Long-time Old Patesians player Ben Parker is taking his first steps on the coaching ladder with a team just down the road from his former club.

The 39-year-old has taken on the role of backs coach with Smiths and is working alongside two other Old Pats stalwarts, Rob Nock and Chris Long.

Nock, the skills coach, and forwards coach Long were part of the coaching team at the Gloucestershire One club last season under director of rugby and head coach Chris Raymond.

One-time Gloucester player Raymond has given up the roles because of his work commitments and Parker said that he, Nock and Long will be making the big decisions on the pitch in 2019/20.

“It’s very exciting,” said Parker, a centre or full-back, “I’ve known Nocky and Longy for a long time, we’ve broken down our roles and responsibilities between us.”

Parker played his last game for the Pats in 2015 but came out of retirement to play a number of games for Smiths in 2018/19.

“I had a couple of years doing nothing,” he said, “but I wanted to get a bit fitter so I did a pre-season with Smiths and it all went from there.”

And Parker has seen enough at the club to believe that promotion is a possibility this season.

“That’s the aim,” said Parker, “the plan is to get out of the league. There’s a real good bunch of boys at Smiths and the quality is really good.

“There’s nothing in the league that should scare us, the ambition is to get into Gloucestershire Premier.”

And Parker hopes to play his part on the pitch as well “body permitting” before admitting “that’s easier said than done”.

With all his experience, Parker will be a huge asset if he can play for much of the season, of course, and while he obviously knows his way around a rugby pitch, he admits coaching is something of an unknown for him.

“I’m intrigued to see how it goes,” he said. “Firstly, whether I enjoy it, and secondly, whether I’m any good at it.

“If it goes well I’d like to take it as far as I can.”

Smiths play their home games these days at the Prince of Wales Stadium – a ground Parker knows well because he won a fair number of Combinations cups there in his time with the Pats.

And he’s delighted that he can now call the place ‘home’.

“The facilities are excellent,” he said, “both for playing and training. For a club in Gloucestershire One to be playing at a stadium like we do, it’s amazing.”