Forest Green Rovers 2017–18 football season
The 2017–18 season was Forest Green Rovers 's 129th year in existence and their first in League Two following promotion via the play-offs last season .[1] Along with competing in League Two, the club also participated in the FA Cup , EFL Cup and the EFL Trophy .
The season covers the period from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018.
Transfers [ ]
Transfers in [ ]
Date from
Position
Nationality
Name
From
Fee
Ref.
1 July 2017
CM
Reece Brown
Birmingham City
Free
[2]
1 July 2017
CB
Lee Collins
Mansfield Town
Free
[3]
1 July 2017
CM
Charlie Cooper
Birmingham City
Free
[4]
1 July 2017
LB
Callum Evans
Barnsley
Free
[5]
1 July 2017
LB
Scott Laird
Scunthorpe United
Free
[6]
13 July 2017
CF
Luke James
Peterborough United
Free
[7]
19 July 2017
MF
Jordan Simpson
Swindon Town
Free
[8]
22 July 2017
GK
Harry Pickering
Port Vale
Free
[9]
24 August 2017
CB
Mark Roberts
Cambridge United
Free
[10]
22 September 2017
DM
Isaiah Osbourne
Walsall
Free
[11]
1 January 2018
MF
Dayle Grubb
Weston-super-Mare
Undisclosed
[12]
Transfers out [ ]
Date from
Position
Nationality
Name
To
Fee
Ref.
1 July 2017
AM
Mohamed Chemlal
Free agent
Released
[13]
1 July 2017
LW
Anthony Jeffrey
Sutton United
Released
[13] [a]
1 July 2017
LM
Marcus Kelly
Wrexham
Released
[13] [b]
1 July 2017
AM
Louis McGrory
AFC Telford United
Released
[13] [c]
1 July 2017
CB
Ethan Pinnock
Barnsley
Undisclosed
[17]
1 July 2017
CM
Sam Wedgbury
Wrexham
Released
[13] [d]
25 July 2017
GK
Simon Lefebvre
FC Lourdes
Mutual consent
[19]
4 August 2017
CB
Aarran Racine
Free agent
Mutual consent
[20]
23 August 2017
CM
Rob Sinclair
Oxford City
Mutual consent
[21] [e]
9 October 2017
CM
Liam Noble
Notts County
Mutual consent
[23] [f]
^ Anthony Jeffrey joined Sutton United following his release.[14]
^ Marcus Kelly joined Wrexham following his release.[15]
^ Louis McGrory joined AFC Telford United following his release.[16]
^ Sam Wedgbury joined Wrexham following his release.[18]
^ Rob Sinclair joined Oxford City following his departure.[22]
^ Liam Noble signed a pre-contract agreement with Notts County following his departure.[24]
Loans in [ ]
Date from
Position
Nationality
Name
From
Date until
Ref.
7 July 2017
GK
Bradley Collins
Chelsea
End of season
[25]
22 July 2017
CB
Jack Fitzwater
West Bromwich Albion
January 2018
[26]
31 July 2017
CB
Alex Iacovitti
Nottingham Forest
30 June 2018
[27]
30 August 2017
LW
Will Randall
Wolverhampton Wanderers
30 June 2018
[28]
31 August 2017
CF
Toni Gomes
Liverpool
30 June 2018
[29]
Loans out [ ]
Date from
Position
Nationality
Name
To
Date until
Ref.
11 August 2017
MF
Jordan Morris
Shortwood United
3 January 2018
[30]
11 August 2017
GK
Harry Pickering
Shortwood United
3 January 2018
[30]
25 August 2017
CF
Olly Mehew
Taunton Town
3 January 2018
[31]
1 September 2017
MF
Jordan Simpson
Hungerford Town
24 November 2017
[32]
8 September 2017
LM
Fabien Robert
Aldershot Town
9 December 2017
[33] [a] [b]
15 September 2017
LB
Callum Evans
Torquay United
17 December 2017
[36]
19 September 2017
CF
Rhys Murphy
Torquay United
21 December 2017
[37]
20 October 2017
MF
Tom Anderson
Cirencester Town
3 January 2018
[38] [c]
6 November 2017
FW
Shamir Mullings
Macclesfield Town
13 November 2017
[40] [d]
^ On 9 October, Fabien Robert extended his loan at Aldershot Town until the end of October.[34]
^ On 30 October, Fabien Robert further extended his loan with Aldershot Town until early December.[35]
^ On 22 November, Tom Anderson's loan was extended until early January.[39]
^ On 13 November, Shamir Mullings ' loan at Macclesfield Town was terminated due to injury.[41]
Competitions [ ]
Friendlies [ ]
As of 22 June 2017, Forest Green Rovers have announced nine pre-season friendlies against Bristol Rovers , Kidderminster Harriers , Bishop's Cleeve , Weston-super-Mare , Shortwood United , Brimscombe & Thrupp , Swindon Supermarine ,[42] Worthing [43] and Farense during a training camp in Portugal.[44]
Shortwood United v Forest Green Rovers
14 July 2017 Shortwood United 0–4 Forest Green Rovers show Nailsworth 19:30 BST
Report
Doidge 5' 57' 64' Stevens 80'
Stadium: Meadowbank Ground Attendance: 368 Referee:
Forest Green Rovers v Bristol Rovers
22 July 2017 Forest Green Rovers 2–0 Bristol Rovers show Nailsworth 15:00 BST
Noble 14' Mullings 65'
Report
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 1,589 Referee:
Farense v Forest Green Rovers
25 July 2017 Farense 2–1 Forest Green Rovers show Albufeira , Portugal19:00 WEST
Gomes 3' Melo 85'
Report
Bugiel 90'
Stadium: Estádio Municipal de Albufeira Attendance: 192
Forest Green Rovers v Kidderminster Harriers
29 July 2017 Forest Green Rovers P–P[45] Kidderminster Harriers show Nailsworth 15:00 BST
Stadium: The New Lawn
Worthing v Forest Green Rovers
1 August 2017 Worthing 4–1 Forest Green Rovers show Worthing 19:30 BST
?' 49' (o.g. ) 68' 74'
Report
?'
Stadium: The Bibby Financial Services Stadium Attendance: 570 Referee:
League Two [ ]
League table [ ]
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Promotion, qualification or relegation
19
Yeovil Town
46
12
12
22
59
75
−16
48
20
Port Vale
46
11
14
21
49
67
−18
47
21
Forest Green Rovers
46
13
8
25
54
77
−23
47
22
Morecambe
46
9
19
18
41
56
−15
46
23
Barnet (R)
46
12
10
24
46
65
−19
46
Relegation to the National League
Source:
BBC Sport Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(R) Relegated
Result summary [ ]
Overall
Home
Away
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
31
8
5
18
33
54
−21
29
6
2
8
22
27
−5
2
3
10
11
27
−16
Last updated: 3 February 2018.
Source:[citation needed ]
Results by matchday [ ]
Matchday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 Ground H A H A A H H A H A H A H A A H A H A H A H H A H H A H A A H A H A H A H A A H H A H A A H Result D L W L L L L D L L L D L W W W D W L D L L L L L W L W L L W W D W D L L L W L L W W D L L Position 13 21 15 19 22 22 23 22 23 24 24 22 23 23 23 20 21 18 20 20 23 23 23 23 23 22 23 23 23 23 22 20 21 19 18 19 21 21 20 21 22 21 20 20 21 21
Updated to match(es) played on 3 February 2018. Source:
Statto.com A = Away;
H = Home;
W = Win;
D = Draw;
L = Loss
Matches [ ]
On 21 June 2017, the league fixtures were announced.[46] [47]
Forest Green Rovers v Barnet
5 August 2017 1 Forest Green Rovers 2–2 Barnet show Nailsworth 15:00 BST
Doidge 41' , 43'
Report
Akpa Akpro 58' Taylor 59' 90+5' Campbell-Ryce 63'
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 3,171 Referee: Darren Drysdale
Mansfield Town v Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers v Yeovil Town
Colchester United v Forest Green Rovers
26 August 2017 4 Colchester United 5–1 Forest Green Rovers show Colchester 15:00 BST
Reid 4' Kent 21' Szmodics 65' Vincent-Young 74' Senior 90+3'
Report
Noble 23' Roberts 53' Cooper 90+5'
Stadium: Weston Homes Community Stadium Attendance: 3,047 Referee:
Wycombe Wanderers v Forest Green Rovers
2 September 2017 5 Wycombe Wanderers 3–1 Forest Green Rovers show High Wycombe 15:00 BST
El-Abd 2' Cowan-Hall 7' Stewart 22' O'Nien 36' 82'
Report
Doidge 68' Russell 70'
Stadium: Adams Park Attendance: 3,759 Referee:
Forest Green Rovers v Exeter City
Forest Green Rovers v Lincoln City
Port Vale v Forest Green Rovers
16 September 2017 8 Port Vale 1–1 Forest Green Rovers show Burslem 15:00 BST
Turner 21'
Report
Bugiel 68' Doidge 90+4'
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,910 Referee:
Forest Green Rovers v Swindon Town
22 September 2017 9 Forest Green Rovers 0–2 Swindon Town show Nailsworth 19:45 BST
Bennett 43' Roberts 65' Cooper 87'
Report
Robertson 58' Lancashire 86' Taylor 90'
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 3,305 Referee: Darren Drysdale
Cambridge United v Forest Green Rovers
26 September 2017 10 Cambridge United 3–0 Forest Green Rovers show Cambridge 19:45 BST
Ibehre 15' Ikpeazu 55' , 61'
Report
Stadium: Abbey Stadium Attendance: 3,545 Referee:
Notts County v Forest Green Rovers
7 October 2017 12 Notts County 1–1 Forest Green Rovers show Nottingham 15:00 BST
Duffy 2' Milsom 76' 90+6'
Report
Traoré 7' Collins 19' Bugiel 30' Cooper 90+1'
Stadium: Meadow Lane Attendance: 13,267 Referee: Lee Probert
Coventry City v Forest Green Rovers
17 October 2017 14 Coventry City 0–1 Forest Green Rovers show Coventry 19:45 BST
McDonald 23' Doyle 45+1' Nazon 79' McNulty 90+1'
Report
Marsh-Brown 29' Brown 90+2'
Stadium: Ricoh Arena Attendance: 6,366 Referee: Simon Hooper
Forest Green Rovers v Morecambe
28 October 2017 16 Forest Green Rovers 2–0 Morecambe show Nailsworth 15:00 BST
Marsh-Brown 30' Laird 64'
Report
Conlan 45+3' McGurk 85'
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 2,515 Referee:
Crawley Town v Forest Green Rovers
11 November 2017 17 Crawley Town 1–1 Forest Green Rovers show Crawley 15:00 BST
Morris 37' Connolly 42' Payne 70' Verheydt 79'
Report
Monthé 46' Doidge 67'
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: 2,149 Referee:
Forest Green Rovers v Crewe Alexandra
Chesterfield v Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers v Cheltenham Town
Grimsby Town v Forest Green Rovers
9 December 2017 21 Grimsby Town 1–0 Forest Green Rovers show Cleethorpes 15:00 GMT
Rose 39' Summerfield 74' Dembélé 76' McKeown 90+1'
Report
Fitzwater 33' 37' Roberts 64'
Stadium: Blundell Park Attendance: 4,398 Referee:
Forest Green Rovers v Luton Town
16 December 2017 22 Forest Green Rovers 0–2 Luton Town show Nailsworth 15:00
Laird 81' Doidge 90'
Report
Potts 20' Mullins 22' Sheehan 45+1' Stacey 60' Hylton 68'
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 2,546 Referee: Lee Swabey
Forest Green Rovers v Carlisle United
23 December 2017 23 Forest Green Rovers 0–1 Carlisle United show Nailsworth 15:00
Roberts 81' Stevens 84' Laird 90+4'
Report
Bennett 28' Grainger 86' Miller 90+4'
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 2,489 Referee: Kevin Johnson
Lincoln City v Forest Green Rovers
30 December 2017 24 Lincoln City 2–1 Forest Green Rovers show Lincoln 15:00
Rhead 8' 57' Bostwick 62'
Report
Doidge 24' Collins 25'
Stadium: Sincil Bank Attendance: 8,964 Referee: Martin Coy
Forest Green Rovers v Wycombe Wanderers
Forest Green Rovers v Port Vale
6 January 2018 26 Forest Green Rovers 1–0 Port Vale show Nailsworth 15:00
Reid 61'
Report
Pope 82'
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 2,437 Referee: Keith Stroud
Swindon Town v Forest Green Rovers
13 January 2018 27 Swindon Town 1–0 Forest Green Rovers show Swindon 15:00
Dunne 45+7' Anderson 59' Norris 79' Mullin 83'
Grubb 70' Reid 87' Wishart 87' Gunning 90+3'
Stadium: Energy Check County Ground Attendance: 7,062 Referee: Dean Whitestone
Forest Green Rovers v Cambridge United
Carlisle United v Forest Green Rovers
27 January 2018 29 Carlisle United 1–0 Forest Green Rovers show Carlisle 15:00
Devitt 27' Bonham 66' Joyce 89'
Report
Bennett 41' Gunning 60' Collins 89' Campbell 90+6'
Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 4,176 Referee: Eddie Ilderton
Exeter City v Forest Green Rovers
31 January 2018 30 Exeter City 2–0 Forest Green Rovers show Exeter 19:45
Stockley 51' Sweeney 57' (pen. ) Holmes 82'
Report
Gunning 67' Collins 68'
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 3,382 Referee: Brett Huxtable
Forest Green Rovers v Coventry City
3 February 2018 31 Forest Green Rovers 2–1 Coventry City show Nailsworth 15:00
Bray 39' Collins 64'
Report
Kelly 38' McNulty 59' (pen. )
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 3,623 Referee: Darren Handley
Morecambe v Forest Green Rovers
17 February 2018 33 Morecambe 1–1 Forest Green Rovers show Morecambe 15:00
McGowan 59' Winnard 67' Rose 84' Conlan 89' Wylde 90'
Report
Clements 13' Grubb 78'
Stadium: Globe Arena Attendance: 1,447 Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Forest Green Rovers v Crawley Town
24 February 2018 34 Forest Green Rovers 2–0 Crawley Town show Nailsworth 15:00 GMT
Reid 10' Doidge 24' Osbourne 79'
Report
Yorwerth 36' Connolly 90+5'
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 2,346 Referee: Andy Woolmer
Forest Green Rovers v Notts County
10 March 2018 36 Forest Green Rovers 1–2 Notts County show Nailsworth 15:00 GMT
Campbell 72' Collins 86' Cooper 90+3'
Report
Noble 34' 89' Tootle 80' Duffy 87'
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 2,893 Referee: Mark Heywood
Crewe Alexandra v Forest Green Rovers
20 March 2018 38 Crewe Alexandra 3–1 Forest Green Rovers show Crewe 19:45 GMT
Bowery 44' 61' Kirk 59'
Report
Grubb 64'
Stadium: Gresty Road Attendance: 3,158 Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Forest Green Rovers v Mansfield Town
Yeovil Town v Forest Green Rovers
30 March 2018 P Yeovil Town Postponed Forest Green Rovers show Yeovil
Stadium: Huish Park
Forest Green Rovers v Colchester United
Barnet v Forest Green Rovers
Cheltenham Town v Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers v Chesterfield
Yeovil Town v Forest Green Rovers
24 April 2018 44 Yeovil Town 0–0 Forest Green Rovers show Yeovil 19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Huish Park Attendance: 2,789 Referee: John Brooks
Luton Town v Forest Green Rovers
28 April 2018 45 Luton Town 3–1 Forest Green Rovers show Luton 15:00 BST
Collins 9' Hylton 20' 25' McCormack 59' Lee 86' Mpanzu 89' 90'
Report
Doidge 53' Collins 66' Gunning 90'
Stadium: Kenilworth Road Attendance: 10,029 Referee: Lee Collins
Forest Green Rovers v Grimsby Town
5 May 2018 46 Forest Green Rovers 0–3 Grimsby Town show Nailsworth 15:00 BST
Gunning 19'
Report
Hooper 52' , 84' , 90' Fox 67'
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 3,880 Referee: Seb Stockbridge
FA Cup [ ]
On 16 October 2017, Forest Green Rovers were drawn at home to Macclesfield Town in the first round.[48] Another home tie was confirmed for the second round, against Exeter City .[49]
Forest Green Rovers v Macclesfield Town
Forest Green Rovers v Exeter City
Exeter City v Forest Green Rovers
EFL Cup [ ]
On 16 June 2017, Forest Green Rovers were drawn at home to MK Dons in the first round.[50]
Forest Green Rovers v Milton Keynes Dons
EFL Trophy [ ]
On 12 July 2017, Forest Green Rovers were drawn in Southern Group E against Cheltenham Town , Newport County and Swansea City U23s .[51] [52] After finished as runners-up in the group stages, FGR were drawn away to Swindon Town in the second round.[53] A third round trip to Yeovil Town was next on the cards after seeing off Swindon Town in the previous round.[54]
Pos
Lge
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification
1
ACA
Swansea City U21s (Q)
3
3
0
0
6
2
+4
9
Round 2
2
L2
Forest Green Rovers (Q)
3
2
0
1
4
3
+1
6
3
L2
Cheltenham Town (E)
3
1
0
2
4
5
−1
3
4
L2
Newport County (E)
3
0
0
3
2
6
−4
0
Updated to match(es) played on 31 October 2017. Source: EFL.com(E) Eliminated; (Q) Qualified to the phase indicated
Cheltenham Town v Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers v Swansea City U23s
Swindon Town v Forest Green Rovers
5 December 2017 Second round Swindon Town 0–1 Forest Green Rovers show Swindon 19:45 GMT
Anderson 53' 90+5' Taylor 89'
Report
Bennett 28' 90+6' Doidge 79'
Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 1,320 Referee:
Yeovil Town v Forest Green Rovers
9 January 2018 Third round Yeovil Town 2-0 Forest Green Rovers show Yeovil 19:45 GMT
Smith 3' Smith 26' Sowunmi 57' Zoko 88'
Report
Traoré 82'
Stadium: Huish Park Attendance: 1,395 Referee: John Busby
Statistics [ ]
Appearances and goals [ ]
Total
League Two
FA Cup
EFL Cup
Football League Trophy
Goalkeepers
1
GK
Bradley Collins
16
0
15
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
23
GK
Sam Russell
8
0
5
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
Defenders
2
DF
Dale Bennett
22
0
19
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
3
DF
Scott Laird
21
1
16+2
1
0
0
0+1
0
2
0
5
DF
Lee Collins
20
0
19
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
6
DF
Manny Monthé
12
0
5+4
0
0
0
1
0
1+1
0
16
DF
Jack Fitzwater
12
0
9
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
18
DF
Callum Evans
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
20
DF
Alex Iacovitti
16
1
9+4
1
0
0
0
0
2+1
0
21
DF
Mark Roberts
14
0
9+2
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
Midfielders
4
MF
Drissa Traoré
22
0
16+2
0
0
0
0+1
0
3
0
7
MF
Keanu Marsh-Brown
11
2
7+2
2
0
0
0+1
0
0+1
0
8
MF
Liam Noble
11
1
9
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
10
MF
Reece Brown
18
3
12+2
2
0
0
1
0
1+2
1
15
MF
Charlie Cooper
16
1
13
1
0
0
1
0
2
0
19
MF
Will Randall
8
0
5+2
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
34
MF
Isaiah Osbourne
13
0
11+1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
35
MF
Jordan Stevens
4
1
0+2
0
0
0
0
0
0+2
1
Forwards
9
FW
Christian Doidge
23
11
20
11
0
0
1
0
2
0
11
FW
Omar Bugiel
18
3
3+13
3
0
0
0
0
1+1
0
14
FW
Shamir Mullings
9
1
2+5
1
0
0
0+1
0
0+1
0
17
FW
Dan Wishart
15
1
5+7
0
0
0
1
0
2
1
25
FW
Toni Gomes
10
0
5+4
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
33
FW
Luke James
15
1
7+4
0
0
0
1
0
3
1
Players transferred out during the season
Last updated: 30 November 2017 Source: [55]
References [ ]
show Overview Grounds Seasons Matches
1982 FA Vase Final
1999 FA Trophy Final
2001 FA Trophy Final
2016 National League play-off Final
2017 National League play-off Final
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