Off the field Developments at Cheltenham Town

By Peegs
July 8 2002

OK there is a lack of transfer activity at Cheltenham Town. But that doesn't mean our gaffer has been sitting in his office all summer (Yes it is Summer!)Find out what off the field developments have happened at Cheltenham Town

Alot of fans -me alike- associate the managers role at a club as buying the players choosing the team and most likely getting the sack! Recent developments off the field at Cheltenham however suggest that certainly Graham Alner are "Gaffer" has a much wider responsibility in the running off the club.

The first example is that Graham Alner has set up his own scouting network. He told the official website www.cheltenhamtownfc.com that "Because we operate at the lower end of the transfer market it is vital that we strengthen this area to provide a comprehensively researched and continuous source of players,"
Cheltenham Town also plan to use reserve games to a greater use next season with many trialists selected in the 11. Last season reserve games were really only used to keep the fringe players fit with only a selection of trialists throughout the campaign.

We have employed 2 new scouts as part of the extension of our scouting ring. They are Mike Crompton a school teacher from Cambridge and will scout players in the South East of England. I'm not sure if he ever played for a league club but there must be something about him that Alner sees will help Town in selecting good young talent.

A popular choice for are 2nd new scout was Mark "Boka" Freeman a tough tackling defender who played 224 times for Town over a 5 year period. He was one of many players who represented Cheltenham in the Southern League. He played for Cheltenham for 2 seasons in division 3. Now retired because of a back injury Alner has employed him to scout the Midlands region.

Even though the finanial situation is looking better things are still tight. A club like ours still needs to develop off the field i.e the long debate over when the away end will be developed!! Most Cheltenham fans realise it will be another summer of free transfer signings. (In the end of the day who cares about the fee! If they do a good job for the club thats all that matters)

The second major development off the field is the relocation of the clubs training facilities. The club will move from the University of Gloucestershire to Eagle Star Sports and Social Club in Swindon Village. This is where the youth teams train and has a covered training facility ( I think our cold winters had a big factor in the relocation!).

The club were growing to big for the University of Gloucestershire facilities and Alner felt it was time for the club to move on. He told the official website "The youth team have trained there for the past two years and the centre of excellence play their matches there as well. We have been impressed with the facilities on offer and we are looking forward to having a training base for the whole club, as befits a second division side."

Finally the club has decided to launch an Under 19's team to start the current campaign. This is to bridge the gap between youth football and first team football. This will be useful for some of out hot prospects of the future notably Dave Bird a central midfielder and Richard Kear a centre forward. Both players regularly represented the reserve team last year and will reap the benefits of this new team setup. Some fans who regularly watch reserve fans say that Kear could well make the 1st team bench this year.

Once again with lack of funds available it is important that we produce are own talent and improving off the field facilities should attract young talent form Gloucesterhsire to join us.