Forest Green Rovers Vs Altrincham

Matchday 71 took us to one of the two clubs that, unfortunately, were relegated last season. Despite this setback, we remained committed to our 92FC Challenge and ensured that this stadium was crossed off our list.

Our journey was relatively smooth, taking about 1.5 hours despite the expected bank holiday traffic on the M5. Remarkably, we made it to the ground with an hour to spare. The location of the stadium was quite unusual—nestled in a remote, rural area, it seemed to emerge almost out of nowhere at the end of a series of winding, bumpy lanes after we had left the motorway.

As we got closer to the ground, I decided to search for street parking and was fortunate to find a spot just a short 10-minute walk away. Once we arrived, we encountered a small issue with our digital tickets, which, once again, failed to indicate the correct turnstile. After being directed to the other side of the stadium, even the steward on duty seemed unsure of our location. A quick radio check confirmed that we were indeed in the right place.

The ticket scanning process presented another challenge—Liam’s ticket took multiple attempts before it finally worked, while mine scanned quickly on the first try. After a quick stop at the toilets, we headed to our seats. The stadium itself was impressive, with the pitch looking like a perfectly maintained green carpet. Despite their recent relegation, the fans came out in full force, taking advantage of the beautiful weather to support their team.

Our seats were fantastic, offering an incredible view directly behind the away team’s dugout. Liam was absolutely thrilled to be so close to the action. We decided to grab some drinks, and while the queue was long, it only took us about 15 minutes to get served—much quicker than expected. We were back in our seats well before the second half kicked off.

The match was packed with excitement and intensity. However, the referee seemed to irritate both sets of fans with his inconsistent decisions. The first half was a tight contest, but the home team managed to take the lead, heading into halftime with a 1-0 advantage. The second half mirrored the first in terms of intensity, with both teams battling hard. With just seven minutes left on the clock, Altrincham managed to find an equalizer, setting up a tense finish. As the fourth official indicated four minutes of added time, Liam and I decided to make a quick dash to the toilets and start heading towards the car. However, as we were walking out, we were met with a deafening roar from the crowd—Forest Green had scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner! It was an incredible moment for the home side, though we were a bit frustrated to have missed witnessing it live.

One aspect of the match that left a lasting impression was the behaviour of Forest Green’s manager, Steve Cotterill. Throughout the game, he was constantly shouting, screaming, and even swearing at his players. His intense and aggressive demeanour was, without a doubt, one of the worst management styles I’ve seen.

On our journey home, we decided to take a different route, avoiding the narrow lanes. Despite the heavy bank holiday traffic, we managed to make it back in just under 1 hour and 30 minutes. We did have to detour through Worcester to bypass a major traffic jam on the M5, but overall, it was a smooth and satisfying conclusion to what had been an eventful day.

Five Facts About Forest Green Rovers:

1. Eco-Friendly Innovations: Forest Green Rovers is widely recognized as the world’s first vegan football club. The team switched to an entirely plant-based diet for its players and fans in 2015, earning the club international acclaim for its environmental sustainability efforts.
2. Green Energy Stadium: The club’s stadium, The New Lawn, is powered by 100% renewable energy. Forest Green Rovers is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and is even planning to build a new stadium made entirely out of wood—another first in world football.
3. Environmental Leadership: Forest Green Rovers was named the “greenest football club in the world” by FIFA in 2017. This recognition highlights the club’s pioneering work in promoting environmental awareness and sustainability in sports.
4. Historic Achievements: Despite being a relatively small club, Forest Green Rovers made history in 2017 by achieving promotion to the English Football League (EFL) for the first time in its history. This marked a significant milestone for the club, which had spent its previous years in non-league football.
5. Innovative Pitch Management: The club’s pitch at The New Lawn is organic, avoiding the use of any chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Additionally, the pitch is watered using rainwater collected from the stadium roof, further emphasizing the club’s commitment to sustainable practices.