The National One campaign may only just have finished but Cinderford director of rugby Paul Morris already has his plans in place for next season.

Morris has moved in typically decisive fashion to replace departing head coach Adam Balding, who is joining Birmingham Moseley, and Cinderford United manager Richard Planchant, who is taking over as head coach at Chosen Hill.

Current Cinderford attack coach Clive Stuart-Smith has been promoted to the role of head coach; Andrew Stanley will become forwards and defence coach, while Ed King rejoins the club as forwards coach.

Danny Pointon and Marcus Brown, meanwhile, will look after Cinderford United.

Morris, who guided Cinderford to an eighth-placed finish in the 16-strong National One after winning promotion the previous campaign, said that Stuart-Smith will deliver Cinderford’s coaching programme and strategy throughout the senior squad, while continuing to lead Cinderford’s attacking play.

“Clive came to the club in the summer of 2013 and has been an influential figure ever since,” Morris said. “He became attack coach in 2015 and was instrumental in our successful season in 2017-18 that saw us crowned National Two South champions with a record 143 points which included 161 tries in 30 games.

“Clive is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, committed and provides a seamless transition. He is well-equipped to take on the head coach role and I have no doubt that he will continue to progress Cinderford forward in National One next season.”

Stanley, who is director of rugby at Dean Close School, was previously coaching consultant for the club working alongside Stuart-Smith and Balding for the past three-and-a-half seasons.

“Stan is hugely popular with the players at Cinderford,” said Morris. “He has the depth of knowledge and coaching credentials that earns him the respect of everyone.

“He, like Clive, has been a major reason for our success during the last few seasons. I am delighted we have been able to secure his services again. His settled coaching relationship with Clive again provides a smooth transition and the players will benefit accordingly.”

One-time Cinderford second row King retired from playing at the end of the 2016-17 season after playing nearly 150 first team games for the club.

For the past two seasons he has been coaching Stroud in Western Counties North and Morris said: “Cinderford are happy to provide Ed with the chance to fulfil the role of forwards coach for the senior squad.

“He will work closely with Stan to provide excellent coaching standards for our forwards in the senior squad. He will primarily focus on the lineout and will progress to a wider role as he settles.

“Ed is excited by the role and opportunity and I have no doubt that he is going to be a success. It is really good to have him back at the club and I believe he is the perfect fit for our senior squad.”

The new Cinderford United coaching team will comprise of two player/coaches. Current fly-half/scrum-half Pointon will become lead coach and he will be joined by Brown as forwards coach.

Brown left Cinderford in January 2018 to join Birmingham Solihull and spent last season playing in National Two South.

“They are excellent appointments for Cinderford United, who compete in the tough Zoo League Division One,” said Morris. “Replacing Richard Planchant is a tough act to follow but as a duo, Danny and Marcus cover all bases.

“They will also be responsible for coaching specific sectors within the full senior squad. As players, they have much to offer and there is no barrier to them playing first-team rugby.

“We have an excellent partnership with St Peter’s RC High School, Gloucester, where we use their AGP for training. Both Danny and Marcus are ex-pupils of the school, Danny being captain when the school lifted the Under-18 Daily Mail Schools Cup at Twickenham in 2006 while Marcus is currently a teacher at the school.”

King, Pointon and Brown have played nearly 400 1st XV games for Cinderford between them over the past decade.