The club began life a Nailsworth and Forest Green F.C . In the Stroud and District League. In 1922 they were founder members of the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League along with several other village sides.
They moved to their present ground at "The Lawn" between the wars. At the time is was little more than a field surrounded by a hawthorn hedge. Lack of facilities meant the players had to change at the local pub "The jovial Foresters". The club were Northern Senior League champions in 1938,1950 and 1951 and won the Northern Senior Cup in 1927.
Forest Green Rovers 1890
Article by Footymad
Updated Tuesday, 6th November 2001
The period after the second World War saw several improvements to the ground and it was officially re-opened on the 19th August 1961.
In 1974 the club moved from the Gloucestershire county League to the Hellenic League and in 1981-82 they won the League Championship and the F. A. Vase final.
In 1974 the club moved from the Gloucestershire county League to the Hellenic League and in 1981-82 they won the League Championship and the F. A. Vase final.
Following their title win the club moved up to the Southern League Midland Division although the following years saw the club struggle to establish themselves.
In 1989 in an attempt to widen their appeal the club was renamed Stroud F. C. much to the dismay of its supporters. Opposition to the new name was so strident that the original name was soon restored.
In 1989 in an attempt to widen their appeal the club was renamed Stroud F. C. much to the dismay of its supporters. Opposition to the new name was so strident that the original name was soon restored.
In 1994-95 Rovers were moved to the Southern division of the league and the new surroundings seemed to be more agreeable to the club. The club finished 5th in their first season and in 1996-97 the club enjoyed their most successful league season to date, when they won the Championship and with it promotion. The ecstatic fans were astonished the following season when Rovers proceeded to top that achievement when they won the Southern Premier Division Championship and with it promotion to the Conference.
In 1998-99 the club enjoyed more success when they finished mid-table in the Conference and won their way through to a Wembley final in the F. A Trophy where the played Kingstonian, unfortunately losing to the only goal of the game.
Rovers are the only club to play in the F. A. Vase and F. A. Trophy finals.
