Cheltenham Town are expected to miss out on signing Sam Lavelle this summer, with the experienced defender now unlikely to make the switch to the Completely-Suzuki Stadium.
The 28-year-old centre-half had been high on Cheltenham’s wishlist as they looked to bolster their defensive ranks following a mid-table finish last season. Lavelle, who captained Carlisle United in their ill-fated League Two campaign, was identified as a prime target to replace outgoing defender Tom Bradbury, who is set to join Harrogate Town once his contract expires at the end of June.
The club made a formal offer to Lavelle in an attempt to lure him to Gloucestershire, but reports now suggest he will not be taking up that opportunity—leaving Cheltenham to pursue alternative options as the market heats up.
Fleetwood and Harrogate Now Lead The Race
Lavelle, a former Blackburn Rovers academy product, is attracting strong interest from several other League Two outfits. Fleetwood Town and Harrogate Town have both made offers and are now believed to be in a stronger position to secure his services.
Fleetwood, relegated from League One last season, are aiming for an immediate return to the third tier and view Lavelle’s leadership qualities as a major asset in that pursuit. Harrogate, meanwhile, are rebuilding after finishing 18th and hope to use their impending capture of Bradbury to entice Lavelle with the prospect of familiarity in the backline.
The centre-back joined Carlisle from Charlton Athletic in 2023 but endured a torrid two-year spell, suffering consecutive relegations that ended with the Cumbrians dropping into the National League. Despite the team’s struggles, Lavelle remained a consistent presence and wore the captain’s armband last term, making 37 appearances and collecting seven yellow cards.
His performances, while part of a relegated side, appear to have done enough to convince multiple League Two sides of his continued value. However, Cheltenham’s failure to close the deal marks an early setback in their summer recruitment plans.
Writer’s View
Missing out on Sam Lavelle will sting for Cheltenham Town. In a window where they’re already losing Tom Bradbury to Harrogate, bringing in a player of similar profile and experience seemed like a logical next step. That Lavelle looks set to choose one of their divisional rivals—particularly a promotion-hunting Fleetwood—only adds salt to the wound. For Matty Taylor’s side, the focus must now turn to securing an alternative central defender swiftly, as gaps in the backline could quickly undermine progress heading into the new campaign.
