Forest Green

Rovers

Forest Green Rovers are a football club from the United Kingdom who play in League Two. Formed in 1878 as Forest Green Rovers Juniors, the club has progressed through the English football league system, playing their home games at the Memorial Stadium in Gillingham. Forest Green Rovers are one of ten clubs to have played in every division of English football, and have reached the third tier of English football on four occasions. The club’s highest finish in the English football league system was sixth in the Second Division in 1971–72. The club captain, Mark Warburton, has been manager since October 2014.

Forest Green Rovers were formed in 1878 as Forest Green Rovers Juniors. The club progressed through the English football league system and entered the Football League in 1970 as founder members of the new Third Division. They reached the Third Division’s Premier Division in 1974 and second tier in 1976, but were relegated in 1978. After spending two years in the fourth tier, the club reached the third tier for the first time in their history in 1981. In 1983, the club reached the FA Cup final for the first time, but lost 1–0 to Liverpool. The club improved their fortunes in the late 1980s and early 1990s, finishing in the top six of the Third Division twice before reaching the Football League’s second tier for the first time in their history in 1997. In their first season in the second tier, the club finished as runners-up in the league. The following season, they reached the Football League’s Play-offs, but lost 2–1 in the final against Bolton Wanderers. The club reached the Football League’s Premier Division in 2001, but were relegated after one season. In the 2006–07 season, the club reached the Football League’s Championship Play-offs, but lost to Reading 3–2 on aggregate.

The club returned to the Championship in 2007–08 and reached the Championship Play-offs in 2008–09, but lost 2–1 to Sheffield United in the semi-finals. The club finished the 2009–10 season in the Championship’s top four and qualified for the Football League’s promotion play-offs. After defeating Brentford 1–0 in the semi-finals, the club lost 2–1 in the final against Cardiff City. The club finished the 2010–11 season in the Championship’s top six and qualified for the Football League’s promotion play-offs. After defeating Barnsley 2–0 in the semi-finals, the club lost 3–2 in the final against Swindon Town. In the 2014–15 season, the club reached the Football League’s play-offs for the fifth time, but lost 1–0 in the final against Preston North End. The club finished the following season in the Football League’s Championship’s top six, but were relegated after losing in the final of the play-offs against Wigan Athletic.

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