Andy Deacon has got a pretty good rugby CV.

He started off at Longlevens before playing rugby at the highest level for Gloucester in both the amateur and professional eras.

Since then he has played and coached successfully at semi-professional level with Cinderford before taking up the coaching reins at Cirencester a couple of years ago.

So it’s probably fair to say that what he doesn’t know about rugby – particularly rugby in Gloucestershire – isn’t worth knowing.

Now 52, Cirencester’s director of rugby can call on well over 30 years’ experience at or near the top level of the game as he looks ahead to the new season.

Cirencester, of course, were relegated back into Gloucester Premier after just one season in Western Counties North last time out, and while a speedy return to the higher level is obviously the ambition, it is not the be-all and end-all for Deacon.

“I want to try and bring a bit of a solidity to the club,” he said. “I want to make sure that people are playing more often than not.

“It was difficult last year. When we put out a good side we were very, very competitive but it didn’t happen often enough.

“That’s my focus this season. We’ve had 50-odd players at pre-season training so we’ve got a lot of players. I want to make sure they train together and get better together.”

Pre-season was something that Deacon always enjoyed as a player. Now his involvement is much more on the planning side.

And even though the pre-season numbers stack up Deacon is leaving no stone unturned as he seeks to grow the club.

“I want to maximise the potential of the club by utilising every player in the town,” he said. “Players who maybe used to play for the club who are still good enough to play – maybe they had a bad injury or they walked away for work or family reasons.

“We’re a community club and we want to involve as many people as possible. I want a good solid membership who are playing regularly. I want to run a 3rd XV and go on a good tour.

“I want everyone to take an active role in the club, not just on the field.”

Deacon also believes that the Colts set-up is vital for the future of the club, having created a pathway so that the players can progress through to the senior teams.

While promotion for the 1st XV is obviously the desired outcome this season, Deacon looks back on their successful campaign two years ago with mixed feelings.

“I remember we said we wanted promotion,” he said, “but it became a noose round our necks. It all got a bit edgy and anxious and people got stressful.

“I want to make sure people enjoy their rugby first and foremost.”