Andy Deacon: John Brain had massive impact at Gloucester
JOHN Brain's Kingsholm coaching return was one of the highlights of his career, believes Andy Deacon.
Cinderford rugby director Deacon paid tribute to a meticulous and focused coach who loved all things Gloucester.
Deacon and Brain were team-mates at Gloucester, and the former Cherry and Whites tighthead prop believes his friend and colleague always had a massive impact at Kingsholm, through his playing days and coaching stints.
Brain left Gloucester for Worcester in 2001 before taking up the forwards coaching role at Bristol.
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But he returned to Kingsholm in 2010 as a scout, progressing to twin responsibility of rugby operations manager and scrum coach.
And Deacon said nothing could have given the 50-year-old more pride.
Deacon explained: "After spending so much time at different clubs and doing so well I think it's great that he was able to come back home really.
"It seems easy to say with hindsight, and of course no-one would have at all expected anything like this.
"But I'm sure the fact that he came back to Gloucester and was able to coach at the club again was a source of huge pride to him.
"And I'm really pleased for him that he was able to do that before he moved on.
"He was just meticulous in everything he did, as a player and then certainly as a coach.
"He was very, very serious about his rugby, he always scrutinised everything and gave it everything he had.
"He always coached at the highest level, and his immense passion for Gloucester was always clear.
"Wherever he went, whoever he worked with, he earned their respect by working extremely hard and being just so committed.
"He was a bit of a workhorse as a player, but he gave everything to the Cherry and White cause.
"I played with him at the start of my career and at the end of his, and you could tell that his rugby knowledge and determination to help the club succeed were both massive.
"This is such a sad time for his family, and all our thoughts are with them in what is an obviously distressing time."
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