After that coffee…..or Guinness!
I often commented that I did not think Humphries and Ackermann were the right choice for Gloucester and I stand by that and feel I have been proven right. I’ve also regularly suggested St.Q, while being a formidable businessman, might be struggling with the knot in the purse strings. Way back in May 2020 I commented on the conjecture that Rory Teague may take over from Ackermann as Head Coach and suggested that he “fit’s St.Q’s budget”. I also suggested that big names do not necessarily bring success. Any successful team is driven by cohesion, not by throwing money at it. It has to be said I certainly never wanted Teague as HC as I didn’t believe he was anywhere near good enough and I’m singularly glad that his appointment never came to be and that other decisions were taken. Alex Brown’s (a Gloucester man through & through) appointment as COO has proven to be inspired but it is the selection of head coach that has been the greatest assignment and Bradley’s hand in these and other events needs to be applauded.
With so many top names linked to the Gloucester HC role Turkish seemed a dark horse and some may have thought my previous comment in regard to Teague regarding budgetary demands may have applied also to this option; I can’t deny thinking it, though I don’t think I ever actually said it. I did however, having not actually commented on his appointment, comment in December 2020 that I was impressed with his early weeks and felt we would survive 20/21, move into European contention in 21/22 and probably be top 4 in 22/23. I based this on the cohesiveness I saw being created around a strong and passionate squad with elements of leadership, wisdom, & youth. I have also commented previously on succession planning and the appointment of Carl Hogg to lead the academy was also sublime.
And so I have to admit, these appointments were made, not in regard to any budgetary restriction, but identifying the right people for the job; after all, just because it’s not the most costly option doesn’t mean it’s not the right one. Certainly, those coming in had to understand that budgets have to be adhered to so coming to work for Gloucester may not offer the greatest financial remuneration. But Maslow proves to us that once basic needs are met other motivations form part of our drivers. One of these is “love & belonging”, well you get that in bucketloads at The ‘Holm. Maslow then states that as these needs are met we find ourselves aiming for self-actualisation and, ultimately, transcendance, to become the very best we can be. Turkish clearly wants to become the very best he can be. He has also clearly shown that cohesion is one of the most important factors in delivering team success. But he and others, have taken this even further than my limited understanding by trying to ensure the squad, the club, the business, the supporters and the city become a single cohesive identity. He understood the necessity to appoint Luds as captain. he understood that by creating a powerful scrummaging, mauling front 8, a favourite of any Glaws fan, he would excite the fans and start recreating “Fortress Kingsolm”. So things are looking good on the field and in the backroom. For me, one of the clearest signs of cohesion is that the whole team want to stay together. You have evolution not revolution. And that is clearly what is happening at Gloucester. Meanwhile, at Welford Road, 21 players out and 12 in, an incredible turnover even considering the reduced cap. All may not be as cohesive as it seems at Welford Road. It will interesting to watch Tiggers this season to see if they emulate past success.
But all is not rosy in the rugby garden. Pests have been struggling for a good while now and things could get even shakier. Worriers are on the brink of Administration. Barff and Sarries are seemingly wholly reliant on fincancial backers with big wallets and the moment Tony Rowe started limiting his involvement with Chiefs they suffered their first set backs. So while I, and I’m sure many others, would love to see big money being thrown around that is not what’s required; steady financial probity has to be the essential element. We have all seen big bucks thrown around before without a great deal of success and that is because without the other essential elements, the absolute neccessity to take the whole team on the journey with you, it will ultimately fail.
So, while Gloucester is not, and probably never will be, an endless gold mine generating wealth for owners, it’s holding it’s own. And in that regard is probably one of the most financially successful premiership clubs. And to ensure that endures difficult decisions must continue to be made. One such was the naming rights given to The Shed. There was some strongly worded protests when this was announced but, as I said at the time and proved to be true, when the first home game of the season kicks off the commentators will say “It’s now the Greene King Shed” and will then just call it The Shed forevermore. I doubt many people have realised the sponsor has changed and it is now “The Compede Shed”. It will forever be “The Shed” in rugby circles. But we get a good return on letting pretenders call it what they will. It’s similar to stadium naming rights. Who calls Welford Road “Mattioli Woods Welford Road”? Anybody…….? How many of us call the Allianz “The StoneX”? or The Ricoh “Coventry Building Society Arena”? very few I think.
So what about the unmentionable? What about the naming rights for The ‘Holm? What would arguably the most fanatical club rugby fans in the world feel about that? Surely it must be a consideration for any business to ensure it generates the maximum income it can, particularly in the murky waters of a difficult industry. Surely, as supporters of our club it’s something that, if ever suggested, we should whole heartedly support? We must trust the business acumen of those that have led us through what has been the single most difficult time in professional rugby. Name it what they will, it will always be ‘Holm to us, and with their sound financial probity, it always will be.
P.S. going back through old blogs to ensure I recalled things correctly I note back in August 2020 I suggested Clarke could step up into the 2nd row. It seems I’m not always wrong 😉
P.P.S I still think Dan Tobin has proven to be a key element to our success and is arguably the greatest fitness Coach in the Prem.
winnyssite 