We will not be humiliated again - Walkinshaw
Gloucester Rugby chairman Tom Walkinshaw has reassured the club's supporters they will never again suffer a humiliation like they did against Cardiff in the EDF Cup final at Twickenham.
Speaking at a fans' forum at the club's Kingsholm base, Walkinshaw, along with new head coach Bryan Redpath, shareholder Martin St Quinton and chief executive Ken Nottage, outlined their plans.
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VOW: Tom Walkinshaw (left) and Bryan Redpath said the days of frustration were over
At the event, chaired by Citizen editor Ian Mean, they said the roles at the top of the coaching structure would never again be confused with the positions of director of rugby and team manager – possibly to be appointed in the forthcoming months.
The club, Walkinshaw said, had learned the hard way by its failure to define the key positions following Gloucester's sixth place finish in the Guinness Premiership, which ultimately led to the departure of Dean Ryan.
Redpath told fans training would become more intense, with greater emphasis on the physical approach as he attempted to end the poor displays that plagued the club last season.
The squad had been cleansed of players not willing to put the team ahead of themselves and Walkinshaw and Redpath were confident of making the 2008/09 season the last campaign Gloucester failed to fulfil their potential.
Walkinshaw said: "The team was not struggling for relegation. It has been in the top three or four for the last few years and has fallen at the last hurdle.
"There were one or two who have not performed, but this is a squad capable of winning the league and if we can just unlock that last bit then we should be successful."
Look out for more from the fans' forum in The Citizen tomorrow
11 Comments
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by Mark, Chelt
Friday, June 19 2009, 12:21PM
“Not sure why we are buying 35 year old players and players outside the premiership ?
Don't we need to bring in top players to compete ?”
by paul, Cheltenham
Friday, June 19 2009, 7:37AM
“I have been a keen fan to get rid of Dean as i belived like many others he had done a good job but gone as far as he could. We now have to put our faith in the new coach and be positive. Stop moaning and lets get back to watching rugby again. Lets not forget we were not at the bottom of the table for the past few years but in the top of it.”
by Neil, Longlevens
Thursday, June 18 2009, 8:26PM
“Many supporters had their gripes in the last few weeks (quite rightly in my opinion) but surely now it's time to be positive and support both Brian Redpath and the Gloucester team.”
by Stan, Stroud
Thursday, June 18 2009, 7:59PM
“Well said Stan Hillier. Sometimes I despair at the level of comment on this particular site. I have a feeling that Redpath will bring a fresher, brighter approach than we saw last season. And it's not as if the squad is a busted flush - there's many a side that would have been delighted to have finished in sixth spot. Come On Glos!”
by Stan Hillier, Gloucester
Thursday, June 18 2009, 6:34PM
“The first three contributors were obviously not at the supporters forum. But then it was a forum for supporters.”
by Steve Williams, Cheltenham
Thursday, June 18 2009, 3:22PM
“Whilst Brian Redpath was full of drive and enthusiasm, I still see the lack of an experienced forwards coach being a problem.”
by maurice glos, gloucester
Thursday, June 18 2009, 10:53AM
“What a excellent meeting with the fans fair play to the top table feel much better now,i am sure Bryan Redpath will put some passion back in the team now Dean Ryan has gone,i came from the meeting knowing what the cause was and he his gone . good luck Glos .”
by phil, glos
Thursday, June 18 2009, 9:39AM
“Here we go again. The usual negative comments from the so called fans. I was at the forum last night and listened to the 'supporters' and their constructive questions also the response, mainly from TW and BR. Perhaps if you turned up at the forum many of your questions would have been answered, or if you were there why not speak up and put your point of view, you had your chance like the rest of us. If you had attended then there would have been no need for you to keep whinging.
On a final note, it was good to meet BR, he came over well, and by his attitude I think he can put the smile back onto the players, and supporters, faces which have been missing for a long time......I hope I'm right.”
by jaye, Gloucester
Thursday, June 18 2009, 8:47AM
“So the fans don't get a proper open day once again. We want the open day at the ground. To see where our money has been spent, ie stands, hospitality, back room for staff and players. We want to meet ALL the team, especially the new players to let them know how passionate the supporters are about Gloucester. What about the children being given the chance of line-outs and goal kicking, they are the supporters (and possible players) of the future? Can't do that in King's Square!!! Who dreamt up this madness. As there is only one goal kicker in the squad (NR) they might have found another at the open day. Is it being held in King's Sqaure because it might increase ticket sales?”
by DontlikeRugbyAnyway, Gloucester
Thursday, June 18 2009, 8:12AM
“What a load of toddle. Perhaps as the season ticket cash is rolling in the "fat cats" at GRFC have once again lost touch with reality....It is a sport and Glos will be humilated as will any team at times. Walkinshaw doesnt like the fans, it is a business and he is in it for one reason only..CASH. Get real and start winning and we will flock back and put money in your tills o'lord and master. Some more crumbs please...”