Forest Green Rovers boss Steve Cotterill believes “taking football to Cheltenham” was one of the best moments of his managerial career as he is on the brink of 1000 games ahead of this weekend’s clash against Southend United.
Cotterill, who has been in management for 30 years, is looking forward to the occasion of reaching a four-figure milestone, but still maintains that getting three points against the Shrimpers is the main target.
The 60-year-old guided his hometown club, Cheltenham Town, into the Football League for the very first time in the club’s history. “Being a Cheltenham boy and growing up, they now play football in school in Cheltenham,” Cotterill said on what that promotion meant to him.
“I never played football at school, junior school a little bit. My old P.E. teacher was a wonderful man, he is not with us anymore, god bless him. He was always encouraging with me and my football, we never played it at senior school because that was always rugby and cricket.
“Taking football to Cheltenham is really important to me, it has allowed them to be a Football League club for a long time now. I have had some really proud moments, I have been lucky enough to win at the old Wembley and the new Wembley (with Bristol City), I have won at the Millennium Stadium (now Principality). I have been lucky to have those moments. The nice thing is, there are lots of them, I have lots of memories rather than one particular favourite.”
“I didn’t quite know about it. I have obviously known about it coming up this week with a couple of games. It was 999 this week which was quite strange, I said ‘I nearly called 999 a couple of times’, but I am really proud of it. I have met some incredible people along the way, chairmen, directors of football, scouts, players and journalists.
“I am very humbled by it, it is very difficult for younger managers to be able to get those type of numbers. I am very proud that I have managed to navigate my way through those 30 years. More importantly it is about the boys getting three points, that is what I am looking forward to.”
Cotterill began his managerial career at League of Ireland Premier Division side, Sligo Rovers.
On the start of his time on the other side of the touchline, he said: “You have to start somewhere, I have been in charge of some really big clubs, sometimes at good times and sometimes at bad times.
“It just depends on when you are going to get that job and that phone call about that job. I look out for all of my teams every weekend, every team, played for and managed. It humbles you really, I am very proud of it and my family are very proud of it too. It will be a nice moment.”
Congratulations to @FGRFC_Official manager Steve Cotterill who will manage his 1,000th game this weekend when FGR take on Southend United tomorrow⚽️🟢#FGR pic.twitter.com/utqnkEXQ1d
— Park Life Sport (@ParkLife_Sport) March 14, 2025
Now with Rovers, Cotterill’s side have the opportunity to make it a day to remember to go ahead of York City in second this week with a win and the hope that results go their way.
