated Shrewsbury Town 4-1 in the first round. There were also some memorable League results such as a 5-2 home win over Plymouth Argyle (in which Martin Devaney scored the club's first Football League hat-trick) and 3-1 wins over Brighton and Cardiff City, the latter featuring a treble from Neil Grayson. The 4-3 defeat of Tony Cottee's Barnet team in November was also widely acknowledged as one of the best matches seen at Whaddon Road for many years.

Although both Alsop and White enjoyed mixed seasons, further progress was made by the club's younger players. Michael Duff, Devaney and a left-sided player signed on a long-term loan from West Ham United named Grant McCann did particularly well.

Were it not for the injuries, which contributed to a run of only four wins in 18 games either side of Christmas, the team would not have been forced to rely on loan and temporary signings while constantly chopping and changing the line-up and formation.

The signs were still encouraging and the 2001-2002 season could be approached with some optimism.

Player of the Year: Mark Yates

Top goalscorer:  (15) Neil Grayson

Most appearances (all comps): (50)  Steve Book & Mark Yates

Nationwide Division 3: 9th - 68pts

Average home league attendance: 3,695

League Cup: R1 - Watford

FA Cup: R1 - Cardiff City

LDV Vans Trophy: R1 - Southend United