Book on Robins' history written during A levels

MOST youngsters find their A-levels tough enough but two Robins' fans showed their dedication by writing a book about the club at the same time.

Cris Bowyer and Ed Lowe proved they were on the ball when it came to compiling a review of the last 10 years of Cheltenham Town FC.

The best friends were just 17 when they began work on the project. Now, after a year of hard work which they squeezed into their A-level schedule, CTFC – The Recent Years has been launched.

So it was a proud moment for the pair when they launched the 164-page book at the Robins' Abbey Business Stadium, before Saturday's League Two game against Accrington Stanley.

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Cris, 18, said: "We're delighted with it. It's been mayhem from start to finish but we think it's been worth it.

"We're hoping it will help us in the future."

Having got an A* and two As in his A-levels, he is off to Bournemouth to study business and marketing.

The book saw the pair interview Cheltenham Town players, former players and former managers and three of the biggest names in football – Sir Geoff Hurst, Alan Shearer and Harry Redknapp. Sir Geoff met the lads and told them how important to the community a club like Cheltenham were.

Shearer gave a phone interview and said he had the upmost respect for the Robins and their supporters, having received a good reception from them when he played for Newcastle at Whaddon Road in 2006.

Redknapp answered questions, in writing, when Cheltenham played at Tottenham in the FA Cup last year.

The book pays homage to legendary ex-Robins' boss Steve Cotterill, for getting the club into the Football League in 1999 and then charts the good and bad times, before bringing readers up to date with the recent revival under current manager Mark Yates.

Cris said dealing with famous people, club officials and publishers was a great experience for them both.

Ed, who is also 18, has an eye on forging a career in sports journalism but first he is going to study economics at Oxford University after getting two A*s and two As in his exams.

Robins fans can buy the book, which is illustrated with colour photographs, for £14.99, and the pair hope to have it on sale in the club's shop.

All profits will go to Epilepsy Research UK.