Cheltenham Town are Champions!

Two lads enjoy kicking a ball across Clarence Square as the town prepares for it's big day.

Pre match programme purchase.

Walking to the ground through Whaddon Park.

Turnstiles are getting busy as kick off draws near.

The terraces were also packed as the Cheltenham Town & FC Halifax players take to the field.

Fans show their appreciation for their players just before kick off.

A flare is lit after Don Holman doubles the lead from the penalty spot to taking the score to 2-0 at Half Time.

Cheltenham fans really start to believe after news breaks of Woking equalising against Forest Green with a penalty. 

The match hasn't ended yet but some pitch invaders were too eager!

The full time whistle blows and fans flood the pitch after a 2-0 win at Whaddon Road, and with Forest Green unable to beat Woking, Cheltenham Town are crowned National League Champions!

Fans on the Whaddon Road pitch at full time.

Selfie on the Whaddon Road turf!

Fans on the Whaddon Road pitch at full time.

The Cheltenham Town players celebrate in the main stand.

Out comes the champagne as Cheltenham Town captain Aaron Downes celebrate promotion to the Football League.

Cheltenham Town manager Gary Johnson applauds the fans.

Kyle Storer sings along with the Cheltenham fans.

Walking home along Whaddon Road after winning the National League.

Gloucester City v Staines Town

Gloucester City faced another FA Cup replay at Whaddon Road, this time in the third qualifying round against Staines Town, a tasty meeting against Forest Green Rovers awaits the victors!

Charlie Griffin applies pressure to his opposing goalkeeper..

..who appeared to be sporting a blue Swansea City badge on his back.

I decided to experiment a bit with exposures at f11 showing off the floodlights..

..and 1/125th for some motion blur.

An impressive leap to penetrate the Staines defence. Gloucester ended the first half 1-0 up but Staines managed to claw it back to 2-2 before 60 minutes had passed. Nathan Modest secured the win for the tigers with three minutes to spare.

A Staines defender pleads his case to the referee.

Marc Richards places his attention on the home support during the full time handshakes.

'Forest Green, we're coming for you' was the chant at Full time from the home support with a win tonight they host their local rivals later this month.

Gloucestershire pride will be at stake in the 4th qualifying round of the FA Cup. Tonight's result brings an end to an emotional week for the City with the news breaking last Wednesday that they will be allowed a move back to Meadow Park after a 7 year exile.

Gloucester City v Paulton Rovers

Under the lights at Whaddon Road, I decided to book out a 60D & 100mm 2.8 from Paul to combat the low light situation, I'm pleased with the results and looking forward to using the combination again soon. Match Report

After drawing 1-1 at the weekend, a replay decided if Gloucester City or Paulton would progress to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup. Here a Paulton defender anticipates a delivery into the box.

Charlie Griffin avoids a challenge on the edge of the box, with his side progressing into the next round away to Staines thanks to strike from Matt Groves at the half hour mark & George Miller getting off the mark for his new club in the second half.

Tigers' manager Tim Harris applauds the 377 strong crowd at full time.

Non League Day Gloucester v Hyde

During the International Break the domestic spotlight can be focused on the lower levels of English football, standing terraces & nameless jerseys are showcased harking back to the traditions of the beautiful game.

Whaddon Road is not only the home of League 2 table toppers Cheltenham Town, but also the current residence of Conference North outfit Gloucester City, who have been playing their home matches at the ground since 2010.

An attendance of 557 was recorded today, and even a fellow Leeds fan made it out to support Non League Day! 

Referee Marvyn Amphlett leads the teams out.

Charlie Griffin receives the Vanarama Player of the month award before kick off.

Scott Wilson gets tackled whilst attacking down the left.

Rhys Day receives a yellow card.

Adam Connolly delivers a ball into the penalty area.

A Gloucester City fans reaction to a penalty decision for Hyde, which Mike Green saved.

Charlie Griffin equalizes for Gloucester City!

Tim Harris applauds the home support after a 1-1 draw, leaving City lying 14th in the Conference North table.

Football on Film 23/11/13

Cheltenham Town hosted Newport County on the 23rd November 2013, So I headed down for an enjoyable afternoon to Whaddon Road to shoot a roll of ISO800 colour film for the fun of it, here are some of the keepers. Oh, and Newport were somewhat robbed with a 0-0 draw.

Apart from the name, 'Abbey Business Stadium' boasts some great retro features, such as mechanical turnstiles and these older generation floodlights, It was a surprisingly nice day so they weren't needed for most of the first half, nice little money saver I bet. 

Can't fault the Newport fans, came in great numbers for a League 2 side, and were probably louder than Swansea & Cardiff put together.

Pre Match formalities.

Most of the film went during the Pre Match warm-ups, some Newport subs going through their long ball drills.

"What the f*cking hell is that?"