How did they do?
Forest Green were surprise play-off semi-finalists last season. Mark Cooper’s side finished fifth and only two sides lost fewer than their 12 League games. They did the double over Reds, winning 1-0 at home in September – Gabriele Cioffi’s first defeat in charge of Crawley – and 2-1 at The People’s Pension Stadium in April, despite Dannie Bulman’s goal of the season opener in the first half.
Who’s in charge?
Mark Cooper has been in charge at Forest Green since 2015, guiding the club into the Football League and establishing them as a force in League Two with ambitions to go higher. Cooper played more than 450 games in his playing career before switching to management in 2005 at non-league Tamworth. In the Football League, he has been in charge of Peterborough United, Swindon Town, Notts County and Forest Green. He has managed 663 games during his career and has a win ratio of more than 40%.
Who’s leaving?
Last week, FGR sold attacking midfielder Reece Brown to Championship club Huddersfield for a six-figure fee. Christian Doidge, whose goals fired their play-off challenge last season, is being linked with a £250k move to Hibernian. Tahvon Campbell, who was released at the end of the season, has joined neighbours Cheltenham Town.
Who’s coming and who might be?
Cooper has signed two players so far – Gambia international Ebou Adams, 23, from non-league Ebbsfleet United and striker Aaron Collins, who scored eight goals in 15 appearances for Morecambe last season.
How is their pre-season shaping up?
The club suffered a major setback earlier this month when local councillors rejected their plans for a new 5,000-seat wooden stadium near Stroud. Owner Dale Vince has confirmed he will appeal against the decision.
On the pitch, their big pre-season game is at home to Bristol City on July 24. They finish their preparations at Bath City three days later before entertaining Oldham in their League 2 opener on August 3.
