Cheltenham Town FC

Mark Yates has called on Robins supporters to wear red and white with pride on the first home match of the season.

Mark Yates is calling on Cheltenham Town supporters to show their true colours for the Robins' opening home match of the new season against Accrington Stanley on Saturday 16 August (3pm kick-off).

As the new Sky Bet Football League season kicks-off, fans across the country are being set the challenge of creating a ‘Wall of Colour’ at their side’s opening home league match.  Fans can get involved by donning their club’s famous colours, as well as finding the most innovative ways to show off their love for their team through social media using #WallofColour.

The Robins will be looking to kick off the new season in style, with the first home result often proving a useful pointer to a team’s prospects for the season ahead.  Last season, none of the 10 clubs that won promotion from the Sky Bet Championship, League 1 or League 2 lost their first home league match. Additionally, none of the 9 clubs that were ultimately relegated won their opening home game.

Mark Yates is looking to for Robins fans to play their part in getting by making Whaddon Road a sea of red and white and creating a memorable atmosphere to inspire the team.

"The open day was great fun at the weekend and it was good to see the new kit go down well," said Mark.

"I hope the return of red and white stripes has gone down well but we need to see the colours on mass against Accrington Stanley next month. We all want a good start to the season and the supporters, wearing their colours, can make a big difference."

We have been asking you all to send us 'selfies' since buying your new red and white home kit and we will continue to do so in the build-up to the start of the season. What we really want to see however is a sea of red and white stripes backing the players here on the first home game of the season.

Shaun Harvey, the Chief Executive of The Football League, said: “The beginning of the new season is always a special time, with supporters full of hope and expectation that this season is going to be their year. 

“It’s great to see Mark Yates calling on fans to create a Wall of Colour at Whaddon Road and I hope that Robins supporters rise to the challenge.  Every side will want to make a strong start to the new season and the three points on offer could go on to make all the difference when the trophies are being handed out next Spring.”

Not got your stripes yet? Click here for prices and more information. Don't forget to tweet us your selfies to @CTFCofficial using #WallOfColour and #CTFC.