Forest Green Rovers have released former Lincoln City defender Sean Long as part of their restructuring after failing to earn promotion from the National League.
Robbie Savage’s side were beaten 1-0 by Boreham Wood in the play-offs, ending their attempts to get back into the EFL at play-off stage for a second season in a row.
They now face the prospect of another season in the fifth tier, and have today released seven players. Christian Doidge is among that number, as is former Imp Sean Long.
Long arrived at the Bank on loan from Reading in January 2017 for the remainder of the National League season. His debut came in the FA Cup third round at Ipswich Town, where he appeared briefly as a stoppage-time substitute. As the season reached its climax, he became a regular presence in the side as the Imps secured the National League title. It was a Sean Long cross that led to the penalty against Gateshead, turning a 1-0 defeat to 1-1, and a moment later, 2-1 to City.
Following his release by Reading at the end of the campaign, Danny Cowley moved to keep him, placing him on the retained list and securing his services permanently ahead of the 2017–18 League Two season. That summer also brought the arrival of Neal Eardley, which limited Long’s opportunities despite a respectable return of 26 appearances in all competitions during the campaign. He was part of the squad that lifted the EFL Trophy at Wembley, coming on late in the 1-0 win against Shrewsbury Town, and finished his time with the club on 45 appearances across all competitions without scoring.
After departing in 2018, he joined Cheltenham Town, where he went on to make 215 appearances and score eight goals over six seasons, playing a role in their League Two title success in 2020–21 and their subsequent years in League One. He later moved to Forest Green Rovers in May 2024, and was a key part of their 2024/25 squad, but has made just one appearance this season. He was cited as one of several players who rejected loan moves in October 2025.
The reason he has struggled for game time could be the fact that Forest Green’s retained list features 24 players, with a further two still in discussion. Remember, they also released seven and six loan players returning to their parent clubs. Same old Forest Green!
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