User:SimplyLouis27/Gloucester Rugby

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Gloucester Rugby are a professional rugby union club based in the West Country city of Gloucester, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby.

The club was formed in 1873 and since 1891 has played its home matches at Kingsholm Stadium in the north of the city. In the 2022–23 Premiership Rugby season, Gloucester finished 10th which earned them a space in the 2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup. The current director of rugby (DOR) is George Skivington who took the role of head coach in the summer of 2020 before being promoted to DOR in the Autumn of 2023.

Gloucester have won 8 major titles; four RFU Knockout Cup's in 1971–72, 1977–78, 1981–82 and 2002–03, one Anglo-Welsh Cup win in 2010–11, and one Premiership Rugby Cup win in 2023–24. The Premiership Rugby Cup win in 2024 meant they became the first club to win all three iterations of the English domestic cup competition.[1] Outside of England, Gloucester has also seen success in Europe's second-tier completion having won the EPCR Challenge Cup twice: in 2005–06 and 2014–15. Despite never winning a league title, Gloucester have finished runners-up on four occasions; 1988–89, 1989–90, 2002–03, and most recently in 2006–07.

The club has no official nickname but is referred to as the Cherry and Whites by supporters and the media in reference to the Cherry and white hooped shirts worn by the team. Matches with local rivals Bath and Bristol Bears are referred to as West Country derbies.

History[edit]

Formation and early years[edit]

The club was formed in 1873 following a meeting held at a city hotel, as announced in the Gloucester Journal: "A football club has been formed in this city – the season's operations begin at the Spa on the first Tuesday in next month." [2][3] a team was then organised to play The College School, now part of The King's School.[4][5] The team's first captain was Frank Hartley who helped with the formation of the club.[4]

The club left the Spa after an argument with the cricket club that they were ground sharing with. During the winter, the Rugby Club used 80 tons of salt to thaw the pitch resulting in the death of the grass. The pitch was described as having "the appearance of a newly ploughed piece of arable land" because of this, the rugby club were given their notice to leave the spa.[6] They then acquired lands from the Castle Grim Estate for £4,000 in 1891 & have played home fixtures at this site ever since, in the area known as Kingsholm.[7]

Women's team[edit]

Main article: Gloucester-Hartpury Women

In 2014, Gloucester Rugby and Hartpury College came together to found Gloucester-Hartpury Women's Rugby Football Club. They are run under the jurisdiction of Gloucester Rugby. The CEO is former Gloucester player James Forrester.[8] Gloucester-Hartpury have won the 2016–17 season of the Women's Championship Midlands 2 as well as the 2022–23 season of the Premier 15s, with the latter being the highest level of women's rugby union in England.[9][10]

Stadium[edit]

Main article: Kingsholm Stadium

Gloucester Rugby relocated to Kingsholm Stadium from the Spa Ground in 1891 after purchasing land from the Castle Grim Estate for £4,000. The initial structure, later known as the Shed, opened as the "Sixpenny" stand. The stadium's capacity grew to 20,000 in 1926 with the addition of a grandstand, but it was destroyed by fire six years later. Plans to expand seating to 7,000 were considered, favoring terracing due to cost constraints.[11][12][13]

The Shed, named for its resemblance to a cow shed, became renowned for its passionate atmosphere. 'Project Kingsholm' aimed to modernize the stadium, akin to developments at other clubs. Despite fundraising efforts, the project was ultimately shelved.[12][13][14]

In 2006, renovations increased capacity to 16,500 to meet league requirements. Plans to convert the Shed into an all-seater section sparked a 'Save Our Shed' campaign, opposing the loss of terracing.[12] Plans for redevelopment, including hospitality units, were discussed but not implemented.[15]

Proposals for a new 20,000-seater stadium were considered to accommodate both Gloucester Rugby and Gloucester City A.F.C. Additionally, Kingsholm's use as a temporary home for Gloucester City A.F.C. was explored, particularly after their stadium, Meadow Park, was rendered unusable due to flooding.[12]

In 2017, Gloucester Rugby announced plans to upgrade Kingsholm Stadium, including a megastore and museum.[16] Apart from small modifications, the main plans did not come to fruition.

Colours[edit]

Kits[edit]

Nickname[edit]

Season records & summaries[edit]

Premiership Domestic Cup European Cup
Season Competition Final Position Points Play-Offs Competition Performance Competition Performance
1987–88 Courage League Division 1 5th 29 N/A John Player Cup 4th round No competition N/A
1988–89 Courage League Division 1 2nd 15 N/A Pilkington Cup Semi-final No competition N/A
1989–90 Courage League Division 1 2nd 17 N/A Pilkington Cup Runners-up No competition N/A
1990–91 Courage League Division 1 6th 12 N/A Pilkington Cup 4th round No competition N/A
1991–92 Courage League Division 1 4th 15 N/A Pilkington Cup Semi-final No competition N/A
1992–93 Courage League Division 1 5th 12 N/A Pilkington Cup 3rd round No competition N/A
1993–94 Courage League Division 1 8th 14 N/A Pilkington Cup Quarter-final No competition N/A
1994–95 Courage League Division 1 7th 13 N/A Pilkington Cup 4th round No competition N/A
1995–96 Courage League Division 1 8th 12 N/A Pilkington Cup Semi-final No English teams N/A
1996–97 Courage League Division 1 7th 23 N/A Pilkington Cup Semi-final Challenge Cup 4th in pool
1997–98 Allied Dunbar Premiership 6th 23 N/A Tetley's Bitter Cup 5th round Challenge Cup Quarter-final
C&G Cup Champions
1998–99 Allied Dunbar Premiership 10th 19 N/A Tetley's Bitter Cup Semi-final No English teams N/A
C&G Cup Champions
1999–2000 Allied Dunbar Premiership 3rd 40 N/A Tetley's Bitter Cup Quarter-final Challenge Cup 2nd in pool
2000–01 Zurich Premiership 7th 48 N/A Tetley's Bitter Cup 5th round Heineken Cup Semi-final
2001–02 Zurich Premiership 3rd 68 N/A Powergen Cup Quarter-final Challenge Cup Semi-final
2002–03 Zurich Premiership 1st 82 Runners-up Powergen Cup Champions Heineken Cup 3rd in pool
2003–04 Zurich Premiership 4th 63 - Powergen Cup 6th round Heineken Cup Quarter-final
2004–05 Zurich Premiership 6th 47 - Powergen Cup Semi-final Heineken Cup 2nd in pool
2005–06 Guinness Premiership 5th 59 - Powergen Cup 2nd in pool Challenge Cup Champions
2006–07 Guinness Premiership 1st 71 Runners-up EDF Energy Cup 2nd in pool Heineken Cup 3rd in pool
2007–08 Guinness Premiership 1st 74 Semi-final EDF Energy Cup 2nd in pool Heineken Cup Quarter-final
2008–09 Guinness Premiership 6th 57 - EDF Energy Cup Runners-up Heineken Cup 3rd in pool
2009–10 Guinness Premiership 7th 48 - LV= Cup Runners-up Challenge Cup* Quarter-final*
2010–11 Aviva Premiership 3rd 67 Semi-final LV= Cup Champions Challenge Cup 2nd in pool
2011–12 Aviva Premiership 9th 44 - LV= Cup 3rd in pool Heineken Cup 3rd in pool
2012–13 Aviva Premiership 5th 60 - LV= Cup 4th in pool Challenge Cup Quarter-final
2013–14 Aviva Premiership 9th 44 - LV= Cup 2nd in pool Challenge Cup* Quarter-final*
2014–15 Aviva Premiership 9th 48 - LV= Cup 2nd in pool Challenge Cup Champions
2015–16 Aviva Premiership 8th 49 - No competition N/A Challenge Cup Quarter-final
2016–17 Aviva Premiership 9th 46 - Anglo-Welsh Cup 2nd in pool Challenge Cup Runners-up
2017–18 Aviva Premiership 7th 56 - Anglo-Welsh Cup 2nd in pool Challenge Cup Runners-up
2018–19 Gallagher Premiership 3rd 68 Semi-final Premiership Cup 3rd in pool Champions Cup 4th in pool
2019–20 Gallagher Premiership 7th 46 – Premiership Cup 4th in pool Champions Cup 2nd in pool
2020–21 Gallagher Premiership 11th 45 – No competition N/A Champions Cup Round of 16
2021-22 Gallagher Premiership 5th 73 – Premiership Cup Semi-final Challenge Cup Quarter-final
2022-23 Gallagher Premiership 10th 41 – Premiership Cup 2nd in pool Champions Cup Round of 16
2023-24 Gallagher Premiership Premiership Cup Champions Challenge Cup

Gold background denotes champions
Silver background denotes runners-up
Pink background denotes relegated

* After dropping into the competition from the Champions Cup/Heineken Cup

Club honours[edit]

Current squad[edit]

Coaches[edit]

Current coaches[edit]

Source:[17]

Past coaches[edit]

As of
Name Nat. From To P W D L Win % Honours Ref
Richard Hill  England Autumn 1995 February 1999 [19][20]
Philippe Saint-André  France February 1999
Nigel Melville  England
Dean Ryan  England
Bryan Redpath  Scotland
Nigel Davies  Wales
Laurie Fisher  Australia
Johan Ackermann  South Africa
George Skivington  England 3 July 2020

Notes

  • Excludes pre-season and cancelled fixtures.
  • Excludes results from Gloucester United (2nd XV)

Notable former players[edit]

Notes[edit]

Sources[edit]

  • Collier, Chris; King, Malc; Williams, Dick (2023). 150 Years of Gloucester Rugby. Hobnob Press. ISBN 978-1-914407-63-5.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Hurcom, Sophie (15 March 2024). "Premiership Rugby Cup final: Gloucester 23-13 Leicester: Gloucester clinch first trophy in nine years". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 29 March 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. ^ "A brief history of GRFC" (PDF). Gloucester Rugby Heritage. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  3. ^ Collier, King & Williams 2023.
  4. ^ a b Collier, King & Williams 2023, p. 1.
  5. ^ "Club History – Through the decades" (PDF). Gloucester Rugby Heritage. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Club History - 1881 to 1918". Gloucester Athletic Club. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  7. ^ "1891: Agreement for the Tenancy of the Castle Grim estate". Gloucester Rugby Heritage. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  8. ^ "James Forrester appointed Gloucester-Hartpury CEO". Gloucester Rugby. 7 June 2023. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury Women's RFC Table 2016-2017". RFU. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Gloucester-Hartpury 34-19 Exeter Chiefs: Cherry and Whites win Premier 15s final at 'Queensholm'". BBC Sport. 24 June 2023. Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  11. ^ Williams, Dick (7 October 2015). "1891: New Athletic Ground". Gloucester Rugby Heritage. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d "History of Gloucester Rugby Ground" (PDF). Gloucester Rugby Heritage. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  13. ^ a b King, Malc (13 December 2010). "The Development of Kingsholm - Overview". Gloucester Rugby Heritage. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Gloucester launch Project Kingsholm". ESPN. 25 September 2003. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Walkinshaw's plan for the shed". BBC Sport. BBC News. 9 September 2008. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  16. ^ Iles, Robert (6 September 2017). "Gloucester Rugby plan new megastore and even museum in major Kingsholm changes". Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  17. ^ "Gloucester Rugby Confirm 2023/24 Coaching Structure". Gloucester Rugby. Gloucester Rugby. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  18. ^ "Alex Brown appointed Gloucester Rugby Chief Executive Officer". Gloucester Rugby. 4 September 2023. Archived from the original on 4 September 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  19. ^ Collier, King & Williams 2023, p. 199.
  20. ^ Collier, King & Williams 2023, p. 205.
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