From Wikipedia - Reading time: 16 min
| 2023–24 season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Dale Vince |
| Chairman | Dale Vince |
| Head Coach | David Horseman (until 20 December)[1] Troy Deeney (from 20 December to 18 January)[1][2] |
| Stadium | The New Lawn |
| League Two | 24th |
| EFL Cup | First round |
| EFL Trophy | Group stage |
| Top goalscorer | Matty Stevens (2) |
The 2023–24 season is the 135th season in the history of Forest Green Rovers and their first season back in League Two since the 2021–22 season following their relegation from League One in the previous season. The club are participating in League Two, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the 2023–24 EFL Trophy.
| No. | Name | Position | Nationality | Place of birth | Date of birth (Age) | Previous club | Date signed | Fee | Contract end | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||||||||||||
| 1 | Luke Daniels | GK | Bolton | 5 January 1988 | Middlesbrough | 14 July 2023 | Free | 30 June 2024 | |||||
| 20 | Jamie Searle | GK | Whakatāne | 25 November 2000 | Barnsley | 22 July 2023 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2025 | |||||
| 31 | Tommy Simkin | GK | 8 December 2004 | Stoke City | 12 January 2024 | Loan | 31 May 2024 | ||||||
| 41 | Fiachra Pagel | GK | 16 February 2004 | 2 January 2023 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2024 | |||||||
| Defenders | |||||||||||||
| 2 | Marcel Lavinier | RB | 16 December 2000 | Swindon Town | 3 August 2023 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2025 | ||||||
| 3 | Dom Bernard | CB | 29 March 1997 | Birmingham City | 17 July 2019 | Free | 30 June 2024 | ||||||
| 4 | Darnell Johnson | CB | Leicester | 3 September 1998 | Fleetwood Town | 4 August 2023 | Free | 30 June 2025 | |||||
| 5 | Ryan Inniss | CB | Penge | 5 June 1995 | Charlton Athletic | 1 July 2023 | Free | 30 June 2025 | |||||
| 15 | Jordan Moore-Taylor | CB | Exeter | 21 January 1994 | Milton Keynes Dons | 21 July 2020 | Free | 30 June 2024 | |||||
| 16 | Dominic Thompson | LB | Willesden | 26 July 2000 | Blackpool | 12 January 2024 | Loan | 31 May 2024 | |||||
| 17 | Jamie Robson | LB | Perth | 19 December 1997 | Lincoln City | 6 January 2023 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2024 | |||||
| 19 | Sean Robertson | RB | Wandsworth | 6 June 2001 | Crystal Palace | 4 August 2022 | Free | 30 June 2024 | |||||
| 25 | Fankaty Dabo | RB | Southwark | 11 October 1995 | Coventry City | 1 September 2023 | Free | 30 June 2025 | |||||
| 44 | Murphy Bennett | RB | 23 December 2004 | Manchester City | 1 July 2021 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2024 | ||||||
| Keon Sanniola | CB | Academy | 5 September 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 | ||||||||
| Midfielders | |||||||||||||
| 6 | Teddy Jenks | CM | Brighton | 12 March 2002 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1 July 2023 | Free | 30 June 2025 | |||||
| 8 | Charlie McCann | DM | 24 April 2002 | 24 January 2023 | £300,000 | 30 June 2026 | |||||||
| 12 | Alfie Bendle | CM | 27 January 2005 | AFC Wimbledon | 9 August 2023 | Free | 30 June 2025 | ||||||
| 18 | Jacob Maddox | AM | Bristol | 3 November 1998 | Walsall | 7 August 2023 | Free | 30 June 2025 | |||||
| 21 | Alex Rodríguez | CM | Tenerife | 1 August 1993 | Oxford United | 12 January 2024 | Free | 30 June 2024 | |||||
| 22 | Maxi Oyedele | DM | 7 November 2004 | Manchester United | 17 January 2024 | Loan | 31 May 2024 | ||||||
| 26 | David Davis | CM | Smethwick | 20 February 1991 | Shrewsbury Town | 1 July 2022 | Free | 30 June 2024 | |||||
| 27 | Harvey Bunker | DM | Portsmouth | 15 April 2003 | Academy | 1 July 2020 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 | |||||
| 28 | Callum Jones | CM | 5 April 2001 | Hull City | 1 July 2023 | Loan | 31 May 2024 | ||||||
| 29 | Reece Brown | CM | Dudley | 3 March 1996 | Huddersfield Town | 1 July 2022 | Free | 30 June 2024 | |||||
| 32 | Jack Carter | CM | Academy | 1 July 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 | |||||||
| 34 | Zach McKenzie | CM | Academy | 1 July 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 | |||||||
| 40 | Fin Bell | CM | Academy | 1 July 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 | |||||||
| 45 | Emmanuel Osadebe | RM | Dundalk | 1 October 1996 | Bradford City | 18 January 2024 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2025 | |||||
| 51 | Jesse Thompson | CM | 29 November 2005 | Reading | 1 July 2022 | Free | 30 June 2024 | ||||||
| — | Dylan Kadji | DM | 1 September 2003 | Bristol City | 4 August 2023 | Loan | 31 May 2024 | ||||||
| Forwards | |||||||||||||
| 7 | Kyle McAllister | RW | Paisley | 21 January 1999 | 1 July 2022 | Free | 30 June 2025 | ||||||
| 9 | Matty Stevens | CF | Guildford | 12 February 1998 | Peterborough United | 27 July 2019 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2024 | |||||
| 10 | Matty Taylor | CF | Kidlington | 30 March 1990 | Oxford United | 17 July 2023 | Free | 30 June 2025 | |||||
| 11 | Jordon Garrick | RW | 15 July 1998 | Swansea City | 5 January 2023 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2024 | ||||||
| 14 | Troy Deeney | CF | Birmingham | 29 June 1988 | Birmingham City | 17 August 2023 | Free | 30 June 2024 | |||||
| 23 | Tyrese Omotoye | CF | Hasselt | 23 September 2002 | Norwich City | 23 January 2023 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2024 | |||||
| 24 | Olly Sully | CF | 8 September 2005 | Academy | 5 September 2023 | — | 30 June 2024 | ||||||
| 37 | Nathan Holland | LW | Manchester | 19 June 1998 | Milton Keynes Dons | 24 August 2023 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2025 | |||||
| 39 | Callum Morton | CF | Torquay | 19 January 2000 | Salford City | 1 September 2023 | Loan | 31 May 2024 | |||||
| Out on Loan | |||||||||||||
| — | Amadou Bakayoko | CF | Kenema | 1 January 1996 | Bolton Wanderers | 12 January 2023 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2024 | |||||
| Date | Pos | Player | From | Fee | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2023 | CB | Free Transfer | [3] | ||
| 1 July 2023 | CM | Free Transfer | [4] | ||
| 14 July 2023 | GK | Free Transfer | [5] | ||
| 17 July 2023 | CF | Free Transfer | [6] | ||
| 22 July 2023 | GK | Undisclosed | [7] | ||
| 3 August 2023 | RB | Undisclosed | [8] | ||
| 4 August 2023 | CB | Free Transfer | [9] | ||
| 7 August 2023 | AM | Free Transfer | [10] | ||
| 9 August 2023 | CM | Free Transfer | [11] | ||
| 17 August 2023 | CF | Free Transfer | [12] | ||
| 24 August 2023 | LW | Undisclosed | [13] | ||
| 1 September 2023 | RB | Free Transfer | [14] | ||
| 12 January 2024 | CM | Free Transfer | [15] | ||
| 18 January 2024 | RM | Undisclosed | [16] |
| Date | Pos | Player | Transferred to | Fee | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 June 2023 | GK | Released | [17] | ||
| 30 June 2023 | CB | Released | [17][18] | ||
| 30 June 2023 | CM | Released | [17][19] | ||
| 30 June 2023 | LB | Released | [17][20] | ||
| 30 June 2023 | GK | Released | [17][21] | ||
| 30 June 2023 | CM | Released | [17][22] | ||
| 30 June 2023 | CF | Released | [17][23] | ||
| 30 June 2023 | CM | Released | [17][24] | ||
| 30 June 2023 | GK | Released | [17] | ||
| 6 July 2023 | GK | Undisclosed | [25] | ||
| 6 July 2023 | CM | Undisclosed | [26] | ||
| 25 July 2023 | RB | Undisclosed | [27] | ||
| 3 August 2023 | CB | Undisclosed | [28] |
| Date | Pos | Player | Loaned from | Date until | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2023 | CM | End of Season | [29] | ||
| 4 August 2023 | DM | End of Season | [30] | ||
| 10 August 2023 | CB | 3 January 2024[a] | [31][32] | ||
| 1 September 2023 | CF | End of Season | [33] | ||
| 30 September 2023 | GK | 7 October 2023 | [34] | ||
| 12 January 2024 | GK | End of Season | [35] | ||
| 12 January 2024 | LB | End of Season | [36] | ||
| 17 January 2024 | DM | End of Season | [37] |
| Date | Pos | Player | Loaned to | Until | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 July 2023 | CF | End of Season | [38] |
On 7 June, FGR announced four pre-season fixtures, against Melksham Town, Coventry City, Everton Under-21s and Plymouth Argyle.[39] A fifth was later added, against West Bromwich Albion.[40]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 5 July 2023 Friendly | Melksham Town | 1–1 | Forest Green Rovers | Melksham |
| 19:30 BST | Jones |
Stadium: Oakfield Stadium |
| 11 July 2023 Friendly | UCD | 0–2 | Forest Green Rovers | Dublin, Ireland |
| 19:30 BST | Stadium: UCD Bowl |
| 18 July 2023 Friendly | Forest Green Rovers | 0–4 | Coventry City | Nailsworth |
| 19:00 BST | Report | Simms Palmer Obikwu |
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 1,345 |
| 19 July 2023 Friendly | Forest Green Rovers | 1–0 | Everton U21 | Nailsworth |
| 19:00 BST | Trialist G |
Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 698 Referee: Sam Allison |
| 22 July 2023 Friendly | Plymouth Argyle | 5–1 | Forest Green Rovers | TBA |
| 15:00 BST | Hardie Mumba Wright Whittaker |
Stevens |
Stadium: TBA Attendance: 0 (behind-closed-doors) |
| 28 July 2023 Friendly | Forest Green Rovers | 2–0 | West Bromwich Albion | Nailsworth |
| 19:00 BST | Trialist Bernard |
Stadium: The New Lawn |
| Competition | Starting round | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | ||
| League Two | Matchday 1 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 16 | 24 | −8 | 23.08 |
| FA Cup | First round | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | — |
| EFL Cup | First round | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0.00 |
| EFL Trophy | Group stage | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 |
| Total | 15 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 20 | 27 | −7 | 26.67 | |
Last updated: 14 October 2023
Source: Soccerway
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Grimsby Town | 27 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 40 | 49 | −9 | 28 | |
| 20 | Doncaster Rovers | 27 | 8 | 4 | 15 | 31 | 47 | −16 | 28 | |
| 21 | Salford City | 27 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 35 | 48 | −13 | 27 | |
| 22 | Colchester United | 28 | 7 | 4 | 17 | 38 | 55 | −17 | 25 | |
| 23 | Sutton United | 26 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 30 | 54 | −24 | 19 | Relegation to National League |
| 24 | Forest Green Rovers | 26 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 26 | 48 | −22 | 18 |
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 26 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 26 | 48 | −22 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 12 | 24 | −12 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 24 | −10 |
Last updated: 13 January 2024.
Source: Soccerway
On 22 June, the EFL League Two fixtures were released.[42]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 5 August 2023 1 | Forest Green Rovers | 0–2 | Salford City | Nailsworth |
| 15:00 BST | McCann Robson Bunker |
Report | Hendry McAleny Garbutt Bolton Smith |
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 1,936 Referee: Daniel Middleton |
| 12 August 2023 2 | Harrogate Town | 0–1 | Forest Green Rovers | Harrogate |
| 15:00 BST | Cornelius |
Report | Jones Stevens Maddox Bernard |
Stadium: Wetherby Road Attendance: 2,050 Referee: Leigh Doughty |
| 15 August 2023 3 | Forest Green Rovers | 1–2 | Swindon Town | Nailsworth |
| 19:45 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 1,868 Referee: Sunny Sukhvir Gill |
| 19 August 2023 4 | Forest Green Rovers | 0–3 | Newport County | Nailsworth |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 2,292 Referee: Scott Jackson |
| 26 August 2023 5 | AFC Wimbledon | 1–1 | Forest Green Rovers | Wimbledon |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Plough Lane Attendance: 6,949 Referee: Paul Howard |
| 2 September 2023 6 | Sutton United | 0–1 | Forest Green Rovers | Sutton |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Gander Green Lane Attendance: 2,546 Referee: Scott Simpson |
| 9 September 2023 7 | Forest Green Rovers | 1–4 | Crewe Alexandra | Nailsworth |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 1,855 Referee: Thomas Parsons |
| 16 September 2023 8 | Forest Green Rovers | 1–2 | Doncaster Rovers | Nailsworth |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 1,979 Referee: Jacob Miles |
| 23 September 2023 9 | Notts County | 4–3 | Forest Green Rovers | Nottingham |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Meadow Lane Attendance: 10,648 Referee: Seb Stockbridge |
| 30 September 2023 10 | Forest Green Rovers | 1–2 | Morecambe | Nailsworth |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 2,290 Referee: Adam Herczeg |
| 3 October 2023 11 | Stockport County | 2–0 | Forest Green Rovers | Edgeley |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Edgeley Park Attendance: 7,517 Referee: Ross Joyce |
| 7 October 2023 12 | Accrington Stanley | 2–1 | Forest Green Rovers | Accrington |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Crown Ground Attendance: 2,222 Referee: Ben Atkinson |
| 14 October 2023 13 | Forest Green Rovers | 5–0 | Colchester United | Nailsworth |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 2,137 Referee: Ollie Yates |
| 24 October 2023 15 | Forest Green Rovers | 0–2 | Barrow | Nailsworth |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 1,440 Referee: Tom Reeves |
| 28 October 2023 16 | Forest Green Rovers | 2–1 | Crawley Town | Nailsworth |
| 15:00 GMT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 1,898 Referee: Craig Hicks |
| 11 November 2023 17 | Tranmere Rovers | 3–0 | Forest Green Rovers | Birkenhead |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 6,461 Referee: Edward Duckworth |
| 18 November 2023 18 | Forest Green Rovers | 2–2 | Grimsby Town | Nailsworth |
| 15:00 GMT |
|
Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 2,580 Referee: Scott Tallis |
| 25 November 2023 19 | Walsall | 0–0 | Forest Green Rovers | Bescot |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Poundland Bescot Stadium Attendance: 6,317 Referee: Peter Wright |
| 28 November 2023 20 | Forest Green Rovers | 0–3 | Bradford City | Nailsworth |
| 19:45 GMT |
|
Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 1,462 Referee: Simon Mather |
| 16 December 2023 22 | Milton Keynes Dons | 2–0 | Forest Green Rovers | Denbigh |
| 15:00 GMT | Report |
|
Stadium: Stadium MK Attendance: 6,033 Referee: Seb Stockbridge |
| 22 December 2023 23 | Forest Green Rovers | 0–0 | Gillingham | Nailsworth |
| 19:00 GMT | Report |
|
Stadium: The New Lawn Referee: Sam Allison |
| 26 December 2023 24 | Newport County | 4–2 | Forest Green Rovers | Newport |
| 15:00 GMT | Report |
|
Stadium: Rodney Parade Attendance: 4,576 Referee: Stephen Martin |
| 29 December 2023 25 | Swindon Town | 2–1 | Forest Green Rovers | Swindon |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Stadium: The County Ground Attendance: 9,075 Referee: Scott Simpson |
| 1 January 2024 26 | Forest Green Rovers | 1–1 | AFC Wimbledon | Nailsworth |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 2,786 Referee: James Durkin |
| 6 January 2024 27 | Salford City | 2–2 | Forest Green Rovers | Kersal |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Moor Lane Attendance: 2,355 Referee: Charles Breakspear |
| 13 January 2024 28 | Forest Green Rovers | 0–2 | Harrogate Town | Nailsworth |
| 15:00 GMT | Report |
|
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 1,695 Referee: Christopher Pollard |
| 21 October 2023 14 | Mansfield Town | v | Forest Green Rovers | Mansfield |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Field Mill | ||
| Note: Fixture originally scheduled for 21 October but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and rescheduled for 16 January 2024.[43][44] | ||||
| 16 January 2024 14 | Mansfield Town | v | Forest Green Rovers | Mansfield |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Stadium: Field Mill | ||
| Note: Fixture rescheduled from 21 October 2023 to 16 January 2024 and postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, to be rearranged for a later date.[44][45] | ||||
| 9 December 2023 21 | Forest Green Rovers | v | Wrexham | Nailsworth |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: The New Lawn | ||
| Note: Fixture postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.[46] | ||||
Forest Green were drawn away to Scarborough Athletic or Oxford City in the first round.[47] On 6 December, FGR were ordered to replay the first round tie versus Scarborough Athletic due to fielding an ineligible player.[48]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 4 November 2023 First round | Scarborough Athletic | 1-1 Void | Forest Green Rovers | Scarborough |
| 15:00 GMT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Scarborough Sports Village Attendance: 3,209 Referee: Marc Edwards |
| Note: Fixture declared void due to Forest Green Rovers fielding an ineligible player, tie ordered to be replayed on 12 December 2024.[48] | ||||
| 14 November 2023 First round replay | Forest Green Rovers | 5-2 Void | Scarborough Athletic | Nailsworth |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 1,146 Referee: Paul Howard | ||
| Note: Fixture declared void due to Forest Green Rovers fielding an ineligible player.[48] | ||||
| 12 December 2023 First round | Scarborough Athletic | 2–4 | Forest Green Rovers | Scarborough |
| 19:45 GMT | Stadium: Scarborough Sports Village |
| 19 December 2023 Second round | Blackpool | 3–0 | Forest Green Rovers | Blackpool |
| 19:45 GMT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 3,188 Referee: Scott Jackson |
| Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for 2 December, bbut was later postponed after Forest Green Rovers were ordered to replay the first round replay with Scarbrough due to fielding an ineligible player..[49] | ||||
FGR were drawn at home to Portsmouth in the first round.[50]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 8 August 2023 First round | Forest Green Rovers | 1–3 | Portsmouth | Nailsworth |
| 19:45 BST | Robertson Bunker Omotoye Robson |
Report | Yengi Scully Swanson Devlin |
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 1,868 Referee: Sam Purkiss |
In the group stage, Forest Green were drawn into Southern Group A along with Walsall, Shrewsbury Town and Brighton & Hove Albion U21.[51][52] After topping the group, FGR were drawn at home to Oxford United.[53]
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L2 | Forest Green Rovers | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 6 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | ACA | Brighton & Hove Albion U21 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6 | |
| 3 | L1 | Shrewsbury Town | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 5 | |
| 4 | L2 | Walsall | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 1 |
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 5 September 2023 Group stage | Forest Green Rovers | 3–0 | Shrewsbury Town | Nailsworth |
| 19:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: The New Lawn Referee: Farai Hallam |
| 10 October 2023 Group stage | Walsall | 1–1 | Forest Green Rovers | Bescot |
| 19:00 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 1,516 Referee: Stephen Parkinson | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 7 November 2023 Group stage | Forest Green Rovers | 0–0 (2–4 p) | Brighton & Hove Albion U21 | Nailsworth |
| 19:00 GMT | Report |
|
Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 750 Referee: David Rock | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 5 December 2023 Second round | Forest Green Rovers | 0–1 | Oxford United | Nailsworth |
| 19:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: The New Lawn Attendance: 494 Referee: Ollie Yates |