We all remember our birthdays when we were young – the cake, blowing out the candles and then making a wish.

That’s one of the things that stop when you start to grow up of course and it’s probably fair to say that it’s a good number of years since Russell Hillier, the ever agreeable president of Stroud Rugby Club, made a wish before tucking into some birthday cake.

Which is a shame because if Hillier could have one wish for the forthcoming season it would be for his beloved rugby club to make a good start to the new campaign.

“We’ve started off pretty poorly for the last two seasons.” he said. “Last season it was offset by the fact that we came back with a good run before and after Christmas.

“But it’s a lot easier if you’ve won more than you’ve lost by Christmas.”

That certainly wasn’t the case in 2017/18 as Stroud lost seven of their first eight Western Counties North fixtures. They then steadied the ship with two wins in their next four games but it wasn’t until they beat Winscombe on 9th December that their season really got up and running.

They then won five of their next six games and another four-game winning run in March and April saw them finish comfortably in mid-table with 13 wins from their 26 games.

“Apart from Cheltenham I think we beat every team in the division, including champions Coney Hill,” said Hillier, the one-time Stroud and Gloucester full-back, who is hopeful that the club can take their second half of the season form into 2018/19

“If we can keep 90 per cent or all of our squad together then I think we’ll have an enjoyable season.”

Rupert Foote, who like Hillier is Stroud through and through, is continuing as director of rugby and Hillier said: “He provides continuity.”

Ed King continues as forwards coach and Lex Brookes remains as backs coach and while that is also very good news Hillier added: “We’re not under any illusions, we know it’s going to be tough again this season. This is a very competitive league.

“Coney Hill have been promoted but they’ve been replaced by Matson and they’re not coming just to make up the numbers.”

So what is the aim for Stroud this season?

“We want to finish as best we can,” said Hillier. “Every coach wants promotion and we’re no different. We’ve got to aim for the top.

“There’s a great mood at the club and if we can keep the players from last season – up to 40 turned up to the end-of-season dinner which is a good sign – then I think we’ve got something to build on.

“The boys all know one another… we just need to make a decent start.”