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Gerry Oldham takes on role of full-time kitman at Cheltenham Town

Author: Roger Jackson, Posted: Wednesday, 10th December 2025, 12:00

Gerry Oldham, seated, second from the right, in the Cheltenham Town dugout last night

Gerry Oldham, who has spent a lifetime involved in football in and around Gloucestershire, was in the Cheltenham Town dugout as Steve Cotterill’s men enjoyed an excellent 1-0 win at Swindon Town last night.

The 61-year-old is the club’s new full-time kitman, a job he will officially start on Saturday when Cheltenham host Harrogate Town in another League Two clash.

“It was a very proud moment when I was asked to do the job,” said Cheltenham born and bred Oldham.

And it’s a very important role.

“It’s not just pumping up balls and putting out cones,” Oldham continued. “I’ll be looking after all the players, I'll have to get to know them, they'll all have different kit requirements.

“There’s also the stock control, if you want to do a job properly, there’s a lot of pressure.”

Oldham and Cotterill have been good friends for more than 50 years so Oldham will have plenty of support and he will have plenty of support at home from his wife Hannah too.

“I’ve got to wash all the kit," he said. "I haven’t been near a washing machine for 50 years, my wife will help with that!”

Oldham is a football man through and through. He's played the game, he’s been a manager, assistant manager and a coach, and he’s also worked in top-level academy football at Aston Villa.

He’s best known for his time with Cheltenham Saracens and was head of football at the Hellenic League Division One club before taking on his new role.

Cheltenham’s win last night maintained their impressive run of form since Cotterill returned to the club at the end of September and Oldham said: “I always knew he was good, but he’s brilliant.

“Watching him at Swindon last night, he was so impressive. The directions he gave the players, the way he coached them, he managed them on the pitch. It’s credit to the players too.

“It started before the game with his teamtalk, his attention to detail, I had goosebumps listening to him.”

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Gerry Oldham takes on role of full-time kitman at Cheltenham Town

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