Five players who were centre stage on one of the greatest days in Cheltenham Town’s history will be back on their old stomping ground later this month.

Jason Eaton, Russell Milton, Jimmy Smith, Steve Book and Jamie Victory have all been invited to reminisce about that special day almost 20 years ago when Cheltenham defeated Southport 1-0 at Wembley to win the FA Trophy.

The invitation has come from the Robins Trust, the club’s fans’ organisation, and will take place on Thursday 17th May, exactly 20 years to the day after Chris Banks famously lifted the trophy at the home of English football.

“It will be held in the Premier Suite at Whaddon Road next door to the main bar,” said Dave Jennings, who is acting chairman of the Robins Trust.

“We’re going to re-run the FA Trophy final in full, starting at 7.45pm, and fans will have a chance to do a Q&A with the players as the action unfolds.

“It’s a chance to celebrate something that was special 20 years ago and to talk to the players who were directly involved.

“We’ve invited the five main protagonists. Bookie made that match-winning save in the first half and then the other four were all involved in the goal.

“Jimmy was fouled and Russell took the free-kick which Jamie flicked on to Jason at the far post to score. A lot of people forget about Jamie’s little flick-on.”

Jennings said that four of the five players had confirmed they would be attending and he was confident that Victory will also be there as well.

It should be a good night, with Jennings expecting it to be well supported by the club’s fans.

Two of the five players invited – Milton and Book – are involved with the club today of course, with Milton assistant to current boss Gary Johnson while Book is the club’s goalkeeping coach. 

That FA Trophy win in 1998 sparked a remarkable run of success for the club, who were then managed by Steve Cotterill, with promotion to the Football League, play-off finals and high-profile cup matches all following over the next few years.