A group of fans have been condemned for abusive behaviour after Cheltenham Town suffer a fifth straight loss on Saturday.
The Robins sit rock bottom of League Two, having lost 1-0 to 10-men Barnet. Oliver Hawkins scored the decisive second-half goal from a Mark Shelton cross.
It put a dampener on a day when Cheltenham announced a takeover by the former Burnley chairman Mike Garlick pre-match.
1887 STATEMENT
“Following the game yesterday, there was a group of fans outside the players entrance.
“We completely understand everyone’s frustrations, we are all in the same boat. And a more relaxed gathering would have been more understanding after the game.
“Tensions were high. However, some individuals crossed the line which us all at 1887 Red Army won’t stand for. We agree the start to the season has been abysmal, 5 games… 0 wins and 1 goal scored. But that doesn’t justify giving players/staffs family’s abuse… that is purely unacceptable.
“It’s been made clear that the manager will stay in place so we need to get back together and help push the team on as this is the club we all love.” – 1887 Red Army.
Cheltenham manager Michael Flynn said after the game, per the club website: “I thought we were really poor second half and I think we got worse when they went down to 10 men. We had one shot in that period and Joe had to make three saves one-on-one.
“I thought we were the better team in the first half but we just didn’t quite have that end product.
“It’s a frustrating day. With the new takeover being announced you want it to be a positive day but the result has not allowed that.
“Players aren’t doing their jobs. We work on the set-pieces and we go through them but it’s about the hunger and desire.
“When the goal goes in our centre backs are facing the other way. It’s been far too easy to score against us and the set-pieces have been really poor.
“We know we’ve got players missing and we know that we’re short but I’m not going to make excuses, the bottom line is we’ve lost all five and I’ll take responsibility for that.
“The fans are obviously frustrated, singing what they sang and they’re entitled to that. I completely understand it, I’m no one’s fool.
“I’m not going to take it personally. It’s a results business and we need to start picking up results.
“I love Cheltenham. We’re putting everything we can into this and at the minute it’s just not happening for us, but only we can change it.”
On the need of getting in more faces and hoping to have the opportunity to do so under the new era with Mike Garlick: “I have never seen anything won or lost in five games. I’m not thinking I’m going in the morning or tonight, that’s out of my hands anyway.
“But I want to be here to bring in the right players and to have a little bit of that luck with injuries as well.”
Expecting a CB, CM and CF in before the transfer window closes on Monday, September 1 (7pm) #ctfc
— Jon Palmer (@JonPalmerSport) August 23, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT ON MIKE GARLICK
The Board of Directors of Cheltenham Town Football Club is delighted to announce that Mike Garlick has today completed his acquisition of a controlling interest in the Club combined with a commitment for future investment.
The sale of the Club has been a detailed process involving a number of parties and stakeholders.
The Board would like to record its sincere thanks to all involved including the shareholders who agreed to sell their shares, the staff who have worked tirelessly to finalise the sale and the legal teams on both sides of the transaction for their work and expertise.
The completion of the sale is a significant milestone in the history of the Club, recognising its need to progress and compete in the challenging environment of professional football.
Chairman David Bloxham said:
“For some time now Cheltenham Town has operated within limited financial and practical restraints. Whilst the Club is generally regarded to have outperformed its resources it has been a source of frustration that we have been unable to undertake significant improvements to facilities and infrastructure or retain our best staff.
“Mike Garlick brings with him a great deal of football knowledge and experience which I am confident will bring significant benefits and growth to our Club.”
Mike and his wife Alison will both join the Board immediately whilst at the same time John Murphy has retired from the Board but takes on the role of Honorary President for a five-year term. The Club thanks John for his enormous contribution not only in his role as a director but also as a player, manager and supporter.
The rest of the Board remains unchanged with David Bloxham as Chairman, Paul Godfrey as Company and Club Secretary, Clive Gowing as Financial Director and David Beesley as Robins Trust Appointed Director.
The Board of Directors of Cheltenham Town Football Club is delighted to announce that Mike Garlick has today completed his acquisition of a controlling interest in the Club!#ctfc♦️
— Cheltenham Town (@CTFCofficial) August 23, 2025
Upon completing his purchase of a majority share in the Club Mike Garlick said:
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Cheltenham Town Football Club and look forward to building on the hard work, dedication and excellent foundations that the current and past directors have put in place at the Club.
“I met some of the board members back in May and visited the stadium and training ground. From that moment on I knew this was the Club I wanted to be part of.
“Going forward I believe firmly in evolution rather than revolution and step-by-step we will seek to drive the Club forward both on and off the pitch, whilst remaining firmly rooted in our local community and loyal fan base.
“I look forward to getting started.“
As always, Cheltenham Town’s supporters and community links remain critical to its development and progress. The Board believes that fans and all the Club’s stakeholders can look forward with increased optimism and excitement for the future of the Robins.
Twitter users gave their thoughts with a group of fans condemned for abusive behaviour after Cheltenham suffer a fifth straight loss…
@hambling_ollie: The club need to put out a statement and say that behaviour won’t be tolerated. Flynn has not done well so far this season but getting personal is pathetic and embarrassing
@cleevecomment: If true the reports of @CTFCofficial Manager Mike Flynn and his young lads, being abused as they left the ground last night are horrific. We can all disagree about football, we can all have opinions, but that’s not the way to go about expressing them. Not the Cheltenham way! #ctfc
@Watten86: Disgusting. No manager should have to leave through a backdoor, or in this case, a different stand due to fans being abusive. Apparently Power also left through a torrent of abuse.
@JohnnyR55380733: We don’t want these morons anywhere near our club. If you can’t take the tough times go somewhere else. I’ve seen hard times and this isn’t one of them.
@mattyadders:
3 transfer windows
34 (and counting) signings made
1 GK (unchallenged, never pushed)
62 games (51 league)
81 goals conceded (league only)
0 def coaches
BOTTOM of the football league.
It’s not going to work, it won’t change, you’re crazy if you think it will.
#ctfc
#JohnsonOut
@trousersoflife: It’s a disgrace, a small minority of people who don’t have a brain between them. Flynn isn’t a mass murderer, he’s just lost 5 matches after a half decent season last time around. I’d certainly be pleased if he left but not like that
@cleevecomment: Sounded awful Rob! Hope it wasn’t as bad as that! For me the issues are separate…… we can all have views on his suitability for the job. But abusing a man and his kids in a ‘mob’… people need to give their head a wobble..( if true)
@Rewindnewstart: How on earth is that behaviour going to help our club, it must be so De-motivating to players and even potential signings.
@DavidLe05532471: You’re right what you said. If it right what I heard, it is totally wrong , 2 lads with their father in tears , after the abuse aimed their dad.
@georgiamox: Hope this means that Block 1 actually get behind the team and not sing shit 🙃
@Hoppo101: Well done! We’re all fans and were all passionate. Dosnt matter if we’re, Cheltenham Town, or, Sheffield Wednesday, abuse isn’t acceptable. Dont let the great work you guys do, making an atmosphere be tarnished by overstepping the line.
