September 2013 saw the release of of record breaking game Grand Theft Auto V. With the sixth game just around the corner a matter of 12 years later.
How much has sport in Gloucestershire changed in the span between the twelve years?
Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town were just coming off a League Two campaign where they had finished in the play offs, hopes were high that The Robins could push for promotion up to League One. When the video game released, the side managed by Mark Yates were sat 20th place in the league. By the end of the season, Cheltenham finished in 17th.
Star striker Kemar Roofe is the most notable name from the Cheltenham Town’s squad from that season, spending the first half of the year on loan from West Brom. Since then, the Jamaican international has gone on to play for Leeds United, Anderlecht, Rangers and is now at Derby County in the EFL Championship.
Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers were in the National League (then called The Conference Premier), and were indeed playing on the day that Grand Theft Auto V came out. On the 17th September, Rovers lost 5-2 away against Welling which put them down to eighth in the league.
Forest Green started the 2013/14 season under Dave Hockaday, he lasted until the end of October where after a run of seven defeats in eight, he left the club by mutual consent. Hockaday was then replaced by Adrian Pennock who had a two and a half year spell at the club.
The most notable name from that squad was Matty Taylor who is now playing for Cheltenham Town in League Two.
Gloucester Rugby
Gloucester had just come off a very respectable 2012/13 campaign that saw them finish in fifth place and qualify for the Heineken Cup. Grand Theft Auto released two weeks into the Aviva Premiership season where the Cherry and Whites had suffered defeats to Sale Sharks on the opening weekend and then Saracens the weekend after.
The Gloucester squad featured names such as Jonny May, Mike Tindall, Thomas Young and Billy Twelvetrees.
The Cherry and Whites only managed a ninth place finish in the Premiership and got knocked out of the European Challenge Cup Quarter Final to now defunct Harlequins.
Gloucestershire Cricket
In 2013, Gloucestershire finished sixth place in the second tier of the County Championship, a huge important after finishing bottom of Tier Two the season before.
Gloucestershire’s cricket side hosted many big names such as Michael Klinger, Kane Williamson, Dan Christian and David Payne.
Gloucester City
In the 2013/14 season, Gloucester City reached the first round of the FA Cup, where they played League Two side Fleetwood Town where they lost 2-0 at home. That year Gloucester finished 17th place in the Conference North.
A lot has changed in the world of sport for Gloucestershire in the past twelve years. Grand Theft Auto Six is not far away now after keeping fans waiting for a very long time.
