The Robins are celebrating 20 years since the club were first promoted to the Football League in 1999 this year, and throughout the season club secretary Paul Godfrey has been detailing some of the key matches that saw Steve Cotterill's side clinch the Football Conference championship in the club's matchday programme. This week Paul looks back on a memorable away win at Hereford United.
Cheltenham Town returned to league action with the eagerly anticipated visit to Edgar Street to play Hereford United, who had beaten the Robins in both meetings the previous season.
Nearly 1,400 Cheltenham supporters made the short trip and they were celebrating after only 18 minutes when Mark Freeman bundled in a shot after Hereford goalkeeper Andy Quy had blocked a John Brough header from a corner.
The rest of the game was far from a classic, constructing play being hampered by a swirling wind and hard pitch, but Cheltenham held firm with a rugged defensive display and on the one occasion when goalkeeper Steve Book was beaten by a shot from Steve Cowe, Jamie Victory was on hand to clear it off the line.
The Cheltenham team contained four ex-Hereford players but it was midfielder David Norton who came in for some particular attention from the home supporters.
The previous season Norton had left the Bulls having suffered a serious injury. The players union, the PFA, paid for an operation he needed and Norton joined Cheltenham for pre-season training in order to get fit.
He made a full recovery and played an important part in the title season much to the annoyance of the Hereford fans, who felt the player should have stayed with them.
Six minutes from time Norton delivered a corner kick, which Victory met with a firm header past the goalkeeper to seal the victory at 2-0 and the Cheltenham team coach needed to be escorted out of the ground afterwards!
The result left the Robins still second in the table, two points behind leaders Kettering Town but with four games in hand.
The team returned to FA Trophy action the following week with a fifth round tie against Hendon. Steve Cotterill's men made light work of their Isthmian League opponents, winning 3-0 with goals from Victory (two) and Dale Watkins.
(Picture: Mark Freeman celebrates the first goal at Edgar Street while future Robins boss Keith Downing sits on the floor to his right)