Steve Cotterill is Cheltenham royalty.

A son of our town, who was educated at Elmfield Junior School and Arle School, Steve Cotterill is one of a select few footballers to have risen from Cheltenham to the very top flight of English football as a player.

While his playing career was a proud one, fondly remembered by supporters of Cheltenham Town, Burton Albion, Wimbledon and AFC Bournemouth, it is as a manager that Steve Cotterill’s achievements have been truly extraordinary.

Appointed manager of his hometown club in January 1997, Steve Cotterill did far more than change results on the pitch. He transformed Cheltenham Town Football Club and reshaped the image of football within our town.

Three promotions and an unforgettable FA Trophy victory at Wembley tell only part of the story. Under his leadership, Cheltenham Town became a fully professional football club, a status that had previously existed only as an ambition. He built foundations that would define the club for generations.

In 2002, Steve left Cheltenham to pursue new challenges, and success followed elsewhere, achieving notable success at Burnley, Notts County and Bristol City. Across a glittering career, he has secured five promotions, lifted two major trophies at Wembley, and managed more than 1,000 professional games.

In October 2025, Cheltenham Town Football Club once again found itself in crisis. Bottom of the Football League, with just four points from 11 matches and fresh from a 7–1 defeat, relegation back to non-league football loomed large.

Once more, Steve Cotterill answered the call of his club and his town.

Taking the reins for a second time, he led the Robins to Football League safety, demonstrating the leadership, belief and connection that only someone who truly understands Cheltenham could bring.

January 2027 will mark 30 years since Steve Cotterill first became manager of Cheltenham Town Football Club, three decades defined by unparralleled achievement and an enduring commitment to the town he loves.

We, the undersigned, join the Robins Trust in calling upon Cheltenham Borough Council to recognise these exceptional and unprecedented contributions.

In acknowledgement of the profound impact Steve Cotterill has had on Cheltenham Town Football Club and on the national profile of the town itself, we respectfully urge that he be awarded the Freedom of the Borough.