2026-27 Recruitment Plan for Cheltenham Town

Player Decisions

Retain

Jake Bickerstaff, Joe Day, Ryan Broom, Robbie Cundy, Mamadou Diallo, George Miller, George Nurse, Sopuruchukwu Obieri, Ben Stevenson, Harry Tustin, Fred Wilcox, Jonathan Tomkinson, James Wilson

Release

Tommy Backwell, Scot Bennett, George Harmon, Tom King, Arkell Jude-Boyd, Josh Martin, Jordan Thomas, Cameron Walters, Luke Young

Loan End

Harry Ashfield, Mo Faal, Isaac Hutchinson, Sam Sherring, Cole Deeming, Josh Davison

Sign

Charlie McCann

Retained Squad

New Signings

Harrison Foulkes (Dorking Wanderers – free)

While Joe Day had the #1 jersey with The Robins during 2025-26, I think that the goalkeeping spot may be an area in which Steve Cotterill can seek improvement going into the new campaign. One player that I would look at as a potential target to claim that jersey as the new #1 is Harrison Foulkes.

Cotterill is a manager that has a strong track record when it comes to signing players from a higher level or from teams in a higher placing in the same league, yet I am always an advocate for signing players from lower in the pyramid and I feel that there is good value in doing so. Foulkes is only 25 years of age, and so he represents a smart long-term investment for The Robins. In terms of goalkeeping, I think that is potentially an area where players can more easily step up the leagues, and I would be confident that the former Wanderers man is more than capable of adjusting to the EFL. 

There isn’t too much on the market that interests me in terms of goalkeepers, and while Marko Marosi – who spent time with Cotterill with Shrewsbury Town, and who may well sign for The Robins if they can agree the right fee – is available for transfer from The Valiants I feel that Foulkes provides more value for money. Marosi is 32 years of age and has got a good amount of experience in the Football League, yet Foulkes represents a good project for The Robins to put trust in. Alongside a veteran in Joe Day, I think that Foulkes could well thrive working underneath a goalkeeper of his experience. 

As a profile, Foulkes has got all the requisite ticks that you would look for in a goalkeeper. He is an agile shot-stopper. Good reflexes. Incredible reactions at close range, and smart handling under pressure. He gets down well. He is a good kicker. While Dorking Wanderers are a side that rely on playing out from the back – an area in which Foulkes has gained proficiency in the past 12 months – he isn’t overly reliant on having to progress the ball from deep and providing himself as an option in the build-up. In my view, he is fundamentally a good goalkeeper at doing the ‘basics of goalkeeping’. No thrills. Little fuss. Incredibly alert, and smart decision-making. He is a very safe pair of hands. 

After deciding to move on from Dorking Wanderers at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, I think that Foulkes deserves an opportunity to test himself at a higher level. While his next step is more than likely to be in the National League, I wouldn’t have any problem – if I were in Steve Cotterill’s shoes – giving him the opportunity to prove himself and step up into the Football League. He is a good character. He works hard. He is the type of player that I would have very little worry about as a manager given that he absolutely dedicates himself to his craft, and a humble personality. 

The progression in Harrison Foulkes’ games over the course of the last 12 months has been particularly impressive, and I think that he is now ready for the next step in his career. On a free transfer, I feel that he would represent good business.

Sam Sherring (MK Dons – free)

While The Robins need to improve their defensive record from last season, one player that was a part of their backline in 2025-26 and that I would re-sign is Sam Sherring. Let go by MK Dons at the end of the campaign, while Sherring didn’t rip up ‘metaphorical trees’ with The Robins he is someone that I think is a more than capable centre-back for League Two and as such would represent a smart pickup on a free transfer. 

Personally, I feel that Sherring is the best of the three centre-backs out of himself, James Wilson and Robbie Cundy. Sherring is better on the ball than the pair, more mobile and more comfortable defending large spaces. 

One of the question marks surrounding Sherring will be the fact that he has had one or two niggles during 2025-26, and so he has to try and get himself fitter and more available next season if he were to re-sign with The Robins. Last season, Sherring made a total of 23 appearances for Town in League two and so ideally he needs to be getting that up to the 40 mark if he is to provide value for money. 

The Robins will sign another centre-back on top of Sherring, and I would be looking at them to provide the partner for Sherring. Wilson has really underwhelmed for me in a Town shirt, while Cundy lacks mobility and composure in defending wide spaces. I feel that Wilson and Cundy are more than capable options as squad players in League Two, yet finding an aerial aggressor alongside Sam Sherring is ideal. Sherring has always come across as being such a ‘calm’ defender that relies on a good reading of the game, positioning and intelligence to dispossess attackers rather than having outstanding physical attributes. 

If I were Steve Cotterill, I think that Sherring represents a good profile to take a chance on and to try and develop. I have seen first-hand when Sherring was at Torquay United what he is capable of, and I feel that he has got the attributes to make a top centre-back. He is a good athlete, physically superb, comfortable on the ball and has got a nice balance in his play. I would personally be looking to try and get him to engage defenders with a little more intensity, be a bit more combative and develop that ‘nastiness’ to his game. 

I could quite understand the argument that Cheltenham Town have to try and shuffle the pack in a defensive sense given that they were already below par in 2025-26, but I think that a full season of a fit Sam Sherring is a good centre-back for League Two.

Aden Flint (Walsall – free)

One player that – somewhat surprisngly – announced their departure from their club at the end of the 2025-26 campaign and who I wouldn’t be surprised to see rock up at Cheltenham Town during the off season is Aden Flint. The veteran centre-back left fellow League Two side Walsall, and while I do feel there will be a fair bit of interest to sign him this summer I think that The Robins can position themselves at the front of the queue for his signature. 

Flint is a player that needs little in the way of an introduction to Cheltenham Town boss Steve Cotterill, with the 36-year-old centre-back having enjoyed the best period of his professional career playing under Cotterill at title-winning Bristol City. During that campaign, Flint was pound-for-pound arguably the best centre-back in the country and so it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Cotterill has already opened the discussion for the defender. Cotterill has shown that he is a fairly loyal manager that will re-sign his players that have served him well previously, and I think Flint would be a clever pickup for Town in League Two. 

One thing that The Robins are perhaps in need of going into the new season that they haven’t had in 2025-26 is that goal threat from set-pieces and aerial quality. Flint has got a good reputation within the Football League for being one of the most proficient aerial ball-winners and he uses his size well in attacking the ball. In particular during his spell with Bristol City, Flint was consistently amongst the goals given his willingness to attack set-pieces and get on the end of deliveries into the box. 

Despite being 36 years of age, I feel that Aden Flint is still more than good enough in League Two. Steve Cotterill doesn’t put too much responsibility on his defenders in terms of ball progression, and he will look to set the team up to be fairly ‘safe’ without the ball. They won’t take too much risk, will set up to be difficult to play through, and having an industrious and no-nonsense defender that is simply going to defend and do the basics well is a good stylistic fit for The Robins. 

When I watched Cheltenham Town in 2025-26, I felt that The Robins lacked aggression and a ball-winner. Aden Flint is someone that is aggressive in engaging the opposition, will look to turnover the play, win the ball back, and provide Town with greater industry in trying to disrupt strikers. Cheltenham Town were too easy to play against at times, whereas Flint is someone that is not going to give strikers a moment to rest and is incredibly combative. 

Through their period of struggles in the early part of 2025-26, The Robins notably lacked personality and character on the field. Experience through the spine. Those players who have ‘been there and done it’ can really set the tone, and lead by example. Aden Flint is a good leader, hugely demanding and sets the tone with a defending style that is proactive. He is incredibly experienced, and if they can get him then I think he is the type of no-nonsense character they can build their defence around.

Neo Eccleston (Huddersfield Town – free)

The next player on this list is youngster Neo Eccleston. With Arkell Jude-Boyd leaving the club in the summer, The Robins have to sign a full-back. With Eccleston having been let go at the end of the 2025-26 campaign by Huddersfield Town, I think that he might be a useful option to consider. 

The way in which Steve Cotterill sets his side up to play doesn’t afford much in the way of responsibility to the full-backs to get up in support of the play and contribute in an attacking sense. Cotterill would rather favour defenders that will sit and provide a stable base out of possession, and so the youngster perhaps can’t utilise his physical attributes in being that ‘up and down’ type. However, in terms of being a mobile full-back that has got the athleticism and speed to track runners from deep and defend 1v1, I think Eccleston could represent a nice option for The Robins. 

Eccleston is no stranger to playing in League Two, with the youngster having spent time in the league on loan at Grimsby Town and Barrow. While he has not dazzled in either of those spells nor played regularly, the former Terriers defender has managed to develop an appreciation for the league. 

The Huddersfield Town academy product is by no means a household name, but I actually think he represents quite a nice profile for a full-back and has got a number of the ticks that I would typically look for. He is a brilliant athlete, with speed, running power, physicality and has got a good engine such that he can offer an option on the outside. It remains to be seen as to whether Town will opt to use a three or four at the back next term, and so having a player that is versatile like Eccleston in being able to play as a full-back or as a centre-back provides value for Steve Cotterill in his squad-building efforts. 

In terms of getting the best out of Eccleston, I feel that the key is to develop that aggression to his game and improve that decision-making. All of the physical attributes are there, and so getting the best out of those will get the best out of Eccleston. Using his body efficiently. Imposing himself on the opposition. Progressing the ball forward. If you can harness the potential of what he ‘could’ be and platform it correctly with the right structure around him, I feel he can be a good player for the level. 

The youngster will be looking for another opportunity in the EFL, and I think that League Two is the right level at which to pitch him at this point in time. While Steve Cotterill is more than likely going to put together an experienced squad with players that have played the level and take less ‘risks’ with his recruitment, I think that there is definitely room to have one or two projects that they can develop and Neo Eccleston is a fairly good prospect for that. 

Jordan Shipley (Port Vale – fee)

One player that has been rumored to be a potential signing for Cheltenham Town during the summer is Jordan Shipley. The experienced midfielder is transfer listed by Port Vale, I think that he ticks a number of boxes and so The Robins could well be well-advised to make a move for him. As such, I wouldn’t be too surprised to see it come to fruition in the coming weeks. 

Shipley is no stranger to Town boss Steve Cotterill, with the former Coventry City man having played extensively under Cotterill when the pair were at Shrewsbury Town. He is 28 years of age, has extensive experience in the EFL, won promotion out of League Two previously, and so in terms of the ‘indicators’ that Cotterill would typically look for in a prospective signing then Shipley definitely seems plausible. 

Personally, if I were Steve Cotterill then I would be looking to adjust Jordan Shipley’s role going forward. I watched Shipley away at Plymouth Argyle at the back-end of 2025-26 playing in a #6 role at the base of midfield and given the responsibility for getting on the ball, dictating the tempo of the game and receiving the ball off their own backline. While The Pilgrims lost that game, I felt that got the best out of Shipley in a way that I have not seen of him in the last few years and is a role that I would like to see him explore more of. 

In his career, Shipley has largely played as a left winger. However, I think that Shipley has just lost that speed and athleticism to his game. That bit of spark. The trickery and the running power. As a result of this, Shipley has not been as effective playing as a left winger. And yet, in the somewhat limited sample size that I have seen of Shipley playing in that deeper-lying midfield role I liked what I saw. The 28-year-old impressed on that day despite Argyle winning the game, and I would like to see him utilised more centrally by The Robins. 

One of the reasons as to why I feel Shipley can provide real use to Town in that role is his technical quality. As a left-footer, Shipley has got a lovely weight of pass, always looking to play through the lines and play into pockets. Last season, I felt that The Robins perhaps lacked that progressive operator in the middle of the park that could get on the ball from deep and operate almost as a ‘quarterback’ in wanting to find runners and play into spaces between the lines, whereas Shipley has shown that he can do that. As a naturally attacking operator, Shipley has got that awareness and vision to play forward, take risks and play into the front players. 

Fundamentally, I think that Town needs that creativity from open-play that they perhaps missed last term. He is by no means the flashiest of customers that they could find on the market, but he is intelligent and makes efficient use of the ball and I feel that he would provide that little bit of composure in possession. 

While he is under contract with The Valiants, I don’t think that they will be too demanding in terms of a fee for the midfielder. They will want him off the books to allow them to do their own work in the window, and if The Robins are able to agree a reasonable fee for him then I think this is one that they should be all over.

Josh Hmami (FC Halifax Town – free)

One player that I wouldn’t be surprised to see get an EFL opportunity during the summer having been the reported subject of interest in January is Josh Hmami. On the books of National League side FC Halifax Town, I feel that he could be well worth a look for Steve Cotterill in giving them a different profile in the middle of the park to that which they have got currently at their disposal. 

One of the reasons as to why I particularly like Hmami as a prospective option for The Robins is his versatility. I am not expecting Cheltenham Town to be all that ambitious in the market in terms of creating a big squad, and so having players that are adaptable across multiple bases is key. During his time with The Shaymen, Hmami as played as a destructive #6, a box-to-box #8, a line-breaking #10, as a makeshift centre-back and additionally played through the middle as a tertiary #9. 

Personally, I feel that Josh Hmami is best as a box-to-box midfielder that has the positional flexibility to get involved in both phases of play. His best attribute is his running power and athleticism. I think that his standout quality is playing at the tip of the midfield and getting into the box with clever runs from deep. We saw for The Shaymen that he has good timing and attacks the ball well when delivered into the area, and his physical attributes are particularly useful when getting past players. I think that he can definitely offer some of the attributes that Town will lack in losing Isaac Hutchinson.

When I watched The Robins last season, I think that they lacked that physical profile in the middle of the park. They were too easy to play against and play through, and so if they are to stand up to the physicality of the division then adding that big, imposing, athlete runner in the midfield is going to be key. Hmami is a good size, a powerful player, with explosive energy and a runner through the lines. He uses his frame well in shielding the ball in the carry, and has got the long-legged style that allows him to get about the pitch, cover ground efficiently and in recoveries. 

The midfielder is 26 years of age, and so is coming into the perceived primitive years of his career. I think that he is more than good enough to be playing in the Football League, and so I feel he is one that The Robins should look at. Especially given the way in which League Two is going in terms of power and physicality, I feel that Hmami buys into that stylistically. The Robins will have to try and attract Hmami ahead of likely strong interest elsewhere given the season – certainly in the first-half – that he had for The Shaymen, but I believe that they could feasibly attract him to Whaddon Road.

Klaidi Lolos (Peterborough United – fee)

In an ideal world, I think that The Robins will be looking to re-sign Isaac Hutchinson. That said, I don’t believe that The Gas – or more closely Steve Evans – will entertain selling an asset of theirs to a rival. As such, Town will need to look elsewhere for that box-crashing, goal-scoring midfielder. One option that I would consider and perhaps may go under the radar is Peterborough United’s Klaidi Lolos.

It will be interesting to see the figure at which The Posh would be willing to let the midfielder leave, but I feel that given they want him off the books and the fact that he will likely go into League Two then I don’t think it will be too substantial a fee. Instead, I think that The Robins may well be able to afford a deal for the youngster. He is still only 25 years of age, and so I feel that he has got sufficient resale value in him long-term in the event that he does have another upturn in form with Town. 

While The Robins just stayed up last year, Steve Cotterill will be looking to compete at the top end of League Two in 2026-27. Lolos won promotion from the fourth tier with Crawley Town and so has got an appreciation for what it takes to be a part of successful sides. He would be signing from a League One side, and so buys into Cotterill’s usual approach to the market in signing players from a higher level. He may have had an underwhelming 2025-26, yet I still feel there is a player there. 

In terms of trying to find a replacement for Isaac Hutchinson, I think it is going to be a difficult assignment. As an option, I feel that Town have got to try and identify a player that can provide some of the same skillsets that Hutchinson offers. Size. Physical stature. Technically competent. An eye for a goal. Good arriving late into the box. A progressive runner that will look to get beyond the play. On a number of these fronts, I think that Klaidi Lolos provides the requisite ticks in the box that Town requires. 

Lolos has shown that he has got that goal-scoring instinct in arriving from deep, with the former Plymouth Argyle man getting 13 goals in a single season with Crawley Town. Finding a goal-scoring midfielder like Hutchinson is a tricky profile to recruit, and so I feel Lolos represents an intriguing option. He is a powerful athlete, a long-legged running style to get up in support of the play and I think that he is at his most effective when playing centrally and being able to get shots off from range. He perhaps isn’t as intricate with the ball as Hutchinson, yet in terms of that all-round physical profile and the line-breaking tendencies then I think that he is a good stylistic fit. 

One thing that I think Cotterill does really well is a) platform players and b) simplifying the game. Lolos has shown that he definitely has ability for the level, and it’s about being able to put him in a system that plays to his strengths and allows him to do what he does best. There is a talented player in Lolos, and I feel he would thrive under a coach like Steve Cotterill. If they can get him, I think he could be a good project.

Clarke Odour (Bradford City – free)

One area of The Robins’ attack in which they definitely need work is the left-hand side. I have picked out two options for that area of the pitch. The first of those is one that was let go by League One Bradford City at the end of 2025-26 in the form of Kenyan Clarke Odour. 

A major attraction – I feel – of signing Odour is the fact that he can play in a number of different positions. While The Robins have got Jonathan Tomkinson as a left-back option, there will be moments whereby Tomkinson is deployed centrally and so having an option in support of him will be useful. Odour can play as a left-back, and is indeed capable of being used further forward. The Robins could do with adding a left winger, and so anywhere down that side of the pitch he can provide Steve Cotterill with a potential option. 

In terms of his profile, I think that Clarke Odour is an attractive option. He has got electric pace, running power and is a good athlete. His energy to get ‘up and down’ as an outlet. He is a good size. He represents a fairly balanced profile given that he can contribute in both phases of the play effectively. Tomkinson played at left-back last term, yet was more so defensively-minded given that he was ordinarily a centre-back prior to joining The Robins. Odour is more comfortable playing forward, carrying the ball and getting his team up the pitch. 

Indeed, his attributes allow them the versatility to vary his role. Personally, I feel that he is most effective playing as a winger. I would always look to try and platform a player in such a way that it gets the best out of their qualities, and Odour’s strengths lie in the ability to attack space, carry the ball and get delivery into the area. One thing that he does provide The Robins is more natural balance on the left-hand side. Their attack last year was heavily catered towards the right-hand side and playing through Jordan Thomas, yet having the ability to go on the outside from the left and vary their attacks would be hugely advantageous.

The 26-year-old spent time with fellow League Two side Grimsby Town last season, albeit he didn’t feature as much as he would like given that Jayden Sweeney and Reece Staunton both played well in parts at left-back and that they had good competition for the wide attacking areas. He might not be the type of player to really elevate the ceiling of The Robins, yet I think that his experience in the group and versatility would help raise the floor. As a useful squad option to cover a number of bases, I feel that he would be a good addition.

Erik Ring (Lincoln City – loan)

One avenue in which The Robins managed to get good value out of during 2025-26 is the loan market. While I am sure that Town will want to try and develop their own assets going forward, I feel that the loan market remains a credible source of talent and in a deal that is cost-effective for The Robins. One player that I think may be allowed to go out on loan in 2026-27 and who would fall into the category of being a ‘smart loan capture’ is Lincoln City’s Erik Ring. 

By way of The Imps winning promotion to the Championship, I think that Ring may well be one player that is an unlucky benefactor in being let go by City during the summer; be it on loan, or permanently. While he may have been a useful option for The Imps in League One, I do question whether or not Ring would be up to the level that is required to make an impact for them in the Championship next year. I would be in the camp of Erik Ring being ‘below the level’, and so if I were Jez George then I would be looking to let him go and play his football elsewhere. 

While Ring was on the books with City last year in League One as The Imps won the league, I feel that the likely best level at which to pitch the youngster if he is going to go and play regularly is League Two. The Robins have got aspirations to be competitive at the top end of the division, and so I feel that signing a player of Ring’s calibre is the type of ‘marquee addition’ that could elevate the group. 

As a profile, Ring is a left winger that is skilful, quick and direct. A good ball-carrier. Accurate delivery from wide. The willingness to progress the ball and is always looking to play forward and take risks. He is a strong athlete, with the athleticism to provide an option on the overlap in transition.

One thing that I think Ring would provide for The Robins is that little bit more craft in the wide areas. They had to play Jake Bickerstaff largely off the left-hand side in the second-half of the campaign, and while he is full of running and works hard I do find that in those pressure moments Bickerstaff perhaps lacks that delicacy in his final pass or in the strength of his decision-making. Ring has good close control in tight spaces, a nice weight of pass, and allow Town to be a little bit more deliberate in their attacking play. 

That left-hand side was something of a problem area for The Robins, with the majority of their attacking play coming down the right-hand side through Jordan Thomas. Ensuring that they have got the right balance in the forward areas is key in diversifying their attacks. One thing that I particularly like in signing Ring is that he is a left-footer yet plays on the left. Often, you see wingers look to play as ‘inverted wingers’ to drift inside, yet Ring is a little bit old-fashioned with his willingness to get on the outside and get good crosses into the box.

Jonny Stuttle (AFC Bournemouth – loan)

One position in which The Robins definitely need to strengthen if they are to improve on 2025-26 is at the top end of the pitch. They lacked quality, and in too many games they failed to find the target. One option that I would be looking at if I were Steve Cotterrill is young forward Jonny Stuttle. 

Stuttle was on loan at fellow League Two side Walsall last season, albeit he spent time out through injury and as such missed much of the campaign. Going into 2026-27, he will be looking to go out and get regular minutes under his belt and so I think that signing for The Robins would provide him with that opportunity. Town are need of a new starting #9, and so if I were advising Stuttle then I would put The Robins as one of the front-runners to land him. 

Stuttle is a player that first came on the radar for me when he was playing at Farnborough in the National League South, and the youngster particularly impressed me with his maturity, intensity and intelligence in his all-round game. Despite the fact that he is only 20, he makes such clever use of his body, makes intelligent runs off the shoulder, and has a selflessness in his play style to always be on the move, offering himself as an option and looking to stretch teams. 

One of the key reasons as to why I am such a big fan of Stuttle is the fact that he is an all-round striker. He has got the size, stature, aerial quality and physicality to play as the central #9 in the sense of leading the line as a ‘platform striker’, yet he has got that agility and turn of pace to play on the shoulder and looking to get in behind. During his time at Farnborough, the youngster demonstrated that he has got all different types of finishes in the locker. He gets up well to attack crosses, is a clean ball-striker, and has got a decent appreciation of when to drop short and offer himself as an option in behind.

Most importantly, Stuttle is a goal-scorer. The Robins have got a striker on the books in the form of George Miller has shown up to have an incredible work ethic and selflessness in working for the team, but if The Robins are to progress they need a finisher. Stuttle has shown that he is that, and as he continues to develop with games at the level then he is only – I feel – going to get better. He is still only 20 years of age, and I think that he has got real potential to be one of the best strikers for the level. 

Given that he had a lot of time out on the sidelines last season, I think that he has somewhat ‘fallen off the radar’ and people have overlooked. Prior to joining The Saddlers, Stuttle was one of the young prospects for whom I had really high hopes and that I felt would go on to bigger and better things. He will be back fit and bearing to go after a stop-start 2025-26, and while I do feel there will be a lot of interest in his services in the loan market I think that he would be a great addition for The Robins in leading the line.