Back in 2007, the Conference North side’s stadium was devastated by floods that took the country by storm, causing over £50m worth of damage nationwide.

It left Gloucester’s home, Meadow Park, flooded with the water level so high that only the top of the crossbar could be seen.

Gloucester City v Forest Green Rovers The FA Cup

Fourth Round Qualifying

3pm, Saturday 25 October 2014

Whaddon Road, Cheltenham

Winners receive £12,500 from prize fund

By Simon Collings





For seven years, the Tigers have been ground-sharing with various local teams, such as Cirencester Town and their latest landlords are fierce rivals Cheltenham Town.

Forest Green Rovers, their opponents in the Fourth Qualifying Round of The FA Cup this Saturday, were also one-time landlords to Gloucester and it is a scenario that only heightens the interest surrounding this local derby.

"Obviously the fact we used to ground-share with Forest Green makes Saturday an intriguing tie. I have also managed them twice, which only adds to it," said Gloucester manager Timmy Harris.

"It has been very much a case of those who have and those who haven’t. Forest Green are backed by a wealthy owner and have around 10 times the financial power we have.

"Fair play to them though, I hold nothing against that. We are incredibly thankful to them and all the clubs who have helped us during the stadium problems. The generosity has been amazing.

"But we have recently been given some fantastic news in hearing that the council are backing our plans for a new stadium.

Gloucester are currently calling Cheltenham's Whaddon Road their temporary home

"We can now start to look towards a brighter future, which has put a smile on our fans’ faces. It hasn't been easy for them, as they’ve literally been moved from pillar to post.

"As I say, we are grateful for all the clubs’ generosity, but there really is no place like home."

While the future off the pitch appears to be getting brighter for Gloucester, Harris admits that the start of this season has been tough for his side, who are currently sitting 21st in the Conference North.

Eight of the Tigers' first 12 league games have been away from home, the latest being a 260-mile round trip to Stockport last weekend.

After heavy traffic, it took Harris and his players seven hours to reach Stockport. They left with a 5-3 defeat, their sixth of the season.

To make matters worse, two players have come down with tonsillitis since then and three others are carrying injuries.

With one win in 12 league games, Harris admits that this weekend's match with Conference side Forest Green will be an incredibly tough task.

But with everything the Tigers fans have been through in the past seven years, Harris is hoping that he and his squad can cause an FA Cup upset.

“We're grateful for all the clubs’ generosity, but there really is no place like home.” Timmy Harris





"Saturday’s game is a David v Goliath match. We are punching above our weight with a team like Forest Green," added Harris.

"But we don’t want to be negative. I don’t want to paint an image of it all being doom and gloom here.

"Still having said that, winning on Saturday would be a massive lift after everything that has gone on.

"The fans have been given something to be happy about with the stadium news, but this would really put a smile on their faces."