2023–24 Forest Green Rovers F.C. season

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.

Forest Green Rovers
2023–24 season
OwnerDale Vince
ChairmanDale Vince
Head CoachDavid Horseman
StadiumThe Bolt New Lawn
League Two18th
EFL CupFirst round
EFL TrophyGroup stage
Top goalscorerMatty Stevens (2)

Managerial changes

On 5 July, Hannah Dingley became the first woman to manage a professional men's team in England when appointed as caretaker interim head coach.[1] Less than two weeks later, she was replaced by David Horseman, who was appointed.[2]

Current squad
As of 10 October 2023
No. Name Position Nationality Place of birth Date of birth (Age) Signed from Date signed Fee Contract end
Goalkeepers
1Luke DanielsGKEnglandBolton (1988-01-05) 5 January 1988Middlesbrough14 July 2023Free Transfer30 June 2024
20Jamie SearleGKNew ZealandWhakatāne (2000-11-25) 25 November 2000Barnsley22 July 2023Undisclosed30 June 2025
31James BelshawGKEnglandNottingham (1990-10-12) 12 October 1990Bristol Rovers30 September 2023Loan7 October 2023
41Fiachra PagelGKRepublic of Ireland (2004-02-16) 16 February 2004Republic of Ireland Drogheda United2 January 2023Undisclosed30 June 2024
Defenders
2Marcel LavinierRBPortugalEngland London (2000-12-16) 16 December 2000Swindon Town3 August 2023Undisclosed30 June 2025
3Dom BernardCBRepublic of IrelandEngland Gloucester (1997-03-29) 29 March 1997Birmingham City17 July 2019Free Transfer30 June 2024
4Darnell JohnsonCBEnglandLeicester (1998-09-03) 3 September 1998Fleetwood Town4 August 2023Free Transfer30 June 2025
5Ryan InnissCBEnglandPenge (1995-06-05) 5 June 1995Charlton Athletic1 July 2023Free Transfer30 June 2025
15Jordan Moore-TaylorCBEnglandExeter (1994-01-21) 21 January 1994Milton Keynes Dons21 July 2020Free Transfer30 June 2024
17Jamie RobsonLBScotlandPerth (1997-12-19) 19 December 1997Lincoln City6 January 2023Undisclosed30 June 2024
19Sean RobertsonRBEngland (2001-06-06) 6 June 2001Crystal Palace4 August 2022Free Transfer30 June 2024
22Reece WelchCBEnglandHuddersfield (2003-09-19) 19 September 2003Everton10 August 2023Loan31 May 2024
25Fankaty DaboRBEnglandSouthwark (1995-10-11) 11 October 1995Coventry City1 September 2023Free Transfer30 June 2025
33Keon SanniolaCBEnglandAcademy5 September 2023—30 June 2024
44Murphy BennettRBWales (2004-12-23) 23 December 2004Manchester City1 July 2021Undisclosed30 June 2024
Midfielders
6Teddy JenksCMEnglandBrighton (2002-03-12) 12 March 2002Brighton & Hove Albion1 July 2023Free Transfer30 June 2025
8Charlie McCannDMNorthern IrelandEngland Coventry (2002-04-24) 24 April 2002Scotland Rangers24 January 2023£300,00030 June 2026
12Alfie BendleCMEngland (2005-01-27) 27 January 2005AFC Wimbledon9 August 2023Free Transfer30 June 2025
16Dylan KadjiDMEngland (2003-09-01) 1 September 2003Bristol City4 August 2023Loan31 May 2024
18Jacob MaddoxAMEnglandBristol (1998-11-03) 3 November 1998Walsall7 August 2023Free Transfer30 June 2025
26David DavisCMEnglandSmethwick (1991-02-20) 20 February 1991Shrewsbury Town1 July 2022Free Transfer30 June 2024
27Harvey BunkerDMEnglandPortsmouth (2003-04-15) 15 April 2003Academy1 July 2020—30 June 2024
28Callum JonesCMWalesEngland Birkenhead (2001-04-05) 5 April 2001Hull City1 July 2023Loan31 May 2024
29Reece BrownCMEnglandDudley (1996-03-03) 3 March 1996Huddersfield Town1 July 2022Free Transfer30 June 2024
32Jack CarterCMEnglandAcademy1 July 2023—30 June 2024
34Zach McKenzieCMEnglandAcademy1 July 2023—30 June 2024
40Fin BellCMEnglandAcademy1 July 2023—30 June 2024
51Jesse ThompsonCMEngland (2005-11-29) 29 November 2005Reading1 July 2022Free Transfer30 June 2024
Forwards
7Kyle McAllisterRWScotlandPaisley (1999-01-21) 21 January 1999Scotland St Mirren1 July 2022Free Transfer30 June 2024
9Matty StevensCFEnglandGuildford (1998-02-12) 12 February 1998Peterborough United27 July 2019Undisclosed30 June 2024
10Matty TaylorCFEnglandKidlington (1990-03-30) 30 March 1990Oxford United17 July 2023Free Transfer30 June 2025
11Jordon GarrickRWEnglandJamaica Kingston (1998-07-15) 15 July 1998Swansea City5 January 2023Undisclosed30 June 2024
14Troy DeeneyCFEnglandBirmingham (1988-06-29) 29 June 1988Birmingham City17 August 2023Free Transfer30 June 2024
23Tyrese OmotoyeCFBelgiumHasselt (2002-09-23) 23 September 2002Norwich City23 January 2023Undisclosed30 June 2024
24Olly SullyCFEngland (2005-09-08) 8 September 2005Academy5 September 2023—30 June 2024
37Nathan HollandLWEnglandManchester (1998-06-19) 19 June 1998Milton Keynes Dons24 August 2023Undisclosed30 June 2025
39Callum MortonCFEnglandTorquay (2000-01-19) 19 January 2000Salford City1 September 2023Loan31 May 2024
Out on Loan
21Amadou BakayokoCFSierra LeoneKenema (1996-01-01) 1 January 1996Bolton Wanderers12 January 2023Undisclosed30 June 2024

Transfers

In
Date Pos Player From Fee Ref
1 July 2023CBEngland Ryan InnissEngland Charlton AthleticFree Transfer[3]
1 July 2023CMEngland Teddy JenksEngland Brighton & Hove AlbionFree Transfer[4]
14 July 2023GKEngland Luke DanielsEngland MiddlesbroughFree Transfer[5]
17 July 2023CFEngland Matty TaylorEngland Oxford UnitedFree Transfer[6]
22 July 2023GKNew Zealand Jamie SearleEngland BarnsleyUndisclosed[7]
3 August 2023RBPortugal Marcel LavinierEngland Swindon TownUndisclosed[8]
4 August 2023CBEngland Darnell JohnsonEngland Fleetwood TownFree Transfer[9]
7 August 2023AMEngland Jacob MaddoxEngland WalsallFree Transfer[10]
9 August 2023CMEngland Alfie BendleEngland AFC WimbledonFree Transfer[11]
17 August 2023CFEngland Troy DeeneyEngland Birmingham CityFree Transfer[12]
24 August 2023LWEngland Nathan HollandEngland Milton Keynes DonsUndisclosed[13]
1 September 2023RBEngland Fankaty DaboEngland Coventry CityFree Transfer[14]

Out
Date Pos Player Transferred to Fee Ref
30 June 2023GKEngland Alfie Burnett Free agentReleased[15]
30 June 2023CBEngland Baily CargillEngland Mansfield TownReleased[15][16]
30 June 2023CMScotland Regan HendryEngland Tranmere RoversReleased[15][17]
30 June 2023LBWales Jacob JonesScotland Cove RangersReleased[15][18]
30 June 2023GKEngland Luke McGeeEngland Tranmere RoversReleased[15][19]
30 June 2023CMScotland Dylan McGeouchEngland Carlisle UnitedReleased[15][20]
30 June 2023CFRepublic of Ireland Sean O'BrienEngland Hayes & Yeading UnitedReleased[15][21]
30 June 2023CMEngland Ben StevensonEngland PortsmouthReleased[15][22]
30 June 2023GKWales Lewis Thomas Free agentReleased[15]
6 July 2023GKScotland Ross DoohanScotland AberdeenUndisclosed[23]
6 July 2023CMEngland Armani LittleEngland AFC WimbledonUndisclosed[24]
25 July 2023RBRepublic of Ireland Corey O'KeeffeEngland BarnsleyUndisclosed[25]
3 August 2023CBEngland Udoka Godwin-MalifeEngland Swindon TownUndisclosed[26]

Loaned in
Date Pos Player Loaned from Date until Ref
1 July 2023CMWales Callum JonesEngland Hull CityEnd of Season[27]
4 August 2023DMEngland Dylan KadjiEngland Bristol CityEnd of Season[28]
10 August 2023CBEngland Reece WelchEngland EvertonEnd of Season[29]
1 September 2023CFEngland Callum MortonEngland Salford CityEnd of Season[30]
30 September 2023GKEngland James BelshawEngland Bristol Rovers7 October 2023[31]

Loaned out
Date Pos Player Loaned to Until Ref
27 July 2023CFSierra Leone Amadou BakayokoScotland DundeeEnd of Season[32]

Pre-season and friendlies

On 7 June, FGR announced four pre-season fixtures, against Melksham Town, Coventry City, Everton Under-21s and Plymouth Argyle.[33] A fifth was later added, against West Bromwich Albion.[34]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

5 July 2023 Friendly Melksham Town 1–1 Forest Green Rovers Melksham
19:30 BST Jones 85' 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 5', 30'
Palmer 6'
Obikwu 46'		 Stadium: The Bolt New Lawn
Attendance: 1,345 (564 away)
19 July 2023 Friendly Forest Green Rovers 1–0 Everton U21 Nailsworth
19:00 BST Trialist G 46' Report Stadium: The Bolt New Lawn
Attendance: 698 (81 away)
Referee: Sam Allison
22 July 2023 Friendly Plymouth Argyle 5–1 Forest Green Rovers TBA
15:00 BST Hardie 24', 29'
Mumba 38'
Wright 48'
Whittaker 59'		 Stevens 33' Stadium: TBA
Attendance: 0 (behind-closed-doors)
28 July 2023 Friendly Forest Green Rovers 2–0 West Bromwich Albion Nailsworth
19:00 BST Trialist 39'
Bernard 65'		 Stadium: The Bolt New Lawn

Competitions

Overall record
Competition Starting round Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
League Two Matchday 1 13 3 1 9 16 24 −8 023.08
FA Cup First round 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !—
EFL Cup First round 1 0 0 1 1 3 −2 000.00
EFL Trophy Group stage 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 100.00
Total 15 4 1 10 20 27 −7 026.67

Last updated: 14 October 2023
Source: Soccerway

League Two
Main article: 2023–24 EFL League Two

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
19 Newport County 15 4 3 8 24 32 −8 15
20 Grimsby Town 15 3 5 7 20 25 −5 14
21 Colchester United 14 4 1 9 21 29 −8 13
22 Tranmere Rovers 15 3 1 11 18 27 −9 10
23 Forest Green Rovers 14 3 1 10 16 26 −10 10 Relegation to National League
24 Sutton United 15 2 1 12 20 35 −15 7
Updated to match(es) played on 24 October 2023. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[35]

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
13 3 1 9 16 24  −8 10 1 0 6 9 15  −6 2 1 3 7 9  −2

Last updated: 14 October 2023.
Source: Soccerway

Results by round
Round1234567891011121314
GroundHAHHAAHHAHAHHA
ResultLWLLDWLLLLLLWP
Position2213202220181921222223242322
Updated to match(es) played on 14 October 2023. Source: Soccerway
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed

Matches

On 22 June, the EFL League Two fixtures were released.[36]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

5 August 2023 1 Forest Green Rovers 0–2 Salford City Nailsworth
15:00 BST McCann Yellow card 43'
Robson Yellow card 72'
Bunker Yellow card 90'		 Report Hendry Yellow card 17'
McAleny 52'
Garbutt Yellow card 72'
Bolton Yellow card 90+2'
Smith 90+5'		 Stadium: The Bolt New Lawn
Attendance: 1,936
Referee: Daniel Middleton
12 August 2023 2 Harrogate Town 0–1 Forest Green Rovers Harrogate
15:00 BST Cornelius Yellow card 55' Report Jones Yellow card 34'
Stevens 46'
Maddox Yellow card 62'
Bernard Yellow card 82'		 Stadium: EnviroVent Stadium
Attendance: 2,050
Referee: Leigh Doughty
15 August 2023 3 Forest Green Rovers 1–2 Swindon Town Nailsworth
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: The Bolt 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 Bolt 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: Cherry Red Records Stadium
Attendance: 6,949
Referee: Paul Howard
2 September 2023 6 Sutton United 0–1 Forest Green Rovers Sutton
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: VBS Community Stadium
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 Bolt 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 Bolt 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: Wham Stadium
Attendance: 2,222
Referee: Ben Atkinson
14 October 2023 13 Forest Green Rovers 5–0 Colchester United Nailsworth
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: The Bolt New Lawn
Attendance: 2,137
Referee: Ollie Yates
21 October 2023 14 Mansfield Town Postponed[37] Forest Green Rovers Mansfield
15:00 GMT Stadium: One Call Stadium
Note: Fixture was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch from Storm Babet.

FA Cup
Main article: 2023–24 FA Cup

Forest Green were drawn away to Scarborough Athletic or Oxford City in the first round.[38]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

4 November 2023 First Round Scarborough Athletic or Oxford City v Forest Green Rovers TBC
15:00 GMT
      		Stadium: TBC

      EFL Cup
      Main article: 2023–24 EFL Cup

      FGR were drawn at home to Portsmouth in the first round.[39]

        Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

      8 August 2023 First round Forest Green Rovers 1–3 Portsmouth Nailsworth
      19:45 BST Robertson Yellow card 17'
      Bunker Yellow card 23'
      Omotoye 24'
      Robson Yellow card 74'      		 Report Yengi Yellow card 12' 30', 75' (pen.)
      Scully Yellow card 32'
      Swanson 52'
      Devlin Yellow card 58'      		 Stadium: The Bolt New Lawn
      Attendance: 1,868
      Referee: Sam Purkiss

      EFL Trophy
      Main article: 2023–24 EFL Trophy

      In the group stage, Forest Green were drawn into Southern Group A along with Walsall, Shrewsbury Town and Brighton & Hove Albion U21.[40][41]

      Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
      1 L2 Forest Green Rovers 2 1 1 0 0 4 1 +3 5 Advance to Round 2
      2 ACA Brighton & Hove Albion U21 2 1 0 1 0 3 2 +1 4
      3 L1 Shrewsbury Town 2 0 1 0 1 0 3 −3 2
      4 L2 Walsall 2 0 0 1 1 3 4 −1 1
      Updated to match(es) played on 10 October 2023. Source: EFL.com

        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: Poundland Bescot Stadium
      Attendance: 1,516
      Referee: Stephen Parkinson
      Penalties
      TBC Group stage Walsall v Forest Green Rovers Bescot
      19:00 BST Stadium: Poundland Bescot Stadium

      References
      1. "Dingley named Caretaker Head Coach". Forest Green Rovers FC. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
      2. "Forest Green choose Horseman ahead of Dingley". British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
      3. "Inniss Becomes First Summer Arrival". Forest Green Rovers FC. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
      4. "Jenks joins FGR". Forest Green Rovers FC. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
      5. "Forest Green sign keeper Daniels after Boro exit". British Broadcasting Corporation. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
      6. "Striker Taylor returns to Forest Green". British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
      7. "Searle arrives at Rovers". Forest Green Rovers FC. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
      8. "Lavinier joins from Swindon". Forest Green Rovers FC. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
      9. "Forest Green sign Johnson and Kadji". British Broadcasting Corporation. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
      10. "Forest Green sign former Walsall midfielder Maddox". British Broadcasting Corporation. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
      11. "Bendle joins from AFC Wimbledon". Forest Green Rovers FC. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
      12. "Forest Green sign Deeney in player-coach role". British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
      13. "Nathan Holland is a Green". Forest Green Rovers FC. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
      14. "Forest Green Rovers sign former Coventry City full-back". British Broadcasting Corporation. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
      15. "2023 Retained List confirmed". Forest Green Rovers FC. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
      16. "Stags strengthen defence with Cargill signing". Mansfield Town FC. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
      17. "Regan Hendry signs two-year deal with Tranmere Rovers". Tranmere Rovers FC. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
      18. "Jacob Jones Arrives at Balmoral". Cove Rangers FC. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
      19. "Goalkeeper Luke McGee signs for Rovers on one-year contract". Tranmere Rovers FC. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
      20. "Midfielder joins United". Carlisle United FC. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
      21. "Sean O'Brien signs for United". Hayes & Yeading United FC. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
      22. "Stevenson Becomes Sixth Summer Signing". Portsmouth FC. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
      23. "Goalkeeper Doohan joins Aberdeen from Forest Green". British Broadcasting Corporation. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
      24. "A Little longer! Armani signs permanently". AFC Wimbledon. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
      25. "O'Keeffe Departs For Barnsley". Forest Green Rovers FC. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
      26. "Godwin-Malife officially departs FGR". Forest Green Rovers FC. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
      27. "Jones joins FGR on loan". Forest Green Rovers FC. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
      28. "Kadji joins on loan from Bristol City". Forest Green Rovers FC. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
      29. "Welch joins on season-long loan". Forest Green Rovers FC. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
      30. "Morton joins Rovers on loan". Forest Green Rovers FC. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
      31. "James Belshaw Loan Deal". Bristol Rovers FC. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
      32. "Bakayoko makes Dundee loan switch". Forest Green Rovers FC. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
      33. "Four pre-season fixtures confirmed". Forest Green Rovers FC. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
      34. "Rovers to complete pre-season with WBA clash". Forest Green Rovers FC. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
      35. "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". EFL. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
      36. "Fixtures Confirmed For 23/24 Season". Forest Green Rovers FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
      37. "Mansfield Game Postponed". Forest Green Rovers FC. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
      38. "First Round Proper Draw". The Football Association. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
      39. "FGR To Face Portsmouth In Carabao Cup". Forest Green Rovers FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
      40. "Rovers to face Walsall and Shrewsbury in EFL Trophy". Forest Green Rovers FC. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
      41. "Brighton Under-21s Join EFL Trophy Group". Forest Green Rovers FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
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