Boss Keith Downing has high hopes for his Robins squad next term after an against the odds battle which proved good enough to secure a third successive season in Coca-Cola League One for the club.

With the 07/08 campaign only just put to bed Keith has been telling readers of the Gloucestershire Echo newspaper just how he hopes to improve his sides chances for the 2008/09.

In a recent interview he told readers "I know what it takes for us to take things up a notch and it's time we realised we are an established League One club now because we are not here for three years by a fluke."

Keith is being realistic about it all though, "I am not after millions of pounds and it's not a distant dream, but the club needs a progression because I don't want to look back at this as a missed opportunity."

This time last year the club lost several experienced players and found life very hard from the start. "We need to get everyone buzzing and motivated, instead of approaching the new season with trepidation."

A couple of months into last season former manager John Ward decided he to take on a differnt challenge at Carlisle United and Keith was handed the job of literally saving the club from an expected relegation.

Keith initially steadied the ship by bringing in some quality players whose experience helped his squad realise that they could overcome some of the obstacles pushed in front of them. However, it's extremely difficult to move upwards when you are already lagging behind the pack.

The new faces in the squad, Alan Wright and Dean Sinclair, not only added much needed quality and experience to the side, but they also enthused supporters to get behind the cause.

During the January transfer window Keith undoubtedly added to his squads 'street cred'  when he persuaded Bristol City boss Gary Johnson to allow Steve Brooker and Alex Russell to join Town on loan.

Sides in a similar position to the Robins in League One soon realised that Keith Downing and Cheltenham Town FC were not going to give up and roll over. By the time the squad received another timely fillip in March, when Richard Keogh also took up the challenge at Whaddon Road, there was a belief that miracles could happen.

Just ask those who went to Elland Road and witnessed the demolition of Leeds United on their own turf.

Keith re-iterated to readers of the Echo this week that if the club is to make any progress in 2008/09 there needed to be influx of quality right from the start.

"The only way we can do that is by bringing in quality players in the mould of Steve Brooker, Dean Sinclair and Alex Russell."

Keith Downing certainly deserves a good rest after all the trials and tribulations of last season, but knowing Keith he will not let it go and his tenacity to take this club to a new level will drive him on over the summer months.

The steep learning curve Keith has already experienced since taking over the Whaddon Road hot seat is likely to continue for a while yet.