Gloucester Old Boys are a forwards thinking club and that may be a very good thing as they look to hit the ground running in Gloucester Premier this season.

The newly promoted club, who finished runners-up to team-of-the-season Spartans last time out, believe that the strength of their pack will go a long way towards helping them establish themselves at the higher level.

Chairman Shane Bubb, who also doubles up as the 2nd XV’s assistant manager when required, hopes that the club have what it takes to front up in 2017/18.

“Hooker Joe Shelton, who joined us from Old Patesians, made a big difference as our player/forwards coach last season,” he said.

“Obviously we want to do as well as we did last season but it will be a big step up. There will be a lot of local derbies against the likes of Longlevens, Spartans and Gordon League and they’ll all be a bit tasty.

“We’ve been told by teams who have been promoted in the past that the Gloucester Premier is much more forwards based and that might just suit us.

“We’ve got good backs as well so we’re hopeful we’ll hold our own.”

Shelton shares the coaching duties with backs coach Sean Felice and it’s pretty much as you were last season with Greg Padfield continuing to captain the 1st XV and Shaun Rayer remaining in charge of the 2nd XV.

While there is plenty of ambition on the field at a club that is located just an Elliot Daly monster penalty kick from the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, there is also plenty of progress being made off the pitch as well.

“We’ve had new showers, boilers and heaters put into the clubhouse,” said Bubb, “and a water purifying system in readiness for the start of the season. We’ll be like a brand new club.”

Bubb has been as much a part of the fixtures and fittings as anyone over the past 40 years having been involved with the club since he was 10.

He took over as chairman “four or five years ago” after many years as a player. “I started in the front row and ended in the back row,” he laughed.

As well as all his other duties, Bubb is committed to seeing the club grow its junior section.

“Daniel Gombera is the driving force behind that,” he said. “We want to try and run an under-7s, 8s and 9s this season. The future of clubs like ours depends on the youngsters.”