It was a campaign that in many ways surprised even the most devoted of supporters.

Manager John Ward was still arguably developing his youthful looking squad and many feared that it might yet be another season of finding their feet and ultimately a bit of a struggle.

Having finished the previous season in 14th position in League Two, and frankly with some modest looking performances towards the end of that campaign, some of football's most respected pundits had the Robins penciled in as potential relegation candidates.

But, in the main,  John Ward was sticking with his 2004/05 squad and of the very few additions he had acquired in the summer, only one had a realistic chance of regular first team football, left side utilty player Craig Armstrong.

The season opened on the first Saturday in August and a home fixture against Bury produced a comfortable 2-1 win. Striker Kayode Odejayi scored the first league goal of the new season and the Robins were off and running. In fact, by the time the first month had been completed, Cheltenham remained unbeaten after six Coca-Cola League Two matches and one amazing Carling Cup tie.

The latter mentioned match was played before a meagre audience at Whaddon Road against the then League One leaders, Brentford. Style was the order of the night as John Wards lads pinged the ball around in one of the most entertaining games ever to be put on at the ground. Goals from JJ Melligan, Gavin Caines, Jamie Victory and two for Grant McCann humiliated the Bees and in turn opened a few eyes in both the town and media circles.

The second round draw paired the Robins against Premiership opposition and an away tie at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland. Before that cup clash was played however, the side lost their first two games of the season, away at Wrexham and then at home to Carlisle United. In both matches some inconsistences resulted in the points being lost and immediately the knives were out as some cynics suggested that the fine start to the season was simply a temporary high.

Premiership Sunderland were experiencing a horror of an existence in their own domestic competition and some thought an upset might be on the cards. It could have gone either way during the first 90 minutes and had Damian Spencer remained a little more composed, he could have won it for the Robins in time added on.

Nevertheless, the Mackems survived a very spirited performance by the Robins, grabbed a heartbreaking goal two minutes into extra time and then clung on for dear life. Defeat it may have been but, the Robins won over many supporters through their performance in the north-east and for themselves they gained an immense amount of belief in themselves.

Life in League Two for the next couple of months was a bit like two paces forward and one back. Good wins over Northampton, Peterborogh, Lincoln City and in the LDV at Shrewsbury, had to be then balanced against disappointing losses to Grimsby, Torquay, Darlington and Mansfield. By the end of October the side lay in 15th place in League Two and at that stage it could have gone either way. 

As it transpired the next three months fashioned the final outcome. It was crammed full of games, contained a great cup run, saw the re-appearance of the fans favourite loanee, Steven Gillespie from Bristol City, gave us some worldwide exposure in the form of a live FA Cup fourth round match against Newcastle United and January 2006 ended with the Robins sat nicely in sixth place in League Two.

Just two defeats in twelve league matches was more than encouraging for Ward's young braves. Losing unluckily as they did, in front of the BBC's Match of the Day audience of millions, in the live televised game against Newcastle United, won over many a new admirer both here and abroad. The team appeared confident in the fact that, having survived 22 matches in 11 weeks and come out of it in the position they found themselves in, perhaps they might just be in with a shout at the death.

They had achieved all of this whilst missing some of their more influential players through occasional injuries. Defenders Shane Duff and Jamie Victory were the most notable absentees at the back and arguably the sides most gifted player, Grant McCann, had also been sidelined for a few weeks in the middle of the season. Ward supplemented the losses with experienced defender/midfielder Mickey Bell, who had been released by Port Vale and, signing Steven Gillespie, on a permenant basis, during the January transfer window. 

Only one loss during February, which also included completing the double over Northampton and a fine away win at Bristol Rovers consolidated their position on the fringe of the play-off places. They consolidated that place in March, again only losing once, in a game at Orient which they should have won by a mile.

Whilst others around them lost pace with the Robins, the team finshed the month of March sat nicely in sixth poistion, with a comfortable 5 point cushion between themselves and seventh placed Lincoln City. Supporters were starting to believe that a play-off place could be our's in the next few weeks.

As if to keep their feet firmly on the ground the side went and lost their initial game in April, away at Shrewsbury. That  meant they were now looking over a shoulder at the pack closing in behind them. Over the next few games the calculators were out on more than one occasion as nerves and misfortune entered into the equation. Nevertheless, on the penultimate weekend of the season, a play-off spot was secured with a 2-0 win, at home to Notts County.

As a prelude to those play-offs, the side warmed up with the anhilation of Mansfield Town, 0-5, at Field Mill. They therefore entered the lottery of the play-offs in good heart and more importantly, in good form.  

Wycombe Wanderers were the first hurdle to overcome. They had, at one stage, been clear favourites for automatic promotion to League One but, had faltered through the second half of the season. However, this can be a cruel sport and effectively we were playing a two legged televised cup tie.

The Robins had earnt a reputation over the seasons length as a side to be feared on their travels. The first leg at Wycombe went almost perfectly to plan as at first the side soaked up some heavy pressure from the home team. Then, almost on cue the Robins caught them with a perfect counter punch, just before half-time. They then gave as good as they were being given for the first part of the second period, caught Wycombe on the break yet again, and it was 0-2.

Brave defending, which included using parts of the body not recommended for defending, kept Wanderers at bay. That was until 3 minutes into added time, when after some frantic pressure from the home side, a goal was pegged back.

A tense second leg at Whaddon Road ended 0-0 and the Robins were off to the Millennium Stadium, for the second time in their brief Football League lives.

Grimsby were the opponents in Cardiff, a side that had not been beaten in four previous attempts. It was a great game which the Robins deservedly won 1-0 and it offered the club a second crack at League One football.

A season of 61 matches which before even the first had kicked off was being written off by one or two. It ended so sweetly and proves don't always believe what you read in the newspapers during the close season.  

Player of the Year: Brian Wilson

Top goalscorer: (13) Kayode Odejayi

Most appearances (all comps): (61) Damian Spencer

Coca-Cola League Two: 5th - 72pts - Promoted via play-offs

Average home league attendance: 3,453 (3,593 incl play-off s/f)

League Cup: R2 - Sunderland (aet)

FA Cup: R4 - Newcastle United

LDV Vans Trophy: Area S/F - Colchester United