First team 1999 u8
27 Jul 2010

The club in its current format was started by Rob Sharp in 1999, with around 7 lads in the under 8 age group. However, previous senior teams had existed under the Gotherington name, as well as junior teams playing under the Gotherington Youth Club banner. With numbers growing, friendlies were arranged for the 1999-2000 season. The club's first match away to Cheltenham YMCA at Sandford Park resulted in a resounding 5-0 victory with the club's first goal being scored fittingly, by Harry Sharp.
The 2000-01 season saw this side progress into the Cheltenham Youth Football League at the Under 9 age group. A very solid season saw the squad finish a creditable 6th of 20 teams. The league matches were supplemented with friendlies which allowed the squad of around 12 boys to all get regular match practise.
By this stage Ash Pennell's Under 8's and Martin Redwoods Under 7's had also started playing friendlies and the club had between 30 and 40 children turning up for training.
The 2001-02 season saw a huge progression in the club's fortunes. Ash's Under 9s emulated the previous season's Under 9s by finishing 6th in the league, whilst the Under 10s had a fantastic year, finishing runners up in both the League and Cup. All achieved with a squad of local lads from a relatively small catchment area. Another club first, was that both of the aforementioned teams had the honour of several players being selected to play for the Cheltenham Inter-League side. Whilst all this was going on, Martin's Under 8s were impressing all and sundry with their awareness and skill. A season of friendlies brought them 8 wins from 9 games.
The 2004-05 season saw a landmark in the club's fortunes with both the U9's and U11's winning their respective league titles, the first in the club's history. This was followed up in the 2005-06 season with Gotherington dominating the mini football section of the Cheltenham Youth Football League, taking both U9 and U10 league titles, with both teams undefeated. Subsequent seasons have delivered further honours with Geoff Munro and Nigel Blackburn leading their age group to league and cup honours including pipping Forest Green Rovers to the title.In 2010 both this team and Paul Gordons u9 side secured cup final wins at the Abbey Business stadium of CTFC.
With the club going from strength to strength, and the need for quality coaching being recognised, we have agreed that all coaches, if possible, should be working towards FA coaching or Junior Manager qualifications.
The club committee and in particular the then club secretary Duncan Johnson worked hard towards the goal of gaining FA Charter status for the club and this was awarded to us in April 2006 and demonstrates our committment towards providing a well run club based on FA guidlines of good practise.
At the present time, all age groups from Under 16 down to Under 6 are being catered for. With space being limited at Gotherington, the club has had to move some of its training and league matches out to other venues There are currently around 160 children training and playing on a regular basis.