When Neil Galling’s son Connor first started playing rugby seven or eight years ago, he never imagined the journey it would take them on.

Connor is still very much part of the junior set-up at Old Richians – he’s captain of the under-15s – but dad has gone from being just that, a parent, to being one of the team’s coaches and also acting as the club’s webmaster.

They are roles he thoroughly enjoys, all the more so because they were so unexpected.

“I used to be a parent and I sort of got roped in,” he laughed.

While Connor is showing plenty of potential as an outside centre, his dad, now 51, never really got to grips with a sport that is almost a religion in Gloucester.

“I played when I was a pupil at Crypt School,” the self-employed fire safety consultant said. “I was a second row, but once I left school I used to work shifts and it became difficult to find time to play.”

It’s something that he regrets.

“I wish I’d played a lot more now,” he admits, “especially looking at Connor and seeing how much he enjoys it, and all the benefits and skills he has gained. It’s not just as a rugby player that he’s developed, it’s as a person too.”

Connor first got involved in rugby at the age of seven through a school friend whose dad was a coach at the club.

“He started off playing tag rugby before going on to full contact,” said Neil. “He was quite quick and enjoyed playing football as well for Heron School and at Abbeymead Rovers.”

As with so many parents, Neil was getting as much enjoyment out of watching Connor play sport as his son was from playing.

And while Neil had only limited experience of team sport himself, he was always keen on keeping fit himself.

“I have regularly used a gym over the years and am on the Wii Fit almost every day,” he said. “I cycle when I can and do a lot of walking in the course of my job. I tend to lead on the strength and conditioning training, and the Old Richians boys call me ‘Sergeant Galling!’”

So, it was no surprise when Old Richians asked him if he’d help out with a bit of coaching.

“That was about five years ago,” he chuckled, “but my good lady, Sandra, wasn’t having any of it, so I let it go.

“I continued to do my parent bit, tidying up, holding the ruck pads, that sort of thing but it was another couple of years before I got properly involved in coaching.

“One of the former coaches talked me into it. He used to work with Sandra, so he convinced her as well!

“I have a lot to thank my fellow coaches for. They are supportive, helpful and always share their knowledge, experience and ideas.

“A special mention must go to our leader James Painting, who has got me more involved in the running of the team and nominated me to help with the website following my extensive match reports!”

It’s a decision he’s never regretted, of course, although he’s not too sure how much longer he will be coaching his son’s team.

“They’re getting to that level where their skills are above what I can teach them,” he said.

“It might be nice to go back down and help coach one of the younger age groups or join the committee, I’m sort of embedded in the club now.”

He certainly is and it looks like he’ll be involved in rugby for many years to come because as well as Old Richians, young Connor is also captain of his age group team at Churchdown School, and trains at Hartpury every Monday as part of the Gloucester Rugby Developing Playing Programme (DPP).